Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

(ST) Regional Challenges! (edited 26.10.2007 to properly list who we are combating)

karalianne — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:16:20 -0700

The widgets have arrived, and we can see how we're doing all at once!

Calgary vs Edmonton
(One thing Edmonton has that Calgary hasn't is a cool name - they're the Edmowrimos! We need a cool name, too!)

Calgary vs Hamilton
(Hamilton has zambonis, but Calgary has the Flames!)

Calgary vs Delaware
(Delaware wants to compete with both Hamilton & Calgary; I figure, why not? We can come out on top of the heap!)

The Awards For Which We Compete

We Are the Champions - received by the region with the most winners
We Are REALLY the Champions - received by the region with the highest percentage of winners
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - received by the region that writes the most words in total
Extraordinary Verbosity - received by the region with the highest average number of words written
Everybody's a Winner - received by the region who has not already won an award

~~~~~~~~~~

Well, everyone, as usual we will be going head-to-head with Edmonton this year, to see which region can accumulate the larger percentage of winners or words or something like that (details yet to be worked out, obviously).

We have also been asked to participate in a challenge with Hamilton, which is the birthplace of the Zamboni. I said I would check with you-all before we took them on, so cast your vote now! Shall we also go up against Hamilton, or do we want to stick to the tried-and-true with Edmonton?
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-Janna
NaNoWriMo Co-ML for Calgary
NaNoWriMo Moderator, Character & Plot Q&A
NaNoEdMo ML for Canada
ScriptFrenzy ML for Alberta

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

(ST) Posts we don't want to lose. (Edited 15.11.2007)

karalianne — Fri, 9 Nov 2007 12:35:32 -0800

Okay, the main point of this is to keep us from losing posts without having to end up with tons of stickies. So, I'll just list all the important links in this post and keep it up-to-date as necessary. There will be a few links besides posts, too.

Write in or get together? Need a kick in the pants.

Calgary Herald Neighbours edition

Calgary Sound-off!

Events Calendar

Welcome video

Week 1 ML Update video

Hamilton-Calgary-Delaware FRIENDLY Taunting Thread

Still no Tim in your novel? Here are some suggestions!

Year-Round Monthly Meet?
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-Janna
NaNoWriMo Co-ML for Calgary
NaNoWriMo Moderator, Character & Plot Q&A
NaNoEdMo ML for Canada
ScriptFrenzy ML for Alberta

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Planning Ahead

Rei — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:37:43 -0700

So we have just over 3 months until the crazy fun that is NaNoWriMo starts up again. What are you guys doing to prepare? Are you brainstorming like mad? Are you relaxed because you already have your basic plot ideas, character sketches and other such things done? Or are you going to fly by the seat of your pants come November 1st?

Personally I'm in the brainstorming phase at the moment. I want this to be the year I finish NaNo ... and I want to be prepared.
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Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Continuing throughout the whole year

Huushiita — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:04:37 -0700

Hey guys. I was just hoping that if I post this new thread, people will start coming back and we can continue throughout the whole year, instead of just one month. Also, maybe we can have a better turn out for the next meet up!!! Sadly, we only had four people show up!! So come on, let's get these meet ups back into the double digits!! :)

How's your writing coming along? Are you slogging through it? Is your muse MIA? Have you just given up completely?
How are you doing?!

I'm continuing to write, even if it's killing me. Or, trying to at any rate. Anyway, let's start using this site more!! HUZZAH!
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Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Year-Round Monthly Meet?

karalianne — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:58:58 -0800

Last night at Denny's, we intrepid writers (all 5 of us!) were talking about how great it is to get together during November, and how we really should continue to meet at least once a month during the rest of the year.

I attempted to get something going last year, but didn't have much interest, so it kind of died as an idea. But if there are enough people interested now, I'm happy to facilitate a little monthly get-together. We can share writing, encourage each other, enjoy food and drink, and generally cause a ruckus. ;-)

If you'd be interested in such a thing, please reply to this thread and let me know! I'll plan our first one for sometime in January, after all the Christmas insanity is over.

