Southern Maryland!!! Shout Out here! (Charles, Calvert, St Mary's)

I'm in Waldorf. I'd love to do a Southern Maryland Write-In, especially in a library. I'll need the references I'm sure. I haven't been able to attend any of the write-in in the past because they were scheduled during the week around 5:30. I work in DC, I'd have to sprout wings to get there.

I'm in Waldorf as well, and might be able to convince my co-worker WriMos to join us if we're interested in doing a Write-In sometime! I live and work locally, so I could help coordinate. Keep me posted! :)

Yup, yup, I'm in Culvert.

Centrally located in Greater Huntingtown. Anyone else out there in County Calvert?

Here are my thoughts on what might work:

Calvert could meet at the new Prince Frederick Library. (Pretty close to the central part of the county.)

Charles has a good central spot either in La Plata (I was thinking CSM student union maybe?) or Waldorf (Borders worked last year right?)

St Mary's I know we have the Lexington Park Library. I'm pondering Sundays as the library is open 1 PM to 5 PM. We could use their private study room. (Am I nuts? Giving up my football? Well, yes, its NaNo...) If people wanted to continue, I live about three blocks from the library.

If we coordinate write, people who want to attend all three county write-ins can.

Funny you should mention Borders! I work at the Waldorf store (the stand-alone location near Burlington Coat Factory and Sports Authority) part-time in the evenings and spoke to my manager yesterday about hosting a Write-In at our location. I could hold a private table in the cafe for us!

The night my manager agreed to, thus far, is Friday, Nov. 2. The time could be debated, depending on what works for everyone else. My full-time job is local so I would have no problem getting there whenever. I was thinking maybe seven, eight? Marguerite, I see you work in D.C. -- what time would work for you?

Let me know if that sounds good to anyone else -- the more, the merrier! Two of my awesome co-workers are also Wrimos this year, so three of us are in already.

I could get to Borders in Waldorf after work that day. It'd be a lot easier than the treks I made to Towson for Write-ins last year.

I can check into reserving space at the library in Prince Frederick (I don't even know if that's possible) if anyone is interested in a Calvert Write-In later in the month, too.

Thanks,

Joe

Hey, Just saw this. I know I could tell you this at work (the full-time job - duh!) on Monday, but what time Nov. 2? I have company coming from the West Coast for the women's memorial 10th anniversary. And could we do it another night or another night, also? I have already drafted my dearly beloved to provide mugs of tea and he is aware I will be doing the novel thing - again. Frozen TV dinners next month! How late is Borders open anyway? Awesome? Too much candy corn ...

Could we get a table at Borders for a weekly write in? Friday's at 7 till close?

Now that my hours have changed I'm usually in Waldorf by 6. I'd love to attend the write in. My husband might join us too, he's doing Nano this year. We'll see if we can get a babysitter for the little one.

So glad folks are interested! Borders is open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 9 p.m. on Sundays. I don't know that we'd be able to secure a set table in the cafe on Friday nights on a regular basis, but we definitely are on the schedule of events at my store on Friday, Nov. 2nd. However, that doesn't mean we couldn't all still meet there on Fridays -- the cafe is open to everyone.

Does 7 p.m. sound good to everyone? It's not a real, set time, persay -- if you need to pop in later, I don't know why that would be a problem, as long as we know in advance so I can hold some space for you.

Feel free to reply here or shoot me a message through the Nano mail system. A little bit closer to the day, I'll post for definite RSVPs.

Thanks so much!

Megan

Hi,

This is my first year with NaNo. I live in Calvert County (North Beach) but it seems that so far there is only one other Calvert Countian so Waldorf is fine. 7:00 pm on Nov 2 works for me.

This is my first NaNo so needless to say, I just signed up and I'm already completely freaked out!

I live in Waldorf, work in Falls Church, so Friday evenings at Borders sound wonderful to me. Count me in!

M.M.

Hi again! I'm so excited you guys can make it and can't wait for NaNo to start. If you haven't already spotted it on the main forum page, please take a moment to officially RSVP to the Waldorf Write-In in the thread I created called, aptly, "Waldorf Write-In" — I hope to keep a running tally of our group. I'm sorry if it seems redundant to what we're already going here! I just want to make sure we have enough space and goodies to go around.

