USA :: Washington :: Snoqualmie Valley

Don't forget Thank Goodness It's Over Party tomorrow (Dec. 6) at The Black Dog in Snoqualmie beginning at 5:30 p.m. Time for celebration. Come share what you wrote, congratulate the winners and the learners. Give props to Tam Borgia (Takako) who will stepping up to be M/L next year.

Thank Goodness It's Over Party -- Dec. 6th -- 5:30 p.m. -- The Black Dog, Snoqualmie. Let's party like it's over, cuz it is!

Take a look at the Forums. There's invites for write-ins, inspiration, challenges -- you name it. Don't lose out on the cheerleading and commiseration, which is part of the NaNoWriMo experience. Keep writing!

Massive rains and potential flooding could have a huge impact on our week. So, stay safe. Try to get a head now in case ....

We're over the NaNo hill as of today. Stats have us in 12th place for word count per writer per capita. That rocks! Like my Co-M/L Tam Borgia said, dare we break into the top 10? I say we give it a shot.

Couple of ways to give it a shot available this weekend! Write-Ins! Ask anyone who has attended write-ins. They are word count generating miracles. Like a salve on your writing block wound. Also, there's that whole accountability thing.

I'd like to see a HUGE turn out for our two big write-ins this weekend.

For you night owls...tonight, we're at the Fall City Roadhouse (historic and of Twin Peaks fame ...some of us will find out if it's truly haunted tonight) from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. We'll be upstairs in the banquet room! Think of it as a Writing Loft for the day.

Saturday -- and this one I'd like to see all you folks who have been hiding out and hesitant to come to write-ins, to please come out. Please. We'll be at the Mount Si Senior Center from Noon until 4 p.m. The reason I'd like to see a huge turn out? Besides the fact that it's a great opportunity for all this region's writers? An anonymous donor has rented the center for us for that afternoon. Someone has huge faith in us and wanted us to have a place to write that afternoon. Away from distractions, to enjoy fellow writer company and dash to the top 10 in word count~! So, let's say thanks for the support and pack that joint! If you make no other write-in this month, please come to this one. We have access to the kitchen (so feel free to bring food and drink) and the place basically to ourselves. Personally, I'm hoping to get within 10k of my goal over this weekend. So, come join me and the rest of our region in charging ahead!

Keep up the great work!

Keep the faith. See you Saturday!

~Casz
HeroProtagonist
Snoqualmie Valley M/L

Woot! We're #23 on average word count for the region. (http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/word_count_scoreboard) Don't forget, we're trying to challenge everyone to give a nickel for every X-number of words you write -- or get some folks to sponsor you int he same way. This is a fun way to raise money for the NaNoWriMo organization. For instance, you could say anything from $.05 every 500 words to $.05 every word. It's your call. We'll have the donation jar at the write-ins for you to bring your actual nickels in and we'll put the money in as a whole region. Everyone is doing fabulous. Keep it up!

We have more than 250 people homed in our region! That's a record since we became our own little dot on the NaNoWriMo map! So many writers in such a beautiful place. I think I'm going to cry...

Oh, wanted to send you also a quick note to let you know that if you bring a friend with you who has never been to a write-in, you get yourself a special NaNoWriMo goodie. So recruit a friend and let's have some fun.

Keep writing gang.

~Casz
Snoqualmie Valley Municipal Liaison.

What a successful Kick-Off Party! We raised $62 for The Office of Letters & Light and made some new friends and hopefully all of you went away as inspired as I was! We'll continue our fundraising efforts along side our word count throughout the month with our "Nickles for NaNo" campaign. We are encouraging each of you to set a goal that for X number of words you contribute a Nickle. You could even be so bold -- especially for those naysayers who may be saying you'll never get 50,000 words in 30 days -- to put their money where their mouth is. Find some sponsors. NaNoWriMo is a registered non-profit, so if you have an employer that matches donations, we encourage you to get them involved.

Our words count as a region is super strong after just one day!
Our contributions to this organization that supports young writers and gives us a reason to do what we do is also strong.

Let's keep it up! Way to go Rhinos! Charge ahead.

~Casz

Thought I'd share this post with you all. It's from author, Christina Katz -- 21 Tips for NaNoWriMo. She has many of the points I have in my own 10 Things You Should Know....about NaNoWriMo.

Enjoy!

http://christinakatz.com/21-tips-for-nanowrimo-success-for-any-type-of-30-day-project/

~Casz
HeroProtagonist

We've cooked up a real Rhino of a deal...
Long day of writing on Friday, Nov. 16th, that goes straight into the night in your own hideaway above the Fall City Roadhouse. We've reserved the block of rooms above the roadhouse, including the banquet room...we'll be there beginning about 4 p.m. or so and drink/food service will be available from the Roadhouse until 10 p.m. Then you can retire to a room, and write the night away, either solo or with a writing buddy. In the morning we'll have breakfast at the Roadhouse and then head off to the North Bend Senior Center for another bit of writing (time to be determined). Those

If you're interested in getting a room for the Night of Writing Dangerously, please email your humble M/L, HeroProtagonist, and we'll get you the details. Hurry, though! there is only six rooms available in total.

If you want to come to the long writing session that night, but sleep in your own bed, that is totally doable. We welcome you, in fact. The more the merrier. Those participating are encouraged to dress up in your best "Noir" costume. However, jammies and fuzzy sleepers are okay for those who will end up retiring in the valley's historic landmark.

We'll charge deep into the word count and try to get ahead that night (the Thanksgiving insurance, as I call it).