Please include what quadrant of the city (or outlying community) you belong to, and what your primary mode of transportation is, as well as what time of day is best for you. Obviously this is likely to change during the year, but it won't be a "you have to come all the time or you're out" kind of group. We won't be about membership so much as we'll be about getting to know one another and encouraging each other in our writing endeavours! :-)
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-Janna
NaNoWriMo Co-ML for Calgary
NaNoWriMo Moderator, Character & Plot Q&A
NaNoEdMo ML for Canada
ScriptFrenzy ML for Alberta

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Bring out your Tim

Hero — Fri, 2 Nov 2007 20:25:22 -0700

As many of you know, I have made it a personal goal to have my name in as many novels as possible. Why? Because I am Tim, and I can. I believe my presence is overt enough this year. Thus, my dare to everyone in Calgary is to have Tim somewhere in your novel. Where? Doesn't matter. Doing what? Don't care. I don't care what you do with Tim, so long as Tim is present somewhere in your novel.

Stipulation: This can not be a metaphorical Tim. It has to be a character (not necessarily human, not necessarily part of the plot). He also has to be called Tim, whether by the narrator or by a character, doesn't matter.

I'm making this thread because I'm curious how many people will actually do this. I'm dying to see where you use Tim, and what you use Tim for. So, if you place Tim in your novel, please post an excerpt in this thread showing Tim in action. It doesn't have to show all of the Tim action (if there is a lot), just enough to see what context Tim is used it.

So, bring out your Tim. Show me how you've put Tim in your novel. Let Tim coat your novel in an invisible layer of awesome.
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------
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past.
Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future.
Common sense is knowing you should try to not be an idiot today.

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

TGIO Party - Saturday 7.00 p.m. - Please RSVP

karalianne — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:01:29 -0800

As Heather is unable to return to Calgary until Sunday afternoon, it falls to me to organize our TGIO party. I apologise for the late notice, and ask lenience this year - I promise, next year, we'll have everything planned and scheduled before November even starts!

TGIO stands for Thank Goodness It's Over. It's a chance for us to all get together, eat food, read excerpts from our novels, and just generally enjoy ourselves after the insanity of NaNoWriMo is over.

Last year's party was held at Cheesecake Cafe on Macleod, and we kind of overwhelmed them (largely because more people showed up than had RSVP'd). This year, we'll meet at the Ricky's across from Chinook mall (where the Midway Bash was held). Please RSVP before 5.00 p.m. on Friday, so that I can call and let them know how many people will be coming. Even if you're a maybe, I need to know!

Ricky's is a family-friendly restaurant, so feel free to bring "novel-adjacent persons" with you (children, spouses, fiances, etc.) but do include them in your RSVP for me.

Thanks, everyone, and I hope many are able to show up for the Push to the Finish Line on Friday night in the chat room!
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-Janna
NaNoWriMo Co-ML for Calgary
NaNoWriMo Moderator, Character & Plot Q&A
NaNoEdMo ML for Canada
ScriptFrenzy ML for Alberta

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

I did it!

ShelbyDanvers — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:54:30 -0800

As of about an hour ago, I reached 50,000 words! Of course, I'm so tired that it hasn't really registered and probably won't until I wake up tomorrow, but heck, I did it!
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Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Hamilton-Calgary-Delaware FRIENDLY Taunting Thread

Gale M-N — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 12:34:10 -0800

OK, gang, when we agreed to compete with one another, I imagined much more taunting. If this thread words, it's going to appear in all 3 regions.

Let the taunting begin!

BTW: Hamilton is kicking both of your butts, Calgary and Delaware! We have a four amazing writers who are all closing in on 50K, and I know that at least 2 of them are planning on going far beyond that. One of them is my co-ML, Welestra, who is working on 3 novels. She writes 1667 words on each of them. Each day. She is our secret weapon! OK, not so secret now, because I told you about it.
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Gale . . . www.ThornesQuest.com . . . or . . . www.StringingWords.net

United States :: Delaware

thank you northwest airlines....

writeonmama — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:08:17 -0800

...because of the delays, the re-routing through Memphis, TN, and the time spent sitting around airports this week... I was able to FINISH. I didn't think it was possible. I was so far behind. I had given up.

But what else do you do in the Memphis airport but write?

Well, there was being fallen on by a drunk guy. I could have shopped at the Elvis store. But no... I wrote the heck out of my NaNo novel.

