The title says it all, really. But it's a question that bears asking, especially since we have a few pre-meetings under our belts, and we're halfway to November.
So far, meetings have been pretty loose, mostly social. We had one member ask "So what are we doing here?", and while I answered that at the time, I think it's important to answer that here, in case other people might be wondering whether or not to come along.
The early meetings are basically a chance for us to get to know each other, joke around and talk and basically build a support system before the November panic turns on. That way, we have a large support base, so that those who are having good days can encourage those who aren't, and three days later when those people switch roles, they can cry on/encourage as they see fit. It's also a time to discuss your novel-in-planning, talk about where you're stuck, and swap ideas.
But once November comes, we have a larger pool of meeting ideas from which to draw: social meetings, where we can get together and talk about our novels and our lives with people who understand and won't try to get us to do chores and discourage us; write-ins, where we get together and work on our novels together, secure in the knowledge that there are people in proximity who are suffering likewise (or, if you're competitive, who might be getting ahead of you); or who knows what else that I haven't thought of.
I've got a few people who are interested in write-in meetings, but perhaps not enough to run a meeting on its own -- would people be interested in a joint meeting? Meet up somewhere, bring paper and/or laptops, and those who want to write sit together while those who want to chat do likewise, and anyone who wants to switch between groups can do so. These would most likely be the Saturday meetings, because that's when a lot of working/student writers will want to catch up.
A question raised in last week's meeting was whether or not people here would be interested in pre-November writing prompts. I'd asked the question around the table a few times and got unanimously negative results, but I haven't posed the question to the as-yet non-meeting-going NaNoers yet.
So, a summary of this post:
- What sort of meetings would people like to come to in November?
- Who would be interested in write-ins during November? Conversely, who would definitely not want to participate in something like that?
- Who would be interested in short writing prompts during pre-November meetings? Again conversely, who would not want to take part in those?
- If we did November write-ins or pre-November writing prompts, would anyone feel uncomfortable if they didn't want to participate, or would you be happy talking amongst yourselves until the writing portion was over?
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Lora, Municipal Liaison for London Ontario
90,517 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2007 - 18 08
In all probability, the only days I will be in London in November will be the 3rd and 4th, so I won't be able to attend most of the meetings, whenever or wherever they are held and whatever form they take. In case any of these ideas are useful/interesting to those of you who are actually in London, however, I will post here the types of meetings I have suggested to my virtual writing group:
Downtime Dips - a chance to relax in my hot tub in a peaceful park setting and chat about anything but NaNoWriMo.
(Caveat: My hot tub is a digital one -- I am unable to offer this specific formulation of meeting outside of Second Life! -- but the "no NaNo talk" proviso could be a useful one for certain meetings in other settings.)
Koffee Klatches - a social get together where any topic (NaNo or not) goes.
Reading Circles - Wrimos read excerpts from their work-in-progress to the group. Group members provide positive feedback and comments. (Remembering that November is not the month to get too critical.) Authors may also wish to ask questions of the group regarding specific aspects of their stories.
Block Busters - suffering from writer's block? Explain your stumbling block to the team and we'll all brainstorm together ideas for a way out. (This could be a great creativity-inducing exercise for all Wrimos, not just those who are struggling with a block.)
Write-Ins - speed writing sessions/challenges & a staple of NaNo writing groups. Cheer team members on for their progress during the session.
November 3, I will most likely be writing in the central branch of the LPL from noon until 1:30 p.m. (VIA rail permitting) and possibly again on Sunday morning (library hours permitting -- I don't remember what they are in November). I would be happy to write with other Wrimos during those times but would not be looking to socialize. (I'll already be losing time to travelling and other commitments on those days so will need to be strict about writing when I can.)
6,057 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2007 - 20 51
I'm fine with anything I can make, really. ;) In the Halifax ones I tended to just bring my notebook and write if I had ideas, or chatter with folks if I didn't; it was, as you said, as much of an excuse to be around folks who grok the whole concept (which isn't likely here or at school) as anything else.
50,107 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2007 - 20 58
I'm game for anything and everything! I like a good ole writing prompt even though I might just end up writing some silly little bit of fanfiction. Alas, it'll be an interesting feat to see if I can write anything semi-decent!
8,745 / 50,000
Okt 17, 2007 - 14 28
Hey all... Love all the ideas been given so far. Unfortunately, Thursday nights are the only night of the week that I already have plans, so I won't be able to make it out to the next meeting again. You guys know that the London Writer's Society is meeting about an hour after NaNo, also at the library? Pretty handy, wish I could visit you both, but alas!
50,107 / 50,000
Okt 18, 2007 - 17 48
Why don't I know about these associations? :O Is there any chance that you could give a gal some more info on the London Writer's Society? Are there any requirements to be a member? Where do they meet? What do they talk about? Is it an anything goes in regards to writing type society or are there strict regulations and guidelines that must be followed?
26,221 / 50,000
Okt 19, 2007 - 02 32
It's a newly-formed group, is probably why you didn't know about it. Main website appears to be here: http://londonwriters.ca/
They meet the third Thursday of every month, and it seems to be open to everyone who likes writing, and that's always good. ^^
Anyone ever actually been to one of their meetings and have any idea what they do? It sounds potentially cool.