LiveJournal News

NaNoWriMo: Over Halfway There

There are only 11 days left until the end of NaNoWriMo 2007. What's your word count? Will you make it to 50,000 by November 30th? Are you struggling with intricate plot points and complicated characters, or finding the words are just flying onto the page?

Whatever your progress, we hope you're finding the NaNoWriMo communities, journals, themes and v-gifts on LJ inspiring and motivational. Having a bit of difficulty sitting down and churning out pages? Adding one of the latest writing themes may help get that keyboard clicking. Or, let us know in the comments about your NaNoWriMo novel and perhaps you'll get an encouraging visit from the V-Gift Fairy.
(From L to R: Typekeys, Typewriter, Inked and Writer's Block.)


Don't forget you can also send your friends one of our writing-themed V-Gifts to show your support. Choose from one of the four ribbon V-Gifts and we'll send 50% of the net proceeds to the NaNoWriMo Young Writer's Program.



Got All the Answers?
Enter the Answers.com Creative Writing Challenge.

Knowing how much the LJ community loves writing, contests, and prizes, when we heard that Answers.com launched its third Creative Writing Challenge today, we just had to tell you about it. Use your creative genius to feature ten pre-determined words in an original poem, story, or essay, and win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com, as well as a place in the Answers.com Hall of Fame. Finally, fame and fortune could be yours!

Think you can find a creative way to use words like ataraxia and sapid? All you have to do is create an original written expression (any form you want, 750 words max), link the pre-determined words or phrases to the corresponding Answers.com entry and post your masterpiece on your LJ. Then fill out the entry form for your chance to win!

This is a great way to learn some new words (or visit with old favorites) and get more traffic to your LJ... As well as win $100 to spend at Amazon.com! Read all the rules and enter to win at Answers.com.


How Are You Getting Your Write-On?
November has un-officially turned into the month intended to inspire writers of all kinds. Whether you're an aspiring Novelist (NaNoWriMo), an avid blogger (NaBloPoMo), or a determined playwright (NaPlWriMo), there's a challenge geared towards helping you create.


Put the Turkey in the Oven... And on Your LJ
Thanksgiving is just a few days away. Why not send a friend our charitable Give Thanks Turkey V-Gift? All of the proceeds from the turkey go to Heifer International, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending world hunger. Thus far, you've raised $235.82. That's almost two sheep, or four gifts of trees!

Finally, to those of you who are celebrating it: HAPPY THANKSGIVING. And whatever your November writing project, may the powers of creativity, inspiration, encouragement, and excessive amounts of caffeine help you reach your goals.

 New Customize Area
The new Customize Journal area has officially arrived. Finding the theme you want has never been easier. You can now search by theme, layout, or designer. Read all about it in lj_design. Thank you to janinedog and chasethestars who worked on it tirelessly, and to all of our beta testers for their great feedback. Now, go forth and customize! 


Searching for Something?
Aren't we all... Look no further than the control strip in your journal. We've added the search drop-down to all journal pages to make finding what you're looking for a cinch. 


Snap: In the Picture
A few weeks ago, we told you about a new tool from Snap.com that provides visual previews on external links within your journal. Based on your positive response, we've enabled these graphics for Basic and Plus users. (Don't worry: If you already disabled the graphic previews, you will not have to do so again. Also, if you don't want to see graphic previews, you can easily disable them within your journal on the Viewing Options page under "Graphic previews.")


Autumn Holiday V-Gifts (and New Halloween Themes)
Autumn is a time of giving, so we added several new autumnal V-Gifts, including a pumpkin pie, red lantern and Diwali lantern.
 
What better way to give than to send a friend our charitable Give Thanks Turkey V-Gift? All of the proceeds from the Turkey V-Gift go to Heifer International, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending world hunger.

Not quite ready for November? We understand completely. Which is why we added Bats & Ghouls to our spine-tingling Halloween themes.
 


NaNoWriMo V-Gifts & Themes
Ever dreamed of becoming a novelist? National Novel Writing Month is your chance to make that dream a reality. Participants begin writing on November 1st with the goal of writing a 50,000 word (175 page) novel by midnight, November 30th. 

We know a lot of writers on LJ participate in NaNoWriMo, so we've added some cool stuff to keep you motivated. One of our brand new writing themes may be just what you need to keep writing into the wee hours of the night. 
(fFrom L to R: Typekeys, Typewriter, Inked and Writer's Block.)
 

You can also show your encouragement with one of our new Writers' V-Gifts. Choose from one of the four ribbon V-Gifts and we'll donate 50% of the net proceeds to the NaNoWriMo Young Writer's Program. You can also send motivation in the form of an inkwell & quill or a typewriter.
 
Find out more about LJ's writers' themes and charity V-Gifts and connect with other NaNoWriMo writers. 
Are you participating? Let us know in the comments! 


Frank's Feeling a Little Grey
So why not put a little color in his life? You still have one day to enter LiveJournal's "Where's Frank?" photo contest. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $100 gift certificate from Amazon.com, and the Runner-Up winners will both receive a $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com. Go to lj_photocontest for all the official rules on how to submit your photo of Frank. 

Lastly, from all of us at LJ... HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN! (And keep an eye out next week for a haunting Halloween site scheme.)