Name:
Location:
Age:
Nano experience?
What are you writing about?
What do you like to do besides writing?
おはし上手ですか？
---
Name: Kate
Location: smack between Osaka and Kobe in Amagasaki
Age: 24
Nano experience: 5 years writing, four years winning, now three years MLing!
Writing about?: I think I am writing about Japan and zombies. Possibly Japanese zombies.
Other things I do: Play dress up in gyaru and lolita wear, go to night clubs, ride horses, watch American TV like I never did back home.
おはし上手ですか?: The dude at the okonomiyaki place seems to think so.
----------
14,647 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2007 - 03 07
Here!
Name: Rachel
Location: Tokyo (Ikebukuro area)
Age: 22
Nano experience: I participated last year (under a different account) but dropped out about halfway through.
What are you writing about? That's a really good question! Sadly, I don't think there will be zombies.
Other things I do: Read, doodle, play Nintendo, torture my friends at karaoke and watch the good ol' お笑い芸人 on TV. I have an unhealthy obsession with ガキの使い.
おはし上手ですか? Japanese people tell me so, but they also tell me that my Japanese is really good, so I don't think I trust them.
1,669 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2007 - 19 04
Name: April
Location: Okinawa
Age: 26
Nano experience? none *eep*
What are you writing about? Haven't decided yet, but it'll have love and laughs :-)
What do you like to do besides writing? read, hang with friends at the uber trendy starbucks (yeah that was sarcasm), watch movies, laugh at everything and everyone :-)
おはし上手ですか？...k...don't know what this one is...all I see are squares
1,500 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2007 - 21 17
Name: Chris
Location: Niigata-ken
Age: 26
Nano experience? None
What are you writing about? Good question - need to work on that really.
What do you like to do besides writing? Listen to music, drink wine and sleep.
おはし上手ですか？Like a fiend.
16,223 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2007 - 21 45
Name: Jason (aka Altrus)
Location: Fukaya, Saitama
Age: 27
Nano experience? Finished last year, though didn't amount to a pile of notes for a re-write... not doing that this year, but perhaps in the future.
What are you writing about? Planning out my novel with Snowflaking this year (if all goes well). Going to be an anime inspired faerytale/fantasy for Harry Potter Graduates.
What do you like to do besides writing? Yes. Oh... um. I play TRPGs with ex-pats, do Aikido, and generally putz on the internets.
おはし上手ですか？ いいえ、できません。 じゃ、少しはなせます。
A general plug for Tokyoites that like to write. The Tokyo Writer's Salon will be representing a few members here at Nano this November (yours truly included), and perhaps even organize some group here on the forums. Nonetheless, if you want to join us for activities, please feel invited.
My writing blog and LJ should you be aditionally interested.
19,003 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2007 - 23 12
Name: Nalan
Location: Ota, Gunma
Age: 27 by the time this starts
Nano experience? finished in 2005, the only other year I participated.
What are you writing about? I have noooooo idea.
What do you like to do besides writing? Listen to music, read, hang around.
おはし上手ですか？ 箸スか？まあね。上手言えないけど。
0 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2007 - 04 44
Name: Justin Lau
Location: Tokorozawa (Saitama, right outside of Tokyo)
Age: 15
Nano experience? Did it the past 2 years and won both times.
What are you writing about? Unfortunately, I have no clue yet.
What do you like to do besides writing? Bum with friends, read comics, watch movies, listen to music, internet addiction, etc.etc. The usual teenage addictions.
おはし上手ですか？ もちろん。
71,066 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2007 - 20 41
Name: Lady Quetzalcoatl
Location: Sendai, Miyagi
Age: 27
NaNo Experience: This is my third year, and I won the past two years. I want to win NaNo and finish my novel!
Writing About: The daughter of Satan has to stop him from destroying the world.
Other things I do: Speak Spanish, listen to podcasts and my iPod, edit (and finish) my other NaNoNovels, cook.
I don't know that Japanese thing. My kanji ability is almost zero!
50,008 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2007 - 22 26
Name: Anne
Location: Sasebo, which is down in Kyushu. My husband's Navy.
Age: 26
Nano experience: I've participated the last two years and won both.
Writing about? This one will be a sequel to the novel I wrote my first year (which I finally got around to finishing). It's vaguely fantasy. Beyond that I have trouble explaining, so I guess I'll just have to publish eventually...