Come make this NaNo one to remember, by booking yourself a mini writing retreat.

Snoqualmie Valley Rhinos....Charge!

~Casz
HeroProtagonist

Holy Moly only FOUR days until kick-off.

Are you ready? Have you plotted? Have you planned? Have you filled out character notes? Are you doing Scrivener or Word or long-hand?

Get your Nickles for Nano ready! Get ready to Rhino-Rumble!
Have your noir outfit ready for Night of Writing Dangerously? Are you booked for a room?

Don't know about any of those things! You need to come to the kick off on November 1 at 6 p.m. at The Black Dog in historic downtown Snoqualmie. That also happens to be The Black Dog's night when they have an open "reading" night. If you're feeling brave, you can bring a little something and get your practice being an author who reads (totally optional). But we'll have a raffle for Nano-centric prizes (all proceeds go to NaNo), a little swag for everyone who can prove they homed with Snoqualmie Valley region, some great tips for making it through the month (you've been packing up freezer meals for the family, right?), and meet all your fellow Nano-Rhinos in the Snoqualmie Valley.

Do post on the forums if you plan to be there or email your faithful M/L (that's me, HeroProtagonist) and let me know if you plan to come.

The countdown begins!

~!Casz

Hi Snoqualmie Valley Writers! This year we've got a silly little fun twist on the theme. We'll be "Charging Ahead" with our Nano's and becoming Nano-Rhinos! A slip of the tongue created this fun. So come show your novel who's boss. We'll do a kick-off event the evening of November 1st. We're finalizing the details, so stay tuned.
Also, we have a special Night of Writing Dangerously planned for Nov. 16th -- so stay tuned for more details on that. What I can tell you is that the event will provide a small writing retreat for all of you.
We're also saving all our Nickles for some fun at the Write-Ins. We're calling it Nickles for Nano.
If you have questions, feel free to let me know.
19 Days! Let's get ready to Rhino-Rumble!
Wheee!
~Casz
HeroProtagonist
Your M/L

We're in the pub area at the North Bend Bar and Grill. Plug wars in the restaurant side made it imperative. Okay! Let's do this

Who's going to be at Starbucks this afternoon? I seriously do not want to be there by myself. If I'm even going to get CLOSE to finishing this, I need some cheerleaders and other NaNo-heads pushing out the words until the last minute.

Hope to see you there!
~HeroProtagonist

Quinnleeeee and HeroProtagonist are holding down the fort at the North Bend Library Meeting Room! We'll be here until 2 p.m. Come join us!

Don't forget Thanksgiving virtual write-in via Skype. Message username "mamacasz" for an invite to the room or email HeroProtagonist your skype info and we'll get you set up to war virtually, kevetch, cheerlead and all the NaNo-fixes you need on Turkey day! Happy Noveling!

Gobble*Gobble -- Day After Pajama Party Write-In at Toad's Cafe on Friday, Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. until Noon. Wear your PJs, fuzzy slippers, the whole sheebang! And come catch up on your word count. Hope to see you there!

Tomorrow, Nov. 22 will be a "double up day" since many of the writers in the area will be attending a "meet the authors/book signing" at Selah Gifts in North Bend at 6:30 p.m. tonight. Hope to see many of you NaNo-heads there! Happy Writing!

Not sure what "noir" is all about? Trying to figure out wardrobe for our Night of Writing Dangerously? Perhaps this will give you inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yWBycLk2iE

See you Sunday at the Truck Town Country Kitchen (Off exit 34 in North Bend) from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. for a night of writing dangerous!

Congratulations to LadyPamela -- it appears she may be the first to hit 50k in our region. If we're mistaken, be sure to post your "I made it!" in the sticky post below "Yay! I hit 50k!"

Day Trippers Write In on Friday at Toad's in North Bend.

9:30 a.m. until about noon -- you are welcome to come earlier or stay longer.
Bring your duck.
If you're the first one there, grab the big table in the back.

See you there!

Low-budget Write-In tonight! 6:30 p.m. at Carriage House -- brown bag you're beverages and snacks. Get ready to war until at least 9 p.m. Carriage House is located at 3rd St and Bendigo. Come in the back entrance. See you then!

Time to JAZZ it up at Boxley's tonight! Let the music nourish your mind and muse! 6:30pm Monday!

Time to play at Toad's Cafe Friday morning, 11.11.11! Bring your laptop/gadget/paper and pen!

Don't forget good long write-in Saturday at the North Bend Library! 12:30 to 3 p.m.; Sunday we're in Snoqualmie at the Black Dog 1 to 3 p.m.

Go Writers Go~!

Give a go at one of the write-ins. We have one scheduled for every day. Some in the morning, some in the afternoon, many at night. Come commune with your fellow writers. We're all here doing the same thing and its oddly comforting and motivating to get those words on paper. Word wars and prizes now and again. Bring a friend. Come alone. Bring your rubber ducky. We'll see you there!

Just 4 days to go! Are you excited? Have you plotted? Do you know what you're going to write? Doesn't matter, because remember, it's about quantity not quality in November.

Our official kick-off is November 1, 2011 at Snoqualmie Brewery and Tap Room at 6:30 p.m. -- up in the loft. Email your M/Ls to let us know if you plan to attend!

The kick off on Oct. 31 is part of the Seattle Region. Our valley has very little save the grocery stores that is open 24/7; so we're going to dovetail on top of that region's. If anyone wants to go, let's see about getting a carpool together.