Intro thread for the writers in this area!
Where's your favorite out of the house spot for writing 'round these parts? I tend to venture to cafes and larger bookstores over on the West Side (Borders w/ Seattle's Best Cafes) because I'm addicted to the seasonal gingerbread lattes and there are NO large bookstores w/ hot beverages in Carson. :(
Do you have a title/plot yet? I don't, but I do have plans to attend a write-in or two this year. I work full-time and this will be my 7th(!) NaNo; I completed my first 5.
Best efforts, everyone!
----------
Previous NaNo novels: 2003 Anonymous Days | 2004 Sugar Worm | 2005 Starshine | 2006 New Timers | 2007 Eye Beheld | 2009 untitled
58,153 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 15 46
Checking in from Torrance! I gotta say I do my writing best at home so I don't go to a lot of write ins, but I know there's been write ins at the Borders on Torrance Blvd last year or the year before...
----------It came to me in a dream. And I forgot it in another dream.
-Prof Farnsworth, "Futurama"
--
Now he's trapped in a book I wrote! A crummy world of plot holes and spelling errors!
-Fry, "Futurama"
33,283 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2009 - 20 40
Hey there from Avalon on Catalina Island! Almost that time again! I'm so excited! So excited, in fact, I can't seem to end sentences in anything but exclaimation points!! I'll be trying to recrute more islanders this year to invade write-ins in the Long Beach area...! Any kick off party planning yet? Can't wait!
----------!!!
"Whatever happens, happens."
50,342 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2009 - 09 11
We've had them at the Torrance Borders and at the Carson Mall. What's up for this year? Anyone else going to Night of Writing Dangerously? It was GREAT fun last year.
----------2000 Iron Door of the Tomb
2001 The Power Elite
2003 Early Morning Fog in 'Frisco
2004 Scoring Little Victories
2005 Xanadu
2006 Pleasant Valley
2007 CAUTION: Risk of Exposure
2008 Three Strikes, You're Out
19,707 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2009 - 18 55
Long Beach here...Wow this is my first year and it feel soooo exciting! I can't wait to check out Borders and do some Dangerous Writing!
36,670 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 09 00
Last year, we had an awesome group of about 4-8 that met at the Panera Bakery in the Carson mall every Saturday at 10am.
I am planning the same this year.
Also interested in write ins during the week. I won my first NANO last year after 4 frustrating halfway years. The write ins really helped me. Looking forward to this year.
Willy
----------Willy
----------------------------------------
2004 Bounty (17K)
2005 Dark Side (23K)
2006 Archon (32K)
2007 Hindsight (8K)
2008 Paladin (51K)
20,787 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 12 50
Hey all! Very excited to be here, this will be my 4th NaNo, first outside of Hawai'i. I look forward to meeting many of you, and let us know if you need anything.
----------~*~*~*~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NaNoWriMo 2006: 別の世界に (~18k )
NaNoWriMo 2007: Matu'a (~52k)
NaNoWriMo 2008: The Mountain Trenar (53k)
NaNoWriMo 2009: I Parma Táriva i Lómino (0k)
NaNoWriMo 2009: Honu Hana Hocus Hag (0k)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
58,153 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 15 54
I would love to go the the Night of Writing Dangerously but I hate fundraising soooo much. Did a lot of people go to the Carson Mall write-ins? I just remember the Borders write-ins slowly dying as the month went on. :(
----------It came to me in a dream. And I forgot it in another dream.
-Prof Farnsworth, "Futurama"
--
Now he's trapped in a book I wrote! A crummy world of plot holes and spelling errors!
-Fry, "Futurama"
36,670 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2009 - 14 50
Panera Bakery in the Carson Mall. We usually had a die-hard 2-4 that showed. Our biggest turn out was 8. I will be there through out. That was my day for catching up, word wise.
