Geezer Clubhouse

Dichotomy6958 — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:38:39 +0100

Welcome back everyone. I see some of you have already lined up outside waiting for the new site to roll out. Pop back in and re-introduce yourself here before we start spreading out and filling up the rest of this shiny-new forum. I'm Samantha, one of the MLs for the Spokane, Washington Region and this will be my 9th year participating in (and hopefully winning) NaNoWriMo. By day I'm a Paralegal at a small law firm, and I share my home with my son and granddaughter, who will be participating in the Young Writer's Program for her 3rd year this November. Here's a tidbit to firmly enmesh myself into geezerhood: I lived in Berlin during the Cold War, had a top-secret security clearance and spoke Russian as part of my job. I'm not saying I was a spy, but ... This year I think I'll be writing a psychological thriller, but it's not unusual for me to get a brainstorm at 11:00 pm on Halloween and change the story I'm writing entirely. I'll keep working on plot points for the thriller I presently have in mind, but don't be surprised if you see an excerpt appear on my profile mid-month for a Space Opera instead. Samantha Spokane, WA - Municipal Liaison (2003-2011) Age Group: 50-Plus - Moderator ML Mentor (2009-2011)

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Phoenix — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:40:55 +0100

Woot! We're back!

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Rohahnya — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:48 +0100

I am not a geezer yet - but I will turn 50 during NaNo and since my hubby is well into geezerhood, I wouldn't feel the least bit uncomfortable here - If I'm welcome. I'm down the road from Spokane - I live in Moses Lake and have family in Deer Park. We have 3 people in our house who will be participating. I hope to surpass my wordcount from last year and since it looks like my hours at work are being cut back some, I hope to put that extra time to good writing use!

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Houston — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:48:44 +0100

I'm about 2500 miles southeast of you guys, in SC. But I grew up about 125 miles west through dense forests in MT. And I do miss those mountains and forests. I'm a newbie here, hoping to get my typing abilities up enough to handle 2000 words each day. Whew!

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Kat Gentian — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:18:33 +0100

WooHoo! The changes are interesting; will take some getting used to. I already love being able to see the posts as comments are typed. Rohahnya, we don't practice age discrimination here, so no worries! Welcome Houston. *Waves to Phoenix and Dichotomy* And that will probable be the last post where I can mention everyone who's posted before me! Kat [signature feature still in the moving van, along with my photo]

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Jake JD — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:36:45 +0100

I'm Jack, 54 years old from Baltimore, MD. My first time doing this. Hello and good luck to all.

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MistyRider — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:43:42 +0100

Hi y'all, I'm Helen, 54, living in Port Orchard, Washington on the Kitsap peninsula. This is my second year, and I was NOT going to do it this year! But I find myself needing the wrimo spurs so here I am, a glutton for punishment. Very happy that there's other old farts out there. :-)

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Kataja — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:41:17 +0100

Hello, I'm Laura from Espoo, Finland (Espoo is the area just west of Helsinki, forming its own administrative unit), age 51 (secong year in this group) and third year of Nano. I have a family consisting of a husband and two children, living in a suburban block of flats nowadays very close to a metro building site, and working as a computer linguist. I'm writing speculative fiction, my non-Nano stories are mainly put in a world thatn I started to create at about the age of fifteen, but for Nano I've so far chosen something else - my first one was SciFi, and last year I tried to write mainstream but it turned into urban fantasy! This year it shall be "classic" fantasy, a bit humoristic story featuring a dwarf whose pet is a badger.

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reey — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:11:01 +0100

I'm Ree, age 63, and a retired prof who still teaches one online class per semester. I'm in the southernmost tip of the Triad area of NC, smack in the middle of a national forest, but I was born and mostly raised in New jersey. Still have my Jersey accent even after 30+ years in NC. I've got 8 cats...all strays and rescues, the eldest one 17 yo and the youngest 18 months old...and one dog, also a stray. I'm also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Both my sons are grown (whew!), the youngest married with one son of his own, my darling (on good days) grandson, age 4. I've been writing and publishing poetry and short fiction for many years, but I finished my first novel over the summer and am currently shopping for an agent. I write mostly science fiction/fantasy, but I also love to read historical novels, especially if there's a mystery involved, forensic and murder mysteries, and supernatural novels. I'm an artist as well, mostly illustrations for small press 'zines, but I have some work in a local gallery. I was also a potter for 5 years before I became allergic to my glazes, and I'm a metal engraver (done with hand tools, not machines) when called upon to do it. So, if anyone has any questions about the details of pottery or metal engraving...or wildlife care...I'll be happy to help out.

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dancingfool — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:21:37 +0100

I'm Laurie - 54 -- this is my 3rd nano (with much thanks to my baby brother who talked me into doing this, year 1). I'm looking for The Smoking Pen!!! (newbies... just you wait... The Pen is like no other place you've ever been to! I daresay it's perhaps the best thing about being a geezer. When The Pen DOES show up.. make sure you poke your head in and say hi.)

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Zookeeper — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:22:53 +0100

Ree! Another cat person! I have six cats, most of them from shelters except for the big tabby tom who showed up on my back porch a couple of years ago. I have so far restrained myself from adopting any more. I'd love to get a dog as well, but with the cats and the joblessness, that may not be a good idea right now. This is my seventh year doing Nano. Except for one foray into a mystery, I've written sf/f. Last year was a steampunk time travel novel. This year I'm delving into horror with a zombie novel. When I can find work, I'm a technical writer/editor. But the last four years have been touch and go. I got some phone calls yesterday about possible jobs, but the one that looked likeliest had a glitch. I don't have a car, and commuting to this job site would take 2-3 hours by bus, with at least one hour of walking. Um, no. I've published some short stories, and I'm trying to publish a previous novel, but so far no takers.

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PiaKaycee — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:48:57 +0100

Hello fellow geezers! I'm also a newbie to NaNo. I live in southeastern PA with my hubby and three cats. I'm enjoying my early retirement, but struggling to enforce more structure on my day so I can be more productive. I've written some short stories, and I have some longer works rolling around in my head. I'm thinking of a romance novel for NaNoWriMo. I was going to start outlining and sketching out some characters and ideas today, but I've spent my whole morning on these forums. I tell myself I'm just gearing up. :-)

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intrikate — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:51:55 +0100

Hi, I'm Kate. I'm 50 with (only) 3 cats and I have no idea what I'm writing this year. I've done nano a few times, but never finished, and I don't remember which years. I'm a trainer, not currently working, and I make handmade greeting cards, most of which I send overseas (through Operation Write Home) for deployed service members to write home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

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GraceOM — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:12:46 +0100

Here's another WA 50+ reporting in. I live in Tacoma, work in Seattle. Last year I wrote a cozy-mystery that was supposed to be in collaboration with a friend. She never did anything with the eight chapters I punched out! Eh! This year, I'm writing my own story. I have one project to finish by Oct. 30: the final compilation of a book on Alzheimer's. My goal is to have Oct. 31 OFF from any project so Nano can begin at midnight. Shannon

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garretwriter — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:13:17 +0100

Greetings from Lesley, aka garretwriter! *53-year-old waves hi to all the other geezers* Currently I'm living in Johnson City, TN (about an hour directly north of Asheville, NC). I've lived all over the place, and still don't know whether I'll be NaNoing in JoCy (as it is lovingly called), or Asheville, or Houston, or... the moon, for all I know! This year I'm working on a mystery/thriller. I tried this genre last year, but quickly found out that this Pantser needed to be a Planner well ahead of time. So I feel like an actual professional writer this year. I've spent a couple of months now doing research, outlining, making detailed character sketches, etc. Hope someone will be setting up the Smoking Pen thread soon! I like reading it even if I don't partcipate.

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Idahocat — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:38:05 +0100

Hi, it's Cathy from Idaho. I'm 53, I work as a ghostwriter, pet sitter, and volunteer in the community. Like Lesley, I'm also actually researching and outlining my novel this year, for the win! I've written short stories and poems, but never published. I can't wait to tackle my novel.

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Willcan — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:08:23 +0100

Well at 60 I'm well into geezerhood. I'm in Vernon BC Canada, a part time Data Entry Clerk. This will be my eigth attempt with a historical fiction centered around a Parisian lawyer who works in Paris during the last weeks of the Great Terror. The Scarlet Pimpernel will be mentioned but is not a character.

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cecilia_peartree — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:45:47 +0100

Hello - my NaNo name is Cecilia but my real name is Sheila. I live in Edinburgh, Scotland with one of my sons and (only) three cats, and this will be my 6th NaNoWriMo - I have written sci-fi and history before but at the moment I'm on a roll with a mystery series, so am planning the next of these. During the past year I have found the nerve to publish some of my previous efforts on Kindle. As well as the 5 previous November NaNos, I took part in Camp NaNoWriMo this summer and rather to my surprise produced a romantic suspense novel. This has caused some amusement in the family as i am the least romantic person in the world.

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Catana — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:29:08 +0100

I'm Catana, also C.S. McClellan, since a real name seems a better choice once you're published. This is my seventh NaNo and I'm going for my third win this year. (Slow learner) I'm somewhat reclusive--just me, my cat and my keyboard. I'm 74, so I guess that makes me one of the older geezers. My two (self)published novels didn't start in a NaNo November, but they owe everything to NaNo. In fact NaNo is responsible for finally convincing me that I can write fiction. I'm willing to buddy any newbie who thinks they might need a gentle kick in the pants now and then.

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Teri-K — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:40:31 +0100

Hello, everyone. I'm a first timer currently living in W Tennessee, outside Memphis. I was born in Colorado and married a Navy guy, so I've lived all over. I'm 54, a recent widow with two kids, both married, and a wonderful grandson. I'm also a teacher but not working this semester. My novel is historical fiction set in Philadelphia in the 1890s. I'm also taking an advanced fiction course during November, so I'll be writing short stories, too. Maybe not real smart, but I didn't think about NaNo when I signed up. And I have plenty of time to write, if I can just stay focused. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you, and hearing more about your projects.

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Trafalgar — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:50:39 +0100

Hi, Kat, Zoo, Cecilia and Teri and hello to all our newbies from across the pond in England. It's great to be back. This is my third year doing NaNo - I won last year and finally finished the story in March/April. It's a humorous whodunit and this year I'm attempting another. I'm hoping it will be part of a series, not a sequel. I also write children's (MG) fantasy adventure stories and I'm hoping to epublish my first - Chamaeleon: The Secret Spy - as soon as the cover is sorted. (Cecilia, I'm Lyndawrites on KB). Good luck to everyone whether this is your first or thirteenth time - lets see those winning purple bars.

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Sereana — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:56:36 +0100

I'm back. Still can't figure out how to reduce a picture of myself for my profile. But this button is better than no photo I guess. This is my 5th year. I've made it to the finish line the last 3 years. I'm excited but also a bit concerned. Not sure I have it in me, but all I can do is try, right? I think I'm going to write a western romance. I'm a pantser much to my dismay sometimes, but as I've said before I hate outlines. So, I only have a vague idea running circles in me head. Kind of like a hamster on a wheel. Good luck to everyone and welcome to all the Newbies.

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musebfree — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:00:03 +0100

I'm Karen, 53 from NE Ohio and back for the 5th year. I wasn't going to Nano this year, but I think I'm getting OCD as I get older. I'm an editor in Real Life but apparently that only applies to work-related projects becaues I've yet to edit one of my Nanos. Good luck to everyone!

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Celandine-Running-Water — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:03:16 +0100

Hi Folks! Well, we may be Geezers but you’re as young as you feel and doing this makes me feel pretty darn good! This will be my 5th year driving myself crazy. I look forward to & plan for it starting in January. That’s because I need the Christmas holidays to recover from the November adrenaline rush! I first found out about the program through an online bookclub I participated in. Initially, my whole family (hubby, 2 kids, assorted brothers, sisters, nieces & nephews) thought I was nuts; they couldn’t understand doing this just for its own reward. But 3 years ago I managed to recruit two of my nieces, middle schoolers, to participate in the Young Writer’s Program. First of all, I needed someone, anyone, to understand that this is not an easy feat to pull off. Secondly, I just wanted some company to help me get through this! I’m thrilled to brag that they have both continued the program each year and have started writing clubs at their respective schools. I am so proud of them both! The best part is that my entire family has changed their opinions about the value of self-satisfaction and participating in NaNoWriMo. Now, they keep suggesting storylines to me while I keep trying to recruit them! Genre lines seem a little blurry to me. I’ve been told I write adventure, mystery and romance. I think my stories are mostly the first two with a touch of the last. My first story took place partly in Seattle. Then I had a lot of fun a couple of years ago when my story had a very strong link to the Robin Hood legend and I explored Nottingham. This year I’m going to Texas for a cattle ranching mystery & adventure. And you can’t have cowboys without at least a little romance, right? I’m stuck riding the buses and trains here in New York City so I really like to travel in my stories! Tell me, how do you write? By the seat of your pants or do you plan it out? What do you use, Pen & Paper, computers, your smart phone, dictation, a combination? I wrote my 1st story by the Seat of my Pants. It resulted in too many grey hairs. So I planned out the second one in my ever present spiral notebook and special blue pen. For the last 3 years I’ve tapped into a software program called Scrivener. They are one of the Program’s Sponsors. It started out as really great software yet each year it’s gotten even better. I think I have the most fun planning and researching my stories during 10 months of the year. And Scrivener makes it really easy for me. Come Nov 1st, I’m working on my story on the train, traveling to and from work, on my lunch hour, at the dinner table, at the laundry mat, in bed at 1am; in short, anywhere I can find a few minutes. Sometimes I’ve got a computer available, sometimes not. I always have my spiral notebook. From the beginning I picked up a little gadget called a Neo keyboard from a company called AlphaSmart. This was before netbooks. It seemed like a silly purchase at the time but I use it when I want to work on my story at the park during lunch, for instance, or at the laundry mat. My kids started using it for some of their small projects for school. It’s very light weight, runs on batteries, you turn it on and it saves as you type. To transfer your file to the computer, you connect it via a USB cable and press a button. A very basic device that does a great job when you need more than pen & paper but less than a computer. I also have a spreadsheet which keeps track of my cumulative word count because I save each chapter as a separate file. I write my chapters out of order. And every nite, no matter how late it is, I update it and I log that info into my author page in NaNoWriMo. That’s one way I keep myself motivated. So, how do you write?

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Zookeeper — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:46:12 +0100

I'm more of a Pantser than I want to be. I like outlines, and I like having a nice, clear map of where I'm going to go. I have never, however, gone into Nano with a nice, solid game plan. It's always far more vague than I like. Unless I get a move on here, this year won't be any different. I write on my PC. I used to have a laptop, an expensive one, but it died after a year or two. I don't know if I'll be working around a day job this year or not. A temp job I was on ended in late September, and what with the economy, I figured it might be quite a while before I find something else. But I'm getting calls. I'm up for a possible job. And I have an interview tomorrow with the recruiting company. If I get a job, I just might buy a new laptop.

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Roger Lubeck — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:43:57 +0100

I am Roger Lubeck. I am 61. This will be my eighth NANOWRIMO. Each year I have written a new 50,000+-word novel. The first three novels were a fantasy / adventure set in the same medieval world. To the Western Border (Book One) is finally published and available on Amazon. Last year, I wrote Bullseye, a noir novel of murder and suspense. I think it is my best novel so far, and will be available on Amazon this month. Each year, I start with only a scene and a character in mind. Personally, I like the freedom this creates, but I have experienced a few false starts. This year I may write a sequel to Bullseye because I like the dark nature of the main character, but it is still early. One year, I did an analysis of winners by age. The 50+ group has one of the highest percentages of winners, so good luck to everyone. Start fast and never look back!

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mt si dad — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:41:20 +0100

This is my second NaNoWriMo and my eighth novel. I'm in a tiny town 40 miles east of Seattle/Tacoma. Last year I wrote 82k words; I shopped the resulting novel and have had three agents and one editor ask to see it. (I'm still revising it based on the feedback I received.) I wrote most of last year's novel on the bus to/from work in downtown Seattle. This year - I don't take the bus anymore.

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Terri K — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:09:05 +0100

Hello, I'm a 50+ semi-newbie. I went to camp in July, wrote more that I have ever written before, and look forward to noveling abandon again in November--hopefully, hitting the 50,000 word mark. HOUSTON--I'm originally from Montana, but have been in Elsewhere:AZ for over twenty years and vacation in Montana every chance I get. Also, I'm having trouble getting a photo to 30kb to upload--maybe I should ask in one of the teen forums about how to resize a photo! TERI-K--Sorry to hear of your loss--and also what a small world; our names are so close!

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chrisdd — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:50:21 +0100

I'm technically on the brink of geezerdom - by one year. I feel more comfortable here. Hi Teri-K. You'll have a great time here. Everyone is so nice! I'm sorry about your loss, but I think this will be pretty cathartic for you.

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chrisdd — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:54:36 +0100

Well I had more to say...sorry. My name is Chris, I live in the Chicagoland area with my husband, 3 school aged kids and a whacko Jack Russell/Rat Terrier. This is my 5th official year and by God's grace, my 2nd win. Hi Everyone!

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Gunns — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:51:48 +0100

I am Gunns, short for Gunnarsson. It is a leftover from the SCA, Third time around for me, I normally write Alt History for money, so this is a great way to stretch my skills. We are in Albuquerque, NM and have just finished Balloon Fiesta. Quick, back to the writing lair. Regards, Kevin

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Storyana — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:13:52 +0100

Hi everyone, My pen name is Angelina, but my NaNo name is Storyana. I will be turning 60 next year and looking forward to it!! I live in L.A. with my husband and two adorable white dogs. I was fortunate enough to discover NaNoWriMo while going through some websites. I have written so many stories, but mostly in my mind while I was busy raising two kids, who are now officially on their own. So, this will be the start of what I hope will be a "successful" writing career. "Successful" in the sense that I will finally be able to write a story that I am able to finish with "The End". I am still unsure of which of my "mind" stories I will use, but one thing sure is that it is going to be a romance novel,-- set in the regency era?? or modern world?? I am excited to be a part of this adventure, and challenge, to write 50,000 words or more. I wish us all the best as we go down our separate paths. Good Luck!

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mplcreative — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:51:18 +0100

Hello! I'm a NaNo loving Geezette from Missouri. At 60, I've only just begun to write..! I'm interested in getting pointers and good ideas from all the writers here. It's a good thing.

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Ebiannah — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:21:20 +0100

Okay, I've made a decision. I may be only 48, but I feel more at home here, with three adult children, a ten year old, and two grandchildren. Oh, and my boytoy husband (four years younger) is now grey, grumpy and passes gas with wild abandon. Geezerdom is mine! I'll probably be lurking mostly, as I work full time in retail and my hours are a bit much to mesh with both writing and forums. This good be a good thing, as in my Geezerdom, I am embracing my inner goofball!!! Y'all have fun! Paula

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SoloWytch — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:55:19 +0100

I guess I'm a brand new Geezer... I'm 50, usually feel 20, except for the days that I feel 80. I write fantasy, and this will be my 4th NaNo (and hopefully 4th win). I also did back to back Camps this summer and won both. I work full time as a nurse at a jail, go to school part time, and am a brand new ML, so if anyone doubts my sanity, you have good reason to do so. I cant wait to get started.

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Auld Soul — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:25:50 +0100

Hi everyone. :) This is my third time here, and I have my mind set for a third win (my 2009 novel was Literary Fiction; 2010 was Paranormal Romance). The only glitch is that I still have absolutely no ideas for a novel and the past two years I've had many to choose from as far back as early summer. Working without much of a plot has worked well for me in the past as both novels ended up being over 300 pages after editing, so all I need is an idea, or a few seeds to grow one!

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Angelynx — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:29:34 +0100

Hello! I'm Paula from MD, Angelynx online, an elder hippie/punk with a household of one roommate/BF and two cats. I'm a work-from-home data entry drone for a national medical library, so even if the November weather gets nasty, I'll have no need to leave the seclusion of my cozy computer room--perfect for writing! This will be my second novel but my first NaNo, and I'll be hanging around hoping to glean tips and experience from all of you who've been this route before. My novel is a fantasy romance set against the backdrop of an alternate-universe 16thC steampunk Asia, where humans and youkai (basically fae/goblins) lived together amicably until Something Bad Happened. Enter a half-youkai assassin and a kitsune boy, and you've got, I hope, a swashbuckling but-we-come-from different-worlds love story. With dragons. =) Stocking up on coffee, tea, and granola bars now!

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Vogon Poet — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:45:20 +0100

Well, this looks like the place for me, too. Hello. I'm Jim and this is my first attempt at NaNo. I'm 57 and live on the West Coast (of Wisconsin) with my wife and 2 aged dogs. No cats any more or ever again. I am from outside of Cleveland, Ohio and have lived in various places, including Spokane and Seattle. That's partly why this site appeals to me over the regional sites. I am not sure how this November will play out. I have had what seemed to me to be great story ideas, but somehow the act of trying to actually WRITE THEM DOWN drives them away and I go blank, like I've never had an idea in my life. So I don't have a story, much less a plot, or even a character. My plan is to just start writing and see where it goes. Fifty. Thousand. Words. I look forward to seeing what it's about. Luck to all of us, then! -Jim

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dancingfool — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:12:47 +0100

Hey people! I'm Laurie, and this year will be my 3rd year. I'd never heard of this event, until my brother talked me into signing up, about 5 weeks before the 2009 event. I didn't get to 50K, until December 6th, that year, but I was hooked on this crazy notion of 50k in 30d... and in 2010, I hit 50k in time to get my purple (woo hoo!) I have one husband and 2 cats (much better than the other way around), and they're mostly good about tolerating my November craziness. I've got most of my research done , and I don't outline, so I'm almost ready. Let's see... laptop all set, Scrivener software updated, fresh flash drive, new NaNoWriMo mug waiting for tea --oh aarrghh.... tea! do I have enough tea? I'd better order more now ;-)

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krudyard — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:10:30 +0100

Hi there. This is my first time. I will be 51 on 2 November (still can't get used to the idea of being in my 50s - I hadn't even got used to being in my 40s!). I've never written a complete work of fiction before so I'm a first-timer in more ways than one. I live in New Zealand with my patient 21-year-old daughter (also the chef - yay!) and one remaining cat. I have an outline but have not figured out how the story is going to end yet so I may be winging that last bit, depending on what happens in my head between now and then. Can't wait to get started! I'll take my netbook with me everywhere and write at every opportunity.

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bradygrrl — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:00:19 +0100

Hi All. I am Marsha, hence the bradygrrl nanoname. I hail from Michigan, work in a hospital, take Karate (working on the orange belt), live with my 85yo mom and mentally handicapped older brother. Myself, I am so enjoying being in my 50's (54) and trying for the umpteenth time to hit the big five oh oh oh oh. So far in nano the most I have accomplished is 2500. Try, try again. I think I can, I think I can. ;)

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banditsrubyangel — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:10:16 +0100

Hello, guys! This is my second year doing Nano. I was here in 2010 and I had a ball. I wrote 115,000 words and got my purple bar. My avatar is my big boy cat Coyote, who's gone but not forgotten. I live in Missouri with three female Manx cats, Cujo, Maya, and Moo. My girls provide help with editing and they remind me not to sit at the computer for too long. That canned food isn't gonna serve itself, y'know. I've written Supernatural fanfiction since 2006. It's been a wild ride, and now I'm ready to try my hand at original fiction. With the SPN fics I specialize in AUs. I take canon characters and I love to speculate “What if?” During the past four years I uncovered a lot of detailed research online about gods and demons that's really proven useful. I've always enjoyed urban fantasies, and last year I wrote the first book in my Canis Major series. The trickster God Coyote comes up with an escape plan for his people, but things don't turn out the way he plans. I'm doing the second book in the series for Nano, and poor Coyote still can't get a break.

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RutaBaker — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:42:57 +0100

I'm Marya. I live in rural Iowa but have lived in a number of countries and locations. I'm self-employed as a translator and textile artist but am semi-retired, not working either too much or too hard these days. 2011 is my 7th go at NaNo and my rebel year. I will be rewriting my 2010 cozy mystery, the best of my 5 wins.

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ProphetNoir — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:56:36 +0100

I am Benton and I will be 55 by the time NaNo begins. This will be my third time signing up for it, but probably my first real attempt at completing it. I have the comforting support of my far-flung friends from F2K/WVU group who will have migrated with me after completing the free six-week course on that site. I am also using Scrivener for Windows to tackle this challenge. Currently I'm using the Beta for my final assignment over on F2K and I am loving it after only one day's use. Despite being a victim of the economy, having been unemployed for going on three years now, I remain eternally optimistic. I expect to make my living as a writer sooner rather than later. That's my mission and I intend to stick with it. This being our founder's self announced last year as NaNo's leader, I am dedicating my effort to Chris Baty's contribution to the art. I will win. Best of luck to us all. Benton aka ProphetNoir

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alydia — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:35:03 +0100

* waves * okay new stuff. We geezers love new stuff. Like cell phones that have more buttons than our dang shirts! That said - I hit geezerhood this past May and still get carded. Got to love Target! This is my 9th NaNo and I won all except one. No plot, no clue but then no internet at home so in theory I'll write more. Leave on vacation tomorrow for a week so that'll fuel my imagination and fill my camera up with pictures.

