ST Hatters

skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:33:49 +0100

Welcome Sexy Turkey Hatters, old and new, to another fun filled year of insanity! For those of you who don't know what a Hatter is... here is the backstory... "Once upon a time (2007, I believe) in NaNoLand there lived many lurkers. The lurkers were lonely, and a bit lost, and decided they should change their lot in NaNo. So one of their number started a thread in the now-vanished Geezerland forum, asking for other reformed lurkers to step out of the shadows. And step out they did! They were a rather rag tag bunch, and being of-a-certain-age, they had many non-Nano projects running simultaneously. Little projects like, say, life... and knitting ... and cooking Thanksgiving dinners for families of 20 or so. These other projects found their way into the discussion, and yours-truly managed to get confused. Somehow, I thought we were supposed to knit a turkey. The idea was a bit daunting. When I mentioned this, someone (probably SKneal, she's just like that) dared me to find a pattern for a knitted turkey. So I did. And it was not JUST a knitted turkey, but the most remarkable, sexily astounded WEARABLE knitted turkey you could ever imagine. Witness: The Sexy Turkey Hat http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2007/sexy-turkey-angelacatirina-speaks/ This most marevelous turkeyness was met with great glee by the reformed lurkers, and found it's way into at least 15 or so novels that year, all of them gloriously sexy. (I always thought we should have collected those bits and published them in one book, maybe convincing the author of the pattern to participate... but I chickened out (turkey'd out?) and never suggested it. Such a shame) Since that time, Geezerland has been carved up into several age based provinces, but we pretty much ignore those artificial boundaries of age, and carry on with our inanity regardless And that's how the Reformed Lurkers became the Sexy Turkey Hatters. Gobble.... Gobble..... Gobble!!" Lex Continues: Quote: "Yes, this mythical turkey hat made it's debut in novels across the thread...er...United States. It had appearances in such stories as middle grade novels, paranormal romances and historical fiction. The Sexy Turkey Hat knew no bound(arie)s. Only one rule applies to the STHatters: whimsy and fun must be had at all costs. Humor is a staple in life, because life certainly has no humor at times. Lurkers and Buddy-Wannabes, please stop in and say hello. I promise your NaNoSeason will be memorable (if you can withstand a bunch of zany writers on a mission toward winning the purple bar of goodness)." Disclaimer: the Hatters will not be held responsible for damage to computer keyboards due to the spewing of liquids whilst reading, and suggest that sufferers of weak bladders may wish to invest in quality adult diapers to protect clothing and furniture during late night thread perusal. You have been warned.

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GreenFingers — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:40:44 +0100

Well well WELL. I'm not sure how I'm going to get any knitting done this year, when the NaNo forums LOAD so dang fast! I mean really! HA. Okay kidding, this is fantastic. We'll see how it goes as we approach the kickoff and more users hop on! I'm excited about my project this year! It's something completely new! But it's so underdeveloped at the moment I'm a little afraid to talk about it. I've been feverishly editing last years NaNo so I haven't done any outlining for THIS years NaNo. I might end up . . . *gasp* . . . pantsing it. God help me. Hello hatters! Happy 2011! May the Sexy Turkey Hat be with you! Michelle (Green Fingers) (Who seems to have an exclamation point problem)

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angitiger — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:36:09 +0100

I wish I could knit. I tried it once but well my hands cramped up and I could never remember how to finish something. My day job kills my hands so I have to stay away from hobbies that use them. But now I want to see pics of these mysterious turkey hats. maybe I can persuade one of my knitting friends to make me one.

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GreenFingers — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:49:33 +0100

Hello angitiger, welcome to the crazy house! I give you . . . the Sexy Turkey Hat: http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/03/sexy-turkey-hat/

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CarolinaWriter — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:46:12 +0100

I must be a part of this! Now I just need to find someone to knit me that hat :)

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GreenFingers — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:03:16 +0100

Carolina, I can knit you a plot bunny, but not a sexy turkey hat . . . Only I owe Steph a plot bunny first.

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Lexicon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:06:40 +0100

Yay! I have waited 315 days to redeem myself from my poor showing last year. Miss skneal, please ready the whip in case I fall into RL slackersville again. Welcome to our newest Turkey Hatters. There is no need to wear the aforementioned hat, though one must hold it closely in their thoughts at all times. In fact, every year since the prolific hat came into being, I've knitted one into my NaNoNovels. This year I've got a title (HAARPER), a totem (my stuffed E-Coli) and the tiniest germ of a story idea. Should be a wild and crazy ride! ~lex AKA Cat Woods in real life

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Lexicon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:10:09 +0100

Greeeeeeen! Guess what?!?!?! I was searching on the web when to plant my daffodil bulbs and how to best transplant my hibiscus and I saw you. Seriously. One of the sites I checked out said something along the lines of Greenwoman was here and digs this site too. I've never felt so close to another human before. Your beautiful, smiling face was right there for me to see. I waved, but you didn't wave back.

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Janeway — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:47:30 +0100

Hello! I'm new here! I can knit but I have never knitted a turkey hat :-(. And because I live in Scotland, there will be no Turkey in November. :-(. So I may be too turkey deficient for this place. But this looks like a good place to procrastinate... um... I mean... em, give and receive encouragement. So I'll just plonk myself down and hope for the best, hoping that someone will come along and speak to me. :) Oh, yeah, and my real name is Eileen, but I answer to Janeway (which probably is not something I should admit to.)

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skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:01:32 +0100

Welcome to all new Hatters! And old Hatters as well! Oh and for those who don't know... I wield a mean whip if your word count lags behind! I'm also a bit of an overachiever, so please do NOT pay attention to my word count as November progresses. So grab some febreeze and pull up a plot bunny or two (And please, please please ignore Dante and Ebil, my two plot bunnies... Dante is planning something ebil.) I'll find the pics and share them. Here's the whip... .beware! [/////]------_____-------____--------_____------*** Beatings will continue until word count improves!

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skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:05:00 +0100

Yay Lex!!! It's great to see you back this year! Still waiting for M, K and MR to check in. :-)

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skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:40:12 +0100

Okay... here is the linky to Dante and Ebil... don't let their cute looks fool you... they're VERY dangerous! Only known predators are my two puppies Mina and Vlad who think of the bunnies as their own personal chew toys. http://www.flickr.com/photos/31855741@N00/6234925453/in/photostream/

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Mindie — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:59:00 +0100

I'm home! The Sexy Turkey Hatters is the place to be. Turkey day is my most favorite day ever and i plan to be on word 49,998 (save two words for "The End") before the day begins so that I can do my dance of crazy cooking. It literally takes all day long and I cannot get mashed potatoes on my keyboard......Right? Oh no, no that will not due at all. I'm also a newbie, and I am so going to knit me a sexy turkey had to do my crazy dance of cooking on Turkey Day. Hazaha!

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skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:23:29 +0100

Welcome Mindie!!! To keep mashed potatoes off the keyboard, have someone hand feed you, that way you can chew and type at the same time! :-D

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Realmling — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:52:37 +0100

I don't knit, but I started developing my own crochet Sexy Turkey Beanie a few months ago. It's not quite done yet, but since I just finished a stinky fish hat, I'll get back to it and finish my turkey. I had hoped to get a couple extra made up for Nov, but I had a craft fair in September (and another coming up the day after Turkey Day) that I was scrambling to finish a bunch of other projects for...so the Gobble Beanies didn't quite make it. (though the Cthulhu and Thor ones did) If there are any fellow hookers in the group (sorry, but I'll never be a knitter...I'm doing good having taught myself crochet in June) I might be convinced to share my pattern of sexy turkey beanie-ness. ;-) And don't let me forget to get the challenge badge page going again --- for anyone new, this was for last year (when I graduated from lurker to hatter) http://www.realmofsavage.com/WriMoThings/STH_2010.htm

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skneal — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:09:17 +0100

Yay! Realmling is back!!! Man, I missed you guys! *sniff*

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Lexicon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:46:39 +0100

Oh my gosh! The challenge badges... *hugs this group* So nice to see you, realmling.

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Lexicon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:51:05 +0100

BTW, I'm totally diggin' on the new halos. Though had I known they slanted left, I would have planned my pic better. As it is, I fell a bit, "Yo, yo. What up, dude?" Does anyone have their totems and attire ready? I still have my ratty, pyschodelic slippers and a new pair of bright orange and yellow knit socks to keep me warm during the writing season. My totem is a cute little e-coli germ given to me by my little bro and sis last Christmas. Who knew that practical joke would make its way into a novel? Oh wait, I'm so malleable that everything makes its way into my novels. What's everyone writing this year?

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:07:32 +0100

Totems: Ebil and Dante Plot Bunnies are standing ready and eager for NaNo. Mina and Vlad (puppies) are standing ready in case Ebil and/or Dante drop to the floor.. I think I'm going to have a two second window to rescue the plot bunnies before the dogs nab them.. :-D Wear: I made myself an uber long red and purple scarf! If I don't wrap it multiple times around my neck, it touches the floor. I also have my fingerless gloves ready. Oooh and snacks! The other day I stocked up on Monster Trail Mix from Target... a must have snack! I have two tea drawers ready and waiting... plenty of honey and sugar for sweetening.. What I'm writing: Let's see... she is a disillusioned intellectual who was accidently turned into on of my Shadow Earth beings (not sure which one yet) and was left to fend for herself. She isn't aware of what the changes mean and so she feels abandoned. Bored, she goes into a life of crime, specifically theft. He is a cross between Hannibel Lector and Thomas Crowne. He's very wealthy and very bored. Currently he is entertaining himself by being a puppet master for something. (Haven't figured that out yet) Oh and he's very human who knows about Shadow Earth. Their paths cross and they fall in love and they challenge and one-up each other in their various crime sprees. Oh... and here's the most important thing. THEY NEVER GET CAUGHT! In other words, the bad guys WIN! Okay that's enough for now... I think I've got a fabulous way to incorporate the STH... priceless antique anyone? ;-D The Steph(tm)

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CarolinaWriter — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:12:32 +0100

I have a plot crab named Claude - I guess he'll have to do for the time being. :)~

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Alenahope — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:31:56 +0100

I want a turkey hat! Geez, how have I missed this thread all these years? Last year, whilst typing on thanksgiving, and drinking my turkey day glass(es) of wine, I spilled a glass of Pinot gris all over my laptop and fried the whole computer losing my only draft. And in the following few months, I swore off NaNo forever. And then...OLL sucked me back in needing donations for camp Nano...and I was back. This year, wine is strictly prohibited from being anywhere near the new laptop...unless it is in a sippy cup. So I ordered a nano mug, the ceramic one with the silicone lid...that aughta do.

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:36:55 +0100

Welcome Alenahope! Another trick for not spilling wine... use a straw in the hole of the silicone lid. :-D

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:38:56 +0100

A plot crab? oooh this sound intriguing! Tell us more? Does the crab pinch off meandering threads and allow you to stay on 'plot'? :-D

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Realmling — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:41:13 +0100

Mine (I've been too busy hookin' lately to get much planning done) is: The Firebird. In Space. With a few adjustments. (more a mish mash of various slovakian and surrounding region Firebird legends put through a spin cycle wash of crazy sauce for my screwy love affair with sci-fi romance) Now I just have to go finish putting up my new shelves so my yarn and manga collections will be all purty and organized, so I can go through my piles from my office re-arrange and find my almost finished turkey hat. I promise I will have pictures soon.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:01:50 +0100

Yes, please do explain a plot crab. Of course my deviant mind goes to the unwelcome sorts of crabs, and I hope a plot crab isn't like a plot STD of some kind, a nefarious little plot thread that infects multiple manuscripts with its promiscuous ways. Please tell me I wasn't the first one to go there . . . please tell me I'm not NaNo giddy before the thing even starts.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:03:09 +0100

Oh yes~it is always a challenge to bring the Sexy Turkey hat into your manuscript. I kind of wanted to keep mine in the manuscript from last year but as of now I've cut it. Although, with some changes I've made, it might be able to return . . . but probably not. Poor Turkey hat never makes the cut! Steph is right, we SHOULD put together a Sexy Turkey anthology.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:10:22 +0100

LEX LEX LEX!!! Will you stay with us this year? Pleeeeease? It just wasn't the same last year without you!!! And I think your halo looks quite fetching at that angle. Hmmm, I wonder what site it was that I liked? I get around you know, it's very hard to keep track. ;) But, here is a *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze* for you!

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:12:15 +0100

Never fear, Eileen (my grandmother's name, you know), The Sexy Turkey Hat is a state of mind. If you can handle the madness, you're welcome aboard! And if you CONTRIBUTE to the madness, we'll share our Bailey's cookies with you. Also Steph IS a champion whip wielders. She is, in fact, a Very Snarky Overachiever With a Wip, or VSOWW. She keeps us all in line.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:13:03 +0100

Or there's always a feedbag. That would work, I'd think. Welcome Mindie!

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:13:48 +0100

Realmling! Hey! Great to see you again, you badge-wielding madwoman you! Love the avatar.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:16:03 +0100

Hey Alenahope, a sippy cup is a brilliant plan! Nice to "meet" you! And Steph's suggestion of a straw is very smart and pretty. Welcome aboard!

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CarolinaWriter — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:16:03 +0100

Actually he bites when I try to procrastinate or edit.

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:21:39 +0100

Yep... you are... _I_ for once, did not go there... hmm I think I must be slipping a little... I was actually thinking of a cute little crab scuttling its way across the desk to nip at Carolina.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:22:13 +0100

Okay: Writing Totems: Check! The Four Plotbunnies of the Apocalypse are lined up in an row on a shelf by my desk. Special attire: Check! I have a flannel shirt, many pairs of striped socks, some blankies, and a really warm shawl that I knitted last winter. I think I'm good there. Snacks: Check! I am going to make a trail mix with popcorn, nuts, sesame oil, tamari, and wasabi peas. (I have the ingredients, but I can't make it until November, or I'll eat it all too soon). Nom nom nom. I have a jumbo sized box of PG Tips tea, plenty of sweetener and half and half, and a husband who will run to the store for me if I need him too. I still have to acquire some chocolate but that shouldn't be a problem. Story: Check! I am writing a sort of Frankenstein story where the (female) mad-scientists' CREATION is the protagonist. It's kind of horror romance. I'm excited and terrified! Something very new and different!

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MermaidSirena — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:22:28 +0100

Glad to see all you ST Hatters back! Let me know if there is anything I can assist with in the forum! Mermaid Sirena

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:32:35 +0100

WHERE IS THE LIKE BUTTON?!

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:33:02 +0100

Hey Mermaid Sirena! Glad to see you! One quick question... are threads going to be locked at 500 posts like the last couple of years? Thanks! The Steph (tm)

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:40:01 +0100

Ooooh, I like this Halo. It matches my pitchfork (not pictured)

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:44:04 +0100

OH sure, try to fool all the newbies into thinking you are less of a perv than I am. THE TRUTH WILL OUT, VSOWW.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:44:42 +0100

I love stories where the usually villains are protagonists! My fave. As evidenced by my own project this year!

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MermaidSirena — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:48:38 +0100

Skneal Lucky us........the posts will NOT be locked at 500! This being said, remember that posts can run away from you going that long. All the STHatters might find creating separate threads for common topics might make it easier to follow. Great to see ya'll here! MermaidSirena

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Alenahope — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:53:55 +0100

Nope, I read somewhere...can't remember which forum, but no lock up!!!

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angitiger — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:27:25 +0100

Wait there is someone put baileys in cookies and didn't tell me. Omg send me the recipe please pretty please with baikeys on top. Uhoh its not even half way through oct. And im already trying to break into the baileys.

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:58:04 +0100

Okay Angitiger... here is the infamous Bailies Chocolate Chip cookie recipe... BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Printed from COOKS.COM 1/2 c. butter 1/2 c. granulated sugar 1/2 c. brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 c. Bailey's original Irish cream 2 1/4 c. cake flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 (6 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips 3/4 c. coconut (optional) 1/2 c. chopped pecans (optional) Cream butter, sugars and egg until fluffy. Add vanilla and Bailey's Irish cream. Mix dry ingredients and blend into creamed mixture. Add coconut, nuts and chips. Drop onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool.

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Elementalpixie — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:22:39 +0100

Oh! Love it! I am so embracing my inner sexy turkey hat

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caiknbake — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:54:54 +0100

this thread is amazingly awesome. can i live here for the next couple months? and here i was bemoaning the fact that i'm now too old for the 20s forum, when really last year i was missing out! i'm both a knitter and a hooker, though i've been stuck on my first sweater for ages now, so i think the STH is a little out of my ballgame in terms of things i could make. but i'd love to put on my imaginary STH and snuggle up with y'all, if that's cool... :D

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:49:52 +0100

I'm back, lurking about as usual. Qub

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Realmling — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:16:06 +0100

/waves to returning lurkers and new peoples Hey caiknbake, I've only been hookin for a few months now, and designed my own hat. It's not too overly complicated if you'd like to attempt one. Base beanie is super quick to make, and the only really tricky part is the head/neck I can make the pattern look all nice and pretty (right now it's a bunch of scribbled notes in a steno pad). I did get gobble's head attached last night, but aside from that and an extra tail feather, I was interrupted by a nap I didn't know I needed. And I really want to read that Frankenstein love story now. That sounds like fun.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:43:04 +0100

Ooooh lookit all the shiny new faces, and SO MANY HALOS. Sexy Turkey Hatters are apparently do-gooders too! Yay for us! Welcome to all the new inhabitants of the asylum. We don't bite . . . hard. You know, unless you want us to. And it's okay if you never knit (or crochet) a Turkey Hat of Sexyness, Sexy Turkey Hat is (as I'm sure I said already in this thread but hey, I can repeat myself, we don't edit here!) a state of mind. OH, as for the separate threads thing--we could make a thread with Sexy Turkey Hat excerpts and out-takes! We could even repost favorites from previous NaNo's. If we want, that is. Realmling, some day when it's edited you can read my FrankenRomance. Another month or two and hopefully last year's NaNovel (with vampiric priests, among other things) will be ready for beta readers. *bites nails* *distracts self with thoughts of shiny new story* *reaches for the bailey's cookies*

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:46:37 +0100

P.S. Noobs, why don't you all tell us what you're writing this year? If you know, that is. Do you have writing totems? Lucky slippers? Favorite snacks? Bizarre but delicious recipes? TELL US HOW YOU DO IT. We're voyeurs. Well okay, I am anyway. Maybe I should only speak for myself.

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Realmling — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:31:07 +0100

Green, you has a deal! (and hey, I always love to beta read.... /wink wink nudge nudge) And we could maybe have some sort of "just for fun" little contest and I'll make the winner a sexy gobble's beanie after Nano is over? Just an idea, but I wouldn't mind doing something like that. Or a sexy Cthulhu beanie. I even have a Thor beanie I made up too. (I also ended up with a Hello Cthulhu...) Yeah ... crochet became my therapy after this year took a total dive into shittier than shitty back in April...so I'm sort of addicted to it now and I can't seem to stop. Guess this Nano I'll be having hookin breaks since I quit smoking last year. =)

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:37:00 +0100

Nope, not trying to convince them of that... however in this specific instance, my mind was floating free and clear of the gutter. Otherwise I'm just as sick and twisted as you! ;->

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:43:37 +0100

Welcome lurkers and new hatters! And for those who want a hat, yet not ready to tackle the knitting/crocheting of such a beast, I offer this as an alternative... (you need to copy and past the link, 'cause they don't link right or something) http://www.amazon.com/elope-The-Gobbler-Hat/dp/B000VPBNMS/ref=pd_sim_t6 Realmling - sorry for the bitch of a year! Extra Hugs and NaNo mojo comin' your way! A Cthulhu beanie??? I'm intrigued! Pics please?

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Realmling — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:48:55 +0100

I'll take some pictures when I get home. Cthulhu beanine (which I've had to just call a monster hat at craft shows because no one in this town seems to know Cthulhu at all) is total awsome sauce. Course, I might be biased since I designed it... =P

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:52:38 +0100

Sweeeeet! I love people who love to beta read! And DUUUUUDE, I'm sorry your year was sucky! BUT, aren't you glad you have a fiber coping technique? Knitting has helped me survive some really messed up times. It's good therapy. And yay for you quitting smoking! You can spend all that cigarette money on YARN.

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Realmling — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:57:16 +0100

Whyfor they take away our edit button? And please tell me they'll have the feature back up and running so I can turn off the forums I don't want to see. I hate scrolling through things cause I tend to miss what I'm looking for... I don't have my beanies posted here yet, but these are some of my other projects from earlier this year. I still have 3 little Cthulhus in need of adoption if anyone is interested (there's a green one, a purple one, and a varigated green/purple mix -- the three stooges as in the photos). Not quite a plot bunny...but just as loveable. =) http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.220453077993116.53008.100000852756868&type=1&l=99cb5327a4

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:26:42 +0100

How much is your adoption fee? I think a little Cthulhu would fit right in with Dante and Ebil... :-D

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KelticKitten — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:32:10 +0100

Hi! I'm KelticKitten (or Misty, IRL... but I prefer ansering the "Cat"). Not sure what a writing totem is... is that our little good luck charms that magically infuse us with the stamina to do 1,667 (at least) every day? If so... MUST find one! Wonder if my cats will do? Of course, I could always whip out Nerfl... my good luck rabbit who took every single final exam with me (and who attended graduation ceremonies) Nerfl is an adorable and bedraggled white rabbit with purple ears. He's a Plot Bunny!!! Yay Nerfl! (I do hope he's up to the challenge) I'm a 2nd year Wrimo, first year ML. I do not knit...but I do make soaps (and I have a lot of soaps I need to make this month before NaNo strkes. That, and organize my region up so that we're ready to rock on November 1. My story is in the Fantasy Genre. I will lovingly refer to it as my "POS" during the month. It has to be thought of as a POS, or my inner editor will strike. I've got to keep her dormant. She's an evil witch with a gigantic red pen sword, that she is VERY good at weilding. She's evil I tell you. But, I'm giving her whiskey and rootbeer and hoping she'll sleep through November. So.... um hi!

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Realmling — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:38:40 +0100

I haven't charged anyone for them if they're already made (just trying to get rid of them really...spent my time as house manager in July seeing how many I could get done that month just for kicks and to use up yarn). I'm down to one Hello Cthulhu waiting to be mailed off for a friend's house warming gift, and the three stooges no one claimed. If anyone wants one customized, I just charge for yarn if I don't have the requested color. Speically if it's the bigger Hello Kitty-thulhus cause they take a lot more yarn (not quite an entire skein of Red Heart Super Saver, but darn close). The littler dudes don't use up too much yarn, and there's another even smaller pattern I haven't done yet for a little roly poly looking Cthulhu. http://cthulhucrochet.blogspot.com/ Though right now if I don't already have one done or don't get it done before halloween, you'd be looking at December probably before I finish since whatever hookin I do in Nov. will go towards the after Thanksgiving craft show I'm doing with mother. Have to get a few more things made up for that I suppose (though we've plenty left over from the last one where we sold very very little).

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Mindie — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:53:43 +0100

So much to do. !!!#^&%(*@#$%#@!&^%$^%$#%$#!!!! No totem yet. Didn't really know about it. So I'm guessing it's like the focus object the midwife tells you to have so that you can stay motivated while you push? All though, my focus objects never survived the delivery room. Hmmmmmm Special Attire: Polka dot socks, and whatever food splattered clothes I happen to be wearing that day. Kids are great for the job of always making mom look Fraz-jumbbled Snacks: Chocolate-Fritos-Popcorn-Butterscotch Recipe. BOOOYA! It's the most wonderful thing in the kitchen. Story: I'm writing a twist on Santa Claus. Only this time he's a 17 year old wizard. I've thrown in a bunch of Catholic Saints for his co-stars. Such Saints as St Katherine as his love interest, St Margaret and her tower, St Barbara and her dragon, St Theodore, and St Christopher. Well, the co-stars are based on these Saints, but I'll change their names a bit and embellish a whole lot. Woah! I'm getting chills just writing this little bit. I'm so damn excited about it. Good luck my new found turkey love'n friends!

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Alenahope — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:11:28 +0100

Okay, I've got my idea ready, and I've even begun plotting...and outlining. So basically its a post-apocalyptic story of the epic search for a seed vault in Alaska that will save humans from starvation and cannibalism. It takes two very different groups of people, and throws them together in a journey from the wastelands of the Southern US to the swampy (because its no longer permafrost) North. *rubs hands together* can't wait to get started. I've yet to think of MC's I'm just starting the planning. I don't have a totem. Right now I'm on a little island closer to russia then I am to the US. I don't live here, I was sent out here for work, so I don't really have any of my stuff with me besides clothes and essentials. I had to bring all my food and work equipment with me so it didn't leave any room for personal belongings. I leave for home on November 1st though...weather permitting of course because planes don't fly out here if its blowing 100 miles an hour or the visibility is poor. Maybe I'll just make a totem out of tundra.

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Min — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:32:27 +0100

Hi all. I'm late to the party (as usual), but this year, I hope to stick around for all of it.

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:41:30 +0100

My 09 hat is still in my manuscript currently sitting on my agent's desk. As is the one legged man from your (I think it was yours) dare. Seriously. And last year's giraffe sweater is still in my MG novel. I have a disease, me thinks...

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:43:16 +0100

And let us not forget the Southern Comfort Pumpkin Pie. Now who has that little gem of a recipe hidden away?

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:44:54 +0100

Welcome, Mindie. Or, there's the other side who believes that food is optional during NaNo. Chai tea, my kids' Halloween candy and gold fish crackers. That's what I'm living off of this year.

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:47:53 +0100

I ordered a mug, too. I can't wait until it shows up. *runs out to front step and looks* Damn, maybe it takes longer than a day to ship...

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:49:48 +0100

Sounds irresistable! A loveable Frankenstein from your brain to the page. Can't get any better than that!

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:50:36 +0100

*snorts* As if we wouldn't be! Hugs to you and another wonderful year of madness.

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:51:49 +0100

I saw your tail twitching behind your post. No fooling us. But yes, it looks amazing, dahling.

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:52:35 +0100

That might imply we can keep track of our own chaos. Particularly with this new tiered comment/reply feature. I'm sure I shall be lost reading threads all day long and never getting any writing done.

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:56:07 +0100

LOL, yep that covers it. Welcome to our newest Hatters. Spill your secrets--or lurk until you nearly explode--and join the fray. Green, I love the idea of out takes and excerpts. Only problem is, I never saved mine from that first year. So sad that we didn't keep them. We could also have a STH Dare thread.

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:00:06 +0100

Hey, Min. Welcome back. Alenahope, tundra works...

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:02:24 +0100

Oh yeah, and we will get to customize our forums. It is "coming soon" according to my settings. I can't wait because I have such little time to scroll through everything that isn't STH related! The thing I miss is the ability to have newest threads first and to go right to those so I don't have to scroll all the way through. This new reply under a comment thing might make that impossible and I'm sure I'll miss tons of cool conversations because I won't remember to read through the entire thread every time I want to catch up. *le sigh*

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:18:11 +0100

MIN!!!!! YAY!!!!

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Mindie — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:18:57 +0100

I was thinking the same thing.

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:20:22 +0100

Lex, do you have the original documents? I went back and guess what? The STH story was there! I've kept a separate document of dares and outtakes... .it makes for pretty humorous reading...

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KelticKitten — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:29:01 +0100

I ordered the snazzy coffee cup with the lid. I got the email Monday that it had shipped... so waiting (rather impatiently). I really wanted that messenger bag, but I do have a perfectly nice leather back pack that holds my laptop....so I just couldn't justify it (but if I'd been in the market for a lap top bag, that messenger bag would SO be mine!)

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caiknbake — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:34:56 +0100

i'm a little wary of this threaded reply feature, too (she says as she uses it for the first time :P). since we're in our little turkey huddle here, though, we could agree to only post at the end of a thread, that way no one misses out. just an idea - what do you think? i also really hope they come back with the "newest post" link, because i can never remember what page i left off on. although i will say that i'm pretty resigned to not reading every single post even in threads that i really like because there's just so much going on on this forum. i really don't know how the mods do it *and* write novels. so far for my novel, i have a backstory and jumping off point for my MCs, but what happens during the novel is still a mystery to me. the backstory, though, is that in the early '90s just post-cold war, the US decides to sell of some of their submarines that they don't need any more and some wealthy new englanders decide to buy one to take pleasure cruises on. a bunch of families are on one of these cruises when there's a malfunction in the nuclear reactor and everyone on board suffers radiation poisoning. by the time they get back, everyone over 10 years old is either just straight up dead or bedridden for the rest of their life, but somehow the kids seem to be okay. they end up growing up in quarantine because everyone's afraid the radiation poisoning will be contagious, but after 10 years the doctors pronounce them safe to re-enter society so now they have to figure out how to live in the real world where everyone else both reveres them as heroes and fears that they may still be contagious. then stuff happens! :D i don't plan to make them have superpowers, x-men style, but that's my ace in the hole if i need it... i never really thought about having a writing totem, although i did get a little plastic plot ninja from my ML at a write-in last year who i sometimes stick on top of my lappy (the ninja, not the ML), so i guess he's my totem. since i live in LA, i don't get to wear cold weather gear much so if it's not too hot my favorite writing clothing is sweaters and scarves and fingerless gloves. and snacks are basically anything within reach ;)

Re: ST Hatters

Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:00:34 +0100

I agree. That and a new NaNo hoody. I love them.

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:01:42 +0100

I have the ones I put in my story, but not the other one I did just for fun.

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Alenahope — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:04:40 +0100

Got the Nano hoodie last year after my epic fail. This year, I'll get the messenger bag after my win.

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Lexicon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:05:11 +0100

Sounds like a *novel* idea! And we might have to agree on posting in a continuous fashion so as not to lose out on the fun.

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angitiger — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:10:22 +0100

Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!! You just made my week!!!!

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KelticKitten — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:13:18 +0100

I haven't figured out how to control where my reply lands

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angitiger — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:31:03 +0100

Okay since i'm new I'm tell you all about me. I usually write best when I don't plot and brainstorm myself into a corner. In other words I just sit down and let my mind go. (if you knew me you would know what a scary thing that is) Then a few explosions, dead bodies and bar fights later I have a nice little novel. The end. I'm modding two forums, co-mling my region and writing my own book. while working 3 long days(12hrs) a week. Oh ya and writing my own novel. If you guys don't hear from me for a while send out the search dogs. I may be hiding in a cave somewhere rocking back and forth muttering to myself. So that's it that's me the crazy one.... Oh if you ever need help with a fight scene ask me. I know some people....... I'm good with poisons, explosions and random killing of characters as well. All sorts of mayhem and destruction.

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angitiger — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:32:52 +0100

Is it a requirement to not bite if we want to be here. If so I may have a problem......

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:36:02 +0100

My sippy cup... uh new NaNo ceramic mug with silicone lid ARRIVED TODAY!! YAY!! Along with the journal and the polo shirt. And just as an FYI... I live only 55 miles south of OLL headquarters. :-D Sippy cup sippy cup, I got my sippy cup....

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:38:18 +0100

Oh CLARENCE? That was someone else's doing. But it was fun to write!!! I wonder if I still have my one legged man scene floating around somewhere . . . so much fun . . .

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:38:46 +0100

I've not SEEN that recipe. That sounds fantastic. Somebody better have it!

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:41:02 +0100

Oooh Angitiger... I think you'll fit right in! Poison! *bliss* Explosions! *fun* Mayhem *he's cute!* And I have the perfect thing to lure you out of the cave... *spritzes Eau De Baileys in the air* XD *gets the ol' whippin' arm stretched out and ready to go*

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:42:32 +0100

I think biting is fine. Besides I said we don't bite HARD, unless you ask . . . so you know, keep it consensual. ;)

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:43:27 +0100

I wonder if my story about TheSteph (TM) is still up on Live Journal? DOes that account still exist? Can I still access it? Huh.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:46:37 +0100

mindie that sounds about right--the writing totem is a good luck charm/reminder of what you're trying to accomplish/something to cheer you. Here's a pic of mine: http://www.flickr.com/photos/green_fingers/4109548797/in/photostream The Four Plot Bunnies of the Apocalypse. hey you had a midwife? My best friend is a Doula. She knows oodles of midwives.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:47:22 +0100

Hooray you made it!

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angitiger — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:47:52 +0100

I have rules that I live by and lets just say most of them have to do with coffee. and this year we had people(not me) working on knitting plot bunnies and they are going into our goodie bags. I've already got mine of course since I have special ML powers and all that. We also have a sockmonkey that hangs around and I use him as a punching bag sometimes. I somehow named our writing group which is really an all year round nanowrimo group the sock monkey writers. If I seem to go nutty on you guys haul out the coffee and go find Trilli she's one of my co-mls. She'll know what to do...... This reminds me of the time I was a camp counselor and ended up on the top of my cabin with a cape and a hat and tried to fly............

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goitaly — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:37:12 +0100

Hello, Here is another lurker coming out of the woodwork. I can knit, but I have never knit a turkey before. I love the idea though. I have been working on the Christmas Knitting to get a jump on things before November starts. I also love Thanksgiving, but it does interrupt the whole writing process thing just a bit... Meanwhile, I have no writing totems, no plot bunnies, not plot to speak of yet and not even a story idea. I have a lot of work to do before November 1st.

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Mindie — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:38:21 +0100

I love your bunnies! That's very funny. I need a totem......... Working on that. Ya, midwives are great. Especially the ones out here in Idaho. There are four really good ones in my area and I totally recommend them. Their billing department is another story. BOOOOO to bills after having a baby!

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:39:00 +0100

Don't worry, you've got time! Isn't that the NaNo mantra? LOL!!! Welcome to the crazy, and YAY another knitter!

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:44:32 +0100

Oh my friend is from Idaho ORIGINALLY but she lives in Vancouver, WA now. You keep changing your pic, I am getting confused! LOL!

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:46:41 +0100

OKAY everybody, I have figured it out!!!!! If you want to make a nested comment, you click the "reply" button on a post. BUT!!! If you just want your new comment to appear at the bottom of the thread, you have to type it directly into the "Post a new comment" box, NOT use the reply button on a post in the thread. Clear as mud, Jackie? I would be willing to sign a contract to post my replies at the bottom of the thread if that is the will of the rest of the hatters. I'm a team player, yo.

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:47:46 +0100

Okay, so I agree that we should all respond at the bottom of the page. That way we don't have to read through the whole thread to see what new stuff is going on. Angitiger- I went to a camp like that one once. Welcome. This is my first year and I need people like you to keep me going.

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Alenahope — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:50:04 +0100

I don't know what all the hubbub about knitting is...I tried it once and by the end of that half hour I wanted to stab my eyes out with the needles. I quilt...or, I *try* to quilt. Maybe I'll quilt a freaking turkey quilt using pieces of paper with my Nano notes on it.

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skneal — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:59:00 +0100

Hey Green! I found the story you wrote for me! All about how The Steph (tm) came to be.. linky-poo here.. http://captain-jezebel.livejournal.com/5941.html XD *has been spoiled by FB and that silly 'like' button*

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angitiger — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:05:26 +0100

Ok so we will all post at bottom of page........ Mindie, For the record it was my second year as a camp counselor and they were junior high girls..... If it's your first year then stick around and have some fun. You need anything just nanomail me and I'll help push you through even if it means holding a sword or an ax over your head. (I learned that trick from my kung fu teacher years ago) I would have to go home to get the sword though but I have an ax in the trunk of my car that will do in a pinch. Then I have my staff. FYI if you must ask it's a weird story.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:05:43 +0100

Oooh, excellent, I'm glad the story is still there! And I can view it when I'm not logged in so hopefully it's publicly readable. If not I'll try to remember my login and change the settings.

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Mindie — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:32:57 +0100

So far so good.............. Except my avatar is giving me trouble. I've been to the tech support and have found that I'm not alone. If it keeps switching all over the place, please forgive me. I just couldn't decide between the turkey hat, the castle, and a Highland Dancer. Round and round it goes, where it stops, no one knows...............

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MermaidSirena — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:39:27 +0100

The buttons and abilities to play with forums and customize are coming soon. They wanted to get you all in here and then will release them little by little. Don't worry! You will have all of the old features you love and lots of shiny new ones! MermaidSirena

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Alenahope — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:47:14 +0100

I hope one of those features is the ability to go to page three of a thread from the forum index instead of having to page through...I'm out in the middle of nowhere with a poopy internet connection and it just took me 15 minutes to get to page three. Has anyone else tried these nutter butter wafer things? I went to the store here, which is really a shack that charges an arm and a leg for everything (seriously $8.45 for a box of triscuits), and they didn't have any other kind of cookie...they make my teeth hurt. But, I'm 900+ miles from a real grocery store...so I have to take what I can get.

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triskellgrl — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:20:16 +0100

I am beside myself with excitement about this year's NaNo! Last year I didn't even know about it until Oct 28th or so...so I didn't have to play the waiting game. in any case, I'm very psyched to meet some people who appear to be (almost) as zany as I am! It's awesome to meet you all! I imagine I'll be back here often, you seem like my kinda folk.

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belle_laide — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 06:04:51 +0100

**Pokes head in** I don't knit, but I do sew. Can I still join the club? ;) I flamed out on Nano last year, but this will be the year that I actually finish (fingers crossed). I figured out that I'm someone who needs to outline...guess I should get started on that soon, haha.

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Alenahope — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:27:36 +0100

Okay, I was locked out of the online world by this island paradise (sarcasm) and its wonderful satellite issues (and cloud layers several miles thick). So I thought, yay! There will be like 10 posts to read...and there were two. And one of them WAS NOT THE SOUTHERN COMFORT PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE. Is someone going to post that? Because my son has a 10 year birthday coming up next week so I need to celebrate by myself. With a soco pie. Triskellgrl, the first year I did NaNo, I discovered it on Nov 1st...talk about meant to be ;) Belle_laide, Welcome, I sew too, well, attempt quilting to be precise...but we can sew some damn sexy turkeys just as good as they can knit them (and probably faster). If we can manage to thread our damn machines. And adjust the tension right. I hate my sewing machine.

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laura1814 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:32:53 +0100

Hello! I am wondering how I missed this group last year! I'm writing a Regency this year so I don't see how I can work in a Sexy Turkey Hat or any of the other badge-worthy items, but at least I"ll be able to contribute to the wordcount! Not sure I'll be able to keep up with the volume on this thread! It's pretty daunting!

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Min — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:19:25 +0100

Am I insane(er) than usual. I'm hoping to keep on top of my beta reading and editing (for others) while noveling. Basically, am I going to mess up my writing by allowing the inner editor out of the box in November?

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Min — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:22:07 +0100

oh and welcome to all the newbies. I'm sure you'll all find a cosy spot to novel in here. Everyone is nuts but very friendly.

