- I mean, there is still the plane ride, so we'll see. But tonight and tomorrow night are too busy with packing and last minute things to get any writing done.

Sometimes plane rides can be good for getting words out. Other times you're stuck next to some nosy jerk who needs to keep their eyes on their own paper. Or you're next to a screaming child. That one is worse, admittedly...

I have got a good system in place now but I have not transferred all the information over yet. Mostly it's the general information on environment and society I haven't moved since I've been focusing on figuring out character motivations and plot points.

Basically, I am guessing where my word count is at, by combining the numbers from both files. I get the feeling some of it is repetitive or contradictory information that I'll be removing as I go since the important thing is that the file has correct and concise information for my story. Not the word count (though I am kinda using that as a gauge for when to reign myself in) or the end-date (but I am still hoping to finish this by the end of month)...

In other words, I am glad I decided to participate but I've kinda ended up wandering off and doing my own thing. -is stationed just outside the camp grounds- -waves as you go by- LOL

That's okay. You can come join me over here at "Camp We-got-lost-on-our-way-to NaNoWriMo" or, you know, "Camp Lost-our-way" for short. XD

LOL well you're still doing writing stuff, so totally counts!

Hey just curious... Do any of you have characters of a different race? Like ... besides demon, monster, God, ect. I mean a character of a different race on Earth... (Asian, African, ect.) I have a few characters like that but I have 2 of African decent. Now... I'm trying to be careful with this... I know when it comes to writing for characters that are different you don't wanna cross the line. Just wondering do any of you guys and gals write for other characters or do you stick to what you know? [edit] I hope that makes sense... x.x!

I stick with what I know or pretty close to it, when I am writing "realistic" human characters. If I want to write a character from a different race, I tend to push the story so solidly into the fantasy zone because I am just not very confident about my ability to portray them properly.

Makes sense. My entire realm of ideas are always fantasy. But I try and show a bit of ... uh what's the word.... diversity... Yeah. It's only 2 characters that are a bit different from the rest, I've been paying close mind to them. Now I'm rambling... geez.

I just write characters who are like anyone else but happen to be a different ethnicity than my own. Be respectful, write characters who are people first and foremost with depth, character, dreams and desires and fears...don't just write paper-thin stereotypes or appropriate bits of a culture because "it looks cool" but to actually pay respectful homage to it instead. I feel like that's a step in the right direction, at least?

Makes perfect sense to me! I am mindful of what these characters say and do... to me they just act like everyone else. Thank you for your reply. :D

I understand. I mean, I wish I felt more comfortable with it myself because I really like making my characters as diverse as possible and I already explore that in other ways. The way I approach other forms of diversity would be applicable however... Basically, that amounts to: research, empathize, and don't present oneself an authority on something that is outside of one's personal experience. (I googled "writing a different race than your own" and that is how I came across a couple of articles that reminded me of those particular points I listed. You might find some of the articles interesting as well.)

Yeah I kinda figured. I do plan on continuing to look into the matter just to be on the safe side. Thank you for listening and for your help, it's very much appreciated!

also makes an excellent point about the character being an individual first and foremost. My characters are who they are. That's it.

-nods- Of course. Mine are all dear to me, they are all family. Just seems right.

Mine are family too... And just like in any other family, some of my family members are annoying. In fact, I have one that gets on almost everyone's nerves (including mine), just because he can. (He has a big scary brother who comes to his defense.) He isn't from any of the stories I actually plan on finishing, thankfully.

[edit] Not that you needed to know that. This conversation just brought him to mind. LOL

Ha ha that is so awesome! I have a group of characters that are all over the map but nothing too crazy thankfully. Bunch of side characters as well. I swear as the days go by I grow more attached to them. over the years I have gotten better at my writing and these characters stuck with me through it all, new ones working their way into my heart.

I also have some like you that just do not fit into any main stories... Yet.

Amusingly, Camp NaNo sent out a "care package" today regarding diverse characters!:

Have you chosen to write about someone different from you? If you chose to explore characters of different races or levels of ability, a different sexual orientation, or who live in a different part of the world, fantastic! Crafting diverse characters can be difficult but rewarding if you remember the four R’s:

Recognize that much of what you think you know is a media product that may be inaccurate. Root-out stereotypes that may slip in because of that. Replace the stereotypes with realistic portrayals by doing your... Research.

Oh wow talk about coincidence lol! Thanks so much for sharing, I appreciate it!

- Yes, lack of internet on airplanes does make for less distractions, but I'm flying out at 6am, so chances are I am more likely to be sleeping than writing.

- Most of my stories are medieval fantasy type stories, so if anyone is a difference race they are more likely to be elven or dwarven than african or asian :P In the story that I had hoped to write this month (the one that involves my subeta pets) is more of a RW based story, and my pets in their human RP forms are difference races, (but still culturally 'white' cus they are all from the same fictional north american town :P).

I have not written a thing for my Camp NaNoWriMo project in two days. I told myself I would stick with it until the end of July but I got tired of putting off working on my other concepts. Monday night - hopefully that's all it will take - I will be getting everything together that I have written for the project thus far so I can validate my final word count. Otherwise, I am going to be working on making notes and getting ready for my August project, which is basically going to be me taking multiple concepts to the starting line. September will likely be more of the same, but eventually I'll pick one to carry on writing. I've told myself that unless I am working on a first draft already by November, I will be doing one for NaNoWriMo this year. (Which is my way of trying to motivate myself to start sooner. LOL)

I hit my 10k goal and completed the fic in the same night. Overall total word count on the full fic is over 13k! I'm absolutely floored. I've never finished anything that long before.

I hope you are able to work on your project soon!