United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Welcome! [Introductions]

Sandtiger — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:05:47 -0700

Since the other thread got pretty long, here is a new one ... Please introduce yourself here [including the regular members], note a bit about yourself, what you write, how many years you've done NaNo, whateveryou want! - in a single post.

*Do not reply to anyone's post in this thread - that's what the others are for!*

This is only so we can keep one place to easily view each other, and new-comers won't have to be overwhelmed by longer, crazier posts when trying to learn about us and how we work. *grins* ^_^

So, about me:

Age: 25 [I think... I'd have to count to be sure]

Genre: Romance [male/female] and Erotic Fiction [male/male], both with a paranormal slant. My style is typically detailed; I love weaving words and - in editing - get obsessive about the 'flow.' I also have a bad habit of using the same descriptive words over and over, which I am trying to keep an eye on. =/

Open for Edits: YES! I am always desperate to have someone willing to read my stuff and edit it/let me know what they think. As long as it's done with good humor and genuine interest, I'd be happy to let you rip it apart. ^__^

Current # of stories in progress: Over 50 [I counted yesterday ... actually, I think it's closer to 60, but oh well...]. # of Novels Completed: 3. One needs passive revision, and 2 need MAJOR revision [as in, no one is going to read until I re-write them first ... lol]

Other details: I have a husband, married almost five years now, a 3-yr son and an almost-8 yr old step-son. I work at a local hospital, and that's where I get most of my character names from. =D

Well, that's about it for me to start with ... ^_~
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

"Mid-Month" Write-In

Sandtiger — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:40:42 -0800

When: November 22nd, 2pm to whenever!
Where: Books-A-Million, off Washington Rd.
*note* we'll be meeting in the back, as opposed to the Joe Muggs coffee area like usual.

Let us know if you'll be there! ^_^

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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Hump Week Blues

Stravos — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:33:06 -0800

Yep, we all have it...don't even try to deny it. Can't figure out where to go from here....calculated out just how much you'll have to write per day and realized its more than you ever imagined....or just wondered what the heck happened to your muse....it's all there.

So what do you do?

You suck it up...you throw in the towel...you smile and flush your muse down the toilet...you continue to write. The answer is as myriad as the problems that have come up. So here's the thread to blow off steam and let it out. Let us all know where you are and what you plan to do about it!

We'll support you if you want or just give you a shoulder to lean on....
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Stravos
Semper Scriptum
(Always Writing)
Yeah, I know its wrong

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Sat 22 Nov Write In at Middle School Canceled

Stravos — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:37:38 -0800

Sorry guys, but the rec department for Columbia County has asked for the gym. There isn't really any place for us to spread out otherwise. That does not mean that we have to throw in the towel. A write in...understandably less ostentacious....is still doable.

For those that wish to get together on Saturday let us know here. We can whip something up somewhere.....

One thing, though, this is not to be a hang out. Only commit if you really, really want to write. This will be the end of hump week and the start of the worst week yet...thanksgiving....so this will be the best opportunity for some to get t hose words in.

Let us know.
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Stravos
Semper Scriptum
(Always Writing)
Yeah, I know its wrong

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

MC Surprises

Sandtiger — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:45:52 -0800

Another random blurb post ....

What has your MC [Main Character] done that has completely taken you by surprise, or was totally frustrating [not anything of what you planned]?
I guess this could also go for minor characters, too ... just blurb about whatever you want with your NaNos, hopefully centered around chara instead of plot. ^_~

My MC was supposed to be the opposite of who he was in his first life, but still similar enough that converging them would be odd but not completely impossible. Instead of being a white guy who was calm but had different preferrences in hobbies and friends and family, he all of a sudden turned into being Hispanic, an alcohol and a drug addict, who has a nasty attitude, a screwed sense of loyalty, and a sister who practically runs him over while he hisses and spits. Totally didn't mean to do that .... ^^;;;;

I also had a minor character show her face - one unlike any I've ever done before. I'm still not sure whether I want to keep her or not, because I have no idea where having her comes in or what part she'll have in even being relevent.

......... also just noticed that my NaNo last year and this year both have a theme of the main chara dying and being reincarnated. Trust, peeps - that's not ALL I write .... *nervous laughs - runs back to hurriedly check other fics for similar themes*
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

I give up.

Kinneko — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:22:10 -0800

That's right, I'm getting out of the fire before I get stuck in the oven. My muse has up and left again, I have zero motivation, and my self-esteem has been utterly shot. Writing normally isn't a problem for me, but this year, I just can't do it. Not this November. Maybe December, but not November. Too much to do, not enough time. I tried working on NaNo, and I ended up almost failing an essay in composition because I couldn't focus on finishing it.