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RE Garrett — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:03:19 +0100

Hi, all! I'm a first-time NaNoWriMo participant, having read about the program in the 10/13 issue of the Iowa City Press-Citizen. I'm a 62-year-old semi-retired family physician (I retired from the UI College of Medicine at the beginning of the year). I live in Coralville with my wife, a retired developmental pediatrician. Being mostly retired, what I mainly do is eat, sleep, read, write, and play--I should get one of those watches that has those words instead of numbers on the dial! I've already self-published one novel--it's called, "Portrait of the Artist," and it's available for sale on Amazon. Last time I checked, it had sold three copies (not counting the ones I bought to inflict on my family and friends!) If you search on the title, you should be able to find it. It's about an Iowa farm girl who has moved to Manhattan to become a successful artist and her off-again, on-again romance with a high-powered business executive. And it's got iguanas in it! Let me know if you want more info. NB: parts of it are definitely R-rated. I'm not sure what I'm going to write about for NaNoWriMo. I have one idea for a romance between a physical therapist and an English professional cricketer, and another for a science-fiction medical story, on which I've already roughed out part of a first draft--is it kosher to use something like that for NaNoWriMo, or should I start something completely from scratch? Somebody above asked about Scrivener--I've used it for several months, and I love it! It's so much easier to use than Word, especially for things like outlining, and it's great for revising plot sequences and chapter orders--just drag and drop! I've written about 67,000 words of my second novel on it, and I'll never give it up! Well worth the investment. Anyway, I think this is going to be fun, and I'm looking forward to more interesting posts and comments!

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lulu.berkeley — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:06:26 +0100

Hi everybody, I'm 51 and this is my first NaNo. I live in sunny California. Hoping for some early inclement weather so I won't mind staying locked inside in November. I'm so happy there's an over 50's group! I'm a former (crazy?) cat lady but at the moment only have 1 cat and 1 small dog who thinks he's a cat. There's also a child and a soon-to-be husband and a full-time job in the picture but I have them locked out of my writing room so I can pretend it's just me, the keyboard and my own ambivalence. I'm planning on using my iPad2 when I'm away from the computer. Would love to hear from any of you who have tried this. Good luck to all of us!!

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AshleenO.Gaea — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:41:34 +0100

Merry hi, y'all! I'm Ashleen, and ~I~ think I'm in my 30s but my ID declares me a geezer, so here I am, hailin' y'all from Tucson, AZ. This is my 5th NaNo year, but only my first time on this Forum -- how did I miss it? I am looking forward to a ~good~ excuse to abandon all other obligations and focus on writing next month. :-D (With me in the photo is Hal, one of our three cats. He mostly thinks he's a dog.)

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deddragoninn — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:21:35 +0100

Hello All, my name is Dale, and I'm a NaNoWriMo-aholic (Hi Dale). It's been almost a year since my last NaNoWriMo. (Applause.) That time was my first, and I remember as if it was just yesterday. (Okay, that's not quite true...I don't even remember yesterday as if it was yesterday...and it was.) I live in the sunshinest place on Earth (according to Guinness...the book of records, not that tasty adult beverage) with the Missus and our 3 cats. I do most of my writing on weekends, so my count will jump in unusual increments. But...I'll get to the finish line by the deadline, if not before. (I do worry about the impact from the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on 11/11/11 though.)

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Dixiegirl — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:04:49 +0100

Hi everyone! Back for my 6th year! And I hope another win! Hope you all have a great November. I'm headed for the Pen.

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Kat Gentian — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:54:41 +0100

Seems this is the place to post our NaNo bio's. This is my 7th Nano and will hopefully be my 6th win. I write mostly fantasy, and may do an urban fantasy this year. Planning is near non-existent so far. Maybe I'm being complacent, since urban fantasy gives me an already-build world to play in. ;-) MMC is vocal already and has given me his background. FMC is quiet and fuzzy and doesn't have a name although I know one traumatic incident in her past that will affect her in the novel. Since I'm usually a pantser (last year was the first time I knew an ending to write toward) that just might be enough to start with ... No pets at my house.

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Kat Gentian — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:13:46 +0100

LOLs

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Mandolynn — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:00:27 +0100

Mandolynn checking in from Lancaster, PA. This is my fourth year of doing NaNo; I didn't win the first year, but won in 2009 and 2010. I tried to do Camp NaNo in August, but all I got out of it was first prize for inventing the Camp Monster. But I was very proud of my creation, so I am using her in my avatar. (The competition consisted of creating and describing in a limited number of words the Entity that was haunting the campground and preventing people from accomplishing their goals.) Her name is Lookout Louise, and she is the Weasel of Distraction. Her power is mental telepathy, and her goal is your NaNoWriMo Snack Stash. Her plan is to plant doubts in your mind about what you are writing until you, in despair, turn to comfort eating, which opens up a whole cupboard of opportunity for a sneaky snack thief of her speed and agility. My previous NaNo creations have had their roots in the world of Old-Time Radio. In 2009 I wrote "The Love in Bloom Matter", a fanfic in which Jack Benny's violin is stolen and Johnny Dollar, the fabulous, free-lance insurance investigator, had to track it down. In 2010 I wrote "Write Full Details" in which OTR detective George Valentine, living in retirement in Houghton, Michigan, gets dragged back in to an old case thanks to his granddaughter Brooksie's participation in NaNoWriMo. The case is solved and she finds True Love, which surprised me as much as it did George and Brooksie. This year, I don't have any OTR inspiration, so right now I am leaning toward the project I meant to start in August, which has to do with an intergenerational Sunday school class called "Travel Magic Adventures, Inc." I don't know, we'll see. Meanwhile, keep your Snack Stash locked away from Lookout Louise. Especially caramel corn. Or worse, those big silver tins of 3-way popcorn. She can crawl inside one of those cans and eat her way out in no time. Or wait... maybe it's me that does that. Well, one of us can't be trusted with those popcorn tins, I'm sure of that.

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ros77uk — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:10:10 +0100

Hi, my name is Ros - I'm 51, and will turn 52 during November. Born in London, I was raised in Somerset, UK and I now live and work there as a technical publications librarian. I am single, with no children, and tropical fish who agree with me that my latest NaNo novel is the greatest thing since fish flakes. Except NOTHING is better than fish flakes, unless it's pelleted food, or frozen miniscule worms, or... Can you tell that I get easily distracted? This is my third Nano. I won the past two years, but this year I can't even think of anything to write, much less 50,000 anythings. Help! Ros Somerset, UK

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mlhh39 — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:26:00 +0100

My sign in name is mlhh39. Sometimes people ask me if that is my age. (Don't I wish it Was!) It's actually the number of rejections I got before I sold my first book. My real name is Lynette. Got signed up today and am looking forward to taking part for the 4th time. I'm wondering if I'm too old for this group. (My daughter will be 46 tomorrow.) Mybe there should be a spot for those over 65, but until there is, I'll hang with you younger guys. I've been able to win for the three years I've taken part and was delighted to sign a contract for the book I wrote here in 2010. It will come out in 2012, I write mystery, romance, and western historical romance and hope to connect with writers in these areas. I live in a small town in North Carolina, but love traveling. I have been lucky enough to visit all 48 lower states. I still have hopes of seeing Alaska and Hawaii someday. I have one daughter who has given me two beautiful grandchildren. Grandson Trent, 15 (Oh heavens he just got his drivers permit) and Granddaughter Blaire, 9 (my little competative dancer). My companion for 19 years, Jefferson - a Main Coon cat - died in July. I miss him terribly, but am content to be there for my grandcats. I'm looking forward to starting a new book in November, but haven't decided what I'll do thisyear, but plan to make adecision this weekend.

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MissTMoment — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:57:17 +0100

Well Geezers, I am definitely a member of this elite group and there are times that my knees and body feel like they are older than my birth certificate but the fingers still seem to have lots of life in them and so typing will be no problem. I also like the written word but then it has to make it into the computer. I agree with a couple of people that commented that this is great fun and yet it will be difficult not to spend more time checking up on the blogs / comments / cartoons/ etc. and will need to keep the mind focused on the task at hand... with a few mental breaks from time to time in order to remember that I am not alone on this adventure. This is my first year trying this out and I am looking forward to the adventure. I live on Vancouver Island, Canada and look forward to curing up in front of my wood burning fireplace and writing.

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jte3rd — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:37:53 +0100

Hi, I'm John. There are some awfully young geezers out there. I'm 62 and I feel like I have a ways to go before I can proudly claim the coveted geezer label. First time wrimo, retired, been writing short stories of marginal merit for the past two years. My protag is a suburbanite (write what you know, eh?) but possibly he's being manipulated by beings from an alternate continuum. I'm hoping he'll tell me. Maybe he just thinks he is. I've also introduced myself on my regional forum (Twin Cities). Looking forward to it.

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raspberrymoon — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:15:49 +0100

I passed geezerhood a long time ago, and I’m now into my second childhood. This is my second Nano. Last year I finished the one book I knew I was born to write – a historical novel based on my ancestors. (btw, I’m a genealogist.) It came in at over 200,000 words, but I know it will never sell, because of its length if nothing else. So in February I sat down and wrote a novel I thought might have a chance of selling – a mystery with a silly paranormal twist. Alas, I fell in love with my MC so I wrote another. I’m hoping to start book three here. I currently have a folder full of rejects, but hope springs eternal. My sign-in is raspberrymoon (a story almost as long as my name), but RM is much easier. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all. I love cats (I have a new litter under my front porch - I keep telling them that they can't come in because I already have 3 inside but I don't think they are listening). I also have 3 dogs who are also geezers. My other love includes chocolate, which kept me going last year.

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Jeff Thomas — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:47:14 +0100

Hi, Jeff here. I'm 60, live in the Seattle area. This is my second nano, last year I came in at 52K words. A number of years ago I wrote a novel based very loosely on my association with a religious cult. Last years entry in nano was a thriller involving a serial killer loose in the church I made up for the first book. This years I'm working on something (still fooling with the outline) involving the same fictitious church. This one will be more mainstream, I intend to self publish and market it to other ex-members of my former religion.

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fabulist — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:08:11 +0100

Well hello geezers! I'm Gwen and I'm 53, living in beautiful Port Orchard, Washington! I must admit that I'm a bit taken a back, being called a geezer! What happened to 50 being the new 40?! This is my second NaNo and I won last year and I here for more punishment this year!

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Samitchell — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:06:54 +0100

I'm a 57 year old newbie NaNoWriter, living on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada with a husband, 3 cats, & 2 hundred pound dogs. I worry about the demands of my job, family, farming, etc. on churning out the needed 50k, but it just might work. Usually a seat-of-the-pantser, reading the forum posts has convinced me of the need to prepare at least an outline and character sketches. I read the suggestion of breaking the novel into "phases". If each phase or plot point takes about 400 words and I plan four of them per day, I just might succeed. Besides, it'll be fun, right? I couldn't see the link for Scrivener, so downloaded WriteWay to help me plan and write. It's OK but does not quite seem to mesh with the way my mind works. Does anyone have experience with this? Would it be better to switch to Scrivener? Thanks

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Jannerose — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:59:53 +0100

I'm Janne, and I live in New Jersey. I am a newbie and have high hopes that I can do this. I have written a dozen first chapters, and I am hoping this will give me the courage and dedication to finish one. I have four children, and six grandchildren. I am also mom to a dog, two cats and an Amazon parrot, who loves to sing opera. I have several ideas sloshing around in my head, but haven't decided which one I to chase yet.

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TheOldOrc — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 06:34:11 +0100

Greetings to all: I am 62, 2nd year of NaNo, my wife posted somewhere before me and since we live in a little town called Moses Lake, I am sure I will find her somewhere in here since she will turn 50 in November. I am a firm believer in the old adage, you have to grow old, you do not have to grow up, so I write Fantasy and if my oldest daughter tells me I have written something this year that is good enough, I will probably e-publish it. We have 3 cats, don't know why but my wife says I have to keep them. I am looking forward to getting to 50K words this year since I only made 33K last year. I only wish I had known about this (NaNo) before, for I would have been doing it a bit longer.

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naiche — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:51:06 +0100

Hi, I'm Wilma, 51. I first had to find out what a geezer is, but now I know I'm in the right place. I'm what we call 'een oudje'. I'm from a little wet, cold and overcrowded country named the Netherlands and I'm married to a nice guy, who's the father of my three daughters. Today I celebrate the fact that I'm a mom for exactly 25 years. My other daughters are 23 and 17. Only the 17 year old still lives at home with us, together with our great white monster Mick, a Tatra of over 100 pounds, who thinks he's a Jack Russell size dog. We don't make any effort of convincing him otherwise, except when he wants to sleep on the couch. Last year was my first nano and I won! This year I'm gonna try again, but since I'm a lot busier than last year it's gonna be a bit harder.

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chowchowgrl — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:44:02 +0100

Hi, yall! Very nice to be here! I've participated in NaNo several times, finished a few times, learned a lot every time. I've got my plot and very rough outline and characters all ready, now working on details of plot action. I have to admit that since the very first NaNo, I think about writing all the time, how to incorporate stuff, how to tweak stuff, how to render stuff ... every bad event in life becomes potential MATERIAL, so it becomes easier to live with. I'm no longer afraid of writing, but more afraid of how many more Nano years I have left before dementia sets in, so I need to hurry up and finish the drafts! I look forward to sharing this wonderful adventure with you guys! Sorry for all the exclamation points ... it'll take a little doing to switch from Facebook style to LitFic style.

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elizabethnoble — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:24:03 +0100

Hi, I'm Elizabeth and I'm 51. This is my second official year in Nano, however I did it a few times during the first Nano years with a writers' group I was in. We just posted our word counts and stories for each other to see and then later crit. It was a lot of fun. I live on the west side of Cleveland with my three dogs and two cats. I just lost one of my dogs in August. I'm writing an adventure/romance thing. Recently I discovered the joy that is One Note, great way to organize and keep story notes.

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Ian Wallace — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:47:48 +0100

Hi everyone. I am a nano newbie and 2011 will be my first attempt at writing an Historical novel. I have made the attempt to write novels in the past and always given up, so I guess I am hoping for some moral support to get me through to the end this time. I am 55 and live in the North of England, closde to the borders of Scotland. I guess good luck to all those who are entering this year. I am not sure what to expect from this event so if anyone with experience would like to fill me in on the do and don't that would be appreciated.

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Pyx — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:07:17 +0100

Hi all, back again for year 5. I will be 65 by the time Nano starts. I have two wins, should have been three but my computer died on the last day of Nov and I wasn't able to upload my word count....sob...sigh OK, enough of that. Onward and Upward. I have no idea what I am going to write this year. I had and idea, but I lost it, think one of the cats dragged it away and hid it somewhere. Looking forward to November.

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Storeetllr — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:20:53 +0100

Hi, I'm Mary (aka Storeetllr), back for my fourth NaNo in five years (with three purple bars to my credit). Like many here, I have no idea yet what I'm going to write about and not a plot bunny in sight, but we still have what? About two weeks? Piece o' cake! ;-P Anyway, I'm 63 and just moved to Pasadena, CA, right down the street from CalTech. I hope to find some WriMo buddies around the area to get together with once or twice a week to write. I'm toying with the idea of keeping a NaNo journal but not sure if I'll have time to do both NaNo and a journal. (I'm always more ambitious than it turns out I have time to be.)

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sunny-1 — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:22:18 +0100

Samitchell and others who commented about Scrivener and other writing aids. At the top of the Forums, first Forum, first thread is from the Sponsors. It lists five different ones you can read about or try out.

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rpeabody — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:59:27 +0100

Hi Everyone - 54 year old NaNo Newb here. I've had numerous ideas for novels over the years but never go beyond the outlining stage. I figure the NaNo is just the vehicle to get me writing and keep me writing. I'm debating between two ideas right now and hope to finalize my plan by the end of the week. I live in Brighton, Michigan (20 miles north of Ann Arbor.) I publish a monthly regional motorcycle magazine www.midwestmotorcyclist.com) in real life. I'm not sure exactly how the whole writing buddy thing works but am open to it whether helping some other writer out or getting feedback on my stuff. Shoot me a line if you want to buddy up. Looking forward to November. Good luck, Everyone! Ray

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treefrog5700 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:35:50 +0100

Nina, 52, this is my seventh year doing nano. I first did it with my oldest daughter when she was a sophomore in college, a project we could do long distance. She's in grad school getting an MFA now (after a couple of years working and a stint in Americorps.) I'm still doing nano. I won every time because I don't like losing, but the early ones were not salvageable. I'm still editing two others and one is on hold. I live in Nashville, TN. I need a plot.

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benjan — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:24:34 +0100

Hello, all. I'm a newbie, but I've known about NaNo for a couple of years. My name is Barb (the B in my tag benjan). I'm 55 and live in Wisconsin with my hubby of 33 years and our 23 year old daughter. I hope to write a novel about a mystery on another planet, not a genre I'd normally consider. The plot came to me almost complete, so who am I to argue when the story smacks me upside the head and screams, "Write me!"? In the past, I've written and illustrated children's stories and poetry. Lately, I've focused on novel writing, and I hope to actually finish this one by the end of November. Everything I write contains humor, whether it's in dialogue or situations, so one funny space mystery coming up. I'd love to have a writing buddy or two when that opens up, even though I really don't know what that involves.

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dancingfool — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:58:37 +0100

Barb - The toughest part about being a writing buddy, is putting the names on your list -- and of course, at the moment, that's the impossible part! Seriously, your writing buddies are simply people who you list on your profile. With one click, you can see everyone's name, and their word count. However, having them there, makes it wicked easy to click on a name and send a nanomail... so it does facilitate communication, although you can only nanomail one at a time. Often, people will n-mail their buddies regularly, to either congratulate them on their growing word counts, or to encourage them to grow their counts faster. Laurie

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gbostic5 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:30:00 +0100

Hi fellow Geezers, I'm Gloria and at 67 just embarking on my second attempt at NaNo. I won last year so crossing my fingers to do it again, but I'm trying a totally new genre this year. I'm going to try writing YA/Children's Lit, but still haven't narrowed it down to the specific age group. I am really scrambling with just two weeks to get myself organized and ready to go! I live in south central Pennsylvania and see that there are some other east coast dwelling Geezers. :) Glad to meet you all!

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katherinerussellgarrison — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:13:51 +0100

Hi one and all, My name is Kathy. All these cat lovers! Good deal! I currently have 3 that are official and one that I swear isn't staying here, she only comes in to get a bite to eat, get warm, take a nap, get a pat, play with the other cats, until I find her another home. I promised my very patient husband I would never again go up beyond 3 cats (after a really bad summer of 17 of the little dickens) and so cat number 4 is NOT mine! HONEST! Haven't even given the cat a name.......yet. I have watched the website for a few years now. This year I have decided to actually participate. That may be more fun. My story idea is one that ties space aliens, cats, and medicine all in one. My current life is unusual from the normal path I had envisioned for me. I am a college student, looking to become a jr high math/science teacher when I finally grow up. Mother of five, Grandma to 3. Wife of the most amazing man in the known universe. (Only took 4 tries to find him). good luck to all and will be catching in with you from time to time.

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S.OKasick — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:24:16 +0100

Hi everyone, My name is Sue. I live in a northern suburb of St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN. I am 52. This is my third year as a NaNoWriMo and hopefully my 3rd win. I almost decided not to do it this year, but my daughter, who got me into this 3 years ago, kept at me till I caved in and said I would. We usually write together and egg each other on. This year I am attempting a SciFi novel. My first one was Main Stream Fiction and last year I tried my hand in the Humor/Satire category. I have a beginning planned out for my novel and an end. I am hoping the middle will come to me as I go along I only have one cat, but as I fit in the geezer age group, I still belong! Good luck everyone.

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Timkford — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:16:37 +0100

Mmmmmmm ... if I use hexadecimal as base then I would transpose the digits in my age - let’s see: ‘First lines’ - looks good, why haven’t we got that? ‘How do you keep kids out of your hair’ – that never, ever, really happens - does it? ‘How has writing evolved’ – sounds interesting ‘Going back to work after having a baby’ – NO! I don’t want to read that. The edit user setting doesn’t have a base, so ... perhaps I just pick and choose. Oh yes, cats. I want another Siamese for long conversations in a strange language. My wife doesn't. Do I get the siamese and lose the wife?

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Zookeeper — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:53:53 +0100

I've never had a Siamese, and I want one. I like talkative cats. Ragdolls, although expressive in other ways, don't actually vocalize much. At least my two don't. My most vocal cat is the big tabby stray I took in. He walks through the house meowing to himself.

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chowchowgrl — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:18:43 +0100

Hi, yall! My name's Randi and I'm 60. I've done NaNo several times, even finished a few times, learning new things with each endeavor. One of the hardest aspects has been the introduction of plot twists ... my line of work is based on solving and preventing problems, so it feels weird to focus on creating problems. My first NaNo was essentially "once upon a time they all lived happily ever after" sitting around the neighborhood bar, but now I finally know how to make trouble and make it get worse. It's very nice to meet all of you and I look forward to a delightful month ahead.

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thefensk — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:47:59 +0100

I'm Thomas ... 59, living in Mebane NC. I grew up in Texas but have lived here for about 22 years. I took a lot of creative writing in college but have only dabbled in essays and short stories for years. I did manage to write a SciFi novella in the 90s. Then I found Chis Baty's book at Goodwill on November 30 last year. Boy, was I disappointed to find out I had just missed 2010 Nanowrimo. Then after reading the book, I decided, what the hay. I made it my New Year's resolution to write a 50K novel in January. Completed it in 28 days and I was stoked! After doing it all by myself, I am not sure about being part of the official nanowrimo. The closest regional group is at Univ of North Carolina ... a bunch of students. It is about 20 miles away and they are meeting at all sorts of odd times. I might spend more time here. I'm trying to interest my wife in Nanowrimo ... but we'll see how that goes. Since I work full time, I will try to do what I did in January and write for 1-2 hours early in the morning.

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Dixiegirl — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:55:41 +0100

Oh my goodness! They got a first and last link! Wonderful! No if we can just Sort it all out!

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Kat Gentian — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:19:13 +0100

And the page numbers at the top as well as the bottom! Hooray for progress! I'd vote for the EDIT button before sorting, though (as if we have a say).

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Kataja — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:40:39 +0100

Yeah! Progress... I'm missing especially the sort (+ unreads marked somehow would be great, too...)

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Mouse That Roars — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:27:40 +0100

Mouse here. 51, live in Oklahoma ( waves to Kopi) with husband, ornery cat & six koi in the backyard pond. 2 time NaNo winner -- this year I stepped up to become ML for our little suburban city. Hope I don't screw it up. I'm not really sure yet what I'm going to be doing for this NaNo. I've been reworking my steampunk YA from last year with an eye to publishing it, so I really should go rebel & finish the latest draft of it. On the other hand, I''m a bit tired of it all, feeling like I need to step away for a while, & I've a ton of plot bunnies & characters begging for their chance. Suggestions will be welcomed.

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Zookeeper — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:02:47 +0100

Zombie Apocalypse seems to be popular this year.

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Sheenagh — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:58:29 +0100

Definitely in geezer territory at 54. I'm a "virgin" to this whole NaNo thing (does anyone else get flashbacks to Robin Williams?). Life - and a gift of procrastination and a genius at excuses - have sidelined my writing efforts. Always a passion, I have written (for fun) in a variety of genres over the years. some of the most creative time I had was on a blog engine called Efx - where myself and a few others participated in quick writing challenges to one-line ideas. Still NO idea where I'm going November 1 but at least have a couple of weeks to try to get my thoughts in order. Finding the time to write (like many here) is going to be the biggest hurdle - my life is far too busy for my liking. I'm leaning towards erotica - currently have had two potential novels on the backburner for far too many years. So wracking my mind to come up with a new tangent ... and as everyone else is 'fessing up - I have 4 kids (19, 21, 23 and 25), 1 husband, 4 cats (including a 25 lb Maine Coon), 2 bad german shepherds and a mortgage ... and all (excluding the kids and husband) are rescues!

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Sheenagh — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:59:39 +0100

just wanted to add... SO happy to find this thread! Perusing the site, I thought I was the only person more than 30!

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Delane21 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:34:07 +0100

Can't believe it's that time again!! Love seeing the new AND familiar "faces" here ... (wave to Dixiegirl) ... Time for me to start kicking around some story ideas!