Other things I do: My evil husband has gotten me addicted to WOW (I wish I was kidding), I also cross-stich, crochet, and teach English.
The last one also just looks like squares to me, but I gather that it has something to do with speaking Japanese, in which case, I speak just enough to not offend my neighbors, and I'm trying to learn more. :-)
50,005 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2007 - 12 10
Um. I'm not in Japan right now, but I'm studying Japanese and I've been learning about the culture for about four years now. Would it be alright to hang out in your forum? If I'm imposing, just tell me, and I'll vanish.
Name: Morgan (Moya on NaNo)
Location: College in in the north western USA
Age: 18
Nano experience? I found it last year for the first time, and finished on the twenty-fourth.
What are you writing about? Love polygons, mostly.
What do you like to do besides writing? Read, study Japanese, and talk with people.
おはし上手ですか？ Ohashi ga dekimasu ga, amari jouzu dewa arimasen. (Also, I can't figure out how to use Japanese script on my computer.)
Have a nice day!
~ Moya
50,114 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2007 - 05 14
Name: Jon Warncke
Location: Port Island, Kobe
Age: 27
NaNo experience: None whatsoever.
What are you writing about? Could be fantasy, could be sci-fi, could be urban fantasy, could be non-fiction-fiction. It's all rather up in the air.
What do you do besides writing? Go to gym, Have crazy business ideas all the time, play warhammer 40k, watch Venture Bros and Drawn Together, read comics, go to gym some more.
I don't have Japanese fonts installed on my com, so all I get is ???????????? I assume it means "How is your Japanese?" the answer to that question is "crap, but getting better"
Let's add another question if anyone feels like it:
How long have you been in Japan? 2 years for me.
50,139 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2007 - 01 24
duh-ble post
50,139 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2007 - 19 44
Name: Kyle
Location: Kitakawabe, Saitama
Age: 24
Nano experience: I completed Nano in 2003, after trying and failing in 01 and 02. The next few years I was a bit too busy with schoolwork (and trying to wrap up the 03 novel!) but now I think a new project is just what I need.
What are you writing about? Urban fantasy/magic realism - basically our world, but with the 'other world' of magic just around the corner. Hapless fellow gets dragged there and has adventures.
What do you like to do besides write? Read, listen to music, watch whatever American TV I can find...
おはし上手ですか？ I think that says something about a toucan.
50,032 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2007 - 01 23
Name: Carol
Location: In a town I lovingly call Yats in Kumamoto-ken, Kyushu
Age: 23
Nano experience? None yet, but I've been wanting to do it for years.
What are you writing about? The prologue to my comic series, so a crazy fantasy story taking place somewhat in 1870s San Francisco
What do you like to do besides writing? I like drawing, playing video games, fashion especially Japanese punk and loli, and, err, Asian Ball Jointed Dolls, and mail order cheese, beans, and salsa.
おはし上手ですか？ うん! 上手できます！At least I hear that just about every day when someone sees me eat.
26,276 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2007 - 02 06
Name: Lyn Perkins
Location: Nagano-ken little town called Omi
Age: 24
Nano experience?
None. This is my first year going for it!
What are you writing about?
Ummm...sorta alternate reality things but not really. It's based off of here but in a world where alternate realities exist but the story never visits the alternate realities...though they do visit the story. It's kinda complicated I guess, but it's pretty much sci-fi/fantasy in a realistic setting...
What do you like to do besides writing?
I really enjoy reading and artistic stuff. I play video games and watch a lot of Japanese and American TV, too.
おはし上手ですか？
はい、上手です。アメリカも使ったけど、日本語はあまり上手じゃない。
I'm so excited to see so many nanomos in Japan!
50,139 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2007 - 04 43
Oh, and in response to Jon's post, I've been in Japan... uh... six weeks! =D
50,382 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2007 - 23 28
Name: Erin
Location: Higashi Omi, Shiga, (it's on the faaaar end of Kansai, just past Kyoto, where the lake is)
Age: 25
Nano experience? One win, three losses
What are you writing about? probably pirates. Possibly space pirates.
What do you like to do besides writing? reading, drawing, failing the Japanese drivers test (I am getting to be an expert at that one), roleplay, biking, travel.
おはし上手ですか？I'm not jozu with a fork....
8,700 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2007 - 09 57
皆さんはじめまして！
Name: Dody
Location: North Dakota USA
Age:19
Nano experience?
I have no Nano experience, but I''ve written two fiction novels befoer, just for fun.
