Thinking to NaNo 2008

I didn't participate a lot in the forum, but I lurked a lot and enjoyed reading the posts. I have a tendency to really focus in on a project and pretty much let the rest of the world slide. I am new to NaNo this year and became totally obsessed with my word count. I think I'll be less obsessive next year, maybe.

Anyway, thanks for being there MLs and thanks for organizing the TGIO on Saturday. That was great fun.

Now to find some editing buddies.

My only comment would be to have more Write Ins on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. Not all of us can do the weeknights or the weekend evenings.

I thought that y'all did a wonderful job organizing it. I think that it would be better if you could start the events on time. My mom wouldn't let me go to the TGIO party because there was no one there at 4:00.

Thanks for the comment JadeMage.

We'll see what we can do about having more weekend write-ins next year. It's difficult organizing write-ins as everyone's schedule is different. But we will certainly see what we can do!

Thanks again!

Thank you for your kind words sas_essay.

We deeply apologize that you were unable to attend the TGIO party. There were NaNo people present at 4:00, though it was not clearly posted. In the future, we will be sure to make very apparent where we are. I believe at 4:00, there were only about 4 people there, which quickly exploded into well over 20. Again, we'll make sure that we can't be missed next year!

Thank you for your comment.

I'm signed up on the Google group, but can't reply to any of the messages. Is there a problem with the group or am I just an idiot?

No worries there. If you can, you can, if you can't, you can't.

I missed the Google Calendar this year - it was really nice to have last year. Also, I agree that some weekend write-ins would be nice. Maybe try to branch out to some new locations. I know that I don't really write well at the Mall (and did all my writing online this year, anyhow) and the Fireside just has an odd vibe to me - not particularly conducive. Maybe that's just me, though.

Otherwise, you all did a great job! I missed the TGIO but the Kick-Off was great!

This was my first nano and I really loved it for the first few days. Then I got the worst flu of my life and never really made it back into the groove. So I didn't participate much, but I really liked all the potential and can't wait for next year!

This was my first year, and I really enjoyed it, especially the feeling of accomplishment when I actually finished the 50,000 words. I spent a little time on forums, but not much, as I needed my time for writing. I did not attend any write-ins or other events, although I would have liked to have attended the TGIO party. However, my work schedule did not allow it. Also I doubt I would have written much at a write-in, as I do best without distractions.

I had a couple of wonderful writing buddies, one in Canada and one in England. Maybe next year, however, I can meet a few local writers in the Gresham area. That would be fun. Next year I hope to start with a better outline in place. Maybe we need an October--or even September--brainstorming meeting to get ideas. I was really flying by the seat of my pants this year. That can be quite interesting, though--my novel went places I never expected to go.

*Loved the kick-off at Fireside.
*Enjoyed the spur-of-the-mo write-ins
*Plot Ninja is always great.
*Somehow I think the downtown library pre-party could use a bit more intimacy. We see the crowd, do intros and then leave. I totally hate those ice breaker games, but maybe that's what we need - or maybe split into genre groups - or geographically to where we live/work. I want to get to know folks a bit better.
*The dares were fun (space monkeys rule!).
**And, Heather, I especially appreciate your reminder of Chris Baty's 30-10-30-10-30 technique - I used it the rest of the month. Even doing it partially once a day, writing to a timer speeds things up. I plan to start out with this next year.
Thanks for your hard work, guys!
Roberta/Nanita/Tortoise (the rest of the year)

Why November? I was keeping up until Thanksgiving week hit. With shopping, houseguests, and all the holiday stuff I didn't get to write for a whole week! I came in at 33,000 words. I could have done it had it been in January or February, those cold months when there's no place to go (except the slopes I can no longer afford!) and no holidays to celebrate. Why not move Nano to those dreary winter months when we all stay home?

<>Marty B
Damascus, OR

Even though I signed up for the Portland region I wasn't aware of ANY write-ins (with the exception of the last night push). I kept thinking that Nano (my first) would be a great way to meet other writers. But the site was horrible to navigate and I couldn't even find a list of authors until the month was almost over. By then it was too late to arrange to get together for any writing or networking. The only local events I heard about were the Shut Up and Write events the last Sunday of the month (which is where I first heard of Nano), but I got no info from the Nano site or any emails about local gatherings. It was a great disappointment. The only events I attended were the last night at the Fireside (few attended) and the TGIO at Chance of Rain, where I finally got to hear others' readings and chat with other WriMos.

<>Marty B.
Damascus, OR

Why November? Because it was originally designed for college students, and November was the time between midterms and finals and the Thanksgiving break gives you time to write. And for many people it does. I know that since I got my laptop, the time we spend travelling for Turkey Day is one of my most productive times.

In the end, there's nothing that says you can't do your own personal Nanowrimo in a month of your choosing. And actually, I think November works well. I've tried Script Frenzy in June and JulNoWriMo in July and haven't succeeded. :(

Well, actually, if you read the History, you'll see that the first year they did it in July, not November. It wasn't until year two that they put it in Nov "to more fully take advantage of the miserable weather".

I happen to like November weather. :P

I was wondering, does anyone know about how much Wordstock tickets cost?

As I'm sure you have checked, the prices of tickets do not appear to be posted on the website yet.

I did a quick search for you however, and one website insinuated that last year the tickets cost $21. However, I cannot be sure how accurate this is, nor if there were an additional charges for it (such as Ticketmaster's wonderful surcharges).

The website I found: http://www.blazersedge.com/story/2007/11/12/22850/866
It's under the Weekend Story #2

Hope this helps.

Cool. Thanks. I just wanted to make sure my mom wasn't dragging herself into a monetary pit when she said we would definitely go.
$21 isn't bad at all. Assuming this year's price stays healthily within that area, it shouldn't be too hard to get some friends to come along.