----------Willy
----------------------------------------
2004 Bounty (17K)
2005 Dark Side (23K)
2006 Archon (32K)
2007 Hindsight (8K)
2008 Paladin (51K)
4,518 / 50,000
Okt 13, 2009 - 15 20
Torrance checking in! this is my first time ever and now that i have bashed out a basic plot and title im less scared and more excited! having used to work at a BN and its cafe i can't bring myself to spend hours there with one cup of coffee in 3 hrs (it happens) but i love starbucks! being surrounded by the smell of coffee and laptops is frakking awesome IMHO! i seem to get distracted in my own home so really its safer if i'm out of the house!
----------The Last Enemy to be Destroyed is Death
everything is gonna be alright in the end
if it's not alright then it's not the end
42,198 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2009 - 21 42
Hello One and All,
This is my second year at NANO but first year doing it in LA. I'm looking forward to a great month of binge writing.
----------D.Y.D.
41,083 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2009 - 15 26
Hi Folks!
I'm in South Bay/Torrance (base of PV), I might make 1-2 of the writein's but will probably work from home most of the time.
It looks like the Metro LA kickoff might not settle on a location?
Maybe we shoudl have our own kickoff. However, I'm busy with a relative moving in on the 1st, so it might be tight. Later in the actual NaNoWriMo might be better.
== John ==
22,575 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2009 - 15 31
Royal Cup in Long Beach is a great place to write (I've done a lot of studying there). It's an independent(!!!) coffee house/sandwich place, with couches and tables and chairs and a very low-key vibe. There's also a back lounge area that can be reserved. They're community-oriented, and I'd even guess they'd try to promote a NaNo night. The Torrance location closes several hours earlier than LB.
http://www.royalcupcafe.com/
I'm seriously out of practice - I last NaNo'd in 2003 - so I'm looking forward to getting together with people for encouragement!
0 / 50,000
Okt 21, 2009 - 14 52
Another Torrance person checking in. I haven't been to any write in's but I'd like to. I'm a single mother so I won't be able to make most of the weekend write in's but I could find a babysitter and join some of the week day ones. How exciting.
-Rowena
9,297 / 50,000
Okt 21, 2009 - 17 11
Another one from Torrance chiming in!
I haven't been to any write-ins (or shouldn't it be called write-outs?) ever since my first foray into NaNoWrimo in 2005 but I'm interested in at least attending one just to say I've been there ;)
Also, it seems I only finish every odd year, so I'm psyched for this year's event.
----------(\__/) Cheers,
(='.'=)
(")_(") Raciel
36,670 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2009 - 09 14
I will be continuing the Saturday 10am Panera Bakery write in. Every Saturday in November. It is in the Carson Mall, just off of the 405 Fwy. This was a great group last year with several winners.
----------See you all there.
Willy
----------------------------------------
2004 Bounty (17K)
2005 Dark Side (23K)
2006 Archon (32K)
2007 Hindsight (8K)
2008 Paladin (51K)
15,022 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2009 - 11 12
Hey all, Hawthorne checking in. :) I got all giddy when I saw a thread for people in South Bay. WoOt! This is my first year seriously attempting NaNo (I say seriously because I didn't try as hard as I could've the last couple ones). I will attempt to wrestle my husband's laptop away from him and make it to at least one write in this season. Looking forward to writing like mad with you all!
----------We command the pen in hand that writes the ending of our books!
49,142 / 50,000
Okt 24, 2009 - 04 44
Another Torrance person here. My laptop went wrong several years ago, so I've yet to make it to any write-ins.
I just decided a few days ago to join in the madness again, so the only answer so far to what my book's going to be about is about 2000 words a day.
----------"Perfectionism is procrastination masquerading as quality control."
"I don't believe in talent, I believe in telling the truth and hard work over time."
Both from Steven Barnes' Lifewriting lectures.
29,467 / 50,000
Okt 25, 2009 - 11 29
Rancho Palos Verdes checking in here.
This is my first NaNo and I'd love to do a write-inv in Torrance or anywhere within the surrounding 20 mile radius.
