I must have tried NaNo about two years ago?<br /> It didn't hit with me, because I was busy with school and at home problems with my mother.<br /> <br /> But I intend to complete it this year, the last time I tried I believe I got around 10k words until I just completely dropped it. Pretty pathetic but oh well, I was trying to 'pants' it... which didn't work out. I really suck at writing at the seat of my pants.<br /> <br /> This year I did what I felt like doing and I've been doing research and trying different forms of narration for this story. I'm only slightly pantsing it, in the terms of undefined, unplotted scenes/outcomes. The characters themselves fill in the blank spots, I use it for even more character development. But I think a lot of authors do this anyway.<br /> <br /> But I make sure I do all my research, plotting, planning, and basic character development before I even get close to the date. Which I did this time. I have a feeling this story is going to be well over 50k words, and I'll be finishing the story without NaNoWriMo. I just have to make sure I don't get lazy and not write everyday.

I'm jumping into mine without much planning. It's an idea I've been toying with for a while, but I keep trying to force something to happen and I never like where I take it. Therefore, I'm starting this with a few characters, a basic setting, and a feel in mind and going from there. XD

I'm not gonna lie, I've been so busy working on NaNoWriMo stuff that it doesn't even feel like Halloween. <br /> <br /> It both frightens and disgusts me how much I've left to plan this week XD<br /> <br /> I still can't decide if a couple of my characters are even necessary, and I've yet to come up with a beginning to my story yet! Although it's been such a relief these past few days as the ending has started to come together.

Not reached 50,000 yet, but I really think I can do it this year, even if I have more work to do. I don't plan much, but I've done some world building. Some things to comment on after reading through.<br /> <br /> Research can be done before hand, and you can get help on the NaNoWriMo forums. And the free novel copies are offered to winners every year. If you don't think you can get 50,000 and are under 18 you could join the YWP which also offers a book copy of your novel, but if you reach your own preset goal rather than the Larger Nano one.

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Two years ago I passed 50k with several days to spare but last year I had a young dog who constantly needed attention the combination of that and that I wasn't particularly passionate about my book last year caused me to quit at about 8.6k XD<br /> <br /> I might try this year but I'm determined to put my dogs walking schedule first.

Nice, Al! <br /> 24 more days... :DDD

I only got about 5k two years ago as well XD<br /> <br /> But this year, I'm going to do it, and I'm gonna add those extra words to my story!

I've got hundreds of beginnings to this story I want to write, but I don't like any of them. I think that's the story I'll do. Scrap all my bad beginnings and come up with something better! :D <br /> <br /> This is exciting.

Well, you <i>could</i>, technically speaking, but that's not in the spirit of NaNoWriMo. I'm assuming when you say you have a story counted, you mean you have one written, or is it simply just planned out? Because planning is fine :3

this sounds like a blast, but if you already have a story counted, does it count?