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deb2990 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:03:18 +0100

This will be my first effort - my kid has been doing nanowrimo since jr. high (embarassing geezer Mom has been allowed to read none - zero - of her efforts ). I have the loosest, flimsiest idea for a situation for my novel -- I feel like I ought to be better prepped! I'm in some bizarre state combining excitement, utter panic, confusion and manic fretting.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Fiona W — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:49:22 +0100

Howdy y'all! I'm Fiona, and I'm a NaNo virgin. (Ah'm officially allowed to say things like "Howdy, y'all" because ah'm from Texas. But I live in Maryland now, so it's confusing...) I'm a 56-yr-old retired physician—mostly keepin' myself busy with mail art, especially collage postcards. I've been so involved with art, in fact, I don't know if I'm going to be able to switch gears. But I've been a writer all my life—and only an artist for a couple of years. Art is like this shiny new toy that has yet to disappoint me; but I'm sure it will, sooner or later. Anyway, I signed up for NaNo in part because I've got an autobiographical novel (NOT a memoir, perish the thought) itchin' to get out of me. The real reason I'm gonna try to write 50K, though, is that I've been gettin' together with my friend Mary to watch splatter movies—every summer for 20 years, she's been flying to my house for an intense two-person film festival—and we want to write a book about our adventures. But we can't make it past the starting gate: we're floundering around in a morass of 20 years' worth of notes, dozens of books about the kind of movies we like to watch, and more advice than you can shake a stick at. The problem is, neither of us has ever written a whole book before. She's workin' full-time as a German-to-English translator...you guessed it, I got elected to learn about this writing-a-book thing. So true-story-novel, here I come! Say, it did take a while to read all of this thread so far =laugh= but I must say, I really enjoyed it. If I could give a personal shout out to each of you, I would. (I will say "Hey there!" to Garrett, 'cause it's nice to see another doctor here.) I've been meetin' a bunch of people on NaNo whose ages are all between 18 & 22, so it's nice to hear from some folks who know what it is to have worn multiple hats in one's lifetime—sometimes all at once, definitely several in a row. The one hat I haven't worn is bein' a parent—I have nothing but respect for those of you have!—but I have earned money as everything from a sailing instructor, to a rat-brain neurophysiologist, to a reviewer of horror books, and so on. And I've had some sublime relationships with cats, over the decades—not all of whom are still with us, of course. After a few tragic kittens in our early years, my husband and I got into the swing of getting two littermates at a time from breeders of oriental shorthairs. We just lost a wonderful little guy a few weeks ago, so our household is in a state of shock these days. But we're plannin' to get another pair of orientals soon, to keep our remaining cat—a skinny black sweetie named Annabel Lee—company, so life goes on...Anyway, what I've been meanin' to say is, it's nice to meet all you folks who know that there are more kinds o' people in the world than just human people—that there are feline people & canine people & equine people, et al. =smile= I wish all of y'all the best of luck in makin' your 50K, and I'm sure I'll be seein' ya around... —peace, love, rock-n-roll, Fi (pronounced "fee")

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:28:27 +0100

Interesting. Just a couple days ago, the name of my FMC came to me and it's...Annabel Lee. I have six cats, plus a regular stray, plus possibly a second stray. I've seen a new cat out in my yard several times in the past month. I've been putting out double portions of kibble, and someone's been eating it. Hope I haven't been feeding a family of raccoons. I just came back from a science fiction convention. One of the fans there had a couple dogs with him. One was an American Eskimo. It was so cute! Now I want an Eskie.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Fiona W — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:32:48 +0100

Shannon: Thanks for the tips re. the splatter-movie book! But let me clarify (if necessary) that what I'm writing for NaNo is an autobiographical novel about my life. The working title is Bride of the Monster. The operant metaphor: I'm the Bride, and this crazy LIFE I've been wedded to since popping out of the womb, is the Monster! Zookeeper: That's so cool about your character named Annabel Lee. If you have time to do so, starting in November, give me a quickie update from time to time about what sort of trouble she's getting into. =grin= Note to Self: Stop reading and writing in NaNo forums, and figure out seven or eight or ten key climactic episodes for my novel. (So far I only have one figured out—the first one.) Fi

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Fiona W — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:41:05 +0100

P.S. It's so typical of me to pen that lame phrase: "an autobiographical novel about my life." Arrrghhh....I swear, Pleonasm is my middle name! If I make 50K by November 30th, I bet at least 10K of it will be redundant tautologies & tautological redundancies.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kataja — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:33:57 +0100

Fiona: as usually, the Department of Redundancy Department is very busy during all nano... Frequents my stories all the time, and judging from the nanoism thread in the Finnish regional lounge I'm not the only one...

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

mzmocha — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:31:35 +0100

Hi all, I mostly hang around the fantasy forum when I'm online, but thought I'd drop by and give a shout out to my fellow geezers : ) I'm 52 - or forty-twelve as I prefer to refer to myself as being - and under-employed >sigh< as an instructor at a community college in the carolinas. I write fantasy in a world that I've been playing in for several years now, based loosely on African cultures and geography. This will be fifth Nano and hopefully my forth win. The first year, I tried pantsing and it ended painfully. After that, I learned how to outline and thingsgot better. It's been that way every year since then. The better I get at outlining and character development, the better my final wordcount gets. Two years ago I started using Liquid Story Binder, http://www.blackobelisksoftware.com/ and I can't praise the program enough for how it's helped me get and stay organized. You'd think I had stock in the company. This year my outline is ridiculously huge and I seem to have gotten the knackfinally for writing character backstories that's really helped me flesh out my storyline. I can't wait til Nov 1 to see how it all works out.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

David-Barnes — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:10:00 +0100

I'm a newbie as well. To Na No that is, in life I'm 74 which makes my project easy because I am writing a novel based in 50ish BC so I will be able to remember a few things. Is that cheating?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

mjshorts — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:56:03 +0100

Mike here - one of the older 'Geezers' - 60 (but will be 61 by the time NaNoWriMo starts). This is my first time at NaNoWriMo and I'm really looking forward to it - looks like fun. I live in the UK in a place called Warrington (a town midway between Liverpool & Manchester). I've been retired for just over two years and am loving it. I now have so much time to write and blog. Still working on ideas for my novel, I know where I want to start (I think) but not sure where I'm going, so it looks like being an interesting journey.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolyn Branch — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:32:37 +0100

I'm Carolyn Branch, from Fulton, Missouri, USA. We were Number 4 in the world last year in average number of words per writer! I'm the oldest writer in the group, so sometimes I struggle to keep up with the youngsters when it comes to write-ins and all night noveling parties. But I have fun and have managed my 50,000 words every year since 2005. I'm 64, still working, and getting up at 5:30 every morning to go up the road to take care of my grandkids and get them on the bus because both parents leave for work so early. I love spending time with them, but the routine pretty much puts an end to both early morning and late night writing. This year I'm taking time off from my job at the library to write through the day.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ghk1962 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:23:42 +0100

Hiya all ~ Greg here. I don't think I introduced myself here yet. (How do you all know on what forum and topic you've been on? I have to do the scrolly thing in a couple because I can't remember if I wrote something there!) Anyway, I am allllmooosstt 50 . . . but sneaking on here in advance. :-) I'm from the Pacific NW. Battle Ground, WA to be exact. Though I lived in the Portland, OR area for a while. This is my first NaNo. I just learned of it in early October. I'm pretty anal retentive, so have been sort of outlining things. (Actually, I am soooo trying to follow all the rules and not write anything that might be in the novel.) Actually, I've been sequencing events, using both a bulleted list and Excel! For the past couple days I have also started researching the stoopidest and trivial things. (i.e., is there really a non-stop flight from San Antonio to Portland? Nope . . . will need to remember that if that type of thing is in the novel.) Aggh...this is quite addicting! The thing is . . . I am enjoying it sooo much! Hope to get to know some of you better.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

prospero2 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:14:38 +0100

Hi Greg. Had to pick up on the reference to Battle Ground WA since we used to have a pug bred in Battle Ground back in the day when we lived in Portland. Greetings from the South Hams (Devon, England) to the Pacific NW. A 'We are such stuff as dreams are made on.'

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Balou — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:20:01 +0100

Hi, My name is LaNell and I am 54. This is my 5th year to do NaNo. :-) I won in 2010, so I am looking forward to finishing this year as well. I live in West Texas with my husband and 4 chihuahuas. Three of my six children live here and 5 of my 9 grandchildren live here as well. I currently work 3 days a week in retail, and return to my writer's lair the rest of the time. I have a children's book coming out in the summer. It is being sent to Illustration the first of Nov. This year I am going to try for an historical YA based on the American Revolution. Research has been great!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ghk1962 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:32:55 +0100

That has GOT to be the absolute coolest profile picture!!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

angarhad — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:37:26 +0100

Hi everyone, it is good to be back. I have everything ready, chocs, biscuits and a good supply of coffee. This is my 8th year and so far have made it every year, I hope the trend stays with me.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Tessen — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:49:06 +0100

Hi, I'm Brenda, 55 this November 18. I live in Iowa, where we are currently enjoying the beautiful fall leaves but dreading the winter not far behind. I am divorced and have one son, 21, a junior in college. We have two beagles and one iguana. I am retired after 30 years at the same company. I am legally blind, which present its own special challenges while trying to write. I also enjoy drawing and painting. This is my first NaNo. I'm feeling a little intimidated but excited as well. I think this will finally give the the kick in the fanny to write the mystery/crime novel that's been pinging around in my head for 8 years. I'm really looking forward to commiserating with everyone. Misery loves company, right? Happy writing and good luck!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:48:07 +0100

Greetings, Brenda, from a fellow midwesterner! My daughter went to college in Iowa - little place in the cornfields called Grinnell. I loved going out there to visit; now that she's graduated I miss my occasional weekend jaunts down Rt 80. Good luck with your novel.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

SecondLinnet — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:00:55 +0100

Hi, thought it was about time I said 'hello' to my fellow geezers. I'm Angela and based in south-west britain; a little place called Plymouth. I'm married and have a son and daughter in their twenties and living at home It's my first nano and I'm trying to produce a fictional 'diary' based upon real events in one year of my daughter's experiences at school. I'm hoping to give a slice-of-life insight into the struggles and personal triumphs of somebody with a learning disability and autistic spectrum disorder. I'm also hoping what I produce isn't as dire as that sounds!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Fiona W — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:16:42 +0100

Sheesh, I feel old...I keep making the mistake of reading other forums than this one. They're full of high school students! Eeek! They're all chattering away about their complicated lives. They make me self-conscious about making references to my own life, like that my husband is cooking dinner, or even just the ordinary fact that we live in a house and have two cars. I'm afraid I'm going to use some old-timey expression, like say that I'm "as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs." And I don't even have any grey hairs yet! There's this other thing, too: these youngsters keep commenting on my avatar picture, clearly indicating they think that's ME, when of course it's Elsa Lanchester in "Bride of Frankenstein"! =sigh=

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

QueenOfAmber — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:34:19 +0100

Geezerhood at 50? Really? Ok. Hi, new to this forum because I just noticed it. I'm going to be writing post apocalypse story. Let's see... I'm married to a guy from Australia. I'm from Ireland. We live in New York. No pets, no kids. He works, I don't. I like to play D&D, go back and visit my family, and watch the Australian Open.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

waterloon — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:46:30 +0100

I introduced myself in the Writing Buddies thread but I'll say howdy here as well. I'm Waterloon and I'm 54. I live in Michigan, south of Flint, and would love to find other writers my age who live in the area so we can form a writing group to chat, give pep talks, drink coffee and commiserate together. It seems around here the writers only come out when it's NaNo time and then disappear after it's over. I checked in with the regional group and they're all twenty-somethings. Nothing wrong with that because I still feel twenty-something inside, but it would be nice to find some forty or fifty-somethings (or older) as well. Anyway, I have four grown children, and one almost-grown, and I have four grandchildren. I stay pretty busy between chauffeuring and teaching the one still at home. I also have one adult child living with us along with spouse and 18 mo. old (while they try to get on their feet), so the household is lively most of the time. I like reading, writing, drawing using mixed media. I love sci-fi and it's my first choice in reading as well as writing but for NaNo this year I'm going to try my hand at fantasy and see how well I can pull that off. I loved Clive Barker's Imajica, so I'm taking my inspiration from that. Looking forward to getting to know everyone at the Clubhouse. Looks like a friendly place.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Timkford — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:31:11 +0100

I think I've done an intro somewhere but I can't remember putting my age - it's irrelevant. However, I have just dicovered that I was the 2,943,025,202nd alive on Earth at the time. Damn - I was aiming for a prime number. Apparently, I am also the 76,509,450,510th person to have lived since history began. I'm not sure if I should feel older now or not. On another topic - in the last year or so I have really got into reading again, so I making lots of notes of books and authors that I haven't read- so thanks to everyone for that.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

69MustangMom — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:38:00 +0100

Hey all, I am 55 yr. old doing this NaNoWriMo thing for the first time. I'm writing an action/adventure fanfiction story based on a modernized version of tv's Magnificent Seven. A recent empty-nester, I'm looking forward to devoting my off time to writing again! Dust off some verbs, oil some action scenes.....can't wait. I live in San Diego, California and work for the County. Nice to meet y'all!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

lola777 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:46:22 +0100

Hi, all. I'm Lynn. I'm on the shady side of 50, I finished my first NaNo last year and I'm back for a second helping of crazy! I live in the country with my husband and a 14 year old Siberian Husky named Lefty, who constantly keeps us entertained. In the past I've written poetry, children's stories, a few mystery novels, one romance, and self-published a cookbook. Last year my NaNo writing veered from mystery into romantic suspense. I'm still sifting through story ideas and haven't yet nailed down a specific genre for next week, which is finally almost upon us. (Yes, I'm a pantster, with notes!) I'm really getting antsy for the challenge to begin! I love the energy of so many people letting their imaginations flow at the same time during one month of the year. Scary but fun. Good luck to everyone!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kopiluwak — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:03:39 +0100

Heya, I'm Kopi and I guess I'm a geezer in more ways than one! This is my 11th year doing NaNo. I know, I know. I just keep coming back. I won all but the first year. So this will be my 10th year to win. I'm also somewhere between 66 and 68 years old - I'm younger than my older brother (69) and at least 2 years older than my little sister (64). My siblings were born in hospitals and have birth certificates. I was born at a drunken bacchanal on an ocean-going yacht and have several certificates of live birth, listing different dates and years. My mother could never remember which one was correct and she took the info with her to her grave. I have 2 hearing assistance dogs - one for home and one for away. Both are chihuahuas. The hone dog is Xoco (show co) and the away dog is Itzl (it zul). We hang out at the Smoking Pen here on the 50+ Age Groups, and over at our home region of Oklahoma City (waves to Mouse!).

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

mlherself — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:26:30 +0100

I just read everyone's intro thus far and I'm pleased to see to such a diverse group of people. What fun we're going to have! Some caution is called for however, as I am a "people watcher." Be careful or you'll end up in my novel! Born and raised in western NY state, now living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, I've been married now for 30+ years to one of those proverbial good men which elude so many. We have two grown children who are the pride of my heart. And even though I play mom to a matched pair of magnificent white shepherds (rescued from a life of misery) and one demanding cat (whose never known a moment of need), I struggle with life as an empty nester. Writing was always my first love. However my early productive years finally caved to the assault of everyday life, and my aspirations to get published fell by the wayside. Now with nothing but time on my hands, and the support offered by a community such as NaNoWriMo, I hope to rekindle that passion and determination for writing which once defined me. This is my first year at NaNoWriMo, and I plan to write a SciFi adventure I've held close to my heart for far too long! Yay me! And good luck to everyone else!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Thannisan — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:17:19 +0100

I guess I am a Geezer Emeritus or perhaps a Geezer Plus or whatever you are when you get past the 'four score and ten' mark. However, I am always trying something new so am always a beginner. I learned balloon twisting (why not), then Photoshop and Painter, and now I am trying my hand at fiction. I did this once before and lived through it so now I am going to have another go. Good luck to us all.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

snuzcook — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:21:26 +0100

I'm Snuz in Ballard, Washington (Ya Sure, you betcha!). I am 57 and this will be my 2nd Nano (won in 2009). I skipped a year and did Script Frenzy 2011 instead. Now I can't decide which medium I like better, so I have two storylines, either of which I could develop as a screenplay OR as a novel, or both. But I have stalled out on both in the ruminating phase. So, to get the ball rolling I'll start here. Hopping from foot to foot and wringing my hands--which one will I write? Or will I be smacked between the eyes by a new inspiration on Halloween? Got about 53.5 hours to decide...

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:30:22 +0100

Last year, I was ruminating about what to write when suddenly Somebody or Something opened up my head and poured in a steampunk novel, so that's what I wrote last year. This year, I'd pretty much decided on a zombie novel, just for something different, and the backlash against zombies has made me determined to write the best zombie apocalypse novel ever.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

bnavta — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:44:32 +0100

Hello all! Definitely a Geezerette here. Name of Betty. I've done Nano the last two years, but both years landed in hospital for emergency whatnots. November doesn't seem to like me much. But I'm super-determined this year! No hospitals, dang it! I live in Wonder Lake, IL with a sweet old grumpy Geezer, 2 black Labradors, a Fell Terrier and 2 much beleaguered cats. I have 2 great kids and will be a first time grandma in June! At last! I was laid off my job as a Church Administrative Assistant a year ago and have been struggling to find something online to fill my empty pockets. No luck, so far. Sooo, I'm writing again. I've been writing all my life - well, since my first play got produced in third grade for Sister Una, the principal, and that's over three times the lifetimes of some of our younger Nanoites. I've been published here and there (kid stories, devotional material and various articles) over the years and edited more newsletters, memos, reports, etc. than I can count. Now I'm writing Fantasy! Who'd a thunk it! Glad to find other Geezers and Geezerette writers here!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

martdog9 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:58:27 +0100

Hi all, Steve from Australia here. Second time around for me and hope to see the finish line this time. Should have no excuses with time as I'm currently laid up with a knee injury and nothing better to do than rehab. Plot? what plot? It'll be seat of the pants stuff come 1 Nov! Would really like to write something funny and left-field though. When on my feet I'm a keen walker, birdwatcher and photographer (usually in that order). Good luck everyone!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

scaramouche — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:07:11 +0100

Hi all ! Good to see so many geezers! I'm Paul and will be 57 next Saturday. Been in about half a dozen Nanos, but only won in 2002. This year I'm more determined than ever to win. I'll be doing a western. Only have a couple paragraphs of outline done. If anyone has any ideas for western plot lines, bring them on! I'd love to sift through them for ideas. Good luck to us all!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

SarahB-H — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:45:01 +0100

They say that 50 is the new 40, so I'll be damned if I'm willing to be called a geezer! I'm 54 and have nary a cat. It's my first NaNoWriMo, and I'm excited about it. There's a kick-off party for our Northern Virginia region this afternoon which I'll attend to meet some nanos in the flesh. I've chosen literary fiction as my category. I recently left my paraprofessional career in public accounting, and am ready for something new. I majored in English in college, earning my degree in my early 40's. I have won several big-fish-in-a-little-pond awards over the years for my writing (college competitions), but have never settled down and pursued writing seriously--until now!! Good luck, everyone!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

dancingfool — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:19:37 +0100

lol... I don't know what it's called in the real world, Sarah... but here in nanoland, I don't think it's considered a bad habit, I think it's considered word-padding!!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Jodie Sjovold — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:10:57 +0100

I don't feel like a geezer but at 59 years young, guess if the shoe fits... I've been wanting to write a novel all my life and finally decided if I don't do it now, then when? I joined a local writer's group here in Poulsbo, WA and one of the writers pointed me towards this website. My daughters and grandchildren all live far away so while my husband is puttering around in the garage, I plan on writing something. Wish me luck!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Sprinter — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 10:55:18 +0000

Hi all....this is my first year here - some friends started cheering about this a couple of days ago and I saw no reason not to resist the challenge. Gosh! I've never written in the 'company' of a whole squad of people. (I have written in the middle of busy offices, but never with everybody else around writing too!) To those like (@) Dixiegirl who have suffered losses - my sympathies. This has been a truly hellish year for many. I've lost family, been in a car accident and had a small flood in my apartment...writing and friends - near and far, in person and in text - have helped me through. Am looking forward oodles to the mad dash of typing...Hope to make a few friends too, of course! Here's to us all...may our computers and coffee supply hold out!

Call me a Crone

lovechris — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:28:24 +0000

Yippee.... a space for me! I'm almost 65 and proud of it! I like to be thought of a Wise old Crone... not a geezer! Lots of wisdom in here to write about! This will be fun. I started last year, but wasn't up to speed. This year, I've downloaded my Scribener (sooo great for organizing all those random ideas, and the WORLDS BEST Thesaurus Nisus (FREE!). Life is good!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

writerwoman — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:53:34 +0000

Hi! I'm tickled to be a Geezer--didn't imagine I'd make it this far! This is my third NaNo, with two wins to date. I'm glad all of you are here. I write professionally, but NaNo is like a party for me, when the solitary craft of writing becomes a communal project. Writing in a funny hat, checking in on the forums, downloading my word-count every day, white-hot damn-the-torpedoes speed-writing, and an Official Gosh Darn Certificate at the end? What's not to love? Cheers, everyone!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

SSvitak — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:06:32 +0000

Hi, I'm Sharon, I am 66, widowed with two adult children, retired from the 9:00 to 5:00 grind, and I live in the SF Bay Area. I was very happy to find this forum because I didn't understand much of what was being said on some of the other forums. I know very few of the initial phrases like LOL or OMG and many threads seem to be nothing but initials. I have been writing for many years but never fiction. So this is my first NaNoWriMo and I am looking forward to kicking my internal editor out the door and letting my imagination run free. I plan on writing a romance novel because that is what I love to read. If there are any other Northern California geezers out there, give me a shout.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

BryanMc — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:55:04 +0000

Hi everyone. I'm Bryan from Okc. Yes, the wind really does sweep down the plain here. This is my first attempt at NaNoWriMo. I don't consider myself any kind of budding novelist, just someone who likes to tell a story. I'm certain that I'll break every novel writing rule out there on my NaNoWroMo project. What I lack in my writing skills, I'm hoping I can make up for with a decent story.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Aventurine — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:29:57 +0000

Hi all! I'm Sharon and I'm so happy to be here again. Didn't win last year (only made it to about 25k) but I'm all revved up raring to go and am determined to succeed this time! Good luck to you all, I'm sure you can do it! Happy writing! xxx

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Aser — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:40:23 +0000

Hola, Geezers! May you all have words spilling out of your fingertips with glib turns of phrase and astounding plot twitches all November long! Since last November, I've sworn I'd never do NaNo again ... yet here I am. There's just something magical about sitting down with a blank screen on November 1st and knowing that before December arrives, another novel -- crappy or great -- will exist in the world. Go, Geezers, go. Sand Pilarski www.pikerpress.com

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

dancingfool — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:35:49 +0000

yes, 50k is the goal for the total number of words written in the month of November. If you write the exact same number of words each day, you should write between 1666 and 1667 words/day, to reach the goal, but there's no daily requirement. Some do almost no writing on weekends, some do almost all their writing on weekends, etc. Winners? well, IMO, we're all winners, for trying. On a more technical level, winners are not chosen, and there is no limit (neither minimum nor maximum) to the number of winners... anyone who meets the goal of at least 50k, is a winner. Winners get a purple banner on their profile, and a link to the certificate that they can fill in and print out, and a link to some codes for discount prices on some writing software, and a terrific sense of accomplishment, and a description of the secret handshake. (Just kidding about the handshake, but the rest is all true)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Nightbyrd — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:50:34 +0000

Hi Everyone! Well, I guess it's time to admit my geezerhood and join this lovely group of people. I keep trying to hang out with the kids in my regional forum but I think I'm old enough to be their grandmother now. Lots of University of Arizona students there who talk about writing all night and things like that. Ah, I remember it well. Anyway, this will be my sixth NaNo. I've won four times and intend on winning this year. I write cozy mysteries with an inspirational slant on my MacBook Pro using Scrivener. I've got a good deal of outline done, a list of characters and a premise. I'm not sure it's quite a plot yet, but I'm hoping it will be one by the time November comes to an end. I still have a day job so hope I can keep up with all the message traffic here. I can usually read forums some at work (for now), but hesitate to post from there for obvious reasons. Glad to meet you all.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Pickled Woman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:57:39 +0000

Hello seasoned writers. I'm writing through the rain in Bellingham, WA. This is only my second time Nanowrimoing, but it was crazy wonderful before, so I'm back. Are there any people writing magical realism this time around or am I going to be a little island in this raging sea of taps, clicks and saves? Oh...only 13 hours until Nov. 1!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

redgypsee — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:47:54 +0000

Hello fellow geezers~I am age 56. 50 is the new 30 isn't it? Just over eight hours to start time here in the foothills of the Rockies~Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This is my first attempt at nanowrimo ... feeling pumped. Haven't decided if I will be on day shift or night shift for this, although I was up until 4 am last night. I do all sorts of artsy stuff, and have written as long as I can remember. I do visual art, music, and educate in those areas as well. I have two cats and do a variety of contract work. Nice to meet all of you. If you want to find me on twitter @redgypsee and my blog is http://blumoon.blog.ca

