National Novel Writing Month.

[BoringSupreez]

I couldn't write a novel that anyone should ever read in just a month. I'd need time to plan out the story, write some of it out, sleep on what I've written, see if it still seems any good after some time has passed, revise, reword, and polish stuff. I would need at least six months, and a year or two would be better.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Man I would love to do something like this if I ever find the time, energy, and motivation. Like most folks, I have a lot of ~*good ideas*~ but I've never really had the opportunity to sit down and get them on paper.

There's also a Canadian(?) contest called the three-day novel competition, which seems absolutely insane.

[fastbilly1]

I couldn't write a novel that anyone should ever read in just a month. I'd need time to plan out the story, write some of it out, sleep on what I've written, see if it still seems any good after some time has passed, revise, reword, and polish stuff. I would need at least six months, and a year or two would be better.

This actually might help you. I was that way when I first started but went in with nothing. No notes, no idea, no characters, nothing - typically people go in with an outline or a concept. That month was hell, but I hit the 30000k I was hoping to hit and the story was decent. The plot was solid, but the dialogue was wooden and the characters needed more girth, but I was hooked. Then again you might try it and it might not be for you. But I highly recommend atleast trying. Most things written during this are not worth reading BUT they are good stepping points to get the story on paper. And it is far easier once you have your ideas written down to do something with them.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

You can get as prepared as you want. I'll have a plan for sure! As long as you start writing November 1st. It's not the final draft though, it's the first draft. Get your ideas written down instead of sitting on them! Publish, share online, lock in a safe...it's all good as long as it's on paper.

[Ack]

I went in once with nothing but a barebones fantasy idea and my friends for characters, and I managed to make it to around 28k words before college got in the way. It's not as hard as you guys think, because you don't have to write something considered "good." You just have to write. It can be a fun exercise, even if you don't think that your novel is worth publishing.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

Most writers don't publish anything. Some could but never bother. If you think you would like to write, try it. That's all. I'm doing it for pleasure, not publishing.