Again, it is crap, but I think I can salvage a really great character out of it. One who happens to have a great TN accent.

Life is good.

Heather (currently in Oklahoma City)
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www.MamaNeedsABookContract.com

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Ding Dong!

Sandra E — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:08:12 -0800

Ding dong! Four o'clock and all is we...ll. Well, there's always wrong things happening in our midst, but let's focus for a moment on what is good.

You know what's good? It's good when you start going back to read your work and find out that you really do have a story.

It's also amazing to find out that you actually forgot to add a chapter into what you've put together and loaded for counting by Nano's word bots.

How could I have forgot a chapter? Well, I did.

I had a bunch of chapter files and chapter continued files and when I copied and pasted these files into a new word document, I somehow managed to miss Chapter 3.

So everyone, check your work, you may uncover some extra words you didn't realize you had. You may also uncover additional scenes and twists in these final days of Nano.

Sandra
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Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Here a Write-In, There a Write-In, Everywhere a Write-In!

karalianne — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:25:05 -0800

Thursday at the Denny's on 16th, anytime you care to show up after about 5.00 p.m. - BE THERE!
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-Janna
NaNoWriMo Co-ML for Calgary
NaNoWriMo Moderator, Character & Plot Q&A
NaNoEdMo ML for Canada
ScriptFrenzy ML for Alberta

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

An Unofficial Write-In - Monday evening!

karalianne — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:45:08 -0800

Just chatting and thought I'd post here about it.

We're going to meet at the Denny's on 16 Ave NW at 6.30 p.m. on Monday evening for a write-in. We can stay as late as we please! I'll have a power bar just in case there's an outlet we can use for laptops and the like. So... come on by anytime after 6.30 and join us! :-)
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-Janna
NaNoWriMo Co-ML for Calgary
NaNoWriMo Moderator, Character & Plot Q&A
NaNoEdMo ML for Canada
ScriptFrenzy ML for Alberta

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

What to do with your novel when it's done

dreamspeaker — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 23:26:11 -0800

So, what do you do with your NaNo novel once you have revised, edited and polished it so the little gem sparkles and shines like a true jewel? How do you get it into the right hands to have it published?

You might want to check out this event here in Calgary on Tuesday night:

The Writers Guild of Alberta and Pages Books Presents:

How to Find a Publisher for Your Book

Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 7:00 pm, Pages Books on Kensington, 1135 Kensington Rd NW, WGA members and students free, non-members $5 (cash only at the door)

Melanie Little (Freehand Books), Suzette Mayr (NeWest Collective), Don Gorman (Rocky Mountain Books/the Heritage Group) and Lyn Cadence (Fifth House Publishers) will discuss what is involved in getting your book into the hands of the right publisher. Questions about what publishers are looking for, what makes a great proposal, the role of agents and the realm of promotion and marketing will be addressed

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Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

It Ain't Over 'Till It's Over And Still It Ain't Over

Sandra E — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:52:26 -0800

Alright, or All right, depending upon which you prefer, this post goes out to everyone who feels they have botched up over 50,000 words.

How about we try and botch another 10,000. Send your daily word counts into this thread and I will try and match the highest on any given day. Date your post inside the post for easy reference.

Did you have an enormous BRAINWAVE which will make your novel into an exciting novel? Tell about it in this thread.

Come on everybody! Write on!!!

Sandra E
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Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Unofficial meetup - Thursday

CabbyHat — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:11:06 -0800

Okay, gang, a couple of us will be getting together this thursday in the Starbucks of the West Hills Indigo. We will be starting at 7 PM and going until we can't drag our poor tired word counts any farther and/or run out of money for caffeine supplies. Anyone who wants to is welcome to join us, just post an RSVP if you're planning to come. If there are too many people, we might have to switch venues to the Second Cup or something. Bring your laptop/notebook and money for coffee. Hope to see you there!
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All stories are Anansi's stories...

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Mascot

CabbyHat — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:09:13 -0800

I know it might be a little late in the month, but it's never too late to give ourselves a little edge in the taunting thread, right? So I was thinking I would design a mascot. My current sketches right now show a humanoid female cow in a cowgirl outfit holding a giant pencil. It's either that or some sort of intimidating minotaur-beastie, likewise bearing a giant pencil. Any other suggestions? What do you think of the whole idea? Which do you like better, and what are we going to name him/her? Just shout out any thoughts you may have on the matter.