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Debbs — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:22:57 +0000

Greetings, New Friends I'm 53 and this is my first NaNo. I have wanted to do NaNo for years and was always working too many hours a week to even Think of trying. Well, this year, 11/01 is my last day at work ( after 16 years ) and I plan on sitting myself down and doing this. I am pumped!! I haven't had time to outline much, so I'll be flying by the seat of my pants at first, but no worries -- I'll catch up. I'll be working on an urban fantasy novel -- I've been simmering this idea for months now. Time to write it. Good luck to everyone and Happy Writing! By the way, Sharon, I'm in the Bay Area too!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

3DogMike — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:46:22 +0000

Hello all, I’m Michael. I’ll be 53 in November and I live in deepest New Jersey with my wonderful wife and a menagerie. I’ve been doing NaNo for something like 8 years now and I’ve hit 50k all but one time but I give myself a pass since I had serious medical issues that year. I only consider the last 2 to be complete stories though and I’m not satisfied with any of them so no submissions yet. To be honest I’d still be doing this if every one of them had been finished and published. It’s just too much fun. Yes, I am the kind of person who thinks this is fun. I’m pretty much a hermit even on-line, but I wanted to stop in as the start looms close to say hi to everyone. This is a great spot, away from all those extremely young NaNoers who seem to be everywhere. It’s not that I have anything against th– Hey kid! Get off my lawn! What I mean is that I just fit in more here than anywhere else. Being a hermit that means I barely fit in at all but that’s just the way it is. I am probably going to write an Historical/Fantasy/Adventure with a few more genres thrown in for good measure. I have a few characters, some ill-defined settings and next to no plot. What could possibly go wrong? Good luck to everyone. Do we need a cheer? Go Geezers!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Siouxxie — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:50:57 +0000

hello, i'm Siouxxie, and i'm 63. i live on the central coast of california, married, 4 kids, 5 grandkids. i hope none of you are (is?) english teachers cuz i am too lazy to use caps (the nuns would be so disappointed!) this is my 2nd NaNo, and i did "win" last time, tho in truth, i am STILL struggling with that &%$#@* novel ("serial killer" and "redemption" are not normally found together...so...it's been tough!) i normally write historical or mainstream with a touch of mystery. i am a world war II fanatic. hardest part this year is coming up with a new idea (we are still required to do something from scratch, right? i haven't really done my homework yet) i am stuck stuck stuck. when i did it two years ago, i was inspired enough to finish another novel afterwards. i so need inspiration right now! help! 10 minutes to go and NO clue what i am going to write! HELP!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

sinisterhand — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:56:13 +0000

Hello everyone! I'm 53 and out here in nutty California where the squirrels chase the dogs instead of vice-versa. This is my first NANOWRIMO and now I'm thinking, "What the bleep was I thinking?!" I have no plot and I'm reading Chris Baty's book, "No Plot, No Problem" so we'll see how it goes. All I've got so far is "an old lady and a bunch of penguins." I decided to do this because I've always loved writing, but never made time in my life to do it. So now I've been laid up with one illness after another, I've decided instead of climbing Mt. Everest dragging an elephant, I'd try to write a novel. I figure if I can make it through NANOWRIMO, I'll be able to find another job and get my life back together. That's my theory, anyway! Good luck to to all us oldies! And remember, ibuprofen is for stiffness and Tylenol is for just for pain! :D P.S. My real name is Laura and "sinister hand" ~ I'm left-handed.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

GlaeWitch — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:21:08 +0000

OK coffee made, fingers poised, memory stick near at hand, novel qued up on the desktop . . . ??? Maybe some toast would be good. Back in a few. . .

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

nnewcomer — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:27:39 +0000

greetings all - gezeerette Nancy from near Phoenix. Tried NaNo a couple of times but never finished. Am 66 and recently retired so really hope to win this time. Have outlined a book about 2 recent war widows, a generation apart. I am also using Scrivener and love it though I am still learning how to best use it. Tried syncing manuscript wth SimpleWord on iPad and that worked perfectly. So far, on this first day, I have finished cleaning out my dresser drawers and played several turns at Scrabble on Facebook. OK, now I am really going to get started...

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Jeanze — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:10:05 +0000

After signing up for NaNoWriMo about a month ago, I was sucked into the community theatre vortex (I was in the company of Sweeney Todd). The show closed last weekend, and I can shift creative gears now from performing to writing, and I am so excited!!! This is my first try at NaNoWriMo. I went just over 1500 words yesterday. I am definitely turned on by being "forced" to write by setting this goal for myself and rubbing cyber-elbows with others doing the same thing. By day I work full-time as an administrative assistant. I am also a wife, mom and zookeeper (2 dogs, 3 cats), serve on the board of Danville Light Opera (in Illinois), and if I'm not enmeshed in something creative, my soul begins to wither. I love to perform (primarily musical theatre, but non-musical theatre works, too!), create art, write (although I have always lacked discipline), craft... if it's creative, I've probably dabbled in it. Why I think I have enough hours in the day and enough days in the week to pump out 50,000 quality words (yes,quality! I'm tweaking as I go -- it won't be perfect, but I don't want it to be utter crap.) is beyond me, but I'm having so much fun with the process that I may just succeed! My genre is fantasy, and I'm drawing on some characters I actually began developing a decade ago, working from starts and stops and notes that I made in 2001, and hoping I'll finally bring some of these characters and creatures to fruition. Cheers to all of us! And if you'd like to Buddy Me, please do! I'd be happy to get to know you and watch your progress! Jeanne (aka Jeanze)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Jeanze — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:11:33 +0000

P.S. I prefer the term CRONE to geezer! : ) I can be a real witch! ; )

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

LongRoad — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:29:59 +0000

Hello everyone I am 54 and live near Cambridge England although I am originally from just south of Edinburgh. This is my first Nano and I have only been writing for a couple of years since I also took the early retirement offer. I only decided to leap in and register at 11.55 on the 31st and have no idea where my novel will take me. I am 10k words in and finding out something new about my two MC's everytime I sit at the keyboard. I am fascinated by the range of storylines people are following. Can you tell I am easily distracted.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Timkford — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:47:23 +0000

I was forced to retire early when they gave my job to someone who could do it cheaper, copy and paste link below http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/7654267.stm

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:54:44 +0000

Today wasn't as good as yesterday. I'm still ahead of schedule, but I only logged 919 words today. In my defense, my computer is by a drafty window, and it's in the teens right now. I had to take frequent breaks to go hunker by the heater. Also, my cats have been cold. Cocoa has been crawling into my arms to snuggle up while I'm sitting here at my desk, and of course I can't say no to a cute, fluffy purring cat. And now I've got another one walking back and forth over the keyboard wanting my attention. I got my window insulation kit today. Now I have to make time to put the plastic up over the windows. That might make it a little warmer in here. My house temperature is only 56 degrees. All right, Nike! I'll pet you! I'll pet you! Sheesh! (She's pushing her head under my hand while I'm typing.)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:04:17 +0000

Can I be an honorary Geezer? I am 47 and-a-half going on 48 and feel more geezerish than not. I am getting to the age where a bad hair day is facial hair. That's a menapause joke. Anyhoo, me, Ah, let's see, we have a dog named Cowboy a lovely Corgi, a Pembroke Corgi they are the largest Corgi's and have the markings of a German Shepherd and long heavy bodies and thick tails that can curl up or go down. Basically he looks like a German Shepherd that has been shrunk in the dryer. They were orginally used for sheep herding but now are famous for being the favorite breed of dog of the Queen of England. Which by the way doesn't help identify my American-ness living in Paris with an English dog. We found him at the rescue and for us it was a rare find and we were thrilled to the French, were the breed is very uncommon; Cowboy was just a weird looking rather comical dog with short legs who was stonily silent. Kind of like those guards at Buckingham palace. My husband is 53 and we act like we have been married 25 years but we have been married for six and this is both our second marriages. We have a five year old son that is the apple of our eyes and he has two young adult children that live with their mother in Paris. Whom I rather like 'his former spouse'. I succeeded at the 2006 NaNo and am now a NaNo rebel as I am editing my first book. If you click on my name I believe it goes to my autobiographical info and my novel description. And of course I am fine in the other group. It was a random idea that dawned on me. Don't feel obligated to make me an honorary geezer with a tweezer (for those occassional random facial hairs that I have begun dealing with since my mid-forties). Yours, Chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:03:57 +0000

I was thinking on second thought, although I already adore you guys I will stay in the 30-40 group. My little visit in geezer land is over. I decided don't go to any trouble and I am fine with the other group. Have a good day writing, geezer-wanna-be although fine with waiting a few years Chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

dancingfool — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:27:20 +0000

Chris -- you can stay, or you can go and come another day, or you can poke your head in and out, if you wish. We don't card people, here in the 50+... and it's definitely an attitude thing. Some people belong in here as early as their 40s, other are more comfortable in the 30-40 group until closer to retirement. Although -- don't get me wrong... there are a lot of geezers and crones in here who are not yet retired (including me!) I have a friend who is borderline, for the age groups, and the other day he asked where he should go. (Biting my tongue at the usual response!) I suggested that he think about the typical age of his real-world friends, and mimic that in Nano land. Write on. Laurie

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ceoln — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:00:57 +0000

Great set of bios and chattings here! :) I'm ceoln (which is the acronym of my personal weblog, the Curvature of the Earth is Overwhelmed by Local Noise) here, David Chess in 'real life'. Probably 52 years old, Northern Westchester County, New York. Two kids (one safely off in college, the other a senior in high school), one wife, just one cat. This will be my eighth nano (can we post links in postings?) and this year I seem to be doing a murder mystery set in a castle of wizards, so far at least. I generally don't have all that much of a plot or plan in mind when I start, I just dive in and see what the characters and settings decide to do. It's the most fun that way. :) On the other hand the last couple of days I keep thinking of other novels I might have started instead; maybe I'll loo for a thread on that...

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:29:32 +0000

thanx dancingfool, i like this group and actually feel comfortable here but didnt want to cause any stress for anyone so great that it doesnt; hey somebody made a big funny with talking about turning 60 and a home medical exam being sent by mail etc. they way she put it was so dry and funny I want to tell an english lady on another thread to read it so she can spit her coffee also. anyway, i couldnt find it again; if you know the name i could tell that other lady about the funny way she put that home test. anyhoo, i edited today and feel the group helps chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:56:24 +0000

Gunns, I lived in albuquerque 25 years, good luck with your writing. Dizzly that is the greatest photo of the cat with the fez! i scrolled around trying to find that dry humor blurb about that medical test sent by mail at 60, oh well, I found it very funny if you can name the poster so I can direct this other english friend to it; chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

zoefelini — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:57:59 +0000

HI All! I got into the 50+ forum late in the month last year (this is my 3rd year) and felt I had finally found my group. It's great to be back here again this year. My moniker is a nod to one of my cats, but you can also call me Laura. I live in the North Bay area of San Francisco. By day I'm a harried grants analyst for a research department at a university in the city (crazy, hard deadline driven, red-tape-strewn job), but hope to get those 50K words done this year. I have a long commute by bus, so that will likely be where I do the writing. I won last year, but the draft--although 'shitty' enough--wasn't complete enough to revise into a full novel. Then life intervened and I got completely side-tracked from writing. NaNo has brought me back and I'm having fun already (a nice surprise). I may be retiring in another year--depending on the economy--and would like to have a book ready to submit by then (hopeful sigh). I don't really know my genre, but I've listed it as young adult --I love to read those books. There's something about writing for a more limited book length that seems to inspire some truly wonderful writing by many of those authors. At any rate, my story's world is largely fantasy, and I've chosen certain elements from different historical periods when creating this world (and found out I love to research history). I also love the mystery genre, so there is a big one in this story (I'm not sure yet how it will end!). The story is new this year, and I didn't do any planning for it, unlike previous years. I hope to have enough of a rough draft on 11/30 that I can start editing and crafting the book soon after. I'm a graduate of the Holly Lisle on-line writing courses, which I recommend highly. She's an excellent writer and even better teacher and mentor--incredibly generous. There's a great online community of her students, as well. Looking forward to many more chats and laughs. I'm happy to buddy up. Laura - zoefelini

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

raspberrymoon — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:30:01 +0000

Hi - I just thought I'd drop by here & see how everyone is doing. I would love to post on everyone's posts because this is such an interesting group. But, if I do that I will never getting any other writing done. I started on the first with a bug and wondered if I could keep it up (something seems to be going around doesn't it?) But, thankfully I feel better today. At least the hot & cold head achy feeling is better. I hope everyone is doing well. If you need a buddy I'm available. This is my second NaNo and I'm doing mystery with a silly paranormal twist. Last year I wrote an American family saga. So, I'm eclectic. I love childrens/young adult lit and always get a kick out of it when some young clerk at the bookstore asks if my purchases are for my grandkids. Happy writing.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

LeeMcClain — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:58:48 +0000

Hi everyone, I'm Lee from Greensburg, PA right outside of Pittsburgh. I write mostly for teens and tweens, which works because (a) I'm a college professor so work with older teens every day, and (b) I'm a late-life mom, so my ten-year-old and her friends fill my home with plenty of eye rolling and slang to keep me in touch with trends. My nano project is going okay, I'm caught up on word count and some good stuff is happening. Not sure if I'll do one novel this month, or work on several projects. I always was a rebel at heart.... Love the humor in this group!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

treefrog5700 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:49:38 +0000

It's going okay, but I was determined to plot a novel for real this year. Instead, I'm completely making this up as I go. Don't even have a target market. Or a genre group to fit into. Cool story, though.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Diego Sanpaulo — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:54:02 +0000

I feel like a geezer most mornings. Then I go to work and see the young kids and am so glad I broke the 50 barrier this year. Third Nano for me. Actually finished one last year. This year, so far so good, but I'm a pantser this time, writing without an outline - by the seat of my pants as they say. Not sure how the novel will end up - I write mysteries mostly, but this one has some paranormal-ness to it, as well as a good bit of romance, which for me is a strange feat, considering I'm a guy that would rather watch a R. Lee Ermey rather than Lindsey Wagner on Lifetime. We'll see how it all shakes out, I guess. Writing from the beautiful Eastern Shore of Virginia, from the writer's bungalow, surrounded by soybean fields, buzzed by crop dusters.Hemingway would have a fit!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

alydia — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:08:43 +0000

*waves up hello at treefrog* I'll be feeling my age this weekend. Cold front visiting from the north. I am using it as an excuse to pull the crockpot out of hibernation and fix up chili. It's really hard to sell chili to friends when it is over 90 degrees and humid. My muse likes fall.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Marya — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:15:56 +0000

I love having a Geezer Clubhouse! I'm Marya (pen name), this is my first actual NaNo, although I have done it in my imagination for several years now. I'm also a bona fide geezer at age 62. Still finding my way around the site & forums, just managed to upload a pic finally (had to figure out how to resize it). Doing ok so far, keeping my daily quota (but it's only Day 4 ...) about a man who kills the father of a bully and goes off to prison. Not a clue where that came from, but it came out of my keyboard when I sat down a few days ago. Good luck to all!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

CameronScott — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:30:07 +0000

WOW, so many YOUNG "geezers" here! It's good to read your posts. My name is Cameron and I am 57, a professional French horn player for 35 years now. I live in The Woods of a tiny town called Washington, in the state of California, in the county of Nevada. Confusing, eh? It's about 80 miles northeast of Sacramento, which is my nearest "region" on this NaNo site. Needless to say, I'm not playing French horn too much up here in the wilderness, so I have turned to writing. This is my first attempt at NaNo. I just discovered this forum tonight. For the past few evenings, I have dwelt exclusively in the Typewriter Brigade forum that I joined as a result of being one of the few bloggers who uses a typewriter to write my blog. Part of the "Typosphere", ya know. I have 17 typewriters (mostly manual; two electric) that I constantly rotate in my writing tasks. In case you have a spare moment to kick around, please check out my blog at http://cameronkopf.blogspot.com I'm reading over today's writing and my novel is CRAP so far, but it is also very entertaining to this Audience of One. QUESTION THAT MAYBE YOU CAN ANSWER: How many NaNo novels have later been revised and published? And if so, do people actually BUY them? Just askin'. At least, this NaNo enterprise is getting me to WRITE, no matter what, so that in itself is a very good start. Whether it leads to something more substantial, remains to be seen (which is why I asked the publishing question). Best of luck in all of YOUR writing endeavors -- may your word count be bountiful & frequent -- and please feel free to message me for any encouragement that I can offer. Best regards, Cameron

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:37:29 +0000

Welcome, Cameron. Water for Elephants started out as a NaNo Novel. That's the only one I know off the top of my head. Last year there was a place on the website where they listed all the published NaNo Novels. I haven't looked for it this year. Like many things, it might not be there yet. There are quite a few, though. Typing a blog on a typewriter is an interesting concept. Do you scan the pages to post?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:33:58 +0000

I still have the Smith-Corona typewriter that I typed my first novel on. Carbon paper and flimsy yellow second sheets. I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore. I don't even know how well the typewriter works anymore, but I've hauled it around from apartment to condo to house for almost forty years. The typewriter must be almost fifty years old. I bought it used back in 1976. I've gotten the crock pot out and it is bubbling chicken stew as I speak. Time to put the mushrooms in and bake the bread.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

RutaBaker — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:13:45 +0000

I miss the StarWriter's ease of writing in another language. It had the characters of 23 languages at one's fingertips. I have my computer set for 3 languages but the keyboard doesn't correspond when I work in the two alternates. It's sometimes easier just to insert special characters and drive the SpellChecker crazy.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

raspberrymoon — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:28:23 +0000

I'm just wandering through (waves). I know I am supposed to be in the world of my MC but decided to see how everyone is doing. Looks like some great stuff is going on with our group. Happy Sunday to all (Is tomorrow the end of week one - my how time flies when we're having fun?) Keep writing.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:47:50 +0000

November seems to be flying by pretty fast, not necessarily a good thing. Hard to imagine we're already a week in.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Timkford — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:16:43 +0000

I've just heard that is it Movember. Is this just in the UK? I might give it a go but somehow I don't think there will be many moustache growers on here (Kopi?)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Cynthus — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:34:11 +0000

I just turned 50 this year and this is my 4th Nano year. I lived in Carson City, Nevada since 2005. I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease in 2003, which has put me on the road to isolation - I pick up illness like colds and flues really easily. This complete overturn of my life has helped me on the road to writing. I take chemo and pred daily. Writing is helps me think, which is very difficult when I was first put on cytoxan and prednisone. I am very happy to say that writing has been my salvation the last almost nine years of disease. It is not easier to write, but I have more time to do it. Nanowrimo gives me a kick to finish at least one of my ideas in a year.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:31:10 +0000

I have edited 45 pages of my novel. It is about 250 pages total and to have made this much progress is very heartening to me. Plus keeping a small notebook for ideas is also helpful. I would love to finish one book and move onto a new project. hello to anyone new, we all write for a variety of reasons; me I am not a natural writer; extroverted and like manual tasks although like complexity and having something to toy around with mentally; also fun to realize ideas into fiction. jeesh editing chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:22:28 +0000

Cool Timkford, I have the impression your an Englishman? I like historical stuff it has a sense of alchemy. I personally try to stay optimistic when writing but at times it makes me anxious and pensive; I am glad to actually be doing something though. Have to go pick up my little five year old kid from school in a second. chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Dixiegirl — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:43:19 +0000

I have not been here in ages... hmmm maybe not at all this year? Whew! Hello everyone, welcome to the Newbies! I hope eveyone is having a novel day and that your word counts are soaring. I'd go check but I've got a few hours to get my own up to the daily count. Everyone have a great evening.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:38:57 +0000

Timford, I meant to say that editing makes me nervous. I like historical fiction because there is a sense of for me anyway of what is that called, automatic writing? One of my favorite sayings is "I am an optimist without any illusions", it is a JFK quote, probally a well paid ghostwriter nevertheless I have always liked it. Got up to make sure the kiddo is covered and check the mails; did you mention you are in barcelona? i lived in spain for a semester of school, valencia; i have visited barcelona a few times; gaudi, i do love callamares all that stuff; does you book have a title, the one i am editing is called almost paris but i wrote something i thought would be marketable i like darker psychological escapist stuff or historical; so, a bit about yourself, besides your fondness for angela m. what other things do you find amusing? hobbies, writing process? we had a writein in paris and ten english speakers showed up, a few english people; it was nice, i would consider it a success; keep up the good work with the word count; i like hearing about how people get ideas for stories and writing process etc. for me i plan things out and then try not to get sidetracked by other projects, thats my problem is that i get about three fourths finished and want to forget it; so basically i have two three fourth novels and am trying to get one up to speed; ciao or in catalan, bonne anuit is what it sounds like

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:52:58 +0000

Howdy Tim, Oh, why did I think you were in Barcelona? Ok then, the English suburb, I am in a Paris suburb. We are the european suburbanites. The mighty suburbanities. I just returned from a playgroup with my kid and we have already eaten lunch as he wanted lunch immediately. Now I must edit he plays cars around the living room we are good company to each other. As for the posts being intermixed. I am used ot this sort of thing writing on an expat forum for five years and evenutally just got sick of the same things being said year after year. I have mourned more than one dog death via the internet, RIP pets of the world on that internet site. I find just seeing that there are other writers comforting. I don't know why writers are always writing by themselves I find writing with other people more fun. Recently I was at the Victor Hugo apt in the marais in paris as it is a free museum and i drag all relatives that visit and all guests as it is free and I always learn or see something new; i love that place; one of the new pieces they dug up somewhere, is a funny four person writers desk that victor hugo had specially made for himself and three of his best writer friends; i think it is a delightful idea; i remember one of the authors was Georgia Sand; i dont remember the others; so consider this person as close as we will get to the four person specially built writers desk i am calling this book doctor i found on the internet, lets i am not as excited about it as i was at first, after this edit i want to get this book out of my hair and start something else, something different; just get on with it; get on with my life! not that i have worked very hard on this thing but it is on my mental roadmap and i want it behind me so nano has helped get me started, am on page 44 chapter the chapter "celestial clockwork" so you obviously have kids how old are they now? hows the book going where are ya at on it? chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:13:10 +0000

editing today page 50, now am feeling guilty that my book is only 80K words when the typical book in the slush pile is 100K, so I need to add 20K? perhaps like moby dick melville racked his brains for hundreds of words that described the sea, maybe i can add 20K of adjectives? anyhoo, feeling better just doing any sort of progress; perhaps will ask the book doctor what she thinks? chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:19:51 +0000

edited to page 60 and feeling better about the book as I go along; getting ideas for ading things about tarot; love to make errors while editing although on my novel i figure everything i do just saves me money when i send it off to my book doctor in january; chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

alydia — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:42:14 +0000

*looks around* Okay have a great weekend everyone! And those getting snow enjoy the shut in feeling from the winter weather. Sunny and gorgeous really screws up my writing schedule!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

raspberrymoon — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:33:05 +0000

I'm just running in to wave hi to everyone. I can't believe it is Friday. I try to look in at least once a day and I've have been so tempted to write remarks on so many peoples posts but if I started doing that I wouldn't have any time to write a novel, because i have found so much humor, warmth and wonderful ideas here. Others have mentioned a 'like button'. I hope someone is watching and will consider that for next year. Happy writing, and I hope you all have a great weekend.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

blalochd — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:39:23 +0000

Howdy all! I'm behind on my word count, but plan on spending the weekend catching up; I have several scenes already "daydreamed", and am ready to get 'em down in words before they get away. Oh, and I forgot to introduce myself as nano began...Dawn, turned 50 this year, live in St. Louis, MO, but grew up in the Panhandle of Texas. Live with Spousal Unit (who kindly supports my writing habit) and four cats (who are sometimes supportive and who sometimes try to sleep on the keyboard while I'm trying to write.) This is my second year doing nano; didn't make it to the finish line last year, but enjoyed the process enormously. Back for a second go 'round. :-D Happy to meet y'all. Write on!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

False harpist-48 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:37:04 +0000

Hello all: I 've been contributing to and commenting on threads in the 50+ forum for a while now but never actually introduced myself. So, for anyone who's interested, here goes: I'm 63 y.o. & live in Saint Anthony Village, MN. My spouse & I moved into a townhome here after selling our house in Saint Paul where we lived for 25 years. I am a student of the autoharp (which means I don't play very well yet but I'm learning!) I read classical Chinese poetry in translation, I don't read fiction anymore & I'm really not a writer, so what am I doing here? An acquaintance put me onto NaNo & I just decided to give it a try. So here I am. My writing is real world, based on my experiences. I'm not much good at making things up, which is creating a problem for me. (If you read this, see my thread "In need of serious help..." Don't know if I'll be back again next year since I don't know if I'll have anything more to write about but we'll see. Fortuitous writing to all!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:48:31 +0000

