Some of us have been discussing the possibility of starting a new group to support people writing fast - for instance, for fast first drafts of novels or other long works, or even for an out-of-season NaNoWriMo-style project.

The theory is that if you write the first draft fast then it's easier not to lose your thread or lose momentum, it's probably more consistent, and it gets finished more quickly, giving you the raw material to edit and turn into a decent novel.

For NaNoWriMo the challenge is to write 50,000 fresh words in 30 days, which works out at 1667 words per day on average. However, joining this group WON'T mean we have to write at such a pace. The pace is up to you, but the idea is fast and furious and without our internal editors slowing us down, and without any editing taking place until the second draft process begins. (Personally I was thinking of aiming to write between 1000 and 2000 words on four days a week only, once I've had a week off after NaNo.)

We'd have no time to critique others, so this group would not be a critique group at all - just a group for support, to share tricks for keeping going and help us all keep the momentum up, and for the stating and achieving of goals.

Who might want to join? In order to propose a new group we need a proposer and 4 others. Anyone...? I think Issy and I are both in already, with some others looking possibles.

Or any comments on the idea?

Deb

Or maybe we should call it Life After NaNo - but obviously it would be open to anyone and would simply focus on the NaNo style of doing things?

Deb

I'd be up for it - although my 'fast' = 500 words a day. And I do stop to edit and housekeep every now and then - it's really necessary to keep myself on track.
Susiex

Yes sign me up - anything to finish my nano novel 2008!

Sarah

Great, Sarah and Susie! So, with Issy I think we just need one more to be considered for a new group, but the more the merrier so please join in whoever fancies it!

BTW Susie, your fast is just fine. It's all about personal goals.

What do we think about the group title? Fast First Draft, Life After NaNo or something else?

Deb

I'm not up for another fast and furious stint, having a Nano to work on for the foreseeable future. However, on balance, I would join the group to give support and encouragement to those who are doing it. So you cn count me in if that's OK.

I do think the parameters need to be clearly laid down, though… this should be a No Editing Allowed group!
Dee

I'm in. S

Just confirming that I'm in and raring to go.

Me, please.
Having done a good 40,000 on NaNo - I now have to write the next in my series and hand it in by the end of Mrach. Shit.
HB x

Please can I join in too?

Fantastic that you all want in...

Now for the name...

What about:

1. Spirit of NaNo
2. No Editing Allowed
3. Fast First Draft
4. Life After NaNo (the worst, I think, cos it probably makes people who haven't just done NaNo feel excluded, which they aren't!)

Votes please!

Deb

Fast First Draft for me!
Only I may not be allowed to join because I do need to edit as I go...
Susiex

Susie, you can do what you like. We may have an ethos of avoiding editing, in order to produce a very fast, NaNo-like draft, but rules should be ignored if you know what's right for you...

Deb

Susiex

How about Speedwriting - like Speed Dating but without the bad breath