Contest frequency

[RapeU]

November is NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month. I'm calling it a challenge more than a contest. Anyone who can complete 50,000 words in a month has already won. It's like a marathon; no one runs to win, they run to conquer.

Basic rules are in the thread with that name, but it essentially comes down to starting on November 1 to November 30, participants have 1 month to write 50,000 either as a standalone novel or as the beginning of a longer work. They can do any and all prep work beforehand, but the text body can't start until after the clock strikes midnight after Halloween.

Would we want to still hold a vote here? It might get some extra readership for something the authors worked so hard on. But the other side of the question is that the contest will be full of 50k+ entries, so that might prove daunting, especially if participants don't post as we go.

I've done NaNoWriMo twice and won each time. I'm a prolific writer when I get my head into it, but both times involved a lot. To meet the 50k mark, we have to average 1667 words a day, and sometimes pesky distractions like Thanksgiving (for American writers) rise up to slow us down. I strongly recommend making an outline first. Just brainstorm the types of scenes to include and make some notes on the major characters. I think for many writers here, this can be done. We just have to apply a variant on the old Raymond Chandler rule, which was that if he was stuck, have a man walk into the room holding a gun. If we're stuck, threaten a new rape.

Depending on the amount of stories posted for the November contest we would hold a vote yes. I'd say a month long vote sounds reasonable if a small handful of stories are entered. Two months if there are more than 5.

[Blue]

I had actually hoped to post numerous stories between August and November. Unfortunately, my health has put a damper on my plans. Since July, I've had severe back pain. I've been in bed most of the time and could read along, but since I could barely sit, I've only written short comments.
Last Wednesday, I had to have spinal surgery. Since then, I've been in bed in severe pain. Today is the first day that, thanks to a special construction, I've been able to sit down and write a few sentences.
Regarding the competitions: they should be as simple as possible. No elimination rounds and no complicated voting.
Regarding the number: I'd be happy to do several at once. When I feel better, I'll definitely have plenty of time to write during my rehabilitation.

[JTCK]

Unfortunately, my health has put a damper on my plans. Since July, I've had severe back pain. I've been in bed most of the time and could read along, but since I could barely sit, I've only written short comments.
Last Wednesday, I had to have spinal surgery. Since then, I've been in bed in severe pain. Today is the first day that, thanks to a special construction, I've been able to sit down and write a few sentences.

Oh no, that sounds really rough. I’m wishing you so much strength and hope everything turns around quickly from here on out.

[Vela Nanashi]

I hope you heal well and quickly Blue

[LtBroccoli]

Hope you get better soon @Blue . Back pain sucks a quantifiably large bag of smelly dicks.

[Claire]

@Blue I can only agree with the others. Get better soon. It wouldn't be the same here without you!