I am now two full days behind in my word count. I have some serious wordage to commit before the weekend's over. Not quite sure how the time got away from me. I'm not working, so I really have no excuse.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:18:21 +0000

Hi all! Just found you all, thought I would introduce myself. I'm Carol, and I'm a NaNo newbie. I decided to do it this year for the first time on Halloween. It was just a whim. I'm having a blast! I'm a bit behind on my word count because I changed novels and picked up new software at the same time. But I'm beginning to catch up. If I can write well this weekend, I should get a little ahead. Fingers crossed. I'm writing an SF novel about financial malfeasance on the moon. Our Hero is transported there by evil machinations, and becomes essentially indentured because of his debt (caused by the trip!). And then his life gets complicated. I read through as many posts here as I could. It sounds like a great group. I look forward to chatting with you all during breaks. Happy writing to all!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:18:46 +0000

Oops. Forgot the important part. I turn 58 this month!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Duene — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:07:10 +0000

Whew! I am behind and having a hard time keeping up. Last year I had a detailed outline, this year all I had was a wild idea for a story. Should have been more organized. Research is causing me to lose writing time. I know I shouldn't let it bog me down and that I should just fake it and come back to refine it after the first draft is finished. But I have included some things in my story that I simply can't write about without knowing more about it. For example, I sent my MC to Iraq in the army. I felt I had to know at least a little about what basic training was like, and life in a combat zone - before I could even beginn to write about it. Also, I am almost to the half way point, and I have run out of story. How in the heck am I going to write any more when the story has been told, all of it?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Nancy Currey — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:31:06 +0000

Hello everyone; I'm Nancy, I'm 56 and I live in northern California. This is my 3rd NaNoWriMo and I hope my third win. I do this just for the fun of it; I've not reread my past two stories since finishing them and (obviously) have no dreams of publishing. Best wishes to everyone!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Blood on the Constitution — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:54:44 +0000

I, too, am a really old geezer. I have two novels out so far, one took me 7 years to write, the other "Blood on the Constitution" six. That's why I participating in nanowrimo this year. So far so good. Achieving a certain word count every day forces me into new territory, writing ahead with abandon with no time to stop to second guess myself. I use a loose outline much like a light sketch for an impressionistic or abstract painting, and let the story fill in on its own. Did I mention I also paint? I hope this wild ride leads me to greater productivity as my imagination sours and I can be young again, climb high mountains, and defend myself from the bad guys chasing me with only my hands and feet. Enough, rambling, and back to work.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:43:35 +0000

I've always wanted to go back to school and study art. I took art courses in high school and my first attempt at college, but then gave it up. Part of it was my art teachers. There was only one way to be an artist in their minds. You painted meaningful, expressive abstract paintings and tried to get a gallery to show your work. They were very disdainful of any other kind of art. I've realized since then that there are a lot of ways to use artistic talent. I've been writing down notes for scenes for the rest of the novel, and I'm pretty happy with how it's going. It's just that I don't know what to do with the paranormal entity who's using the trapped zombie spirits as a vampiric energy source. Leave it for a sequel, maybe? Another way to jot notes during the novel writing is to us the comment function if your word processor has it.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chrisdd — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:07:20 +0000

I hope it's ok to jump in. I'm just not here very much. I'm having too much fun with my area wri-mo (ChiWriMo in Chicago). Crummy year since September with my youngest. He's struggling with ADHD and social problems. But it's fantastic writing fodder. It's cathartic writing this year. Anyone else experiencing that? In regards to school, I finished up my Associates in Science! HA! Hilarious! It's because of all the math I took when I was young and dumb. I loved going back to school at this age. I enjoyed myself so much and the kids were fantastic! I miss school.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Nana Write Now — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:10:08 +0000

I'm resisting the word Geezer, but I do accept the fact that I am a 63-year-old nana of 7. I have always wanted to do something like this and now that I've jumped in the pool, I'm happy to say I'm still staying afloat full of determination to finish this challenge. My book is titled "Welcome to Mineola" and begins as a fictional story of the post WWII families who settled in Long Island to raise their families. This is where my family moved from New York City, when I was a small child. Although based on fact, the characters have gone off on their own to create situations, I am surprised to find them in. So thanks for making space for me in the Geezer Club, and the best of luck to everyone as their words take shape.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:53:38 +0000

I "called in sick" today, so to speak, so I didn't get very much done on the novel. I don't know what set me off, but I spent last night and a lot of today on a full system purge, to put it delicately. My stomach's a bit calmer now, but I feel exhausted. I am so woefully behind, I don't know if I'll ever get my 50K in time.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

SecondLinnet — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:28:27 +0000

I've just realised I never introduced myself here - which is just plain rude. My apologies. My name is Angela (which I loathe) and I'm married with a son & daughter in their 20's. I'm a registered care home manager and I help to run a local charity I founded with a set of friends 10 years ago. My daughter's learning disabled and I help my husband to care for her and we look after my parents who live very nearby (they're in their 80's and my mother's disabled). When I get free time I read, write and make recycled jewellery (repairing/re-using broken pieces) with my husband. Apart from an interest in wild-flowers and cooking that pretty much covers who I am and what I like. This is my first attempt at WriMo and I'm thrilled that I've managed to complete it as I've been thinking about this story on-and-off for years. Nice to be here.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Mother Goose — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:02:07 +0000

Hello all! This is my first NaNoWriMo experience, although I've been fascinated with the idea for several years now. I'm finding it all I ever hoped it could be - supportive, helpful, and nurturing. I am 54, and live in St. Paul, MN with my Beloved. We've been together for twelve years, and through her I've gained two adult daughters and four fascinating grandchildren. I have written four books, two of which are worth publishing. For years I had been sending them to agents and publishers, and together the two had gathered well over 200 rejection notices. Being a rather sensitive sort, this gave me pause. Perhaps my writing was not as good as I'd always believed? Was I fooling myself; one of those deluded loons who insist their tone deaf selves can sing? Perhaps I should stop putting myself through the arduous, torturous, wondrous, energizing, phenomenal process of giving birth to novels? I needed to know if my writing was salable. Erotica sells, and there's a never ending market for it, so I found Calls for Submissions (not that kind!) and sent off some quickly penned (but thoroughly edited) short stories. Seven were purchased (six eventually published) in the first year. Okay. So that answered that. I can sell. Why aren't I selling? Because I'm writing fiction about Lesbian and Gay issues - a topic which seems to be fascinating to a whole lot of people, but untouchable in the world of Publishing Houses and Agents. The two I have not been able to sell are for young readers. One involves a horse crazy, ten year old girl who must save her best friend when she's been kidnapped. Both girls have gay parents, but one family's in the closet which leads to blackmail and the kidnapping. The other is the story of a boy, furious at having a gay father, who will do anything to make his father straight, including destroying his father's relationship and getting his coach fired with a cruel lie. But the one I'm writing now is for much older teens. It's their own story, being told in countless high schools across America: the story of being bullied, literally to death. I live next door to a school district that has seen four gay teen suicides in two years. It has to stop, and it will only stop when teenage empathy has been deeply engaged, spreading the power of peer pressure. Teens love tragedy and intense emotion, and this book has plenty of both. It's been exhausting to write so far, and since it is going to spiral down to a horrible end it's going to be even more exhausting until the end. But I think it is a story that needs to be told, and now. I can't sell what I write, but I can't write anything else. These are my stories, for better or worse, and I will stand by my art, making no apologies. And no money. But plenty of self satisfaction.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:58:20 +0000

Mother Goose -- those sound like stories that need to be told. Please keep trying to get published! Welcome, by the way.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

soozi — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:02:32 +0000

Only just tripped over this thread. So good to see you all here. This is my 5th nano . Always love the total self indulgence and using it as an excuse for declining silly invitations (may tell more one day!) I am in glorious Nova Scotia, approaching 68th birthday on Sunday.. Yikes. I always make that my personal deadline for crossing the finish line.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:02:05 +0000

Happy birthday, Soozi. I'll turn 58 in two and a half weeks. I started off my story figuring that I was going to tell it from the POV of the ghost. Then I added a couple more POVs, and the ghost's girlfriend, who's still alive, seems to have taken over the main POV. Well, it makes story sense, I guess. The ghost basically only has one concern. The girlfriend has quite a number. When the lab burned down, her boyfriend died. Then they closed down the lab so she lost her job. She has a young daughter to worry about. Then she finds out that she has the zombie pathogen, and she's going to turn into a monster. And she has to find out what the ghost is trying to tell her, and then save the data and get it into the right hands before it or she gets destroyed. Definitely more story stuff involved going with her POV. I had hoped to have my 50,000 by Thanksgiving and be done with the first draft by the 30th, but as it stands I'm slightly behind.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:21:07 +0000

Happy birthday, Sooz and Zoo -- I just turned 58 on the 20th, so we can all celebrate together! This is my first NaNo and I'm finding it fascinating and a lot of fun. I've never written anything novel length before, so this is a new experience all the way around for me. Thank you NaNoWriMo!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

raspberrymoon — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:50:17 +0000

A terrible, horrible, truly nightmarish thought just occurred to me. No one here reminded us to back up our work on an external drive. So do it right now - while I'M thinking about it. LOL Lightening, thunder and little computer imps are just waiting out there to crash your computer. Maybe you hate every word you wrote this year, but in six months you will kick yourself if you replace your computer and have forgotten to take your novel off. Digging though the lost computer grave yard with the Geek Squad man, trying to find a lost novel is not only a terrible waste of time, but tends to be expensive. (why don't we have smilies on here?) Seriously, I never expected to replace my computer this year. Thankfully I didn't have to resort to my personal hero, Computer-man, because my kids are smart. But, I did experience a few minutes of abject terror until they retrieved it. Congrates to EVERYONE of the 50+ group. We are amazing. I wonder what our total word count is?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Erica in the novel — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:31:27 +0000

I am so glad I have dropbox now. In spite of the weather (which howling up a storm out there) my little novel is safe way up in its little cloud. Yipee! Hmmm, I better get busy and make it bigger (the novel, not the cloud). :)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

treefrog5700 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:43:26 +0000

All my writing is backed up onto one flash drive. I have experienced moments of panic when I couldn't find it.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kataja — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:26:43 +0000

We have several -puters in this house, and every now and then I back up to the one my daughter's usiually using for surfing. (linux machines - I use a simple command-line program to log in and copy the stuff, she won't even notice)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:40:23 +0000

I back up on disk regularly.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chrisdd — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:07:37 +0000

I save mine to google docs, which I cannot misplace. People have also recommended drop box. A friend from my church had her computer crash and lost everything. I don't know if she recovered any of it. save save save

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:42:58 +0000

Reminds me of a cartoon that I still remember. Three people are walking down the street in tee shirts. The first one says SAVE THE TREES! The second one says SAVE THE WHALES! The third one says SAVE THE FILES ON FLOPPIES!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Winona Alameda — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:13:23 +0000

I crossed the finish line before I looked around to find this Geezer Clubhouse. I kept thinking the older writers must be around somewhere...this was my first yr. Next year I'll know. Soozi--Happy Birthday! Over 50s have a lot to say ~ look at the length of those blue lines!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:25:13 +0000

“biddylit”—that is, women’s fiction for grown-up ladies I found that funny. Chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Mother Goose — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:42:15 +0000

Well I just installed Drop Box, and I'm going to store my most important stuff there. Thanks for the head's up on that - it should make editing a lot easier!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Winona Alameda — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:22:04 +0000

Thank you Mother Goose - congrats to you too! I had such a good time writing, but I haven't read it yet! I'll edit in December and see what I think. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Badrat — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:34:33 +0000

Lots of purple bars on this thread. I think the geezers have done well this year. I'm officially 'done' but still looking for the ending, but closer than some years when I had half a novel that could wind up anywhere. Let's keep the fainting and gasping to a minimum as we head back for rewrites in December.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:20:24 +0000

Good bye geezers you are a nice group. I don't know how much I will participate after the last day tomorrow on the 30th. Have a good last day of writing. Chris

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Nana Write Now — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:16:10 +0000

This Geezer is going to cross the finish line tonight!!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:36:29 +0000

Go Nana! Go Nana! Go Nana! I finished last night. This is my SEVENTH Nano win. I have maybe three or so scenes to write before I can type THE END, but I've got them plotted out in my head, so that should be a no brainer. Then I have to get back to real life -- winterizing the house, looking for a job, making repairs, etc. Sigh. Compared to my real life sometimes, zombies are easy.

Go Nana! Go Nana! Go Nana! TOO!

lovechris — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:34:30 +0000

WHOOOPPPEEE, just 1000 words to go. and almost 24 hours left. This feels like my first Nano, since last year I only got 6000 words done. I'm a painter/artist too, all of which has taken back seat this month. I have an antique store, we had Black Friday to prep for, not to mention the holiday season. Who thought November would be a good month! How about March! So excited, just a few more scenes. I too have gotten attracted to researching, very interesting, so much fun, but actually a procrastination tool! Now, onto my last 1000 words. (I'm sure the finished project will be substantially bigger!)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Cathryn Hrudicka — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:08:09 +0000

I just want to say a belated hello, and congratulations to everyone who has started writing a novel here. It's great to see so many "geezers" with purple bars! This is my ninth NaNoWriMo win, and I crossed the 50K line yesterday, It's still as exciting as always! Anything else you may want to know about me can be found at my NaNo profile, and at my web site: http://www.CreativeSage.com — and I'm on social sites all over the Web. Cheers to all of us! I'm always a bit wistful to see November come to an end. ~Cathryn Hrudicka

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:18:59 +0000

And now those of us with IE can see our purple bars!

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alydia — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:42:18 +0000

It is great to see all the purple. I didn't get to forums much this year but then no internet at home helped. Funny how distracting it can become to a writer.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Nana Write Now — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:29:31 +0000

I had no idea how wonderful this winnning was going to be. I loved the video, and the certificate and the whole shebang. And now I am determined to polish this novel and get it in print. (After I do the dishes and clean the bathroom!) It's great to be a writing Geezer, congrats to all who won this month, and for the rest of you, you still have a few hours, get crackin!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

windcastwriter — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:06:55 +0000

Finally went over the 50K goal on Thanksgiving Day powered by carbs and tryptophan on into the early hours of the next day. As usual (3 out of 4 Nano wins) I did not finish the arc of my story but I'm still banging away at the keys. Despite a drastic change of POV, the story ran almost as I planned and I had almost always a continuous flow of 'good days' as Hemingway was often quoted as saying. I think this time since it was easier than in the past, I'm not going to let the novel sit for a month and 'rest' but I'm going to finish the arc and then jump right into revision. It'll be interesting to see how this goes.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

RutaBaker — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:03:14 +0000

And to think that Graham Greene wrote his books 200 words at a time. He wrote in long hand standing at a bureau. When he reached his 200 words for the day, he put down his pen, even if he was in the middle of a sentence.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

redgypsee — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:41:02 +0000

Congrats to all the other winners! First time for me-novel is not finished but off to a good start!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

3DogMike — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:58:07 +0000

Congratulations to everyone who participated. I honestly do believe that whether you hit 50k words or not you win because NaNo gets you to write. And if you hit 50k, Whoopee! For anyone who plans to keep going good luck keeping up a good pace. I intend to slow down from the NaNo speed and let myself think a bit more and also go back and edit, but I want to keep the same type of commitment going. I don't know how active things are around here after November, but at the very least I'll be back next year.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:31:58 +0000

In past years, the 50s forum tends to shut down for the most part. I'm on the forums all year round. I like my book this year. It needs a lot of work of course, but I think I can polish it into something publishable. And I intend to do that. It has always been my intention to get a novel published. I want to have the first draft done by the end of December.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

flewthecoop — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:12:24 +0000

I'm glad to know this forum and the encouragement goes beyond November 30th. Obviously, I'm new this year. I got started on the 18th and didn't push very hard. Next year I'll be ready, but by then I plan to have the current one done and polished and ready for publication. (Did I really say that?) Now to keep at it even without the pressure...

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Erica in the novel — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:53:02 +0000

I need a few days off to recover (didn't realize how tired I was until I was driving home from the once a month shopping trip in town 60 miles/100 km away) but starting Monday I would like to do something with this monster, a monster I actually rather like... so I too am glad to hear that this forum is open after Nov insanity has come and gone.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

windcastwriter — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:19:54 +0000

I topped off last night with over 60K word count and my story is still not done. Contrary to advice, I'm going to keep on going until I come to 'an' end and forget about letting the thing sit for a while. This was my fourth try and my fourth win and i have to say it does seem to be getting easier. See ya next year...

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

False harpist-48 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:31:18 +0000

I defintely maybe intend to be back next year (if I can come up wih a new story to write.) I was a newbie this year & a seat-of-the-pantzer. Don't know how well my novel turned out. It's not done yet & I don't know what the ending is. I do plan to let it rest for a while (not too long.) Then I'll re-read it & see if it seems salvageable. I ran out of material about half way through & then just started writing whatever came to mind each day in order to reach my 50K. So the work is really up in the air right now. Under any circumstances, it gave me a chance to learn about the NaNo process & have the NaNo experience which I loved. I'll be checking out the forums between now and next year's NaNo as well. Congrats to all & many thanks to my writing buddies. I think I enjoyed corresponding with them most of all!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

alydia — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:38:25 +0000

I find myself decompressing for a week after NaNo every year. Matter of catching up the day-to-day grind that I tend to leave a tad to the side for a month. Then the time change has made that early morning walk a bit darker and the walk when I get home usually windy and dark. But by next weekend I'll be back to writing a thousand or so words a day and not feeling guilty that I edit when I write.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Mother Goose — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:13:52 +0000

I've been surprised and disappointed in my own slowdown. The book isn't even finished yet. After I hit the 50,000 mark I just slowed way down. I've got at least five more chapters before the end of the book, and it's taking me three to six days for each chapter. I don't know why either. Oh sure, the family thinks that 50,000 and it's done. Their demands have gone back up to normal (they were GREAT during November) and I'm spending less time on the computer. But that's not all of it. Here I sit posting an answer to a forum, rather than finishing off chapter twenty-one. It's open. It's sitting right there, right down there in the bottom right hand corner beckoning me to come finish it. I have the outline open, the character notes, everything I need to work. And here I sit dithering. And now I'm tired and think I'll go take a nap. Maybe I need a good kick in the fanny... yawn.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

intrikate — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:54:10 +0000

Hi, I'm sticking my toe in (as mentioned in another thread). I understand this group is also on FB, but I can't find it over there. Can someone tell me how it's listed? Thanks!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:25:15 +0000

I'm not on Facebook. Does that mean that this thread is dead here?

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Debbs — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:03:27 +0000

I certainly hope it isn't dead. I'm not on Facebook either, so I'm really hoping our clubhouse stays open here. ;-)

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Phoenix — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:50:27 +0000

I won't use Facebook either, and I'm here year-round. :-)

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Kataja — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:19:07 +0000

I'm also popping in every now and then.

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alydia — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:54:27 +0000

I pretty much dropped off Facebook when my internet costs rocketed. I can get email and other sites at work and found I really don't miss Facebook that much. Plus they changed it so it was too 'informative'. sigh....but I like NaNo forums.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:55:31 +0000

As I understand it, the FB page is kind of a combination of The Smoking Pen and the Geezers club. FWIW As others have said, I check in here daily, so I'll be around. I've slowed down as well, but I've been keeping my promise to myself of 2 hours per day. I'm not worrying about word count per se, but I am keeping myself to the two hours. I gave myself yesterday off completely. As it happened, I didn't really have a choice, as our network went down and my sysadmin/husband was working on it all day. Today I have work to do, but at some point, I'll put in my 2 hours.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Timkford — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:37:12 +0000

Murakami wrote ‘The poor aunt is just words’ ... ‘Just words’ ‘A word is like an electrode connected to the mind. If you keep sending the same stimulus through it, there is bound to be some kind of response created, some effect that comes into being’ I wonder what effect others bought into being through words. Me – I brought virtual worlds. How virtual is your world? But what effect did you bring?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

dancingfool — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:35:49 +0000

I would mostly agree with Carolf's description of the FB page (yes, I am there, as well as here.. so this is not rumor, it's my opinion, having taken part in both).. but I would amend it slightly, so say that the FB page is a combination of all 50+ threads... plus the Pen, of course (formerly of the 50+). I like the Nano 50+ forum, because everything is broken down into threads (ie categories).. so it makes it a bit easier to follow a collective train of thought on a particular topic. On the FB page, sometimes it can feel a little bit confusing trying to find a thread you were following -- although the search feature makes that issue not too bad. On the FB page (just as here), not surprisingly, the Pen story has slowed down a lot -- partly because there are fewer people stopping in, and partly because we're all returning to something closer to our normal lives. However, in the last week or so of November, I often found myself either skipping the Pen, here, or skipping the 50+ threads, because I didn't want to mess around with going to both locations. So on that score, I like the fact that I just go to one location (the FB page), and it's all there... the remarks about writing and editing, general chitchat, and also the Pen. If I had my choice, I'd go back to the way it's always been. Since that's not an option, my preference is the FB page. I only stop in here, every couple of days or so, to communicate with those of you who are not on FB!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

intrikate — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:20:17 +0000

Well, I just read through my novel after not looking at it at all for about two weeks. I'm pleasantly surprised, honestly. I did see some spots I need to add some stuff for clarity and I chopped bits here and there while I was reading. It's getting really easy to cut half-pages at a time. I'm amazed at that. Anyway, now that I have a perspective on the work that needs to be done, I need to, you know, do some. :/ Hope everyone is doing well.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:14:09 +0000

Mother Goose: I sent you Nanomail. You were having trouble finding an imprint for your writing. Some of what you do is YA, yes? But not all? Carina Press might be just right for you if you have adult vs YA fiction. I just learned of it today, and thought of you. Good luck!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

flewthecoop — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:31:03 +0000

Any suggestions? I've been working on a story for a few months now. I did some free writing on it and got a few chapters thought through during November, but didn't start until late and didn't push. What I did was great fun and very encouraging. However, since then, I've been looking at the whole story, refining its premise, working out the details of the mystery, and am now quite sick of it. I'm also a bit tired of the constant change/search for the story that works with the theme, characters, and setting that are my baseline. Any suggestions about how to get new life into it, when to choose to stick with a particular storyline, or how to find the storyline that makes the most sense?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

alydia — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:09:05 +0000

Well, two months have passed since NaNo. I am still writing but not quite as much as I'd like. Story still chewing at my brain (nothing new). I am challening myself monthly to hit goals to keep my mind busy. I still am stunned it's already the end of January. The old adage how time flies when you get older is so true. Hope you all are doing well!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ej runyon — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:44:34 +0000

I'm working now on my 2nd book - Writing a How-To for novice fiction writers. This post is a calling all NaNo-ers- I'm interested in using real student work for examples in my book, as BEFORE examples. I'm asking if any of you might have very rough drafts they are willing to contribute. I'm look for no more than a single paragraph from any one contributor. No example will use more than 1 or 2 sentence at any one time. Even if they contribute a full paragraph of work. I'll only use 1 or 2 lines in any example. Exercises you know will not be used for your own future pieces are best. Any exercise you've been given might do very nicely. And all contributors will be mentioned by name in the acknowledgements if they wish to be. Let me know, E.J. Runyon

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:47:25 +0100

Just a note to say so long and thanks for all the fish. I'm quitting Nano. It's been fun for seven years, but that ended today. I've been going through a very hard time these last several years. I haven't been able to get a job since the Recession began. I've been begging relatives for money to pay the mortgage and I've been fighting depression. Now I'm told that I'm just a worthless bitch who doesn't give a crap about anyone but herself and that I deserve all the grief I've gotten. I didn't sign up to Nano to be victimized, and I don't need to take part in something that makes me feel even more worthless and depressed. So I'm quitting Nano. Bye all.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:20:48 +0100

Zookeeper, you will be missed. I'm so sorry you are going through such a hard time. If I understand your post, someone here -- in the Nano forums -- has recently told you you are a "worthless bitch" etc. If so, I am shocked and greatly saddened that you would receive such abuse in what has otherwise been a very supportive environment from what I have experienced. I hope things go better for you soon. And that you keep writing!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

False harpist-48 — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:38:19 +0100

Hello again Zookeeper. I just want to add one more comment in addition to my rant of a couple of hours ago (boy was I P.O.'ed!) When a person is suffering from depression one of the actions that they do tend to take is to withdraw. I know from my own experiences that when I start "cutting the cords" to people around me, I'm headed for trouble. Being unemployed also means that opportunities for social interaction & support are greatly dimished. (People who haven't experienced this can't understand it.) So, in a sense, you're hit with a "double whammy". As such, it's vitally important that you maintain whatever social supports you have. So if NaNo has been one for you, please think twice before giving it up. Seek out those NaNo's you feel comfortable with & ignore those who, in their ignorance, like to think that they're "just speaking their minds." Maybe we need a forum for NaNo's who are going through tough times and would appreciate a little support from others. We could post a warning: "no - I'm just telling it like it is'ers- allowed!" My best wishes to you, Zookeeper!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Nana Write Now — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:14:30 +0100

OK, I'm going through my zillionth rewrite, and am beginning to wonder why I began the process in November, the book is not as appealing to me now that its being "cleaned up." I'm hanging in there, though and full of determination.... because darn it, its my BOOK!!!!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

False harpist-48 — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:32:36 +0100

Hi Nana: I'm also 63 & I was a 1st timer in 2011! After a short, but sufficient, period of thought, I dumped my 2011 novel (he-he-he)! Congratuations on sticking with yours! I do plan to return for 2012, however. I already have a fairly good idea of what I'm going to do. I don't expect to ever become a successful writer. But I enjoy being a part of NaNo! I thought I closed my 2011 NaNo site a while back with the intention of starting a new one. I spend quite a bit of time on YouTube & Google + & I like to link the sites so I wanted to start a new NaNo site which would be more in line with my YouTube & Google + sites. However, so far, my falseharpist-48 NaNo site still seems to be fully functional, so I don't know if I'll start a new site or just continue on with 2011's. Does anyone know how that process works? Does an old site that you've closed ever really go away or does it just remain open but idle? Thanks in advance for your input, NaNo's!

