Difference between revisions of "Frequently asked questions"

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== Frequently Asked Questions ==
+
= About NaNoWriMo =
 +
== Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel?  ==
 +
Every year people around the world take the plunge and become an author during the month of November. If you've always wanted to write a novel, or try to write a novel, then this is the year to take advantage of National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo). It is a free, annual challenge that takes place every November, where novelists strive to start, write and complete the first draft of their 50,000+ word novel in just 30 days.
  
=== NaNoWriMo Illinois::Naperville Region ===
+
Last year over six hundred and fifty thousand people worldwide took up the challenge. In the Naperville region, which serves the western and southern suburbs of Chicago, 148 participants completed their novels in 2013. They were bolstered by online forums and local events, and had fun along the way.
Q: Who are you and what is this about?
 
  
A: Hi, my name is Tim aka NewMexicoKid. I'm a volunteer co-municipal liaison for NaNoWriMo's Chicago western suburbs region that is [url=http://www.frappr.com/westsuburbanwriters]centered in Naperville[/url]. BERaven (Bonnie Jean) is my partner and mentor co-ML for the region.  
+
The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo, representing the cities and suburbs west of Chicago, has partnered with area libraries to offer four preparatory workshops.  
  
Q: Say I join the region, what do I do next?
+
The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo is partnering with many area libraries to offer write-in events in November for people to use to work on their novel while others around them are working on theirs. For more information see the [[Library Crawl 2015]] page.
  
A: If you haven't already done so, please come to our [url=http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&topic_id=1028&forum=240]welcome[/url] thread and post a note introducing yourself to the other participants. You can say something about who you are and what you are writing. There are several other threads of interest in our [url=http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=240]regional forum[/url]. You can also [url=http://www.frappr.com/westsuburbanwriters]place yourself on our regional map[/url] and [url=http://writing.teiru.net/wiki]contribute to our regional wiki site[/url] that is going to serve as an example of next year's official NaNo wiki engine.
+
All participants and their friends and family are welcome to attend the TGIO party December 5th at the Naperville Municipal Center. Come visit http://naperwrimo.org for '''[[2015 Events|more detailed event information]]'''. Fulfill your dream of becoming a novelist. See http://www.nanowrimo.org and send your questions to '''mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org'''.
  
Q: When and where are the write-ins?
+
== Past press releases ==
 +
''[[Press Release 2013-09-01]]''
  
A: You are very welcome to come to our Sunday write-in's, which are also in the [url=http://maps.google.com/local?q=%22Barnes+and+Noble%22%2C+Naperville%2C+IL&btnG=Search&sll=37.062500%2C-95.677068&sspn=40.613415%2C74.179688&f=q&hl=en&latlng=41785833,-88147222,4999810483476551057]downtown Naperville Barnes and Noble[/url] from 1-3 pm just outside their upstairs music area (there will be a big sign).
+
= Frequently Asked Questions =
  
Q: Where can I find the recommended books?
+
== Frequently Asked Questions  ==
  
A: Make sure to avail yourselves of the great displays of [url=http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6289&forum=240]recommended books[/url] that the Naperville Nichols and 95th street libraries have set up for the month of November. The Nichols library went so far as to buy every book on the list we sent that they didn't already have.
+
Q: What does this cost? <br>
 +
A: '''Absolutely nothing is required'''. Donations to cover the nanowrimo.org website and administrative costs are accepted but are not necessary.  
  
 +
Q: What do the winners get? <br>
 +
A: A PDF file proclaiming them NaNoWriMo winners if they manage to complete at least 50,000 words in 30 days. More importantly, the happiness of completing at least 50,0000 words of a novel.
  
=== hipster PDA ===
+
Q: Where can I find out more information about the local events?<br/>
 +
A: Check out the '''[[2013 Events]]''' page for detailed information about the local events.
  
The [http://merlin.blogs.com/43folders/2004/09/introducing_the.html hipster PDA] is a cool, retro-low tech solution to information management. One uses a collection of blank and written 3x5 index cards bound with a binder clip or collected in a special carrier to jot down notes. Here are some pertinent links:
+
Q: 50,000 words in 30 days seems foolhardy... <br>
 +
A: Actually, it turns out to be roughly 1,670 words per day, which turns out to be manageable. There are some exceptionally prolific writers who produce four times that amount... but many just barely get over the hump. The NaNoWriMo website and online discussion forums provide a lot of support; and we are organizing some weekly meetings locally for participants to use for writing and discussing their work.  
  