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:50:32 +0100

Alena- I'm trying to find the recipe for the SoCo Pumpkin Pie. I believe one of the original hatters from 4 years ago had it. (It's probably hiding in the archives somewhere) triskellgrl - welcome! We do tend to get sillier as November progresses. Remember the disclaimer, you'll need it. :-) Belle - I'd get started on your outline soon, because you see, once November starts, there is a dare. Those who choose to be Hatters must write enough for the group as a whole to reach ONE MILLION WORDS *muahahahahahaha*. (said ala Dr. Evil from Austin Powers) Laura - we did have someone writing regency AND she was able to incorporate the hat... I believe it was at a ball with a few other outrageous hats. I seem to remember something about a boat as well. (the feathers and decorations were reminiscent of a ship? UGH! I hate a faulty memory.) Min - You're nuts and definitely crazy, but we still love you! (Perhaps write in the morning and edit in the evening? or vers visa?) How is your princess precious? Okay it's waaaay to early and I haven't had nearly enough sleep. Time for a shot of tea. Have a splendid day everyone! The Steph(tm)

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:22:42 +0100

Laura -- last year I did a regency, and designed a scene around a costume ball just to get the turkey hat reference in there. I even did a rendering of my crazy old widow (she was fun to write) in her Queen of the Turkeys outfit. Her's ended up being more of some odd lump of gold painted something that was supposed to look like a turkey, with turkey feathers around her Queen Elizabeth I dress. http://www.realmofsavage.com/WriMoThings/Characters/10_TurkeyQueen.jpg There was also another one I have a vauge memory of in the archives where the hat was covered with a gaudy collection of fruits and feathers that the character describing related to a tom turkey in full display. So it doesn't have to be a literal sense of "sexy turkey hat" but some sort of hat in some way related/compared to a turkey.

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:24:54 +0100

I want my edit button back dammit. It's hers not her's ... I'm just not awake enough to have full control over my pinky yet this morning. And I know I promised Cthulhu beanie pictures, but I'm still trying to discover where my camera got stashed (my office is boxed up in piles while I re-arrange everything).

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:24:58 +0100

OH YES, the hat in the regency novel was most elaborate, I believe it was a costume ball or some such. It was hilarious and wonderful! Last year I was writing star crossed lovers with vampire priests, and I managed to fit in the sexy turkey hat. I'm not sure where it will fit in Female Frankenstein's monster love story, but I'll make it work somehow. I suspect it might be gruesome. I even more strongly suspect it will be edited out in the end. But I'll have fun with the dare, oh yes I will!!!! Uh oh. I might know how. It might be really, really wrong. So TheSteph (TM) should love it. Did we make the million words last year? I ended up not being able to really access the site the last week of the month since MY COMPUTER DIED last November. I may have mentioned that once or twice. It made a bit of an impression on me. Ahem. Welcome all you new hatters! It's all right if you don't knit, you can embrace the sexy turkey in whatever way seems best to you. I want a t-shirt. Maybe I'll hit up my friend Martha to design us a t-shirt, and we could set up a STHatters Cafe Press shop!

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:29:08 +0100

We just squeeked by (I did the math) when I included Quark's Uglier Brother as a participating hatter lurker to get us over the line. So yes, we gots our 1 Million words. WHoop Whoop! What color y'all want the badges to be this year? Think I'll just stick to one size too, so what size do you want?

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:33:36 +0100

Realmling you and I seem to be doing a lot of simulposting this year! It's a sign of . . . something . . . from . . . somewhere . . . ahem. Min, you can do it, totally! You might just have to use a timer, and do reset exercises in between. Like, write FIRST, then take a break and do something else, THEN engage your internal editor. I wouldn't recommend using the internal editor BEFORE you write, unless you use it until your brain is mush and you are INCAPABLE of critical thought. But then you might also be incapable of . . . actually writing. So you know. Take my advice for what it's worth. Which probably isn't much. :D and Triskell, TheSteph (TM) is right--it only gets weirder from here on out! We're just getting warmed up . . .

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angitiger — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:37:06 +0100

the weirder the better for me.... Today I have my nephews 9 and 2. I get to throw the older one off at school. but then its me the dog and the 2 year old distructo. I bet the turkey hat would go over great with mr. distructo.

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:37:16 +0100

OMG YOU GUYS! LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND! When sock monkeys go horribly, terrifyingly wrong: http://whatnottoknit.blogspot.com/2011/03/sock-monkeys-from-hell.html

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:44:49 +0100

That person apparently doesn't know that the red part was the heel on the socks. I liked my sock bunny better than my sock monkey (bunnies always better than monkies). Don't know if I still have it or not... It's the Green and Realm simul-post show. Should we charge admission? =P

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:49:53 +0100

We should TOTALLY charge admission. Fine entertainment for the whole family! As long as the family doesn't actually include any minors . . . or people of delicate sensibilities . . .

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:17:44 +0100

Hehe =) I need a new alien this year. Current avatar is my Regency infiltration alien, but I'm not writing one of those this time. Except I can't decide if I should do a new-new one or just resize an old one. I have Sailor Moon, Princess Peach, and Hair Band Rocker. But I've had all those forever...but I don't know what to put on a new one. It takes a lot to fit a hair to that head. Speaking of aliens ... my story is starting to get a little funky on details. In addition to my two crazy scientists, I've got this pair of aliens rabidly against genetic engineering that keep popping up. Which means things just got doused in crazy sauce for my pour genetically engineered heroine and she's giving me these pouty faces I don't know how to fix. And I think I'm just rambling at this point because I don't feel like working today.

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mr1 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:02:59 +0100

FOUR PAGES Four. WTF - it isn't even November and already the word count is through the roof! In true Nano fashion, I planned this morning to a) update windows - reboot. b) catch up with my critiquing group so I am not WAY behind at the end of Oct ...about halfway through that I remembered I hadn't seen the new Nano. Checked in, got sidetracked in the author account, started reading threads, had to take picture for new avatar, uploaded pic, back to forum, remembered I wanted to order a shirt...STILL HAVEN'T RE-BOOTED COMPUTER. I believe I am sufficiently frazzled and scattered. HI GUYS! Missed you! :-) Must now go stock up on Bailey's and cheeze-its Michele (aka mr1 aka MR)

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:13:42 +0100

MR!!!! YAY!!! *sings* MR is back, MR is back!!! I'm slightly... okay, probably more than slightly, loopy from lack of sleep. And that sock monkey thing was soo incredibly wrong in so many ways! Especially that dress! With the chest and butt mouths... I'll have nightmares for WEEKS! Where is Fifi to banish that sock monkey evil??? Now for the talk out loud portion of today's post. I had a crazy thought... what if I did my story from opposing points of view? It would be a single story told from the villains perspective AND the hero's perspective. But I want the hero to die in the end, so maybe that won't work out so well. As I'm writing romance, the on thing that is a MUST for me is an HEA... are there lesser heroes? hmmm... Off to brainstorm oh and try to finish my costume for my performance THIS FREAKIN' SUNDAY. no stress. just have to make sure there are no costume malfunctions... no stress... no stress.. *twitches in the corner*

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:17:54 +0100

MR! You made it! Huzzah! *throws sock monkey shaped confetti.* Steph--what if your "hero" is actually kind of a douche? Then we wouldn't mind killing him off in the end, and letting the villains have a HEA. It could be like Megatron, only . . . you know, not a children's alien movie. :D Realmling--I am no good at aliens! Why not use one of your crocheted creatures as your avatar?

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mr1 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:27:39 +0100

Steph - anti-heros are heros too :-) As for the sock monkeys - the sock-bikini was the one that gave me the willies (and I am not even going to mention the somewhat anatomically correct GIANT monkey...have blotted that from my memory). Glad to be back!

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:57:20 +0100

MR--speaking of the Willies . . . giant sock monkey willies are straight from the pits of hell. Just sayin'. Also speaking of willies, here's another what not to knit. Apologies to those of you who've seen this before. Not safe for work or small children, BTW: http://handmadeunique.blogspot.com/2009/11/unique-coverage-d-knits-for-men-by.html I've never seen the sock monkey variety before today. Eeeek.

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:21:22 +0100

and here are a few more... NOT SAFE FOR WORK No sock monkeys, but pettable??? http://www.etsy.com/listing/77462611/fluffiest-kid-mohair-sweater-willie?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=willie+warmer&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

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Lexicon — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:23:23 +0100

LMAO!

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:24:25 +0100

You guys, just remember. Mohair is NOT machine washable. Think about that for a minute. Then try never to think of it again.

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angitiger — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:36:42 +0100

Ok that sock monkey thing was very disturbing I so sent the link to one of my wrimos who is also my other brain.... OMG that I am disturbed more than usual lol

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:54:36 +0100

Angitiger - you have ANOTHER brain?? *jealous* Green - does mohair shrink in hot /cold water? *mind bubbles over with creatively torturous ways to use the mohair ww.*

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Lexicon — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:56:03 +0100

*snort* *gasp* *die*

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Lexicon — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:58:48 +0100

Michele. Mr1. MR!!! I love you. I missed you. So many smiling/grimacing faces. So many new and old names to wrap up in like a sock monkey blanket. So much fun to be had. Happy NaNo, Hatters.

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Alenahope — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:59:42 +0100

I think I've finally devised a way to get the turkey hat into my novel. I've been looking for a bit of religiosity to insinuate on my cannibalistic desert tribes...and I think a high priest with a turkey hat and a loin cloth make of human loins will do the trick.

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Lexicon — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:02:06 +0100

Steph, I'm infinitely worried about your newest torture technique. I believe cold water makes certain things shrink, while hot water engorges...oh never mind. Mohair shrinks with hot water, me thinks.

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:16:18 +0100

Alena - LOVE IT!! Lex - So an engorged, shrinking.... hmmm. I'm not quite sure how to use it yet, or even if I'm going too, but my mind, she goes on these tangents sometimes. ;-> oooh and I've thought of a romantic scene between my anti-hero and anti-heroine. He has a matching set of custom made guns made and gives one to her. They both turn and shoot the hero/anti-villain (what the heck do I call the pansy good guy?) together. Isn't that sweet? *awwww*

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mr1 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:58:54 +0100

I'm curious as to how one takes measurements for such a thing. Or, once taken, having said measurements remain undisputed :-) (I sooooooo missed you guys)

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mr1 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:59:40 +0100

call him Paul. (what, you wanted actual HELP here?)

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:30:53 +0100

I'm pretty sure mohair shrinks in hot water. As for measurements . . . well, knitting is REALLY stretchy.

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:54:51 +0100

I think just about any natural fiber will shrink in hot water. Which is why I hate buying cotton anything that hasn't been pre-shrunk. Because even if you wash it in cold water and only toss it in the dryer for like 10 minutes on low, the damn sleeves are too short and I'm straining at the buttons (sometimes I don't like being a girl). But a little shrinkage can be fun. I have a wizard hat waiting to be felted (it's still in a pitcher of red kool-aid right now) that I'll hopefully get to this weekend. Thankfully mom had some old wool for me to play with. Though mixing wet wool with cherry kool-aid really doesn't smell all that good. =P

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laura1814 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:57:22 +0100

Nice! I'll think about it. I wasn't planning to have a fancy dress ball since my setting is a country house and my hero is a recluse, but now that I think about it, costume balls are a tried and true trope to give the governess an opportunity to dance with Mr. Rochester. Hmmm.

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:28:52 +0100

I don't think I've ever hated anything as much as I hate these damn annoying nested replies. Not sure who thought it was a good idea, but they need to have their head examined. With a big stick. Repeatedly. I'm going to miss 90% of what's going on in the Nano forums this year because I'm going to get so fed up with having to scroll through each page to find where someone replied I'll just find something else to do with my time. Which is sad because I like participating in things here.

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Alenahope — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:35:45 +0100

Again, where is the "like" button. Thankfully we all agreed here not to nest. Because nesting is for birds. They are driving me crazy too.

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GreenFingers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:43:32 +0100

Yeah if anyone nests a comment . . . I won't see it! I've given up on nesting! Squawk!!!!! In other news, I am trying to edit, but this dang forum has me coming back to the NaNo site way too often already. Sad? Maybe. Do I care? Maybe not.

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Mindie — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:16:37 +0100

How do I put a sexy turkey hat into a story about Young St Nicholas the wizard? Hmmm............ I got my first line! It came to me last night when I got up to pee for the 3rd time that night (a different story). I went strait to my computer and typed it up and then I just could not stop. I typed 1200 words by the time my brain stopped and went back to sleep. Literally, I fell out of my chair and rolled to the side of my bed. Then slept there the rest of the night. So is that cheating? My husband says it is. He's a bit of a Marine, so right and wrong are black and white to him. If so, I promise to never do it again! I just want to start writing. My biggest fear is that I will be on word 50,000 and only half way through my outline. What then??????????? I so love reading all your interesting insane stuff in this thread by the way. It's a refreshing escape from the four walls of this house that are growing spikes and closing in slowly. Being a stay at home mom has it's draw backs for sure. I really should get out more often.

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:17:55 +0100

No nesting here! And my two puppies have successfully curbed my maternal instinct. That leaves torturing characters and the occasional Hatter, for fun. I think I'm almost ready for November! *muahahahahahahahaha*

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:23:00 +0100

Mindie - being on word 50,000 and only be halfway through your outline is OKAY. All that means is that instead of trying to write 50k, you try to reach those uber magical words.... THE END. How is that for a thrown down gauntlet? (And it's something I do every year. I don't stop writing until the story ends.)

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:25:53 +0100

Like I said in another post, it doesn't have to be a turkey turkey hat down to the last little atom, but something in shape/color/whatever that could be compared with the visual of a turkey. You know, like those scantly clad Vegas dancers with giant poofy turkey tails on their heads, and occasionally elsewhere. And they would look even more so like it if they used turkey feathers instead of ostrich plumes. Or is that just my crazy brain needing a snack this afternoon? I have to name my characters before I worry about which one gets the hat. I'm thinking my grouchy loner space farmer might be better for it. But first I have to figure out what to call him other than Mr. Grouchy-loner-space-farmer. I don't normally have issues with giving characters names, but these two are being stubborn. I never ever stop at 50k...because honestly that length is only if you're writing a novella or perhaps some crazy category romace (those are some thin little books). So if 50k only gets you through to the middle, you still have so much more story to have fun with! Of course, I also hardly ever end up finishing the dang thing in November, no matter how many words I get up to. So perhaps I'm not the best to be giving advice.

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Mindie — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:38:26 +0100

Skneal and Realmling- That's a relief. I was all worried for nothing. I will just keep writing until it's done. The S.T. hat will be lingering in my brain while I type and I'm sure it will find it's way in somehow. When I need a character name, i pull out a map of another country and look at the names of the cities. They always seem to conjure up some fun names. I'm sure you'll find a good set of names one way or another.

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:33:58 +0100

Ooooh a fabulous website for names... http://www.behindthename.com/ You can search by meanings, masculine, feminine, mythical, biblical, etc. Very fun, and easy to get caught up in!

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Realmling — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:38:38 +0100

Yup, I use that and their surname site all the time. Just haven't had anything jump out at me yet. =(

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:46:57 +0100

How about naming mr grouchy pants, Paul? Oooooooor Cliff Brooks? Or Mr. Ian Woon?

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skneal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:51:10 +0100

Just thought of something... would it be too mean to dare the hatters to include an anatomically correct sock monkey somewhere in their stories? ;->

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GreenFingers — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:17:25 +0100

Anatomically correct sock monkey . . . yeah, that's pretty hard core. But then, TheSteph (tm) is all about the hardcore. But you know if you issue the challenge I will be forced to accept it. And edit it out later . . . Is it November yet?

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mr1 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:44:49 +0100

An anatomically correct sock monkey named PAUL! I came back because I thought of a useful answer to The Steph's question. the wimpy hero (Paul) is the Antagonist/tragic hero and the anti-hero is the protagonist. Not that it matters. It's only semantics. As for word count, Mindie - 50K never gets me to 'the end' I usually need 75K for closure (so, 2500 words per day instead of 1667). Don't let The Steph talk you into a word count you can't handle. She usually gets to 100K about 20 days before the rest of us hit 50K. Prolific is her middle name - The Prolific Steph. (cringing from the coming sting of the whip and The P. S. encouraging me to push past 75K and go for 100) MR (the)

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:54:39 +0100

Oh MR... you shouldn't have done it.... Taunted the Steph... look what you made me do! You need to stretch your writing... and pull off 105k. [///]-----_____-------___--------__-------**** :-D I think my protagonist is Natasha(anti-heroine), the antagonist (the one who forces change) is Konstantin (an anti-hero) and is Paul the whimpy villain/good guy. or something like that.. Oh and I'm hoping for 150 this year... we'll see.

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laura1814 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:09:57 +0100

Not... processing. Too much wine with dinner!

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:16:38 +0100

Have another glass and take a deep breath! :-D

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GreenFingers — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:45:16 +0100

I dunno Steph, Natasha reminds me of Boris and Natasha, a most famous crime pair! 50K never does it for me either. 75K ish seems to be my comfort zone, though one year I did 100,000 words. I don't set myself specific word count goals anymore . . . just, whatever it takes to finish. And over 50K, so I can print out my certificate.

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Lexicon — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:49:21 +0100

I hit the end last year, but only at 35,000 because it was a MG. Won't do that again. Sticking to YA or above just to get the count.

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Lexicon — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:49:51 +0100

And the cheesy certificate because that's what I live for. That and anatomically correct, giant sock monkeys named Paul.

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angitiger — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:13:00 +0100

You guys are killing me 31 posts since I checked last how am I supposed to make sure you all are behaiving lol. To the person that asked two pages ago. Yes I have another brain her name on here is novelistbynight I think. In real life she's sarah. Its scary when we are in the same room. Are brains were even connected when I was in florida on the beach and she was here. It was a bit strange when she was pregnant. Let's just say we had a their voice in the mix foe a while. Lol... You guys shall keep me hopping

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Alenahope — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:35:24 +0100

This year I will get that cheesy certificate, and I'll have it framed with the biggest frame I can buy even if that means there is four feet of multicolored layered matting, and I'll hang it in my office next to my diplomas and my autographed photo Beavis and Butthead (autographed by Mike Judge...long story). Maybe it's the wine speaking but I'm feeling very optimistic this year. After two failures...I've got to win. Its like college, only less expensive when I fail out.

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Realmling — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:39:41 +0100

You can has hats! I took pictures of all my crochet hat creations, even a half done Sexy Gobbles, so you can see all the fun I've been having. Just finished felting my wizard hat (still smells a little like cherry kool-aid, but that will fade here soon) this evening, and all is good. Cthulhu beanie is the first one in line down at the bottom. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.220453077993116.53008.100000852756868&type=1&l=99cb5327a4

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J.D. Tucker — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:43:46 +0100

Hi all! This will be my first time with NaNoWrMo. I heard from a fellow 'Hatter' ( Michele Riccio - MR1 ) that this is 'the' place to be while popping out that 50,000 word script. I hope to talk to everyone soon. :-)

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Alenahope — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:23:04 +0100

OOOOOH. EEEEEM. GEEEEE! <3 ! I sent you a FR.

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mr1 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:49:39 +0100

BEGGING FORGIVENESS FROM THE P. STEPH grovel, grovel, (ugh, I snorted up some Special K...really need to vacuum...) Can I appease you with 80K? I had to push for 75K last year, but I was distracted by the fact that I had to move. This year should be - hmmm, this year should be just as stressful because I will no doubt FIND something to be stressed over. :-) So, 80K? I'm not hearing a no. mr

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:25:39 +0100

MR - Nope... 1... .0....5... K One hundred and five thousand... words... unless you'd like to bribe your way down to 80k????? Ang - if you think we're bad now... some of our past years have had 3 to 4 iterations of the Hatters thread. (When they capped threads at 500) So you may want to lay in some extra caffeine. And we'll _try_ to be good... but, yeah well, that might be a reach at times. :-D Realmling - those hats are so full of awesome sauce!!!! I soooo want that red Cthulhu one!! Getting the whip ready... [/////]--------______--------_______--------____----------**** The Steph(tm)

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Mindie — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:27:32 +0100

The anatomically correct sock monkey named Paul had a difficult time fitting in. All the other sock monkeys had anatomically correct envy and didn't let Paul eat bananas with them or throw poo at the people. The sock monkey zoo was the place to be for a sock monkey, except a sock monkey named Paul. Little droplets of clear yarn tears streamed down his face as he sat in his tree all alone with his anatomically correctness and all.....................

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Realmling — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:45:56 +0100

Steph -- I still have red yarn (two different shades even!). Course, I can make just about any color hat a person can find yarn for. /wink wink nudge nudge And oh holy creepy crap ... y'all have to stop giving my two renegade mad scientists more ideas. Because I don't need a sock monkey experiment running around. Really I don't. Because I can't get in and sanitize my brain...no matter how much I want to now.

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Alenahope — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:18:54 +0100

Wait, is that 105K a challenge for everybody or just a few...cause I failed at getting to 50k last year by a good 40K...but...my computer did crash when I was on a roll (okay it was a wine binge, but still...). I can maybe pretend that I can do *try* 75K but unless a meth lab pops up in my neighborhood we should just all plan to be disappointed in me. Glad I got that off my chest.

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Elfwriter23 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:00:10 +0100

Anatomically correct sock monkey named Paul...WITH COLD HANDS!!!! Bwahahahaha!!

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caiknbake — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:29:40 +0100

hooboy, this thread will be tough to keep up on!!! can't wait for the link to newest unread posts...this zaniness is totally worth it, though. so i just made a document in my nano '11 scrivener project entitled DARES, with two entries so far: -sexy turkey hat -anatomically correct sock monkey named paul (when i was first typing this, i totally started writing "cock monkey" - ROFL!) strangely, i have a better idea of how to incorporate the gifted paul than i do the hat at this point. i'm sure the hat will haunt my dreams until i can write it in, though. on the topic of word count and [fingerquotes] "finishing" [/fingerquotes] one's novel - the two times i've won, i've just barely gotten over 50k, and in neither case was my novel actually finished. i always said to myself "oh, i'll just take a week or two off and pick it back up..." but i have yet to actually do a proper NaNoFiMo DX so that's kind of one of my goals this year, is to actually finish...problem is that i haven't really outlined in the past so it's tough to know when i'm finished (though not tough to know that i'm not finished, haha). i'm doing a little more planning this year, so perhaps that will help. i'm already feeling inspired by your stories of cracking the proverbial whip!

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Min — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:09:55 +0100

@Alenahope - that's just for MR, The P. Steph (tm) loves to makes us pay. my first year as a hatter I got an extra 20k on top of the requirements. This is a good writing community - the dares and challenges keep you going, and the giggles make the word count fly, or do in my experience. @TheSteph(tm) - the princess is good thanks, she's already telling me her stories and plots, honestly if I typed up what she came up with in a week she'd have around 6k words of stories on her own, she's just not yet at the stage where she can record it for herself and enter the YWP. Also her stories are getting particularly gruesome (proud momma moment) but I think this is due to the influx of Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman in bedtime reading. @Angitiger - good? We are familiar with this word, just not how it applies to us ;) So, this years lack of plot is: Groundhog day meets entropy. my protagonist has the perfect day and wishes to re-live it, things spiral into chaos. As her days get progressively worse, people around her find their days getting better. I know I can fit an anatomically correct sock monkey in there, and a sexy turkey hat too. Any ideas for the protagonists names are welcome - she's a 'perfect' soccer mom type, the ones who never leave the house without flawless make-up etc.

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Realmling — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:38:14 +0100

Hmmm.... Soccer mom names -- I'm leaning towards Doreen (but that might be Space Ghost influencing me so...yeah) Here's a list of a few more names: Alicia Alison Beckah(Rebecca) Bernadette Beverly Brenda Cassie Cindy Debbie Doreen Holly Jacklyn Jessica Judy Kathleen Kendra Mandy Martha Pamela Phyliss Tiffany

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Realmling — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:40:07 +0100

Wait...Space Ghost was Charleen (rhymes with Doreen though, so I was on the right sound match)

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Min — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:06:57 +0100

thanks for that, I'm sure i can eek a few characters out without an issue over names now :)

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Mindie — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:23:21 +0100

I think Kathleen is a good soccer mom name. Min- sounds like an interesting groundhog type plot. Is there going to be a love interest as well that progressively gets uglier and uglier too? Do we get to ask how the stories end? Caikinbake- Cock monkey made me bust up a laugh too. The Steph- I'm going to do my very best to not piss you off. LOL Mr- I think stress is part of the fun. Not sure, but so far it sounds like it. I have NO room to speak because this is my first year. So don't listen to me. Just do what you do. I didn't sleep well last night. Stupid sock monkeys.

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Min — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:47:53 +0100

there will probably be a love interest since when I'm stuck I write smut, but honestly I have no idea. As for the ending, I'll see it when I type it, hello seat-of-the-pants writing. Kathleen is my baby girl's given name, so I won't be using that one. Mindie, you can do this, write every day, accept challenges and dares, complain to people when things are bad, share good news when it goes well. We're a community and here to support each other. I usually try to get a few days word count a head of myself, then if life gets in the way, well, it's not such a problem.

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Realmling — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:48:48 +0100

Okay - y'all gotta save me from MMC ... cause he's seconds away from strangling me I think for the wonderful backstory and names that just came to me. See ... there was this ship that crashed. Computer records got whiped (how convenient!), and only a handful of children survived. The colony is like the Wyoming of space ... without the fun of Yellowstone & the Tetons (you bring up Jackson Hole and I glare at you till end of time) to actually bring people in. There also wasn't much in the way of orphanages...but the local government threw something together for the crash survivors. It's like a pitstop as people pass through the area for "better" destinations. Anywho, these two women that ran the hastily thrown together children's home had to give their charges names ... and of course they were a little on the side of crazy sauce (like, they bathed in it - daily). Also didn't help that they (colony govt) decided to assign roles to each child regardless of what they might have wanted to do with their lives. They did a name search through the library archives and came up with a list of ones to use. And our two women were fans of ancient earth romance stories. So guess where the names they really liked came from. Which brings me to MMC (now you know why he's a grouchy farmer) and the names for him I can't quite decide on. As in, do I go like old school alpha hero crazy name, or not quite so much time in the crazy sauce name? #1 -- Blaine Cropper #2 -- Gilbert Cropper #3 -- Reginald Samson Cropper -- "Sam" I'm leaning more towards 1 or 3 at the moment. And I really have to come up with some supporting character to go with the name Dylan Badcock. Or I have to save that one for another story some day. Because MMC really will kill me if I name him that.

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Mindie — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:12:08 +0100

Thanks Min Kathleen is my moms name and she was the biggest soccer mom I knew. I also gave it to my first born as a middle name. I vote for #3

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:05:12 +0100

@Min - good to hear that your princess will grow up to be a bit twisted... there's hope for the future yet! LOL! And I love the Groundhog Day idea! Everything goes from bad to worse. :-) @Mindie - don't worry, as you're a newbie to NaNo, you don't HAVE to write over 50k... it's just highly ENCOURAGED. Next year we'll bump up your word count goal. And I promise to TRY to take it easy on you this year... maybe. ;-> @Alena - *cracks the whip* You _will_ write 50k this year, won't you? I would hate to think of you being forced to wear an anatomically correct sock monkey suit with a turkey hat on your head, to all your holiday functions. @Caik - I always make myself finish the story. I know myself, and procrastination isn't just my middle name. If the story doesn't get finished during November, it won't ever be finished. For some reason this quirk doesn't effect my editing. @ Elf - WELCOME BACK! Cool hand Paul is a brilliant idea... and *scrubs brain* I sooo didn't need that image of him taking care of his... nevermind. My terrorization here is done... for the moment. *muahahahahahahahaha* Your loving VSOWW, TheSteph(tm) [/////]------____-------___---------___-------____------____-----***** The beatings will continue until word count improves!

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:08:28 +0100

Realmling - My vote is for #3 and I LOVE the name Dylan Badcock... perhaps he can be an adult movie star???? Or is that too cliche?

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GreenFingers — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:19:24 +0100

@caiknbaik Cock Monkey! OMG! *dies* Also. I HATE it when I don't finish. *snort* @Elfwriter--COLD HANDS! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Welcome back. Missed you. @MR . . . . you know you're going to dream of Mr. Cold Hands in an anatomically correct sock monkey sleeper. Just try not to. @Alenahope--I think TheSteph (tm) is usually gentler with newcomers. MR is a veteran Hatter. @Mindie BWA HA HA HA! Poor Paul.

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caiknbake — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:42:17 +0100

@min - love the groundhog day gone wrong idea! i can't wait to hear more about it :) also, well done for reading your daughter roald dahl and neil gaiman. @realmling - i also vote 3 :D and i LOVE that there's another space ghost fan here! his is my kind of insanity...the author bio on my profile page is a quote from space ghost that i have always related to a little too closely ;) i'm feeling like maybe i should dare you to include boo boo kitty the giant inflatable cat or banjo the sea monkey....ooh, banjo the sock monkey!!!! hahaha :) @steph - i know i should make sure i finish, because otherwise i never will (although of course i still have hopes that i will finish my nanos from 2010 and....2006...). i am both excited and a little scared to have you to hold me to a higher standard this year. @mindie - YOU CAN DOO EET!!!! WOOO!!!! @everyone else - *waves*

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Alenahope — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:02:11 +0100

@Steph...*wipes sweat from brow* thank goodness...I really should set my goal higher though, so I'll at least surpass the NaNo goal...maybe...possibly...

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:21:39 +0100

Alena - be very very careful about telling me you want a higher goal.... I LOVE to tack on an extra 5k word goal here and there.... Right now, though you're safe... I'm feeling generous... for the moment, so you may stick with 50k. The secret is to pad your word count early in the game in case RL sneaks up and bites you in the assets. Also write in short 15- 20 min chunks. I can usually get 500 words in about 15 min. Caik - You can do it! I know you can! Another friend of mine also has trouble finishing her stories... guess what her goal is this year? Through a meticulous use of intimidation and bribes, I think we can get you to THE END. or else *queue creep or else music* :-D AND for those who are interested, we also run Hatter word wars. So we'll say start at the top of the hour (whichever one it may be in your own time zone) and then begin. We do 1/2 sprints. then break, then do it again. Throw in a few dares and your stories may zoom past at an amazing pace! Or else! *loves the creepy or else music* The Steph(tm)

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Realmling — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:23:35 +0100

Okay, so I've got Reginald Samson Cropper, his buddy Clayton Scriven, and there's a sisterly chick friend here too but I haven't gotten to female names yet. Or maybe a third guy, but I think there's got to be at least one wacky female friend...I just don't want the golden trio syndrome from Harry Potter in my twisted little romance/sci-fi/adventure thing. And another one of their crash mates Dylan Badcock. Who I totally want to put in the pleasure industry...but that doesn't happen on this planet. That happens on another planet involving other people not appearing in this particular story. Maybe they could just mention him this go around. "Did you guys hear about Dylan?" "No. Why?" "You know how he left the colony right? You'll never guess where he ended up, or what he's changed his name to." Yeah, totally see that conversation over dinner one evening. Before my little unnamed experiment gets tossed into the mix. =)

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:30:56 +0100

NICE!!!! I so want to read this story, and the Frankenstein one, and the groundhog day one, and and.... Is it November yet? How do I go about adopting either one of the three, or all three stooges? Thanks!

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:33:31 +0100

OMG... I just thought of something Realmling... I can see Dylan trying to pick up a woman in some bar someplace. "Hey baby, did you know I'm known throughout the universe?" My name is Badcock, Dylan Badcock. And I know how to use it." ROFLMAO!

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Realmling — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:40:45 +0100

Thankfully no one is around my office right this second to hear me snorting like crazy while I try not to die laughing. Steph here is trying to kill me! As for the stooges - just let me know which one (or all or whatever) you want and an address -- can site mail me here or send me a message on FB and I puts them in the mail.

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:47:32 +0100

NaNomail sent. And I'm NOT trying to kill you... it just sort of happens. LOL! :-D

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mr1 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:37:26 +0100

Elf - you didn't hear what happened to Mr. Cold Hands... I had a dream in the spring (?) that Mr. Cold Hands MARRIED SOMEONE ELSE! I know. It was traumatic. I spent days trying to figure out why my subconscious hated me. Still haven't quite figured that one out - but I don't have the patience for therapy - I just settled in with the chocolate and vodka until I felt better. Now I am SO over him. There will be no cold sock monkey hands for me. - but you all are welcome to the bugger :-) mr (The Steph - if I give you Cold Hands to torture, can I get a 10K reduction in my word count????)

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Alenahope — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:37:51 +0100

Okay, I just paid $1.50 for a can of Dr. Pepper and I just sprayed an entire mouthful out my nose onto my shirt!

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Min — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:39:15 +0100

*whispers* MR offer her baileys and chocolate that might work

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:07:11 +0100

@MR - sorry... Mr. Cold Hands is only worth a 2k reduction... I've been secretly torturing him ever since he got married and jilted you. (Bastard!) @Alena - didn't you read the disclaimer on the front page??? We're serious about the adult incontinence support and the plastic tarps for the computer keyboard and monitor. On the plus side, your sinuses are probably clear now. @Min - what is your word count goal this year?? And I think EVERY Hatter needs to also include Dylan Badcock somewhere in their novel... so that's three dares so far. 1) sexy turkey hat 2) anatomically correct sock monkey named Paul (with or without cold hands) 3) A character named Dylan Badcock Though you know what could be amusing? Have a FEMALE character with the Dylan Badcock name. Oh the physiological trauma... :-D

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Realmling — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:11:28 +0100

I have to get started on badges. I'm thinking purple this year...not sure what size though.

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:17:42 +0100

Coming off the Badcock comment, I couldn't help but burst out laughing at "size" ROFLMAO!!! Congrats Hatters, we're officially over 200 posts on this thread... keep up the good, wordy, work!

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Min — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:38:08 +0100

I've not decided on a goal this year, I figured THE END was a worthy goal especially since I've no idea where that'll be, also hoping to do 3,5k a day 'til i figure it out. maybe 75k? GF have you finished the plot bunny pattern? I need my own little mascot here.

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Mindie — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:46:47 +0100

This is a wonderful thing, this thread! I wish I had this insane and terribly amusing thread to read all year long.

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J.D. Tucker — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:22:48 +0100

Okay, I'm not sure about wearing a Sexy Turkey hat, but I'll be glad to accept some PlotBunnies. From what I've read in this threat you are a bunch of totally crazy, maniacal, but very endearing ladies. Does everyone have their story in mind, or will this be a seat-of-the-pant's month for you???

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skneal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:30:25 +0100

Welcome J.D! I think most of us have some idea of what we're writing. For myself, I don't outline. As I write romance, my anti-hero and anti-heroine must end up together in a happily ever after, but how they get there is a seat of the pants whirlwind journey. One thing I do make myself do before hand is interview my characters. And I've found that if I do that, the story writes itself. If I don't do that? I shoot myself in the foot and end up having to throw out 90% of the story and re-write. (Obviously I do that AFTER NaNo.) Oh and I have ideas for a couple of scenes here and there, but other than that, anything goes. :-) And thank you for the compliment! We take pride in our crazy, maniacal, diabolical selves. :-D

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mr1 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:53:27 +0100

The Steph: Awwww, thanks for torturing Mr. Cold Hands. So sweet of you. (Bottle of Bailey's? Can I drop another 3K for a FULL bottle - gentle mist of condensation dewing up the neck?). mr

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GreenFingers — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:09:48 +0100

OMG YOU GUYS are my therapy right now! My life is so weird! Thank god for this thread. It's weird in a comfortable way! I'm so glad it's October! Min, I wrote the sock bunny pattern but I'm waiting to hear back from my test knitters. they keep abandoning me. Do you think you can actually finish the damn thing? If so, I will make you a test knitter. Welcome JD! I'm usually a planner, but I'm so busy editing right now, I might be pantsing it this year. The idea fills me with terror! but I kind of pantsed it my first year and I did finish, even if the novel will never be edited! And MR, don't tell TheSteph (tm) I told you, but . . . she can't actually make you do anything! *hides from the whip*

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Realmling — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:18:46 +0100

Oh, for all that's unholy -- I really don't want to listen to the trumpet or whatever it is outside my house warming up. And don't get me started on the drum line. Really, just start the damn homecoming game already so I can attempt to enjoy a quieter evening at home. Never ever buy a home right next to a highschool with a stupid ass marching band. I'm a former band geek and I can't even stand them after the first ten minutes.

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skneal — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:24:27 +0100

Realmling - do noise cancelling headphones work??? Maybe with some music of your choice? And that's why I avoid living close to schools, high school or any other... MR - A bottle of Bailey's AND a couple dozen homemade ravioli... and your sentence... um word count goal will be reduced to a mere 100k. GF - what's the big idea spoiling my fun???? *pout* Just for that, no whip for you missy! (I know how much you enjoy the cat o'nine tails) I take it the editing isn't going well? Or is it teenage drama that have you stressed out? What have the Drama Princess and the Mad Scientist done now??? (ooh and you should totally retell the story of the 'tool calendar'!) The Steph(tm)

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GreenFingers — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:36:14 +0100

Steph, no the editing is going very well! I am just encountering a greater amount of crazy in other people than usual right now. And not the good kind of crazy. But it's okay! I have the Hatters and I have my writing, what more do I need???? And dangit, I hate it when you put away the whip. *pouts*

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Realmling — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:38:06 +0100

This was the only place we could afford at the time, unfortunately. Has great parking though (we're right next to the parking lot that used to be houses) when there's nothing going on at the school. All good now. They've marched their little butts down to the stadium, and I just opened a bottle of wine (my last one. I'll have to go shopping soon) and as soon as the pizzas the man brought home are done, all should be well. I've got the tv all to myself tonight (he's on a dragon raid) and getting my fill of Midsomer Murders and maybe some Miss Marple too.

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GreenFingers — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:41:13 +0100

Ohhh we're having pizza tonight too! I don't cook on Friday nights.

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mr1 — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:47:19 +0100

Realmling - I feel your pain at noisy neighbors. Mine never incorporated a trumpet or drum line - but still, I do understand. I spent a few years with earplugs always at my side and never watched a movie unless it was on my laptop so I could put on headphones. But, I did get a nice novel out of it :-) Steph - the ravs will go into production mid-November (yeah, great timing) and I will send you pictures of your dozens. And now, I want wine and pizza. Damn this thread.

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Realmling — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:50:36 +0100

I only cook when I feel like it. =P He's self-employed and works out of the house. By my logic, which is sound and fun, he should have dinner ready and waiting for me. Certainly if he doesn't have any service calls and can be playing games when I get home from work. Sometimes it actually happens. And he certainly doesn't ask me what's for dinner the moment I get home anymore. Not since my answer every time was "Kitchen is that direction. None of your limbs are broken." I'm such a mean wifey person.

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Robbin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:07:38 +0100

Yo yo yo...... Robbin in da haus. Carry on.

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Alenahope — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:07:54 +0100

Is Friday international pizza day? Unfortunately I have to make it from scratch here in the middle of the frozen pizza-less ocean. Can't wait to get home to Dutch Harbor where they have take out. I got online and found a good crust recipe from Mario Batali, and even if he should die a slow painful death for wearing crocs, I bet the crust will be delish. The only problem I'm having lately is that I'm running extremely low on wine and I have to have it flown in (and all three planes this week canceled). I'm getting anxious that I might drink my last drop and then have to resort to making jail house wine out of sugar packets and rotten prunes.

