Just to get it off my chest: chat speak acronyms make my eyes bleed. Maybe I'm getting too old or I'm a fuddy-duddy, I don't know. I'm fairly forgiving about occasional spelling mistakes, but my inner editor goes bonkers with unnecessary acronyms like "LOL" and punctuation abuse. Sure, you can type whatever you want for Nano--no one will care--but when you're posting on a writing forum, at least be coherent. Some thirty-year-olds type like a dyslexic thirteen-year-old in desperate need of Ritalin.
But if I could only ax out one transgression, I'd say do away with LOL. I don't care if you are laughing out loud. I can't hear you. And if you want to convey your amusement through a written medium, you can damn well use actual writing skill to do so.
* * *
Someone on the forums made a post asking about pacing. The universal answer, of course, is that everyone is different. You will have to find your own pace.
What works for me, however, is a mix between laid back and regimental. Yes, I write every day in November until I reach the end--or try to anyway. But I don't set word goals. I don't tell myself: "I have to 1,667 or 2,000 words every day." I just write until I finish a scene. Check the word count and how much time I have left before I really have to go to sleep. And if I still have time (no matter the word count), I'll continue writing.
When it comes to pacing, I'm a little erratic. I'll be uninspired one moment, and then typing like a demon (that is to say very quickly, not full of obscenities and attempts to buy your mortal soul, although that may be appropriate) the next. I discovered this condition which I like to call 'My-brain's-dicking-around-itis (honest)' toward the beginning of my university course.
To cut a long story short, I can't pace myself. As long as I hit the finish line by the deadline, I'm happy.
Oh and thanks for the suggestion- I hadn't thought of that. It opens up so many possibilities!
Ooh, I'm arriving a bit late here, but I wanted to say this about LOL: sometimes, it's a bit gentler than "ha ha," and that's why I use it.
I used to swear off "LOL" and type only "ha ha," but I've found that sometimes "ha ha" reads a bit harsh to me -- especially when I'm writing or speaking to someone who has a self-deprecating sense of humor. "Ha ha" can be a bit more "I'm laughing AT you" than "I'm laughing WITH you."
"LOL" is more like an amused laugh or a giggle, rather than that kid from the Simpsons.
