You should keep a "Nano Wordcount" document separate from your actual story; then if you decide to delete words, they still count for the validator later. I also do my writing in a "November 1" or whatever document each day, and copy and paste that into the master story doc and the word count doc. As far as I'm concerned, outlines, story wittering, character sketches and freewriting where you say "I don't know what to write" a hundred times-- it all counts.

I don't think any of it's cheating though-- the freewriting and wittering often help me see some new aspect of my story that I can then explore with real, you know, story.

Zombie angels, huh? That's different. Wee Hob is writing a zombie novel this year. Sort of Romeo and Juliet without the romance or (hopefully) tragic end. Two boys become friends from opposite cultures. How the human manages not to get infected I'm not clear on yet. But he worked on it after school for hours yesterday and is off today. It'll be next to see where he goes with it.

Come to some of Kentucky Elsewhere's virtual write ins if you like. The chat room address is on the region page. I'll be in there most nights procrastinating.