nanowrimo_lj | 2010 Sprint Information

Hi guys! As most of you know, NaNo is literally just right around the corner. Actually, it's one day from now, which is even closer than some of us could even imagine. It's usually at this point that one might be freaking out over how they're going to get their word count in. 50K isn't easy and doing it in 30 days is slightly insane.

However, many of us NaNoers have relied on sprints to help us get our word counts up and keep us insane during the month of self imposed isolation!

This year,

allyear_sprints is sponsoring the official sprints of the

nanowrimo community!

What does that mean? How do I sign up? What is a sprint? When do they start? Well all your questions and more will be answered under the cut.

What is a sprint?

The basic definition of a sprint is a short, timed period of writing.

We run our sprints in an AIM chat room. The moderator of the room says "go" and for however long he or she deems, a sprint is ran. During the sprint, no one talks in the room, but works on whatever project their writing. When the moderator says "stop", chat may resume back in the room until the next sprint. It's a great opportunity to take a break, stretch, and just relax between stretches of writing.

How do I sign up?

You simply log into AIM and enter the designated room. It's that simple.

But ... how? I'm new to AIM Chat.

Find your own name on your buddy list. If it's not there, quickly add a new buddy and include yourself. Once that's done, right click on your name and select: Group chat. A window will pop up and include a chat room name. Simply type in whatever the sprint room name is, then hit enter.

You will magically be transported to the proper room where you can sprint! It's that easy.

If you're still having trouble or if it just isn't working, feel free to IM the mod of the room. Whenever adverts are posting, we include contact information for just that fact! Don't hesitate. The mods won't bite, unless you're made of sweet delicious caramel.

What are the rules of sprints?

They're pretty simple.

1. Don't say hello or speak in the room FIRST. Especially during Nano, there more than likely might be a sprint going on when you enter. The last thing you'd want to do is interrupt 50 strangers of their writing. Just wait for someone to say something first, then dive in.

2. Don't discuss hot topics like religion, politics, or McDonalds. We try to keep the drama to the llamas and just enjoy the time period writing.

3. Don't spam/post off site links to the room. The last thing we want is for people to feel unsafe in sprints. So if you want to link a crazy youtube video to a friend, ask a mod if you can link it or just IM them.

4. Listen and respect the mods and your fellow sprints. Our mods are just volunteering their time and NaNo hours to help everyone enjoy sprints. If they tell someone to be quiet or stop singing the lines from Donny Osmond's Puppy Love, more than likely there is good reason for it. Our mods are awesome and are eager to make sure the sprint rooms are fun, hilarious, and productive, so give them a hand!

So... when does this sprinting thing start?
October 31st. We'll be doing a KICK OFF PARTY!!! starting at 11 PM EST on October 31st. Because we're INSANE AND CRAZY, our kick off party is going to last 24 HOURS!.

Yes, you heard that right. 24 HOURS!!!!

One the kick off celebration is over, we'll go back to regular sprints.

We will be hosting Daily Evening and Late Night Sprints

Evening sprints
Time {8 PM EST - 11 PM EST}
Room Name: eveningNaNoSprints

Late Night Sprints
Time {Immediately following evening sprints - 2 AM EST}
Room Name: NaNointoTheNight

There will also be day time sprints and 3 times a week, nocturnal sprints. Day time will be during the daily hours EST and nocturnal will occur after Late Night Sprints until the wee hours of the morning.

Each day, we'll post a schedule as well as a weekly schedule with all the information you will need! We have it organized and ready to go!

Each different sprint has a different room and you might be wondering why. There are multiple reasons for it, but one of the main ones is that studies have shown if you remain in the same environment for more than 3 hours, you lose productivity. So we're wanting to change rooms and change sprint types every three hours or so, in order to make sure that our brains are firing at maximum capacity.

Don't worry though. Every sprint WILL be announced in here and on

allyear_sprints as well as in the current room. You'll never be left in the dark.

Also, if you use twitter, feel free to follow All Year Sprints for up to the minute updates on what rooms are changing.

Or you may IM me or the other mods on AIM: They're all listed here.

Or email Tami or Mel tameltoe@gmail.com

I know this is A LOT of information to take in. But just know that we are here for you and that sprints will be posted daily as well as reminders. It's going to be wonderful and amazing and if you have ANY questions, don't hesitate to ask :)

Thanks!

The

allyear_sprints mods