False harpist-48's new & improved user name & profile

Naonunai — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:28:54 +0100

Hi all: I'm just dropping back in to let everyone know that I have now created my new profile under the user name: "Naonunai". Naonunai is the name of a lovely song by my favorite singer/ harpist Arianna Savall. She dedicated this song, "to all fragile creatures, both human and animal, because they make us see life through different eyes." Anyone who is interested can go to my YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/naonunai/feed to hear the song. Best wishes all!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

bonnie824 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:34:07 +0100

Hi fellow Geezers. This is my 4th attempt, but will be my second win ;) Writing is a creative hobby and escape for me, so I'm not sure it will be an actual novel, but maybe tied together short stories or novelettes. The basic plan is supernatural (a ghost community) trying to stay off the grid over the centuries. I'm Bonnie. I work in the public school system of rural NC community. I am married and have three (young) adult children, with the youngest graduating college this year. Oh, and the cats of course. I have 2, supposedly my two youngest kids, both from a shelter and supposedly the same litter. We also have 2 dogs, mixed breeds, with some lab in each of them.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

aldy — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:57:06 +0100

My pen name is Aldy, as is my geocacher name... This year will mark my 5th NaNoWriMo year. I finished two years in a row, but had to cut two novels short due to work requirements. This year I am not worried about that, since I left my executive corporate life! Retired is what they call it, although I don't see it that way! I am 51 and will be writing about my geocaching adventures. The book is to be a funny reading which is a genre I have not explored until this year. I live in Ottawa Canada, and it's always a pleasure to try to guess if it will snow on the first day of writing! So far, it's been a 50-50 situation! Cheers and happy writing to everyone! Sylvie - AKA Aldy.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

kathck — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:26:03 +0100

I''ve been around since 2003. I won in 2009 and 2010. This year I'm a NaNoWriMo and working on a nonfiction book.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ereedak — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:32:50 +0100

Hi! I'm Ellen, 54, currently living in the Dallas area. This will be my 3rd NaNo (the previous two -2009, 2010 -we were living in Alaska) and hopefully third win. My first NaNo novel has been accepted by an agent so I'm working on rewrites but I still wanted to participate this year. Not sure what I'm writing this year. Think it may be another YA novel but still thinking about it. I have been married for almost 32 years, have 4 kids, one pug, one cat and one iguana. I really enjoy writing and will admit after not doing it for many years, I found myself writing fanfiction in an attempt to just get back in the saddle again. It worked! :-) I enjoy writing for children and young adults. Unfortunately, I won't have my quaint little Alaskan coffee shops to write in this year, so will need to find someplace else. However, Dallas isn't exactly known for "quaint"! I just find I focus better away from the house (and the dog and the laundry and the dishes and ...) So, we shall see! I look forward to getting to know all you other 'Geezers' as we show those young whippersnappers how it's done!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

spawoman — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:22:59 +0100

Hi, everyone! This will be my second year in a row (I won last year). I'm Nadine, age 52 until December, and I live in Houston for now, though we're planning a move soon to Washington State. When I'm not writing, I'm gardening (except for right now, when we're in heavy drought mode), doing yoga, and traveling. I am married to Henry and have boy-girl twin stepchildren, now age 23. My novel The Foreign Language of Friends is up on Amazon as an e-book, and I'm revising last year's winner, Blood and Loam. I'm working with an editor on revisions and hope to have it ready to go by spring. I also wrote a nonfiction book, When a Grandchild Dies: What to Do, What to Say, How to cope, and edited Patchwork & Ornament: A Woman's Journey of Life, Love, and Art by Jeanette Feldman (winner of 2010 Best Memoir, Indie Excellence Awards). I also belong to the "Blooming Late" group on She Writes, which is for women over 40...we're a supportive bunch, and we have several NaNo participants this year. Also, If you're interested, pop over to my blog, A Woman's Nest, at http://nadinefeldman.com. I write about subjects of interest to women at midlife or whatever else fascinates me. Good luck to everyone!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Dizzley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:16:31 +0100

Hello geezers and geezettes. I'm Peter but you will find me posting as Dizzley at various places on the 'net. I've been itching to have a go at this for years and I hope to get the 50K words done. I've been humming and hawing for a while, but here goes. I live in northern England in the countryside near Manchester. I'm mid 50s and this is the first time I remember being allocated in the oldest group (50+) in anything. I may as well pull up my rocking chair, pipe and slippers now. LOL, as the young ones say... I've written short stories in various genres and some poetry, but this will be my first novel. I look forward to it.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

GlaeWitch — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:31:04 +0100

Hi folks - I'm a real geezer - I'll be 69 this December. I never thought I'd be this old - but there it is. I'm working on the second part of a three part book. It will probably become three books at some point. I'm planning on it becoming a New York Times best seller for about six months - then it will get picked up by Steven Spilberg who will make about seven movies out of it, and then a spin-off will become the longest running smash hit in the history of TV/Cable. The whole time I will get royalties and stuff and become incredibly wealthy. I'll have a writer's loft over a bar in Barcelona, a Villa in Tuscany, a beach house in the Caribean (I can't seem to pick one island - maybe I'll make that a yacht in the Carribean that way can be all over the Caribbean), a horse ranch in Kentucky, a cattle ranch in Montana, and I'll completely remodel this little cottage I live in here outside Ann Arbor, Michigan. I will never experience a Michigan winter again. All of this happens, of course, once I get out of the "stuck" mode where I am on page 97 in chapter 14 where I have been for nearly a year. (sigh) I am going to use NaNo to blast me out of this writer's block. I can do it, I know I can.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kaliuna — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:03:40 +0100

This is my pen name here anyway... This will be my NINTH and hopefully another successful yr (winning 03-10) and I really enjoy it. What genre - think quasi sci-fi and maybe a romance?? Hmm dunno never tried it so will see how it goes. Have a couple other genre's in mind as well, but the closer it gets the more I am thinking this will be the one for this yr. I am 64 wow - guess I'm really a geezer then ehh?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

mlavoie8 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:17:17 +0000

OK, I admit it, in my geezer years I seem to have lost the ability to find things and have discovered a hefty talent for losing them. What's the 50K word 'thing?" I gather it's the total number of words to be written in November, but do we have to write a particular number of words each day? Or reach 50K by the end of the month? Also, there are winners? Can someone explain how winners are chosen? No, I'm not too OCD, just focusing on the end game.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

nightshade3 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:49:38 +0000

Hello? Where am I? What month is it? What? NOVEMBER? Already? November, that reminds me of something, what was it - oh yeah - I should be writing a novel! So here I am, 4 days into the month, no clue what to write about. Busier than ever and I really shouldn't even be here, but I can't resist. I don't have time to be in the clubhouse either, so I'll just say "HI" to everyone and run out the door. Sorry, but I've got to tend to dinner. Can't write on an empty stomach, you know. PS - this is my third username. Some of you will remember me as Gardenmama (ugh, worst username I've ever thought up), or Starfarer2007 (what was I thinking, putting a year on it?)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Denise Barker — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:38:28 +0000

I guess my 57 years on the planet qualifies me as a "geezer"--just do not tell my son. I'm in the DFW area and switched careers in 2007. After thirty years as a legal assistant, I decided I wanted more. So, took a huge cut in pay but am exponentially happier! I thrive by freelance copyediting for a well-known NYC publishing house supplemented by a "day job" here and there when needed. I'm Indie-published this year. So my author dreams have come true. I write nonfiction and romantic suspense fiction, although with my love of J.D. Robb's In Death book series and the Murder, She Wrote TV series, I've got at least one mystery in me. I'm driven in my second beloved career. Loving NaNo 2011!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chrisdd — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:58:46 +0100

Jake, you're going to do great!

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parhelion — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:44:31 +0100

i was 54 the first year I did NaNo. I'm a seat of the pants writer. i just grab a thread and see where it takes me. i was dreading November a month or so ago because I've been run ragged at work, but now I'm getting excited.

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fabulist — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:55:10 +0100

Hey MistyRider, I'm Gwen and I'm 53 and living in Port Orchard! I know of another who is 57 and living in Bremerton! Maybe we could do a geezer write in for the Poet Orchard/Bremerton area?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

reey — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:27:04 +0100

Someone once sent me a card that read "Every life should have 9 cats!" I figure since my dog...all 60 pound of him...thinks he's a cat, that's close enough. Any more pets, and I'd go bankrupt!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

RE Garrett — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:55:17 +0100

Hi, PlaKaycee! I'm also a NaNo newbie, and I'm having the same sort of trouble organizing my time and my writing. I'm also an early retiree (I simply couldn't stand any longer what the practice of Family Medicine has become and left the University of Iowa College of Medicine last January), and I find it all too easy to postpone writing in favor of reading, sleeping (naps are wonderful!). Please let me know if you come up with any good ideas--and I'll let you know if I do. I'm also planning a romance novel, about an American physical therapist and an English professional cricketer, and I've got to stop playing around on the forums and start working on plot and characters. Hope things work out for you RE Garrett

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Pickled Woman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:32:51 +0000

Howdy, Shannon, I'm a Bellinghamster, a bit north of you, and ready to write int he rain. I've been working on a novel inspired by my time in Mexico, magical realism to boot. Your book on Alzheimers caught my eye as my mom, who passed on not too long ago, spent a few years in its clutches. Best of luck on your novel. Susan, aka Pickled Woman

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chowchowgrl — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:34:33 +0100

Hi, idahocat! Are you an independent ghostwriter or do you work for a company? I've thought of doing that so often. There are so many people with stories to tell but don't know how, don't have the time, etc. I'd love to know more.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

PiaKaycee — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:30:19 +0100

Hi Catana. I'm a chronic procrastinator, so I welcome the occasional kick in the pants. I'm a newbie, trying to kick-start my writing life at 57, so I'm open to any tips from the experienced NaNo writers.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

scrawlingsi8u — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:07:24 +0000

Hi, I'm Sylvia, 51 and this is my first year. Hopefully booked enough annual leave!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Penelope Ghana — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:01:45 +0000

Hi Catana, I want to buddy with someone in the over the hill club, but got bogged down in all the cats. I'm not a cat person (neutral) but I'm 71 and wanted someone who knows how that feels so I picked you. I have written a couple of novels but never published, or put into publishable shape so I'd like to buddy with someone who has. I am Canadian but have lived all over the world and am presently living on the Delaware River with homes on either side, in Pennsylvania and New York States. What are you writing about this NaNo? Hope you reply but then you may have received too many offers! Regards Penelope Ghana.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

originalgradk — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:36:14 +0000

Hi Old Geezers I am Original Grad K a Graduate in social housing surrounded by very evocative mental health problems. I hit the big 50 this year. I would love to see folks our age make it as Writers in the Big Wide World. Kick those young arses ay! *down with ageism disabilism mentalism etc*

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

donne.r — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:33:21 +0100

I'm Ruth. I'm from St Louis, and this will be my 5th NaNo--and hopefully my 5th win. ;) I write middle grade novels (for 8 - 12 year olds).

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Dixiegirl — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:18:05 +0100

Hi Teri-K. My name is Dixiegirl and I'm in Indiana, probably not more than a few hours from where you are. Welcome to the wildest ride in town. I'm sorry for your loss. I know how little comfort those words can be. My husband died of a massive heart attack on Jan 29, 2009 so I know what you are going through and what you are facing. You can do this but pace yourself. I did NaNo the following November 2009 but I wouldn't have finished if it at all had not been for the wonderful friends I made here the three previous years and a group of writing buddies I found locally that summer. In all honesty, this may be the one thing that keeps you sane. When you do NaNo, you don't think of much else. If you just need an ear to bend, don't hesitate to email me. dixiegirlinindiana@gmail.com Once they get the buddy thing working, add me if you would like.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Sereana — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:34:44 +0100

Yea, I finally figured out how to re-size my picture. Go Cards!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Catana — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:40:13 +0100

i started out trying to be a pantser. But I spent most of the time when I should have been writing, trying to figure out the next step in my plot. So now I'm a hardcore outliner who pantses between the lines. And I'm completely digital. Even when my computer died during last year's NaNo, I kept pecking away on my Alphasmart Neo. I'm also a Scrivener user who's completely devoted to the program. The last two years, I set up a calender file within the Nano project, with 30 corkboards, one for each day of the week. I'd put in the day's word count and the cumulative word count. But I also updated it on NaNo each night, and that gave me a good way to visualize whether I was forging ahead or slowing down. I might not bother with the Scrivener calendar this year.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

wadatrip — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:43:53 +0100

Thanks for the information about logging your data into the author page. I've been curious and searching for the means whereby one enters his or her text at the close of each day. Currently, I don't see that feature on any page, so I'm assuming that this is available starting on the 1st. When I write fiction, I always do it as a "pantser," but your reference to "grey hairs" sounded sadly familiar. This time, I plan to plan, and I appreciate your thoughts on this. And Scrivener sounds interesting. I'm checking into it. I'll be, like so many others in this wonderful program, writing when I find a few minutes here, a few minutes there. I teach middle school by day and at a junior college by night, so finding long stretches for writing will occur on weekends only. I've got an itouch that I take everywhere, and I've purchased a keyboard for it, so I'm good to go. Take care.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Caranut — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:09:38 +0100

According to my birth certificate, I'm now 52 ... but I'm not really sure I believe it: although I was too young to be a hippy and too old to be a punk! I live just outside Bristol in England ... with absolutely positively zero cats (nasty, horrible little balls of fluff and claws that make me sneeze and wheeze ...sorry ...) This is my first year ... and I still have absolutely no idea what my novel's going to be about ... or what genre. But then, I've always left everything to the last minute!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Sereana — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:36:51 +0100

Looks like things are looking up Zoo. Congrats on working.

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Pickled Woman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:05:41 +0000

I would like to less of a Pantser, but it's hard with magical realism, at least for me. Suddenly, I'm a kid lost in a Mexican ruin and those stairs leading downward look so inviting...the story carries me along. If I do plan, though, I do it on my MacBook Pro, toggling between the story and assorted outlines. Sometimes, I just whip out a plot outline or a character backstory right in the middle of the story, actually on the next line, then delete it when I'm through with it. Does anybody else work that way? Good luck on your interview, Zookeeper.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Catana — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:44:45 +0100

I didn't realize you could track winners by age group. It does make sense that we'd do better, on average. Most of us probably have more free time--not going to school or raising kids. I really admire the winners who are juggling school or jobs, and family. This is my sixth Nano (wrote seventh in my first post up there and couldn't edit it), and I hope this year will be my third win. I have two novels on Smashwords (neither of them a NaNo novel) and I'm thinking hard about Amazon.

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Catana — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:30:07 +0100

Hi PiaKaycee. I'm glad to see another late starter. The buddy feature still isn't live, but you're welcome to add me when it is. When I see your name on my profile, I'll add you to my list. In the meantime, I'm doing a series of NaNo posts on my blog. Only one or two a week because I don't want to bore my non-NaNo readers, but I also have a lot of posts on writing, in general. If you do a tag or category search, you'll find NaNo posts from last year, since that's when i started the blog. November first is the "official" first day of my writing year, and NaNo is what I always return to. The link is http://writingcycle.wordpress.com. Durn, I'll be glad when we can have sigs again, so we don't have to type out URLs.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

redbone56 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:27:46 +0000

Hi PiaKaycee, My first ,middle and last name is procrastination too. We may be related. I'm a newbie and at 55 I am trying to trying to shut everyone up already who thinks I should have been a famous, rich novelist ''they all know'' by now.They (friends, family, weird acquaintances) just want to name-drop at my expense. I'm a South African of multiple race ancestry(English, Dutch ,German, Zulu, Griqua....and these are just the ones I know.) I emigrated to New Zealand 14 years ago with my husband and four kids. Since then our family has expanded via two grandkids, a boy of 7 and a girl of 14 months. I love being a geezer as I can get away with acting abit loopy and blame the age thing. Which is most unfortunate for the two teenagers I still have at home. MUM!! is more often than not uttered in capital letters and exclamation marks. In a former life I was an English teacher in South Africa. Now , I'm just a wife, mum, grandma,aunty,friend and occasional substitute teacher of ALL and Any subjects. My favourite classes being in the music rooms when I have an awful headache. If I don't have a headache at the start of those lessons the thumping of the drums guarantees a whopper. I cope by falling back on my considerable imagination as I imagine all kinds of revenge...

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Bookworm140 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:36:11 +0100

Hi! I'm Bookworm140. I live in a small town on the southern edge of Iowa: Lamoni. (Yeah, that fleck of on your screen that stays there.) I have a used bookstore and I've been winning Nano since 2006. I don't have the slightest idea what I'm going to write yet, but that's okay. One year I didn't know what I was going to write until 4K into the event on about day 4. (Oh, that's where we're going!) Welcome, fellow Geezers!

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Pickled Woman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:09:07 +0000

Hi Aldy, What is geocaching? I love the sound of it, but have no context. P.W.

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bonnie824 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:36:07 +0100

We are about the same in winning/trying ratio Chris. My 4th try, hope second win. Bonnie

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bonnie824 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:39:09 +0100

I took up writing (again) when I was close to 50 for the same reason. I did write one very short novel with a group called FM writers when they were doing free 2 year novel courses. The only one I actually finished- but still never fully edited. Anyway, I find now (at just 54) I can't write the stories I made up in my 20's anymore. I just dont' "feel" those characters and emotions. Your experience may be totally different though. Bonnie

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lulu.berkeley — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:20:09 +0100

"Geezette"! I like that.

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Sereana — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:41:47 +0100

What part of MO? I live in Springfield.

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lulu.berkeley — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:24:08 +0100

No cats anymore or ever again?! What happened? I'm totally with you on great story ideas that evaporate whenever you try to write them down. I'm inspired by the "write fast, write badly" approach however. Best of luck to you and all of us!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

PiaKaycee — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:58:50 +0100

Hi Catana. Some good advice on your blog. Do you use Scrivener? I've been debating whether or not to get it. Looking forward to being buddies.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ghk1962 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:33:51 +0100

That has GOT to be the absolute coolest profile picture!!!

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Pickled Woman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:23:33 +0000

Hi krudyard, I live in Bellingham, WA and am married to a Kiwi from Dunedin and Timaru. N-Zed is definitely the most beautiful place in the world and if we didn't have grown children here we'd be batching it in the Nelson area in a heartbeat. Is your novel going to be set in NZ? Susan, aka Pickled Woman

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

dancingfool — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:30:37 +0100

Pia - Sorry for eavesdropping (!) but I have to comment on your question about Scrivener. In 2009, I became intrigued by what I saw of Scrivener... and then disappointed, when I realized it was Mac, only. In 2010, Scrivener first became available in beta form, shortly before NaNo. I tried it -- and didn't like it -- I LOVED it! I used it for 2010, and was delighted with it. I've been continuing with the various upgrades, and am looking forward to the final version (another week or so?) so that I can buy it. But there's no need to debate. Go to the Scrivener website -- make sure you're at the correct section, either Mac or Windows - and download the free trial. The app is small, and does not slow down your computer. Go through the tutorial, figure out what features you do/don't like, and give it a shot. The regular trial is for 30 consecutive days of use, but not to worry... the people at Scrivener post a special NaNo trial version, shortly before Nov. 1.. that goes until December 7... so you've got time to write, and then export out to Word, or Adobe, or Google Docs, or a bunch of other things.. even if you choose to not buy it. Hmmm.. re-reading the above, I sound like a commercial. I have no legal interest in Scrivener, they have no idea I've written this... I'm just a very very happy happy user.

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Pickled Woman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:27:05 +0000

Incredible profile pic, Marya.

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PiaKaycee — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:32:01 +0100

Hi RE! As much as I love hanging around the house with the cats, sometimes I just need to get out - to the library, bookstore, coffee shop. After spending a couple of days on the forums and finding numerous other ways to procrastinate, the other day I left my laptop at home and just took my notebook and pen to a little bookstore cafe for a couple of hours. I came home with eight pages of notes, character sketches, scene summaries, etc. That's a lot for me. Some of the ideas came from overheard conversations and people watching, so rather than being distracting, it was stimulating. Today I stayed home and haven't written a single word (except on the forums)! This is a great place to find encouragement, help, and ideas; I just haven't found the balance yet. Good luck with your novel. I think I'll take a nap now. Pia

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mjshorts — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:08:05 +0100

Hi RE If you work out how to stop playing around on these Forums and get down to plot & characters will you let me know. Mike

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PiaKaycee — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:40:42 +0100

Dancingfool - Thanks for the Scrivener plug. I wasn't sure if I could get the trial now and also get the NaNo trial version later. I'm going to check it out.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

wadatrip — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:07:55 +0100

Hi Ruth. I've written one such novel titled The Cave. Do you have ideas for your next tale? I would love to purchase one of your novels (I teach middle school). Where might I do that? Happy writing, Steve

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Dixiegirl — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:19:41 +0100

No pets at my house either, Kat! I do have guest now and then! You must make plans to come down sometime soon. I am out of chocolate!

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donne.r — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:43:29 +0100

Teri-K and Dixie Girl, I'm sorry for your losses.

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Kat Gentian — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:46:08 +0100

*plans to stop at the store that carries the cocoa* *counts remaining paid sick days at work and wonders if she can get away with calling in during November*

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donne.r — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:28:31 +0100

Woo hoo! Yeah--go, Cards!!!

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kathck — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:26:56 +0100

This year I'm a NaNoWritMo rebel.

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Terri K — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:49:56 +0100

What's the title of your book? I'll keep on the look out for it as a suggestion for the book club I belong to. Congratulations!

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bonnie824 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:42:48 +0100

we are near neighbors Lynette. In fact, one of my sons works in Kernersville.

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RutaBaker — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:20:48 +0000

Sorry about Jefferson. A couple of NaNos ago I lost my Sweet old Blackie. I still miss writing with him in my lap. We have other cats, but it's not the same.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Dixiegirl — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:53:24 +0100

YES you can! Well, if you have the days....

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mlhh39 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:43:50 +0100

Hi Terri K The book I wrote last year was Quinn's Promise, a western historical romance. It will be out in next year. The first one I wrote was Fiona's Journey, also a western historical romance. It will be out January 2012. If you'd like to check out my other books, my website is http://www.lynettehallhampton.net. Thanks for asking.

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donne.r — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:27:37 +0100

Such a cute avatar, Gwen!

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MistyRider — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:54:19 +0100

Hi Gwen, a south Kitsap geezer write-in would be awesome! I'll bring the Geritol! ;-)

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donne.r — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:26:22 +0100

Steve, I'm agented, but not yet published. I do have ideas for my next story... trying to iron out some of the details before Nov 1. Happy writing to you, too.

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GraceOM — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 05:25:40 +0100

hiya, Gwen! WA is well represented in the Geezer category this year! I'm in Tacoma, but drove through PO yesterday! Shannon

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

thefensk — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:52:01 +0100

I was looking at these writers tools but plan to stick with my old trusty writer's tools ... my brain and a good word processor. I do have a rough outline ... and an old story line I've started about three times before but I've never gone beyond a few paragraphs. But this idea has percolated for years ... My last try, in January, I diverted from my outline after about day 4, never to return.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

fabulist — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:27:17 +0100

Hey, maybe us geezers (still not used to that!) can do a write in sometime. I know of two other (geezers) living in the area!

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Rohahnya — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:09:31 +0100

Awe...my favorite Geezer made it in!