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GreenFingers — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:08:33 +0100

LOL Realmling! I actually am home most days, so I usually make dinner. Friday's I volunteer at the library until 4:00, and so I rarely cook on Friday. And yeah, my kids are driving me nuts, Steph! We usually share them with their biological mother, but she is on a CRUISE, and has been gone for a week and a half and apparently isn't coming back until next week some time. Normally this is our kidless weekend. I am an introvert. Having people in my house so much doesn't agree with me! Being a step parent . . . not for the faint of heart.

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GreenFingers — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:09:08 +0100

ROBBIN! *pouncesnogs!*

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Robbin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:17:15 +0100

Greenie!! *pouncehuggles* Hi hi! I had pizza as well.... Pesto Chicken.. yum

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Mindie — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:59:58 +0100

Robin- I love your avatar Everyone- I'm a Saturday pizza type because I LOVE left over pizza on Sunday. About the noise thing- I live in the middle of nowhere. My house is far enough away from the others that no one can hear me scream.......... at my kids. They're good kids and all, I just lose it sometimes. Quite normal I'm sure. Relmling- What is a dragon raid? Just so you know. I'm going to be gone for a few days (sat, sun, mon). I'm sure there will be like 200 posts for me to catch up on. LOL Maybe my halo will be on when I get back. It seems to take forever.

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Realmling — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:10:23 +0100

Min - hubby and I play Lord of the Rings Online. He's with a bunch of guildmates right now trying to survive a dragon instance. It's rather hard and they haven't had much success this evening yet. I think the dragon is winning this evening. I'm glad we started playing...because now he'll have something to keep himself occupied while I'm writing away like a mad woman next month. =)

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Mindie — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:29:10 +0100

So is Lord Of The Rings on line similar to the table top game "War Of The Ring", which is based on the Novels? My husband and I play War of the Ring. We paint up miniatures and build terrain as well. I know, we are so white and nerdy.

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Alenahope — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:40:29 +0100

Wow, I feel like I've been transported to another parallel universe where you all are my brothers 20 years ago in high school. Do these games require ya'll to "throw" dice? Realm, right now I live in a house owned by the school, in the school yard. Theres only 5 kids in school though right now so thankfully no marching band forming anytime soon. I made homemade pizza for my son, he ate half a piece and then ran away outside to play with stinky girls. wtf. what is wrong with kids these days. I'm going to pour another glass of wine, even if it means I'll run out before the Tuesday plane.

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skneal — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:47:04 +0100

I made a homemade 5 cheese Macaroni and Cheese, and it was nummy! And a quote from the cheesy 60's batman tv show... (which I'm watching right now) "Don’t try to fight it darling, relax and worship me... on your knees." LOVE IT!!! May need to embroider that on a pillow!

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Alenahope — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:17:43 +0100

That sounds like an embroidery sampler to me! I wonder if they have a pattern for that?

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Mindie — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:36:27 +0100

Alenahope- Our game does require dice. I just asked my husband about Lord of the Rings Online and it's more like Everquest or World of Warcraft. So no dice, but it is adventure based.

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mr1 — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:37:23 +0100

Alenahope - fingers crossed you don't have to resort to jailhouse 'wine' - it sounds disgusting. Rather like the 'wine' my brother and cousin attempted to make by leaving a bucket of grape juice behind the dryer in the cellar. It was discovered by the stench. Granted, they were about eight so couldn't be expected to have figured out the intricacies of wine making - but I always thought they could have found a better hiding place...

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Alenahope — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:48:47 +0100

I think I just had a story idea, I think some of my characters are going to try and make jailhouse wine. I DARE, ya, you read that right, I DARE you all to work it into your novels too. I'm off to research how to actually make jailhouse wine.

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Realmling — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 06:07:16 +0100

We had a D&D group going for a while, I've got a rather spiffy set of dice that are blue with white and gold swirls. Unfortuately half our group moved away at about the same time and we haven't started it back up yet. I miss my little gnome necro, Gardenie the Gnome. Online games are about the only hobby I can get him to participate in other than collecting guns. I have all sorts of hobbies, and occasionally I just want him out of the way when I'm working on something. Never fails that he'll come in and ask me a question when I'm in the middle of counting stitches, or writing down the latest and greatest idea, or trying to read. He ends up on the wrong end of angry growls quite often.

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Alenahope — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 06:31:04 +0100

I have tons of hobbies too, but, usually watching tv and chatting online get in the way. I've been working on this quilt to cover my couch and about as far as I got was getting all the fabric out, and laying it all over the couch to figure out an aesthetic pattern and then I got shipped out here to the ville. So while I don't have a spouse to distract me, I have a job to completely derail me for months at a time. The fabric is still all over the couch and I'm hoping my house sitter hasn't moved it because it took me forever but I finally got the pattern of squares just right.

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Realmling — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:15:28 +0100

Ohhh...I hope all your pieces are still where you left them. I've had a few helper situations like that and there's just no way to be nice about it when it happens. Well, I finished my bottle of wine and it's bed time now. I should sleep pretty good with as warm and fuzzy as I feel. =)

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jessknoch — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:31:28 +0100

Welcome!

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angitiger — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:15:46 +0100

What have you guys been doing since I was last here. Ps still killing me.... how did you guys take my sock monkeys and make them so twisted. And why didn't my brain and co brain do it first.... wow. Lol. @you all you crack me up im I was given this forum to mod. Are you all posting in your region forums too. If not please do your mls will thank you. ;-) *insert evil laugh* oooohhhhh I have super cool powers hehehehehehe

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caiknbake — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:02:25 +0100

i just had an awesome brainwave of how to use paul the anatomically correct sock monkey as the instigator of a major plot point in my novel! ooh, it's gonna be fun!!! i want to tell y'all about it but i'm for some reason a little superstitious about sharing too much before i actually start. i will absolutely share how it unfolds during november, though, never fear! i think i'm going to take the jailhouse wine dare, too. still haven't worked out a way to incorporate the sexy turkey hat or dylan badcock yet (complicated by the fact that my youngest MC who will be 12 at the start of the novel is already named dylan - yikes!). i'm sure inspiration will come eventually, though. i will say this whole prep notion is frustrating for me...i've always been a pantser in the past, so having this much time and actually thinking about characters and plot twists and whatnot more than a day or two before november is weird. I WANT TO START WRITING!!! anyone else in the same boat, or are you all more hoping to eek out as much planning as possible in the next couple weeks?

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Min — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:37:06 +0100

GF - I can test knit a bunny, it will be done next week if I have the pattern. I NEED one so it'll go on and off the needles very quickly. I have everything from lace-weight through to chunky yarn in my stash atm and needles (inc. double points) from 2mm through to 15mm. So there is no reason for me not to knit.

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Min — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:02:07 +0100

planning? what's that? I always write by the seat of my pants in nano. It's too hard for me to be confined to an outline, the characters tell me what they want to do, if i force them away from that, they start to be unco-operative and i find myself unable to type. random note: I love it when people take it as normal that I talk to the voices in my head. Being a writer is excellent!

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GreenFingers — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:38:41 +0100

Min--AWESOME! DM me your email address and I'll send you the pattern! Speaking of husbands and our chosen passions and hobbies: here is how awesome mine is. He printed me out a sign for my bedroom door in some super fancy script font. It says "Fuck off I'm writing!" Of course, NOW I have printed the words on fabric and I'm embroidering myself a sampler. With pale blue letters. And pink and purple and yellow flowers.

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triskellgrl — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:07:28 +0100

@green - your sampler sounds AMAZING. Every NaNoer should have one! My novel plot has now changed multiple times and I'm still trying to figure out what background will make my characters do what they need to do in order for them to get to their happily ever after. It's more the Big Issue in the middle that I'm having issues with. My goal this year is definitely The End. Whereever that may be - 40,000 (I'll pad it) or 100000 (I may never sleep again). You lot seem just the bunch of crazies to help get me there. I feel so lucky to have found you all. Prepare the whips...they may be required...

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mr1 — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:21:51 +0100

Jailhouse wine - from yahoo answers (of all places): Find any kind of cheap juice. I like cranberry. The way I do it is boil a few cups of sugar mixed with water until it becomes a syrup. I add this to about two gallons of cranberry juice. It sounds too sweet, but it evens out the sour taste from the cranberry. Then I'll take a cup of the juice, warm it up slightly in the mircowave, throw in a packet of yeast and let it sit until it gets a nice head on it. Then I throw that into the rest of the juice, mix it up real good and let set for about a month in a tight container with a small airhole so gas can vent. When the yeast activates, it eats the sugar as food, and the byproduct is alcohol. Its far from a fine wine, but its pretty simple. Its a loose recipe, so it may take some tinkering to get it the way you like it. And remember, the more yeast, the more alcohol. If you can get ahold of some bread yeast over there, that'll do the job, but leaves a slight "bready" flavor if you use too much. There were others, but this seemed simplest, if not the most authentic.

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GreenFingers — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:02:25 +0100

The hubster brewed up some stout with raspberries. Not exactly wine but DAMN it's good. We've also got some plum-blackberry-honey wine brewing right now, and some strawberry mead. He makes good mead. I might have to partake of a little during NaNo. I'm not much of a drinker but I'm considering making an exception. LOL!

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Min — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:06:50 +0100

Strawberry mead sounds divine! I've a bottle of Bailey's for when I get desperate (probably around day 12) or maybe to save until the 30th.

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triskellgrl — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:21:47 +0100

I'll be stocking up on wine - I recently found a bottle of Malbec called 'Writer's Block'. :) I'm looking for more inspiringly named bottles for November. That cranberry brew sounds like quite something! My mother is making some cranberry liqueur this weekend - it sounds very easy and last year's batch was delectable! That'll definitely be more of a special occasion (read, desperate days) sort of drink.

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Alenahope — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:19:49 +0100

Angitiger- I don't post on my regional board for Alaska, theres no ML's in my area, and considering all the write ins are about 900+ miles away from me there is really no reason too. I'm the only NaNoer in my area. Alaska is a big place. They need more ML's. I'd do it, but I've yet to successfully win so I can't. All the ML's for Alaska are in the larger cities and Alaska is so big, you can't just hop on over to another town for a write in without having to drop $1500 on a plane ticket and hotels. Last year I stated a thread looking for NaNoers in my area and it got 0 replies, before the reboot I started the same thread and when the boards were rebooted it was still at 0, so I didn't bother going over to restart it. Last year I also wanted to plan a write in at our local library and try and get some people interested in NaNo but I got harped at by an ML about trying to do a write in when I'm not an ML and only ML's can do those kinds of things. So, ya, I stay the hell away from the Alaska region boards. I just saw a plane on the runway....plllleeeeeeaaaassseee tell me my mom got my box of wine (and other food items) to the airport in time to make the flight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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caiknbake — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:26:23 +0100

alena - that's really weird that your ML would say not to try to organize a write-in...here in LA the MLs encourage us to host write-ins and there's even a thread that says "post your write-ins here!" i guess maybe it's because there's so many people here that they can't be at all of them...but i would think that since you have the same problem for the opposite reason that it would still be okay. my advice is to go do your write-in at the library and if you feel like being sociable about it, make yourself a sign that says something like "national novel writing month - ask me about it!" or something like that. anyway, good luck! you're a brave soul to be doing nanowrimo all by yourself in the middle of nowhere *hugs*

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Elfwriter23 — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:00:53 +0100

Yeah, Alena, be a NaNo Rebel ML!! How did the pizza crust recipe turn out? I keep trying recipes and always end up with something that's more like bread...or like Bisquick. Maybe I'm just not kneading it long enough. It's too light and fluffy, which for pizza is just weird. MR, I didn't know about Mr. Cold Hands' secretive nuptials. (Although the word 'nuptial' sounds like something that should be kept secret.) Apparently, his feet weren't cold!

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Elfwriter23 — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:09:11 +0100

"Don’t try to fight it darling, relax and worship me... on your knees." Holy Standards and Practices, Batman! How did that make it on-air? : 0 )

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Alenahope — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:18:21 +0100

The pizza crust was really good, especially day two for lunch (made too much and refrigerated the leftovers over night). If you google mario batali pizza crust recipe its the food network link, it uses wine as an ingredient which I think is a terrible waste of good wine, but turns out it was worth it. I'll use the recipe again.

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Realmling — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:55:03 +0100

I just unleashed a bottle of Stiffy. Thought I'd share. (Stiffy is a brand of fabric stiffener. I just really enjoy the name)

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mr1 — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:24:40 +0100

No, Mr. Cold Hands didn't get cold feet. I found it very strange that he had to invade my dream and tell me about his wedding plans though... It was worrisome. Have made tentative plans for ravioli creation. 2nd weekend of NaNo I will be a lightly floured sous chef. Why must Nano be in November?

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Alenahope — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:24:51 +0100

Because NaNo is funner to say than NaDec, NaJa (actually...thats kinda fun to say too), NaMa, NaAp, Naju, NaAug, you get the idea...

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mr1 — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 05:58:28 +0100

but the 'no' is for novel Wow - and isn't THAT a negative vibe. Time for sleep

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Guilie — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 06:31:40 +0100

Hey there :) I'm another referral from the Great MR1 -- thanks for guiding us here! Look forward to having fun with y'all. This is my first NaNo so--please--keep the initiations as kind as possible :) G

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Alenahope — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:06:06 +0100

BAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAA!! OMG, I'm laughing at myself so hard right now!! Which is good, its better then crying because my brain is so mushy with stupidness! TO my credit though, long island ice tea flag football saturday afternoon just turned into room temp long island iced knee evening on the couch in pain saturday night (all the ice is on my knee because there was a twisty-snappy take-down (hello, FLAG football). Anyways, I've declared war on my neighbors (after I flounced the game WITH my LI in hand because god knows I need it for the pain and I don't keep that kind of liquor in those quantities at my house). ITs still not an excuse for being that stupid. It is an excuse to carry on being stupid though. What can I come up with next? Oh screw it, I'm just going to go eat pudding and drink this warm liquor until I pass out. Sure wish I had painkillers right now but I don't feel like driving a four wheeler up a steep hill to the clinic in the dark while I"m in this kind of pain.

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Elfwriter23 — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:02:25 +0100

I'm going to put beer in my pizza crust. Beer bread is good, so beer pizza must be better. Ravioli sounds excellent. We've been eating a lot of it lately, with lotsa cayenne pepper in the spaghetti sauce.

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mr1 — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:18:34 +0100

Nana Riccio wasn't a fan of cayenne in the spaghetti sauce...but she did exert her culinary influence over my Irish mother to the extent of adding pepperoni to a 'traditional' boiled dinner. Now an entire generation of Irish cousins can make lasagna and insist pepperoni is as important as the potatoes on St. Patrick's Day. Alanahope - football should be watched from a distance...better yet, ignored completely :-) Hope the knee is better

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Realmling — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:28:45 +0100

Alena - hope you get healed up here soon. I'm off to dye more wool, a nice teal color to go with my light green/slightly blue in spots job from yesterday. Thankfully my green fingers went away since I wasn't smart enough to remember gloves....

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Morticia — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:50:05 +0100

Geez-O-Pete. Where's the fire? You people need to pace yourselves, srsly. Sorry, where was I? Right, introductions. Hi, Morticia here. I am one of the original Hatters from the November of 2007 inaugural (which from a certain point of view was several lifetimes ago). I took last year off as life was moving too fast and I had no time to write personal stuff. Lola is back too since I didn't have the heart to replace her (after all she was such a good avatar and seems to possess great word karma). Well, my new studio is furnished except for my computer which can't be moved until the router and wireless get debugged so I am still sharing half of the other office where I can be patched in by wire to connect online. Greetings to all the new Hatter hopefuls. Since there are about a gazillion messages I haven't discovered if you have been warned that many aspire in October to achieve full Hatter insanity but few stay the course to that purple (Barney-bar) cheering squad on November 30th at midnight. And Tucker, it is only fair to warn you that no male has ever lasted longer than November 2nd, just sayin'; but maybe you'll be the first. I did see that the famous Southern Comfort Pumpkin Pie is in demand again this year. That recipe came from another original Hatter (who has since abandoned our ranks for a different thread group) named Mermaidslair. Mer has not yet signed in though I expect that she will soon. I believe she substituted SC for part of the liquid (milk) up to one-fourth. So if you recipe calls for 2 cups of milk switch to 11/2 cups milk and 1/2 cup SC. Oh, and the obligatory disclaimer: this is not for minors. Enjoy. Okay, enough is enough; I need to catch up on reading posts. Cheers, M

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Morticia — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:03:31 +0100

Okay, a tiny point I omitted in my intro; I am not 30-40. I am not quite older than dirt but some days it feels like it. Mer moved to the Smoking Pen forum in the 50's area when the "over 30's area" divided in 2008. I staunchly refused to act my age. So there you have it. And I did send her an invitation to visit us when she signs in. M

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Alenahope — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:50:09 +0100

I was thinking about the SoCo pumkin pie last night when I saw a commercial for a pepper SoCo. I'm not one for the newfangled flavored liquors but peppery SoCo has got to be an improvement on the original. ANYTHING is an improvement on the original. *shivers*

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skneal — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:42:22 +0100

*runs in* Hi Hatters! Sorry I've been in absentia for a couple of days. I have a performance tonight and was busy finishing my costume. I'll try to catch up tomorrow! Love, Luck and lunatic cows! (don't ask me where the cows come from... my fingers, they is strange.) Anywhoodles, have a good rest of the evening or whatever! The Steph (who is panicking *deep breaths*)

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Morticia — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:46:15 +0100

Somebody mentioned the Baileys and I must recommend Hot Chocolate with Bailey's Mint Chocolate. I had this on a chilly wet Saturday at Tommy Condon's in Charleston SC in the spring and it was divine.

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mr1 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:09:57 +0100

HI MORTICIA!!!!!!! HI LOLA!! Glad you're back this year. Luck with the routers and wifi.

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Elfwriter23 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:33:55 +0100

Hi Morticia! That pie sounds good. Might be a good reason to try the new peppery SoCo. Now I'm wondering what other foods booze can be worked into. No cayenne in the ravioli sauce? How about...pierogie made with rattlesnake? It might be on the menu at my local kickoff party, depending on what kind of nontraditional pierogies are made that day. Boiled dinner is corned beef and cabbage, right? Chex was on sale, so I'll make my traditional NaNoWriMo huge batch of Chex Mix. So I won't have to cook much for the first week or so.

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:17:13 +0100

I object your honour, I have had lurker status for a couple of years and always contirbuted to ST final word count. Humbly begging your pardon as always. Qub

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Morticia — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:14:17 +0100

You may make and hold to your objection Tucker; however, I must object to your objection. Lurking is all well and good; and probably there are a few other male lurkers (known in some sectors as voyeurs - nothing personal, just sayin'). However, when it comes to rolling up the sleeves and openly trading jabs and dares, no males have lasted day in and day out past Nov 2nd. So the challenge Tucker - dare, if you will - is to prove the past wrong, as well as the example of wimpiness your fellow males are, by showing up and demonstrating you can be one of the girls for an entire month. Are you up to it? ;-) The Divine Miss M (with apologies to Bette Midler, the original Divine Miss M)

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Morticia — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:35:11 +0100

Good Morning everybody, checking in while I have connection time. This NaNo is going to be the launch of my year-long attempt to finally write my real book. I still have no concrete idea what this book is supposed to be about but looking back to my freelance and reporter days I realized that it was unusual to know what the stories were going to be about until I had written the first draft. Even the two and a half NaNo manuscripts I wrote in previous years started with getting the first sentence down. It finally gelled in my brain that that was my writing and storytelling process; and trying to use a different process because it appears legitimate when it isn't mine is never going to work. There's a line in the movie version of "Under the Tuscan Sun" (if you liked the movie don't read the book, it's boring) about taking a terrible idea and working with it (because all raw ideas are terrible) and see what time and encouragement creates of it. So that is my commitment for this month and the next year - to take what for now seems like a terrible idea and work with it to see if it can be redeemed. So that's it. Thanks all. Hugs, M

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Morticia — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:41:06 +0100

Oops, Sorry QUB, I am still trying to figure out the new formatting. And as someone mentioned earlier: Where's the edit button? So if you will, via imagination insert your name where Tucker's appears in the previous reply, consider participating in the posted challenge (and Tucker is welcome to take the challenge too). Mea culpa, M

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:18:47 +0100

AS challenges go, I will indeed take (rise) to the challenge. I have in the past included the magnificient dare of including a one legged one hopping whilst holding rabbits by the ears. Any dares you bring forward will be a walk in the park. (Think latin for) Challenge accepted. Qub (I will not blush, I will not blush)

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Alenahope — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:10:31 +0100

Good Morning Hatters. How does the planning go for everyone. I made some good headway on some character profiles (assassinations) last night. I think I have my three MC's down, now just the supporting cast will take a bit of time. And I still need names for the MC's but I couldn't go on a name finder website last night because the power was up and down all night and the internet didn't kick back on till this morning. I guess there was no sense in resetting the routers for the complex until they knew they would stay on.

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Lexicon — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:20:28 +0100

*is reeling from post overload*

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Realmling — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:03:25 +0100

I'm afraid to say that if it didn't involve yarn, kool-aid and crochet hooks I didn't do it. If nothing else I need to finish my character profiles before the end of the month, but I can't find the will power to put the yarn down lately unless I'm too tired to even think -- which does not help me plan my story.

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Alenahope — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:51:14 +0100

Lexicon, if it helps you can skip over all my posts on the read through...its just mindless jabber anyways. I'm bored to tears and there are only so many threads on these boards that I'm committed too.

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mr1 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:23:22 +0100

I'm suffering from moron overload, want to trade Lexicon?

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goitaly — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:47:45 +0100

Planning is slowly-owly coming along. I think I finally have a story idea so that's something. And I bought a nice, shiny new notebook to write my ideas in, assuming I ever get any ideas.

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Morticia — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:08:28 +0100

Okay, status update. The modm/route head-butting has been solved. I was able to get wireless in the same room as the router. But unless the antenna sits directly below it I can't connect in the basement so tomorrow we have to get a repeater for the wireless. I am currently connected via a borrowed laptop (I think I hate laptops). But my equipment is all in the same room - my studio - and hopefully by this time tomorrow I will be live. Blessings to all, M

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Mindie — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:36:35 +0100

Sweet holy awesomeness sauce! I had 50 posts to catch up on. I'm out of town for two days and POW. This thread is that cool. Nice to be acquainted with the new hatters and the original hatters. Anyone sugar free by chance? Just looking for sugar free snacks to eat while writing. Diabetes runs in my family. I'm a bit annoyed that my halo hasn't shown up yet. Maybe tomorrow.

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Realmling — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:43:50 +0100

Don't really have an exact recipie -- mainly just do to taste/texture as you go. Fridge Candy: Combine peanut butter and honey in bowl until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate (for at least a day or so). When ready to eat, just cut out a piece and snack away. Something quick and easy my dad always liked to make in the summer.

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Alenahope — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:08:47 +0100

I'm sugar free, for the most part, except when I'm not. I like sugar free coffee creamer, the hazelnut. Sugar free jello, yes, it makes good jigglers too...lol! There are tons of sugar free hard candies that keep the mouth satisfied, just don't eat too many of them or you'll be visiting the toilet often. Love beef jerky, but you have to be careful with the teriaki flavor because the is just code for high fructose corn syrup. And of course, crunchy veggies, I like snap peas and baby carrots dipped in ranch (again, be careful with ranch, don't get fat free because to make it taste better after removing the fat they just add more sugar). I keep tight tabs on my blood sugar during NaNo, so I can sneak in some chocolate and a martini everyday...so I cut out most carbs from my diet to compensate.

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Mindie — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:16:46 +0100

Ooooooo Great ideas. I've been snacking on cheese sticks and crackers and am so sick of them. The sugar free candies are good, but are still very high in carbs. I can have one per day if I cut out a few carbs on my dinner meal. Thanks.

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Lexicon — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:36:25 +0100

OMG, Alenahope, I love your snacks. Sounds very similar to mine and I'm not anything free as long as it tastes good! Sugar snap peas go like candy in our house--even with the littles. M- glad to hear everything is kinda-sorta working itself out. My internet decided to puke on me and I'm pulling from some neighbor's wireless. Hope they don't mind while I figure out which internet company to switch to. I hate when I pay for things that don't work. And of course, the cable company pooh poohed the idea of paying me back for the time I'm not able to connect. Go figure... Mindie, one year my halo was awol for most of the season. Not a huge deal, but it is fun to see so much gold. I love supporting this great endeavor. Which reminds me, I got my NaNoTats yesterday. So pysched! MR~I have more morons in my life than I currently need. The exchange will NOT take place!

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Lexicon — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:44:27 +0100

Alena, I don't usually do any planning for my novels unless you count knowing my title, genre and MC's name. I do, however, read my heart out up until the last second. I love how it primes me for tapping into my own creativity. So far, I've read (and don't laugh at this bilogy primer) GERMS, GENES AND CIVILIZATION, as well as WANT TO GO PRIVATE? (cringe-worthy for parents). I'm currently reading VIIRIDIS (http://www.amazon.com/Viridis-The-Series-ebook/dp/B005KT028Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318717323&sr=1-1) a steampunk novel that could easily wear the Turkey Hat for all it's steamy goodness. Seriously, an elixer that brings on an orgasm with one kiss? It should be our official NaNoBook just like The Princess Bride is our NaNoMovie! Which reminds me, if any of you newbie Hatters haven't seen the movie, you must. The ability to quote from the most quotable movie ever is a requirement. Anybody want a peanut?

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Realmling — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:41:16 +0100

Would I be banished if I said I loved that movie but hated Buttercup? I didn't even like her in the book, somehow she was an even more wretched spoilt bitch in the book. That said: Humperdink! Humperdink! Humperdink!

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Min — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:11:45 +0100

mmm I have a plot zombunny, which has been stolen by my offspring. I really need to do something about her tendancy to steal anything that comes off my needles.

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GreenFingers — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:48:08 +0100

I disappear for a few days and y'all write a novel. Holy hell. It's gonna take me some time to catch up on this!

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GreenFingers — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:51:54 +0100

Min, YAY, you knitted a plotbunny! So did Kathleen. And you both pointed out the same errors, which is why I get test knitters. Now I can correct the pattern, add pics, and make a PDF to sell. Awesome. Cat--OH, yes, the movie of quotable awesomeness! We loves it precioussss. Also, I've downloaded Viridis but not read it yet. I've actually been having kind of a hard time finding reading time! Realmling, Buttercup is kind of a whiny brat, but I don't hate her. But I at least won't kick you out for your feelings about her. As long as you continue quoting the movie with us. My tolerance only goes so far. The rest of you . . . I'm reading in reverse . . .

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Realmling — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:28:00 +0100

I love the actress that played Buttercup, does that earn me any points? I just haven't ever been able to warm up to that character. I tried, really, but I just kept thinking Wesley could have done so much better. And uh...well...I may toss out a Monty Python, Star Trek, Star Wars or other random quote from time to time too. =)

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caiknbake — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:10:25 +0100

i love everyone's snack ideas! i should really think more about eating healthy while i write, but that's a difficult thing for me even on the best of days. i do have a hard and fast rule about eating only dark chocolate (no milk and certainly none of that imposter white chocolate), so that buys me some indulgences sugar-wise, right? :D lex - thanks for the book rec! i'm downloading it to my kindle now. and have no fear, i can quote princess bride with the best of them. speaking of which... realmling - i didn't hate buttercup, but mainly because i don't feel like there's anything there to hate. she's very blah. but i think if you do hate her, your fav quote should be "bow to the queen of filth! the queen of garbage! BOOOO!!!" i'm totally with you on python and star trek, and space ghost as i said before. my other most-quoteable-movie-ever is the big lebowski - anyone else on board with that one? of course that's a little on the profane side... green - can i try your plotbunny pattern too? i'm not a very good knitter but i'd be curious to see if i can pull it off :) goitaly - hi! i'm assuming that your handle is "go italy," but every time i see it i read it as the adverb form of the word "goiter." i don't even know what that would mean! anyway, it makes me giggle :) rodents of unusual size? i don't believe they exist.

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Lexicon — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:37:31 +0100

LMAO, CNB. I read it the same way. And because I have turkey on the brain, I picture something goitaly to be hanging off an old gobbler's neck. Like an old geezer turkey who'd smoke cigars and suck whiskey from the bottle would have.

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Lexicon — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:42:31 +0100

No offence, of course. *resets thinking* As I'm prone to shortening names, my silly, juvenile brain now dubs thee, Go It! ~warmest fuzzies I can send without overloading Rails and the whole NaNoSite~

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goitaly — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:52:29 +0100

CNB and Lexicon I am laughing so hard right now. Goitaly (and it is go italy) is what you get for a screen name when you let your second grader name you blog before you go to Italy. :-) Love The Princess Bride, not so crazy about Lebowski. My other most quotable move (also profane) is Bull Durham.

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caiknbake — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:02:33 +0100

lex - it totally does sound like a turkey! like perhaps, "the myriad sexy protrusions on the turkey hat wobbled goitally as she walked." haha! go it - i love that that's how you got your handle :) i figure if we add an L to the adverb we can still use "goitally" and not get it confused for your name. also, i've not seen bull durham...and lebowski is definitely polarizing, i think people either love it or hate it. but i love it!

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Realmling — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:18:39 +0100

I've seen Lebowski ... but I don't remember much of it at all. And I can't remember if that was a get drunk and watch movies night or something else. There are a few episodes of rather fuzzy memories from college days. And then there's the stuff I remember where I wish I didn't.

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Morticia — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:37:05 +0100

Hello World! I'm back; sort of like the proverbial bad penny. Sorry, no time to chit chat as I have a batch of Posole on the stove and a board meeting at 7. Later 'gators. Hugs, M

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mr1 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:29:27 +0100

But, Lex, *I* suck whiskey straight from the bottle... :-) Anyone quote from Buckaroo Banzai? (there are monkey-boys in the complex. do not be alarmed. you are safe). Oe how about Red Dwarf (I'm gonna eat you little fishy, 'cause I like eating fish). I intended to write all this backwards because Greenie said she was reading 'in reverse' - but the Bruin's game got interesting...

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Mindie — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:59:46 +0100

What's with today? What's with TODAY today? Empire Records anyone? Hello, I am Inigo Montoya, You killed my father. Prepare to DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Realmling — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:09:54 +0100

Smeg head! Sorry for this random rant in the middle of things, but there's a post in the Romance forum I'm trying to not go all Ripley with a grenade launcher on. (Game over man, Game over!) I don't make a big deal over how boring I find "clean" sex free romances. I don't even make fun of the people who like them. My mother is one and I'll read through the occasional dry toast inspirational romance to figure out if it's a book she might like to read. They usually have great stories, but I honestly want a little more than a chaste peck on the cheek. But why then do these other people make it seem like such an evil thing to actually like some "smut" with my romances? Why is sex so evil? What is wrong with well written erotica? Is it because I'm a dirty, dirty girl and can't see things from a "nice girl" point of view anymore? I'm probably coming across as taking it personally, but I'm not. I just don't understand what the big deal is. Sex is sex ... and it's a hell of a lot of fun and shouldn't be hidden behind a closed door in a dark room. Not that it should be on display in the middle of the street, but it doesn't have to be treated like a stain on the rug you move the couch to hide. It's nothing to be ashamed about. I don't even know if there's a point to this. It's just one of those things that occasionally I can't keep quiet on.

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skneal — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:18:16 +0100

Realmling - I completely agree with you. Sex is sex and is a natural function of being human. And it's pretty damn fun as well! Part of the problem I think is that MANY in the romance forum are beginners, trying to write romance for the first time and not fully understanding the genre. As I'm part of the RWA (Romance Writers of America) I don't see the stigma of 'smut' nearly as much. (plus I'm staying away from the romance forum after reading the first few post saying "i'm going to write romance, after all how hard can it be?" The response I SOOOO wanted to type, but was able to control myself, barely, was "It's harder than you think dumbass.") I, myself, read and enjoy writing sex scenes, and I even have a couple of really steamy erotic outtakes from my previous NaNo's. Long live smut and down with the naysayers!

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Realmling — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:22:50 +0100

You can come join me in the Dirty Girl Lounge I just opened up in the Romance area. =)

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GreenFingers — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:30:56 +0100

I am very, very short on time hatters, but I wanted to chime in with: HUZZAH FOR SMUT. Ahem.

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Realmling — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:32:15 +0100

I lubs you guys. /sniffle

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Mindie — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:24:18 +0100

I'm not a witch! I'm your wife and I don't know if I want to be that anymore.

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angitiger — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:01:07 +0100

Hey guys, I can't believe someone posted I'm writing a romance how hard can that be. I personally find the romances the hardest to write. I'm better with death and destruction. I am glad you are refraining form reaming that person. I'm sure someone will then us mods will have to step in. So glad I didn't end up with that forum to mod. You guys are zany like me so I enjoy reading your posts. Anyhoo so many posts to read so little time since its a work day. See you all later and thanks for toeing the line kind of at least. lol Ok I haven't had to flag anything from this thread yet so I'm happy.... Maybe I should have but since no one seemed offended I let it ride. So maybe I'm to soft to do this mod thing. Great now I'm rambling again. Really just procrastinating until my next patient gets here. See ya

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CarolinaWriter — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:03:44 +0100

Dang - I leave town for a week, and I come back to a month's worth of chat! Being new, now I am even more behind :) I did get the following important points, though: Someone is making plot bunnies to sell...I am collecting them so I'll have plenty for November, so whomever this creative person is, please let me know. Snacks, gotta have snacks! Unbuttered popcorn usually does it for me, but if I get really desparate I break out the chocolate. What cluelss person said that romance is easy to write??? Sigh...they will learn the same thing I did. Hope all are having a great day!! Connie

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Realmling — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:13:19 +0100

People think that because romance is so formulaic that it must be easy. You know, Person A meets Person B. Things happen. Highjinks ensue. Wham-Bam-Thank you Ma'am! And then happily ever after. No different from how formulaic a murder mystery is, but I'd never call that easy to write. Or a fantasy heroic journey tale (which I have done and mostly failed at...,but that was before I discovered the whole thing of story architecture and planning out major plot milestones). For those on the outside of romance, it's something to laugh and sneer at. "Oh, you so silly Romance. I can writes you in my sleeps while I look at pictures of cats with horrible grammers." Though that view is starting to change a bit the further we get away from the Fabio encrusted bodice ripper types. Which I still collect and read for fun when I come across them.

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Alenahope — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:30:53 +0100

SO glad I was busy yesterday and the posts built up for me to read. I'm flu like today, achy, head hurts, barfing...it could be the flu or it could be immaculate conception. I'll keep you all updated. The Princess Bride is my all-time fav movie...just ahead of The Goonies. And....let us not forget the Labyrinth because at least once a month I need a Bowie moose knuckle fix.

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:34:29 +0100

The Goonies are ultimately cool. Enough said Qub

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goitaly — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:44:54 +0100

My two other nano manuscripts are romances, and this one is shaping up to be a romance too. I certainly would not call them easy to write, but they are a lot of fun. Even more fun when they are a little bit smutty. :-)

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RuncibleSpoon — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:45:58 +0100

Okay, just reading all of this for the first time, since I'm too old for the 20somethings as of this July, and this seems like my favorite brand of organized chaos! I hope you don't mind a newbie joining in, but any place that has to warn that they're not responsible for damage from drink spewage is my kind of place! I guess I should try to introduce myself, although I'm horrible at it! I'm Runci, although I tend to respond just as well to Spoonie and just about everything else but "Ma'am". (Any time somebody says that, I start looking around for my mother!) I just hit the big 3-0 this year, and this is my second time doing NaNo and hopefully my second time winning! I've got a rep for being the slightly crazy, nerdy one amongst all of my friends, and I tend to try to cope with life's curveballs by finding humor anywhere I can. I think the only category most of my writing would fit in would be "WTF?" since I don't ever seem to have a clue where it's going, and NaNo's no different. I looked back at last year's novel and wondered if I had either channeled the spirit of James Joyce or simply forgotten to sleep at all during the month of November. LOVE the fact I've seen some Princess Bridge references - that, Monty Python and Mel Brooks movies tend to be things I quote randomly in the middle of a conversation. (That's probably part of why I've got that "crazy nerd" reputation going on...hmmm) Anyways, hope to be able to share some laughs and slightly crazy chatter with y'all! Half the fun of NaNo for me is the social aspect - write-ins, chatting, and just meeting new people!

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skneal — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:46:16 +0100

Oooh and I just loved the "it doesn't have to have a happy ending to be a romance"... um... yeah, it does. And yes, even though the readers know how it's going to end, they're more interested in the JOURNEY to the end, wanting to believe that if the characters only persevere, then they shall be rewarded with happily ever after. And that's the reason the formula works, it's what makes readers HAPPY. *stepping down off the soapbox now* Yay Divine Miss M is back!!! - great to see you this year, M! Alena- feel better! Hopefully you'll get this all out of your system by the time November arrives. Welcome back Carolina! Angitiger - I'm *trying* to be good... it's a struggle... sorry in advance for any mischief I may cause! ;-> Almost done with my other writing projects so I can get character building and being able to hang with you guys more often. By next Monday it should all be DONE!! (for those who follow, November is written, but unedited, December is halfway written, and c1 of Just Desserts is being reviewed before 3rd round of editing and then reading in front of my chapter for group critiquing... eeek!) [////]----___--------___-------_____-------____---------*** The beatings will continue until word count improves!

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Elfwriter23 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:40:35 +0100

Oh, it's not just romances that are eezy-peezy to write. When I was majoring in English, my roommate (not an English major) decided that people really didn't need any kind of education, practice or training to write fiction. Because it's EASY! Anybody can just do it! She proceeded to tell me how she was so much smarter than all the writers who make a big deal about how hard writing is, and how there's no real work involved. And what a dope she thought I was, spending thousands to study it. 'Cause all you gotta do is, you know...just write stuff.

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Mindie — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:49:44 +0100

RuncibleSpoon- Welcome. I am a newbie to this thread as well and they totally don't mind. I am also a newbie to 30. When did we become an adult? The best part of this thread is the dares! Have you given any thought to the sexy turkey hat, or the anatomically correct sock monkey? If not, no worries. I have been told that these things just work their way in over the month. I'm glad to hear that you won on your first year. There may be hope for me after all. Antalope (or what ever)- I hope you feel better. November is just around the corner and I'd hate for you to get a rocky start due to a flu bug. GOOD LUCK! Angietiger_- Perhaps we are all of the same feather, so we just choose not to get offended. It actually takes quite a bit to offend me. Life does that. I am focused on having fun. Anyone who says writing is easy haven't done it seriously. IS that grammar right? Haven't or is it Hasn't........................ I rest.

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mr1 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:53:43 +0100

waddya mean? Writing a romance is easy - as easy as writing any other kind of novel. All you have to do sit sit down and WRITE it. Now, where did I put that pen? Anyone got some paper? OK, writing... Chapter One. (tap tap tap). It was a dark and story night. (tap tap tap) and the rain...the rain...RAINED! Yeah the rain rained down on...what should I call her? Geraldine? Penny? Susan? (tap tap tap). Angelina. That's a good name. The rain rained down on Angelina. She was wet. And cold. (did you see that? I went and broke a writing rule - used And to start a sentence. I am SUCH a maverick. The Pulitzer people should be calling any second). //six hours later// come on Angelina DO something. Get you wet butt moving. //three hours later// What? No, I am not talking to myself. these papers? NO DO NOT TOUCH THEM!!!! //next day// So, Angelina meets the Prince, and he's like, handsome and stuff. But she's like, oh no, I can't marry you - you're like rich and stuff. huh? I need to hang up the phone? But why? Oh, right, suicide prevention hotline gets a lot of calls... //later that week// So, yeah, I decided writing is soooo last year. I'm into movies now. What I really want to do is direct.