What are you writing about?
I haven't quite desided but it's coming. I think I'm going to write something "futureistic"
What do you like to do besides writing?
Play video games, listend to and pravtice my music, and reading novels that my friends wrote
おはし上手ですか？
正しい持ち方はしてないけど、まぁ上手なんじゃない？
I've lived in Japan for 17 years since I was two, and now I'm in a US college, so Japanese is actually my primary language.
652 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2007 - 03 41
Name: Bronwen
Location: Fukui Prefecture, Awara City
Age: 24
Nano experience? Last year, but it flopped horribly
What are you writing about? Post-apocalyptic fiction
What do you like to do besides writing? Online text based RPGs, oh, and wait, yeah I teach!
72,661 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2007 - 08 12
I guess I am back for this years go at things as well. I am not sure how much time I will have with football season in full swing but I guess I will give it a go again.
Good luck to all and I dont think it would be fair for me to comment on the chopstick bit as I have been using them since I was 5 years old. But it is funny to hear about it, all the same.
Any one else in Tokorozawa? I will be in my usual position at the Starbucks at the west exit with one of my Mac's in tow for writing.
0 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2007 - 06 27
Name: Ashe.
Location: Yokosuka Naval Base. I'm an Aerographer's Mate in US Navy. :3
Age: 20
Nano experience? Here's where I put up my wall of shame. I've signed up for NaNo every year for the past four years, and every time I either forget about it or don't finish. I refuse to let that happen this year.
What are you writing about? I'm not entirely sure yet, although I've got a good few ideas. This year I'm just going to let myself go creatively and see where I end up. :)
What do you like to do besides writing? These days, I work a lot. Exploring Japan has taken up a lot of my time, too. I'm going to make a trip to DisneyLand soon! :D
おはし上手ですか？ No idea what this means. I've only been here for a little over a month. I have three more years, though!
50,048 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2007 - 07 56
Name: Victoria Gleason
Location: Hirakata-shi, Osaka
Age: 21
Nano experience? From what I can tell, about three years, but I only won the second year.
What are you writing about? God only knows. I'm considering doing an all-dare one again, because that was fun last year. But I might try to write down some Naruto RP that is generally amusing or go back to my King Julien one. Or maybe even try re-doing the first year from scratch. I've still got a couple weeks to decide. I was going to do it in Japanese, but my mind was boggled by finding a good equivalent in Asian Characters and the fact that I don't know Japanese novel-writing forms. And I can't read well enough to read much anything outside my textbook.
What do you like to do besides writing? Drawing, reading, some crafts (and considerably more since I've come to Japan), and some coloring, which is a guilty pleasure because I have a giant Princess coloring book and 64 Crayola Crayons.
おはし上手ですか？If that means chopsticks, then I'm okay with them. I've been told I hold them wrong, but I hold my pencils wrong, too. I still use them both better when holding them the wrong way.
50,008 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2007 - 20 07
I love to color, too. I'm considering buying a new set of crayons because my old ones are so ratty.
999 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2007 - 03 55
Name: Erica
Location: Higashiyamato, Tokyo
Age: 30
Nano experience? Like someone above, I've joined every year since 2004, but work and life have conspired against me. This is my last chance to NaNo in Japan, though, so I'm not going to let anything stand in my way ^_^
What are you writing about? I'm not 100% sure about it, but there will be language and cultural barriers...and things that look like things but are not, in fact, the things they look like.
What do you like to do besides writing? I quilt, cross-stitch, fuss about my cats, go through periods of intense cleaning followed immediately by periods of intense mess-making, and I bellydance.
おはし上手ですか？ The food gets from the dish to my mouth, so I'd say *yes* ^_~
999 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2007 - 03 59
PC - I am practically next door to you, so to speak - right by Musashiyamato station, a mere bus-ride away from Higashimurayama. Perhaps we could meet up some time? I'm thinking that perhaps my lack of real-live writing buddies hindered me in the past ^_~
2,309 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2007 - 05 12
Name: Heather
Location: Ono-cho, Gifu-ken (~20 minutes in a general NW direction from Gifu city)
Age: 24
Nano experience? I flopped horribly after one week of serious trying last year. I want to try now that I'm a teacher and see if it's different from when I was a student.
What are you writing about? Possibly a post-apocalyptic fantasy. Possibly just fantasy. I don't know.
