TGIO Partay!

Hi Botrytis!
I think it's a really great idea, and I wish you a lot of luck with it. Actually, though, it's far from over for me; I've been working on two books at once: my NaNo novel will be at least three times the present length before I can self edit and send it to the real editor. Aside from this, I have simultaneously been working on another book together with my brother, who already has a publisher, and the deadlines are BONE-CRUSHING!!! Add this to my job and two kids of my own plus a foster-daughter, and I just don't know when I'll have time for a personal life! There's a pretty slim chance I'll be able to get out of Raleigh at all before New Year, but I wish you the best of luck, and have enjoyed having an ML as great as you!!

Do we have any clue where we want it?

Was Brier Creek a good middle point between Raleigh and Durham?
- there are numerous restaurants and coffee shops there - maybe someplace like Jason's Deli where we can just sit and chat and eat if we want to?

Or would somewhere on Glenwood be more appropiate?
- again, lots of restaurants and coffee shops up and down Glenwood - maybe a place like Fat Daddy's where we can even play a game of pool if so inclined?

Personally, I prefer like a Friday or Saturday evening, but since it is the holiday season now, it will depend on my store's schedule and craziness if I'm able to make it out :)

Michelle

I think Friday, November 30th would be a great night for me, and hopefully for others. I can't make it Saturday or Sunday night. Maybe there should be more than one TGIO party?

My thinking is 6pm on Friday at a nice-but-inexpensive restaurant where they won't mind if we rearrange the tables...

Would people still be writing then though? I don't want to take anyone away from last minute writing sessions... Maybe Friday, Dec 7th?

Michelle

That's a good point - I hadn't really thought about it. Could someone who's done NaNo in the past weigh in?

Even though I won't finish, I sure love a party. I'm for Friday night, either Dec 7 or Nov 30. I must admit, I would prefer the December date though.
Glenwood Avenue or Briar Cliff or anywhere agreed upon will be okay with me.

I'm probably going back to the novels I wrote three years ago and the NANO 2005 that I did mange to reach 50K to edit beginning the first of the year.

I have certainly enjoyed meeting so many people. The ML's were so supportive too.

So you made the big 50K! I wouldn't have thought your protagonist would let you get away with winning.

We can do more than one. Maybe puppet making at one and filming of our MCs at another ;) It's to celebrate what we've accomplished this month and if it takes two parties to do that, so be it!

Maybe laser tag or paint ball could be a third party, take out any editing issues we're having in December ;)

Congrats on winning, Ryan!! :) I hope Dagny isn't giving you too much grief about it.

lol...yes, Dagny is still rather upset...and she certainly wouldn't call it MY winning....

"More like you were riding on my coat tails, moron," Dagny mutters, still angry about the ending, hers in particular. "What the hell were you thinking? Can't you just lighten up and freakin' give me the story?"

Lighten up? This coming from the character who wants to raise Jane Austen from the dead?

"She'd be a hell a lot better at writing than you are."

But she's DEAD. The woman can't hold a pencil. She wouldn't even know what a typewriter looks like, let alone how to type. Asking her to write you would be suicide.

"Like I said," Dagny mutters, "it's a hell of lot better than being written by you."

Right - to each their own. But look at the bright side, Dagny - at least other writers are asking about you now. And you can attend the Thank God It's Over party and really give thanks to me, your writer god.

"F-ing pissant," Dagny mutters. "Why don't you stick you cock in your -"

Okay, Dags....that's enough for now....

"Coward."

Seriously, Dagny, can't we -

"Cockroach."

Listen - aren't I the one who brought you into this world? Gave you life and grace and -

"The longer you narrate," Dagny says, "the more likely it is I'll refer to putting your groin through a meat grinder."

Um, Dagny, that's not exactly what we call "plot development."

"Probably not," Dagny agrees, "but it sure tastes better with ketchup."

No, Dagny, that's just gross. You should be -

"Who said I was gonna eat it? You've got plenty of other dumb-as-microbe protagonists who wouldn't know any better. Maybe I'll just throw a barbecue..."

And maybe I'll hit the delete key.

"Go ahead and try, bucko."

OOH OOH I actually know where Brier Creek is and I would love to meet up with some of you finally. Saturday's usually work better for me because I tend to be too tired to get out again after a day at the office. But I'll go along with whatever the rest think works best...as long as it's not Sunday through Thursday.

Thanks Botrytis for coming up with the plan. If I can help in any way just let me know. I can't do a lot but I'll be happy to do what I can.

Cai

PS. Ryan don't you just hate it when characters get snippy? I know one of my supporting cast has been demanding some time of his own. He just doesn't get it that he's there to support the main not have his own book. I may just have to have him killed off.....oh wait, already did that, but he's still sticking his nose into the flashbacks.