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Elfwriter23 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:58:20 +0100

Yeah, I don't know what made her think that. Maybe it was one of those weeks when I was getting a lot of good work done, and she didn't want me to get the idea that what I was doing was important, or something.

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Lexicon — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:00:26 +0100

Angitiger, we promise to be good. If not, Steph wields her whip and cracks some ba...well, nobody complains about our off colored humor because they usually don't stick around past the first page unless they're exactly like us. And we never set out to get in any kind of trouble *green, put that tack down. No. On the other chair* with others "outside" our cozy Hatter circle. We just snark amongst ourselves. Which, of course, nobody ever reads because they can't keep up with our prolific fingers and quirkiness. That said, I know how you feel. I mod over at another writing site and have had to borrow TheSteph's whip (minus the handcuffs) to keep some folk in line. But that's only when they get disrespectful of other writers. To which I say, anyone who thinks writing any particular genre/age group is easy doesn't have a freakin' clue what writing is all about. They each have their own set of rules with a vast array of nuances that can drive the experienced writer crazy. Hell, if writing was easy, more than 17% of Wrimos would win each year. And all the winners would have traditional publishing contracts. Alas, however, writing isn't easy. Smut or otherwise!

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Lexicon — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:07:29 +0100

And welcome, Runci! MR, you freakin' crack me up. Maybe if you had written some smut the wordsmithing would have flowed a bit better.

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Elfwriter23 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:08:04 +0100

LOL Mr . That's exactly what happened. She wrote two pages of literary gold (in about ten minutes,) and handed them to me to read, so I could tell her how perfect her writing was, while she banged out two more pages, for a grand total of four. Needless to say, I didn't jump up and down and immediately call Hollywood. Then, mysteriously, I never heard another word about it.

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Elfwriter23 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:14:29 +0100

And Angelina was all, "I can't get a signal out here, and all this wet, cold water is ruining my phone and getting my T-shirt wet." Oh, Rats!! That could be construed as sex, and that's Right Out.

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Alenahope — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:15:47 +0100

I think the NaNo motto should be, anybody who thinks writing is easy, has never done NaNoWriMo.

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Elfwriter23 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:31:53 +0100

YouDon'KnowNaNo?

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Morticia — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:36:24 +0100

@Elf - your former roommate sounds eerily like my ex. And worse, he sent in a humorous quote from one of our kids to Reader's Digest for which they paid him the outrageous sum of $350; he thought that qualified him to tell me how to write. That was before all the antics he invented every week to interfere with/stall finishing my BA. Which did not work. @Runcie - Not all of us grow up. Some of us are born very old and as we move through the years jettisoning inappropriate burdens or responsibility, guilt, and blame-mongering we get younger. I won't start into a diatribe about the S word. Let me put it briefly like this: first I am very shy and sensitive in my own nature meaning very private as well; I am more for than against; but it has to be the logical next place the story would go and within the already established personalities of the characters. One example would be the scene from The Other Sister which I know lots of people pitched a fit over but I thought was very sensual and very touching emotionally. Okay, I'm outta here for a while because if I don't eat soon I'm going to start gnawing on the keyboard. M

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skneal — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:39:04 +0100

ROFLMAOASTD!!!!! (And Scaring The Dogs - for those that don't know the extra bits at the end) MR that was FANTASTIC!!! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! Lex - you could have borrowed the handcuffs... all you had to do was ask! ;-> Welcome to the madness Runci! Elf - too funny! A week later you should have asked.. "So where is the rest of your Great American Novel?" I'm dying in anticipation of reading something so easily accomplished! Writing - the toughest job you'll ever love/hate. I think that just about sums it up for me. Random change of topic... does anyone have any fall weather they can send me? It's hard to get in the NaNo mood when it's sunny and in the freakin' mid 80's. Don't get me wrong, I love summer, just not at Halloween time. And I let's see how many dares are we up too? 3 or 4? 1) sexy turkey hat 2) anatomically correct sock monkey named Paul (with or without cold hands) 3) a character named Dylan Badcock 4) someone making jail house wine/bathtub booze :-)

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Realmling — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:04:39 +0100

You can have my weather. I wasn't ready to scrape frost off my car windows this morning. /mutter grumble glare And I can totally fit dare #4 in without even trying this year. My grumpy hunk of man is a fruit grower! Yay...for once I don't have to fight to fit one in. I better get going on badges here soon.

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skneal — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:10:49 +0100

ooooh ooooh oooooh!!! Verbosity (my muse) just bopped me on the head and I now know what type of being Natasha is!!!! She's a Shadow Walker!!! YAY!!! What is a Shadow Walker you may ask? In my world it is a person who is stuck between Real Earth and Shadow Earth. The difference between her and a ghost is that ghosts are dead and she is quite alive, feeding on energy from Shadow without knowing it... The idiot who tried to turn her messed up... and is gonna get his 'just desserts'.... oooh I LIKE it!!! Gotta run and write down her back story! Just had to share! Buh Bye!

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Mindie — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:28:17 +0100

Mr- And all directors do is sit and follow the script, right? LOL SO Funny! Steph - Thanks for reminding me of the other dares as well. My brain went out the door after kid number 4. I'm not giving any of my fall weather away. It is so damn beautiful! My kids are new to it too. My son (5) said to me today, "Mom, why do people put scare crows on their front porch? What are the crows trying to eat?" "Um......., they are just for decoration." I said "Whaaaaaaaaaat?" he said with a big eye roll. What I want is a Real Halloween with real trick-or-treating. What is this trunk-or-treat crap!

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Realmling — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:46:45 +0100

Halloween here is (with a few exceptions) usually under quite a few inches of snow. If it's not snowbound, it's still pretty damn cold. So it's not always the best of nights to go out trick or treating door to door. That and no matter where we live, we hardly ever get any kids coming to our house and it's up to me and the hubby to eat all the candy every year. I'm on the fund rasing board for the local Science Zone museum and we restarted a Trick-or-Treat trail tradition. Last year we had just under 4000 people come through. I just deal with those who opt to go through the haunted house (I'm the HH madame, it's awsome) and it was so much crazy fun I needed an extra day off work to recover. The most disgusting thing though was candy overload when it all came in. The smell was so overwhelming that I was glad I was up doing haunted house instead of prepping giant barrels of candy for the booth sponsors to give away. And I have major sweet tooth...but that was too much. Though it's a little crazy what people will stand in line for hours for. Last year they were already lined up halfway around the block before we opened the doors.

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skneal — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:54:12 +0100

Even though hubster and I don't have kids, I decorate the yard and open my front doors and decorate the foyer... it scares the kiddos every year! *muahahahahahahaha* I'll take pics this year and post them. And since I'm not a chocoholic, I can avoid the 10lb weight gain during NaNo. I make the hub take all the extra candy in to work. :-)

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Morticia — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:57:39 +0100

Being a very timid, easily scare-able child I wanted to do Halloween in a big way but I just couldn't. When I was a mom of four between 3 and 16 years of age I had to find ways to cope because my kids were blow-out Halloween heads. Plus we lived in high kid population neighborhoods where people (think full-sized van loads) would bring kids from outside neighborhoods to T-or-T in ours; so many years I had between 150-300 kids. It took serious budgeting to have enough decent treats on hand although one year the kids came in early so I could recycle their rejects because the warm weather prompted extra treaters. I do like fall decorating; all the colored corn, and leaves, and flowers. I have a very cool spider-web wreath I made several years ago. I really hate spiders and I made it to sort of make fun of my own phobia. I never dressed. By the time I had spent 6 weeks helping each of my kids design and create their attire I was pooped. Rule #1 no store-bought or copies of licensed costumes; Rule # 2 nothing unkind, indecent or demonic. I like to think it jump-started their creative bents. Hmm, maybe there should be some kind of Halloween dare since NaNo starts right after Halloween? Or, maybe not. Wow, so many memories are bubbling up. Maybe I should take some notes? M

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Elfwriter23 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:14:01 +0100

Steph, can Shadow Walkers sue for paranormal malpractice? Can the incompetent practitioner who mis-turned her lose his license? : 0 ) Morticia, my old roommate was probably trying to make me feel insecure about my career choice, but...I never listened to her much. She was often full of such..."wisdom."

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Elfwriter23 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:17:57 +0100

I'm up for a Halloween dare. My novel is kinda Halloweeny...with lots of ghosts. And haunted houses. Lots of them.

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skneal — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:22:54 +0100

Elf - the problem is that she was turned by the good guys accidently, and they didn't realize it right away. AND it was her decision to 'help' the person they were trying to 'correct'. So no malpractice per se... however she'll pay them back.

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Elfwriter23 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:25:42 +0100

Shadow Karma!

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Alenahope — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:42:55 +0100

I don't know what the islanders here do for Halloween but there are only 10 or 11 kids on the island, my own included, so I brought one bag of candy for T or T'ers and glow in the dark bracelets for the teenagers. In my novel this year, people are very austere considering it was greed the ruined the old world, so I doubt they'd do anything fancy for a holiday...I mean, they can't even drink to excess by law so...candy is probably too wasteful.

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Lexicon — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:08:05 +0100

Halloween...this year Youngest decided to be a mime. I have no idea what brought this on, but we bought him a new pair of church pants, a white long sleeve t and a $3.00 black beenie hat. We already owned the black vest and shoes. With white face creme, his total costume came to $5.00. Watching him watch You Tube videos and mimic them as he learned how to act his part? Priceless. Seriously, DH and and I pulled up a couch cushion, sipped some wine and watched him like a television set. I'm sure there was nothing on the air that could have compared to the belly laughs we got that night. Can't wait to see him blow up balloons and hand them over in exchange for treats and sign off with a low bow and a flourish. Middle is a zombie. Total cost: $3.00 for face paint. We ripped up an old t-shirt and pair of jeans, cut the toes out of an old pair of sneakers and threw them all in the mud. So glad my kids are low maintanance.

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mr1 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:15:36 +0100

being related/friends to most of the people living on my street Halloween was a big-ish deal when we were kids. The adults stayed home and the kids (youngest accompanied by older siblings/cousins) roamed the streets. I loved that feeling of freedom, the safe-scary exhilaration, running in the dark, pumpkin flashlight held up like a torch. And the candy. OK, mostly the candy. :-) Angelina has requested admittance into the dares. She really wants to inhabit a 'good' novel - not the crap I spewed (she has creator-issues...). mr ps - the addition of her wet cell phone was brilliant. loved it.

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goitaly — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:46:19 +0100

Halloween is a pretty big deal around here. We will go over to my ex's neighborhood to trick or treat. My daughter (age 13) wants to be Bellatrix LeStrange. And my son (age 11) will be a zombie. My favorite house in my ex's neighborhood has candy for the kids and warm-ups for the grown ups. You have your choice of white wine, red wine, or spirits. Love that house. :-)

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goitaly — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:47:04 +0100

Oops, didn't mean to hit reply. Sorry about that.

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Alenahope — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:59:58 +0100

No nesting! Wheres my paddle? *searches her purse*

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Mindie — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:02:34 +0100

Everyone I know has a zombie this year. Must be a trend of some sort. There will be a princess Leah (me), Hans Solo (Hus), Pink bat girl (6), Optimus Prime (5), Tinkerbell (4), and a cute teddy bear for the 18 month old. Mr- My memories are like yours. Running free in our neighborhood at night on Halloween. We would play kick the can with the whole block to hide in. Great times. My kids will never have that. Our neighborhood has 6 homes with a mile radius of nothing. Lexi- The mime idea is truly great. Especially for a teen.

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Realmling — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:11:02 +0100

I'm a nutter escaped from the loony bin this year. Figured it would fit in well with the theme for this year's haunted house of a Mad Scientist's Lab. MS dude has to get ingredients for experiments somewhere, right? What better place than a loony bin! I'm just stoked that my mommy was nice enough to sew it for me (I didn't ask for more than to borrow her kitchen table to cut it out cause hers is longer than mine) ... I did so much sewing for last year's costumes I was sick of my sewing machine and haven't touched it since. Not even the brand new one I bought myself as a present. I just have to hope I have enough volunteers to fill everything else out. Because I'm so not that entertaining if I'm the only one.

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Alenahope — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:31:55 +0100

Realmiling, you are going to be exhausted come the stroke of midnight and the start of NaNo.

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Elfwriter23 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:47:40 +0100

MR, I have a character from last year's novel (in this year's as well) named Angel. She kicks butt, takes names, and frightens the bejeebers out of things that frighten the bejeebers out of everyone else. All the guys in her little group of coworkers love her. I think bodily harm might occur if one of them told her to get her wet butt moving...

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Realmling — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:42:26 +0100

Alena -- I always manage to stay up and get a few words written. Usually takes me some time to wind down after it anyway, even with as exhausted as I end up. But I've taken that whole week off regular work so I can relax and write (though the stupid college musical starts the 4th...but I can still sit and write in the lobby while I do that job).

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Lexicon — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:46:45 +0100

Thanks, Mindie. The best part is that our mime is 7. Which makes it freakin' hilarious. I loved trick-or-treating as a kid. We lived in California where it was warm and you could actually see the costumes. No freedom, though. The whole kidnapping thing was a prominant theme in my parent's lecture notes. My poor kids have trick-or-treated in snowpants some years. Hard to look cute in fairy wings and winter jackets. The upside? Rural Minnesota = much more freedom. It's kinda hard to fit too many snowpants' clad kids into one car without looking like the kidnapper you are.

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skneal — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:58:59 +0100

Ooooh you guys!!! I just figured out my short synopsis... granted it'll probably change once November hits, but still, it's a start!!! YAY!!! *so excited*

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Mindie — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:46:03 +0100

Lexi- Oops! sorry. Yeah I can see how him being 7 makes it even funnier. LOL Kids are great for that.

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mr1 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:39:51 +0100

OK, now I have a visual of Staypuff-marshmallow type snowpants bursting forth from a white van (why were they always WHITE vans??) - pulled over by a cop... There should be a punchline, but I just can find one. Another 'priceless' day at work (as in, can't pay me enough). But, I am off to the Bruins game! Hope they turn things around tonight, because one more pathetic game and I am GOING to the DRESSING ROOM to have a CHAT with them.

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angitiger — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:15:26 +0100

On a total side note, I'm wasting my breath trying to explain to my dog that the cookies that I just took out of the oven are not for him. Tony says, "but I'm so cute and adorable and won't leave you alone until you give me those good smelling cookies." Angi says, "no tony they have chocolate and you can't have chocolate." Tony says, "Ya but I'm good with the effects. I want a cookie now." Really maybe I should have a roommate beside my dog lol This all went on while I'm trying to catch up on reading the forums I'm supposed to be modding.

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skneal — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:01:18 +0100

Angitiger - you can't even SAY the word 'cookie' around my house, not only will Mina and Vlad (my two puppies) come running over, my husband gets a faraway look in his eye and starts drooling. *sigh* That's not going to stop me from making Bailey's Chocolate Chip cookies next week through! (I'll just have to make them early enough that they are completely cool by the time hubster gets home, and I can hide them in my super-secret-cookie- hiding place.) MR - I can totally see you walking into the locker room with all those nice young semi-dressed hockey players and taking a stick to their backsides! LOL! And I think Angelina wants to go with you so she can properly oooh and ahh over their splendid forms. Right before she asks... "what's hockey?"

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Alenahope — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:59:56 +0100

mmmmm....cookies...*drooools* Derp, more keyboard damage, and November has not even begun. If you say cookie in my dog its like a pavlov's response, she starts growing these long slimy strings of drool and follows your every move with her buggy eyes. Its pretty funny. Especially when you don't actually have a cookie for her. Guess whats on tv right now...the GOONIES! RICH STUFF! I'm still home sick, and its a good thing too because I live right next to the runway and my uncle sent a *ahem* care package out for me on a charter (the plane was chartered by hunters, not just for the care package). A bb gun, pellets, two papa murphy pizzas and a bag of red peppers. Ya...pretty random. I'm assuming the bb gun is for the birthday boy, but it also could be for shooting rats because we are overrun with them.

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Realmling — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:00:43 +0100

Thankfully you guys all know I'm crazy already....but I am so excited to have found this today. I didn't even know it was available, and I certainly can't have a hole in my collection when I have everything else. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005M695TE/ref=dm_ty_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1319154617&sr=1-1 Now to just wait for it to finish downloading so I can go run through a haunted hobbit burrow. =)

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Elfwriter23 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:03:12 +0100

If you want to keep the dog, or the husband, out of the freshly-baked cookies next time, you could have a cheeseburger ready to throw in the opposite direction. Should give you at least ten seconds to get the cookies out and into a safe place.

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Alenahope — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:09:41 +0100

Realmling, do they have a 5150 hold in your state? Because you might be a candidate for it.

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RuncibleSpoon — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:29:15 +0100

skneal - It's the same around here with ANY baked goods. If I even mention cookies or cheesecake, not only is everyone in the house making puppy dog eyes, but the nearby family also seems to stop over to visit a lot more! I think *I'm* drooling at the thought of Bailey's Chocolate Chip cookies now, though! Sounds absolutely delicious! I've given up even trying to plan for Halloween. I'm ALWAYS sick for it. It never fails - whether it's an old injury acting up to the point I'm stuck in bed or catching the latest bug to travel around Atlanta, there's always something. Don't know whether it's the change in the weather or something to do with the date and other things happening around the same time, but something always gets me. I just try to enjoy the pretty Fall colors before it and wait patiently for the candy to go on sale for half price after! I'm sitting here realizing I've done absolutely NO planning for NaNo other than to come up with a list of possible ideas that keeps growing. I'm not sure if this is a bad thing or a good thing - I won by flying by the seat of my pants last year, so I'm kind of afraid to jinx it. I know some dares I want to work into my story, but at this point I still have no clue what I'm writing about or even what software I want to use for it this year. As much as I enjoy being spontaneous, maybe it's time to at least trim down the list of possible ideas a bit, otherwise when 12:00 hits on the 1st I'll be staring at a blank screen for the whole month! I should probably be working on that now, but I'm too busy putting off founding the American Society of Procrastinators!

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CarolinaWriter — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:06:28 +0100

Realmling - Ya gotta love Bill! "She Blinded Me WIth Science" brought tears to my eyes :)

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Realmling — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:38:45 +0100

Alena -- say wha? I have no idea what that is....but I'm blissfully ignorant on many a subject anyway... I haven't listened to it yet. Had a friend link Iron Man on Facebook and didn't need to listen to the whole song before I had that baby bought and downloading. =)

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Morticia — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:53:15 +0100

So far I am still winnowing down my too long list of how this thing should start out. Of course heaven knows that will only last for about the first day because once I get all the preconceived garbage out of the way the real place this is going will finally show up and the other stuff will never see the light of day. BTW-what happened to using HTML tags on forums? M

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Morticia — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:00:13 +0100

Realmiling - she's referring to an Involuntary Psych Hold. 5150 is the California code name. Different states have different quidelines ranging from 72 hours to 14 days and can be renewed. My ex went through two 18 years apart. That was enough for me. M

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Alenahope — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:10:49 +0100

Realmling, Morticia is correct, involuntary psych hold. You be needin' it.

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skneal — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:07:20 +0100

Ooooh that 5150 thing sounds in-ter-esting..... may need to check it out! hmmm that may need to be put in a book somewhere.... not sure if it's going to be in this NaNo, but I'm making notes! :-)

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skneal — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:47:19 +0100

Don't worry Realmling - I'll be in the cell right next to you, coloring on the walls with crayons between my toes. :-D

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Alenahope — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:34:55 +0100

coloring on the walls with crayons between your toes while listening to spoken song by William Shatner. *cringes* It's almost as bad as anything by Tim Curry (who's teeth give me nightmares...also, night mares).

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:45:54 +0100

Rocky Horror Picture show? For shame. The man was a hoot. Qub

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Morticia — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:18:25 +0100

QUB - have you been nesting again?

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Morticia — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:29:44 +0100

Random question: Anybody watching Sweet Home Alabama 2? (disclaimer: I am assuming the answer is no but thought I would ask anyway.) And: -yes, I'm asking for a reason. (distantly related to one of the females) -no, I didn't watch it last night. (but yes, she apparently survived round one; and yes, that was an eye roll) M

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Morticia — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:43:56 +0100

Wow, I love being on Eastern time; it means I can get a word in edgewise before the west coast gets their second cup of coffee. Anyway, I do not think this project will be fiction. My past three projects for NaNo have been inspired by personal and family history but the larger portion of the text and dialogues were fictitious since either I was not born yet, or I was too young to remember, or I wasn't privy to the actual event/discussion. That said I still plan to hang here. I spent some time reading a couple of the Rebel thread groups; and while I can relate to their writing projects I did not find any relational glue to allow me to be transparent about my project and process which I feel I need to keep moving forward. Also those threads are so serious (probably because their pain is still so raw) but I need humor in general for my process and in particular a group who can safely help me laugh at myself. So that is all, for now. M (pulling bag over head and slinky off screen)

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Realmling — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:34:20 +0100

There was a sequal to SHA? I didn't even know there was a #2. Was it any good? Tim Curry has an awsome voice (and the man looked better in corset and garters than I ever will...unfortunately). I love him in Muppet Treasure Island. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Nb4voFm30 I've got cabin fever! I've got it tooo! That's just fine. As long as they feed me at least three times a day, and maybe a snack inbetween for good behavior, I'll take my Shatner and my padded cell. I won't have to worry about much in there. Except, they'd probably take away my crochet hooks and my yarn...not sure if I could handle that right now. It's about the only thing keeping me in one piece.

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angitiger — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:43:07 +0100

Funny side note..... My ex convinced them to hold me on a 5150( I think it's called something else here but I don't remember they kept me pretty drugged.) so he could do some really bad bad things. I just laugh about it and say that I really do have a certification in crazy.... PS they found me sane and I was disappointed. Now there goes my insanity plea.

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angitiger — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:44:10 +0100

And thanks Realming for getting that song stuck in my head. That's the only muppet movie I like.

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Realmling — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:58:03 +0100

You're very very welcome. =) I love that song....It's the best muppet movie ever made. All hail Polly the lobster!

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angitiger — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:06:59 +0100

Dead Tom is dead!!!!!

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Mindie — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:14:20 +0100

Morticia- I love how you called it "relationship glue". I've found that it's more about the glue in this thread than about common writing projects. Also, humor is the only way that I deal with the painful past. Otherwise, the whole process is like reliving it all over again. My X was held on a 5150 for two weeks after we were married for 6 weeks. Then they sent him home to live with me again. WTF! He should have been held there much much longer. Apparently I made him completely insane. I was so young and stupid. How do you make a marriage work after he tries to stab you??????? I totally thought I could just get rid of all the knives in my house and make it work. Can anyone say denial? I will be doing the busy bee dance of cleaning house today. Side questions, Has anyone ever written steampunk before? If so, what was the setting? Does it have to be in the 1900 if it's a whole new made up world?

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:16:15 +0100

NESTING ?

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Realmling — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:47:54 +0100

You've gone and created a new planet Mindie? If that's the case, you can have your steampunk story set whenever you darn well feel like it. Though now I've got the urge to watch Steamboy again. Or Metropolis, though that's a little different.

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angitiger — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:39:12 +0100

I made up my own planet. It rocks but that's for my fantasy novels. Who knows what I'll do with those. I've never written steampunk but quite of few of the my wrimos write it. hmmm darn I have to go to work now. I had the whole morning off and got to sleep in and everything. I feel that it's harder to go to work in the afternoon but that's just when I have patients today. sigh.... well off to drop tony off at doggie daycamp then on my way to go rub naked people....... hehehehhe

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skneal — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:49:04 +0100

Oooh I love reading steampunk! If anyone is interested, Meljean Brook has an AWESOME series in her Iron Seas world. The first is a short story called "Here There be Monsters" and a full length book called "The Iron Duke". Just FYI these are also romance. And Mindie - if it's set in a different world, your rules are your own. Go for it! *wanders off to find steampunk to read before NaNo.* QUB - nesting is replying to a specific post instead of replying at the end of the thread. We had agreed early in the game not to nest, as posts may be missed that way.

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skneal — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:53:21 +0100

angi - did I read that right? You rub naked people? As in massage therapy? or chiropractic therapy?

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:02:16 +0100

Soo sorree, Mistress. Just a dumb lurker. Must try harder. Qub

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:03:38 +0100

Have I just done it again? Okay really am dumb lurker. Going to add another thousand words to pre nano as punishment before going to bed. Qub - I'm so ashamed.

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angitiger — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:30:45 +0100

Hey dear go to the bottom of the page to reply instead of hitting reply... Thanks ;) And yet my other job is massage therapy. Last I checked my boss did his treatments fully clothed lol.. I work for a chiropractor. I just got some sad news though.. My moms dog had to be put down. He was old and sick and she's really upset. I jsut talked to my dad and he's sad too. He didn't even "Like" the dog. (secretly he liked him and my dog too he just won't admit it) Anyhoo my really happy mood just went out the window.

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skneal — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:42:37 +0100

((HUGS)) angi!

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Mindie — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:47:01 +0100

Ang- so sad. Even with pets, we go through a mourning process. Everyone goes through them differently. Even though it's odd, a "final remarks" ceremony may help. Steampunk here I come. Steph- I'll read those, they sound great! Time for some Tim Burton, Nightmare before Christmas.

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Alenahope — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:46:15 +0100

Angi, so sorry, hate it when animals pass, its just so damn sad. I had to go to work today. Flu not quite gone but whatever. I'll just spread the lovey germs to all the patients. A guy came in with bedbug bites today! EW! I'm going to wash and dry everything on me in super hot water/heat. If my clothes shrink, I'll just lose weight (read: buy new clothes). Bettlejuice is on TV right now...another all time favorite. I love October TV!!! Dammit, I can't pay attention to anything with this show on.

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mr1 — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:48:11 +0100

AHHHHHHHH Shatner talk-singing (I am SOOOOO behind). Bruins game went well so I did not *have* to visit the locker room. Take that as you will (and I know where some of you are taking it). Work was a continuation of hell. Guess it evens out. Now I have two days to catch up on writing/critiquing on the other site I joined/cleaning the house/and what's that other thing? With the closing of the eyes? Angitiger - sorry about the dog.

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goitaly — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:20:14 +0100

Angitiger - so sorry to hear about the dog. That is very sad.

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Elfwriter23 — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:08:16 +0100

I'm sorry for your loss, Angi. (((hugs)))

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angitiger — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:29:39 +0100

Awww thanks guys. It's more my mom that is upset. I haven't heard from her today. I only talked to my dad when he answered her phone earlier. So I'm guessing she is really upset. Seeing how I live on the other end of the country from them it's hard to go see her. Oh well.. I also had really good news today mixed in with the bad so it all evened out. Maybe I shouldn't be typing at near midnight lol I'm starting not to make sense anymore.

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caiknbake — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 10:17:16 +0100

hi again! catching up on two days i missed - 85 new posts (!). it's pretty late, so i'll try to be brief... angi - so sorry to hear about your mom's dog :( losing a pet can be so hard... alena - hope you feel better soon! i felt a cold coming on last night and so loaded myself up with emergen-C. seems to be working so far, knock on wood. realmling - gah, shatner!!! my live-in mister (just bf, not husband) got that for his birthday a week ago from one of our friends. i've been out of town this week, and i'm wary that he's going to play it on repeat when i get home....it makes my brain hurt! O.o MR - love the "romance" story!!! i think this could go places ;) runcie - your handle is awesome! did you pick it up from kill dr. lucky? also, welcome! i'm also a newb to the hatters (and the 30s) this year, and i have to say i find myself much more at home here than i ever did in the 20s forum. i love hearing everyone's halloween stories! i've been pretty boring and not dressed up the last few years, because we don't get trick or treaters and i don't really have a good place to wear my costume out to. i miss dressing up, though! i think this isn't the year for it, though...on top of nanowrimo i'm trying to prepare for an audition that's smack in the middle of november, so those two things need to take priority right now. maybe next year i'll have a good costume idea. also, yay smut! yay quotable '80s movies! yay for giving writers the respect they deserve! yay cookies! k, maybe this wasn't as brief as it could have been. but it was 85 posts' worth of response! finally, this is 100% relevant on the topic of relationship glue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fycGFGSeKpc

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Morticia — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:57:53 +0100

Angi - virtual hugs to your mom. My cat Misty died in Feb completely unexpectedly and I still haven't fully recovered. Caik - no problem with long posts; brevity is way over-rated. Question - Are we opening a separate challenges/dares thread like we did in '09? (I was on sabbatical last year so I don't know what was done.) I'm off to an alumni event. I don't usually do alumni stuff but my university dept is celebrating its first major anniversary and receiving a national award. Plus I haven't been to campus since things went left of center at home and I would like to say hi to several of my favorite professors. I wish is weren't homecoming but it wasn't an option to schedule it for a different weekend. M

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Realmling — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:45:48 +0100

Nobody should ever have to listen to anything they don't want to. Hence headphones were invented. Thus those of us who rock out to Alice Cooper and/or Will Shatner can go on our merry way without disrupting those around us. =) And if the other person refuses to put on said headphones, then you beat them with their cd/mp3player/whatever might be available at the moment. I've apparently done too much crochet recently...though not really...cause my hands have gone all stay-puft marshmello on me. Makes it less fun to type, so I guess I'll have to lay off a little in Nov. =(

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Morticia — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:08:54 +0100

Hey, Hatter alumns. Has anyone heard from DearChoice yet this year? I think she invented the Febreze dares.

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Mindie — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 22:09:30 +0100

I'm sketching out my antagonist and having trouble. Do they have character arcs? I don't want the bad guy to win in the end, but I do want a well rounded antagonist. Sorta stuck here. I'm looking at a few of my favorite bad guys and I see that they come close to achieving a character arc, but ultimately fail in the end. So I'm thinking that there is not a character arc, or there was a character arc and it just never is fulfilled. I just want a smart, believable bad guy.

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Morticia — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 22:37:17 +0100

Mindie - I don't think the concept of character arc is as narrow as you imply you're applying it to sound out your bad guy. Character arc (from my understanding) is simply the "natural" development of the character to adapt or respond to developments in flow of the story. Just as every person and equally every story character can learn or grow or mature; they can also refuse to learn or grow or mature as an outgrowth of their basic personality and acquired traits. The heart of the matter is does the character ring-true as he or she proceeds through the story and the decisions or choices the plot brings to him or her. I know many people who are cultured, have good taste, impeccable manners, and socially charismatic but secretly they are bad to the bone and not to turn your back on. A believable fictional character can be created within this sort of character arc as well. Does that help? I think it just does feel impossible from this advance perspective.

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Mindie — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:52:03 +0100

Hmmmmmm........... I'm really trying to grasp what you're saying.

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Morticia — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:56:18 +0100

Mindie - I'll try to find a way or a link to clarify what I wrote. In the meanwhile, I think (based on your earlier question post) that you are under the impression that character arcs must move toward the character having a light go on about their bad or selfish or immature behavior in other words become a better person. The short point of my comment is that character arcs can move in many directions but only need to be consistent with the story line and the general qualities instilled initially within the character as to the process in the story of how they transform across or through their arc. M

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Mindie — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 06:06:33 +0100

Okay, that's a lot clearer. Thanks. I think I can sketch this out now.

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Morticia — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:03:52 +0100

Mindie - This is a link to the blog of a writing coach and editor-for-hire who blogs about novel writing and characters; and is active in NaNoWriMo. http://www.plottopunctuation.com/blog/index/character%20arc M (I really miss being able to code links.)

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Morticia — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:17:45 +0100

character arc This is a link test. that's why it's nested. According to the Site FAQ forum this is supposed to work. And it finally works.

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caiknbake — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:18:58 +0100

thanks for that link, morticia! i think that will be really helpful...i also tend to have issues with characterization, but this year i am focusing on fixing that!

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Morticia — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:56:49 +0100

Caik - You're welcome. I think character is a fairly common issue at NaNo unless the author has the experience and time to plot each character's arc in advance. Writing so fast there is often the choice between syncing character or getting the dialogue down. I liked this blogger because she was NaNo experienced, her site was topical, and she had a welcoming tone to her prose. All - We're close to the final week countdown. What's on your list of stuff to finish before NaNo begins? Mine feels endless. The wardrobe has to get out of the garage and into my studio. I have an important letter (opting out of a class action suit) to write and mail before Wednesday. Nail down my opening for the start of NaNo. A stack of sewing to finish (mostly repairs and alterations). And clean the house (bonus points for washing the front windows). M

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Mindie — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:37:34 +0100

Thanks again M. I need to re-write my outline for the 5th time and polish up the steampunk elements. Then I'm going to transfer it to a large poster board above my computer so that I can look at it at a glance. Other than that, I'm not sure what else I'll need to do to prepare, this being my first time. I will have to learn what I need as I go. Next year, I'm not even going to think about Nano until the week before. I still need a totem.

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Realmling — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:38:32 +0100

I still have a turkey hat to finish....a beat sheet to fill out so I have some idea of what I'm writing...a haunted house to redesign, submit and attempt to put together at the end of the week since everything went and changed on me last minute (not such a happy camper about it this year)...and hope I don't have anymore emotional freak outs this week. Oh yeah, and get a hair cut, so I won't be fussing or fighting with it next month. Though maybe not because I think it's going to end up shorter than I like to get away from this angled bob that's grown out. Can I get a pause button? I'd seriously love to just pause everything around me for a few days. And I think I have a new writing totem. I just designed a new crochet doll this weekend (she goes with my halloween costume). So I think Creepy Clara will be able to keep me on track. If I can resist playing with her...she's so cute!

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skneal — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:51:41 +0100

Let's see, I still have to... finish December's story and edit it edit November's story; finish Konstantin's questionaire; write his back story; work on Natasha's backstory; figure out how they meet at the beginning of the book; tidy my side table in the library/writing den; make bailey's chocolate chip cookies; decorate the foyer and finish decorating the yard; figure out costume for mad-men party; figure out costume for Halloween; sew remaining 10+ pillows and ship them to their new home; tidy the kitchen; Oh and next tuesday, I get to take down and put away ALL the Halloween decorations (while trying to get the words going). Oh and I forgot... I've also got a "meet 'n greet" for my local NaNo group on Wednesday. I do, however, have plenty of chocolate, tea, snacks, and music, so it's not all stress and panic. :-) *stretching the whipping arm muscles* [//////]-------_____--------_____----------_____----------**** The Steph (tm)

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Elfwriter23 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:08:55 +0100

I need to make a Sexy Turkey Tiara (I don't knit but I haz mad beadworking skillz.) I want to finish a short story. I need to make some jewelry to sell during November and December. I have to pack many several dozen boxes, because we're buying a house and moving right in the middle of November. Eep.

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goitaly — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:47:05 +0100

Let's see, I need to clean my house, since I probably won't get much of that done during November. I need to get a haircut. I need to make sure I have enough coffee, Diet Coke, and snacks in the house. I need to finish up some more of the Christmas knitting. And, I am spending a week in Toronto over Thanksgiving, so once we start, I need to try to get ahead of things in the word count.

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Morticia — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:53:11 +0100

Oh man, just reading y'alls' lists wears me out. Of course not so long ago they would've guilted me out. But since my divorce was finalized in 09 I've dropped all the overachiever stuff because it only sucked up my time, wore me out, and made me grouchy. Well, maybe it's an age thing? Whatever. Good luck in all your pre-NaNo pursuits. As for me, I'm trying to figure out if I can take something off my list. M

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Elfwriter23 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:48:05 +0100

So, you are denying that you are, in fact, Wonder Woman? I think you're just trying to make us think we have not discovered your super-secret identity. You just don't want to let us borrow your invisible airplane, is that it?

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Realmling — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:50:09 +0100

I miss Wonder Woman's invisible jet. You hardly see it in the comics anymore. =( Random burst of words in my brain. sorry...

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estaratshirai — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:53:46 +0100

Oh. Oh oh! This year my plot is crack-laden enough that I can really imagine working the turkey hat in somewhere. All righty! I'm good to go. :3

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Elfwriter23 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:57:37 +0100

Well, it is hard to see. Being that it's invisible, and all.

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mr1 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:46:46 +0100

invisible, can't see, hahahahahaha Morticia, take it all off - the list. :-) I need to get some candy corn - perform a blood sacrifice - shake this horrible negative vibe on the electronics (two laptop crashes, dead cell phone, and dead-but-revived MP3 player...in just the last two days). And get more candy corn. MR

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:18:52 +0100

That is just creepy-freaky. Which electronic gods did you tick off?

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Morticia — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:10:15 +0100

Ah jeepers. You mean Wonder Woman has an invisible jet? They said I'd live to regret declining those reality TV offers. grumble-grumble But speaking of reality TV; Realmling I missed replying to your comment about Sweet Home 2. Yes there is a SHA2. I didn't see the first, not watching 2 (well, I have a FB backstory pass which is better). This one is reversed, the guy (Tristen(?) anyway last season's loser (no exaggeration there, he is no prize) is getting to pick from 11 city and 11 country girls. Already it is turning into one long cat fight. I don't really know how my cousin's clueless daughter (not my words) got on the show. I know her real background according to her grandmother and it ain't nothing like the description on her official show FB page (and she has her personal and anything but private FB page running simultaneously and linked - are the producers nuts?) MR - I hope my recent electronic flu didn't spread your way. Anyway, it's been a long day and I need to call it a night. M

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Mindie — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:17:37 +0100

I just got all the kids to bed. It's been a long day. S.O. is working late and I'm bored out of my mind. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of work to do, I'm just exhausted. I made 4 batches of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies today for my church and they look like cat poop! I am NOT going to re-do them! I also scorched a batch of pumpkin seeds. One minuet they were almost ready and the next they were black and smokey. I have yet to make pumpkin seeds that turn out. My 18 month old is teething too. Oh, and the bird got out (which means that my 6 year old left the cage open). The cat hasn't had that much exercise in maybe a year. Alas, I get to relax and work on my outline just a bit more. Thank heavens for NaNoWriMo. Realmling and goitaly- A hair cut sounds nice. Hell, I think I'll shave my hair off! That would be REALLY nice. Elf- Good luck on the move. Don't use trash bags when the boxes run out. Trust me! Mr- Blood Sacrifice? Maybe you should lay off the candy corn.

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Realmling — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:11:26 +0100

Morticia -- I didn't even know it was a reality tv show. If we don't have it on dvd, I don't bother much anymore. I thought there was a sequel to that movie with Reese Witherspoon of the same name. /blush I should have been outlining tonight. But Creepy Carla needs a friend so I started designing Freaky Filbert. Y'all ... I might be in need of an intervention at some point.

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:06:59 +0100

Different Chex flavors + pretzels + salted peanuts = a primitive, no-bake form of Chex Mix that has much less fat and salt because I was too impatient to add the tasty ingredients with fat and salt in them. Mindie - Thanks and LOL on the trash bags. I don't think I've used those to move since college, when I had only a few bags' worth of stuff. We're using liquor boxes. Every few days, we go to a liquor store, make with the sad, puppy dog eyes and beg for boxes. One of our friends saw the enormous mountain of liquor boxes in our dining room, and apparently having never used liquor boxes to move before, asked us if we drank a lot. Adorable!

