Twitter hashtag :: Facebook page
It started with Samit Basu calling for a wordcount race on Twitter. The motive was simple enough – to tell each other, “Write, bugger, write.” And perhaps to point and laugh when you’re ahead.
So here’s where we are right now. Finish a novel (‘novel’ here would mean anything – screenplay, play, graphic novel script, non-fiction or, of course, fiction – exceeding 60,000 words) by October 31st. Meet on Twitter, update, heckle each other, make a tally every weekend, and bitch. Everyone is welcome.
As Samit says, there’s no real group objective beyond going “DAMN, he/she is 5K words ahead again!”
It’s all being done up on Twitter. You can follow the updates and contribute using the hashtag #NovelRace.
Current participants: @samitbasu, @mohaps, @allVishal, @TinyToots, @decemberschild, @thedilettante, @adityab, @sidin, @angadc, @kokobano, @allabtanimation, @rads, @shaaqT, @writefly, @RexTR, @iyermatter, @fubar69, @shesturningblue, @paytfor, @ibanov, @nushkush, @radhika_rayan, @pinkandpop, @sheetalVyas, @vimoh, @FallingDownFast, @flyingfootage, @ArchisM, @captainblubear, @vasudhapande, @triya, @rehabc, @SatsJo, @drqanungo, tired, Mahendra Waghela, Pallavi Kosunam, Rahul Varshneya, Nithya Ravi, Baisali Chatterjee Dutt, Henna Achhpal, Meghna Hazarika, Monica Khatri.
Anyone who wishes to join should give a shout-out to Samit (@samitbasu) or me (@adityab).
Updates will be posted as (usually after) they occur.
June 10th: Participant list updated. Rules edited for clarity.
June 10th Update 2:
Note from Samit Basu:
Perhaps we should also add that this is far less structured than things like NaNoWriMo. There are no rules, no one’s checking your work, what you do with your finished book afterwards is entirely up to you. Also, no real rules as far as eligibility is concerned – you just need to want to finish your book/screenplay/play/comic, it should be a full-length piece that would serve as a first draft that you could show publishers after editing. Thassall.
Even the wordcount guidelines we’ve set up are, like the Pirate Code, just guidelines. Don’t ask us whether your work is eligible. It is. Write it.
June 10th Update 3:
Click here to visit the Facebook page. Join to participate or watch.
Also, a note: This is not a contest. There is no Panel of Judges. The prize is a shiny new finished novel.
Eligibility: Anyone who wishes to join. Yes, even if you’ve already started the novel. Jump in as you like. Start today/start in July – it’s all good.
Non-Twitterers should join and update on the Facebook page.
Further updates once daily.
30 responses so far ↓
samit // June 9, 2009 at 22:14 |
admirably and succintly put. I think this is beginning to go a bit viral as well.
Aditya Bidikar // June 9, 2009 at 22:25 |
Thank you. And yes, it seems to be spreading a bit. Might be fun. I think the hashtag contributes to that – makes it a proper thing.
rads // June 10, 2009 at 1:52 |
Alright! Am in. Hopefully am not eating ‘em anytime soon! :-)
compulsivewriter // June 10, 2009 at 10:51 |
i m joining the race as shaaqT! i need to get started on writing my second novel :( (esp since the first one has been rejected :P)
Aditya Bidikar // June 10, 2009 at 11:18 |
@rads, @Shakti: Added. Welcome to NovelRace.
samit // June 10, 2009 at 13:31 |
Perhaps we should also add that this is far less structured than things like NaNoWriMo. There are no rules, no one’s checking your work, what you do with your finished book afterwards is entirely up to you. Also, no real rules as far as eligibility is concerned – you just need to want to finish your book/screenplay/play/comic, it should be a full-length piece that would serve as a first draft that you could show publishers after editing. thassall.
Also, @rexTR has joined.
samit // June 10, 2009 at 13:32 |
Even the wordcount guidelines we’ve set up are, like the Pirate Code, just guidelines. Don’t ask us whether your work is eligible. It is. Write it.
Henna // June 10, 2009 at 17:32 |
I can’t understand how this works. :-(
Could you please explain?
I’m very very interested!!
Henna // June 10, 2009 at 17:42 |
Ok I guess I got it. But what if someone’s bluffing the word count? When did it start. I’m currently at 457 words. Can I join in?
Aditya Bidikar // June 10, 2009 at 17:52 |
It’s not really a competition (although it vaguely started as one). Everyone who finishes a novel is a winner. It’s just a little motivation thing. If someone bluffs their wordcount, their loss.
Eligibility: Anyone who wants to join. So of course you can.
samit // June 10, 2009 at 17:53 |
@shesturningblue has joined.
Henna, if people want to bluff the wordcount that’s up to them. There’s no cash prize or incentive for this – we’re all just trying to get work done. Ultimately the only real proof of actual work will be if the book comes out, or if the writer involved shares it on the net. But that’s not something we’re asking for, since this is not an Official Contest with a Panel of Judges.
samit // June 10, 2009 at 19:01 |
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NovelRace/89250292514?v=wall&viewas=512352949#/pages/NovelRace/89250292514?ref=mf
NovelRace Facebook Page
Idle Wild // June 10, 2009 at 20:47 |
and no penalties right? apart from deep disappointment at own terribly lazy self? Count me in.
tired // June 10, 2009 at 22:05 |
do PhD thesis count too? then I’m in.
samit // June 10, 2009 at 23:52 |
@SheetalVyas @pinkandpop @flyingfootage
Also we should point out that non-Twitter members are welcome to join the FB group and post their wordcounts directly over there.
Sanjukta // June 11, 2009 at 11:10 |
Ok, got it. One question, the publication of the novel is guaranteed?
Aditya Bidikar // June 11, 2009 at 11:20 |
That would be a no. But as Samit says, there are currently 3 publishers watching NovelRace, so who knows? :)
Archisman // June 13, 2009 at 22:19 |
Three publishers watching?? Who all?
samit // June 13, 2009 at 23:01 |
not going to tell. it’ll distract.
Kaushik Chatterji // June 13, 2009 at 23:48 |
Just so that the number comes down, Kaushik Chatterji = @ibanov. I know I posted this on the FB page as well, but still.
karmanya // June 24, 2009 at 14:51 |
Hey, I think I’m going to start today. Wish me luck @karmanya
Silenteloquence // June 24, 2009 at 22:19 |
Am in! @silenteloquence
Anime, Races, Scores and Grandfathers « Chaos Theory // June 25, 2009 at 9:43 |
[...] NovelRace, though I’ve barely written 500 words, curious to see how far I go, since I’m not a [...]
Aditya Bidikar // June 25, 2009 at 10:15 |
@karmanya, @silenteloquence: Welcome to Novelrace. Update/join in on Twitter/FB. Good luck!
Vikas // June 30, 2009 at 19:34 |
I am in better late than never! Joined on Twitter and FB too! :)
I’ll WILL finish my maiden book by 31 October 2009! Amen! « MUSEPAPER // June 30, 2009 at 20:33 |
[...] Novelrace, Samit Basu’s idea that is becoming quite popular among wannabe writers. All I got to do is [...]
Whacky // July 4, 2009 at 22:54 |
I’m in too :)
mikimbizii // July 12, 2009 at 22:25 |
me too :|
Aditya Bidikar // July 12, 2009 at 22:33 |
@Vikas, Whacky, mikimbizii: Hey all. Welcome to NovelRace.
KG // September 30, 2009 at 13:33 |
oooh, this is fun! am joining the race!