Read my answer to Patrece, but the answer to all your question except the last is "Yes". The answer to that question is, at least stick around in WDC NanoLounge, but also, if you can log your required assignments for the 10th, 24th and 31st before midnight WDC time at the end of the month, you can also access the prep challenge forums here.

Brandiwyn🎶 please double check me on thIs, but I'm pretty sure Cadie Laine - spooky eyed lady is still eligible at this point to be a Runner-Up.

...
Regards,
Eric Fretheim
Assistant Prep Leader, 2015 October NaNoWriMo Prep Challenge

"It is perfectly okay to write garbage-- as long as you edit brilliantly." ~C.J. Cherryh

“No, writing 50,000 words in a month is normal. You are not crazy. This is not insane.” ~Teri Brown