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skneal — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:54:54 +0100

Elf - good luck with the move! MR - I think you need to sacrifice a few of the candy corns to the electronics gods... or maybe they were upset because you were worshiping the hockey gods. Morticia - _I_ always thought you were wonder woman, invisible jet or not! Less than one week to go! [////]------__-----____-------_____--------***

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Mindie — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:11:46 +0100

Warg! Today is a mess. Less than one week? REALLY? It feels like time is dripping by like molasses. Does anyone mind if I just crawl into a hole and sleep until November arrives? Working on my totem today.

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Morticia — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:18:39 +0100

Oh man, where do I start? Apologies if I mis- or miss an @. SHA - There was a movie? with Reese? Totally missed that; but then again maybe it wasn't much of a loss. Maybe I need to check the new DVD section at the library more frequently just to improve my awareness levels? Elf - as students at The Point (back in the day) we always hit up the liquor stores for boxes. After all da Burgh has plenty of them, at least 2 or 3 on every corner. Well, back then I think they cost the store to have them hauled away whereas now they might get paid for the cardboard. Anyway, don't take the grumbling/cursing personally it's just part of the local colorful commentary. As for the unembellished Chex Mix, you don't have to excuse your presumed laziness when moving gives you the perfect out in "Apparently the salt and butter got put in a moving box"; and "the oven has already been cleaned." Nobody's even going to blink at that. Steph - Some others have had that impression or at least preferred that things be that way; although really I think Fairy Godmother would have been more accurate in that case. But alas, I too am but a mere mortal with only enough super-powers for my own life like everybody else. MR - I remember as a kid liking candy corn and couldn't get enough and always found somebody happy to trade for licorice laces or Good'n'Plenty which I thought were just nasty. Today, I go for the Smarties or the Almond Joy or the 5th Avenue (which are darn hard to find and they took the almonds off!). I also like peanut butter cups but even Hershey's dark are too mild and Trader Joes are better. At dinner last night my GF and I were talking about Trick or Treat when we were kids in the mid 60s. It lasted a whole week, parents never went, there were real homemade candied apples, baggies of homemade caramel corn, and none of this "snack size" nonsense you got full-sized candy bars. Rats, now I want Chex Mix and have nothing to make it with. Okay, I have to go work on my list for a while. Hugs all, M

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Realmling — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:13:15 +0100

All you chex mix people have me craving puppy chow now. Well, all but my lovely heartburn...though I think I'd put up with it for a few handfulls. Movie Linky for Morticia: Sweet Home Alabama

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:56:51 +0100

I like living in Da Burgh better than where I used to live. Bars on every corner ain't bad. And I like me some pierogie. Where I used to live, for some bizarre reason, there were lots of funeral homes. LOTS of them. More than seemed normal. And the cemeteries were HUGE. Now that I think about it, that needs to go in one of my ghost stories. Speaking of which...MR, my computer wasn't working when I got up this morning. Is that electronic flu contagious? (Um...or did it have to do with the ghost story, based on real events, that I just started to write last night?) Couldn't have had ANYTHING to do with the fifty-seven windows I had open, I'm sure of it.

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:50:46 +0100

Not been keeping up ladies as Boris (five) fell sick during the weekend, and because I whinged like a kid, my family bought me a netbook to keep me quiet. So please say hello to (mini) Boris. He will be assisting me in my lurking duties during Nano. Besides the monkey, what other dares have you got for me? Qub

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goitaly — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:39:21 +0100

OMG less than a week to go? I am doomed. What writing software do you guys use? I have been looking at the free offers and considering my options. I tried Scrivener one year and didn't like it much. I like the idea of yarny, probably because of the name (yarny=yarn=knitting=happy) but I am not sure I like the idea of my novel being out there in the internets somewhere. So far my other efforts are in good old Microsoft Word. But I am open to suggestions if anybody has any. Thanks Oh, and now I want chex mix too.

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Realmling — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:55:18 +0100

I don't use anything special, just OpenOffice on my netbook and that's it. Everything else goes into a composition book for notes and other such details because I'm weird and would rather have a few bits of paper to thumb through on various background details than having all this extra stuff open on the screen. Maybe if I wrote on my main machine with it's nice big monitors, but I'd much rather get comfy on the couch with the netbook.

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:24:36 +0100

Open Office. I wouldn't want my novel out on teh internets somewhere, either. So I don't put it out there.

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Morticia — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:03:46 +0100

I have Word so that's my weapon of choice for my Chapters and the consolidated version for final word count. Like Realmling I like to use a paper notebook for notes and brainstorming even though I have a new mega monitor this year. Maybe I'm ultra cautious but I would not try to write fast on software I was unfamiliar with; someone else might have a different view. Where or how does everybody back up their WIP? I use a WD external HD. Elf - da Burgh is better than lots of places, especially in the past 10 or so years. But I'm just not a metropolitan kind of girl. I have lived in and near the city in my earlier life and have fond and less than fond memories plus a lot of family is still there so I poke fun at it in goodwill. REalmling - SHA the movie is um out there. M And QUB - I'm trying to be all sympathetic about your loss but really you got a new toy out of the deal.

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:21:38 +0100

Lets not talk about backing as per previous post. Everything I have ever written since the arrival of The Original Boris. A few scraps are on an external drive, but all my Nano prep has been locked away until I cry enough to get Boris sorted. Pity me hatters, pity the wretch. Qub

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mr1 — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:39:03 +0100

where to start? All electronics (seem) to be OK. Still no idea what went wrong - nothing new there. I attempted a blood sacrifice of a co-worker, but was stopped (who know it was illegal!) and so turned to the Red Cross to donate some blood (my own this time). Sadly, I was low on iron and had to re-schedule...for Nov. 2. A dilemma, no? This will entail missing many writing hours (the blood drive is on my niece's college campus, and I offered to take her to lunch). Boxes: when I moved last Feb my nephew - who works at the supermarket - FILLED his family garage with boxes for me (and wasn't my sister pleased to be inundated with boxes in January). He also helped pack my books (angling for a really good birthday present this year). HELLO MINI BORIS!! I like Open Office - but I have noted discrepancies in the word count (OO thinks you have more than the official NaNo counter). I'm sure there I'm missing something (oh look, my brain, that's where it went) mr

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skneal — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:39:50 +0100

Okay... here's a story... Hubster works as a software engineer. He came home on Friday pissed as can be. Apparently there was a McAfee update and now McAfee uses over 50% of the CPU processes. Unfortunately working on his flight software, compiling code usually takes about 60% of CPU processes. So instead of taking 10 min to compile, it's taking HOURS. (Which if you're on deadline... SUCKS) Yesterday he came home and said it took over 2 hours to UNINSTALL the McAfee update. He said it was like a monster, getting it's claws into everything. (And according to McAfee website only a small percentage of users will experience this... unfortunately they all happen to work with hubster.) Which leads me to today's Hatter PSA: Back-up your work, back up your work, back up your work. Via thumb drive, via external HD, via e-mail, or via Dropbox (nifty on-line storage place.) MAKE SURE TO BACK UP OFTEN! You do not want to be like the poor souls who wander the peripheries of NaNo, wordless, winless, all because they forgot to back up their work. Set your writing program to back up every 5-10 min and then at the end of every writing session, BACK UP ELSEWHERE. You won't be sorry you did. And please please please, don't try to install new software or update your OS during November. Bad things can happen. Also - consider sacrificing small animals/candies/cookies/booze to the electronic gods, so that what happened to MR and Qub, doesn't happen to YOU! *steps down off the soapbox*

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Morticia — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:03:39 +0100

Aack! What's up with the site? I mean yes, we're live; but where's the platform, what happened to Rails, where's everybody's Halos? Okay, I'm still waiting for mine but where's the existing ones? Steph did you piss off the McAfee gods? MR - blood-letting is blood-letting right? Another question for the old hands: Where's Joanie? Minnesota NaNos, any ideas? M

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Alenahope — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:05:46 +0100

I need to prepare my alter for NaNo sacrifices and offerings to the technology gods that will keep my computer functioning and to the lord and lady of productivity and motivation...however I'm still a few hundred miles away from home on the other island. I'm trying to finish up desperately quickly in the off chance that I can catch the Saturday flight home instead of the later Tuesday flight on the 1st...but...you can't rush a review or you miss important things. My college that is here with me fell ill yesterday and today, got my flu bug. Can't wait to get home. I'm having an insane craving. I feel the desperate need for a huge green salad, and unfortunately fresh veg is unheard of on this island. Frozen, sure, but you can't buy a frozen salad. I can't wait to get home and eat a big huge green veggie salad. I feel like I'm slowly dying inside without.

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skneal — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:56:53 +0100

Alena - I hope you're able to fly home Saturday! Wishing you a fabulous review! And because I'm just a teensy bit evil... (stop laughing!) I give you the song that will be stuck in your head the rest of the day! (this was stolen about 5 years ago from a creative NaNo soul... sadly I don't remember who) I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist I've got a plot, but not a lot; oh, characters, that's what I missed! I know the goal is volume, and I store plot points within a list From pirate sacking ninjas to cliched love triangle plot twists. I'm very well acquainted too with fight scenes, armed or with bare fists I've researched lots of history some real and some revisionist but if I run into a case where I just haven't any clue I'll make it up and write it down and just mindlessly continue I'm very good at padding, I can even work a dare or two I've got myself a rival but I'm still out looking for a muse The writing may not be coherent but I'm not one to get pissed I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist I check the forums hourly and post on "reaching fifty-k" for those who are desparing I post hugs and cheers 'most every day I go to write-ins now and then, to get some of my writing done When December rolls around it's time for TGIO party fun On weekends I procrastinate a bit until I comprehend that at the rate I'm going I just won't quite make it to the end. I end up questioning myself for signing up initially but the task is so absurd that I can just laugh maniacally I never try and edit, I avoid that task religiously Unless the plot I have runs out a couple thousand words early In short I have to forget about my inner perfectionist I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist It's gotten to the point where I feel pain when I use contractions It just adds a single word, but who knows how long the story runs? Time grows short, I cannot rest I've still got many words to write My characters are misbehaving and they're putting up a fight They think they can just mill around and do whatever they well please But we'll see who ends up laughing when I kill them off with ease That's not the best solution but I've no time to think strategies I will just keep on typing as the last of my sanity flees My family is worried since I haven't seen them in a week Oh no! my coffee has run out! more stimulants I've got to seek so long as I am able, that's to say that I can feel my wrists I am the very model of a NaNoWriMo Novelist

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cmcchesney — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:34:29 +0100

It actually is a complete coincidence that some of our staff is into knitting as well. So, my obviously biased suggestion, is for you to give Yarny a try.

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CarolinaWriter — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:29:38 +0100

Apparently someone had way too much time on their hands :) Just playing catch up from last week...whew! Now I want Chex Mix (the kind with the chocolate in it), a sexy turkey tiara, and WonderWoman's invisible jet. I thought I saw it parked somehwre around here... I have a plot crab named Claude and am getting a clay plot bunny from another NaNoWriMo! Less than a week to go before the fun begins!

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Elfwriter23 — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:47:29 +0100

ROTFLMAO!!!!!! I am going to print this out and post it next to the computer. I may even embellish it with beads.

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GreenFingers — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:20:54 +0100

OMG. I have soooooo much to catch up on. OMG. It's almost November 1! OMG! My life is so busy! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! Just wanted to report in. I am alive and well. I am going to catch up, I swear. :)

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Mindie — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:49:39 +0100

*Mindie peeked her head out from under the rock* Does anyone know if the "writing buddies" will be up and running by the time Nano starts?

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Lexicon — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:40:40 +0100

Or the forums personalization?

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mr1 — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:05:15 +0100

OK,. cleaned bathroom (and, can I get a virtual pat on the back for that?), ordered Christmas cards (really cool photos of cookies), found out JOSS WHEDON IS DOING 'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING' (went into geek-overload), and will be pumpkin carving this evening. I think I may be ready for November. (cue tension-filled music while the tasks I have obviously overlooked come creeping out) mr

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goitaly — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:33:58 +0100

mr1 - a round of applause for cleaning the bathroom. Would you like to come over and clean mine now? Thanks everyone for your thoughts about writing software. I think I will just stick with what I know. It makes life so much easier. My to-do list still looks about the same except I have added "Buy Chex Mix" to it.

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skneal — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:54:34 +0100

I get to cross "make bailey's cookies" off my list! Yay! And this afternoon I get to cross off "meet 'n greet" And I've sewn the pillow shells, just have to stuff 'em. :-) Progress is being made! Oh and does anyone have an idea for a second / third story for me to write? Thanks! The Steph (tm) (slowing getting a handle on her to-do list)

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Alenahope — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:31:41 +0100

Good job on all your accomplishments today. ON my to do list, dishes is at the top. We now have no forks or spoons and plates are becoming endangered. I hate dishes...this is why we always order take out and eat straight out of the containers with our hands at home. This island has no take out. So ready to go home. Sushi in now the first thing on my to do list when I de-plane.

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skneal — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:03:36 +0100

Sushi or salad? Or sushi salad??? :-)

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Morticia — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:41:46 +0100

Hey all. First I did not nest a comment last night; the site was really whacked out and I used what appeared to be the end comment slot but apparently it wasn't. Second, it doesn't matter now because we can select to read nested or flat so Yay. I hope it remembers my preference and I don't have to redo it tomorrow. Also, did y'all notice that starting today when you hover over "My NaNoWriMo" the dropbox includes at the end an Inbox waiting message prompt which is a double Yay. So now for my to do list; hmmm, do I remember what was on my to do list? Well, sort of: The opt out letter I decided at the last minute to not do since the whole thing is frivolous and should get thrown out anyway. I think we're moving the wardrobe tomorrow. But since it is also my GF's birthday that might get changed. That also means tomorrow night is spoken for as we're going out to dinner. Most of the cleaning is done, just a couple of tasks plus re-vacuuming. We're pretty tidy since it's just two of us and a small single coat dog and we usually do bathrooms on Sundays. The windows might get done on a different schedule. Then there's the sewing. Things are pinned but I haven't even opened the machine cabinet. Oh well. Yum, Bailey's cookies sound wonderful. My GF is consulting project manager for a rec trail about an hour away near a mom and pop kind of town. He picked up some homemade peanut brittle at one of the local lunch counters that was fabulous; it was light, lots of red skin peanuts, and crunch-able. No fear of breaking a crown. Steph - your song was too funny. And you're making how many pillows? Alena - So glad you'll be home for NaNo. (Oh dear The Steph will probably write a song about that now. (LoL). And finally, this was originally linked by our lovely GreenFingers on her blog but I guess she's busy catching up so I'll help out and post it here for her: Penguin Sweaters Enjoy. M

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mr1 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:10:02 +0100

Sorry, not cleaning anyone else's bathroom. I did a summer as a chambermaid, and I never, ever want to clean someone else's mess. Ever. I went from 18 to "my mother" in about six seconds, muttering, 'why can't these people fricking pick up after themselves!' Then there was the guest who, I swear, was part ape. Every morning I found a coating of hair all over the tub. Not just a disgusting mess at on the drain cover. A COATING ALL OVER. It was like the tub sprouted fur. Not, Goitaly, that I think you might have ape genes. But, I vowed after that summer I wouldn't clean another "not my own" bathroom. And a vow is a vow. Oh, Steph - how about a the maid who finds out her boss is a werewolf - evidence, the hairy bathtub. :-) mr

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goitaly — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:20:40 +0100

mr1 - I completely understand why you won't clean my bathroom. And regarding the guest with the hair all over the tub? That is beyond disgusting. I think I will make some of those Bailey's cookies for Christmas when I have more time. For now I have a bunch of frozen cookie dough that I bought from the school fundraiser. That will have to tide me over. And now it looks like I will be starting a new job soon, so yay. But wow, this November is going to be interesting...

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Elfwriter23 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:14:49 +0100

Congratulations on the job, Goitaly! MR, maybe the maid's boss isn't a werewolf...maybe there's a WERETUB! (An old-fashioned one with feet...that sprout claws during the full moon!)

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skneal — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:15:33 +0100

Uh-oh... I just found another yummy cookie recipe... Caramel-filled Chocolate Cookies INGREDIENTS 2 1/2cups Unbleached Flour 3/4cup unsweetened cocoa 1teaspoon baking soda 1cup sugar 1cup firmly packed brown sugar 1cup margarine or butter, softened 2teaspoons vanilla 2eggs 1cup chopped pecans 48Rolo® Chewy Caramels in Milk Chocolate, unwrapped (from 13-oz. pkg.) 1tablespoon sugar 4oz. vanilla-flavored candy coating, if desired DIRECTIONS 1 In medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; mix well. 2 In large bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, brown sugar and margarine; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs; beat well. Add flour mixture; blend well. Stir in 1/2 cup of the pecans. If necessary, cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes for easier handling. 3 Heat oven to 375°F. For each cookie, with floured hands, shape about 1 tablespoon dough around 1 caramel candy, covering completely. 4 In small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup pecans and 1 tablespoon sugar. Press one side of each ball into pecan mixture. Place, nut side up, 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. 5 Bake at 375°F. for 7 to 10 minutes or until set and slightly cracked. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes or until completely cooled. 6 Melt candy coating in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Drizzle over cookies.

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Morticia — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:44:26 +0100

MR - your hairy guest sounds like my brother. I hate when he comes to visit because there is hair everywhere and he uses more towels and hot water than the Titanic. Don't get me wrong, I love my brother and we have good times, but his visits were less work when I didn't have room for overnight guests and he got a room nearby. Also, I am a picker-upper; I will usually make the bed myself too unless I'm checking out. But my ex would always say "what are you doing? The maid gets paid to do that and we're here to have fun." He also thought tipping was a crock but I knew maids only got tip-minimum (about $2.75 back in the day) so I made sure I was last out and slipped the tip under the ashtray. Elf - I remember when I was about 8 years old we lived in a house for a year that had an enormous cast iron claw footed tub. It was really deep too as I couldn't see over the side when I was in it. Gee, I wonder if there's a photo somewhere? Probably in a box I haven't unpacked yet. Steph - I will never have the patience to make those cookies, but they do sound yummy. All - I don't do were-anythings. My brother who is a real skeptic (PhD you know) did post yesterday about a ghost in a paranormal research video which I think was on YouTube but at the moment I don't remember the link. Also, this year more of us seem to be in transition either just before, or during, or starting right after NaNo. It looks like we'll be needing extra grace just to keep it between the fences this November. Okay, that more or less catches me up. M

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Elfwriter23 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:52:02 +0100

Morticia - even some of my local NaNos are in transition - even though we have a small group at write-ins, there's another woman in our group who's also buying a house and moving at the same time (what are the odds?!) and another NaNo friend who moved just two months ago is still getting settled into her new place. There are only a handful of us who get together for this locally, and three of us are moving / have moved.

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skneal — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:28:05 +0100

Morticia - I'm finishing the last 16 pillows today - (they're stuffed, they just need to be closed) Reason: a friend's son was in the hospital during the holidays and someone made the kids pillows. He was so grateful when he got out that he arranged with his mom to make pillows for the kids. I decided to help him out with the goal of 100 pillows to be given this year. I just need to get them done and sent tomorrow. (I'll have an official count once I'm done closing them up, but I think I may have 45 or so total.) Oh and I didn't make up the song, I STOLE it from someone years ago... I wish I were that creative! Goitaly - hurray for the job!!! Elf - good luck with the move! The thing that helped hub and I was to have all the boxes label with their destination rooms... U-haul actually sells 'Room Label Tape'. Then we had movers and they put the correct boxes in the correct rooms. MR - I agree with Elf, it should be a WERE-TUB!!!! "Were-tub." " There tub, there castle." "Why are you talking like that?" "I thought you wanted to." (Spoof on Young Frankenstein) DARES SO FAR: (Qub, are you writing this down???) 1) Sexy Turkey Hat 2) Anatomically correct Sock Monkey named Paul 3) A character named Dylan Badcock 4) someone making jailhouse wine / bathtub booze 5) a claw-footed were-tub Hmm I can totally see how #4 and #5 can be related... Four days before writing commences! The Steph (tm)

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Elfwriter23 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:05:56 +0100

I think I'm going to have two claw-footed were-tubs, sitting side by side in an unlikely outdoorsy place, just like in the Cialis commercials. Hub and I think those commercials are hilarious. Who has bathtubs sitting outside? Are they hooked up? And why is sitting in separate bathtubs side by side outside supposed to be sexy or romantic? I can't even think of one guy I know who likes to take baths instead of showers. If someone went to the trouble to hook them up to running water, presumably they plan to use them on a regular basis. Is this a cheap alternative to a hot tub? The chaste, "twin-bed" equivalent, where each person soaks separately, and keeps their hands to themselves? (If so, why do they need this product?) Is it a redneck luxury, similar to the toilet in the front yard overflowing with petunias? Since it's a commercial for an E. D. medication, I'm assuming something sexy' s supposed to be happening, but I can't figure out what two older people can do in a pair of bathtubs that isn't comically awkward, extremely uncomfortable, or likely to end with an embarrassing 911 call. Unless they're using the tubs to make bathtub booze.

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Realmling — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:53:00 +0100

Elf -- I don't get those commercials either. Though, I sure as hell am not going to drink bathtub hooch that's had someone's ass soaking in it. Icky icky. I'm suddenly not looking forward to the next four days. I have no idea if we've been approved and given our permit for the haunted house part of things or not (if not, we're kinda screwed because it's been advertised /facepalm). If not, stress levels will lower...but I'll be pissed as hell that I've done all this planning and costumes and shit and not be able to do anything with it. Right now, I just want to curl up and take a nap...but I get to go make my back feel even more happy than this morning being hunched over a giant piece of plywood painting a sign for work. I really hate being on the bottom rung some days.

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mr1 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:53:29 +0100

They are waiting for the full moon because they are Were-Tub hunters! hoping to catch the Were-Tubs transforming (the cialis is just for the other 20-some days of the month). Love the Were-Tub!

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Morticia — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:36:38 +0100

Hmm, this Were-Tub chatter has me thinking (dangerous I know but oh well). Maybe the whirlpool tub in our room in Dalton had Were-Tub tendencies. After spending the entire day crossing the state of Georgia we arrived at midnight to find the room came with a whirlpool tub for two. Throwing caution to the wind as to whether it would disturb the neighboring room we started filling it (takes a long time and many gallons). At about the halfway mark impatience won out and we turned it on to find the last users (or some evil maid) had turned all the jets up and out and bubbly water started lobbing onto the walls, the carpet and tile, the corner of bed, me who was still dressed; while the pump motor sounds like a 747 in emergency landing mode. And everything got slippery very fast so I'm sliding across the tile trying to hit the off switch and my GF is trying to lean across the tub to reach it but keeps getting a face-full. When we finally got it stopped the silence was too much and we started laughing and we couldn't stop and our sides ached and everything was wet. We got things blotted up and reset and did get to somewhat enjoy it but every noise we heard we were sure was management coming to kick us out. Oh well. M

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goitaly — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:13:48 +0100

Elf - I never understood what was supposed to be sexy or romantic about sitting in side-by--side bathtubs outside either. But they would be very handy for making bathtub booze. Thanks everyone for your congrats on my new job. I am excited. :-) And now I have to go finish a Bellatrix LeStrange costume.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:43:32 +0100

Here's a bit of a funny for all those who have trouble getting your characters to do what you want them to do... http://sydneypadua.com/2dgoggles/author-author/ Were-tubs mating in the moonlight....

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mr1 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:11:54 +0100

I think putting Morticia's Were-Hot-Tub into a room with a reluctant character would get things moving.

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Min — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:22:35 +0100

just a quicky: I'm off to London Comic Con for the weekend. I travel home on Monday ready to start procrastinating on Tuesday!

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skneal — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:20:35 +0100

Oh Min... did I forget to tell you? I've bumped your writing goal up by 25k... :-D Have fun at Comic Con!!!

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Mindie — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:26:18 +0100

In Idaho we have a bunch of natural hot water springs. A few decades back some hippies set up claw foot bath tubs next to the hot springs so that, if you wanted to, you could turn a valve of some sort and fill the bath tub with the natural hot spring water. Perhaps there could be a hot springs by a nuclear plant that dumped radioactive substance in the near by desert. The radioactive substance reached the underground hot springs and then was poured into a claw footed tub in the mountains by the harvest moon. . . .

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RuncibleSpoon — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:59:12 +0100

Geesh, sorry to have dropped off the face of the planet for a couple days there, but real life got a little crazy! The plus side of it all is that I've got new glasses coming in next week so I can SEE what I'll be writing! Kind of hyped up for that and so excited for NaNo to start that I think I'm actually forgetting to get the "What have I gotten myself into?" jitters. I totally need to clean up around here again, but I'm having a hard time paying attention to anything long enough to get it accomplished. I'm SO totally on-board with some of those dares! The Sexy Turkey Hat and the sock monkey are definitely going to find their way into my novel, although I'm not 100% sure how they're going to show up yet. caik - My name actually was an inside joke between my best friend and I after her Latin prof went into a tirade about how a spork should really be called a "runcible spoon". I started using it in an online game a few years ago, and it stuck with me ever since, and it reminds me of my best friend, which makes it both happy and sad, since I remember the awesome times I had with her, but realize how much I miss her too. This cleaning is SO not getting done. I just got way too comfortable in the Hot Pink Chair of Doom. I guess I can make it up to myself by at least organizing my music before NaNo so I can find what I actually want to listen to instead of slogging through ads on Pandora or Slacker. Or I can whimper at the fact that my desktop's processor fan is giving up the ghost and try to find a way to force it to last through NaNo. I must give off an electromagnetic field that causes everything electronic to stop working around me!

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GreenFingers — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:55:20 +0100

I am a lying liar who lies! I have not caught up. I may just jump in and party from here on out. I have to tell you all that part of why I was busy this week was this awesome "Library Crawl" I went to in Portland. Three independent archives--one was Bitch Media Center (feminist archive), one was In Other Words bookstore and library/archive, and one was The Q Center, a community center devoted to gay activism especially centered around making sure gay people are healthy and safe in their communities, and my dear friend created the library there. It was so fun, being around all kinds of people who love books and information sharing and whatnot. So fun! I also helped out some, since my friend was one of the organizers. I'm completely unprepared for NaNo. I'm going to just dive in and see what happens. I'll probably do a little plotting over the next couple of days but . . . that's it. EEEEEK!

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Lexicon — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:41:26 +0100

*yawns* howmanymoredays? Maybe tomorrow will be better.

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skneal — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:46:10 +0100

Three and change... Ooh I had an idea for my second story.... Murder at Monster Mansion. I'm thinking of having a "Clue" like story where famous monsters are at a party and Mr. Body dies. Then it's left up to the other guests to figure out who did it. And lest ye think it's going to be cut and dried, I'm going to TRY to set it up so that I can have 3 different endings, each one plausible. So far I've got 6 monsters, but I think I may have to add some female companionship... Is up waaaay too early on a Friday. Off to get some tea and breakfast before editing Nov and decorating. Jamaican Butter Rum tea for breakfast.

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GreenFingers — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:40:35 +0100

Cat, you need some coffee? And Steph, Monster Clue sounds like fun. I think you should work Dante and Ebil into the manuscript! And eeeeeek, only three days!!!!!

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skneal — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:43:32 +0100

Oooh I like that idea!!!! And of course I'll have to add my libravourous puppies to the story as well... And I may make this one a bit 'spicey' as each monster finds a lover for the evening... ;->

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Morticia — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:46:23 +0100

Runcible - If you have or can borrow a tabletop fan, open your PC case (take the side panel off and leave it off) then (of course I'm assuming your tower is on or near the floor) set the fan about a foot away and turn it on low. It's not perfect or permanent but will buy you time. My techy son-in-law got through his senior year of college this way because he did not have the cash or the time to replace his PC and it was too old for a retrofit. If the processor fan stops completely increase speed of the table fan. If a bearing is going and starts to smoke you should power it down but that's really rare. Oh, and if you're referring to a laptop or Mac none of this applies. BTW enjoyed your name story. Maybe we should all do that again, share how we got our online IDs,since we have several new Hatters this year.

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GreenFingers — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:46:55 +0100

Mmmmm, monster love! I approve! Today is the day I do some plotting. Or something. Right? RIGHT! Dang, how did I get so busy? My life was boring last November. This year, not so much. It's going to be an interesting ride! Wheeeee!

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GreenFingers — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:51:13 +0100

Hey Morticia! Lovely to see you again! And your totem. What is her name again? I can't remember . . . my poor little brain has been short circuited. As for the origin of our on line names, mine is not the most fascinating. GreenFingers was, once upon a time, the name of my blog. Then I opened an Etsy shop, and named it after my blog. The old blog has been replaced but the Etsy shop lives on! And I use the handle often because it's easy to remember.

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Mindie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:02:19 +0100

Hmp, My online ID is really not that cool. It's my name. I'm so boring.

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skneal — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:13:43 +0100

Mindie - don't worry, mine is boring too... skneal. First and middle initials plus last name. Though if I knew then what I knew now,(I wouldn't have had my little accident) I'd have changed it to The Steph(tm). But we don't have a way to change user-names here and I really really don't want to set up a new account. (For some reason, I've been channeling Beetlejuice quotes... hmmm perhaps I need to watch the movie before NaNo begins... oh and Clue...oh and have you guys seen the new commercials for Puss In Boots? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JsbSolUF5c&feature=related )

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Mindie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:20:52 +0100

Ya, puss in boots looks really well done. I think all the Shreck movies were done well. Even though number 3 was a bit annoying, I still laughed a bunch. I wonder how many words this thread is?

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Morticia — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:41:00 +0100

I'm back from birthday frivolity. Dinner was wonderful. We went to one of his old favorites that he hadn't been to in more than 15 years (so there were no ghosts from the recent past there). I had never been there before though I knew of it because it's next door to Ben and Jerrys in the historic district. It was small and intimate, the hostess walked through the bar to find you instead of screaming like a fish wife from her throne. They take no reservations, and no credit cards, but regulars can apply for a "house account" which I heard from several take-out customers was a god-send alternative to coughing up cash at the last minute. It's first and oldest reputation is as a steak house but a few years ago they started also winning awards for their burgers and a lot of those were going out the door last night. So back to the list: the wardrobe is in its new home. This wasn't only important for my storage but allowed us to put the tools in the garage in their normal spots so the snow blower can be brought over from summer storage. Yes with the start of NaNo also begins the march toward winter and eventually it will snow. I did get one piece of sewing done yesterday. Well, I wanted to wear it to dinner so it had to be hemmed. So (sew) that leaves finishing the sewing, and getting something to start writing about come Tuesday. I hope to do a lot of writing the first week as my GF is away at a convention. Someone mentioned getting their music lined up and that reminded me that none of my CD are in the studio so I can work on that too. I don't think I can do Pandora even though I am online. With the wi-fi repeater to get to the dead zone sometimes the bit-rate drops too low for audio or video. The only solution is hardwire and this year that is not an option. So what music do people listen to for writing or NaNo? I prefer no words/lyric in general but there are times when that works. "Sounds of Wind-driven Rain" and "Sounds of Wood and Steel" both acoustical guitar are my standards. Winston's "December" is another regular along with various CDs I have picked up at various chamber ensemble concerts. If things are dragging I'll plug in Peter, Paul, and Mary "Ten Years Together" remastered CD. My GF is an Enya fan with several CDs that I plan to "borrow" now and again.

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Elfwriter23 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:07:51 +0100

I don't have any music picked out for this year. Often, I'll have at least one song for a story. This one doesn't seem to have a soundtrack yet. I'll have to find something hip and peppy.

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Morticia — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:23:46 +0100

Oops, forgot about the name thingy. How I became Morticia: Well in case it isn't obvious my last name is Adams. But that's only part of how I became Morticia. Back in the mid-1990s my daughter worked at a summer camp in another state. Usually her first name is not overly common (thank goodness it got changed 8 weeks before she was born because our original choice became for her peer group like #4 in occurrences, but I digress). But there were 4 or 5 other camp teen workers with the same name and there weren't enough diminutive nicknames to go around either. So the Addams Family had resurfaced that year and it was decided that she should be Wednesday. And it stuck for a long time; even her first online usernames and email accounts were Wednesday. In 2001 we were both active on a local social dance online forum where she was already known as Wednesday and not wanting to use my real name I went with Morticia. In 2007 I was really shy and nervous about NaNo, and not wanting to be publicly outed as a fraud as a writer, and wanting to keep the thing off my then spouse's radar so I revived the Morticia ID (he was not aware of my using it on the dance forum even though he knew that's where I got the dance information from). So I have felt a measure of privacy out here and this year I changed my region since the other one wasn't really working for me and I didn't really want my counts going the anymore; so I feel it unlikely he can lurk my online life here. So it wasn't anything earth-shaking; just sort of weird and twisted like the rest of my life. Now my current avatar (the original was a Morticia-like creation I built on the South Park yourself site [German I believe .de ending]) is a photo of a tiny stuffed cow named Lola that I bought as a gag Christmas gift in 1974 in Oklahoma City that the recipient never really accepted. So, she lived on my dresser until I divorced and then I took her (she was on my dresser) with me to my new apartment and installed on my computer hutch. In 2009 NaNo I felt like I needed a different avatar and there she was just patiently watching over me. And I wrote almost 60k words that season. So I'm sticking with her. I sort of wish, with the Morticia thing and all, that I perhaps should have considered a lion named Kitty Cat or an African Strangler plant but it's Lola; and that's that.

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skneal — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:05:24 +0100

Re: Music. For some reason, I'm unable to write to music with lyrics... I start singing along and the brain to finger connection gets broken. So I listen to Classical Masters, Bibbity Boppity Bach, Hi-Ho Mozart, (the last two are disney songs, done in the style of Bach and Mozart), then Bond, and finally the soundtracks to the first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies... which reminds me, I should probably go and download the 4th soundtrack soon. And I've used the same music for all my NaNo's. (As it's only background music, until I want a dramatic scene then I play the Black Pearl theme.) :-)

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angitiger — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:51:33 +0100

Can I say that you all took over my brain and go find a cave to curl up in and disappear until Dec.? I'm sick of newbies at work. They only last like 3 months and think they know everything...... Must not kill must not kill must not slap upside the head.. Although I do know a good place to hide the body.... Someone please bring me back from the edge of insanity!!!!! ooooohhhh cookies

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Realmling — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:40:24 +0100

I'm not caught up, I'm too exhausted. And you would be too if you had just spent the last however many hours unpacking box after box of candy. I can still smell it, like it's stuck in my nostrils or something...it's awful. I never want to see another piece of candy again. Ever. (course, I say this every year) Not only did the process of unboxing and mixing all that candy cost me every single finger nail (cept the 2 thumb nails I broke last week) but I've done something really funky to my left wrist. I don't remember whacking it on anything, but it feels sore and bruised. =( And today was supposed to be me getting my haunted house stuff all laid out so I could start putting it all together tomorrow. Not a real happy camper today.... A couple shots of crown were taken, but I'm not sure if they're doing any good yet or not.

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skneal — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:42:46 +0100

((HUGS)) Realmling... I think there's a quote about having a couple of shots of a Pan Galactic Gargleblaster, and since it didn't do anything, sending another shot down after. Then another because obviously the first three were still not checking in.... Can't find the specific quote, but go ahead and have a couple more shots...

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goitaly — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:18:43 +0100

Realmling - I hope your wrist gets better quickly. I still have to finish putting the costumes together. Plus we still have to carve jack-o-lanterns, which means we will need pumpkins, and we don't have those either. The Princess has two parties to attend tomorrow night in her still unfinished costume, and I still haven't bought any candy. Plenty of time, right?

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mr1 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:36:58 +0100

angitiger I feel your co-worker pain. The combined IQ of my office is 6 (I have 17 co-workers). These are college graduates who cannot comprehend the need for the dish rack to drain into the sink (as opposed to draining onto the counter). They insist on loading 8.5x11 paper into the 8.5x14 paper tray (I have since taped the drawers shut). They are unable to remember to shut off the toaster oven (I had to find one with an 'auto-off' feature after the last one was left on all night). How about...I slap your co-workers and you slap mine?? No one will be able to link us to random acts of 'dope-slap' mr (my origin story, for those still playing. My original work e-mail was MR1, a combination of initials and location on the network panel. Since we had two Michele's in the office I got the nickname MR1)

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mr1 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:42:55 +0100

the buddies option went live - and it seems all former buddies were wiped clean...I added from the thread, but I probably missed some of you. (now, if they would get the forum notification set I wouldn't have to spend hours catching up!) mr

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skneal — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:50:53 +0100

*muahahahaha* I've added most of you to my buddy list... you should be afraid. =D The Steph(tm)

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Elfwriter23 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:13:50 +0100

I also have added most of you. I cheated. I copied directly from Steph's buddy list, after I went to add her as a buddy, and saw she already had all of you listed in one convenient place. (Thank you, Steph!!)

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Elfwriter23 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:18:22 +0100

I forgot the origin thingy. I'm a writer, I really like the number 23, and I'm half elf, on my mother's side. The rest of the family tries to deny it, but how else can they explain my naturally pointy ears?

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skneal — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:19:03 +0100

Yer welcome! Oh and just fyi, when you add someone as a buddy, it sends an auto-generated e-mail message. (I know this because I got the EXACT SAME message from Elf and MR and neither of their message sounded like them.)

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caiknbake — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 08:26:02 +0100

steph - i love the idea of monster clue! the real question is whether any of your monsters are named dylan badcock... ;) my pre-nano prep has pretty much involved ignoring most of the crap that needs to be done by binging on netflix instant. i figure it's good practice for ignoring what needs to be done while i'm writing. there's some logic there, right? i have been practicing a bit at least, and since the audition i'm taking is on the 12th i'm kind of banking on coming out from behind during the second half of the month word count-wise. i'm still wondering whether combining an audition with nanowrimo (or vice versa) is a completely insane idea or not...that remains to be seen. not sure exactly what my playlist is going to look like this year....i find if i'm in the zone then i can write with music that has lyrics, but if not then i need instrumental. i've been addicted to tori amos's new album the past couple weeks so i think that will figure heavily into the rotation assuming that i can get to a place where lyrics aren't bothering me. the "caiknbake" origin story is that as a kid i really wanted a nickname, but i didn't like any of the typical nicknames you could easily derive from my name (which is caitlin - i don't like cate or cat or caity, etc.). in high school i really liked the band cake, and so i decided to change the spelling to caik and make it my nickname. that of course led to lots of puns on the word cake and caik 'n' bake was just catchy and it stuck :)

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Elfwriter23 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 08:47:21 +0100

So, this month you'll be writing...writing...writing a novel. Writing, weaving, conceiving a plot?

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caiknbake — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 08:49:42 +0100

yes!!! well spoken, elf! it quickens, it thickens, you can't put it down now...

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Elfwriter23 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:02:21 +0100

You're such an open book.

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caiknbake — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:49:12 +0100

but you don't know which page to turn to, do you?