What do you like to do besides writing? Look at bugs and animals, harass said bugs and animals, bother my students in and out of school, read, watch TV and movies, draw a bit, game a bit, and try and accumulate a decent level of speakable Japanese.
おはし上手ですか？ I think my children are just impressed that I can get the food out of the bowl and into my mouth on both fork and おはし school lunch days. But I like to think I can do it with a bit of flare.
10,000 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2007 - 05 49
Name: Sara Matsui-Colby
Location: Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, but my family lives on Rokko Island, Kobe, I am bari bari Kansai ben.
Age: 23
Nano experience: I did it for two years in College, but not seriously becaues I never had enough time to juggle Nano with school.
What are you writing about?: Haven't really decided yet, but I think I'm going to try writing a fantasy/mystery or something.
What do you like to do besides writing?: I enjoy teaching Japanese and English to Middle school and High school students and ballroom dancing.
おはし上手ですか？：はい！上手です！子供のころから使ってますから。
8,671 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2007 - 06 47
Name: Ravenna
Location: Tokyo
Age: 21
Nano experience? I tried to compete last year, but then failed at 16, 000 words. I want to try and reach the finish this time!!
What are you writing about? I haven't decided yet... I'm thinking some kind of high fantasy thing about a school, post-apocalyptic Japan ravaged by zombies. Something big, I hope.
What do you like to do besides writing? Music, drawing, maybe kyudo or judo, depending on how my schedule goes.
おはし上手ですか 私はおはしが使えますが、まだまだ上手です。
50,913 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2007 - 23 07
Name: On the internet, I am Hiko. In the real world, Tara-sensei.
Location: Okayama-ken, Maniwa-shi, Kuse
Age: 25
Nano experience? Um, I can't remember if I did it in 2002, but I've been Nanoing since 2004, and have three wins. I may have Nano'd in 2003, but I can't remember what on, HAHAHA. And I was a senior in college with interesting roommates.
What are you writing about? An Angel, Librarian and a Warrior walk into a bar. . . . actually, they probably do. Those are the MCs, and they are in a post-apocolyptic world trying to stop a fallen Angel from destroying the world, only in a less cliche way then that.
What do you like to do besides writing? Role-play on the internet and read during the week, on the weekends I get the hell outta dodge and tabletop, shop, fangirl and visit friends. And I have been known to karaoke and meet friends.
おはし上手ですか？ I was going to answer this in Japanese, but I can't use the Jgo function on this pos school laptop. My answer was going to be 'Can't use chopsticks or speak Japanese,' because I'm a smart ass. But yes, I am very skilled with the chopsticks and I speak meh Japanese.
50,232 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2007 - 23 12
Name: Molly
Location: Yokohama
Age: 26
Nano experience? 2002-2004
What are you writing about? To make a long story short, an idea that I was executing as a comic about 10 years ago and never finished because writing/drawing a comic takes a lot more time than writing prose! Since it's been an idea in my head for so many years, I want to take the time to finally get farther in it this year as a NaNo project.
What do you like to do besides writing? 日本語を勉強すること（笑）。 Well, I am here for a full-time advanced Japanese language program for the year, so really all I end up doing is studying, procrastinating, or procrastinating by going out with my friends for "cultural experiences" such as drinking beer in the park at 1 am.. well, I do live in a shady neighborhood so I explain it as taking in the flavor of Yokohama. But if I was better at time management and/or had more time, I also love to hike (and especially in the mountains here, or on volcanoes - can't do that at home in Michigan), take photos, journaling and creative nonfiction, drawing/painting, and gaming (yes I brought my ps2 all the way here with me so I could keep on replaying Chrono Trigger.. sigh). And reading of course. I have already amassed a collection of books I haven't read yet, keep buying more, and may have to go to a 12-step Book Off program soon. :D
おはし上手ですか？ええ、スプーンも上手ですよ！よくできたね〜＾＿＾V
皆さん、よろしくね！
50,467 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2007 - 03 06
Name: Steph
Location: Ichinomiya-shi, Aichi. It's roughly halfway between Nagoya and Gifu-shi.
Age: 31
Nano experience? I'm a NaNaWriMo virgin!
What are you writing about? A loving pastiche of Victorian sensation fiction. Expect poisoning, bigamy, lost wills, secret identities and any other plot device from the genre I can work in!
What do you like to do besides writing? Draw (aspiring children's illustrator), knit, sew, karaoke!
おはし上手ですか？Right up until someone's watching me...