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All stories are Anansi's stories...

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Nonsense contest

lordmork — Fri, 2 Nov 2007 18:02:56 -0700

In the interest of channeling the inevitable procrastination, I hereby launch the nanowrimo nonsense contest! Post. Dooo eeet.

The rules are simple. You may not post twice in a row. You must wait for someone else to post before you can post again. You also may not refer to anyone else's nonsense in your nonsense. Finally, you must post nonsense. Anything that makes sense is strictly forbidden!

That's it. Here's how it's done.

I'm rolling down the hill, I'm rolling down the hill. I'm - OH GOD! I'm rolling into hospital. I'm rolling into hospital.
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Mork has approved this message

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Still no Tim in your novel? Here are some suggestions!

Hero — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:26:27 -0800

That's right, brand spankin' new thread. While at the write in, we came up with some clever ways to have Tim appear in your novel if he hasn't... and ways to add another if you so choose:

1) In the middle of a conversation have Tim walk by and say hello to your characters. They know him, he knows them, but he's not part of the plot really.

2) Similar to A, have Tim walk by in the middle of a conversation, however this time something horrific happens, such as him falling down stairs, of being hit by a moving vehicle. Then, later in the novel, you can have a character feel horrible over what happened to Tim. They can mention it repeatedly.

3) In central park (or any park) have something significant happen around The Statue of Tim. (I know the deal was he was a character, but I didn't specify he had to be alive during the story)

4) If your characters are ever watching Television, have Tim do a commercial.

5) If one of your characters goes away, have them get a legal name change while they're gone. Henceforth, they are called Tim.
5b) same thing, but legal sex change.

6) A stray animal with a name tag. "Tim"

7) In the beginning, there was Tim.

8) Your characters discover a brand new species. They are called "Tim"... all of them.

9) In the kictchen, one of your characters has to grab the "Tim's Awesome brand ________"... fill in the blank with anything you find in a kitchen. Utensil. Tool. Spice. Anything.

10) Every time you are stuck, regardless of where it is, have Tim walk by. He can solve the issue, or he can not. Just have him pop up.

Just some ideas. Get those Tims out there!
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------
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past.
Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future.
Common sense is knowing you should try to not be an idiot today.

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Calgary Herald Neighbours edition...

writeonmama — Sun, 4 Nov 2007 08:55:05 -0800

FYI... information on our NaNo kick-off will be in the Calgary Herald Neighbours edition on Thursday November 15th.

I hope everyone was ok with the photographer being there! If you are still interested in talking with the reporter, drop me a line... I sent out a message on Friday but it seems that it didn't go out what with NaNo's site issues.

Heather
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www.MamaNeedsABookContract.com

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Midway Bash! Excitingness! Location has been decided - read on!

karalianne — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:12:08 -0800

Yes, we will be having a midway bash this year. Heather has been gracious enough to allow me to organize the party once more!

It will be held at the Ricky's across from Chinook Centre, same place as last year and the year before, for those who attended one or both. Please RSVP to me (Janna) ASAP so I can call ahead and let them know how many to expect!

It will take place beginning at 7.00 p.m. on Saturday, November 17. Yes, that's right, THIS SATURDAY!

We will have general getting-to-know-you time, we will eat food (please bring money if you plan to eat, as we'll be at a restaurant), and we will play games and write another round-robin story. There will also be a craft pertaining to our lovely plot bunny finger puppets, so if you still have yours from last year, do bring it along! (Don't worry, if you've lost him or didn't get one last year, I will be bringing extras for you.)

(This is the plot bunny!)

Now, for your reading pleasure, I give you the round robin story from last year:

Quote:

Dirk looked down at the small bunny that sat munching a dandelion. I wonder how far a rabbit can fly? he thought. He remembered his childhood experiments, testing whether cats truly DO land on their feet - turns out it's only true for drops over fifteen feet. Dirk bent down and reached into his large bag. He pulled out a rather large slingshot and a model airplane, fit for a bunny. He secured the bunny in the pilot's seat and pulled the slingshot back, launching the plane high into the air. The rabbit, surprised at the sudden change of environment, attempted to hop out of the plane mid-flight. The sudden weight imbalance made the airplane spiral out of control, sending the bunny falling free-fall; but, lucky for the bunny, he landed like a flying squirrel on a tree branch.