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Realmling — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:33:03 +0100

The origin of Realmling. Well, way back when I wanted a webpage. I'm not going to admit what I did with it in those early days cause it's silly and stupid and needless to say it is no longer like that. So I called it Realm of Savage (even before I got married...because it's so much cooler than my maiden name) and occasionally I would tell people not to feed the realmlings -- or that I would chop them up in little pieces and feed them to the realmlings if they displeased me. Needed a name for some forum somewhere, and just went and used it...and that's pretty much been my web name no matter where I've gone. Added the alien playing dressup shortly after that. Even used it on Facebook as a form of protest. Seriously - I've got a phone #, various email addys, and even had my own webforms attached to my site ... and I had a family member who wouldn't contact me outside of a world ending emergency unless I joined up. So Realmling invaded facebook, and I haven't even posted a real picture of myself (though my stupid husband did...though it's a few years old and from his brother's wedding). Okay, so I also did it that way because I didn't want some asswhipe from high school going through and finding me and thinking being webfriends was a good thing. Not when none of them wanted anything to do with me back then.

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Morticia — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:39:03 +0100

Okay, I took a first pass at the buddies thing. The jury is still out as to whether all of our past buddies will reappear. They are supposed to by Sunday; that was the word from the techie on the buddies thread of the help forum this morning. If you didn't notice there will be two lists as in the past: those you have buddied and those who have buddied you. I guess there is no need to accept or be accepted as a buddy now? Do not know. I'm still waiting for the forum/thread selection tool so I don't have to scroll down the whole freaking list to get to two forums. Sheesh. But to be fair it does seem like the list is a tiny bit smaller. One thing that is annoying is that there seems to be no way to follow other nearby regions unless you include them on your region list. I don't want on their list but this is a pivotal area where I can run into people who are closer to one of the other nearby regions who might want to try them and knowing an event or an ML to introduce them would be nice. Enjoying everybody's stories about their alter-egos and how those came to be. Mindie and Steph, using real names isn't boring it means you're secure enough to be your own person. Good for you; you guys rock. One thing I am trying to figure out, for Nano and my upcoming writing year in general, is how to stay with my physical activities routines. When I was writing for the papers and blogging I started walking and biking a lot. When I was in the active stages of my divorce I did even more, partly for the mental health benefits and partly because it kept the miles off my car. I started swimming (too long a story to relate at the moment) and I have started to make consisted gains in endurance and flexibility, I also take a Yoga for creaky geezers class on Tues and have started doing some at home. I don't want to lose these so I am trying to find a daily/weekly pattern to accomplish this stuff. I realize most of you have job or family obligations you are working around by necessity and this probably looks pretty optional by comparison except it's not. So suggestions would be helpful.

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skneal — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:48:56 +0100

M - I try to 'work-out' first thing in the morning... I pretty much get out of bed and go straight to the elliptical. I let my mind muddle through any plot problems etc. Then I take my shower and get ready for the day. Check e-mail, FB, and NaNo forums during breakfast, then it's off to the word mines until hub gets up. I make him lunch and chat with him for a bit, kick him out the door, then back to the words. My writing is not accomplished in one long session, but in multiple small sessions. (Oh and I drink plenty of tea and water so that every hour I have to get and walk to the bathroom) I think if you start a regimen and stick with it everyday, it'll work. I find exercise also allows my mind to zone and that's when I get some really good ideas. Does anyone have any minions for sale/rent? I only have two hands, but I want to start multiple craft projects.

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Mindie — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:36:44 +0100

Exercise? UM.........Yea, can't help you there. My picture is what I finally ended up with. I changed it a lot because I could not get an actual photo of me to work. I had a real cute one too, with my harp even. The darn file would not shrink down right. I tried three different file conversion sites and they either came out blurry or a small black box of nothing. I finally settled on colored bottles because my husband powder-coats bottles for me when his boss isn't looking. I fill my house with different colored bottles. Cake (the band) is GREAT! I think Goitaly is still the funniest name in the thread. Every time I see a wild turkey on my drive home I think about it goitaly strutting it's stuff across the river bank. LOL There's always one male and a colony of females. I don't have coworkers. I have toddlers. I get to spank them when they're naughty. Today, I sent them to grandmas house. My brain was telling me to do things that would get them taken away from me. MR has to tape the paper tray shut! I am still giggling about that. Some people are really that stupid. I like to practice ignoring things too. I do see the logic! I'm a bit apprehensive about this whole thing. If I could just start now and get a good 20k under my belt, then I would feel a lot better. This whole waiting thing. Yuck!

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angitiger — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:51:40 +0100

I'll add you all in a bit i have to go mini putting with my co-MLs then we have kick off tonight Whooot!!!! MR~ Let's do smack around each others coworkers. I can show you where to hide the bodies.... I think I will be doing a lot of murder death kill in my nanonovel this year My psychologist says it's a healthy release of stress as long as I keep it in my books lol

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skneal — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:39:11 +0100

Ang - I do a lot of murder death kill in my books... (love that movie btw... so wanted Wesley Snipes to win) I use poison, earthquakes, flaming squirrels, ghosts, computer viruses that kill the author, impaling characters on abstract art, torture, demon sacrifice, spaced without a suit, vaporized by lasers, and many more! Order now and I'll even throw in a free pamphlet on how to guillotine your enemies! All for the low low price of three vials of nightshade, belladonna and potassium cyanide. Call today! And there's a regional dare - kill Cliff Brooks. I especially like to use baked goods as my method of poison delivery... It made my writing group nervous because I had my character kill with muffins and then I baked a harvest bread to share. Needless to say, I was given some very strange looks before people eventually took a bite. They're all quite still alive at the moment (and this was two years ago). I love being evil! *muahahahahahahahaha

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:43:32 +0100

Thanks for the buddying, I have returned the favour. 'Murder death kills?" I like that a quote from the fab movie Demolition Man? Qub

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Elfwriter23 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:40:26 +0000

Steph, do you know about Pinterest? It's a great site for finding more new craft projects than you will ever have time for. Mindie, I didn't know you could powder coat things and have them still be see-through! Those bottles are beautiful. I've been saving bottles with interesting shapes and colors, so I can wrap beads around them. Most of the cool ones are clear - but it would be cool to be able to colorize them. Is special equipment required?

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Elfwriter23 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:43:59 +0000

MR, I feel your pain. I once worked with a woman who thought that when a computer froze, it was because it was less than 32 degrees outside.

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mr1 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 05:59:57 +0000

(snicker) less than 32 degrees. All my morons think 'freezing temperatures' are when the heat isn't cranked past 80. However, I am in a GOOD mood (which won't last so, enjoy it people) because it is SNOWING. And I love the SNOW. The whiteness, the prettiness, the intricate crystalline goodness. Also, I put the huge fluffy comforter on my bed so I may just curl up under it until Tues. and watch the snow fall. mr

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Morticia — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:04:23 +0000

Morning all. Did you notice that old buddy lists have ported in? Did you also notice that you are still a buddy of somebody you only chatted with briefly several Nanos ago and while their profile is still intact they haven't been here since 09, 08, 07? I have posted a question about removing arcane "buddy ofs" at the tech forum. I'm probably the only person this bugs but I hate the clutter. From here on out catching up will not be an option so I hope everybody understands. Mindie - those are cool bottles. I like blue bottles but I decided to not collect them because the vintage ones are way out of my price range. How neat that you can create your own. Realmling - I feel your over-use syndromes. Have you tried a wrist wrap? It would help remind you not to crook it too severely while keyboarding as well as keep it warm. Just a thought. MR - I can enjoy a lovely snowfall; but not in October in southern Ohio where there are too many leaves still on the trees. That did happen in 1989 and (o...m...g...I forgot all about this and never made the connection) all night long I was hearing this snapping and cracking assuming it was the Copper Flag exercise at the base only to look out the windows the next morning and find all my lovely trees with most of their branches on the ground. But that time I did not lose power; which was a small reprieve since I was managing four kids and the dog and my own classes on my own (this was the first Involuntary). Okay guys, I need to go digest that. Later.

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Realmling — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:06:18 +0000

Yeah, I just bought a new pair Mueller wrist support gloves yesterday. If I'm smart I'll remember to take the single old one I have and wear it today while I finish putting up the haunted house. Which went rather well yesterday (minus people's kids on occasion). And this morning, while I was trying to go back to sleep and failing because the brain was all over the place, I had a wonderful "what if I did it this way" moment and I've finally managed to work out my main plot points in a way that everything makes sense and my couple's journey will flow much better now. So yay, I've outlined enough to get going on the first. I also came up with new aliens in all my lab cages....I didn't really need more aliens... Now I just have to finish the characterization sheets, and Sexy Gobbles hat...but the hat might not happen this weekend.

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skneal — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:07:41 +0000

Morticia - you're not the only person that is bugged by the old buddy thing. I'm going through and removing some buddies who haven't written in a couple years, and some I know aren't coming back... I don't like the clutter. *twitch*twitch* Elf- I'm staying away from Pinterest on purpose... I just downloaded 4 cross-stitch patterns that look like they're going to take FOREVER, but I really really really want to start one now... if you're interested in the linky, here it is: https://heavenandearthdesigns.com/ and here's one of the ones I bought: http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=160_344&products_id=5248&zenid=qoalc1jl262gnm7hhpstt4v6i5

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Realmling — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:20:30 +0000

Alright -- what is up with making things an active link here on Nanoforums? I click on those and they don't leave the nano site but just go to one of those "this page does not exist" messages. If they're not going to make things work right, just remove it and let us go back to copy/paste since that's what we have to do anyway.

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skneal — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:27:03 +0000

wt.... heck is up with that??? Fine. Be that way. Here are the non-links that you'll have to copy and paste: https://heavenandearthdesigns.com/ http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=160_344&products_id=5248 Hope this works... *shakes fist at forum*

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GreenFingers — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:46:20 +0000

Got all your buddying, yay! I will make sure I have you all . . . as soon as I figure out how. For some reason I find the buddy thing mysterious and overwhelming now! I will figure it out. I tried last night but the site wouldn't work for me! Apparently it wasn't meant to be! Off to figure out this buddy thing.

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Morticia — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:05:41 +0000

Steph - if you view page source and look at your link code; it didn't code correctly so it gets caught in a logic do-loop (ergo "page does not exist"). This is what it looks like in page source view: (except for the brackets [ ] I had to put around the [<] and [>] so it would stop short-cutting to link-view) I don't think this is how you meant to code it. [<]a href="URL">https://heavenandearthdesigns.com/[<]/a[>]

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skneal — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:13:32 +0000

Morticia - I went to the "quick and dirty HTML primer" in the tech forum, and that's what they said to do. So I copied and pasted. It may have come out wrong somewhere, and I'm trying to stay away from programmy things. (hubster is a software engineer and learning pearl, ruby, python, c++, xhtml etc, is a slippery slope to geek-dom that I'm trying my darnest to avoid.)

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GreenFingers — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:27:59 +0000

Elf and Steph--Ooooh, I'm on Pinterest!!!!! It's awesome. Anyone need an invite? Here's me: http://pinterest.com/michellesimkins/ LOVE it. Though it is dangerous.

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Morticia — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:39:00 +0000

Steph - I see; their quickie primer assumed a tiny piece of information. After the [<] a href= part where you have "URL" they mean for you to type in (or paste and copy in) the webpage's URL inside quotation marks not just the initials "URL"; and then put the [>]and then whatever title you want to appear hypertexted within your post (example: cross stitch monkey) followed by the closing [<]/a[>] I'm sorry for all the brackets but other wise the whole tutorial would have dissappeared into link-view and told you nothing. Also if you click post preview and open a second browser you can right-click copy your attempt to link; paste it into the new browser and see where it takes you. Also in post preview if you check your bottom navigation bar while hovering over your link it will show you the link destination. And...if you make changes to your post even the link code be sure to preview again as it seems to submit the last preview and not the changes without a re-do of preview. Weird. I find better tutorials at w3schools html tutorial

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skneal — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:44:46 +0000

Thanks Morticia! I'll give your link a try. :-) GF - like I need anymore hobbies! (writing, dancing, sewing, knitting, crochet, beading, sculpeying, cross-stitching, and not to forget READING.) But I suppose you can invite me... perhaps during december?

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GreenFingers — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:02:10 +0000

Steph you just let me know when you want an invite, and I'll send one to you! That goes for everyone else too.

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caiknbake — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:19:28 +0000

what is pinterest? i've been seeing people refer to it more and more but i've got no idea what it's about.

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Mindie — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:33:18 +0000

Elf- A lot of special equipment is required. The powder, a special gun that puts a static charge into the powder so that it sticks to the glass (the glass has to be warm), and a large oven to bake it in. My husband powder-coats for a living. The clear coats came out about 3 years ago. If you look in your phone book under powder coating you should find a local place. My husband does a lot of experimental art that his boss doesn't know about. If you do take a glass bottle to a place to be coated, be sure that they don't sand blast it before hand and that they shoot it "hot". Catching up will be difficult for me as well. My schedule is very tight and there will not be room for internet surfing. I'm ready to start this crazy game. My totem is an Egyptian lego woman who is holding a snake. She will sit on my monitor and tell me to keep typing until I reach my word count per day! I have to do a few costume alterations, make sure my daughter does her homework, The BILLS (I think I threw up a little bit in my mouth), and cook dinner. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

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GreenFingers — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:41:58 +0000

caiknbake, pinterest is like virtual cork boards. You can have different categories, and "pin" things that you like from the internet to your boards. So pictures, blog posts, articles, whatever, and it stores the image and the link. Then you can follow other people's boards and see what they are pinning. So basically, it's a centralized place for all the awesome stuff you want to show people.

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Realmling — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:51:44 +0000

I need an all over top to bottom massage, but mainly for my poor little footsies. No matter how many not hints I drop, the hubby hasn't taken it upon himself to give me a foot rub. ot even when I offered it as an excuse he could use to get out of a dragon raid he didn't feel like doing yesterday. I just have to make it one more day....if I survive tomorrow, it's mostly downhill from there.

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Morticia — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:20:49 +0000

Realmling - I have so known this frustration in another life; the not wanting to rag but really needing something, and worse really wishing (preferring) that it be offered instead of fulfilling a request. Sigh. That said back rubs and foot rubs just aren't the forte of the average guy. In nearly 40 years of knowing married/committed couples as peers I can only think of one husband/male companion who regularly did both on his own volition and was (reportedly) very good at it. I've known some women who occasionally succeeded at extracting them from their companion or spouse only to report they wish they hadn't bothered. My past experience was also in the latter category and more wounding because I used to do them all the time having been taught by a friend who was training in Phys Therapy. So I send you and your tootsies warm hugs and wishes for an empty house and a nice hot bubble bath with Baileys on the side.

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Elfwriter23 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:19:44 +0000

One day left until NaNo. We're almost finished packing, so most of our stuff is in boxes. No packing to do during NaNo. I have not made any tiaras, Sexy Turkey or otherwise. We have a new yearly NaNo tradition: Just a day or two before or after NaNo starts, the furnace quits for no apparent reason, and we must spend the day tracking down people who may or may not be of any help. This will happen in the middle of the night on a Friday, ensuring the maximum amount of down time before normal business hours resume and parts stores open, and the maximum amount of resentment from the tech whose weekend will be interrupted. I swear it's the work of some attention-seeking ghost who knows a large, malfunctioning appliance is something I cannot ignore. He gets a kick out of making me drop everything else I'm doing.

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goitaly — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:28:17 +0000

I am in deep deep denial about the fact that November starts the day after tomorrow. I still have 24 hours to get my act together and get some chex mix. Plenty of time, right? Right?

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angitiger — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:59:18 +0000

rum and root beer is yummy btw.... Our Kick off went well. We sucked at mini golf and didn't bother keeping score lol. but we had a blast. anyhooo..... What was I saying? uh.... I think I put too much rum in it..

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skneal — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:34:22 +0000

I'm with you Realmling... my tootsies HURT. Have been decorating like a madwoman. It's mostly done, just a few tweaks here and there, oh and I have to get the car and the dummy set up. Oh and what was I going to be? I'll take pics tomorrow and will try to remember to upload them hopefully after my first 5k words. Meanwhile, I'm off to bed...

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Realmling — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:06:15 +0000

Yup, I have to remember to get pictures this year. I took one at the beginning and then never got the after picture because I was too busy nearly up to the last minute last year. All I have left are to run some extension cords and stick my frankenstein monster "generators" in something so they'll not fall over. And then relax until it's time to get myself into costume. And maybe I'll let someone take a picture of me and share it. Maybe.

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DearChoice — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:40:53 +0000

Boo! Just had to drop in and say hello to the mad hatters before the real fun begins :) I find myself craving an actual sexy turkey hat this year, for no particular reason.

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Morticia — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:29:02 +0000

DearChoice! You made it. (waves wildly at the monitor) We hope you'll drop in now and again when you need a pick-me-up. Good luck with your story. So we're still missing Joanie (hmm...was she here last year?) Also, I think MR is caught up in the New England storm-related power outages. I think the last post from her was about 24 hours ago. Today is really, really busy and I don't even have to deal with Trick or Treat. I don't know at this point if I will try to do a midnight write as today started early and tomorrow will too. But best wishes to those who do. And all have a safe and happy Halloween. M

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skneal — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:49:52 +0000

*bounces around* Ooooh It's almost NaNo time!!! YAY!!! Lot's to do today. WELCOME BACK DEAR!!! Missed you! *twitching the whip in preparation!* The Steph(tm)

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GreenFingers — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:11:41 +0000

Realming--sending you virtual foot massages and hot baths! DearChoice, hellooooo! Hope you are well! I can't believe it begins tomorrow! Where did October go? EEEEK!

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Morticia — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:18:15 +0000

Hi all, Wow there are nearly 80k users on the site so who knows if this will even get posted. I finally have a working title and I'll probably figure out the rest by Nov 30th. Whoo...whoo.

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RuncibleSpoon — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:22:49 +0000

Wow, three hours left until midnight and I'm SO not ready. I have some adopted newbies in my home region and I've been sending them all a last-minute checklist to help them prepare for the first couple days, and here I am still trying to get writing software loaded and clean up my workspaces. I think I'm a bit on the manic side tonight in addition to finally getting hit with the "OMGOMG PANIC!!1!" that I thought I might escape this year. I would've sworn I was all ready to get this party started at midnight, and now I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It's funny, the panic didn't set in even after the kickoff party I went to yesterday. It's just hitting me now, seeing the hours on the countdown clock. Eeeeeek! At least I've got a stock of caffeine, mocha ice cream, and NaNo snacks! Trying to channel this nervous energy into a constructive force to help me finish my preparations!

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mr1 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:27:54 +0000

in no particular order: Hi DearChoice! Not out of power - trying to catch up with my online critiquing group before Nov. A bunch of the critters are also doing Nano so everyone was trying to submit and crit and say thanks all in a lat Oct rush. And I wanted to go out and play in the snow. Of which we got a quarter of an inch that melted almost immediately. When I was in college one of my friends was training as a massage therapist - he used to practice hand massages on me. I also had massage buddies in taxidermy class (shoulders only). I REALLY miss college. mr HOURS TO NANO...

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GreenFingers — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:03:36 +0000

I am so not ready. Not ready at all. I am . . . *gulp* pretty much pantsing it. We'll see if I crash and burn!

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NightMuse — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:07:00 +0000

I am all in for the Sexy Turkey Hat....which is perfect because a block of my story takes place of Thanksgiving...Are we posting snippets of our books with STH in it?

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goitaly — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:25:05 +0000

GreenFingers - I am pantsing it too. I am in a slow panic right now... Thank goodness for halloween candy.

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Alenahope — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:34:47 +0000

I'm two hours behind the west coast, so I'll be starting NaNo here in 5.5 hours. First I have to pack because we fly home tomorrow morning. SO, pack, clean, type type type, pack, sleep, pack pack, panic, forget something, board airplane. Okay, off to start that aforementioned to do list.

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:39:15 +0000

I am tired. The furnace is now working. Runcible, I have adoptees, too. NightMuse, sometimes we post small snippets. Or you can post longer excerpts on your profile page. Mostly, we just wear Sexy Turkey-related things on our heads. Or knit them. Or sculpt them from wire, paper mache, construction paper, toys the kids refused to clean up (that'll teach 'em,) leftover stuffing, laundry we don't feel like doing, or other loose items someone forgot to nail down securely.

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:42:09 +0000

Green, I am totally pantsing my entire novel(s) this year. Just like last year! Whoopee!!!!

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:46:38 +0000

Just attach a sturdy carobiner to the belt loops on the back of your jeans, latch it securely around the zip line, and dive buttfirst from the top of the rainforest into the vast chasm of chaos, and don't look back!

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RuncibleSpoon — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:04:21 +0000

Woot, fellow pantsers! 55 minutes until we get to dive in here on the East Coast, and I STILL haven't cleaned off my desk. I am TOTALLY procrastinating tonight! Procrastinators of the world, unite....tomorrow!

Re: ST Hatters

GreenFingers — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:28:56 +0000

Glad to know I am not alone in pants land. I won't even start writing until tomorrow--I tend to go to bed early, so I'll just get started in the morning. EEEEK! and WHEEEEEEE! And, huzzah for the sexy turkey hat.

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:42:37 +0000

I have to WORK - I won't be able to start until Tues night... Which give me several more hours to sleep and perhaps dream up a plot. (what - it could happen!) mr

Re: ST Hatters

Alenahope — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:12:05 +0000

I don't know how you pantsers do it. I'd be a puddle of hysteria if I hadn't spent all of October plotting. Anyways, obviously I'm diligently at work packing and cleaning...not procrastinating at all...not...at...all.

Re: ST Hatters

J.S._Wayne — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:36:29 +0000

Hey, y'all! Back to bring the madness again this year. I learned last year that outlining and I are like garlic and vampires: Some s*** just don't fit. I've managed, thus far, to keep the STH in my MS from last year. It's currently in submissions purgatory at Samhain Publishing, but I'm hoping Wail will make the cut. Right now, I'm waiting for the clock to tick to midnight and dedicatedly NOT thinking about my MSs (yes, plural) for this year. Instead, I'm drinking Crown Royal and coke and waiting to see what new madness awaits us this time around! Can I make 100k in 30 days, employed? Time will tell! Good luck to all the newbies, and may your dreaded Inner Editors mind their own damn business for November! :)

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:37:24 +0000

*stumbles in exhausted* Wow...scaring those trick-or-treaters is fabulous fun, but EXHAUSTING... I'm so not going to the first minute write-in... I think my bed is calling me. Since we all start at different times... Wishing you MANY WORDS tomorrow!!!!!! [////]-----_____------__-------___-------*****

Re: ST Hatters

ckb104 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:43:11 +0000

I want a turkey hat SOOO badly now. I didn't get a chance to buy one and get it before NaNo started to make it my "writing hat," so I think it might be my reward for finishing my 50,000 word novel. There are a lot of cute ones on Etsy. I can crochet basic squares, but can't knit to save my life, so I can't make my own. =) ~ Christine

Re: ST Hatters

Robbin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:29:27 +0000

I has a miffed. My novel decided to write itself at 3:30 A M people!!! I no want to get up an write...nononono I want to sleeps like normal peoples. but NOOOOOOO. I has 1423 words. *sigh*

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:46:30 +0000

Hey, where are the word counts on our avatars? I couldn't care less about how many posts I want to know everybody's word counts and having to go to everybody's profile to check is a total time killer. Okay, I know; I can complain which will accomplish nothing or I can report it as a bug and maybe it can be fixed. I just logged in to get some words in as the day is committed until after 1 p.m. Elf - so glad you have a working furnace again. In 07 my boiler conversion kept getting pushed back and finally started - wait for it - Nov 1st (and NaNo was something I was keeping secret anyway). Just relax and slide into this slowly. MR - Whew, glad you were just busy as we had visions of you and your comforter huddled with the laptop thinking maybe the snow was a bad idea. Um...the forum list stats listed Robbin as the last commenter but she must have nested. Robbins are famous for that you know. Later all.

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:48:32 +0000

Oops, missed a page of posts. Sorry Robbin.

Re: ST Hatters

Min — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:41:03 +0000

ok I'm back from the con, got in yesterday afternoon and spent the rest of the day with the family. Hit my bed well before midnight, so today is all about the sprints. 504 words from the first one.... oh well i'll speed up as we go along Happy Nano to you all

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:25:37 +0000

So far I have managed to hit two thousand words, hoping for a bit more. Come Hatters where's the sound of drums and charging horses. And where's my life bar to boast my first tentative steps. Happy Nano Hatters. Qub

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:21:39 +0000

'allo 'atters! I'm at 1/4 of my word goal for today... I'm really missing the word count bars under our avatars. Go, Write, Win! Now to get the hubster lunch, and get ready to go to a write-in. May the words and muse be with you! The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

GreenFingers — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:17:14 +0000

Yes! I've passed 1700 words and I feel pretty good about it. now I can spend the rest of the afternoon plotting and brainstorming. Also, taking a walk and eating and showering and all those other essentials! How's everyone doing? Steph is kicking tail already, I see! And oh yes, here you go QUB! *drums and horses and war cries oh my* Well done on your first sprint Min! Robbin, sorry your sleeps were interrupted but hey, awesome that the inspiration is flowing!

Re: ST Hatters

Lexicon — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:18:36 +0000

I'll back track to these after my MIL arrives--cleaning now in preparation--attends all sorts of kid events tonight--don't they know it's NaNo?--and leaves in the morning. [Removed] Thanks, Lex (aka cat)

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:27:29 +0000

I'm at 3,100 words and I have to stop to live my life, but I don't want to. The words are flowing a lot faster than normal because i'm not editing every damn sentence! I'm really liking this Nano thing. Now I have to see if I can figure out how to post my word count to my profile. Help me, I'm new and I don't have much experience with computers. Got to take all six kids to the doctor plus the Husband to get flu shots. Then I have a Church activity at seven and I will have to get these evil pots and pans washed after that. Why can't dishes do themselves. I want to write!!!!!!

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:31:42 +0000

*Wheeeee* I'm at the halfway point of my word count goal!!!! How's everyone else doing? I'm hoping that you've at *least* made the minimum!!!! I don't want to have to bring out the whip this early in the game!!! The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:40:45 +0000

Never mind. I figured it all out. Happy typing everyone!

Re: ST Hatters

Kdjohnson — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:37:52 +0000

Hi... I went and bought my Hello Kitty color book and a 64 pack of Crayolas - with the sharpener, of course - because Steph told me that if I let my inner child out I would come up with a killer idea. I also spent $20 or so on discounted Halloween candy. If that won't lure said interior brat out... nothing will. T-8 hours to come up with SOMETHING... ANYTHING to write about!!!

Re: ST Hatters

Min — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:36:59 +0000

You can keep that whip away from me The Steph (tm). although I'm not at MY chosen word count I'm well over the minimum 2923 today and counting. @KD oh yes colouring pencils and candy, sounds perfect to me!

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:38:41 +0000

Hope this works for you, K! 2000 more words and I'm done for the day! *squeeee* Oooh you guys, my monster story is shaping up to be pretty creepy. (secondary story) the monsters are being blackmailed to attend a halloween party... Okay back to the word mines... those 2k word won't write themselves!

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:28:13 +0000

Yay Yay I'm done for the day!!! Do you know what this means??? I get a cookie!!! A Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cookie!!!! (it's the simple things! LOL!) Okay, am eating dinner then off to 3 hours of dance class...

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:42:32 +0000

Cried wolf at 5k today. Nearly midnight local time. Good night Hatters.

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:52:20 +0000

OK, almost 1100 words shy of my goal...but I'm tired. And my brain isn't speaking to my fingers any longer. But, inquiring minds want to know, did the crayons work???

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:55:59 +0000

the word count bar shows up in the author profiles - but not on the forums (yet) - maybe they will appear along with the forum customization...

Re: ST Hatters

goitaly — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:56:58 +0000

2000 words so far. Not bad. I usually just aim for the minimum every day. Then any more than that is just a bonus. And now I shall reward my efforts with some leftover Halloween candy.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:19:59 +0000

If you go to your writing buddies, all the word count bars are in one place. Just hover your cursor over the bar, and the word count appears. Some people don't have word count bars - I think it's because not everyone has filled in all parts of their profile. Or because they're not officially signed up for this year.

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:55:11 +0000

Hi all. I will still punch out a few more words before I crash but will not try to get back on the site tonight. I'll post today's final count tomorrow morning. I see we all hit up the candy clearance aisles today. And that's a good thing. Plus tomorrow the day won't be chewed up into tiny pieces like today was. But I did get to yoga class, got the conventioneers to the airport, primed the last ceiling tile in my studio, and walked the dog, and wrote. Okay, I'm going to try to check out the count bars on the buddy page and then log off for the evening.

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:33:00 +0000

Okay, I lied. But I ended up 58 words short. The brain is gone for the evening. Ciao!

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:38:17 +0000

Thanks to haunted house strike earlier today, and general exhaustion from the past four days, I didn't hit my 5k goal for the day. But I'm over the daily limit for day one, and I've the whole week off, so I should be able to get caught up when I'm feeling better. Hopefully I'll get a full nights sleep tonight without extra pain waking me up. That really screwed me over today to wake up way too early with every joint from the hips down screaming at me. Didn't really get back to sleep after that.

Re: ST Hatters

caiknbake — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:06:52 +0000

just barely made it over the minimum for today...i'm a little intimidated reading about all you overachievers here, and i'm afraid of your whip, steph! but because of my audition on the 12th, i'm going to be easy on myself and just do my best not get behind before then. after the 12th, if i'm behind, that's when i'll ask for the whip by name ;) so far i'm having some serious POV/verb tense issues. i'm really uncertain where the story will sit most comfortably. but for now i'm just writing it as it comes with that issue in mind for later - i refuse to delete stuff! even if it only marginally makes sense, haha. oh, one more thing - i've already managed to introduce the sock monkey! its anatomy has yet to be revealed to the reader, but rest assured it is anatomically correct :D

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:18:45 +0000

My POVs and verb tenses are just fine. I'm having serious sucky prose issues. It's hard to concentrate, with all this wind rushing by. Really, to read it, you would have no idea that I have any writing experience whatsoever. But I'm Going The Distance.

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:08:06 +0000

My main chicka is a little spastic and spacey feeling at times .... but then she is a genetic experiment that has never been out of the lab she was created in, and her only interactions with other sentient species are a three eyed cranky simian alien, a pair of very horney space salamanders (that don't talk) and of course the two doctors -- one of which doesn't actually talk to her much other than to order her around when he wants to run tests. She is not a child as such, though she has childlike moments, because there are some things she's so excited to discover. Like real food (which she has only seen in vids the good doctor gives her to watch) and other elements of surface dwellers. Just finished an argument tantrum between her and the main lab computer that was a lot of fun. =)

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:46:14 +0000

Qub - congrats on the 5k... can we expect the same and more today??? ;-) MR - yes the crayon experiment worked. K's off and writing (and calling me a smarty pants for some reason... :-) ) Caik - it's okay to meet the minimum... for now. Please don't be too overwhelmed by the large numbers some of us (read me) have. I'm competitive and won't rest until I write as many words as possible. Elf - I really haven't gone back to read much of mine.... Otherwise editor and critic will come back from their vacay in the Bahamas and make my life hell. Realmling - oooh that argument sounds fun! Rah Rah Rah - go, write, win! The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

Min — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:35:08 +0000

one, lovingly hand knit, anatomically correct sock money has been found in a stall at a children's school, and removed from sale by the MC. where are you, oh glorious sexy turkey hat?

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:42:53 +0000

Morning. Well things sound fairly typical for the postmortem of the first day of Nano. I will not be operating in over-achiever mode choosing to remember this is the beginning of a year-long writing marathon and not just a 30 days sprint to get a purple bar (although we don't really know what color they will be this year). I will be pleased if I can end up somewhere between 4-5K by the end of the day. Best of luck to everyone and their day goals. May the muse be with you. Hugs.

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:39:12 +0000

Beloved Hatters, I am aiming for the same agaiin today, but it has been fairly slow progress, sort of like my internet provider's attempts to get me up to a proper download speed. I hope everybody is pacing themselves as previously stated, as for me I write every day of the year I am phycsically able as per my website. Which hasn't been updated in ages because I agreed to help with the writing of a play. So I wrote it all and left it to my colleague to sort it out. My hugs and love as always Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:05:49 +0000

*grin and hugs to all*

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:18:04 +0000

K, today I got the sexy turkey hat and the were tub into my story. Now I just need a sock monkey named paul and a character named John Badcock. Right???????? What was the other dare again?

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:24:32 +0000

I have met today's minimum. I will probably write more later but for now real life calls. Hugs to all. Hope it's sunny and warm in your corner of the world today.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:25:06 +0000

Mindie - it's Dylan Badcock. The last dare is either jailhouse wine or bathtub gin. Yay you!!!!! Morticia - yep it's sunny and warm-ish here. 76 degrees. Supposed to cool off tomorrow and Friday we're supposed to get rain. 1500 away from my baseline goal, 4500 away from my "it would really be awesome to get this" goal.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:25:26 +0000

I like to give real life a big bag of caramels, so that when it wants to call, it has its mouth full. Chewy stops the chatter.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:28:10 +0000

Does anybody remember the episode of Reno 911, where one of the deputies was making his own bathtub version of Goldschlager - but he couldn't afford real gold, so he used bits of torn up aluminum foil. He called it Tinschlager.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:59:10 +0000

So far I've killed off Dylan Badcock, have hinted at the Tele-Tubby Mob (dare from a different group) and am planning on doing mean and nasty things to Cliff Brooks. I think I know where to fit in the sock monkey named paul... remember the scene in the godfather with the horse's head? Well think sock monkey paul without his anatomically correct bits.. ooh and my character has just discovered a black box that may or may not explode when it is tilted on its side... and she wonders why it was hidden under her bed when she didn't put it there. (I have no idea... I guess I'll find out as the story progresses.) The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:55:40 +0000

That's it for todays count, not quite the six, but I was only aiming for five, so fine. Qualms: I think there is too much chatting in my saga, not enough violence or suspense. Still everybody seems to be doing away here. Good night my friends. Qub

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:16:32 +0000

Elf - did you see/read "Mirrormask" by Neal Gaiman? The Really Useful Book at one point notes "My pages taste delicious, but are very sticky" - sort of the literary version of caramel. Haven't gotten any of the dares in. Haven't made my word count (which is higher than expected - thank you, The Steph) got publicly chastised for something I did not post on a forum. So glad I have you guys.

Re: ST Hatters

goitaly — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:22:19 +0000

I think I know how I will get the turkey hat in. Hmmm.... So far so good. I managed to get just over the minimum number of words for today. Now I just have to figure out what happens next.

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:44:39 +0000

I've been a little lazy today, but I'm well above average word count for day two so I'm not too worried. Was interrupted by an unscheduled nap right after lunch that went for most of the afternoon. Not so helpful for the word count, but very much needed after the past few days I'm thinking. Have a bit of a cough going on...hope it's still from fog machine and constant talking in the haunted house and not a cold or anything like that. I don't feel sick, just tired.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:59:27 +0000

Qub - great job! MR - do we need to send you a 'take-care-of-it" squad to educate those who falsely accused you? goitaly - congrats on making a little extra! See, it's not so bad! Realmling - naps also help the muse to recharge, so no worries about that. I hope it's not a cold, and that a good night's sleep is all you need. I've been a bit lazy as well, so it's taken me longer than normal to get my allotted words. But that's what a pulled bum muscle will do for you. (Can't sit in one position for very long.)

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:01:41 +0000

Okay, I squeezed out a few more words but I sort of wound down the section I was working on and it's too late to start into a new section. I have not done any of the dares. It remains to be seen if any of them can be worked into my text; I may have to use them as on the side rewards for getting my official counts done. Tomorrow I need to get an early start as I have pool time and then lunch with my son. Today was amazing despite a short night's sleep. I got my word count grounded, got the painting stuff out of the way before the rain moved in, and walked the dog. Time to sign off for the evening. I seem to sleep better if I read something in print to help un-wire me. Oh, and my reserve for Princess Bride (DVD) is waiting at the library which will be tomorrow's reward for getting my counts in. Sorry I can't help with any of the queries; I seem to have skipped an era. Good rest and health to all.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:05:45 +0000

I have a Dylan Badcock-type character (he has a different, though equally cheesy name, which better befits his magical profession.) I turned him into a small, cuddly animal. He's so not down with that, because it really puts a damper on his love life. It's really hard for a guy to get any action when he's less than a foot tall.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:09:40 +0000

MR, no I haven't seen or read Mirrormask - but when November's over, I need to read more Gaiman. Literary caramel sounds tasty.

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:20:40 +0000

I have an optional dare - and it even has a story to go with it (and will so be making an appearance in my story after the main guy's friends go and get my little experiment drunk) --- The Beer-witching hour, and the Beer-witching gnomes who enforce it -- Once upon a time there was this group of college kids. As many of them do, the majority of the group had done a little too much partying the night before and were all just chilling one evening and avoiding having anything much to drink. There were perhaps a few lingering hang-overs in the mix as well. Enter the one friend who always has to work whenever anything fun is planned. He finally had two days off in a row and had decided he would get drunk. A bit of a light-weight, it didn't take long, and dude was nice and toasty and out of booze. (I believe the poison of choice that night was mad dog 20/20 was either that or a 40 of bud.../shudder) Said drunk guy was also one of the silly and loud types .... and pretty much everyone left the room to get away from him. Then came "the mean one" with way too much imagination at times for her own good (y'all get one guess who...ehehe). Drunk friend keeps calling out for more booze, but there wasn't any and it was growing a little annoying after the first few times of telling him so. And thus were the beer-witching gnomes brought to life. They are little creatures that live in the walls of houses - mostly those where parties happen quite regularly - and when the time is right they come out and carry off all the alcohol in the joint for their own little party. And thus it was that our poor drunk man had come upon the beer-witching hour, and all the beer-witching gnomes had come in through the hole under the cupboard and taken all the booze away. Drunk guy actually bought it after a while - long enough for him to be quiet about more to drink before taking a bit of a nap. He was then delivered safely home by his crazy friends, even the one everyone else called mean for convincing him that there was such a thing as a beer-witching hour and beer-witching gnomes to take away a person's booze. Of course, as wonderful friends as people are, he was reminded of the beer-witching experience quite often while sober.

Re: ST Hatters

Alenahope — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:29:01 +0000

I don't think beer witching gnomes will fit into my story line, but my main characters are in college so a beer witching hour with fictional gnomes might be doable. I'll try. But right now I'm at under 3000 words, TOTAL. Got back home yesterday from the island of toothless misfits and instead of the promised land of vacation for two weeks and NaNo all day every day I have to work. Surprise surprise. Seriously thinking of getting out of the medical field and finding a job where I'm redundant and replaceable. I'm not going to go back and read the 40 some odd posts I missed, someone should summerize all the dares up to this point. I'm going to try and reach my word goals while sitting here watching Nurse Jackie in bed with a diet coke and vodka and my down slippers. ITS COLD OUTSIDE DANGIT! and its blowing like hades, was supposed to have gusts to 100 mph but that never materialized.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:39:20 +0000

The Beer Witch Project, hee hee

Re: ST Hatters

Min — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:36:13 +0000

beer witching gnomes. not sure it'll fit but hey I can try! something is wrong with me, there was an opportunity for smut and I glossed over it, I could have got 2k easy out of it but ended up with one line O_o. MR - the heavy squad is ready to defend your honour should it be required.

