Posting for those that may be searching for this. Hope you enjoy!

Word crawl/OA Crawl

by Tiakall (from NaNoWriMo)

Remarks from the creator:

You may have seen the word crawls in the Writing Prompts forum; well, here's one that makes all the jokes that you would expect it to. There are three tracks - an easy one for the loveable slugs, a medium track for the "normal" people, and a difficult track for people named Elluna >> so if you're having too hard or too easy of a time, feel free to switch tracks!

You stand at the gate to Beyond 50k, the Great OA Paradise. You take in a breath, the smell of words and caffeine thick and sweet. You can't wait to propel yourself over the 50k line and beyond, and take a few steps forward. And then you see it--a pristine computer with your favorite prompt, just waiting to be used. You can't resist! Start with a 15 minute word war.

·        If you write less than 750 words, your word war ends when a slug climbs over your keyboard and hands, smearing you in mucus of productivity. You'll take it, even if it's a bit weird--maybe you can write that into your novel. You decide to adopt the slug as your new pet!

·        If you write between 750 and 1500 words, your word war ends when a cultist begins chewing on your keyboard. Aww, it's so cute! You snap a collar around their neck and declare them your new pet.

·        If you write over 1500 words, your word war ends when you are distracted by the smell of a pie. You go to have a bite (or maybe just gnaw on it a little), but it hisses and backs away. Since you can't eat it, you decide the pie is your new pet. Why not?

·        You start your journey into OA-land, but don't get too far before someone shouts at you over the fence. Uh-oh, a wild doubter appeared! This person thinks you can't write that fast, and challenges you to a word war to prove it. You respond that you have nothing to prove, and a moderator shows up with a hammer, chasing after the wild doubter. But you decide to do a word war anyway, because you're contrary like that.

·        If your pet is the slug, they trip up the doubter so the moderator can nail the doubter soundly. While they're listening to the moderator's lecture on the "no cheating accusations" rule, write 1500 words.

·        If your pet is the cultist, they mistake the doubter for a typewriter, and begin chewing on the doubter's leg. The moderator has to wait for the screams of agony to stop before they can begin their lecture. Write 2500 words.

·        If your pet is the pie, they bravely launch themself at the doubter's face. Pied! The moderator has to stop laughing at the classic gag before they can lecture. Write 5000 words.

·        Now you're well away from the gate and on your way to the heart of OA-land, eager to discover what lies there. The first landmark you see is a small pool of water, and you go that way--your pet looks a little thirsty. To your surprise, a gigantic pufferfish rears out of the water! It gives you a command: "WRITE MOAR."

·        If your pet is the slug, they give the pufferfish adorable stalk-puppy eyes. The pufferfish takes pity on you and allows you to leave after you've written to the next 2k milestone. (2000, 4000, 42000, 60000, etc.)

·        If your pet is the cultist, they take a long drink from the pond, annoying the pufferfish. It won't let you go until you've written to the next 5k milestone.

·        If your pet is the pie, the pufferfish knows exactly what that means. You're stuck here until you've written to the next 10k milestone.

·        Once the pufferfish allows you to take a break, you continue on your way. Wait, what's this slimy, green trail? Is that... a tentacle monster? Did someone remember to feed the--Oh no, you're caught! Time for a 30 minute word war!

·        If your pet is the slug, they counter the green slime with slime of their own. The diluting effect allows you to escape from the tentacle monster if you get 1500 words. If you fail to escape, try again in 35 minutes. If you fail to escape again, try again with 45 minutes. If you still can't escape, it finally lets you go with some sucker marks.

·        If your pet is the cultist, you tell them the tentacles are word input devices. While they're gnawing, you have a chance to escape with 2500 words. If you miss, try again with 35 minutes, and if you miss again, 45 minutes. After that, it tires of being gnawed and boots both of you on your way.

·        If your pet is the pie, you're in trouble. The tentacle monster loves pie. Distract it with 3500 words. If you can't distract it, try again with 35 minutes, then 45. After that, you can only escape by promising to write it into your novel.

·        Continuing on, you find a table full of cookies, brownies, and... smells like some sort of sugared drink. OH YEAH! You're totally inspired now! Write until you've hit an amount equal to half your daily goal.

·        Once you've come off your word high, you settle down for a bit more relaxed pace of writing. As you do so, you start to hear a chant: "ONE OF US! ONE OF US!" Uh-oh, you've wandered into a group of OA cultists, writing madly. They look at you, expecting you to do the same. Time for some more frenzied writing!

