Robinski

To extend what @Belzedar says, that's what first novels are for. If you start out trying to write the perfect novel you will fail. You have to make a choice or choices and write it. Writers write, they don't sit around and think all day. I must also say it's slightly absurd to ask the question. I don't mean that in a cruel way, but what you are asking is how to be a writer, in fact, how to write your book. It's your job to find that out, no one can tell you how to do that. Also, I've heard it said that your first novel won't be any good, so you might as well get it out of the way. BUT, you will learn immeasurable amounts in going through that process, and it's highly likely you will have other ideas as you go, ideas that don't fit with this novel, but you will save for others. You will learn how to do things better, faster and more effectively for the next time. Good luck, and get writing

Noted. That is very much what our tagging system is there for, of course. Also, in addition to using the LSVD tags, we find the authors often add some context to explain why they have tagged a submission in a particular way. So, hopefully that will help too. I'll just go add you to the list. (Sounds of footsteps running down stones stairs; a door opens and closes; sound of a horse galloping, the wind in the trees; an owl hoots; distant hoofbeats approach; a horse clatters into a courtyard; a door opens and closes; sounds of feet running up stairs...) There, that's done: you're good to go!!!

Hello there, Master Jack - pleased to make your acquaintance, I'm sure Can I just check that you read the guidelines in the pinned thread? There are a few pointers and 'rules' in there for perusal, nothing too hard and heavy. Then, please send me a PM with the email address that you want to use on here, and I will add you to the circulation list. Normally, we ask that new contributors spend a couple of weeks critiquing others before they submit, just to get the hang of things. However, on the basis that we're super quiet at the moment because of NaNoWriMo, it will be just fine for your to submit on Monday 13th. Main factor to note is to stick to the 5,000 word limit (+say 10%, minus as much as you like), and to critique the other submissions that week, of which it looks like we will have one, maybe two. Welcome aboard!!

WTHeck! I own a company and I can't do that. Lucky b... Lol, I've got one of those too, aren't they fun to edit My first novel, which I've re-written 3 or 4 times over 20+ years is presently 225,000, in other words, two novels!! And yes, totally agree on the word count thing. If you write it in November it counts. I included my shopping list one year* (* didn't actually)

Yes, yes please. Please submit, please, please do. I think I may have forgotten how to download a file from an email* Please forgive the over-dramatising. I do tend to exaggerate a million times more than anyone else I know.

Ha-ha, yes, tell me about it. I do most of my writing in the early morning before work, so I haven't had time to become jaded, dispirited and generally downtrodden by the day. Being sick is just the worst for creative things, isn't it, assuming the watching TV and eating aren't classed as creative. So, good for you and keep going!!

Hey @kaellok, @Majestic Fox, @Wisps of Aether, @Shadowmancer - looks like everyone's doing pretty good. Shadow is ahead of target and the rest of us a super consistently and about a day behind. Let's close that gap today and get (back) on target! No... wait. Kaellok just updated! I'd shout 'word sprint' but I'm just finishing a good spell to get back to 'proper' work.

*well, maybe a little bit

Thanks Wisps. Of course, luck has nothing to do with it. To paraphrase the well-known phrase, the more you write, the luckier you get. So if you're Nano-ing, get writing!!

Bar-steward! Welcome to the support group, @kaellok We're here 24-7-52-365.25 if you ever just want to shoot the breeze about all things scribbling. Or submit sometime! It's what we're here for, after all

Okay, all you Nanos, and I'm looking at you were @Majestic Fox, cause we're buddied, this is a big day, chance to get caught up, chance to build a lead. It's the weekend, and you've set today aside for writing, right? So, write! Personally, I've made a slow start because I'm editing the 23K words I already had of this novel, but I've only got 7 pages to go before I'm onto the new stuff. Chocks away!!! Good luck everyone. C'mon, c'mon, get writing - it's fun, remember?!

Awesome! I'm just going onto the Nano site. Anyone else for chumming up for moral support? I am r0binski on Nanowrimo. (That's a 'zero'.)

Well, I finished editing Book 1 yesterday evening. So now I can start Nano '17. Wait, what do you means it 3rd November already?!

Awesome, thanks for sharing! I can see the Russian folk music working well for particular types of scenes. I liked the second one, more than the first for writing purposes. Such an expressive dog, wow! And yes, Hans Zimmer = awesome, although perhaps not the best for writing a light comedy or romance? Have you seen Bladerunner: 2049? I thought Zimmer's score was superb, evoking the original, but also fresh and surprising.

And in order to justify my totally off-topic last post... What music will you be using to support and motivate you in your Nano quest?

if I had to pick one, Porcupine Tree, because you get an Alex Lifeson solo in there too, but it's just so expansive, musically and conceptually, I think. Not what I'd call jolly, but bang on tone all the way through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8tgLNgXCLA And, the FFaF, very rousing. For anyone who has ever been on a (long) journey and come back again. Very evocative of life on the road, I expect, the album is about a sailor's journey, but the first song just nails the whole thing. Goosebumps.

It's not about anyone else but you. You can do it. It's not even about writing, really, it's about belief and commitment, or you could be like me, and just be so dmn stubborn and competitive that you REFUSE to allow any stupid writing contest to beat you. Come partner up with me, if you like. I am r0binski.

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me it's a big band concept album. Some of my favourite albums are concept albums* Marillion - Misplaced Childhood Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet Rush - Clockwork Angels (now complete with tie-in novel by Neil Peart and Kevin J. Anderson) Funeral for a Friend - Tales Don't Tell Themselves Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime Pallas - The Sentinel (*What do you mean, you didn't ask?)

Yes, please do. Please, please do. Go ahead. Submit two if you like (That's how quiet it is!!)

Hey @kais, no need to apologise. We don't expect to give us something to read every week!! I'll forestall congratulations until it's a done deal. Superstition, and all that... (fiction or non-?)

Yay! Not having time just makes it more exciting!!

Undoubtedly! (...still a restaurant...)

"Hello, hello..." *tap*, *tap*. "Is this thing on? Anybody? Nobody, really?"

Err, isn't it a restaurant (brasserie)? Or is that a play on words (bra-sserie)?