Cheers.
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Denny's, Nov. 14th

Sandtiger — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:32:45 -0800

Okay. By unanimous vote, Denny's off of Washington Rd. Since most said it would be easier on the weekend, we'll go for this Friday, Nov. 14th.

What time would be good for everyone? ^_^
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Time and Place

Sandtiger — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:52:32 -0800

So I accidentally realized tonight that time and place has everything to do with inspiration. Kind of stupid for me to be just realizing this now, right?

But seriously. Last year most of my NaNo was written at work during lunch, and at BAM on the thursday evenings I was able to wrangle out of my hubby and my MIL. She still picks my kid up on Thursdays, but only because I now have to work until 7:30 most thursday evenings [yay], which means that time at BAM spent just for my writing is totally sapped and gone.

Sitting on the couch at home with my family has not been working. My thoughts can't flow and I am continuously distracted by something someone does or says or by the television, even when I've got my earbuds on.

Tonight I put my foot down, said 'I am completely, majorly, RIDICULOUSLY far behind' and told the family I was going downstairs for two hours. No negotiating, no compromise. Totally put up the "do not bother" wall, and sat at my desktop computer downstairs.

And bloody well wrote better than I have in a while. Still had to get up to make a quick run to the store and give my kid a bath, but the words just flow a lot better at my desk downstairs with my stationary computer [go figure, eh?].

So ... what about everyone else? What time is usually best for the muses and where? Under what circumstances? Listening to what music?
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Stravos

Sandtiger — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:45:06 -0800

....... I've been meaning to ask - how is Wendy doing? Did everything get straightened out with that matter last Sunday??
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

I was listening to music while I was writing, and lo and behold...

bloodshed012 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:33:51 -0800

I just realized that Gotta Be Somebody by Nickelback fits my plot perfectly.

I got up to shut the fire alarm up (my mother's making pizza XD), and I was singing. I came back to take a bite of chili and was like, "OMFG IT SO FITS" Yes, I did get quite a few looks for that, but it was absolutely amazing. :3

Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever been listening to music and all of a sudden get an amazing idea or amazing inspiration from a certain song?
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

I Hate November

flip_mustang — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:15:28 -0800

No, seriously, I do.

Up to 2,392 words as of today. That makes only 870 words from Saturday to Monday. At this rate, I may be done just in time for next November. Unfortunately for me, it's National Novel Writing MONTH, not National Novel Writing YEAR.

Yeah, seriously, that alcoholism idea? I may just try that next year. Take November off, get blitzed and type.
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Sincerely,
Flip, the terrible tiger
Prayer can only take you so far - you have to put forth the effort if you want to reach your dreams.

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

BOOM

starian24 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:28:10 -0800

...and thanks for comin' out.

On to round 2, then, Stravos? Race you to 100K!

...............after I get some sleep. What.
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Since arriving on this planet, we thought we had the power to change things
We moved the world with our tears and laughter
But this is all borrowed time, and thus, borrowed illusions

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

HELP! Computer trouble! Can not continue NaNo until this is FIXED! falls over

Casseh Valentine — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:38:34 -0800

Whoahmygosh, okay, so I was typing away happily until my YouTube and Facebook suddenly shut down on me. Then, something came up asking me if I would like to save my NaNoWriMo (good thing I did it second before on my thumbdrive, didn't loose anything) and before I could click to save it again, it closed on me and my computer shut off. Turned it back on and lo and behold, I have a little red button on the bottom of my screen that's a red circle with a white 'X' in it that says 'Your comptuer is infected!' every minute.

Now, I've dealt with this before. I had downloaded a song and with that song came a virus. Deleted the song and set my computer back to the day before I downloaded the virus and the little button went away.

Now...I haven't downloaded anything. Only sites I've been to are YouTube, FaceBook, and NaNoWriMo. 0_0

...any help? I'm kind of freaking out here and my dad's overseas so I can't ask him...

And I wanna write! *sobs*
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Shadow of the Millennium - '07 NaNoWriMo Winner

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

...don't know how much more of this I can take...

Casseh Valentine — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:25:47 -0800

Hey everyone, this is Cassidy.

I'm not sure if I can finish out NaNoWriMo this year...it's been a constant struggle to even bring myself to the computer every day...things with my mom and I certainly aren't good...but she is 100% sure she's right and I'm horribly, inexcusably wrong. Maybe I am. Maybe I'm this horrible person and I don't even know it. Certainly she must know me better than my friends...they think I'm okay...but my mom must be right. Of course.

Hopefully I'll be able to trudge on, but I feel so emotionally and physically exhausted...not really sure how much of this I can take. She won't even let me out of the house to talk to anyone...I'm afraid to call my friends...there's no one I can talk to...the only person who makes me feel any better I get to see on Fridays, but my mom is cutting him out of my schedule.