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Idahocat — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:10:10 +0100

Right now it's for a few companies. Good experience but not a lot of money. I quit corporate life (I miss the money but not the stress) and am following my heart. Just wish it would hurry and lead me to the pot of gold.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

banditsrubyangel — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 05:09:03 +0100

Howdy, Elizabeth! Good to see you back here!

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waterloon — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:50:14 +0100

Hi neighbor! I'm not too far from you. I live a few miles south of Flint Michigan. Welcome to NaNo!

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bonnie824 — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:26:02 +0100

I don't think you can download your text/words each day. I think you can only put the number or words you have and a small excerpt/summary. I think you have to wait until almost November 30th to download your actual words and get credit.

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fabulist — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:24:02 +0100

It's part of a cartoon I'm making. Yours is really cute too.

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donne.r — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:04:33 +0100

Thanks. It's just clip art, I can't take any credit. ;)

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benjan — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:27:41 +0100

Sounds good to me, Laurie. I have a certain amount of pity for those of you who have done this before. It seems like every time I turn around, I need to have something explained about this process (think Smoking Pen) and you and Kat are the ones to do it. Thank you though. I really appreciate the time you take to make things clear and to keep things pleasurable. ~B

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

donne.r — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:41:06 +0100

Gloria, I'm writing for kids, too. Mine will be middle grade (for kids 8 - 12). Let me know if you want to be buddies once the buddy thing is working.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

wadatrip — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:31:30 +0000

Thanks.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

mlhh39 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:47:02 +0100

Hi Bonnie, Kernersville is a great little town. I've lived in the area most of my life and like it a lot. I hope your son enjoys it here. Does he write? We have a great writing group in Kernersville. Maybe we can be buddies and keep up with each other in November. Lynette

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

reey — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:12:10 +0100

Congrats on going to college as a geezer! I started college in my late 40s, got my BA at age 52, and taught non-credit course at the local college while working on my MA, which I got at age 55, and became a college prof...taught English and Humanities courses, and still teach an online course each semester since I retired last year. It's never too late!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Timkford — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:11:57 +0100

Our Siamese talked about chicken a lot and about his dreams - but they were mainly about chicken. Unless he was shut in, he would follow me walking to work or sit on the roof of the car demanding not to be left behind. They need company and are dog like in many ways - like playing fetch.

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reey — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:16:39 +0100

Ah, yes, very vocal cats. never had a Siamese, but I did have a Ragdoll that learned to say some human words, like "Hello," "No," and "Milk." He also once said my youngest son's name (which is Jesse), and if we both hadn't heard it, I would never have believed it. This Ragdoll also played fetch though we never taught him that. Anyway, I have a big orange cat that meows pitifully and a smaller, long-haired peach-colored cat that constantly chirrups. It can get pretty noisy here!

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mlhh39 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:54:05 +0100

Hi Thomas, Congratulations on your novel written in January. I'm impressed that you did it on your own. Lynette

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gbostic5 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:13:04 +0100

I would really like that. :) Thanks Donne.r

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Terri K — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:50:06 +0000

Lynette, I checked out your website, and I'm impressed! After Nano, I will have to check out some of your books. I am planning to bring them up at a book club meeting, but I didn't go to the October meeting. Good Luck with Nano 2011 (as if you'll need luck!)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

bonnie824 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:03:47 +0100

no, he doesn't. My daughter does but she's in Asheville @ school. I'm more an online person than going to any of the events, but I do love the boards.

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thefensk — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:12:14 +0100

Thanks. Yeah, completed both the novel and my New Year's Resolution!

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Kat Gentian — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:26:15 +0100

Mouse, I love your icon! It's good to step away from the WIP for a while. So I'd say play with the plot bunnies.

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GraceOM — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:25:45 +0100

I've heard all sorts of interviews with the author of _Zone One_ the last few days. Definitely Zombie Apocalypse time! Shannon

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ereedak — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:02:04 +0100

I also write for kids!

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elizabethnoble — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:25:05 +0100

Heya! It's good to see you too. E

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Mouse That Roars — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:12:36 +0100

Zombies are just not speaking to me. I am tempted to try working with an idea that came to me after a particularly vivid dream -- a ghost story set in a small town much like the one I spent my childhood in.

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Zookeeper — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:55:00 +0100

Well, zombies aren't that talkative in the best of times. ;-)

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Mouse That Roars — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:03:49 +0100

Orrrrr....maybe not.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

banditsrubyangel — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:43:11 +0100

And congrats on the three book deal you got recently. I wanna be like you when I grow up. Your books are definitely not boring! I read an excerpt of a novel with a theme similar to yours over on Goodreads and Smashwords; it was so boring I went to sleep. That writer needs to learn that there's nothing wrong with a little flash and imagery.

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elizabethnoble — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:36:42 +0100

*Blushes* Thank you!

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banditsrubyangel — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:37:26 +0100

You're welcome!

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GraceOM — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:03:22 +0100

Fi, welcome in! Your book sounds like fun, maybe as much fun as the 20 years of experiences you and your friend have had watching movies. Here's a brainstorming hint: make a list of categories for the events and the movies: most blood spilled, bad references to classic works of fiction, inappropriate translations, bad doctoring... you get my drift. Then pull events that fit those categories and write about one, or several. Do it in chunks. Doesn't all have to be plotted out to begin with, but Chunky Writing has its benefits. Shannon

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

SarahB-H — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:05:06 +0100

One of my bad habits is a knee-jerk use of multiple and/or "qualified" verbs: "he began to worry," or "she seemed to think," which reveals my overly analytical nature, and also speaks to my tendency to see things as gray, not black-and-white. I usually go back and edit most occurrences to read "he worried" and "she thought." There are some cases when the qualified verbal structure really is what I want to use, so then, of course, I leave it be. Does anybody know what my bad habit is called?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

elizabethnoble — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:27:58 +0100

Thanks for the rec. I've been trying various programs for planning and organizing, I like this one a lot.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolyn Branch — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:36:42 +0100

That's not cheating! That's research you've already done - the hard way. One of the girls in my critique group is writing a novel set in the 50s - she considers me a walking historical resource.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kataja — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:38:46 +0100

That reminds me of a story my mom keeps telling me: I had been reading the Flintstones and then went to ask her: "Mom, were there dinosaurs when you were small?"

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

mzmocha — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:17:28 +0100

You're welcome. LSB has one heck of a learning curve, but that's mainly because there isn't one set way to use it. All that openess throws you off in the beginning. I'd bet I still don't use half of the bells and whistles in it, but that's okay. : )

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

prospero2 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:22:05 +0100

Love the shed, Mike! Is it your writing haven? Have just more or less finished a shed for husband to use as a painting/writing studio - got the shingles and fascia boards on yesterday - but woke up this morning after the roaring winds to discover one tile in the rhododendron bush!! heigh ho. Back up the ladder when the winds abate. A 'We are such stuff as dreams are made on.' PS Spent a couple of years in L'pool in my mis-spent youth - only claim to fame is having lived in Penny Lane!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:27:26 +0100

You've made a great start, Greg, and already have learned the most important thing: this is FUN! (We try not to let the newbies find out about the addiction part until after November...)

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ghk1962 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:00:53 +0100

Hiya back :-) Nice to meet you . . . . and you're in England now? wow...that's a bit of a move. How long ago?

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mjshorts — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:04:51 +0100

Thanks - this indeed is my writing haven. I built it a year or so before i retired, somewhere I could look forward to retiring to. It's got all I need in there - comfy chair, heating, internet connection, some of my books & lots of notebooks. I grandly call it 'The Studio' much to the amusement of friends and family. Good luck with finishing yours. Hope you get it done before November 1st. Is it just for your husband or will you use it as well? Mike

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prospero2 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:08:34 +0100

Strictly 'No Girlz allowd'! :)

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mzmocha — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:33:23 +0100

I'm sitting here, officialyy jealous. My writing haven is my bedroom - or if I'm lucky, the den. If nobody else is using it.

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mjshorts — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:09:18 +0100

I tend to be like that with mine. Admittance by invitation only!

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tzor — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:19:33 +0100

Hi, I’m Chris and I turned 50 last July. I’ve been doing NaNo since 2004. I live on Long Island, just a short (5 minutes to the nearest) drive to the great North Fork Wine Region. I’m also single. Being a computer programmer pays the rent, and I’m currently working on maintaining systems that bring financial information from all over the world to those who need it the most. I’m not sure of the exact category for the novel; it’s sort of a science fiction – suspense. In this future, an isolated community known as “Apple Complex” maintains a complete isolation from the world and even the outside (even though as far as anyone knows, the world has been a safe place for at least decades). Citizens are artificially born and grown and then rapid educated to be able to live a highly controlled semi-drugged state for their daily work and sleep cycles. Those few who advance are introduced to a complex world where everyone has secrets, and an over programmed – paranoid computer watches everyone for threats, traitors and invasion by some unknown and non existent force. The story concerns two citizens in this complex world. Bob is the first character and the main one for all practical purposes. It’s hard to describe exactly what he is in real world terms; imagine a teenager who has been taking some degree of hormonal suppressants. Most of his life has been engaged in a generally drugged state, working in a firm that assists people with the proper filling out of the plethora of forms that the complex and the computer requires. When not working he lived in a huge segregated dormitory environment, competing for the best bunks, taking his daily showers (which he calls a “washy wash”) and his proper medication for sleep and wake, all in the confines of a old structure where mold, mildew, fluorescent lighting, artificial food, and the ever present computer is common. Recently, because Bob managed to turn in a “traitor” for some form violation, he was promoted to the first level of security. His medications were reduced and now he only shares a dorm with five other guys. In addition, he has been given his first major assignment as a troubleshooter. In the process of getting to the briefing room for his first assignment (someone with a higher security has blocked off the hall so he has to make a detour) he bumps into someone who turns out is also going to the same briefing room. Completely unaware that he has, in fact, met a girl, they embark on an epic adventure both inside and outside the “Apple Complex,” meeting their fears head on and discovering other fears and other challenges.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ghk1962 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:42:36 +0100

Ahhh, I may be new to NaNo . . . but not being a young 'un, I can recognize addictive qualities in myself fairly quickly! :-) All last night I have been ruminating about quality vs quantity. My wife kept asking me to stop pacing and staring off into space haha. Then I found this discussion on one of these boards about it. It was quite interesting. This is where the newbie part of me shows and others roll their eyes at me in a "he just doesn't know does he?" sort of way. But . . . there was discussion on word padding to meet your 50K. I don't think I want to word pad . . . I think the intent of NaNo is to basically write. . . but not just to get your 50K out, but to get thoughts down on paper? Which means to me if I am writing to pad my word count, hen I am concentrating on the wrong thing. But then again, maybe I am just being naive and everyone will be laughing at me and thinking, "The fool, he'll see when he only gets out 21,456 and a half words out." Anyway, thanks for the note . . . and . . . why can't Nov 1st get here quicker! Heh.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:44:39 +0100

The word padding thing seems to be common among youngsters. High schoolers including their homework by having a character in the same classes as they are, including song lyrics (the whole song), stuff like that. IMO these are folks unclear on the concept ... It's a personal challenge; can I write this book? What's the point in cheating?? I set out each year to be mindful of some aspect of my writing that I think needs improving - just ONE thing, mind. Primary focus is the story. Last year and this it's details. I tend to fly with the characters and forget to describe things. So I will make an effort to include more details. And it helps the word count! Also, most years between 15 and 20% of folks reach 50K (higher among geezers). No matter what your word count, you will have more story on Dec 1 than on Oct 31, and that's a win.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ghk1962 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:33:21 +0100

Oops, I posted this in the wrong place!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ghk1962 — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:30:25 +0100

:-) I agree, no matter the word count, at least something will have been attempted. For my part I'll be using the 50K goal line more to just keep me writing...but will concentrate on: 1) Getting ideas to the paper (or computer anyway) 2) Trying different writing approaches. Such as self-editing as I write, writing without editing, free writing with notes in my story, etc. That way I can see what works for me, the positives & negatives of each style. Oh...I just noticed that the "Forum" tab now has the option to see all your previous postings and where you posted to. Cool.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

raspberrymoon — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:48:45 +0100

Hi Angela, My granddaughter in non-verbal autistic so I would love to read your book. It sounds good and not dire at all.

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Timkford — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:07:24 +0100

The curious incident of the dog in the night-time was a big hit

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donne.r — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:58:29 +0100

Jody Picoult's House Rules is excellent, too.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

alydia — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:54:30 +0100

That just shows the age of the audience. I've yet to find a pic or be able to shrink one to fit the format so "meh" to quote the younger NaNoItes. And good for you having an 'ordinary' life! I am going to write. Yes, write. I have done a few years of NaNo and find it pretty challenging. Picked up one box of Sees Candy for my self to reward as needed or bribe my muse into submission. Not having the internet at home will make me actually write without distractions. I think.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

mlherself — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:15:21 +0100

I agrre with you, Queen. I'm 52 and most adamantly not a Geezer. Oh I can see it from here, but I'm not there yet!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

waterloon — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:46:30 +0000

Sees Candy...mmmmm....wish I had some for myself. I'll have to settle for Russell Stover, I suppose.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

waterloon — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 11:38:04 +0100

I read your novel exerpt and it sounds very exciting! I'd love to read the whole thing someday, if it's available.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

snuzcook — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:13:39 +0100

The world needs a really great zombie apocalypse novel! You go! Gotta ask, what is a "steampunk" novel?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

waterloon — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 11:41:35 +0100

Oops, meant to put this under your intro... they should have an edit or delete button here. >:(

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mlherself — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:41:46 +0000

Thank-you Water-loon for the vote of confidence! Nothing spurs on a writer more than someone else's interest in his or her work. I've added you to my buddy list, and I would be happy to share the full story with you sometime AFTER November! Lol!

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RutaBaker — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:31:07 +0000

Oh No!!! I thought 60 was the new 40! Surely 50 is the new 30?

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LongRoad — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:56:37 +0000

Jodie this sounds just like me. Good Luck

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RutaBaker — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:32:15 +0000

Love your icon! Life's uncertain---eat dessert first.

Re: Call me a Crone

Jeanze — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:16:04 +0000

OHMYGOSH! I tried to friend you, Lovechris, but can't figure out how to do it from the forums. I'm still such a newbie here. I knew after my posting in the "Geezer Clubhouse" and adding a "P.S. I prefer the term CRONE", then went back to read others' posts and found yours that we needed to be buddies here! If I don't find you, please find me! Jeanne (aka Jeanze)

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Kopiluwak — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:39:44 +0000

Hah! I'm in OKC, too. NaNo is all about getting the story out - editing and such is for later in the year.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

alydia — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:42:59 +0000

Woohoooo.....I am happy to be watching you squirm with me again on the edge of the unknown. And I made pumpkin seeds from the scooped out brains of my pumpkin Saturday. Thought of you and B and wondered if you guys are carving gourds or not?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Pickled Woman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:20:11 +0000

The 50K thing is the minimum length of the novel you will write if you want to "win," which means "finish" your novel. As to the total numbers per day, that's up to you, but it's a good idea to do as much as you can so that maybe you will have a bit of a rest every now and then. Have fun, miavole8!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

dancingfool — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:24:40 +0000

uhm... that's not quite right. For most of the month, you manually enter your total word count. It's up to you -- some people will update their word count after each session, others update daily, or every other day, or randomly. There is no need -- and no place -- to download an excerpt/summary, although you can certainly put one on your profile page if you want...but you enter it, rather than downloading it. Sometime in November, the word count validator will appear. Once it does, you then have an option of manually entering your total word count, or copying/pasting your entire work so far, into the validator, and the validator will enter your count. (Note: the validator NEVER keeps what you put into it, it just spits out a number and puts it on your word count.) On or about November 25th, the word count validator adds an additional feature, in that if what you submit is 50k or more, you're now deemed a winner, and you're 'word ribbon' (wait til after Nov. 1, and you'll see what I mean) turns from green to purple.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

3DogMike — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:46:53 +0000

I'm not trying magical realism myself, just some touches of the fantastic, but it sounds like a great idea. Maybe next year.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

jomeaker — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:50:05 +0000

Short answer - go to www.geocaching.com - it tells all. Longer answer - It's hiking with a purpose - to find a some sort of container that was previously hidden. Log onto the website to find its coordinates and use a handheld gps to locate the container. Sign the logbook the cache contains and log your find in the website. There are geocaches all over the world. I've found almost 350 of them in four countries and five states.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

GraceOM — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:31:59 +0000

hey there, Susan! Welcome in! Magical realism intrigues me--is there such a thing as magical comedy? Sorry to hear about your mom. Mine turned 81 this year and had signs of Alz as far back as 1996. Amazing what the right drugs and good care will do. I just wish we could talk about it all. Shannon

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

RutaBaker — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:17:07 +0000

At any given moment it reflects my longing for the sea whilst stuck land-locked in Iowa and/or the proverbial long walk off a short pier. Take your pick.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:24:03 +0000

What kind of urban fantasy? I'm doing horror/paranormal this year (yes, zombies, dammit!), but in past years I've worked on an urban fantasy series involving an elven prince and an immortal wizard who live in modern day Denver.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

reey — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:55:46 +0000

Ahem...yes, I am an English teacher. Retired now, but those are the worst kind! I don't mind the lack of caps; better than all caps, right? But content is vastly more important than grammar and punctuation...well, unless you use no punctuation and your grammar makes the angels cry. Then the content would be really hard for the reader to grasp. But that's what Spell Check and Grammar Check are for...and, hopefully, a friend or family member who is good at that sort of thing and can be bribed to go through and correct your errors. P.s. I am available for proof-reading at a very reasonable rate: pizza and you come clean the kitty litter boxes twice a week (warning: I have 8 cats!).

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

dancingfool — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:59:45 +0000

an old lady and a bunch of penguins? I love it already!!! Hey, I did my first Nano with nothing more than the notion to put a bizarre twist on the saying Variety is the Spice of Life. If I could write with nothing more than that, an old lady and a bunch of penguins should be a piece of cake!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

3DogMike — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:15:52 +0000

As far as I'm concerned, if you're starting out with an old lady and a bunch of penguins then you're starting in a good place.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

thefensk — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:36:45 +0000

Welcome. You can do this. Sounds like a great project. Set a routine and a daily goal and keep to it.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Debbs — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:57:03 +0000

Witches and the Fae will be central characters. However, one of the two main threads is corporeal Shadows. I'm planning on this being the beginning of a series with the main character, a hereditary witch, and her shadow (partner) set in the San Francisco area. So far, it's been tremendous fun to write!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

sunny-1 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:52:37 +0000

chriscoonen, the one you are looking for is the thread titled "You do realize there's no group OLDER than this one, right?" The comment you were asking about is the second one down. Yes, that is funny.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Siouxxie — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:27:54 +0000

Laura, "zoefelini" is a fabulous name for a character! we'll be in your neck of the woods (sausalito) this weekend--anniversary. maybe our writing muses will meet, co-mingle, and reproduce great novels for us!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

chriscoonen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:09:22 +0000

yes, thanx I will tell that other lady

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Glen Rose — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:18:27 +0000

Hello Raspberry, good to see a fellow Texan show up on this blog. I have a good friend who lives in Ft Worth.. well, I hope ye "bug" goes away,,,keep'a writin' and oh,, you are welcome to to click on and visit my blogspot anytime you take a notion. Thanks Glenn

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

ceoln — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:36:56 +0000

Just as it should be! :)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

CameronScott — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:40:17 +0000

Diego, this is my first time participating in NaNo, and I am a "pantser" too. My novel has been taken over by some other Force and I am just going along for the ride, hoping to make it to the end. Best of luck in your writing endeavors, Cameron

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raspberrymoon — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:33:22 +0000

Hi Glen - I can't get used to where messages are hiding this year so I missed your message. I live not too far from Glen Rose LOL. I also lived in Tyler for about 9 months before I moved south of FTW. Glad you found me. Hope it is going well. I have added you to my buddy list. (I need all the buddies I can get.) Thankfully the virus is better. Probably something to do with this crazy weather. For those of you that don't know Texas we had weeks and weeks and weeks of 100+ weather with noooo rain & then suddenly it got cold. Last night was in the looooow 40's. Nobody is supposed to live like that! No wonder we are all sick. :(

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Erica in the novel — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:49:02 +0000

How funny! My muse likes fall too, and we just started a pot of chili!

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raspberrymoon — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:50:42 +0000

Marya - ah Saugerties! I know it well. I have a friend who lived in Elizaville. Now she is living in Rhinebeck. We spent many a happy summer in your area. Welcome to the Clubhouse.

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CameronScott — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:32:55 +0000

Marya, isn't it interesting how these novels take on a life of their own? Yours sounds fascinating, and I wish you the best of luck with it. May your Writing Muses continue to guide you truly! It's a story which obviously needs to be told. Best wishes, Cameron

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RutaBaker — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:37:15 +0000

Marya ismy real name. Hope people don't mispronounce your pen as often as they mispronounce my realie. Either the entire country is dislexic or I should have been named Myra---the Y throws nearly everyone.

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Marya — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:12:21 +0000

Thank you! Sorry it took so long to reply, but I have 2 jobs, long commute, and then there is this project. Hmmm. Maybe I need my head examined! But it's been rewarding and amazing, actually. Being forced to write every day in order to finish. Amazing experience.

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Glen Rose — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:04:06 +0000

no kidding ,, i hate winter,, yes,,the "where is the comment" game is one that i have been playing .. thanks for the nano notes. you are also invited to jump over to my blog...www.glnroz33.blogspot.com. it has a link on my profile page.. i gues that was a tad of shameless self promotion wasn't it,, ? lolol

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GraceOM — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:59:44 +0000

Cameron, At several of the write-ins here in Tacoma last year, on the table were: two laptops, a typewriter (with one or two spares on the floor), an Alpha Writer, a SmartPhone, and two different pads of paper and pens. We were all VERY busy writing, but the other folks in the cafe stood around and took pictures of the variety. Wish I had one now! Whatever works to get the words to paper! (I'm surprised I haven't seen a thread for someone using voice recognition software.) Shannon

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waterloon — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:03:04 +0000

Welcome Cameron! In answer to your question about published NaNo novels, I found this on the site. Hope it helps! http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/publishedwrimos

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Marya — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:08:03 +0000

I just posted a long reply and it disappeared! Anyway, after reading No Plot No Problem, I just took it literally. My keyboard actually is writing this story; I have no idea where it came from, but not consciously from me. Sorry I didn't get back to you until now -- 2 jobs + long commutes + this project. I think it may be that I will finish! How about you -- how is this month going for you? Are you satisfied with your experience so far? Best wishes, Marya

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gbostic5 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:26:06 +0000

Wow! Water for Elephants is one of my all time favorite books! I think I fell in love with Jacob on there very first page when he said he was 90 or 93, one or the other. There was something about the way she wrote that character that absolute grabbed my heart and held it to the final page. Thanks for sharing that bit of information Kat. :) Gloria

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CameronScott — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:41:48 +0000

Hi Kat, I really enjoy writing on a typewriter. For me, it's much more expressive than writing on a computer. I will indeed be scanning the pages to post, just like I do with my blog "Living in The Woods" (above Nevada City, CA): http://cameronkopf.blogspot.com For the blog, I haven't had to try the OCR software that's bundled with my scanner. But now I'm up to 60 double-spaced pages on this year's novel so far, and am almost scared to try it! But I GOTTA do this for NaNo. I'll keep you posted. Best regards, Cameron

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Storeetllr — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:18:39 +0000

Just a note that, in last week's Pep Talk, Erin Morgenstern said her novel "The Night Circus" was begun during NaNo! "2010 marked the first NaNoWriMo that I haven’t participated since that first try, and I didn’t have the time mostly because I was in the midst of my final edits for The Night Circus, which began life as a surprise tangent in NaNovel ’05 and was very roughly, sprawlingly drafted during NaNo ’06 & ’07. I am aware that this is cheating. I’m sorry. In my defense, I’m not certain it had enough plot at that point to be considered the same novel." I haven't read "The Night Circus" yet, but I've heard good things about it. And how wonderful that it started life during NaNo! Gives me hope.

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RutaBaker — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:42:51 +0000

I started writing whilst living in Sweden. The only thing I could afford was a used Halda (very loud, clacky, and huge manual typewriter) built in perhaps 1920. My favorite writing machine was a Canon StarWriter (very samll and wonderful word processor highly praised in one of Margaret Truman's mysteries). CSW was so easy to use, so uncomplicated, so portable. But alas CSW died long after Canon stopped producing them. Have lots of good stories locked away on floppies that don't transcribe onto CDs. Ah well, I probably needed a kick to start fresh.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

raspberrymoon — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:05:09 +0000

[quote=GraceOM] Cameron, At several of the write-ins here in Tacoma last year, on the table were: two laptops, a typewriter (with one or two spares on the floor), an Alpha Writer, a SmartPhone, and two different pads of paper and pens. We were all VERY busy writing, but the other folks in the cafe stood around and took pictures of the variety. Wish I had one now! Whatever works to get the words to paper! (I'm surprised I haven't seen a thread for someone using voice recognition software.) Shannon [/quote] Shannon - I know there are a couple of people using VR software, but not sure where they are hanging out this year. I guess this is a good place to admit that I am 75% blind. I am not using VR for my novel because I can still see my computer screen if I set the size & colors right but I do have a VR reader. Unfortunately the technology is still a little awkward. I was told by the doctor last year that I better do Nano then because he couldn't guarantee my sight for another year, but here I am. It also helps that I am a touch typist gfu w9j3m eq6e j6 (oops that was supposed to read - some days my typing looks like this). LOL

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Kopiluwak — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:50:07 +0000

Do you pronounce it "Mah REE ah" or "MAR yah"? Because I have several friends with that name and some pronounce it one way and some the other.