* [http://gurno.com/adam/j2/index.php?p=44 Tricking out the hipster]
+
Q: Do I have to publish my novel? <br>
* [http://radio.weblogs.com/0114670/categories/hipsterPda/2005/06/14.html Hipster PDA: Plans, Ideas, Information ... all in the back pocket]
+
A: No. Some participants share their novels with other participants for critiquing; a few participants have had their NaNoWriMo novels published. There are no requirements here.  
* [http://www.douglasjohnston.net/weblog/archives/2005/06/11/diyp2_hipsterpda/ D*I*Y Planner Hipster PDA Edition]
 
* [http://www.slowburnproductions.com/2005/09/hipster-pda-tips-for-people-obsessed.html  Hipster PDA Tips for People Obsessed With Productivity Pr0n But Bad At Actual Productivity]
 
* [http://www.43folders.com/2005/01/organizing_your.html Organizing your Hipster PDA]
 
  
 +
Q: What about my privacy? <br>
 +
A: While you do have to provide an e-mail address in order to register, the NaNoWriMo forums give participants fine control over what information is made available to others. E-mail address and identity information can be concealed and the NaNoWriMo team has a strong privacy policy. E-mail addresses are not shared or sold and you have to explicitly sign up to receive e-mail announcements from the NaNo team during November.
  
=== Which Novel Writing Books are Recommended? ===
+
Q: How do I sign up? <br/>
 +
A: Sign-ups can be done through the http://www.nanowrimo.org website. The NaNoWriMo contest proper begins at 12:01 midnight November 1st.
  
* See [[http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6289&forum=240 the 2005 thread for recommended books]]
+
Q: Who coordinates things for the Chicago Western Suburbs region? <br>
* See [[http://www.nanowrimo.org/2003/viewtopic.php?t=15631&highlight=recommended+books this 2003 thread]] with recommended books
+
A: We (Tim Yao, Katherine Lato and Frank Dahlman) are volunteer municipal liaisons for the Chicago Western Suburbs region of NaNoWriMo (Illinois::Naperville). We are enthusiastic participants of previous NaNo's who want to help others find the joy of completion that we've found. We organize the kick-off writing session, weekly writing sessions and the TGIO party at the end.
 +
 
 +
Q: Say I join the region, what do I do next? <br>
 +
A: If you haven't already done so, please come to our [http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/usa-illinois-naperville regional forum] and post a note introducing yourself to the other participants. You can say something about who you are and what you are writing.
 +
 
 +
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org
 +
= hipster PDA =
 +
 
 +
== hipster PDA  ==
 +
 
 +
The [http://merlin.blogs.com/43folders/2004/09/introducing_the.html hipster PDA] is a cool, retro-low tech solution to information management. One uses a collection of blank and written 3x5 index cards bound with a binder clip or collected in a special carrier to jot down notes. Here are some pertinent links:
 +
 
 +
*[http://gurno.com/adam/j2/index.php?p=44 Tricking out the hipster]
 +
*[http://radio.weblogs.com/0114670/categories/hipsterPda/2005/06/14.html Hipster PDA: Plans, Ideas, Information ... all in the back pocket]  
 +
*[http://www.douglasjohnston.net/weblog/archives/2005/06/11/diyp2_hipsterpda/ D*I*Y Planner Hipster PDA Edition]  
 +
*[http://www.slowburnproductions.com/2005/09/hipster-pda-tips-for-people-obsessed.html Hipster PDA Tips for People Obsessed With Productivity Pr0n But Bad At Actual Productivity]
 +
*[http://www.43folders.com/2005/01/organizing_your.html Organizing your Hipster PDA]
 +
*'''[http://hipsterpda.naperwrimo.org NaNoWriMo hipster PDA]'''
 +
 
 +
NaNoWriMo hipsterPDAs can be found at http://hipsterpda.naperwrimo.org
 +
 
 +
= Resources =
 +
== Which Novel Writing Books are Recommended?  ==
 +
See [[Book Recommendations|Book_Recommendations]]
 +
 
 +
== What other resources are there? ==
 +
Glad you asked. We have a [[Useful_references_for_writers]] page where there are a lot of links collected!
 +
 
 +
== What about navigational aids for the nanowrimo site? ==
 +
You might like the [http://naperwrimo.org/reference_desk Reference desk forum index page] (that does filtering and sorting)
 +
 
 +
<headertabs />

Revision as of 08:46, 8 November 2015

[edit]

Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel?