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:47:19 +0000

Morning. Have logged the first quarter of today's goal. Now I'm off to the pool, lunch, and to pick up my movie reserve. It's supposed to rain so it will be good weather for writing. It's too bad this isn't 2007 because the dares would fit so well into that story line. Rats. And I am still waiting for my halo. I feel so naked on this thread without it and it is taking forever. Min - so add it later as a flashback; it might be more effective. And as we all know, words are words right now. Later.

Re: ST Hatters

Lexicon — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:46:50 +0000

I've got to quit writing YA. No smut for 2,000 words allowed. Sheesh. MR, not happy about your falsely accused honor. Will send the sock monkey after them all. Along with the beer witching gnomes. No dares done yet (can't remember them all, actually) and a very tiny word count too. I'm at 2,356 after yesterday (couldn't get on to update yesterday and now hate how my graph looks as naked as M) but finally have time now to sit down and try to make up for lost words. MIL, no more impromptu visits in November. It's a new law, just put into effect, and carries the death penalty.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:01:36 +0000

Okay... here's the list of dares as a sum up 1 - sexy turkey hat 2 - anatomically correct sock monkey named Paul 3 - were-tub 4 - jailhouse wine / bathtub gin 6 - Dylan Badcock and number 7 - Beer witching hour / gnomes Now to catch up... Alena - that sucks!!! Good luck getting as much done as you can, the whip will be lenient for a couple of days while you get your bearings. Morticia - have fun with your day today! Min - no smut?!?!? get thee to a doctor woman... there's something wrong! Lex - LOL re: impromtu MIL visits... punishable by death... I like it! Bummer about the graph though... today when you enter your words, it'll bounce back. Off to reattach swap out a hand for one of my characters... hers keeps trying to escape. Go, Write, Win!!! The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:49:36 +0000

Had a small typing day today. Well above the official word count goal and 300 shy of my own goal. I need more time to myself! Ya all seem to be doing great. Ra Ra Ree, Kick them in the knee Ra Ra Rass Kick them in the other knee. Write Write Write!

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:27:39 +0000

Honor? Um...that was lost long ago. In fact, I may have sold it at a church bazaar. However, my incredibly hard to offend self was somewhat offended by the chastisement (and the fact that, having contacted the chastiser privately, she never sent me an 'oops, sorry I yelled at you and not the real culprit' message back). I don't mind taking responsibility for my own words, but I refuse to be punished (metaphorically) for words which came from another keyboard altogether. I am truly grateful for the show of support though. I feel quite humbled and cherished at the offer of various thugs and weaponry to assist in my plight. Beer Witch Project HAHAHA Yes, Elf, read more Gaiman. Mirrormask is one of my favorites. I often listen to it on audiobook. I wedged in jailhouse wine last night after I posted my word count. So, yay me! Only a bazillion more words and six dares to go. RAH RAH RAH!! GO WRITERS GO! (sorry, I wasn't a cheerleader...don't know how those things work) MR

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:06:31 +0000

Avoiding the image of me in a cheerleader outfit, too late? Yep Fell short of the big five today and now my average is on a nasty downward spiral. I may not have commented on the unfair treatment of one of the good ladies here, however I was shot down last year for voice my opinion on another matter. Apparently a sponsor wasn't very chuffed. So with tired eyes I will bash out a few words to start today or tomorrow. Oh and I did the monkey thing, bit of a cop out though used in a sex ed back story sort of thing. Good night Hatter and vive la revolution (Probably spelt wrong) Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Lexicon — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:48:58 +0000

QUB, there is not such thing as a cop out. If it appears, it counts. Paul will appear in my next writing session. In the back seat of a dude's pick up truck... My MC is both charmed and disgusted by Dude. The anatomically correct giant sock monkey might be enough to push her over the edge. But the little shit is skipping school, so what can you expect?

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:12:57 +0000

Dylan Badcock is the only one so far ... and the boy is puttin the moves on my secondary female. Which she might possibly welcome, but they'll have to behave themselves since this isn't their story. And my little experiment is having a little too much fun with the AI from the lab computer. I can't tell who all is attempting to corrupt who -- because the computer is having too much fun going out and finding new vids for them to watch. And I'm not talking My Little Pony either. And the computer was never supposed to have shown up like this, but I can't seem to stop it.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:25:40 +0000

*whew* rough day today... got all the outdoor halloween decorations in (thankfully before it started raining), and put most of the inside decorations away. While still working on my word count. And I wrote so many fun and silly things today it was great, but now I'm beat... I've got 300 words to go before I can have dinner and then I'm going to watch Mythbusters and take a nice hot bubble bath... Goodnight hatters! May your muse visit you in your sleep! The Steph P.S. 26k - you're welcome

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:55:48 +0000

Okay, got to call it a night. Just missed by a smidge but I did get in 8 laps, real laps as opposed to swimming one length hang on the side gasp for breath and then swim back across. And lunch with my son was great, we gabbed for an hour and a half. But I miss my GF and he doesn't get home for two more days; but he calls everyday and sometimes twice a day. Night all.

Re: ST Hatters

Robbin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:44:16 +0000

I'm on target :) *Waves at everyone* Hi Hi!

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:39:55 +0000

Starting out the day on 11101. I changed one of my character names to Dylan Badcock today. It just seemed to fit. So I will need to go back in the re-write and change all of my Jacob's to Dylan's. It's not going to bug me, I'm just going to fix it later. I hope that counts as the dare. I'll work on the sock monkey tomorrow when I write the villain's point of view. I hate trying to find things that my husband loses. I have no clue where to look. It's not like I can trace his steps. *grumble* *waves back to Robbin* My son is doing the voice to your avatar. It's sort of difficult to think strait with him mewing. QUB in a cheerleading out fit made me laugh. Good times. Do what ya all do!!

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:25:24 +0000

Oh man, I am so tired. Can I take a nap? Pretty please. Okay, 1000 in and 2000 more to go. #^%*@$# (slave drivers)

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:38:55 +0000

Things I have looked up on Wikipedia so far today: ~ weight of a sarcophagus ~ can you move a sarcophagus with a dolly ~ what type of ink and writing instruments were used in ancient Egypt ~ how far away is point blank range ~ Can two people lift an unconscious person and prop them against a wall ~ And how long does it take that person to fall to the ground once you let go ~ What is the minimum caliber bullet necessary to kill someone That's it for the moment... I've also cursed a few moving men with shriveled male body parts, painful urination and incurable itching... Don't move the mummy... she's pissed.

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:48:02 +0000

The Steph: HA! I get the feeling, if anyone ever got their hands on my browser history, it would raise a few eyebrows. I look up all sorts of weird random things while commenting on other writers. SO - how long DOES it take for a body to fall after it is no longer propped? QUB: Not sure what your profile pic is (and, please don't tell me...I prefer fantasy over reality) but for some reason I decided it was a lemur either reading the paper or carving wood and I want to add the creature to my novel. mr

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:09:44 +0000

Hatters what are you lot drinking? The picture is just me slumming it at the summer house (hut) on The Qub Estate (back garden), as in the House of Qub (Wee flat next to the railway). Please feel to include me, but only if he smokes too much and is a short fat guy to fulfill the true image. Average numbers show over 5k, but only 4.5k today. Going to bed now in a real strop over my word count. Hugs Hatters Qub

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:20:36 +0000

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! I was sure that was a lemur (maybe it's time for a visit to the eye doctor). A short smoking lemur? Is it really sad that I haven't had a drink yet today and I still think 'lemur'? I know, I will HAVE a drink and see if it still look lemur-ish. Do not despair over word counts. Not this early in the game :-) mr

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:22:35 +0000

I just finished the first moment of smut between my couple. He spent the entire time believing her a hallucination .... got his moment of satisfaction and then promptly fell asleep. Not what she imagined her first time would be, even with all the vids watched and books read. She's not a happy camper at this particular moment and is trying to decide if she gives him another chance, or if she should just go find someone else the next time she escapes to the surface. There is a nice cop waiting in the wings, and of course there's always a trip to The Professor in the Pleasure Dome....but neither of them are supposed to show up for a while yet. Never mind it took me forever to get that damn scene to come out how I wanted it to. /sigh

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:23:43 +0000

MR- Thanks for getting that cleared up about QUB's avatar. (shhhh...don't tell but I thought it was Kermit the Frog where he sings "Rainbow Connection" but what do I know I added a splash of sherry to my stir-fry for supper) Okay so far this is starting out really really hard. Maybe I'm out of practice having missed a year but I can't seem to find my stride. I thought I was getting there early yesterday because I got into a section that mostly wrote itself, but today was really hard and mostly things kept running in circles like a child's top. Everyone else seems to be carrying on fabulously; emphasis on carrying on. wink-wink. Good night all. A dish of Peanut Butter Chip ice cream has my name on it. And I'm not sharing. Sorry.

Re: ST Hatters

goitaly — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:52:29 +0000

So far so good as far as the word count is concerned, but i don't feel like anything is happening yet. Hopefully that will change tomorrow. We will see...

Re: ST Hatters

CarolinaWriter — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:10:09 +0000

Way behind on word count, but I am hosting a write-in today at my local library, so I hope to make a major dent in the backlog. I have my plot bunny (as of yet unnamed), Claude the Plot Crab, 16 inked fountain pens, and lots of paper. I'm ready!

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:14:19 +0000

ooooo, fountain pens... I could never write with those. I'd spend too much time making blots and cursing my lack of penmanship skills. Also, I wouldn't be able to read much of what I wrote. good luck with the write-in. I'm planning a shut-in-for-the-weekend to see if that helps the story gain momentum. mr

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:23:38 +0000

Morticia - my one story is just getting going now, at 24k, so I wouldn't be too concerned. The other story isn't moving yet because I'm establishing "day in the life" of a couple of monsters first. Qub - I always thought your avi was a guy on a bench writing... apologies to MR and Morticia for not seeing lemurs or Kermie. goitaly - your story will pick up speed, don't worry, you just gotta get through the beginning bits first. Carolina - I do hope the whip doesn't have to come out soon? Good luck at the write in, and I'll be expecting you to get caught up. :-D Good luck to all the hatters on padding their word counts this weekend. Not sure if I'm going to be able to make my goal today.. I have a performance this afternoon. (Who schedules these things in November? I mean really??) May the muse be with you! The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:44:07 +0000

I really don't feel like writing today. I know I will this evening while trying not to be bored with house manager duties, but there are so many other things I'd rather do right now. It's too early to hit the blahs. I never hit the "I'm tired of writing" blahs until after the 50k. Maybe it's just today. Everything has felt a little blah-ish since I woke up this morning.

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:50:11 +0000

I woke up to the realization I forgot to buy coffee yesterday. Nothing like climbing out of a warm bed and risking life and or limb crossing three sevenths of a rotary amid heavy traffic to wake one up and chase off the 'blahs' :-) Come on Realmling, lets play in traffic! ...or maybe just write about it. Yeah, writing is probably a better idea. (I am giddy from the heady aroma of a newly opened bag of coffee beans) mr

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:05:14 +0000

Ending my allotted writing time with 14000 and some change. Totally forgot to put in the sock monkey............... That dare is a bit difficult for my story line. I'll make it fit. Has anyone seen a post from green fingers????

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:31:28 +0000

Re Greenfingers I can't say I have, sorry. Anyhoo: Reporting in from Qub Towers. I have spoken my legal team and I have decided to fire my publicist instead of suing you lot for being mean. So as I crawl back to my meagre four post bed in my little mansion, think on this. Lurkers have feelings too. Sob, sob. Managed just over my target today, but fingers and back hurt like hell so I might just ease off tomorrow. No hugs as I'm wounded. Lemur indeed, Kermit I ask you. Just a fat bloke on his bench with his fags writing between estate duties, like hanging out the washing or a spot of gardening. Night Hatters Qub

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:03:00 +0000

:-( If it is any consolation, I quite like lemurs. (wow - it is really hard to do puppy-dog eyes via emoticon - you'll have to imagine my abject and sincere look of remorse)

Re: ST Hatters

caiknbake — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:56:54 +0000

i am afraid to post because i'm so behind, but i'm posting anyway because i know i need to be held accountable in order to get back on the ball. *sheepish* what do y'all do if you hate your story? :(

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:43:01 +0000

Hatters, What are you like? (Goes around the room hugging everyone) Publicist spoken of earlier was Qubette Major under direction of Qubette Minor. Legal advice given by Lady Qub. Picture quality shocking because I thought I knew what I was doing with a computer buy shrinking it to fit stupidly small space on forums. Yes I failed. Pic Synop: Me in joggers (Sweat Pants?) and a jersey, with flowery hat on to keep off strong Scottish Sun. Sitting on cheap bench from local diy store (Self assembly, I don't think so. One has people who do that sort of thing for one) Beside me is assorted hand rolling aids for cigs and probably used coffee mugs. No smiling face as by time Qubettes had finish arguing I just wanted to get on and write during our one day of summer. More hugs and positive vibes, Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Robbin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:28:11 +0000

[quote=caiknbake] i am afraid to post because i'm so behind, but i'm posting anyway because i know i need to be held accountable in order to get back on the ball. *sheepish* what do y'all do if you hate your story? :( [/quote] When it happened to me year before last, I stopped the storyline, started afresh AND counted both to my total.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:03:13 +0000

I have also done what Robbin said. I have also started with one story idea, let another take over, then finished both (they turned out to be novellas instead of novels, and that was fine.) To get word count when things just stall: Look at what you have and try to figure out what's missing. Make lists (include them in your word count.) If you have two scenes, but the second doesn't happen immediately after the first, figure out if there's a scene or two missing - and what happens in between. If you have some random idea, don't hesitate to follow it. It might be the wild tangent that leads to more story, to another character you didn't know you needed, or to another story that will take off and go even further. Some folks insist on sticking strictly to their prepared outlines; I insist on following all wild tangents to see where they go. (I have gotten incredible stuff that way. When it happens, I listen, because my characters are trying to tell me something important.) Make lists of research you have to do to make your story more believable. I had to figure out what the inside of a really opulent Victorian house would have looked like - so I found pictures online, and wrote descriptions - and counted it as word count. Along the way, while doing busy work, I started having more story ideas again and the story started flowing better. Stalling out, feeling like you're out of ideas, it's normal. Now is about the time when you probably wrote out everything you knew - and you've hit the "Now What???" phase. You can get through it. Just write whatever you have to, whether it's good or not. You'll eventually reach the other side, and you can edit out the really bad crap later.

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:10:40 +0000

I think I've figured out where the downer blahs came from. I haven't crochet anything in forever it seems ... I might be going through hook and yarn withdrawl. As odd as that sounds, that's what I would rather be doing right now than writing, even though I'm enjoying what I'm writing. My two characters are having a get to know each other conversation at a noodle stand and it's going great right now. So I've got my plan figured out. As long as I get a couple thousands words written every day, I'll be fine on the novel front and allow myself some hookin time. It's become such a stablizing thing for me to do I think that it's too much a beneficial therapy for me to just drop for something else for a month. That and I bought new yarn for new projects yesterday, and my crocodile stitch pattern book came in Friday .... and I have a sexy gobbles hat to finish .... and yeah. No crochet is turning me into as grumpy a bitch as when I forget to eat. Which I'd best go do right now as well. All this talk of food in my story has my tummy grumbling at me.

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:38:24 +0000

Hoorah! I am not longer in the virtual doghouse! I have figured out how to grovel effectively in cyberspace. (And I still like lemurs) Qub: did you scale the photo, then crop to fit? OK, after the small coffee scare yesterday (and dangerous zombie walk to refill the coffee coffers) guess what I found in my freezer this morning? A full, unopened, pound of caffeine transfer beans (what? I needed to pad the word count). Happy, if mystified as to how I missed seeing the bag - it isn't like I have a ton of food in there. As for the novel...every year I find myself with a vague idea at the start of Nov. By Mid-November I find the idea has gotten well and truly away and is living contently on it's own, needing no input from me. Case in point: the damned sock monkey. It was going to be a short, perhaps comic, discovery by a child who had no idea why the monkey was 'risque'. So far it's gotten two scenes, spawned a female counterpart, and may become the basis for marriage ceremonies in a off-world colony. I'm with Elf - follow those wild tangents - but be prepared to find your subconscious has a mind of its own :-) mr

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:45:14 +0000

Qub, Don't feel bad about your avatar picture. I've been told that mine resembles some sort of line drawing of a unisex person running past a sign that says "No Photo Uploaded Yet", carrying a large pencil, of all things. People have such strange imaginations!

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:35:26 +0000

whoa, Elf. People really see a unisex figure and pencil? I thought it was Wolverine of the X-men holding a missile. (Right now, Hugh Jackman is suddenly and inexplicably possessed of a feeling of extreme manly pride). OK, time to stop procrastinating. Right after I run out to get dinner. Then I will CATCH UP TO MY PROJECTED WORD COUNT. Or re-project the count. One or the other.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:07:31 +0000

*running in to say "HI"* Had a fantastic word war which netted me 2500 words in an hour... that's the most I've written in an hour before YAY! Oh and here's a question... I have two stories... do the dares need to happen in both stories, or just once per NaNo? I have the perfect place in one story for the were-tub, but I'm not sure where the heck to put it in the second story... Off to maybe hit 50k today. *ducks and covers and runs from the room* The Steph (tm) Oh and Caik?? [/////]------______---------______--------______---------*** Get writin'! (And I agree with all the advice everyone else gave you. Also sit down and write 10 words, then another 10 words etc until you'll soon have 200 words down.) Realmling - there's no reason you need to give up crochet during November. I would use it as a relaxation / unwinding / motivational tool for after you finish your words for the day.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:33:15 +0000

one thousand more words to go....

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:22:03 +0000

you know, The Steph (tm), excessive bragging on word count may cause some sort of backlash in which the Hatters decide you need to put all the dates in both stories - and add a special one for overachievers :-) Congrats on 50 (I'm just assuming you made it). mr

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:32:49 +0000

The Steph - I think MR meant "dares" since we have it on good authority that you're happily married. [ducks and exits stage right]

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:41:03 +0000

MR - That's almost as clever as sending the gentleman friend to get couscous when the box in hand does not have enough for two. And then when I go to put the new box in the cupboard (after opening of course) discover there is a huge jar next to the slot for the box. Since when do we buy couscous in a jar? So now we have enough couscous to last us at least a year. Oh, and I am definitely on board to dole out backlash if it's needed. [wink]

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:22:08 +0000

You need to put your extra couscous in your novel.

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:16:59 +0000

DATES! You'd think with all the coffee I'd be awake enough to notice these things. Yes, by all means, dare Steph... (so's you know, I wrote 'date' again, but I caught it this time). I have added: anatomically correct sock monkeys (Paul and Paulina) jailhouse wine and, in checking back to the list...did we know it is numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 did we edit out 5?? 1- sexy turkey hat 2 - anatomically correct sock monkey named Paul 3 - were-tub 4 - jailhouse wine / bathtub gin 6 - Dylan Badcock and number 7 - Beer witching hour / gnomes

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:37:40 +0000

MR - It was all the bathtub brew from #4. So who needs a #5. [and there is probably a couple thousands words to be had explaining it all] Today; it's a Monday. It needs to go well. But considering the fact that it's the Monday after a time change does challenge the powers that be. I don't know if the couscous will make the story but I think I need to sidestep to a parallel track until I find my stride. There's really no rush as this is the beginning of a full year of writing. I was hoping that getting through the 50K would sort of function like Julia's morning pages (sorry can't think of her last name at the moment). So I'm offline for a few hours. Later.

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:36:16 +0000

I took Sunday off......... My little Bruce (18month old) fell and split his head open. We rushed him off to the hospital and he got two staples in his little head. Life does happen during Nano. After the kids went to bed I started reading a new book to my husband while he painted miniatures. Ravenor The Omnibus, by Dan Abnett. - I actually am totally into it. Did another 3000 words today and some change. I think I'll take Sundays off for now on. As long as I don't get the whip from Steph.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:20:33 +0000

Poor little kid. How's he doing? Morticia - Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:28:18 +0000

Beloved Hatters and fellow lurkers Briefest of notes as i charge after my average again, slipped back from five thousand over the weekend, so might have a late one tonight. Hope Bruce is going to be okay, we at Qub Towers have people to deal with that sort of thing, none the less children are a worry during nano as well as you say. My best to you and yours. Good Vibes to all Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:13:07 +0000

Okay, I am so ready for this election to be over. The freaking phone rings constantly, I never answer it but it continues to ring itself silly. Mindie - O man, heads bleed like crazy no matter how tiny the injury making you feel certain the ER crew is going to write you up for child abuse. I hope he got a sticker and a sucker; and that you got a stiff drink (of whatever that means for you) and a nap. Elf - Right, Cameron. QUB - You go right ahead a think you're average but I'm telling you that you're not. You are doing well above that so don't shoot yourself in the foot with naysaying. I'm not quite caught up but I feel things are in much better shape tonight. So I feel I can go to bed at a decent hour with no regrets.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:37:48 +0000

I went to bed at a decent hour, but I got hungry and here I am. Late night whole grain cereal (dry) and V8. I can haz weight loss.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:43:22 +0000

Ugh... very unmotivated today... only got 2000 words. Going to bed now, hopefully to wake up ready to get back in the writing saddle. I need to NOT get sick... hubster came home with a bad head cold. Thanks love! <----- sarcasm The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:03:39 +0000

Beloved Hatters I must pick you up on a most urgent point having seen The Steph (tm) remark about her husband. Men do not get head colds, sniffles or any other sort of COLD. We get one of the worst ailments known to the human race, worse than chicken flu, sausage flu or anyother sort of meat based illness. We get MAN FLU, as a result all attention should be turned to us at all costs. Not to could result in further deeping of the condition leading to moping, moaning and heaven forbid whinging. If your Man gets to this stage then your emergency services. Remember MAN FLU - You have to care. This health advice comes from the Dept of Men Welfare. Qub

Re: ST Hatters

goitaly — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:05:55 +0000

I haven't written anything in days. The weekend kind of exploded on me. Now I am so far behind...I feel panic setting in. But, today is another day. I will try to keep plugging along. Maybe I need to find a new idea. The one I have doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Hmmm...

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:29:37 +0000

QUB -- NO sympathy from me what so ever as to Man Flu when the husband (or any man really) catches it. Because he stays home, begs off his service calls if they come in and sleeps for three days straight and is all well and happy. And then the prick gives it to me. =P And I'm sick for two weeks or more because I have this thing called a job I have to go to every day. If it's really bad I can take a day or two off...but that comes out of my general PTO pool, and means my vacation time was just wasted on a cold. Which puts me in an even better mood because our definitions of what makes a vacation don't match up anymore either, but that's another rant. I hit 15k last night. Should have done a little more, but I really wanted to finish this hat I started sunday night. Which I should have abandoned and just written the damn sex scene, because the pattern sucked and it turned out to be the ugliest hat I have ever made. I managed to disguise the ugly (hopefully) and it will go into the craft show sale bin that mom and I are doing the saturday after thanksgiving.

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:57:32 +0000

Oh don't even get me started on the Man Flu... Why is it when he gets sick, life as we know it stops, waiting for him to recover. And the whining... oh lord. Yet I could have a 102 fever, throwing up every hour, and he'll still come home and ask what I'm making for dinner. And the chores still need to be done, and grocery shopping and bill paying and do you think he takes the time to pamper me? HELL NO. So I'm fighting with everything I have NOT to get sick. Sorry about the rant, but as you can tell, it's a sore subject with me. Off to get more words on the page. The Steph (tm)

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:01:09 +0000

Steph, Consume many, many bowls of hot soup, as a preemptive strike. Also lots of hot tea.

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:03:54 +0000

Little Bruce has a head ache today, but he is just fine. Well, as long as I hold him most of the day and keep the Tylenol close. Other than that he is back to his usual destruction of my Tupperware cupboard and replacing the fridge condiments with is favorite toys. The MAN FLU. Ugh. My husband was in the Marine Corps for eight years. He is a MAN, but when he gets the MAN FLU suddenly his balls are in my purse. I try to take them out and throw them back to him so that he can wipe his own nose, but they just keep appearing back in my purse. Thanks for the strong drink. I hope steph doesn't get sick. After all she is trying to get to 150K. Best Wishes. QUB- Scotland is neat. Do you play the bagpipes by chance?

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:04:28 +0000

Qub, What do you mean "IF" a man gets to the moping, moaning, whinging stage? Don't they usually START the illness there? : 0 )

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:09:54 +0000

Catty Hatters Bagpipes? Afraid not, not even a great fan of them. Mindie - What you describe - isn't that just part of the marriage ceremony or cohab agreement? (OH?) Aiming to round off at 6k to break the forties for tomorrow. Carry on Peeps Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:33:54 +0000

Catty? Damn straight. =P I'm the one with the job outside the home. He's self employed and works out of the house. My ultimate fantasy is to come home and everything is clean and put away and there's dinner waiting for me. Occasionally he will have cooked something to eat, but it's not often he gets the urge. And while he does his own laundry (sorry, but if you complain about how I do laundry/fold clothes I'm not going to waste my time doing it for you) he never sees fit to take care of the pile of towels or sheets that he contributes to. Haven't quite figured that one out yet. Hopefully when I get home tonight his office stuff will have been moved out of my kitchen/dinning area. It means I can finally start shopping for a china hutch so all my nice dishes and the like aren't stashed in totes and boxes all around the house anymore.

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:49:19 +0000

Qub- I do believe it is a part of the agreement. It's just a bit annoying (as marriage usually it) and it's even more annoying that when I'm in agony from a kidney stone blocking all passage out, he tells me that pain is weakness leaving the body. The thing is, I wouldn't mind so much if he would step up to the plate when I am in need. I think bagpipes are in my blood. They make me dance. My mom is teaching my six year old the Scottish-Irish Jig and it brings back so many memories of competing with my sister at the Highland Games here in the states. Speaking of the six year old. I have to go pick her up at the bus stop to bring her home. The snow.......... it will be here for the next 6 months.

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:57:39 +0000

A man's stones aren't in a woman's purse unless he wants them to be. I think some men just get tired of carrying them. Or they leave them somewhere, lose track of them, and we end up having to look for them.

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:13:03 +0000

On a completely different rant, because if I don't get this out I'm afraid I'm gonna go splody or something. Your =/= You're shutter =/= shudder their =/= there =/= they're I can forgive people a little if english isn't their first language, I can even ignore the yours and theirs and typos and words spelled wrong .... but OMG, if I read another scene where some idiot uses shutter instead of shudder, I swear I'll start killing things. A woman shuttering in the middle of getting it on totally rips me out of what's going on and I have to supress the urge to scream. You can't even autocorrect that one wrong, they are two completely different words! Even MS word knows this. Not sure about OpenOffice ... but even if those two programs can't agree on how a few things are spelled (seriously, it's fun to run a file through both and see the difference in their spell check dictionaries) I'm sure they would still agree that shutter and shudder are two different things. Or maybe that's what I get for reading not-so-great fanfiction over my lunch hour for shits and giggles.

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:22:07 +0000

May I say that today's offerings on the thread have made me happier about my single lot in life. Thanks all. Sometimes I forget all the "fun" I'm missing. :-) (and can I add, I love the word "whinging". I feel like I should buy a summer home tin the UK just to be able to say whinging all the time...and have people understand what I'm going on about) Healthy vibes all mr

Re: ST Hatters

Elfwriter23 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:30:06 +0000

I read a story where the writer meant "making do" and wrote..."making due." I'm seeing more and more typos making it into published work. And on TV. What I really cannot understand is when writers talk about what they "right."

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:33:33 +0000

Morticia - being cut off from the world here in Scotland, what election and why are they calling? Realmling et al - Being scottish by birth I have life time hatred of the language and the stupid spelling of the same sounding word. My particular problem is with past and passed, I try not to live in the past and I passed I think the police doing the right speed. But I could be wrong and usually am. Mindie - I am one of those Scots who didn't realise what I had in my nation until I saw just how much of it had been robbed of it by our UK Gov, not that the Scottish one is a whole better, need I mention trams in Edinburgh? None the less it is great to hear of kids everywhere learning the dances and music. Do you know the connection btween Mr H Ford and the ultra cheap model T? Over all hatters I am chuffed to have engaged you in such a mature topic ealier and now retire with my average deflated again because I dared to update after the witching hour. Sweet dreams Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:36:02 +0000

should quickly add - between Mr H Ford, The Model T and The Scots? Well after midnight here so please forgive. Qub

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:01:50 +0000

1911 Henry Alexander drove a "Model T" to the top of Ben Nevis ? (I googled...it is what passes as research in Nov.)

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mr1 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:06:45 +0000

Elf - I really wanted to post using all words incorrectly or in-grammatically or substituting homonyms...but after staring at the screen for ten minutes, I realized my brain had placed a 'temporarily out of service - technical difficulties" sign in the window... Any screw-ups were unintentional and the result of typing without the supervision of ego/super ego mr

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:24:02 +0000

Hey all, have you read a high school textbook recently; or college even. And I realize most of you still have little ones under foot but wait until you get a load of what your big bucks at the campus bookstore will read like. Just sayin' Realmling - Who knows, maybe "shuttering" is the new euphemism for orgasm? Okay, maybe not. But it's a fascinating image to ponder while waiting for the internet to answer because heaven knows the freaking election has the entire internet jammed all day here. That and the whole world vying to weigh in on why "Joe Must Go". And yes that is a Google-able phrase. And I'll try not to brag too much but apparently I traded up. But the earlier model was a hypochondriac who regularly announced that I - a cum laude RN - did not know anything about making him feel better. But just to be clear, any man who isn't willing to carry kotex in his back pocket is not putting anything in my purse. Just sayin' But that reminds me; my daughter had given me a grandma emergency kit with diapers, and wipes, etc, etc. I did not need this gigantic tub of wipes already having a smaller one so I set it on the vanity so I would remember to send it home with her. And promptly forgot it. Later that evening the gentleman friend comes down the hall asking if I have any messages for him. I think for a moment; "Nope, nobody has called today." To which he countered "I don't mean phone messages." Me: "Umm?" Him: "Pampers" Me: "Pampers?" So he gets the tub and holds it out. "Is there something you're trying to tell me?" Me: "Those are wipes for when the girls visit." Him: Sheepish silence. Me: "Oh you thought it meant...No." And we started laughing. QUB - We may be "catty" but you have to admit it beats being "doggy." And you will probably never live down the "whinging." [wink] Okay, I'm outta here; and no, I am not proofreading this post.

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:43:17 +0000

I wish, but I've seen shuttered too many other times when it didn't involve house windows, cameras or sex to believe that. I have no idea why it bothers me so much, it just does. Drives me bonkers.

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caiknbake — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:38:21 +0000

shutters vs. shudders annoys the hell out of me, too, realmling. it makes me feel like the person who wrote it doesn't actually read :( hoping all the sick hatters/injured little ones get well! and if you're on the verge, kick it! it's all i can do right now not to have a meltdown. i've been trying to make it out to write-ins, because that's the only time i can focus on writing...at home, i'm either practicing or failing at doing anything else productive (except knitting). i'm sure after this weekend things will be easier, though. i'm still in the game! just struggling a little.

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mr1 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:52:20 +0000

[quote=Morticia] But just to be clear, any man who isn't willing to carry kotex in his back pocket is not putting anything in my purse. [/quote] BEAUTIFUL! Absolutely beautiful. Worthy of printing on a tee shirt. mr

Re: ST Hatters

Mindie — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:48:23 +0000

I'm having a bad writing day. . . I'm writing along and my MC doesn't know if the kitchen is to the right or the left of his quarters. My brain will not move the story forward until I map out the air ship. I only made 1500 words today. Now I have to draw stuff. ARG! My husband has carried Tampax in his back pocket for me a few times. When my dress didn't have pockets and i didn't want to lug a purse around. QUB - I have no clue what the connection is between Ford and Scotland and what not. Pampers means prego? Men, what is wrong with their brains? (no offense QUB)

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:08:37 +0000

Mindie - Don't know anything about woman things, pampers - preggers are you? Don't know if I missed a posting and I should know better, so no umbridge taken. Oh right allegedly Mr H Ford used cheap labour on the assembley lines and it was scottish, termed white slaves in the day. I believe we were also responsible for the engineering side as well. We're good at building things that why the Scottish Gov hired foreign companies to build the tram line in Edinburgh at three schillings and is now costing nearly a billion pounds. ($1.5billion) And not for the whole line either. What was the thing about nappies?" Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:03:19 +0000

Hey, the word count bars finally showed up!!!! Though I'm not sure if that is a good thing now or an irritating thing. MR - Thank you. I guess T-shirt fame is better than no fame at all. Mindie - You can make your airship anyway you want. QUB - I think you missed my post from last night (see above about 7 posts +/-). Okay, could have been a better day but what can you do with a November squall. Speaking of squalls; is AlenaHope okay, I hear a terrible squall is pounding Alaska and she's on the Aleutian chain I think. Sending good thoughts. I'm outta here before the spelling police come looking for me.

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mr1 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:27:28 +0000

So, apparently I needed to do some brainstorming because I ended up cleaning the apartment. And by 'cleaning' I mean I ran the swiffer duster around the TV screen and sent the roomba off to do the floors. Poor little robot is exhausted. But I think I figured out some plot. mr

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:53:00 +0000

'allo to the hatters! I wrote a very badly written scene with Paul the sock monkey, today. He was trying to solicit coitus from a group of female characters, and after he wandered off, one wondered if she'd get rug burn if she had relations with him... and he as the cheesiest pick up lines... "I'm ribbed for your pleasure" (Knitting, ribbed... get it???) Okay I'm going to get back to writing now, before I get beat up. ~ The Steph (tm) P.S. The were-tub??? It eats people... just sayin'

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Elfwriter23 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:05:25 +0000

Reminds me of the episode of Family Guy, when Lois tells Brian that she always thought that doing it with him would be like doing it with a stuffed animal.

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Realmling — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:14:07 +0000

I'm having the hardest time to just get myself writing today. Doesn't help that I'm tired and not in the best of moods, but I get a little bit of a scene done and I don't want to do much more. And that's even after I jumped forward because doing all the setup stuff was driving me to boredom in the fast lane. Don't know why I'm having such a hard time of it ... granted I ended up taking a longer break from it than I normally used to, but it's never been this hard to jump right back into wanting to write. It's like I just plain don't want to anymore. =(

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collin2 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:42:21 +0000

[spam removed]

Re: ST Hatters

collin2 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:03:44 +0000

[spam removed]

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:43:30 +0000

Hatters I cannot say how hard it will be to attend an escort service as a dare. (OO ER) QUestion how the hell did they get through? Qub

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Morticia — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:53:31 +0000

I have nanomailed dragonschilde about the spam poster.

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Realmling — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:10:19 +0000

Die a horrible flaming death of pain you spammer! There, I feel better now. =)

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:42:41 +0000

So we're adding an escort service as a dare? Does a house of prostitution count? (already in one of my stories.) Anyway good morning hatters! I think I shall name the spammer cliff brooks and off him in a fiery pit of doom. Happy writing and many words! The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:02:14 +0000

Dares: Sex turkey Hats - are now official head dressing for my women wariors. Were Tub - Now a torture chamber where MC is brought close to death by freezing and then boiled. Dylan Babcock was murdered nicely. Getting there on top of monkey business. Qub

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GreenFingers — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:04:43 +0000

Oh my lovely hatters. I have been so very busy and preoccupied! But it's all good. I'm only down by half on my wordcount right? RIGHT??? Morticia, I am late to the party but your post about pockets and purses made me guffaw. Bravo! Taking a bit of time to do some plotting helped. I still feel a little lost in NaNoLand, but I don't mind . . . it's okay not to be an overachiever sometimes. (No matter what The Steph (TM) says. I've been doing extra volunteering for gay libraries! And last night I went to a concert in Portland that was a fundraiser for Street Books (a service that gets books in the hands of homeless people), and it was great because it was a bunch of local musicians performing Joni Mitchell songs (her 68th birthday was this week). And I've been doing reading on feminism and homemaking (and how some people think the two don't go together so well.). And writing, but not as much as I should. And . . . there are other things too but I forget or else they are too personal. :D ANYWAY. I'm alive and well! I've missed you all! I'm going to try to check in more. Really.

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Morticia — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:49:42 +0000

Okay, dealing with ... um ... realities. I think I mentioned a time or ten that this is supposed to be a jump-start on my book writing year. I've been trying to not jump into meaning or genre too quickly before the thing tells me in no uncertain terms what its about. Sort of like Maya Linn and the Montgomery AL memorial to the Freedom Marchers. Anyway. So there's been this teensy whisper here or there that it would be so much simpler if I would just embrace the idea of memoir and move on. But I have a lot of resistance to that for a variety of reasons; like, I'm really private (unlike Elizabeth Gilbert) and I'm not a wear my heart my sleeve type either (sorry example eludes me) and while my life transition experience and choosing to take charge of my life and take it where I believe it should go might be inspiring to a very narrow sector but I don't think it would make that interesting of reading. Etc, etc... So last night I was reading Franz Wisner's "Honeymoon with My Brother"; it was sitting next to Gilbert on the library shelf and sounded intriguing. The backflap review said it was funny but I almost didn't make it to the humor because the beginning is so dark and sounded way too familiar. But after about two more pages last night something cracked and a tiny thread of light pierced the gloom like a hairline break in a window shade. The whole story shifted perceptibly along with my connection to it. Anyway, long into the night or early morning I sense myself not really awake but not just dreaming either when some of the topics he slides through in his book start to rewrite themselves within scenes from my own experiences that his book brought to mind. And I remembered all of this when I woke this morning which is pretty unusual, but along with all this stuff was that phrase again that it's a memoir just get over it and move on. So that is where I am this evening, trying to wrap my brain around this as a genre and figuring out what the story is about.. M

Re: ST Hatters

GreenFingers — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:13:14 +0000

Wow Morticia, that's kind of exciting! I always think that my real life would make an interesting book, except sometimes I wonder if anyone would believe some of it. I might have to market it as fiction :D But seriously, there's a lot of good memoir out there, I think you can still be yourself and honor your boundaries while simultaneously telling an authentic story. Can't wait to hear how the process unfolds for you.

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mr1 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:26:02 +0000

hey - what did I miss? spam - escorts - memoirs? Geeze, you look away for five minutes and the place goes wild (hi Greenie - welcome back!)

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GreenFingers — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:51:35 +0000

Hey, MR, lookit that word count! You all are putting me to shaaaame! Good job.

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Mindie — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:32:07 +0000

Qub- That is very interesting about the Scottish being the white slaves. I will have to look into that on another month, when I'm out of nano land. I Totally missed the spam! Awe, nuts! Morticia- WOW ! I'm glad that you are finding your journey. Good luck with that! Greenfingers- Good to see your alive and all. You still have plenty of time to make 50k. Just keep swimming. I've got my airship all mapped out now. I have no idea how if flies, but as long as my characters know how, it should do okay. I'm in the beginning of act two and a bit over half way to 50k. I feel pretty good about that. I had to force my butt into my chair and place my fingers onto the keyboard to get going today. 5k words later I feel great.