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Marya — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:10:32 +0000

MIssed this post! Myra -- I know what you mean. I wouldn't mind Mar -eye- ah.

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Kataja — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:59:38 +0000

Might have been the same type of word processor my father had in his job. I have an old copuler (from 1990) that has both 5'25" and 3'5" floppy stations - and a new -puter with the latter one. I started transferring the files and his texts, but Now I haven't got time... (and I got stuck with a file that had name "L|NN"* - The | made it impossible to copy the file...) *A character set problem - the name was meant to be "LÖNN" (a Swedish surname) obviously the word processor had been able to handle it, but then something turned the Ö into | which is a control character...

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Nightbyrd — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:51:42 +0000

It's possible the chili should be the official NaNo meal. I NEVER make chili, but had the urge for it this past week. So today I went to the grocery store and bought all the ingredients. Will be simmering chili as I write tomorrow afternoon.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

alydia — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:38:19 +0000

So I am to blame for all us crocking our chili this weekend. It came out great. The hardest part was resisting adding my ancho chili powder (not for the faint of heart or weak tummies).

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RutaBaker — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:54:34 +0000

For me the time change has made this day go very slowly.

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chriscoonen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:37:13 +0000

November is NaNo month, and hope you and Angela are having a grand time of it. Editing today myself. Love being a Geezer with a Tweezer. Sincerely, hope for a productive day for everyone. Chris

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Timkford — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:24:51 +0000

Hi Chris - I spent most of today re-reading and editing. It did make me think it wasn't the pile of rubbish i had begun to think it was. My characters move to Paris in 1913 next - they'll be looking out for you, oh no they can't its 2012 now isnt it

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Timkford — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:50:23 +0000

A sense of alchemy - I lile that phrase, wish I had written it myself! I flip flop between Optimist and Pessimist, never anxious, often pensive. If you have a 5 year old - then you have plenty to fill your life. Tim (Yes, English)

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Timkford — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:59:30 +0000

Hi Chris - just Tim please. Enjoyed visting Barca & Paris, but live in much quieter English suburb. It's amusing to see how a few posts have been interpreted or mixed with others!

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Marya — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:08:46 +0000

MAR ya -- it's my grandmother's name, but I'm using it as a pen name.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:23:52 +0000

I read a book about growing tomatoes in Florida, and what some people would do would be to import illegals from Mexico, making all kinds of promises about the easy life they'd have and the money they'd make, but when they got to Florida, they found that they were already deeply in debt because of what they owed for the trip. Anyway, that's what it reminded me of. Glad to see someone else doing sf/f/h.

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Carolf — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:08:52 +0000

My MC is working off a debtor contract for mines on the moon because he couldn't pay for the trip. The fact that he didn't ask for the trip (he thought he was going to New Orleans via cheapest transport) makes no difference. Indentured servitude it is. The concept of indentured servitude has been around a long time. I'd say it's fair game for a story.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:11:11 +0000

Oops. I already said all that, didn't I? See, I'm full of so many ideas for my writing that I keep losing track of what I'm doing when I'm not writing. (We won't mention the fact that I am obviously procrastinating at this moment.) Anyway, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. And yes, it's definitely SF. (extends high five)

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Cynthus — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:15:26 +0000

Actually I like the premise. Indentured servitude could work with a lot of different story types.

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dancingfool — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:19:58 +0000

?? perhaps go back and tell the same story from the viewpoint of one of the other characters? I know, this doesn't work with all stories...just trying to help

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Carolf — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:32:09 +0000

[quote=Duene] Also, I am almost to the half way point, and I have run out of story. How in the heck am I going to write any more when the story has been told, all of it? [/quote] Have you really told all of it, or have you told the basic plot skeleton? I had the same thought about my work, until I realized that there was a lot about the setting I haven't shown and to do that, I need additional scenes, which, as long as I have to add them, might as well also develop characters a bit and, if I develop those two characters, then I need a couple of scenes to watch how their relationship changes over time and ... Just a thought.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Mother Goose — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:14:56 +0000

[quote=Duene] Also, I am almost to the half way point, and I have run out of story. How in the heck am I going to write any more when the story has been told, all of it? [/quote] Add a sub-plot. Spend the rest of your words introducing new characters and weave them in and out of your story. Ideally the sub plot should reflect the main plot in some way, yes? Or perhaps polar opposite? Have some fun and add some depth. That will use up the rest of your words.

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False harpist-48 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:10:50 +0000

Duene: I just read your posting from 13 days ago. I just passed 50K & up to now I've pretty much just kept my nose to the grindstone & not gotten into the forums (except for a couple of postings of my own in 50+.) I had exactly the same problem you mention in your posting. I'm a newbie. I had no plan just a foggy idea for a story based on my personal experience. I also ran out of story at about word 25K. Since then, I've just written whatever came in to my head each day when I sat down at the computer. Some of it seems fine, some of it makes me want to bury my head in the compost! Next year (if there is one) I plan to plan ahead. No more seat-of-the-pantzer for me! All the best!

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Duene — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:34:54 +0000

Food for thought. Thanks. I'm not sure how I would go about this, but I will think moe about it.

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3DogMike — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:12:56 +0000

When I hit a point where I need to do research, and believe me it is happening a lot this year, I write the scene describing what happens but also making notes to myself about what needs to be researched. As in: Then he walked down the steps into the room that had . I often set those sections within some sort of brackets so I can find them more easily later. This way I keep writing, don't lose the flow too much, and don't commit egregious anachronistic or ahistorical errors. It isn't a perfect method, but it lets me write a story set in a time period I know next to nothing about but that I can't seem to get out of my head and that is forcing itself to be this year's NaNo novel.

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Duene — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:28:01 +0000

Thanks for your ideas. I think you are so right, and I am taking a look back at my story and have already come up with some ideas on how to expand some of my scenes, and add some new ones. I can see a few thousand words coming here!

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Duene — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:32:08 +0000

i am undecided whether to do the research now or later. Sometimes it feels like it is necessary before I can move in with the story?

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Duene — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:33:18 +0000

i meant to say "move on."

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3DogMike — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:40:16 +0000

I understand completely. I feel the same way. I am extremely uncomfortable knowing that I do not know the details that I need to know for my story. But NaNo is not a time for research. If I started the research now I'd be doing it until next November, which may be a better plan but since I'm already here I need to write. I feel that research is very important, but I embrace the NaNo concept of 'keep writing'. That's my own way of saying it, anyway. So I write. I will not consider this novel complete until I do the research, but I'll write what I can now. It can help in some ways because as the story develops I find specific things that I need to research. Good luck.

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dancingfool — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:47:03 +0000

ha ha!! move in with your story! now that's a freudian slip if I ever heard one! I like that, better than move on.

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alydia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:37:24 +0000

One way I keep track of where I want to add research or 'more' is I change the font - size and at times color - when I go back to edit I remember what bugged me. Another bit is I include the link for the research if I am using the net. I have entire binders filled with research that I use over the years for different things. Good luck and have fun.

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redgypsee — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:00:13 +0000

HI-nice to meet you-I paint too-this is my first try at NaNoWriMo and I am enjoying it. I have only written short stories before, and I believe I am long winded enough to write a novel, so I intend to take an extra month & make this full length. :)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

redgypsee — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:13:38 +0000

Even old geezers can go back to school-I was not formally trained in art-but I was in music, so no matter which route you take, it is an investment in honing the skills you value. Although I have know some artist who say art school did not have a positive effect on them.

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alydia — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:12:04 +0000

Hey ChrisDD- Happy to see you surfaced a bit ago. I've been buried also. Rah Rah....siss-boom ...bah?

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CameronScott — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 04:36:21 +0000

@Nana Write Now: Your novel sounds fascinating and I wish you all the best luck with it! I think the subject matter will be of interest to others, so I do hope that you can get it published someday! Geezer is one of those strange words which we can embrace, but we also rebel against. I'm 57 -- sometimes I feel like a geezer and other times, not so much. Maybe we should just "wear" it when the shoe fits! ;-)

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treefrog5700 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:48:47 +0000

That's when characters are at their best, when they go off and run the story places you didn't intend. I'm glad it's working our for you.

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Nana Write Now — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:10:59 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement Cameron, I'd love to hear what your 50,242 words are about, and congratulations since you are already a NaNoWriMo winner for this year! I've challenged myself to reach 40,000 by the end of the weekend, and at that point, I'll definitely feel that I can do it! P.S. I'll be glad to wear the shoe - make mine Manolo Blahnick! (I can dream!)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Mother Goose — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:18:45 +0000

Congratulations on finishing your novel! Huzzah! Huzzah!

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CameronScott — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:38:08 +0000

@Mother Goose: I relate perfectly to your issues about publishing gay and lesbian subject matter. My first attempt here at NaNo is largely autobiographical, and I've been wondering if any publisher would even touch it? It's rather discouraging, but I'll press on, and I hope that you do the same! I believe that there *IS* an audience for such literature, not confined to gay folks. Good writing (hopefully) crosses these boundaries. As we all know, there are many, many fine gay authors. Keep sending your stuff out there, I say. All best wishes! Cameron

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banditsrubyangel — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:14:19 +0000

Mother Goose, I did some research on the publishing industry, and I've decided to self-publish. It seems to me that unless a person is an established author, most publishing houses aren't interested. On average it takes five months to a year to get a response for a submisson. I'm not saying that authors like us don't get published, and I still like the idea of a paper book, but I've decided that ebooks and self-pub is the way to go for me. I don't like the idea of not having control over what I write and how it's marketed. I plan on starting low with the price and adding onto the fan base I acquired while writing fanfiction. An author needs to have a lot of material to put out there, and they need to have persistence and not get discouraged, which is really easy to do. Self publishing is gradually losing the stigma it once had. Some folks still turn their noses up at it, just like they do with fan fiction, but that's okay. I'd rather be sitting home writing, making money, while those no-talent hacks troll and sneer online. I've also read of self-pub authors who went on to capture contracts from publishing houses. Have you tried Dreamspinners? They might be interested in your work. http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

treefrog5700 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:02:38 +0000

Are there any smaller, specialty publishing houses that specialize in gay issues?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Mother Goose — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:15:01 +0000

Thanks for the Dreamspinners link - I'll look into them! I'm leaning toward self publishing myself, actually. It seems to me that might be the only way to get my stuff out there.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

banditsrubyangel — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:05:09 +0000

Dreamspinners is the only one I know of, but I'm sure they're not the only ones out there. My writing buddy Elizabeth Noble sold at least three books to them in the last year.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Erica in the novel — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:52:12 +0000

The publishers on my shelves include QPB, Naiad, and Verago. Maybe I am behind the times and these don't exist any more?

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Mother Goose — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:21:33 +0000

Just checked out dreamspinnerpress - thanks for the thought guys, but that a clearly stated M/M story site. I've checked out the lesbian presses: Bella Books, and Cleis Press, Alyson Books and Bold Strokes Books. They did not deal with YA literature at the time I asked, which admittedly come to think of it, was several years ago now. But I wonder if I want to go that way at all. What are the chances of a lesbian's book, printed by a lesbian press, ever reaching mainstream America... I'm thinking self publish and do my own PR...

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

banditsrubyangel — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:27:24 +0000

You might as well self-publish. Publishing houses say that it's bad etiquette for an author to submit the same book to several publishers at the same time. They would prefer that you wait five months to a year waiting for them to say yes or no. I'm all for everyone making money, but that's ridiculous. You could get a lot of your writing out in that length of time. Self-publishing takes that control away from them, which is why I believe some publishers bad mouth self-pub in the first place.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

treefrog5700 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:47:33 +0000

My first nano came out awful but the joy I found in doing that first one and discovering that novel characters develop their own lives made every word worth it.

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banditsrubyangel — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:26:46 +0000

My external hard drive is named Roger and he really saved me earlier this year when the dreaded Blue Screen of Death took over my computer. After I stopped cursing I realized that my 2010 Nano novel was safe and secure. I also have a flash drive; his name is Barry.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

RutaBaker — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:23:19 +0000

I have a Carbonite subscription. It's well worth the fee. In the past some NaNoers have emailed the day's work to themsleves. It's an easy and chaep way to backup one's work. I used to do that when I was a journalist.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

soozi — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:06:08 +0000

I have automatic backup running every 15 minutes to my Apple Time capsule - plus (being a belt and braces kinda gal) I backup weekly to dropbox - it means I can access it from my other devices (eg iPad) anywhere. so - two different kinds of backups for very different reasons. For previous nanos I used memory sticks and have kept them in the binders with the printed manuscripts - nice feeling! At the end of the day it's what works for you. As long as you are backing up somewhere.

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soozi — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:12:45 +0000

:)))))

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Kataja — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:37:50 +0000

That made me first think of salvaging old data before I realized that the cartoon was from the time when the data actually resided on floppies...

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Mother Goose — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:39:39 +0000

Hi Winona! It's my first Nano too. Congrats on crossing the finish line! Do you like what you wrote?

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

allinmyhead — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:44:22 +0000

Just popping in at the absolute last minute to say "hi" and "congrats" to everyone who won. Just found this group. I haven't had much time for forums or chatting or the local write-in's -- just too busy working to finish after a late start on Nov 5. Printed my certificate today :) Planning to reread, rewrite, edit, and revise this year's NaNo over the next few months. Didn't put my best stuff up for the excerpt (sorry, just paranoid about sharing too much when I haven't decided about trying to publish). Hope to see everyone back next year, so maybe just see posts about work being in print.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

RutaBaker — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:25:13 +0000

Don't listen to Zoo, Mike. Some of us are year 'rounders. Yes, the forum is quieter, no denying that, but there are some interesting discussions from time to time so it's very worth the occasional drop in to the geezer forum.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:04:28 +0000

[quote=3DogMike] Congratulations to everyone who participated. I honestly do believe that whether you hit 50k words or not you win because NaNo gets you to write. And if you hit 50k, Whoopee! For anyone who plans to keep going good luck keeping up a good pace. I intend to slow down from the NaNo speed and let myself think a bit more and also go back and edit, but I want to keep the same type of commitment going. I don't know how active things are around here after November, but at the very least I'll be back next year. [/quote] I've promised myself I'll find some daily time commitment, maybe 2 hours?, that I will maintain throughout the year. That time may be used writing or editing or research, but be dedicated to progressing my writing in some form or other.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:04:46 +0000

[quote=RutaBaker] Don't listen to Zoo, Mike. Some of us are year 'rounders. Yes, the forum is quieter, no denying that, but there are some interesting discussions from time to time so it's very worth the occasional drop in to the geezer forum. [/quote] You'll see me, here.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

3DogMike — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:17:32 +0000

That's good to hear. I'll keep coming around here.

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3DogMike — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:23:59 +0000

I know the feeling. I kept going as long as I could but I just didn't have the strength so I've been coasting for the last few days. I've gone back to work out some plot points, but after the weekend I just had to get some rest so I didn't push for the word count the last few days.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Zookeeper — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:28:14 +0000

This is my seventh Nano and seventh win, and I think you're right. It seems to be getting easier for me, too. I started out this year with a premise and some ideas of what happens, but I didn't know if I had enough or if I would finish. But this one turned out to be well-structured with a cohesive plot. I don't have any real gaps with this one, and that might be the first time that's happened. With most of my other Nanos I just kept digging myself in deeper and deeper with no real idea of how to get out again. My novel last year was a steampunk. I like the novel, and I want to finish it, but it's got plot holes that you could drive a fleet of trucks through.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

dancingfool — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:16:47 +0000

lol.. or maybe you need a nap! your book isn't going anywhere, it's only Dec. 5... November was brutal... we'll keep encouraging you --- gently... but for now, there's that nap!

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intrikate — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:34:31 +0000

No. A few people have said they're going to stick around.

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RutaBaker — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:25:14 +0000

Thanks for stopping by, dancingfool. I don't use FB or any of the other social networking sites. I don't know how I'd get any work or writing done if I used all the sites available thus I limit myself to the NaNo and PBS forums.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Mother Goose — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:17:05 +0000

Good for you intrikate! I also started looking at the book, now that it's complete. I'm getting the first edit done as fast as I can. Then on to beta readers!

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Mother Goose — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:34:40 +0000

Hi Carolf, Thank you so much for thinking of me - I really appreciate it! I went to take a look at the Carina Press website, and if I were still writing lesbian erotica I'd be all over it. But it's a Harlequin imprint, and they are looking for romance stories. What I'm writing these days is all YA literary fiction, which they very pointedly say they're not interested in on their Submissions page. But I think it was very kind and thoughtful of you to tell me about it. Thank you soooo much!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:14:14 +0000

[quote=Mother Goose] Hi Carolf, Thank you so much for thinking of me - I really appreciate it! I went to take a look at the Carina Press website, and if I were still writing lesbian erotica I'd be all over it. But it's a Harlequin imprint, and they are looking for romance stories. What I'm writing these days is all YA literary fiction, which they very pointedly say they're not interested in on their Submissions page. But I think it was very kind and thoughtful of you to tell me about it. Thank you soooo much! [/quote] You're welcome! They do not take YA, and I wasn't sure if you were writing YA or adult, so it's not for your current stuff. But don't dismiss it out of and if you do adult stuff. They do more than romance, and more than same-sex stuff. Yes, it's an imprint of Harlequin, but they stress that they will accept romance, some romance, no romance. Best of luck in finding the right place for your YA stuff!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:33:01 +0000

flewthecoop, I read your post and thought maybe it's time for you to let the story rest a bit. But that seemed inadequate, so I moved on ... and came across this marvelous blog entry from Emma Darwin: http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/2012/01/work-in-regress.html She discusses a wide range of questions to ask yourself when you're struggling with the work in progress. I hope it helps!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

flewthecoop — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:56:13 +0000

Thanks for the link. There are a lot of good questions there.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kaliuna — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:48:46 +0000

Kat -- yup that is a good reference for sure... - I've been going over some of my original entries and working on rewrites - edit stuff. Good way to see if and how personal styles might have changed! I Find that I do not write enough physical description of the characters - so that is something I will try to incorporate - next NaNo time. One never stops learning!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

RutaBaker — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:24:53 +0000

Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

intrikate — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 13:00:41 +0000

Here's a paragraph from my nano attempt a few years ago. I doubt I'll ever finish it. "A few minutes before eight a large woman blew into the room like a summer thunderstorm. In her arms were piled a stack of manuals, three boxes of ink pens,and some loose papers. A travel mug was pinched between two fingers, and brown liquid sloshed from the lip as she released the avalanche onto the table at the front of the room. "Good morning everyone" she exclaimed. It was more sung than spoken, like a trumpet blast announcing the beginning of a race. She unclipped her hair, captured the straggling strands that had fallen into her face, and twisted before clamping them back into submission."

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

RutaBaker — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:50:48 +0100

Zoo, I'm sorry that you're going through this. Of course it's not your fault that the recession has put you in such a low place both emotionally and as regards long-term unemployment. I wish I had something helpful, or at least something uplifting or cheering, to say. I've done NaNo 7 times now too. Maybe you need a year off to refresh your enthusiasm for it? In any case many of us over 50s will miss you. Hope your situation improves, and I hope you change your mind about NaNo 2012. Come back and write out all your woes and lows. I hope to see you here again in November.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

False harpist-48 — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:27:20 +0100

Hi Zookeeper! I'm so sorry to read this! You & I haven't had any contact previously that I can recall. I was new to NaNo last year. I"ve been fighting major depression since before I can remember. Sometimes I think I was born depressed (seriously). Every day is a battle... & no one really understands... or wants to. I can't imagine who would say you're worthless & don't give a crap... Whoever it is, they should be strung up by their thumbs! I do know that everyone on the internet seems to just want fun & laughter. I'm on Google + & YouTube as well as NaNo & I've learned, over time, to play the game. In cyberspace, I'm just happy-go-lucky, even when I'm so down in reality that I can hardly go on. A while back, before I learned to play the game, I also had an incident similar to yours. Someone I had become close to accused me of being a fraud, a liar, & of having my head stuck up my you know where. It hurt... it still hurts. Someone who has done NaNo 7 times clearly loves it. Perhaps you do need a break. But I hope you think seriously about it before you leave NaNo behind for good. And I hope that your employment & financial situations improve. I will hold a good thought for you. And to whoever made those remarks to you... for shame... you have no idea how hard this is or what you've done.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:51:42 +0100

Zoo, this saddens me so much. You're good people. I've read the other responses and agree with a lot of what's been said. What I haven't seen is - did you report the abusive comment(s)? Because you can, and you should. Folks shouldn't get away with abusing other participants. I hope things turn up for you soon. And I hope to see you around the forums come October.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

alydia — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:18:06 +0100

Zookeeper, that someone would say something so poison filled is sad. The 'not-so-great-depression' is how I refer to this time. It isnt easy. The alleged 'unemployment figures' are fantasy since they don't reflect the under employed nor those that have run out of options. I hope to see you next November. Thanks for the support you have given others.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:19:24 +0100

Hi, Harpist, What do you mean by your "NaNo site?" If you mean your profile here, that stays up all year and most of it will still be there after they wipe the boards in September and restart the site in October. You can update it whenever you'd like (now, next week ...). If you mean a separate website you set up somewhere, I can't help you. I know nothing about that. :-) Nice to know you plan to be back in November.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Nana Write Now — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:45:26 +0100

Thanks for the encouragement Harpist - can't wait for the next challenge in November, but I'd like to get the one from last year "out of the house" first - so I'm spending as much time as I can with rewrites, and will continue to do so, until my self-imposed deadline of July 1st. At that point, its going out to someone, be it a publisher, agent, librarian, podiatrist, psychiatrist, or whatevever.... before I get so sick of it, that I stick it the broiler!!!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

False harpist-48 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:07:13 +0100

Hi Kat: Yes, I did mean my profile... probably a poor choice of terminology on my part (LOL). Basically what I want to accomplish is to create a new username. I like to link my NaNo profile, novel description, etc. to my YouTube channel. Recently, I closed my YouTube channel & opened a new one. As such my user name on NaNo & on YouTube no longer match. I'd like them to. So I have requested that OLL delete my false harpist-48 profile so that I can establish a new username which is the same as my username on YouTube. It really isn't necessary, but it's just something I want to do. Unfortunately, there's no way to change your user name without deleting your old profile. I do plan to be back this year. I've already begun to work up some ideas so I'll be ready. Last year, I was a seat-of-the-pantser. It was an interesting experience, but this year, I want to try to be a bit more organized ... hopefully! Hope you're doing well!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

False harpist-48 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:08:07 +0100

Ha-ha-ha-ha- ha!!!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:41:44 +0100

ROFL Oh, no, Nana, please not The Broiler! The ones we get sick of or give up on go in The Trunk. And are henceforth known as Trunk Novels. ;-) Sometimes, if you give out only a few chapters at a time people don't feel so overwhelmed and are more likely to read willingly. And you don't have to wait so long for the feedback! I've had the first 18 pages of my current novel critiqued by one of my writing groups. It feels wonderful when folks say they want to see more!

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kat Gentian — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:31:23 +0100

Harpist, I think you can just sign up with the new user name. I know several folks who went to new user names because they'd forgotten their old password and couldn't get in under their old name. Um, now that I think about it, I'm one of them! Be sure to let us know what your new handle is. I'm having fun editing my 2011 NaNo Novel. Started that January first. In February I dumped the ending (about 15K worth) and have been writing a new version at a rather slow pace, but 50K isn't far off. I may get there tonight if I'm not too tired from work. Tomorrow for sure! Yesterday one of my characters added a new twist, so this version will definitely be longer than the original.

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Kataja — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:12:25 +0100

I had to check that broiler thing from wiki, as the only thing "broiler" meant to me was broiler chicken. Good thing I checked before accusing you of animal abuse! ;-)

Re: Geezer Clubhouse

Carolf — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:34:08 +0100

[quote=Kat Gentian] ROFL Oh, no, Nana, please not The Broiler! The ones we get sick of or give up on go in The Trunk. And are henceforth known as Trunk Novels. ;-) [/quote] I thought they went under the bed. On the other hand, I shudder to think what happens when dust bunnies cross with plot bunnies. Probably the trunk is the better idea. Hmmm. May have to get me one of those.