Novel-in-a-Day 5: Go Set A NiaD

[Rollerdiva]

You have to include me I bought a t-shirt.
And a mug.

Oh Christ please pick me I'm gonna look a right loser if you don't...

[Montree_Whiles]

I'm here. Front and center. Vacation is scheduled and I'm raring to go. Count me in. I'll start pimping the do.

[vic-k]

You have to include me I bought a t-shirt.
And a mug.
Oh Christ please pick me I'm gonna look a right loser if you don't...

Don't worry Rd, he'll have to pick you, or else he'll be vilified and castigated, and the latter can be quite painful if not done under anaesthetic.
vic

[Briar Kit]

More than happy to oblige! But, having read some of your stuff, I'd dispute the whole not talented enough part anyway.

Vic really can't keep a secret. Thanks for the kindness.

Am looking forward to following and reading NIAD 2015.

[pigfender]

You have to include me I bought a t-shirt.
And a mug.

Oh Christ please pick me I'm gonna look a right loser if you don't...

Haha! Everyone looks fantastic in a NiaD t-shirt! But just in case, you're in!

I'm here. Front and center. Vacation is scheduled and I'm raring to go. Count me in. I'll start pimping the do.

Thanks!

There's a few maintaining their 100% attendance record now!

Vic really can't keep a secret.

I think he's been at the sugar again.

Am looking forward to following and reading NIAD 2015.

Me too! Wonder what it'll be about!

[pigfender]

If folks do want to collaborate on a single chapter or have a brief to work in parallel with no commitment to Mr P, i will volunteer to manage/support that effort for ONE book/chapter that is assigned to me by the fearful leader. While I have only completed one NiaD I have confidence that I can provide a full committed chapter for Mr P solo but would be more than happy to coordinate a colab version. Should there be interest in this I will make sure you have Mr P support to make it successful for everyone.

PM me if interested.

For the avoidance of doubt, a formal collaborative chapter will be subject to the same quality approvals as any other hopeful new participant: I'll want a sample of writing from the complete collective to make sure you're up to it. A key measure will be that your chapter must be indistinguishable from one written by a single person! No "three word story" chapters will be included!

In other words, the following are likely to pass the test:
- a single main writer who brainstorms ideas from his friends but still actually does all the writing,
- a single main writer who gets editorial input from 1 other person, or
- an established two-person writing partnership

Unlikely to be accepted as a 'formal' chapter that makes the book:
- crowdsourced chapters, or
- chapters written by more than a couple of contributors that are simple dividing the chapter into smaller sections.

That's for several reasons:
1) the preserve the integrity of the books (which people are rightly very proud of)
2) to make sure everyone has a fair and sensible amount to write that can show off their own writing style and vision for their section (any disaggregation is likely to imply an initial single interpretation and vision for the chapter, and prevent individuals from getting the full NiaD experience).
3) a chapter is only 1,500 words and you have a whole day. That really should be manageable!

[Jaysen]

That's a new record for being moved to the annoy thread! I'll keep it over there for those that want to play. On a more serious note...

If folks do want to collaborate on a single chapter or have a brief to work in parallel with no commitment to Mr P, i will volunteer to manage/support that effort for ONE book/chapter that is assigned to me by the fearful leader. While I have only completed one NiaD I have confidence that I can provide a full committed chapter for Mr P solo but would be more than happy to coordinate a colab version. Should there be interest in this I will make sure you have Mr P support to make it successful for everyone.

PM me if interested.

For the avoidance of doubt, a formal collaborative chapter will be subject to the same quality approvals as any other hopeful new participant: I'll want a sample of writing from the collective to make sure you're up to it. A key measure will be that your chapter must be indistinguishable from one written by a single person! No "three word story" chapters will be included!

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in "Groundhog Day"?

My offer was not about doing it around your eminence's view but just to manage the work load. The PM me was to see if there was any interest before extra submissions went to you. So there.

If we do a colab chapter I would likely work to structure it in a way that would minimize voice disparity (multiple POV sequences maybe) and would try to smooth out abrupt changes in pacing. I figured I'd provide a main level outline to the chapter in similar manner to your brief. It would be more "short story in 4hour" for the team to allow adequate time for rework if needed.