Thanks everyone! Feel free to drop me a line any time leading up the event with any questions / concerns. :)

Megan :)

First to Mama Marie, you're not alone! I just signed up. Am freaked out. Don't know what I'm doing :) Okay, I feel better now.

Hi everyone. I'd heard about NaNoWriMo from reading Chris's book and was reminded today by Ginny's About.com writing email. Short story. Have always wanted to write creatively just never "got down to it." I think NaNoWriMo might be good for me. Short of the hand of God coming down on me, this may actually force me to write!

I live nearer to LaPlata and work in Marlow Heights so Waldorf isn't a problem. My biggest problem is, "will I really do this." I'm a little creative already, with photography, a little crazy, ride a Harley, and worked as a Paramedic/FF before I was injured so how come this freaks me out so much...lol? Are there any other first-timers here also?

I like the idea of Borders better because we can get coffee, snacks and stuff (or is that a distraction?). The library is nice and quiet, but kind of sterile. I can see the upside of it though. I just quit smoking too. It will be good for me to have something to chew on besides my nails :) I look forward to meeting you all!

Hey!

I'm a student at St. Mary's, and this is my second year with Nano. I'd love to try and make some of the write-ins in the area if I can, so I shall wander over to that thread too. I'm pretty excited for this year...and the whole not-sleeping-so-that-I-can-write-for-this-and-keep-up-with-classes concept. It'll be fun. =)

-Alyssa

Alyssa, I like your spirit!!!

Has anyone on this thread successfully finished NaNo? If you did, what did you think of your novel? Did doing this help you with your writing (either during or after?)

PhotoGirl,

I was a NaNoWriMo winner last year. In 2005 I signed up but never really worked at it due to some other business that couldn't wait. This past March I did a personal "WriMo" and wrote a novel that I need to clean up for submission before the end of the year. One of my 2007 goals was to submit a work for publication (or for rejection, but my part is the writing and submittal) before the end of the year.

I had a very clear idea of the story last year, and it evolved into something different during November as the characters developed. I write a lot anyway, over 50k a month, so that aspect (quantity) wasn't the biggest help to me. I have greater respect for the work of writing a novel, deeper insight into the craft, stronger confidence in my creative ability, and a proud memory of writing my first novel.

Thanks,

Joe

I didn't finish last year...because I insisted on working on a novel I already had going, and liked better (and then the whole job/applying to college/sports/random extra-curriculars/having a social life? ...yeah.)

This year I've put aside all other projects, which will probably let me finish. Even without finishing last year though, it really did help my writing in general...it made me much better at overcoming blocks. Plus it's just a ton of fun, even with the stress.

<3Alyssa

hey

im a Westlake student in waldorf, im hoping to participate in the nano this year, novels are a daunting thing as i mainly work in poems, but id love the learning and growing experience.

Fri Nov2 at borders works, any time after 6pm

Hi aathens!

We are indeed having the write-in on Friday, Nov. 2 at Borders in Waldorf, meeting over in the cafe at 7 p.m. We would love to have you! If that is definitely going to work for you, please RSVP in the "Waldorf Write-In" thread on the main Maryland forums page whenever convenient so I can make sure I have an accurate head-count. Thanks, and best of luck!

Megan

Waldorf Borders sounds good to me! I'm looking forward to meeting others.

Last year was my first NaNa year. I finally wrote the book I'd been "playing" with for 25 years. It just all came together. And I'm working on the back story and outline for this years book.

I probably won't be able to make the write ins. I have to get up at 2:30 in the morning as it it just to write! *grin*

But it's great to see so many writers from my area. I'm in St Marys.

*waves*

Kathi

Hey, PhotoGirl ...
Yes, I didfinish last year - my first year. I'm not moving so fast this year but I seem to be developing more of a plot than I had anticipated.

When I finished the 50k+, I was quite pleased with myself. I'd had a few fans reading it like a serial because I was involved with something that had formed the basis for the novel in the first place. So those involved with that project also were interested.