To all you adults, I know that all this seems rediculous, and I'm sure, if I were to step back and look at this like an adult, then I would find that I am just being silly, but I have stepped back and all I'm seeing is the rest of November full of conflicts and tears.

Maybe I'm just looking for encouragement...or attention...but my concious motive for writing this is strictly to inform you guys that I may not be able to make it though the rest of the month, at least not like this.

- Cassidy
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Shadow of the Millennium - '07 NaNoWriMo Winner

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Augusta as your Home Region

Stravos — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:45:31 -0800

Just a friendly reminder that if you want your words to count toward our total, you must go into "My Nanowrimo", click on the "My region" tab on the left side and then click on the tab that says home region. You have to choose a home region if you want the numbers to count there. It doesn't matter where your hat lies, if that is where your heart is (hmmm...say wyoming for some strange reason), then you would make that your home region.

I know for many of you this is redundant, but for some it will new. Ok..off the ML box and back to the keyboard grind......now where did I set that cappacino/double expresso/liquid caffeine heaven again.
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Stravos
Semper Scriptum
(Always Writing)
Yeah, I know its wrong

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Sunday - November 9, 2008

Casseh Valentine — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 20:43:14 -0800

Hey guys...just wanted to know if anyone was going to be at Books-A-Million tomorrow. I plan on being there at about 9:30 with my laptop to get some major writing done (still at the fricking 8,000 mark), so if anyone else is going to be there...post! <3

- Cassidy
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Shadow of the Millennium - '07 NaNoWriMo Winner

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Argh! My Muse Is A [Expletive Deleted]

Warbric — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 08:31:31 -0800

Well, I woke up this morning thinking I'd go to BAM for the meeting, but while I was sitting there in my usual semi-drowsy state gulping down my first cup of novel fuel guess what that evil, evil, evil little muse did to me?

No, she hasn't just up and quit and run off with the rest of my NaNovel. Oh, no. She's much more venomous and vindictive than that.

No, she up and drops a completely new idea into my lap and then steps back and starts giggling her fool head off. Not only is it a complete genre change -- from fantasy to militaristic SF -- but it's a world change, too -- from Naswor to Earth Near-Future. And it's good enough an idea that I'm having no end of trouble keeping the damned thing out of my head right now.

So, while the rest of you were sitting around the table at BAM this morning, I have been trying to get the notes down on that other story idea and then trying to shift gears, put that idea aside, and get back to Last of the Esharim.

You know, I'd shoot the evil thing, but this muse has actually come up with some good guidance lately. I hate it when they start to think they're indispensable. They go all haughty and mean on you when they start thinking that.

Anyway, heading back to Naswor, and trying to keep my muse focused on our current project.
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A Hundred Stretches Hence
The World of Naswor
Once A Runner...

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Back up your work!!

Sandtiger — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:21:08 -0800

Not saying this for any particular reason [I haven't screw this up in a while *knock on wood* which is a novelty for me]. It was a NaNo announcement on the front screen a few days ago, though, and I thought I'd mention it again....

Please, please, PLEASE be sure to back-up your work as often as you can. I make it a habit to hit the save button so often I'm surprised it still works, keep a file on my laptop, a file on my thumbdrive, and [when I think about it] copy it on my computer at work as an extra caution. I also have backed up ALL my writing once a month for 4 months now; I have a spare thumb drive for it, where I create a folder with the current date on it, and just copy my whole writing folder from my compy to the date-folder. Yes, this creates duplicate files of mostly the same thing, since I haven't worked on certain ones in a long while, but since each is in a different-dated folder it's coolio because I have the most recent, as well as the old. So if I want to go back years from now and see how horrible my writing used to be, I have it.

Eventually, sometime soon, I will also transer those back-up files from that thumb-drive and burn them on a CD I have specifically waiting for them. I know, that may seem dramatic to some people, but since I can be so disjointed sometimes it truly, honestly helps. I can't even count how many files I've lost in the past for just being stupid and losing/deleting them by accident.

So - BACK UP YOUR WORK. *waves Whisk Spoon of Death at everyone* or Flying monkeys will EAT you!!
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Starian! Don't count me out yet!

Stravos — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:33:32 -0800

That's right, I'm still in the game. I may not have gotten my second wind yet, but the story is still festering in my head.....so watch out! HA!

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Stravos
Semper Scriptum
(Always Writing)
Yeah, I know its wrong

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Precautionary Rule

Sandtiger — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 18:36:41 -0800

Hyped up as my last post was, I do need to add this as a precautionary note and just didn't want to put it in the other one...

Something happened today, a clash that really got me thinking. This writing group is close-knit, or at least as close as perfect almost-strangers can be when they love doing the exact same thing, and that thing happens to be a piece of themselves put down on paper in some way, shape, or form. But even the closest people, family and friends, can be torn apart because of differences in agreement.