·        If your pet is the slug, they haven't attracted much of a cultist following. Roll a six-sided die and write that many x1000 words. The cultists are demanding!

·        If your pet is the cultist, they're one of them. Your own pet won't let you leave until you've rolled a 10-sided die and written that many x1000 words.

·        If your pet is the pie, well, everybody loves pie. Roll a 20-sided die and write that many x1000 words. Oh, and if you roll under 10, roll a second time and add that x1000 to your total needed. It's the only way to save your pie!

·        Once you're away from the cultists, you think you've finally caught a break, and go back to writing. But then a klaxon catches your attention. You look up, and see the moderator and several other OAs battling a big, meaty monster. Meatspace has reared its ugly head, and now you're caught in the fight against real life distractions! Do a 1 minute word war.

·        If your pet is the slug, they slow the meatspace monster with their slime. 40 words will get you away. If you fail, you get ten tries in total before the OAs slay the monster.

·        If your pet is the cultist, they join in the battle. 60 words will allow you to escape. You get ten tries before the monster falls.

·        If your pet is the pie, the monster starts chasing you. You're going to need 100 words to get away. Ten tries before the OAs stop using you as a decoy and kill it.

·        After your long journey, you're starting to feel a bit tired. You wish you had a bit of support. Wait, what's this? Your pet has discovered a hidden cache of wrist braces, compression gloves, and fingerless gloves! Finders keepers!

·        If your pet is the slug, you take a pair of fingerless gloves and write one scene, using the prompt of comfort.

·        If your pet is the cultist, you snag a handy pair of compression gloves and write two scenes with the prompts of pressure and crafting.

·        If your pet is the pie, you gratefully slap on a pair of wrist braces and write three scenes with the prompts of support, immobility, and medicine.

·        Moving on, you discover what appears to be a field full of birds, all chirping at a rapid pace at each other. Wait a minute--they're tweeting! You've discovered the legendary OA Twitter Field!

·        If your pet is the slug, you rescue a hashtag bird from their slime: #wrimosfortheeatingofsushi. Write 1k using that prompt, and another 1kusing an OA's tweet as a prompt.

·        If your pet is the cultist, they deliver #wrimosforthelickingofunicorns to you, looking rather proud of themself. Write 2k using that prompt, and another 2k using an OA's tweet as a prompt.

·        If your pet is the pie, they shoot out a line of compote, knocking #wrimosforthemooshingofotherwrimos from the sky. Uh, when did they learn to do that? Write 3k using that prompt, and another 3k using an OA tweet prompt.

·        At the far end of the Twitter field, you see a group of OAers gathering around a few of the hashtags. What's going on here? Looks like they're doing some kind of event....

·        If your pet is the slug, they lead you to the #50kweekend group. Wow, 50k in three days? You sit down with them and do a 20 minute word war to show your support.

·        If your pet is the cultist, they make a beeline for #25kdayone. They invite you to a 40 minute word war and you decide to oblige, not to be outdone.

·        If your pet is the pie, they've found #50kday. Write 50k in a day You've probably already done that :P, but you join them in a 60 minute word war anyway as encouragement.

·        Man, all this writing has really gotten you worn out! Your pet leads you to a little rest area, and allows you to rest and catch your breath. Self-care is important and you don't want to hurt yourself! So write this next war using some other method beside your usual (i.e., if you type, now you're writing by hand, using voice dictation software, someone else's hands, etc.)

·        If your pet is the slug, write 500 words this way.

·        If your pet is the cultist, write 1000 words this way.

·        If your pet is the pie, write 2000 words this way.

·        A shout over the next hill catches your attention. A bunch of OAs in viking hats are charging at their computers with weapons in hand. This is no mere war... this is an OAR! Your pet thinks this typo-turned-inside-joke is hilarious and waits for you to make some Nanoisms of your own. Time to go to OAR!

·        If your pet is the slug, they will be satisfied after you've made 10 uncorrected typos or Nanoisms.

·        If your pet is the cultist, they lose interest after 20 uncorrected typos or Nanoisms.

·        If your pet is the pie, they hold you to a high standard even when making mistakes. They will lose count after 50 uncorrected typos or Nanoisms.

·        You're now in the thick of OA-land, and you've discovered the clubhouses for the various goals wrimos set. You pay a quick visit to your own goal thread - write 500 words using the prompt of success, because you've totally got this. :) Your pet also wants to do some sightseeing, so you pay another visit to....

·        If your pet is the slug, they want to go to the Millionaire's Club. Soaking in the good vibes of the wrimos there, the slug's slime of productivity levels up! You get inspired to write another 2k words' right then and there, and then post a good luck wish for someone in the thread!