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:23:49 +0000

I cracked open (apparently you have to spend more than $10 a bottle for a cork, which is alright with me. I don't mind screw tops) a very yummy bottle of wine this evening when I got home. I'm feeling pretty good at the moment, even though I'm not working on my main story idea but instead had this idea for the rewrite of a rewrite for something else entirely that I just had to get out of my brain. It's all brand spanking new because I went and threw out more than half of the first rewrite so that counts right? I will go back to the main idea eventually, but at least I'm writing and not just staring gloomily at my netbook wondering why I got myself involved in all this crazy shit. And uh, any typos or other oddities are cuse of the wine. And the fact I should probably go take my contacts out...but that would mean getting my ass of the couch. I don't want to do that right now. I want to stay with my monster glass of wine. It's a nice glass.

Re: ST Hatters

GreenFingers — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:18:26 +0000

mindie: hooray for airships! realmling: hooray for screwtop wine! But let's keep the two apart, shall we? Don't drink and fly. Today, more library volunteering. Tomorrow, more words!

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:26:56 +0000

I'm polishing off the rest of my wine this evening. Not getting much written today (it's nearly pointless to try at the play because everyone keep talking to me like I'm interested in what they're chattering about ... not all the time, but some of the time anyway). So I sat and made a set of coasters this evening instead. Now I'm trying to write while the husband distracts me with a hilarious anime about a crazy little vampire and the boy that she can't gain control over. Moon Phase is turning out to be rather fun. But it's not helping me write. So maybe tomorrow will be more of a writing day. There won't be any wine....and he'll need to sleep...so yeah, I should hopefully get a few things written tomorrow.

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:18:56 +0000

28 dozen ravioli were made in preparation for Thanksgiving. Then, several drinks consisting of blackberries and Jack Daniels (and I don't know what else...there were several of them) were consumed. I pretty much wrote nothing over the past three days. I am a bad hatter (but a fair to middling drunkard). Also, my back hurts. mr

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:14:00 +0000

Where have all the hatters gone EACH and everyone of them I will continue to sing unless there is a sudden return of madness on this forum. Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:32:31 +0000

I'm still here, struggling with getting anything written because I just don't want to. Not really feeling it this year. =( Sorry, normally I'd rant about HP movies on facebook but I don't feel like dealing with my HP fangirl cousin about it ... she didn't think I'd even read the books the other day "cause they weren't my thing" ... and I read a hell of a lot more than she does (we're only 8 months apart). And can I just say that I'm glad we didn't waste money to see the last Harry Potter installment in the theaters? (we just wait for the dvd anymore) What awful utter shit that was. I don't know why they bothered doing book seven in two parts if they were still going to leave everything worthwhile out anyway. Where were the Hogwarts house elves in the last battle? Where was my Kreacher? Give up the invented scene where Nagini chases stupid Ron and Hermoine through the school ruins that never ever happened and give me my damn house elves! They've made more than enough money off these stupid movies that they could put the damn house elves in the budget. (y'all get one guess as to what one of my major rants about GoF was...) Even the husband was dissapointed, and he's the one that usually yells at me for hating on movies made from books when they screw everything up. Granted I tend to do said hate spewing while we're watching said movies at home, but after a few times I can play MST3000 if I want. Neener neener neener. =P

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:42:26 +0000

I'm here! Still fighting that damned cold... I'm STILL at the fluffy headed stage, which is good... right? (I've been at that stage for a little over a week.) My words are progressing but not as quickly as I want them too. I am also finding this year pretty blah for me. Not that I'm not excited about my stories, I am, but I'm not as rabid about getting them down NOW. Does that mean I won't make my goal? I'm not sure. So far I'm still on track, but then Hubster had ALL of Thanksgiving week off and he wants to 'DO' things. *shudder* (one of those things??? SHOPPING... I HATE shopping in stores. Give me a computer and an internet connections and I'm very very happy! Fighting with crowds and parking??? Not so much.) Real - I haven't watched any of the HP movies except for the first one. I LOVED the books and what they did to the movie turned my stomach, so I've not seen any more since. I'm definitely a purist when it comes to books-into-movies. Other than that, not much is going on in my world.. I should hit 50k part two in the next couple of days. (And I'm not bragging, I should have hit it yesterday.) I'm not sure how much more my stories have in them.... Are we going to post our dares? Just curious if I have to get a separate document going to share. Go, Write, Win! [///////]------____--------______---------____--------____-----****

Re: ST Hatters

Realmling — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:36:19 +0000

I haven't gotten any dares done yet to be able to post....I know where most of them are going to go, but I haven't gotten far enough into my story. Course, I could just give up my normal habit of writing scenes in order and go ahead and do them. Maybe I'll do that this evening, just write scenes as they come instead of worrying about what order everything is in. I don't write chapter to chapter anyway for a first draft, so it's not like I'm going to make a mess of anything. But maybe we should have a separate thread for dare postage? I dunno...I don't want to make decisions...

Re: ST Hatters

GreenFingers — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:40:38 +0000

I, too, am struggling! As Steph knows. I think it's just not time to write this novel yet. I'm not feeling it yet. Sooooo . . . I'm going to do some other writing. Probably some free-writing, and some erotica. For the sheer enjoyment of it. And we'll see how many words I crank out of all that. Am I going to keep updating my word count here? Um, possibly not. Possibly? I don't know. Life is kind of being more demanding than writing at present. I'm sure that will change before too long, but I don't know. But I still think I would like to visit with the hatters. Even if my hat is honorary this year. :D

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:30:17 +0000

Once a Hatter - always a Hatter! I posted a very short excerpt of the first dare I completed in 'my novel' excerpt-thingie. The novel has, once again, gone off into a tangent. I'm hoping to get the word count up this weekend, since I didn't get anything done last weekend... though I think I am still on track for 75K (sorry The Steph, 105K ain't happening). otherwise, business as usual. mr

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:59:03 +0000

Good Ladies I have made a decision, but I checked with the better half first. Having killed off MC in the first book, I've decided to start boys toys sci fi story. Wish me luck. Know what you mean about this years vibe. Qub

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Morticia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:28:03 +0000

Hi all. I'm with everybody else on the struggling to write this year; and vibes notwithstanding. I am also having irritating internet connection issues for the past week which seem to be concentrated on weekends; and, since the hardwired main line is having them too, it appears to be a bandwidth versus football streaming issue. There could be a lot of things at work with out NaNo blues. It could be a "Dip" (check Seth Godin); it could also be that we're older now - not just age but also our lives are at a different maturity stage, and probably our writing is too. In 2007 we were never really offline. But more striking is that we were night owls and most of our chatting and daring was between 1 and 4 am EST. We seemed to have been, in previous years, at stages where we could shuffle real life around more readily and get by with shorting sleep fueled merely on NaNo juice. Maybe we need a new plan going forward? I don't know; it's something to think about. Qub - congrats on the 50K (and hey what happened to the bars turning green before the 25th?) Realm - and other HPs - I am not a fan but I think I figured out why; he reminds me of my ex. We'll leave it at that. As far as writing this month, I'm with y'all, whatever comes to mind when I sit down. For the past week I have been writing about moving all my life and trying to remember each place and the people but especially what I was told about those moves and what I know now. I don't expect this verbosity to become the book but I don't think I can get to the point about "effect" until I get to some bigger version of the truth. Green - Thank you. Because my internal monster editor keeps screaming that there are too many memoirs and who gave me permission to add another to the pile. Okay, I'm off to yoga class.

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Mindie — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:10:28 +0000

Yoga sounds good. If only I had a baby sitter, and the time...., Oh and the motivation. Books into movies always disappoint me. Even Lord of the Rings left out Tom Bambadil (Sp?) If you do decide to meet at a certain time on this thread, I will do my best to be there. Not really feeling the same vibe. I had a tough couple of days, but I've recovered. I cannot wait to write the next scene. Qub- So........ I put you in my book. Please don't curse me with words I don't understand. I was just trying to think of a name for my oriental elf that lives in the arctic north and my fingers found "Qub". I paused for a moment, but then left it. Sorry. Oh, and a separate thread for dares sounds helpful to me. I keep forgetting them.

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GreenFingers — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:20:31 +0000

MR, I am happy to hear once a hatter always a hatter! It is very strange for me not to be fully on board/gung ho with NaNo! My internal overachiever is having fits. Morticia, I guess there are a lot of memoirs for a reason! People's lives are easily as varied and fascinated as fiction, and we all like to hear each other's stories. Not every personal story will appeal to every reader but in the end can there really be too many memoirs? Okay I guess there can but . . . you get my point. A personal journey is a fantastic thing for someone to read and connect with, whatever kind of personal journey it is.

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mr1 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:25:25 +0000

I think it was because Nov. started on a Tues. After slogging through the week, and being woefully behind by Friday, I wrote like a woman possessed for two days- and I was STILL behind my (by which I mean, The Steph's) projected word count (for me). Then I had rav weekend...no writing there. Now I am pathetically behind - and considering redrawing my graph to avoid the depression. I know I can still make 75K (and more importantly, "The End") this month. But the motivation is lacking. I have pies to consider. And the whole Bruins-Sabres kerfuffle (I take great pleasure in watching other teams' goalies self-destruct... I know - I am EVIL). Oh, and work. And...I ordered a Kindle Fire...and I sort of really want to not write and play with my new toy instead... Did I mention I am evil? OK. I finish up here at work and I go home and WRITE. I will decide if the protagonist kills off a major(ish) character. I will bring the main conflict into the forefront of the narrative. I won't give into my desire to screw around not-writing (of course, the Fire doesn't arrive until tomorrow) UGH! Why did I decide I wanted a frickin' challenging NaNo this year? :-)

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:57:26 +0000

Majestic Hatters As word count indicates I have started new scifi novel and loving it, no boundaries or problem timelines like the last one. I had forgotten about the green bar, but I'll live with it for now since recount, I'll total up at the end. Being a character in the book is sooo cool, as I say to be true to source they have to be short fat balding with specs and smoke like a lumb (Chimney) Sorry not cursing in gaelic as I don't speak it. Keep me posted, hope I'm, they're evil with a hint of really nasty. Totally out of character of course. Good night good ladies Qub the evil Elf

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Realmling — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:57:43 +0000

Their daily counter and graph is so not working right this evening. /grumble growl Makes me feel bad that my little graph hasn't moved much at all and I've actually written something this evening - not a super lot of words, but enough to make that stupid brown bar go up. /pouty pout

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caiknbake — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:02:49 +0000

blargh argh. this nano has been really tough for me as well. i'm finally done with my audition but in the stress leading up to it i didn't write all last week. i've only just started writing again tonight, and still everything that comes out feels like utter crap that i don't care about at all. less important that it's crap, but more important that i don't care about it. i think my story needs to be shaken up, 'cause right now nothing is happening and i'm about ready to give up on it. sorry to hear so many of you are having a tough time, too. i bow to you overachievers, some of whom are apparently on a second novel already (!). if inspiration strikes and i feel i have something earth-shattering to share, i promise i'll be back to share it :)

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:32:36 +0000

Went back to beloved scifi and 4k up, but machine said I'd done minus 49k because I started at zero again. I'll keep it going though and see where I end for total. Cheerie pip Qub

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mr1 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:34:05 +0000

Qub: -49K? That is just cruel. Caiknbake: try random acts of violence among the minor characters or a character suddenly announcing he/she/it is an it/he/she :-)

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:50:04 +0000

Got my numbers back the stats on my page however are all over the place Not a happy Qub.

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skneal — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:27:43 +0000

2/3rds down, 1/3rd left to go...and as a reward, I'm going to watch Mythbusters. Write, Write, Write!!! The Steph(tm)

Re: ST Hatters

skneal — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:51:50 +0000

Whoohooo! According to my NaNo Stats page, I'll finish by July 19th 2016!!! Go me! ROFLMAO! Wishing everyone a very word writing day today! The Steph(tm)

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skneal — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:52:21 +0000

Wordy... wishing everyone a very WORDY writing day... *sigh* I need another cuppa tea.

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:31:37 +0000

Hate this stats nightmare, according to them I wrote 57k yesterday. How I wish. SK: What coffee are you drinking? I'll try to add 2k by midnight, making three for the day. So slow. Qub

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Morticia — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:45:03 +0000

Hi all. Still plugging away here. It has been too cold for early November and I have really had it with the nonstop wind gusts. I can't offer any insights into the strange jumping around on the stat graphs. Maybe they can't deal with more than 60K? I don't remember the graphs being so short or limited to 60K in the past. Maybe that has nothing to do with it. Can't believe Thanksgiving is in one week. At least this year there are two of us cooking and we're only feeding five people. Christmas is a different thing entirely; my year with the granddaughters. Okay, we need diversion; and Qub, pick a similar holiday in Scotland so you can play along: Thanksgiving favorite/s: Dish, activity, and/or best Thanksgiving memory (any or all) Later gators.

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skneal — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:02:10 +0000

Favorite Dish - Pumpkin Pie! Favorite Memory - we had Thanksgiving for my husband's entire family. It was the last time everyone was able to get together before his mom passed away the following January. His grandmother (him mom's mom) passed away that October. Least Favorite Memory - my younger brother died three days before Thanksgiving in 2002.

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skneal — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:03:16 +0000

[quote=skneal] Favorite Dish - Pumpkin Pie! Favorite Memory - we had Thanksgiving for my husband's entire family. It was the last time everyone was able to get together before his mom passed away the following January. His grandmother (him mom's mom) passed away that October. Least Favorite Memory - my younger brother died three days before Thanksgiving in 2002. [/quote] That might not have been completely clear... his mom died the following January, her mom died the following October. Both were able to come to that Thanksgiving.

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mr1 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:23:15 +0000

Favorite Thanksgiving food...all of them :-) Custard pie, maybe tops the list (or the fruit tart...which is custard based as well). Gravy on the stuffing. Ravioli. That seems to be top three-sih Favorite memory. It used to be my brother and I would stay up and have a 'midnight snack' - but he's turned into an old man and falls asleep on the couch well before midnight. So now, I have 'midnight stealth pie' with the nieces and nephews (we have to sneak into the kitchen without waking anyone - difficult with all the giggling and dropping of silverware - and yelling to be quiet!!!). ((The Steph - hugs - sorry about the unhappy memories)) mr

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Elfwriter23 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:47:04 +0000

MMMM. Midnight Stealth Pie. Also, Ravioli. Now I want ravioli. (I have no ravioli. I have very limited foodstuffs because our kitchen is not cooking ready.)

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Realmling — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:45:22 +0000

#1 food -- Grandma's stuffing. Which I told my mom we had to have at least a small dish of this year even outside the bird if nothing else, because her not being there will be hard enough for me this holiday season. I could do without the damn boring ass green bean casserole, but the brother-in-law will insist on it "for his wife" when mom and I would love to try something different with the green beans. Wouldn't believe the fit the little shit pitched one year when we hadn't planned on it. I honestly felt like beating him with the cans of food because none of them ever help with anything (not that mom usually wants them in the kitchen, but still) when they're over. You know, like simple things of setting the table or cleaning up or anything like that. Here's to hoping we can get our turkey gravy to cooperate this year. Sometimes it just hates us, and other times it's well behaved.

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mr1 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:53:31 +0000

Thankful I do not have to eat green bean casserole :-) I get to be the designated 'hired help' for Thanksgiving. Hauling extra tables up from the cellar - pealing spuds - drinking wine (well, someone must!). In exchange, I come home laden (and I do mean laden) with shopping bags of leftovers. I find it a fair trade.

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Mindie — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 02:10:08 +0000

I love to make a large stuffing and mashed potato bed for my turkey and then smother them with gravy. So my mother-in-law who is a "cat lady" totally invited a group of people to my home for Thanksgiving because her one bedroom apartment smells like a cat's butt. My family is planning on making a few dishes and then eating at my moms house two doors down. My husband actually asked me if it would be okay if his mom could have her Thanksgiving here since we aren't going to be here. I was like, "Hell No!" . Long story short, my favorite Thanksgiving is this year because my husband stood up to his mom and said NO. I have no clue what she told her group of family, but it was probably all my fault........Awesome! I am real close to 50k and about 1/3 through act three. My 4 year old had a fun birthday party. I strongly agree that pinatas are victims of child abuse!

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caiknbake — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:42:09 +0000

hatters, i am back in the game! changed my POV character AGAIN, and it's flowing a lot more smoothly now, so i cracked 10k tonight finally. this is my weekend, i can feel it! favorite thanksgiving foods: stuffing and [*ducks*] green bean casserole. i wouldn't throw a fit without it, though, so please don't beat me with cans of food! my favorite though was one year someone made it with brussels sprouts instead of green beans - YUMMMMM. i'm weird...what can i say? favorite thanksgiving memory: dinner at my aunt's house when i was ~6 years old...my brother, my two cousins, and i were at the kids' table, which didn't fit in the dining room with the adults' table, so we got stuck in the kitchen, but that meant that we were able to have a full-on food fight before the adults even realized :D we got in sooo much trouble, but it was so worth it!!!!

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caiknbake — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:30:58 +0000

don't mind me, double posting, but this had to be shared - i've been using this website, written? kitten! , that's sort of like writeordie except it's positive rather than negative reinforcement (it gives you a new random kitty pic every x words - i have it set to every 100 words, so there's lots of little milestones). anyway, i was writing on there tonight and i got to the point in my novel where i revealed that paul the sock monkey is anatomically correct, and when i hit my last kitten milestone, this was the photo that appeared. i love it! XD also, forgot to write in my last post - it seems like a lot of people talk about having ravioli with thanksgiving dinner...is that a thing people do that i'm just not aware of? i've never heard of it. but hey, ravioli is awesome, so i can't argue with it.

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CarolinaWriter — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:20:03 +0000

Nope, big pass on anything green bean, but I make it for hubby and the in-laws. I need to do add to the word count this weekend and next week. We travel to Florida for Thanksgiving, but hubby drives (a man thing, I think) so I write. I used to bring my trusty AlphaSmart, but last year, hubby bought a doohickey that lets me plug in my laptop. Anyway, I usually get about 5 hours writing time on the way there because we leave at 0'dark thirty Wednesday morning, and about 7 hours on the way home. Anyway, not bad considering I started over on day seven and trashed almost 10,000 words. :(

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Elfwriter23 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:03:59 +0000

I'm really glad we don't do the big family get-together anymore. We used to, but now there's no one who fusses about what's on the table or what's not. Or any of the other drama.

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Morticia — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:31:55 +0000

Okay, I'm back. I keep reading these lists and part of me wants to keep revising my own menu. Oh I love where things are now because I am so over holiday dinner drama. Of course my stand was always when I shop and cook ,I cook what I like; and it's a free meal with a lot of options so try to get over it. Mindie I hear you on everything the in-laws not liking had to be my fault. Thankfully we never lived anywhere near either family so no one ever asked to use our house in our absence (a definite advantage to being a mobile military family). Still took a hit for not giving everybody a key to any of our houses; um...no, no reason in the first place and still wouldn't even if there was. Ravioli - MR will have her own family traditions to add to this attempt to explain but here goes. It's an Italian thing and in a good way. I had a friend in college who would go to her sister's the weekend before Thanksgiving to help because her sister's husband was Italian and her family was German. She basically made a double Thanksgiving dinner with both Italian and German foods. Personally I think that's nuts for a career woman to undertake even if she has no kids but it was 1971 and the world worked a little differently back then. My favorite Thanksgiving food: I have to second MR's ALL of THEM but some rank slightly higher than others because it's the only day I prepare them: hand-made cole slaw, sweet potato souffle (not a true souffle so don't get too excited), pumpkin pie. I have neutral feelings about Green Bean Casserole but I think this year we're making Haricot Verte with garlic, almonds and lemon butter. I do not like cranberry sauce but I have made a cranberry and orange relish in cranberry jello mold that was surprisingly tasty. My favorite activity (besides eating) is to take a long quiet walk through the leaves after dinner; and this is enhanced if non-walkers wash the dishes while said walk is underway. just sayin'. I have wracked my brain but I haven't come up with a favorite Thanksgiving memory. The most unforgettable Thanksgiving was in 1963. President Kennedy was assassinated the Friday before on Nov 22nd. It was right after lunch eastern time and the buses came early to take us home; rumored to be in part due to potential outside threats because this was the Cold War years and the Cuban Missile Crisis was still green in memory. Plus the shift in the presidential line wasn't that well defined and people were edgy about an orderly transition and so forth. Macy's considered canceling the parade but reconsidered and instead flew flags at half-staff with long black streamers. Schools in Pennsylvania did not resume until Tuesday, Dec. 3rd. (The Monday after Thanksgiving in PA is the first day of deer season.) Okay. Time to get back to the salt mines.

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mr1 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:20:00 +0000

Morticia: All career women in my family cooking our asses off (sadly, what we cook is highly caloric so the asses grow back :-) Quickly ). Luckily I can take time off before Thanksgiving to go be 'hired help'. And my brother does take responsibility for some of the cooking. We all help with the cleanup. My preferred job is taking the kids & dog out for a walk to give everyone a chance to digest dinner before attempting dessert. Caiknbake: That photo is hilarious. What perfect timing. I don't think I'd do well on a site like that though - not a cat person (allergic to them so, not much opportunity to bond) and I have a short enough attention span without extra distractions. So, got up waaaay later than anticipated today. Therefore got less writing done in the hours leading up to the Bruins game. Now I'm feeling guilty. Not guilty enough to turn off the tv...but still.

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Mindie — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:03:52 +0000

I'm doing the dangerous dance of 50k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here is the drinking song that landed in the last chapter I wrote: I've got a man, he's strong and he's brave and he'll always be, the perfect man for me He may not play the pipes, and he may never wear a kilt, For my man you see, is an American Marine Fight! Fight! Fight! for your family Fight! Fight! Fight! for your Country Fight! Fight! Fight! You American Marine You are the reason that we all are free! (I will change the word "American" in the rewrite. It was just what was flowing out at the time) I've got about five chapters to go and then my book is DONE!

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Elfwriter23 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:21:50 +0000

I will have to write dangerously today to catch up. So, I'll dig out that weird-looking thing, no one here remembers what it was, that's been in the back of the fridge for nearly a month, and eat that while I write with my chair tipped back so far it will inevitably fall backwards. I'll put a big bucket of broken, pointy glass shards right behind the chair, and let my neighbor's angry pet badger into the room for good measure. See you in the emergency room!

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skneal — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:32:49 +0000

Congrats Mindie!!! And Elf - I too am going to be writing dangerously today. But not so dangerous as you. I'm lucky enough to attend OLL's "Night of Writing Dangerously" (going Noir, which is quite fun.) And with all the sugar and booze, I'll be in danger of a sugar coma or really high blood alcohol level. May the muse and the words be with you!!! The Steph (tm)

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mr1 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:48:32 +0000

Put the badger in the story - because that is likely to be an interesting scene what with the glass and possible food poisoning from unidentified food object.

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Realmling — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:42:07 +0000

I'm just trying to get back above the stupid graph line today. I'm sort of there but I want more...more damn you! Thankfully it is the last performance of South Pacific this afternoon. Unfortunately, BIL and his wife are here all week....so my thoughts of relaxing after the stupid fall musical for a few days until turkey feasting are not going to pan out all that well. But I'm taking my netbook with me every time I have to be over there (outside of tomorrow night when we're all going to see Mannheim Steamroller ... because mom has always wanted to and this is the first time we've managed it when they came to town) and socializing be damned. I'm writing and I'm not going to stop just because. Though thankfully I've Tuesday and Wednesday where I can come home and get in my jammies and relax and type. And squeeze in a few words here and there while I'm at work. It's not so far away to 50k that I can't do it...I just won't be an over achiever this year. And I'm fine with that.

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Realmling — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:31:14 +0000

My BIL's dog is very sweet, and somewhat mentally challenged I believe. It just goes in circles all day. Either around a table or chair or just in whatever space is handy. It also attempts to turn circles where it doesn't have enough room - like between me and the table leg. Crazy German Shepards for the win! Not staying at my house for double win! (just don't tell my mother I'm celebrating this fact)

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mr1 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:56:50 +0000

What it is with dogs and circles? My brother's dog paces around me all the time, when she's not trying to convince me she is a 'lap dog' (she's an English lab...rather more than my lap can handle - but she does try!) I am off to be prep chef - I will try to check in, but I don't always have internet while I am away (unless I steal time on a networked machine). This has not been a good nano for me...I've missed writing on so many days (bad writer! No cookie). I did have a great idea this morning of a novel - why didn't I get it a month ago!!!

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:59:18 +0000

This is being a great NaNo for me. However; I thought I'd be writing the second book in my series...but I've been getting all kinds of ideas for the last book, instead. I guess now that I know how the story starts and ends, all I have to do is fill in the middle. I had so many story ideas tonight, right after I decided to get ready for bed. Apparently, what I need to do is stand in my bathroom, and the ideas just come to me. (Fill in your own joke about bathroom humor and/or the quality of my ideas here.) I've missed several days, too. Moving, and all that. But you're only a stone's throw from 50K, MR. Wouldn't call that a fail.

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Realmling — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:33:55 +0000

I have a feeling I'm going to be winning by nothing more than the hairs on my chiny-chin-chin. But I don't have any family obligations the next two days, so hopefully I can get a bit more done. Last night I was too tired to write the amount I needed to, but I got part of it done, until I started to spend more time nodding off than typing.

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:55:43 +0000

I've been "telling" instead of "showing," writing large swaths of exposition that will need to be unpacked and turned into much longer action sequences, with actual dialogue, physical descriptions, adjectives and adverbs, even. But I'm too tired to write better today, and word count is word count. I keep telling everybody to "fix it later," so that's what I'm going to do, too. Also, I'm afraid if I don't write down all the ideas and details quickly enough, they'll evaporate. If my writing keeps going downhill, I'll be reduced to crayon sketches by Nov. 30.

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:59:55 +0000

Beloved Hatters Note the Halo, but that's not why I am here, I humbly as for positive vibes to be sent across the void and time zones to power me to 100k, horrible things are happening in my second novel and very few are making sense, yes, yes I know fiction mirroring reality. My MC having survived an alien encounter and some bad dudes here on Earth is now being treated as a messiah. It's all gone mad. Always at your humble service oh great ones. Qub

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Elfwriter23 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:23:02 +0000

Your messiah needs a reality show. He can save the world AND save some network.

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:58:34 +0000

OO, a set up for a news / media network exposure is good. I'm liking that thanks. Qub

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Elfwriter23 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:32:01 +0000

Also, he'll need to be on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. So he can shout out to his flash mob.

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Morticia — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:14:42 +0000

Hi all. Still plugging away. QUB congrats on your halo. Real life might get sticky here. My daughter's father-in-law has had a heart attack which on top of other out of control health issues does not bode well for a full or speedy recovery. I may need to take her girls for a few days too until all the hospital visit stuff settles into some kind of pattern. I will check in when I can. If I don't get a chance later have a Happy Thanksgiving everybody. You too QUB; you can celebrate vicariously. Gobble! Gobble!

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:12:28 +0000

Flash mobs keep going, just had him interviewed by a real moo and the obligatory specialists. I will celebrate with a glass of spring water, enjoy thanksgiving. Qub

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Realmling — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:39:54 +0000

I feel like a stuffed turkey ... the office went to local mexican place for lunch ... and I went and eated too much. I'd feel better if I could belch or something, but that hasn't happened yet. X_x

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caiknbake — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:56 +0000

hey hatters! just wanted to check in because i finally got around to writing in the jailhouse wine. i'm behind, but i'm plugging away. morticia, best of luck with your family and i hope your daughter's father in law gets well as quickly as possible *hugs*

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skneal — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:00:02 +0000

Popping in to wish all the hatters who celebrate, a safe and happy Thanksgiving! May your words flow like gravy, may your pants be loose, may this be a stress-free day for everyone! Off to get a few words in before breakfast. The Steph (tm)

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Realmling — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:47:00 +0000

Today should be a good day. I'll have a couple thousand done before heading over for turkey feast, and I should be able to get another couple this evening when I get home. I've just gotten to a good part in one story where the girlfriend realizes something about the hero and has to decide where to go from there. Kinda don't want to stop, but I'll have to make myself somewhat presentable here soon...

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:16:44 +0000

Drink and be merry for tomorrow you have words to write. Me I doff my hat to your festival and then on with the cliched Mars rebellion. Qub

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caiknbake — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:10:18 +0000

happy thanksgiving, lovely hatters! i found this the other day but i thought i would save it for posting today, since this is what your turkeys should be looking like: crochet turkey hat wish i could post the pic on the forums...oh well. PIE TIME! laters, y'all.

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CarolinaWriter — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:23:03 +0000

Hope everyone is having a great day! I am spending time with family and trying to add to my word count on the sly...

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mr1 — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:41:47 +0000

Midnight stealth pie... 'nuff said.

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Elfwriter23 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 07:28:48 +0000

Midnight stealth writing. Got in nearly 5K. Everybody's so quiet and well-behaved here this year. What are ya, sick?

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mr1 — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:47:36 +0000

You would not have categorized me as either quiet or well-behaved today. Spent 45 minutes looking for my @*&% paycheck - which I thought I either lost or left at work. It was in the computer bag. Where I put it on Tues (I got the check early because I took a few days off). After recovering form the heart attack of WHERE IS MY MONEY - I ran a few errands and got a splinter on my right palm. While trying to pry out the offending chunk of wood out with nail clippers a mosquito (I think) landed on my wrist. While attempting to smack the offending bug I swung the nail clippers and cracked my thumb right on the cuticle which split and gushed blood. Like I said, neither quiet nor well behaved.

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:46:46 +0000

As a Lurker of some years now, I like to think that I hold a position of dignified aloofness. So... Tell why whilst out collecting the latest computer game for Qubette Major I had to spend half my driving time explaining to other drivers why they are morons? Yes it's x weeks to christmas, like I care and yes shops have dropped their prices to just ridiculously high. That doesn't mean that they other shoppers carve you up for parking spaces, decide at the last minute to pull out and then stop for no good reason or to wave to friends. Yesterday, that would be Saturday, spent the day helping Qubette Major with a job application for a ppost which she won't be taking up if she gets it for another three years. This morning Sunday: Woken by neighbours brat at six, her answer to childcare, scream at child until both are crying and neighbours are all awake. Then they go back to bed leaving the rest up and feeling crap. MR1: There's a saying here which I think covers your day: Nae luck then? But I hope your finger/hand is better soon. Qub wholly P'd off

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Elfwriter23 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:59:19 +0000

Nearly 22 hours without a post? Yes, Hatters this year are too well behaved and/or sick. I think all this quiet means I should check on you, because you're obviously getting into trouble or something, and being quiet so no one will suspect. But I suspect, so HA!

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Mindie — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:00:14 +0000

I've been sucked into the vacuum of life and it just spit me out. Good luck to you all and I hope to see you typing away next year.

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mr1 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:47:20 +0000

I was writing. Hahahahahahaha. OK, I was eating pie and editing a paper on Grendel for my niece. But I have passed 50K and I think I can get to 'the end' soon. I hope so. I'm kinda done with this month.

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skneal — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:38:33 +0000

Both of my stories are done, however my word count is not nearly as 'large' as I want it to be. I am EXTREMELY thankful that I am not a parent to human children. I think the visit by the 1.5 yo and family has derailed my muse... I think she went into hiding, and I've yet to coax her out. (The toddler likes to rip BOOKS... books people! Oh the horror!!! good news is she didn't get her grubby little mitts on any of mine, but it was a close thing... oh and she has a fit when being told no.) I'm officially winning today, even though I'm not done futzing around - wanting to write a couple of outtakes and things like that, but it's highly doubtful I'll make my goal. And that's okay. I got to those magical, mystical words "The End" and that's what counts. May the words be with you! The Steph (tm)

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mr1 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:16:48 +0000

Poor The Steph. Our 1.5 yr old loves books (she does like to dump them all out of the bookcase, but never threatened to tear them up). She spent most of Thanksgiving calling the dog "bow-WOW" - hugging the dog - and attempting to put boots on the dog. The dog spent most of the day staring at the turkey, hoping it would fall off the counter. She didn't seem to notice the boots. I hope to make it to 'the end' tomorrow - at which time I will verify my count. Today - TODAY - was the day I found the plot and figured out the storyline. Better late Nov than Dec 1st I suppose.

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Elfwriter23 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:26:51 +0000

Is November over yet? If not...why???

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caiknbake — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:45:42 +0000

just got my purple bar! i has a happy :D AND - thesteph - i am closer to the actual end of this novel than i have ever been before (as in i'll probably finish it in 1-2K in the next couple days) and i believe i have your encouragement (read: whip) to thank for that. so thank you! and thanks to all the hatters for your support and down-to-earthiness and wackiness. y'all are awesome :D

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Realmling — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:49:02 +0000

This year was just an off year. I'm barely scraping by this go round ... so I might end up working on the same sci-fi rom next year because by then I'll actually have things figured out and be able to write then. I even fell behind on getting Hatter badges done, so those will have to wait till after validation I guess. They can be part of the post Nano celebrations this year. QUB -- morons are everywhere. I had one just this morning who decided to suddenly swerve into the turn lane in front of me as I was merging into it, and then decide they didn't need to turn there so they drove on up the hill a ways in the turn lane. This was after all the idiots who can't go the speed limit, or won't go the speed limit (like my husband ... who told me that going 5 miles under would get me there just the same as being at the limit...I don't like to ride with him very often). So you are not alone my friend. Family members all think my mother and I are mean - because we tell their little brats no and have even been known to put them in time out (corners/chairs facing away from everyone else) on occasion if they're being little shits. I was expected to behave when we had visitors or were off visiting people, by all that's unholy they can to. Having seen the brother-in-law and his wife with their dogs does not put me in high hopes for when they end up reproducing ... if they can't control a dog properly, how in the world do they expect to set down proper structure for a growing child? Either that or I'm just a cranky mean ass bitch...or both...

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:27:11 +0000

Beloved Hatters Why are we all signing off, as we don't finish until tomorrow night. Kids, love kids, especially my two, but I'm glad, yes glad that they are teenagers. Ankle snappers are beyond me and badly behaved ones are nightmares. Children that don't behave in my company are corrected parents or no parents. My laugh about this is, my parents say I am too hard on my kids and others, now do I or do I not remember being clipped round the ear for less? Oh yes I do. If Madam Realmling are claiming to be a cranky mean ass bitch, then I am truly a torn faced old git. Qub

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mr1 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:03:35 +0000

My cousin and I were talking about childhood the other day. I remember being slightly afraid of my parents - not cowering in the corner, but a healthy dose of 'do not misbehave of you will regret it - because these folks mean business'. I saw that video of parents telling their children all the Halloween candy was gone because mommy and daddy ate it. If I ever acted the way those kids acted I would NEVER have been give another piece of candy again. (Yes, it was cruel of the parents to lie to the children - and even more damaging to film it and broadcast it on TV). Ah well - this it why I don't have kids. I am a professional Aunt (actually, Great-Aunt now...so proud to have the official title). Thankfully I only had to be in charge of discipline when babysitting - and never had too much trouble. The kids always behaved for me. I am about 7 words shy of 60K. Maybe another 20 pages from 'the end'. I think I'll do what I can tomorrow before giving my final word count.

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Realmling — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:16:42 +0000

Yay finished! I'll try and get challenge badges done here in a day or so. And maybe we'll have to think of something for next year where someone can win a sexy turkey beanie. I'll have the damn things done by then ... or at least mine and an extra. Wondering if I can use the manuscript swap thingy to find myself a test hooker....I'd much rather use the Create Space offer on a craft pattern book. But I'll need someone to test things out if I get it done in time. Well, spose I don't need...but it would be nice to have it tested and make sure I didn't bugger anything up before publishing it. But I have to figure out which creation to use. And now at this point I'm just rambling on and on about nothing important. I think I need to eat more. Or have something to drink or ...yeah...

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mr1 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:22:45 +0000

test hooker. I'm sure that isn't what I think it is.

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Realmling — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:26:59 +0000

test crochet person =) But since the tools are little hooks ... it's so much more fun to watch people's faces when you call yourself a hooker though. Specially considering most morons call it knitting. That involves two needles and a whole different set of rules. Crochet means hooks and funky doilies and creepy dollies. Well, it does if you're me anyway.

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caiknbake — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:02:09 +0000

realmling - i'm not super skilled at crochet, but if your patterns aren't too complicated i might be able to test for you :)

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Realmling — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:25:06 +0000

I don't think they're all that complicated - but you would be the perfect sort of tester actually. I'd like to make them usable at all skill levels really. Sometimes I'll find a part of a pattern that confuses me so I take it to my mother who's been doing it much longer than I have and even she scratches her head sometimes. A lot of that comes from people using various terminology and not explaining their abbreviations and such at the start of the pattern. That tends to bug me. I think I'll do the first pattern book on my Creepy Cuties (they are so much fun really). I can get you the base pattern early if you want to take a look, it just won't have pictures and step by step section on certain stitches. As long as you can do single crochet and work in continuous rounds, you'll be okay. =)

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mr1 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:19:17 +0000

I could almost consider taking up crocheting just to introduce myself as a 'part-time hooker' :-) (would flow nicely with 'I used to mount animals in college'). Regardless of all the silly ways you can bend and twist English - did anyone else notice the lack of numerical updating with this year's validation? I left yesterday's count up 59992 (because I had such weird random numbers this year mostly with a 999 in the middle) then validated with what I added today. But the word count remained at 59992...until I manually updated. OK, dome complaining. I hit a road-block in the narrative and I think I might take a day or two to consider the end (which if did NOT reach...whaaaa). How about the rest of you?

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Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:02:19 +0000

I was a hooker once, but that was in a rugby team, a long story. I have just put my final up date to my total, but intend finishing this story during the wonderful festive season. As always I will be writing and might get round to updating my site. You lot are simply the best as one of my favourite ladies sang. I'll be around for a while, so don't be a stranger. Honourable Lurker Qub

Re: ST Hatters

Morticia — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:49:05 +0000

I think everybody has left but I'll post a farewell anyway. It was a strange month; but I don't think I was alone on that account. I maybe didn't get a purple bar but I figured out a lot of things the WIP is not about. I am not disappointed not getting "the win" but I am a tad irritated that I never got my halo which is apparently lost in the processing bowels of OLL. It was great to meet all the new people who joined up last year while I was on NaNo sabbatical. And of course now we can no longer use the "Hen Party" tagline since Qub has passed the male initiation and has earned full status as a ST Hatter and entitled to all the privileges there unto...etc,etc. I am planning this as my last post unless there is something posted that needs a response (and my last week to check regularly). Hugs, to all. Morticia (the divine Miss M - apologies to Bette Midler)

Re: ST Hatters

Quarks_Uglier_Brother — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:49:50 +0000

Lady Mortica et al I have to say I am honoured and nobled by this wonderful gesture. I am a sexy Turkey Hatter. Very emotional at this point Qub

Re: ST Hatters

mr1 — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:40:13 +0000

we Hatters are an emotional bunch. Time to pack up the fabreeze and turkey hats - and unpack the holiday decorations. Or...maybe take a nap, then unpack. Such an odd Nov. But fun. Always fun here in Hatter land.