Has it been decided when and where we party? I'm sure ready for this Friday or next.

I think we're gonna go with next Friday (the 7th) so as not to intrude upon last minute noveling. We'll meet up at 6 PM, somewhere in Brier Creek, but as I'm not terribly familiar with Brier Creek, I'll leave it up to someone else to decide what restaurant or cafe we should meet in. If anyone is terribly opposed to this, please let me know.

Okay, at Brier Creek, we have the following restaurants: (and my opinions of them, cause I admittedly, am a picky eater, but, knowing that I am a picky eater, I will go along with the majority)

I personally think that Applebee's, Bob Evans, Chili's, O'Charley's, Uno's, or Jason's Deli would work best with our group - we do probably want to call ahead and give them a total since it will be on a Friday night, which might be busy night for them :)

Applebee's
Azitra Authentic Indian Fare - I'm not a big indian food person, but again, whatever everyone else picks
Baba Grill
Bob Evans
Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse - heard it was amazing food, but rather pricey
Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza
Bruegger's Bagels
Camille's Sidewalk Cafe
Champa Thai & Sushi - I know there are people planning on going that are allegeric to seafood, so this place is prob out
Chili's Grill & Bar
Fratello's
FujiSan Japanese Steakhouse -allegeric to seafood, so this place is prob out applies here too
Greek Fiesta
Jason's Deli
Johnny Carino's Country Italian
Longhorn Steakhouse
McDonald's - do I have to give a reason not to go here?
New Asia
O'Charley's
Quizno's Subs
Salsarita's Fresh Cantina
Slice of NY Pizza
Uno Chicago Grill

http://www.shopbriercreekcommons.com/merchants.html - where I got all the restaurants

There's a Macaroni Grill, Chili's and a Barnes and Noble off to the left coming from Raleigh, a Starbuck's on the right. Since I'm one of the few who doesn't have a job (at least right now) I could survey the area and report back on a variety of places at Briar Creek for a December meeting-party if anyone wants me to. There's a nice medium size cafe on the left, but I'd have to go and find it to get the name. pattipen

Okay, Paperclip did the leg work. I'll go along with others on a decision.

LOL, I remembered the site from when we planned our mid-month meetup there - and then just copy and pasted the list of restaurants - no real leg work, just knowing how to cheat at it :) And you still have to let your voice be heard, I already said what I liked and didn't like :)

Michelle

I know Bob Evans can usually tolerate a rowdy bunch and has a good variety of food if anyone wants to eat but any of these works for me as well.

I can narrow my vote to either Applebee's or Bob Evans with no trouble, but I'm not all that picky. I agree with Parerclip that I'm not into Indian food and I'm not good at tracheotomies so if there are allergies I suggest we stay away from seafood places.

I'm for Paperclip's restaurant choices. Also like O'Charley's.

Hi, I've just been lurking (and writing and writing) all month, but I would like to throw the Carolina Ale House into consideration. It is at the corner of 70 and Brier Creek Parkway (across from the plaza that holds Walmart et al)

-np

Which is kinda important, cause it is a Friday night and all, and we don't want a super busy place that might want us to leave...

Michelle

Just don't have it on a monday, and I will be there.
With bells on.
Don't look at me like that, they're festive AND easy to accessorize.
The ladies pretending they don't know me, those are the ones i've been writing with.
They're good people, and both won this year. I'm all inspiring and stuff.
See you there, peoples.

I was hoping to cast my vote today for restaurant, but I found out yesterday that I have to work on Friday...so if anyone has TGIO plans for Saturday, let me know.

Cailean - I think I like your supporting character. Is he trying to renegotiate his contract for a book of his own? I tried getting some of my characters to go on strike for a while...which was really just me going on strike. Let's just say it was like having a few days feel like an entire year without the World Series.

Ryan

So far I've had folks give a thumbs up for:

Bob Evans
Jason's Deli
Camille's Sidewalk Cafe

At the last write-in we discussed that, while those aren't our first choices for Food, on a Friday night those places are less likely to be busy and ushering us out of our tables. And that it'd be easier to be seated in general, possibly even letting us rearrange the tables as we need.

Oh and Ryan E., I'm currently trying to find someone to cover my shift on Friday night too (I also work Saturday night).

Friday, December 7th at 6 pm
Jason's Deli, Brier Creek Commons

Link to Brier Creek Commons
Link to Jason's Deli
Link to Brier Creek Commons Map

I'll be there around 7:30ish... Stupid work, lol

Michelle

Alas, I won't be able to make it. But Congratulations to the winners who do gather to celebrate tonight! Have a great time. I'll be thinking of you all.