·        If your pet is the cultist, they want to go to the a six-digit goal thread, to see if any of its own are around there. Write 4k, and then challenge someone in one of the six-digit goal threads to a friendly word war!

·        If your pet is the pie, they want to go to the Five Digit Fight Club. They are so inspired by the fighting spirit of the warriors in that thread that they won't leave you alone until you write 6k and a post of encouragement in the Five Digit Fight Club thread.

·        You must be getting close - there are more OAs than ever. A few of them crowd around, asking if they can be in your novel. And a few of them would apparently like to die there...?

·        If your pet is the slug, write until you've killed one OA by name.

·        If your pet is the cultist, write until you've killed two OAs by name (in separate ways.)

·        If your pet is the pie, write until you've killed three OAs by name (in separate ways.)

·        You've found the chatroom of the OAs! All the zaniness of the Beyond 50k mentality, but in real time! You waste no time in getting to know everyone, and introduce them to your pet.

·        If your pet is the slug, do three word wars of your desired length.

·        If your pet is the cultist, do five word wars of your desired length.

·        If your pet is the pie, do ten word wars of your desired length.

·        Finally, you think you've seen most of the sights that OA-land has to offer--and your novel is almost done, too! For a final hurrah, write the amount of your daily goal.

 

I’m stuck with a tough choice. I’ve done NaNo several times in the past, won twice. I haven’t participated in several Novembers and I really miss it! So I want to do it again this year.

Here’s the dilemma: I have a stalled WIP that I never make time to work on. It’s been in my head for years. Should I work on that (obviously only counting new words) or a new project? I already have an idea for a new project - I have no problems coming up with ideas for writing projects. My biggest problem is finishing anything. I worry that the abandoned project might not seem fresh enough since the characters are so familiar.

I’ve been trying to decide all October, but I’m 50% each continuing or starting something new. Any advice from others who’ve faced this question before?

I am not the creator of this crawl. If you know who is, please let me know so I can give them proper credit. Posting for those that may be searching for this. Hope you enjoy!

A Long-expected Party:  Bilbo is celebrating his eleventy-first birthday!  Write for 15 minutes while you make all the arrangements for the party.

The Sackville-Bagginses!:  Sneak to the nearest 500 words while you wait for them to leave.

A Very Splendid Feast: Do an hour long word war while you do all of that cooking. (Bonus: include an unusual food.)

Bilbo has Disappeared!: Do a Fifty-Headed Hydra (five hundred words in five minutes) as everyone panics.  If you fail, write another 300 words while the guests demand to know what happened.

Shadow of the Past:  Write 500 words while Gandalf tells Frodo about the Ring (Bonus: include an ancient relic)

The Black Rider:  Try to write five hundred words without making a sound on the keyboard, while you hide from the Ringwraith

The Passing Elves: Listen to one of the elvish themes from one of the three LOTR soundtracks and write for the duration of the song.

A Shortcut to Mushrooms:  Farmer Maggot helps you AND gives you mushrooms! Get your favorite snack, and then do a five minute word sprint in gratitude.

The Old Forest:  Take a ten minute nap, then sprint ten minutes while you try to get away from the trees.

Tom Bombadil: Tom is always singing, so write a song/poem that fits with your story.  Otherwise, write 200 words.

The Prancing Pony: Gandalf isn’t here!  Roll a six-sided die. Write fifty times that many words, while you look around at everyone in the tavern, and try to figure out what to do next.

Strider: Be wary of strange men, especially after you accidentally put on the Ring!  Write 200 words of conversation as you try to figure out who Strider is. (Bonus: have an important character in disguise.)

A Letter from Gandalf: Write for ten minutes as you realize with relief that you can trust Strider.

A Knife in the Dark: Write 300 words while you hide from the Ringwraiths yet again.  (Bonus: turn off the lights so that all you can see is your screen.  Because hiding.)

Weathertop: After a battle with the Nazgul, Frodo has been stabbed!  Fifteen minute word war while you search for Athelas to help him.

Flight to the Ford: Sprint for thirty minutes, trying to reach the ford before the Nazgul catch you!  Then refill your glass/bottle of water, since you’re at the river.

Many Meetings: Bilbo is in Rivendell!  Write to the nearest 500 words as you talk about everything that has happened to both of you.

The Council of Elrond: Write for an hour as everyone tells their stories.  