Then my mates at work read it, too. I set it aside as NaNo advised and waited until January. In the meantime, I signed up with NaNoPubYe - the publish it this year after NaNo site. And that was the end of ti. It's sat in my office in two binders (two copies) since then waiting for me to reread and edit it. That didn't happen until late August when I figured I might want to see where I left off so I might actually write a sequel.

I felt good about what I wrote as a draft, but to be honest, it also scared me. If it really wasn't as good a piece of writing as I had thought or others seemed to think, I'd be a bit disappointed, especially since I write (not fiction, though) for a living.

Having gone through about a quarter of it prior to NaNo 2007, it really is not half bad. In fact, it's got some pretty good stuff in it. And the epilogue has sent me in research frenzy because I found myself far earlier than I did last year going in a rather strange direction. Meaning - last year I had about 20-25 pages before the characters and story line took over and I just typed. This year, it happened within about three chapters and I am out of control on this one - if I would just sit the heck down and write the damn thing!

As for how I wrote after last year - I found/felt my writing had picked up a great deal and I was sharper than I think I had been. It's amazing what letting yourself go with words will do with anything else you write. You discover/rediscover more words than you had been using, so the writing seemed to me to sparkle a bit. If nothing else, it's worth doing all this just for that.

Now I am truly procrastinating and I know I have ideas in my head that are clamoring to come out so I will go unlock the door. It's only made of parchment, anyway!

Good luck and don't be afraid of your manuscript. It really won't be as bad as you think. And if it's worse, there's always the delete key or a good bonfire with marshmallows in the winter!

See ya around the area.

Hey all! Good turn out for the Friday write in in Waldorf. Good to put faces with names. Hear ideas that people are writing.

Not so good in St Mary's. Did anyone miss me? I was hidden in the back in a study room. (Will try again the rest of the month.) Always welcoming more visits. Also, is Sunday bad for the write ins in St Mary's? I can shift them...

Hi Megan!

I think I know you...I used to work part-time at Borders. My friend and I are in the Cafe regularly (she's the one with the guide dog!) and we're both NaNo-ing this year (she's unofficial). This is my first time doing this, so any write-ins would be helpful, or even get-togethers on a regular night!

Say hi to Mary and Ono for me!

Katie

OK, so I’ve fallen behind (11827 words so far and it is now day 10). I took yesterday off because I was WAY too happy to write on a dark old murder mystery. I got word yesterday that I have been accepted into Grad School. I had to celebrate (and spend some time obsessing over the cost). Back to reality today, and finding it much easier to write. I am so jazzed that I am now able to gleefully implicate the most blameless of characters and conjure up false evidence trails out of thin air.

Just had to share. Yipee!

I'm in Calvert County, St. Leonard area and would love to do the St. Mary's write in but Sunday's a bad day for me. I don't work so mornings during the week work best for me but I don't know if that will work for anyone else. If anyone wants to meet at the Prince Frederick Library during the day, I could do that too. I'd like to build up my word count during the week 'cause the weekends are too busy to get much done.

Okay, I have to ask. (;
My parents live in Dunkirk in Calvert County and I'd love to have a write-in on Black Friday, since I'll be down there for Thanksgiving. I know there's a Panera in Prince Frederick and it should be open that day. (11/23)

Anyone interested? I think it'd be a hoot to meet the Southern Maryland Crew. (=
I wish there was a Borders or a Barnes and Noble in PF-Town, but last I heard, there wasn't. Oh - sad. (;

So - Panera? Anyone? 11/23?

Hi Katie! Yes, you certainly sound familiar -- and you're both very nice! :) I'm sorry we couldn't find her special order faster the last time I was in! But at least we did eventually track down the CD. :) I will definitely say hi to Mary and Ono for you!

Hope everyone is writing up a storm... I've gone a little crazy lately, but am slowing down in an effort not to rush myself straight into 50,000. I still have a bit to go to bring my novel to a logical conclusion, however, so it would be okay.

Best wishes everyone!

Megan

I'm interested in doing a write in at Panera in Prince Frederick on Black Friday. Or we could go to the new library next door if Panera is too busy. Sounds great! Anyone else interested?