For this reason, I'm going to ask that we not touch on politics or religion any more than necessary or possible. Granted, either or both may play a lot in our novels and that's fine - many, if not all of us, have open minds and are willing to listen and share opinions or ideas.

But as for 'serious' conversations, please me mindful. People tend to feel strongly about religion or politics and if conversations turn into heated arguments, it can break things up. I'm not saying don't talk about them at all - please, do, so long as its kept within reasonable boundaries. If it looks as if things are getting too tense or heated, change the subject. Move on to something less sensitive. Take a break from the conversation for a while, if needed.

This year's presidential election has had a lot of people riled up, and a lot are still walking tense from either dealing with a loss or expecting the worst to happen before [or shortly after] January. So, that being said ... *steps off the soapbox*

Have a good night.

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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

In Desparate Need

forbidden_tryst — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 20:37:36 -0800

I'm going through a lot right now. Strangely enough I still want to write. My grandpa (more like a father to me) passed two days ago. At first I didn't want to do anything. I called into work and slept a whole day. I feel a bi better now, but I'm finding my inspiration in the strangest thins. Not happiness or sunny days lie a normally do, but the shadows and shriveling flowers of falls tender embrace.
Is it normal? Even my stories dealing in the darkest parts of the macabre have been inspired by sun shining through the clouds. Does anyone ever find their muse hiding in the strangest places? Any ever deal with death while writing? I'm just curious of any comfort one might have to bring.
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Because I thought this was hilarious, I'm sharing

chefkali — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 13:34:03 -0800

I have had the whole day to write and due to I think mainly my hangover it is VERY slow going
I am also at the point in my story where years and ages and time is becoming muddled in how events relate to each other, so I decided to make a timeline. I started with the year I wanted my Utopian society to be created and went from there based on how old I wanted my current characters to be.
The major revolution ended up taking place in 1940, which means the war is being fought in my book from 1941-45.
How crazy is that?????
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Day 8, frustration/fun

Sandtiger — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Day 8 is upon us!! By the day-goal calendar, we should be up to 13,338. [note the keyword - "SHOULD"]

For the Frustration:

Mine is relatively good so far, now that I've changed NaNo fics, but the block I'm running into now is disjointed scenes. I wrote like a demon yesterday morning and was so psyched about it, but then by the time I could sit back down and work on it again I was like, "uuumm.... eh." I couldn't really figure out why, I just had the sense that it was broken up - short spit-scenes that didn't really tie in and bounced around. I re-read it before bed last night, loved it, put it away, and as soon as it was put away started having that same feeling - like it was disjointed and I didn't want to work on it because of it. Aversion, I guess.

So I've spent the morning re-arranging what I've already written, moving things around, deleting sentences, smoothing out somethings, deleting a whole lot more, and have actually ended up with 141 more words than I had yesterday, without even intending to write more. I had expected the word count to be lower, at least by a little.

And my field-question: how many of us write straight all the way through without reading their work? How many write, then read before writing more, but don't edit anything, just make mental notes to change certain things later? And how many spend a couple of days writing like mad, then spend almost a full day editing what they have before they can move on?

For the Fun:

We've all thought the desktop calendars made with cut little comments on the day are funny. So ... what does everyone think about pitching in and making our own? Everyone pick a date - or multiple dates - and reply to this post with them and comments. Only rule: they must at least sort-of relate to you and your style of writing. Like me - Nov.8th: Lose the internal battle to snack on only healthy foods this month and buy a tub of chocolate icing. Nov.9th: Stare at said icing before attacking it with a spoon, gnawing on both while trying to edit difficult scene and eye dwindling word-count.

Of course, most comments probably won't be that long, but anyway ... lol ^_^;;;
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United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Wrestling with Writing

Stravos — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 17:51:52 -0800

My roadblock hit like a ton of bricks this week. I love the story. I love the characters. I don't love the life I'm having to go through right now. I took my wife to Emory on Wednesday and it wasn't good. As a matter of fact, it was just plain confusing. We spent most the time driving back just crying. I feel like my guts are being slowly twisted out of me. How do I write when I feel like that. I feel terrible for being down here on the computer when I should be up there with her. I hate myself when I take time away and I hate myself when I am not writing. It's a lose-lose situation.

Somebody pump me up! Get me back into the game! I need it!
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Stravos
Semper Scriptum
(Always Writing)
Yeah, I know its wrong

United States :: Georgia :: Augusta

Friday - 9 am - New Moon Cafe

Sandtiger — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 08:20:59 -0800

I'll be there, hoping Kali can still make it. ^_~

Anyone else who can drop in, feel free. Amitchi, get off your toosh and come. Get out of that house. Enjoy sunlight, coffee, and write your fingers useless. They have plenty of plug-ins.
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