I have a tentative title: On Adonai's Field. My basic plot involves my MC requesting a 3 week retreat for her birthday and re-evaluating a relationship with her best friend and having to make choices between him and a new man she's met. I've got 4 chapters outlined and 6 characters fleshed out.
----------3,561 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 10 02
Redondo Beach checking in. Like to write at home, both paper and computer. Good spot to write elsewhere is Catalina Coffee House or Coffee Cartel.
First time doing this. Actually have a story in mind and am fleshing out chars and plot.
I'm wondering if this thing takes over your life... I can imagine it happening as you get deeper into it.
36,670 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 12 20
Looking for a kick off write in place for the first hour of the event. I was going to the Novel Cafe in Santa Monica, but they are not open till 1am anymore.
----------Any thoughts?
Willy
----------------------------------------
2004 Bounty (17K)
2005 Dark Side (23K)
2006 Archon (32K)
2007 Hindsight (8K)
2008 Paladin (51K)
50,342 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 13 40
Anyone interested in Torrance Borders on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 9 or 10 a.m. ? Maybe bring some goodies to share and a quick write idea for the group to get started???
----------2000 Iron Door of the Tomb
2001 The Power Elite
2003 Early Morning Fog in 'Frisco
2004 Scoring Little Victories
2005 Xanadu
2006 Pleasant Valley
2007 CAUTION: Risk of Exposure
2008 Three Strikes, You're Out
29,467 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 14 12
That sounds like a good idea. I might be able to make it, if the write-in goes longer? I've got Mass in the morning.
----------18,252 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 14 34
I can try to make it on Sunday, the first for a write in at Borders on Torrance Blvd. It sounds like fun!
24,974 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 17 21
Hello from Hermosa Beach! I may be able to make the Sunday 11/1 at Borders in Torrance. I had a regular writers' work group in Colorado, but haven't found one since I moved here. I look forward to seeing other NaNo people!
0 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 20 32
Rolling Hills Estates here. Torrance Borders sounds good, if my work schedule agrees.
Really excited for NaNo. Discovered it while procrastinating college apps, and somehow convinced myself that taking on more commitments was a good idea.
16,651 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 21 19
Hello from Manhattan Beach! I've been looking for a writer's group - but I'll be out of town for the beginning of the challenge. Perhaps I'll be able to join a write-in later in the month.
E. Amber Drake, Rebel writer
50,135 / 50,000
Okt 28, 2009 - 11 26
Hello from Long Beach!
Torrance Borders reminds me of my old hood! :-) Are people still planning on going this Sunday? This is my first time doing Nano, and I'd love to get going with other Nano's. I hope this plan is still in effect!
Brandy
50,135 / 50,000
Okt 28, 2009 - 11 28
Hello from Long Beach!
Torrance Borders reminds me of my old hood! :-) Are people still planning on going this Sunday? This is my first time doing Nano, and I'd love to get going with other Nano's. I hope this plan is still in effect!
Brandy
50,135 / 50,000
Okt 28, 2009 - 11 31
Hello from Long Beach!
Torrance Borders reminds me of my old hood! :-) Are people still planning on going this Sunday? This is my first time doing Nano, and I'd love to get going with other Nano's. I hope this plan is still in effect!
Brandy
0 / 50,000
Okt 28, 2009 - 16 22
Another person from Torrance who is trying again this year.
I have to admit that I started going to Barnes & Nobles in Torrance over Borders because they now have free Wi-fi. The only bad thing about B&N on Hawthorne Blvd is that there are very few electrical outlets. But they got me with the convience to research online; because I never want some kind of distraction from writing.
Coffee Bean also has free wi-fi over Starbucks. There's a nice one on Hawthorne next to Koo Koo Roos.
There's another nice Coffee Bean in Redondo Beach on PCH. Close to that in Redondo Beach is Coffee Cartel. I've sat in that cafe for hours on one coffee and no one even looked twice at me. It has wi-fi also. I'm for meeting there some times.
I also love the Torrance Library if anyone is thinking of going there. You don't have to buy anything.