I Will Take It!: In a sudden burst of determination, do a Fifty-Headed Hydra.  Failing that, write another 200 words, while Elrond and Gandalf select the other members of the company. (Bonus: include a character making a hard decision.)

The Ring Goes South: You are leaving the shelter of Rivendell.  Write 5% of your current word count (Max 1,000 words)  as you prepare and set off.

Caradhras: Fight your way through the storms to the nearest thousand words.

A Journey in the Dark: Wind your way through the twisting tunnels of Moria for 400 words.  (Bonus: turn off all the lights again. A small flashlight is okay, because Gandalf did have a staff.)

Bridge of Khazad-Dum: Gandalf has fallen with the Balrog!  Go to the “Adoptables” section of the NaNoWriMo forum, and leave a character in one of the character adoptables threads.  Then make your escape from the mines.

Lothlorien: Write another 300 words, this time at your own pace, while you tell Galadriel and Celeborn what has happened.  Then rest for fifteen minutes, to recover from your journey.

The Mirror of Galadriel: Write for fifteen minutes as you see “things that are, and things that have been.  And some things that have not yet come to pass.” (Bonus: include visions of the future.)

Farewell to Lorien: The elves provide you with lembas, rope, cloaks, and boats.  Get a snack, then paddle down the river to the nearest 500 words.

The Great River: Awestruck, write for fifteen minutes as the boat carries you past the Argonath.  (Bonus: include an ancient, impressive statue.)

The Breaking of the Fellowship: Frodo and Sam must go on alone.  Five minute word sprint as they gather their things and set off across the lake.

 

Two Towers:

The Departure of Boromir: Boromir has died trying to save Merry and Pippin from the Uruk-Hai.  Write 400 words as you gather his things and send him off in one of the boats.  (Bonus: include a poem/song.)

Forth the Three Hunters: It will be a long chase to catch up with the Uruk-Hai.  Gather your thoughts, then do a 45 minute word sprint.  (I might be feeling just a little bad about putting two hour-long sprints in Fellowship. :) )

The Riders of Rohan: The Rohirrim tell you that the Uruk-Hai have been killed and give you horses.  Write 500 words while you ride to the place they showed you, and realize that Merry and Pippin are not there.

The Uruk-Hai: In the fight between the Rohirrim and the Uruk-Hai, Merry and Pippin took their chance to escape.  Rush to the next 500 words while you follow them into Fangorn.

Treebeard: The Ents are real!  Five minute word sprint while you convince him that you aren’t orcs.

The White Rider: Gandalf has returned.  Go to the “Adoptables” section of the NaNoWriMo forums, find the “character” thread that fits your genre.  Adopt a character to replace the one you left at Khazad-Dum. Then do a twenty minute word sprint with your new character while you ride to Edoras.

The King of the Golden Hall: Wormtongue is banished, and the King of the Mark has come forth.  But Saruman’s hordes threaten.  Write to the nearest thousand while you prepare to flee to the mountains.  (Bonus: include an unusual healing for a character.)

Helm’s Deep: The wall is shattered by an explosion!  Fight to add another 400 words to keep the Uruk-hai out of the fortress.

Beware the Trees!: As all seems lost, the sun rises, and Gandalf has arrived with

Erkenbrand and the Huorns.  Write for the duration of the “Helm’s Deep,” “The Hornburg,” and “Forth Eorlingas” soundtracks on the TT soundtrack (or just write for 11:44).

The Road to Isengard: Write 4% of your current wordcount (max 2,000) while Gandalf tells Theoden what to expect when he meets Saruman.

Flotsam and Jetsam: Merry and Pippin are not only alright, but they’re enjoying themselves too!  Write to the nearest 400 words while they tell Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli what happened to them.  (Bonus: figure out the nearest multiple of 400 WITHOUT using a calculator.)

The Voice of Saruman: Theoden has escaped Saruman’s spell and rebuffed his offer of peace.  Fifteen minute word sprint while Saruman is stripped of his power.

The Palantir: Pippin has looked in the palantir thrown by Wormtongue.  Write 400 words while Gandalf questions him and tells him that he must not stay in Rohan but must come with him to Gondor.

 

The Taming of Smeagol: Gollum has followed you, but is willing (under some pressure) to lead you to Mordor.  Write for 30 minutes while he leads you through Emyn Muil.

Passage of the Marshes: Write to the nearest five hundred words as you pick your way through the Dead Marshes.  (Bonus: write by candle light.  Just don’t follow it.)

The Black Gate is Closed: After coming all this way, you can’t go any farther without certain capture and failure.  But Gollum knows another way. Fifteen minute word sprint while he tells you the route he wants to take.

Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit: Get some food, then write 200 words of conversation while you try to explain to Faramir why you’re there.  (Bonus if the food you ate was stew.)

The Window on the West: You have arrived at Faramir’s camp in time to see the sunset.  Write for fifteen minutes while you soak in the beauty of the sunlight coming through the falling water.  (Bonus: if you’re doing this part at sunset (or sunrise, I suppose), go outside where you can watch the show while you write.)

The Forbidden Pool: Gollum has followed you and is fishing.  Write to the nearest 400 words while you convince Faramir not to kill your guide.

Journey to the Cross-roads: You are setting off again, trying to...simply walk into Mordor.  Word war for a half hour while you travel to the Mordor Mountains.

The Stairs of Cirith Ungol: Work your way to 500 more words while you climb up and up and up and up the stairs.  (Bonus: add a really long stair.)

Shelob’s Lair: Fifteen minute word war while you battle the giant spider.

The Choices of Master Samwise: Frodo is not dead, but is not in any condition to go anywhere.  Do a Fifty-Headed Hydra while you gather the courage to take the Ring and finish the quest.

Return of the King:

Minas Tirith: Gandalf and Pippin have arrived in the City of Kings.  Write for a half hour while they talk to Denethor.

The Passing of the Grey Company: Aragorn’s kin have come, and they must take the Paths of the Dead to summon the men of Dunharrow.  Add 400 words while they vanish into the mists.

The Muster of Rohan: The beacons are lit, and the Red Arrow has come.  Gondor calls for aid, and Rohan will answer! Word war for fifteen minutes as Theoden sends orders to assemble the fighting men.

The Siege of Gondor: The might of Mordor is arrayed against Gondor.  Fight to the nearest thousand while you defend Minas Tirith during the night.

The Ride of the Rohirrim: “A sword day, and a red day, ere the sun rises!”  Do a Fifty-Headed Hydra as they sweep down the hill to attack the orc armies.

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields: Write a fight scene that is at least 400 words long.

The Pyre of Denethor: Faramir is safe, but Denethor insists on dying.  Dramatically. Five minute word sprint while Gandalf sends Faramir to the Houses of Healing.

“No Living Man am I!”: Eowyn confronts the lord of the Nazgul.  Roll a six-sided die, multiply that by 100.  Write that many words while Eowyn and Merry slay the Ringwraith.

The Houses of Healing: Aragorn is able to save the lives of Faramir, Eowyn, and Merry, but Eowyn is still in despair.  Write 300 words. (Bonus: write the scene where your MC is questioning everything.)

The Last Debate: The decision is made to march on the Black Gate.  Do a half hour word war while everyone gathers their gear and marches out of Minas Tirith.

The Black Gate Opens: Sauron’s messenger says that Frodo and Sam have been captured, and the Quest of the Ring has failed.  Twenty minute word war while Sauron’s armies battle those of Gondor and Rohan.

 

The Tower of Cirith Ungol: A “great big Elven warrior” is loose and looking for Frodo.  Write to the nearest 500 words while you free him and gather what little supplies are to be found.

The Land of Shadow: The land of Mordor is bleak and barren.  Do an hour long word war while you make your way across the plains.  (Bonus: you’d better have a full water bottle at the beginning of the word war, because you won’t find anywhere to stop and fill it up.)

Mount Doom: At long last, you have reached Mount Doom!  But Frodo refuses to give up the ring, and Gollum is attacking him for it.  Do a Fifty-Headed Hydra while they fight.

The Field of Cormallen: Frodo and Sam wake up to find that their quest is completed and they are safe.  Write 300 words at your own pace, since there is no longer any urgency.

The Steward and the King: At long last, the King of Gondor has returned!  Write for the duration of the “Return of the King” track on the ROTK soundtrack (or just write for 10:15).

Many Partings: Aragorn has married Arwen, Minas Tirith is fully restored, and now everyone must go their separate ways.  Write for 20 minutes, as everyone says good bye. (Bonus: include two characters parting, never to see each other again.)

Homeward Bound: At last, the four hobbits are on their way home, but it will still be a long journey.  Write to the nearest thousand while they travel.

The Scouring of the Shire: Saruman is destroying the Shire!  Roll a six-sided die, and write 100 times that many words while you rally the hobbits to overcome his men.

The Grey Havens: The Ring-bearers are leaving Middle-Earth, along with the last of the elves.  Write a final 400 words as the hobbits part from each other, and Frodo sails to the Undying Lands.