Thanks. Perhaps it is sadder than ever because it is true. I honestly had no notion or even considered that such things happened and it has preyed on my mind for about seven years. I met a lost child, I did not know at the time and, later, when I learned about him I suffered the most terrible remorse. I did not help him at the time when I could have. I need to write this book and I will get it published so that perhaps other people will recognise the lost kids and do something when it is possible to make a difference.

I do not intend it will be a weep-a-page though. Even lost children laugh and play. I want to love them but it is a little like loving aliens, they live in a different space under different rules with different communications.

I still really want to see other folks briefs, I love the imagination and wonder of people writing.

Sinoia - Wow, that almost made me cry here at work! Very powerful!

So glad to see so many people participating!

I got about 5,000 words yesterday! I don't know how many times I've tried to start writing a novel and never made it past a few hundred words. It was just flowing yesterday. I hope I don't fizzle now!

So far about 1,000 words. Need to increase the pace if I want to make 50,000 by the end of the month.

I must admit I am struggling this year. I am on 3390 words so on the count but, boy, it is bad writing! I know we are supposed to just keep on trucking and get those words out no matter what but the temptation to go back and edit, or even start afresh is almost overwhelming.

To me, 1,000 good words is far, far more valuable than 3,000 bad ones.

Let's keep going and see where we end up!

I got to 6600 words yesterday. So I didn't get nearly as far along as I did the first day. I just decided I need to write even if I'm not 100% loving every word I put down. I guess that's the whole point thought right? This is probably why I usually don't ever get past 2 or 3 pages, so I'm really glad I decided to do this!

I'm dropping out for now . I've written about 1,000 words so far, but I've got an assignment due on the 5th and I'm struggling to keep up. I'll start up again on the 5th and hopefully will be able to catch up .

I'm a nano rebel, too, for the same reason. I want to continue working on the book I was working on last year. I'm having a hard time getting going on it though. I feel like the weight loss goal is taking a lot of my attentions, plus work, two kids, my bf, two dogs, housework, and four gerbils. Oy. But I need to start making more time for it. I don't think I'm prioritizing it as highly as some other things, but I would love to make more progress on my book.

I'm so glad to have found this thread (while procrastinating writing my own.. haha). I'm only at 3,000 words so far, and I'll be away for four days around Turkey day, so I really need to get going!! I'm sitting at a coffee shop and hoping to get a few thousand banged out tonight (I tend to write fast and edit later, which I guess is good for NaNoWrMo purposes...) This has been on my bucket list for about 10 years so it's time!

How is everyone doing?

Doing great (I think).

I've been keeping two documents. One for the main novel, and another for what I've called "bits and pieces" this includes the outline I had written before NaNo (about 20,000 words total which I can't count toward my NaNo totals).

The bits and pieces document has 115,000 words in it. So, I've more than met my 50,000 word requirement.

However, the novel document itself hasn't hit the 50,000 word mark.

My goal is to have a first draft by the end of November that's coherent and complete enough that I'll be comfortable to hand it over to hubby and sisters for reading/critiquing.

Fantastic, Kaplods!

I stopped writing and continued researching. Like you I have a research/bits and pieces file that runs over the 100k mark but no draft. The fact is that I chose the wrong book for Nanowrimo but I still need to write it. It does not feel like a labour of love, more like an obligation now and, the more I look into it and speak with children's charities and welfare associations, it is something that should be written. I want to write it in a way that people will read and it feels a little overwhelming right now.

I have had five books published and they all seemed easy ... this one is really testing me. I wish I could just put it down and it will go away but I am drawn to it.

How is everyone else doing?

It's late in the game - but any updates on how you all did with Nanowrimo? Any completed novels out there?

I didn't make my 50,000 words, and didn't finish my novel, but I did get further than any other Nanowrimo. I'm hoping to have the first draft wrapped up by the end of this month.

kaplods - yeah for you!!