"Dirk!" a voice cried from behind him. "You're not torturing small woodland creatures, or teaching them to fly, are you? Remember what we discussed this morning?"

"Yes, I remember," Dirk said. "You told me that animals aren't toys. Why do you ask?"

When he turned to look at the speaker, he found that it was a huge rabbit, carrying a sharpened carrot and brandishing it threateningly.

Quickly Dirk reached into his back pocket and pulled out a large trout. "Captain Bun-Bun, we meet again."

"Dirk," said Captain Bun-Bun neutrally, "You have tormented my minions for the last time. En garde!"

Dirk brandished the trout as if it were a sword, but it had thawed too much and flopped over in his hand.

Captain Bun-Bun smirked. "Your weapon seems to have a problem standing at attention. Give up now, while you still can."

"Never!" shouted Dirk. "I will never bow to your twitchy-nosed oppression! Have at you, you bewhiskered lettuce-munching fiend!" He charged at the furry menace, fish at the ready.

Captain Bun-Bun leapt into the air, performing a complicated triple back flip with a half-tuck, landing on his ears. He proceeded to pummel Dirk with his massive, stiletto shod bunny feet.

Dirk reached up tenderly and stroked the bunny's cheek. "Bun-Bun," he whispered, "your fur is so beautiful!"

"Your sweet talk will get you nowhere!" Bun-Bun exclaimed. The over-sized rabbit placed his giant paws together and chanted. One hundred thousand carrot daggers materialized around Dirk. "Take this, you hairless ape!"

"Actually," said Dirk, rising from his fighting stance and lowering his trout, "humans are more accurately described as hairless chimpanzees, from a genetic and evolutionary standpoint. And your fur really is quite soft."

Bun-Bun's carrot daggers popped into little pink hairless hamsters, which fell to the ground in a writhing mess.

"Your magic is as bad as my limp trout." This time Dirk was the one laughing now, "Luckily mine isn't." And so saying, chanted a spell and his trout turned into a machine gun.

"You think you've won, just because all of my daggers turned into hamsters?" Bun-Bun eyed the machine gun for a moment. "Hmm... a valid point. Err... draw?"

We must top this story, so do come out and join in the fun! :-)
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-Janna
NaNoWriMo Co-ML for Calgary
NaNoWriMo Moderator, Character & Plot Q&A
NaNoEdMo ML for Canada
ScriptFrenzy ML for Alberta

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Write-In at Eau Claire Nov 18

kjauchmuty — Fri, 9 Nov 2007 10:17:01 -0800

Hey all,

We were able to book the Community Room at Eau Claire from 1-5pm on Sunday Nov 18. There are tables and chairs, we can bring in our (non-alcoholic, *cough* Hoss *cough*) drinks and eats, there is power to the room to plug in lap tops.

Come on down if you can make it anytime during the 1-5pm window! There should be word wars a plenty and procrastinations galore!

I will bring a power bar to plug in laptops....if anyone else is planning on coming and has one they don't mind letting other nano-ers use that would be great.

The only stipulation is that we have to leave the room in the condition we found it. So, sadly, no 70's Rock Band-style hotel highjinks!!

The Community Room is on the Main Floor of Eau Claire Market (across from the stairwell), the Market is located at:
Corner of 2nd Street & 2nd Avenue SW
202, 200 Barclay Parade S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 4R5

Hope to see you there!!
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Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Impromptu Meet Up (Take 2)

Huushiita — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 11:52:46 -0800

Okay, I admit. I botched up the last time--big time

But who wants to go for another round? Meet up will take place at the familiar Second Cup on Kensington, as everybody knows where that is (by now!)

As this seems to be the only time I get to actually write stuff, given that I have them off, I was thinking of having another double-round again this week.

So if you're interested in both, or can make it only to one:

Monday at 6pm
Tuesday at 6 pm

Lasting till whenever we all decide to leave. (Which is usually around 10pm.)

Who's with me? I promise I'll be at the right spot this time! lol
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Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Potluck Snacks on Sunday!

