2008-08-30 [Triola]: It's about setting a goal and doing your outmost to reach it and in the process write as much as you possibly can, good or bad, because any writing is better than no writing and when the month is over you can go back and edit to your heart's content :P

2008-08-30 [SilverFire]: Do they give you a theme or anything?

2008-08-30 [Linderel]: Nope. You can write about aaaaanything at all. Many seize this as the opportunity to write the novel they always wanted to but never got around to even starting. :P

*utmost, Trin!

2008-08-30 [SilverFire]: So it's entirely a matter of trust that you wrote only in November? (I don't mean that as a criticism, I'm just checking).

2008-08-30 [SilverFire]: I think I have completely the wrong mind-set for that challenge. XP I wouldn't want to use the idea for the novel I always wanted to write for it because I'd want to do it far more justice than could be done in a month, so I'd end up trying to think of an idea that I didn't care a huge amount for, and wouldn't get too attached to, so I would be able to work on it without wondering that it's crappy.

2008-08-30 [Linderel]: Yeah, it is. Although it's allowed to make notes and all sorts of plans even months beforehand. And nothing stops you from writing text bits before November, but you just can't count them in that 50k.

Well, yeah, true. For many I guess it's just a good time to start writing, when everyone else is doing it too - I know people who write their NaNo novels in one week, and then those who just take their time and if they get to 50k, well, that's a nice bonus, but what's important is that they're producing text. Me, I fall somewhere in between. I didn't really mind that I didn't finish my NaNo last year, because it became so much more. I've half a mind to continue writing it this year, to get a bit of the necessary kick...

2008-08-30 [Ethan Leon]: Hmmmm... . . I'm writing another novel... hopefull better than my first one.

2008-08-30 [Linderel]: What's it about?

2008-08-31 [Ethan Leon]: Well, this one is centered around obsession. I personally am obsessed with learning to play the piano, but it's not one of my talents.

SO-- I am writing about a pianst who is struggling to finish a new composition, but he finds fault with the piano he is playing on, and becomes obsessed with finding the perfect instrument.
And then it has a short interlude explaining the history of the piano. And the woman who own's it, is obsessed with my character, but finds he loves his art more than her.

So it ought to be interesting. I only have around 43 pages written thus far.

2008-08-31 [Fireblade K'Chona]: Actually, Linderel, I did find the form! here is the sonnetina. It's iambic pentameter, and...basically I laid it out like the form of a sestina is. ask me about it if it doesn't make sense.

1234
4312
2143
3421
12
34
OR
13
24

yay!

2008-08-31 [Linderel]: My just-awake brain does not comprehend what the numbers refer to xD

2008-08-31 [Fireblade K'Chona]: basically it's like a sestina. but what it means is, each line of numbers refers to a stanza. in this each stanza is four lines in iambic pentameter. each single number is a different word. you use only those four words when you end the lines. the last two lines are a little different; you use two of your designated ending words in each line instead of just one. make sense yet, or do you want me to go dig up an example?

2008-09-01 [Linderel]: I think it's opening up to me, but hey, we never say no to an example ;3

2008-09-01 [Fireblade K'Chona]: um, okay. I'll have to go dig it up from wherever I saved it. new computer, you know.

2008-09-30 [Linderel]: Mraw?
I think I'll be writing that villanelle this weekend. Just for kicks. Will probably moan about it in here. :D

2008-10-01 [Fireblade K'Chona]: ooh, villanelle!

...

Good luck.

2008-10-01 [Triola]: Villanelle! :D

2008-11-11 [Linderel]: *prods*

So. I've written two villanelles this past week. They aren't even half bad. :P

Also, I think I finally understand the sonnetina.
What has everyone else been up to in their poetic endeavours?

2008-11-12 [Ethan Leon]: Well, I'm trying my hand at blank verse. Unfortunatly I'm not that good.
I may just have to stick with what I'm best at.

2008-11-12 [Linderel]: *wikipedias blank verse* A-ha. I'm going to have to give that a shot.

And what is it that you're best at?

2008-11-12 [Ethan Leon]: I suppose that would be free verse, and more along the lines of confessional poetry.