Every year people around the world take the plunge and become an author during the month of November. If you've always wanted to write a novel, or try to write a novel, then this is the year to take advantage of National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo). It is a free, annual challenge that takes place every November, where novelists strive to start, write and complete the first draft of their 50,000+ word novel in just 30 days.

Last year over six hundred and fifty thousand people worldwide took up the challenge. In the Naperville region, which serves the western and southern suburbs of Chicago, 148 participants completed their novels in 2013. They were bolstered by online forums and local events, and had fun along the way.

The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo, representing the cities and suburbs west of Chicago, has partnered with area libraries to offer four preparatory workshops.

The Naperville region of NaNoWriMo is partnering with many area libraries to offer write-in events in November for people to use to work on their novel while others around them are working on theirs. For more information see the Library Crawl 2015 page.

All participants and their friends and family are welcome to attend the TGIO party December 5th at the Naperville Municipal Center. Come visit http://naperwrimo.org for more detailed event information. Fulfill your dream of becoming a novelist. See http://www.nanowrimo.org and send your questions to mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org.

Past press releases

Press Release 2013-09-01

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does this cost?
A: Absolutely nothing is required. Donations to cover the nanowrimo.org website and administrative costs are accepted but are not necessary.

Q: What do the winners get?
A: A PDF file proclaiming them NaNoWriMo winners if they manage to complete at least 50,000 words in 30 days. More importantly, the happiness of completing at least 50,0000 words of a novel.

Q: Where can I find out more information about the local events?
A: Check out the 2013 Events page for detailed information about the local events.

Q: 50,000 words in 30 days seems foolhardy...
A: Actually, it turns out to be roughly 1,670 words per day, which turns out to be manageable. There are some exceptionally prolific writers who produce four times that amount... but many just barely get over the hump. The NaNoWriMo website and online discussion forums provide a lot of support; and we are organizing some weekly meetings locally for participants to use for writing and discussing their work.

Q: Do I have to publish my novel?
A: No. Some participants share their novels with other participants for critiquing; a few participants have had their NaNoWriMo novels published. There are no requirements here.

Q: What about my privacy?
A: While you do have to provide an e-mail address in order to register, the NaNoWriMo forums give participants fine control over what information is made available to others. E-mail address and identity information can be concealed and the NaNoWriMo team has a strong privacy policy. E-mail addresses are not shared or sold and you have to explicitly sign up to receive e-mail announcements from the NaNo team during November.

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Sign-ups can be done through the http://www.nanowrimo.org website. The NaNoWriMo contest proper begins at 12:01 midnight November 1st.

Q: Who coordinates things for the Chicago Western Suburbs region?
A: We (Tim Yao, Katherine Lato and Frank Dahlman) are volunteer municipal liaisons for the Chicago Western Suburbs region of NaNoWriMo (Illinois::Naperville). We are enthusiastic participants of previous NaNo's who want to help others find the joy of completion that we've found. We organize the kick-off writing session, weekly writing sessions and the TGIO party at the end.

Q: Say I join the region, what do I do next?
A: If you haven't already done so, please come to our regional forum and post a note introducing yourself to the other participants. You can say something about who you are and what you are writing.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at mliaisons -AT- naperwrimo.org

hipster PDA

The hipster PDA is a cool, retro-low tech solution to information management. One uses a collection of blank and written 3x5 index cards bound with a binder clip or collected in a special carrier to jot down notes. Here are some pertinent links:

NaNoWriMo hipsterPDAs can be found at http://hipsterpda.naperwrimo.org

Which Novel Writing Books are Recommended?

See Book_Recommendations

What other resources are there?

Glad you asked. We have a Useful_references_for_writers page where there are a lot of links collected!

What about navigational aids for the nanowrimo site?

You might like the Reference desk forum index page (that does filtering and sorting)