karalianne — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:28:10 -0800

Okay, people, if you're going to Eau Claire Market on Sunday afternoon, it would be great if you could reply to this thread and sign up to bring some refreshments! You don't have to choose just one thing, as an assortment will probably be best anyway.

What will be wanted are the following:

beverages (non-alcoholic only)
potato chips
chocolate somethings
sugary goodness
pretzels
sandwich stuff (bread, buns, meat, cheese, condiments)
fruit
anything else finger-food and not requiring refrigeration

I was hoping to be able to come, and I still might make it, but a lot depends on just when I'm required to look after the rugrat!
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-Janna
NaNoWriMo Co-ML for Calgary
NaNoWriMo Moderator, Character & Plot Q&A
NaNoEdMo ML for Canada
ScriptFrenzy ML for Alberta

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

T'was the night before Nano...

IronKite — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:18:58 -0700

Background: Last year, for anyone who wasn't there, we'd arranged for a late night Halloween kick-off to Nanowrimo via IRC, where a ton of us were online and challenging each other to word-count battles in slowly raising increments. I discovered that while I am competitive by nature, there are still some things that I genuinely suck at. And thus, my memories are of fond conversations and fun chats, and not "HAHA! I *SO* kicked their asses! Yaha! In your face!" :)

That being said...a poem. (ahem)

(coughs lightly into sleeve)

T’was the night before Nano, and on IRC
There were all sorts of writers logged in, even me!
Some stared at their screens with a feeling of dread
The number ’Fifty-Thousand’ now lodged in their head.

Some found time fly fast, while for others it slowed,
Till Janna officially ‘Ready, Set, Go!’d.
After minutes of typing, my fingers got tangled,
And I risked a look up to see which words I mangled.

My character said “Hay dose U has sum foowd?”
I was typing like ‘LOLcats’…this just wasn’t good.
I stretched out my fingers and emptied my cup,
It was time to get serious- what’s that? Time is up?!

Ten minutes? That wasn’t ten minutes just now!
I check with my clock, feel some sweat on my brow.
Somehow it was true, and the time was twelve-ten
And everyone listed how much they’d written.

“Four hundred and seventy-six, how ‘bout you?”
I clicked on my word-count and sighed. “Forty-two”
“What happened?” I cried to my big empty room.
“You choked!” said a voice from the dark and the gloom.

And who should I see with a big can of mace?
T’was Hunter S. Thompson, a smug look on his face!
His bright grinning teeth clenched a cigarette holder,
And seeing me flinch, made his words even bolder!

“Now listen up, whiner, I’ll say this just once…
If you want higher word counts, stop being a dunce!
Don’t focus on seconds slowly ticking down,
Or stress about whether you look like a clown!

It’s supposed to be fun, you are here to enjoy!
So get at it! Don’t make me slap you, my boy…
And all of that coffee has made you quite jerky,
Just throw it all out! Here! Have some Wild Turkey!”

I stared at the bourbon with eyebrows a-raised,
He chuckled and said “Son, you would be amazed.
I swear by this beverage; it’s all that I need.
Now hurry, drink up and start writing! I’ll read!”

So quickly I chugged down some dark brown elixir.
(And wished for some cola to use as a mixer.)
Soon after, my fingers were flying like mad
As I tried to force every idea I had.

Then things went all fuzzy; I woke up in bed.
What happened? And what’s with this pain in my head?
“Oh no! Nanowrimo, I’ve got to keep writing!”
then suddenly, as if I’d been struck by lightning…

I sat, and I wrote, and then I wrote some more.
Completely relaxed, like it wasn’t a chore!
I didn’t need coffee, I didn’t need booze,
Just needed to wind down and have a good snooze.

Now calm and refreshed, my word count did climb
I even spied plot bunnies from time to time.
Anxiety had kept words trapped inside my head,
That Hunter is one smart bast-…hey wait! He’s dead!

I glanced at the bottle of booze on the table,
“It wasn’t a dream!” I said, feeling less stable.
A sepulchral voice laughed “Now you’re out of your rut!
So go win Nanowrimo, or I’ll come kick your butt.”

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Three blind mice. Three blind mice.
See how they run...
...where in the *Hell* are they going?