Can I have my chapter now so I can properly prepare?

See how I snuck that in there?

[vic-k]

Hadn't read Jaysen's post before posting mine. It does appear as if he too expects there are certain collab-hiccups to be sorted. But … who knows…?

Seriously … euwerrrkkk that word makes me want t' pewk! Nevertheless, thatwordagain, collaborating on something as relatively simple / non-complex as a single chapter, completed over a very short time span, will, as far as I can see, evoke a whole raft of differing personality-temprement-style-comunication complication type issues. If it were a Novel in a Week exercise, I think it, could, be well suited to a collaborative effort, depending of course, on the collaborators.

I don't want to dampen anybody's enthusiasm … but … make sure you've fully considered all the ramifications involved. Of course, should anybody embark upon a Collab-Niad, then I wish them all the best of luck, and tonnes of enjoyment.
Vic

[pigfender]

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in "Groundhog Day"?

Absolutely.

I'm already breaking the story into as small sections as I think it's fair to give any one writer, and as small sections as I think it's fair on the readers. If you structure the contributions so that you smooth pacing and minimise voice disparity then you're robbing participants of the chance to see how their own writing style, voice and interpretation lines up to others writing in the exact same circumstances. That's something (I'm told over and over) that people have really appreciated in previous years.

Plus, 1,500 words... well. That's totally doable in a day! I (and the 71 other people who've taken part in previous years) can vouch for that! If you don't have the confidence to do a whole chapter, the suggestion of doing an 'offline' one by yourself is the best option (as pointed out -- and indeed invented -- by Vic-K and expressly noted as a possibility in the FAQs). You'll get all the practice, all the learning, but with a little less pressure. You can also use the Scrivener project file after the fact to compile your own version of the book with your chapter in it!

[nom]

Only if you keep it a secret.

1. Not talented enough to participate.

2. Not well enough to commit.

Both the above apply to me, of course. (In case anyone should read the 1 & 2 in a way that wasn't intended.)

1. Pig's *#se!
Sorry, but published evidence to the contrary (including on these boards) invalidates reason #1.

2. I'm so sorry to hear that.
You have my empathy and best wishes. Apart from generally (and genuinely) wishing you well, I also hope that your health improves in time for you to participate should you wish to do so. You most certainly have the talent to participate, and your voice would be a welcome addition to this year's NiAD.

[Jaysen]

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in "Groundhog Day"?

Absolutely.

Good.

For the record: I don't disagree with the statement that 1500wds is doable. I think I sent you a few more than that . But I think there is an idea that three people working on a 700wd limit to create a chapter for NAID may be the gateway for some folks. Maybe someone only has a few hours and would like a more complete outline with some specific direction to help them along.

Anyway, I'm just offering to help if anyone feels like trying it. I'll still do the whole chapter myself. It was fun.

[pigfender]

It's *supposed* to be a challenge. Participants need to be comfortable and confident enough in their writing to produce a 1,500 word (or longer) edited draft to a brief in a single day. That's the game, and our standard of entry.

Right, let's move on.

[Montree_Whiles]

I'm in. Woot, woot! Can't wait to get the annual do-bob saying that I participated.

[Montree_Whiles]

... he'll be vilified and castigated, and the latter can be quite painful if not done under anaesthetic.
vic

You're right about that, vic-k. Painful. That's why I always recommend a rusty butter knife for the procedure. But, then, I'd not really want that to happen to our Mr.P. He designed those spiffy new Tees of which I have yet to acquire one.

[vic-k]

ecommend a rusty butter knife for

WOT! Y' don't spread y' butter with a rusty knife, d' y'?!! Ughh!! No wonder we Brits gave you Yanks away in 1783.
Ahh well … c'est la vie .. eh?

Anyway Montree, personal culinary habits notwithstanding, have yourself a brilliant, fun filled, challenging, yet fulfilling 17 Oct.
Take care
Vic

PS. Just remember though, you're not competing with E L James … OK So you can leave out the gymnasticated fornication, and gratuitous sado-masochism. We've 'all been there-done that-bought the T shirt' … 's a bit passé now.
(Niad t shirt, obviously)