Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

I decided to get involved with the National Novel Writing Month program (http://www.nanowrimo.org/ ).

Associated with this project is one involving a competition for a YA novel writing project. Check out http://www.writingclasses.com/Contest...

What are you writing for NaNoWriMo?

I want to Nano so bad, but my time is extremely limited. Maybe next year...

My book will involve twin sisters who are bi-racial and the confrontations they have with others that they are never enough: never black enough, never white enough.

Amelia, my NaNo name is LuvrOfInfo, so feel free to make me a writing buddy.

I've just signed myself up, I'm Dreamstorm if anyone wants to add me. :) Happy writing!

I just received two books which I consider very worthy of reading for writing YA novels: Writing Great Books for Young Adults Everything You Need to Know, from Crafting the Idea to Landing a Publishing Deal and Writing And Selling The Young Adult Novel. I found lots of good tips that really helped me refine and improve my outline for NaNo.

Ah, just root for me to get through the experience. I just decided to go to Seattle and am leaving in the morning, so my schedule is a bit upset. But I will do NaNo regardless.

Good luck to everyone joining this year! I'm definitely not a writer, I rather read. :-)

Heather, that sounds really interesting.

Well, let's gear up. My first task is to finish my last book for the YA 50 pt. question!

In Seattle -- ah, I love the rain!

I've got two full manuscripts written already, but I haven't started submissions. This will be my first Nano :) I am LJBoldyrev on the site if anyone would like to "buddy" me

Lydia wrote: "I decided to get involved with the National Novel Writing Month program (http://www.nanowrimo.org/ ).

Associated with this project is one involving a competition for a YA novel writing project. ..."

Lydia wrote: "My book will involve twin sisters who are bi-racial and the confrontations they have with others that they are never enough: never black enough, never white enough."

That sounds like a good one! I see that topic discussed a lot in another discussion board I belong to.

Heather wrote: "I'm gonna try it. I just made an account yesterday as blackdotbug. Buddies? Anyone?

I made an outline but it's rough. That's probably a good thing. It's about a girl who discovers her mom is a tra..."

That sounds interesting too!
I think I added everyone.

Yes, I'm definitely interested in writing a YA novel, just haven't done much about it yet. Thanks, Lydia for all the great information you've provided here.

So how did everyone's NaNo's go? I didn't participate last year. I write every day, but I generally only do a 1000 words a day. I don't think I could keep up with what is needed to produce 50K in a month.

Heather, that's awesome. It's hard work to write 50K in one month.

So you got to your word count but never finished the story? Did you plot your story beforehand or just write by the seat of your pants? Think you'll ever go back to that story?

When I write a story, that's about as much outline as I have too. I have about 5 bullet points listed for each chapter, some notes about the characters, and that's about it. But after writing 4 novels and many short stories, I have found that having some notes is better than nothing.

Just wanted to remind everyone that Nanowrimo time is upon us again! Check it out! It's a lot of fun!

I just get an idea and run with it as I write, not always a game plan. Occationally I'll write some notes for what I want to happen

I want to do the Nanowrimo so badly! But I am so stinkin' busy all the time. And I have no idea for a book whatsoever. Lol...

Oh wow... Is it that time again already? You know, I just wrote a couple pages the other day... Maybe I'll give it a go this time...

Heather, I can't wait either! NaNo is so intense but its a lot of fun too. My user is kgborland.

I love the concept for NaNo, but this is the second year in a row I find myself completely without time to participate. I average somewhere around a completed, edited manuscript every two months or so, so I think the pressure would be fun. I know, I know - nobody truly has the time to write, and all writing time must come from somewhere else, but I just don't think I can do it on top of 5th year university classes this year. ScriptFrenzy in February it is!

IDGS
Grey Dogs: Zombie Survival

Hey gang, I did NaNo 2010 AND I ACTUALLY FINISHED! It felt so good to put down 50,000 words - especially since I did finish a day early. My book is a YA (totally different than the other one I planned) and a group of us are organizing a critique group for YA to complete our book.

Also entered a YA contest where they only want the title and the first 250 words! I think I rewrote those words 5-6 times! Gave them to my daughter to check out, and still decided to rewrite again! (Don't tell her!)

Currently taking time off but it will be rewrite time in another week.

Congrats to all who participated.