Europe :: England :: Darlington

Regional Word War Leader Table Update

Loriba — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 04:46:40 -0800

Hi,

Thought I'd start a new thread for posting when updates have taken place as it's easier to just cross-post across all the participating forums.

The results from the 4th November have been calculated and can be found here:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3095947#comment-3239799

If anyone sees any mistakes (and there were several in the last one) please PM me to let me know. :)
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*Hugs*
Lottie
ML for Europe::England:: Cambridge
http://www.nanowrimo.org/mlcontact
2005: Dreaming of Jack - 83k+; 2006: An Ordinary World - 84k+; 2007: Rising Angels, Falling Apes - 121k; 2008 - White Shadows - ??.

Europe :: Wales

Happy Things (novelling wise)

Doc Hilda — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:19:21 -0800

Following on from the happy things thread, post here when a particularly sticky novelling situation is resolved, or plot suddenly seems to work etc. and you feel the need to share!

So share your happiness, let inspire those who are stuck!

Mine at the moment was trying to work out why one of my characters has arranged a secret meeting with my MC.
I've now come up with a totally new alternative conspiracy theory for them to believe.
Which means I can actually get on with the plot bit of my novel! Yay!
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You'll find me in a small dark box twiddling knobs...............

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Dares!

Doc Hilda — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 00:48:06 -0800

Last year, to alleviate writers block, a lot of writing dares were suggested!

Just as a reminder of some of those from last year that we were challenged to include:

'It comes in pints!'
'Bob was there too'
Using the name of an exotic fruit but not in a fruit context (eg a character called Mango etc)
Having a Redshirt character

And my o/h challenged me to have my opening dialogue include 3 swear words, to include the words '"Boing" said Zebedee' and to write a zero gravity sex scene................

So in advance of needing random inspiration, anyone got suggestions for this year?
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You'll find me in a small dark box twiddling knobs...............

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Happy things

P. N. Tebble — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:36:31 -0800

Real life stuff that keeps you going.......

What's yours? (off topic, but why not?)

My happy thing for the day is the shiney new trailer for Star Trek, which makes me want to sing and dance (and do dirty things to/with Simon Pegg).

Except, why does Spock remind me so much of Sylar? ,,,,,hmmmm. Ooh, plus, grown up Kirk's 'Maverick from Top Gun' intro. ....hmmm.

But WOOO!!!
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Europe :: England :: Darlington

In the words of Doctor Who...

becibear — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:17:47 -0800

"Oh yes. I'm very good!"

I hope you all won't mind if I have the day off,
Word 50K was written at 02:05 and now I have a horrible pain in my wrist, so I think I need a day off typing so that it can recover.

Yay, I 'll be able to sleep properly again now, too! Woohoo!

Big hugs to all,

Rebecca
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"The most beautiful things are those that madness prompts and reason writes." -
André Gide

Europe :: England :: Darlington

What are YOU (yes, you) writing this year?

hysteresiscure — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:35:57 -0700

This is the thread for sounding off about plots, plans, any ideas you've got for what you're doing this year - which may go out of the window on November 2nd, like mine did last year. I'm writing a French/English novel - I have a Big Scary Concept, despite the fact that my French is far from fluent. I'll explain more later.

Jo.
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

To Teesside and East Clevelanders! Please Read!

hysteresiscure — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:07:24 -0700

Hi people, I'm organising a meet-up in Boro and one in Saltburn. How do Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th sound? Anyone have any preferences? It's good to meet up at the start of Week Two, as that is when the first wind deserts you and you're searching everywhere for a second wind (usually found a week to ten days later). Everyone needs a morale boost to get them over Week Two. Any suggestions for venues? Please let me know.
Good luck everyone, and hope to see as many of you as possible on Saturday.

Jo.
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Please read! Write in Saltburn Saturday 15th

hysteresiscure — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:30:27 -0800

Why not mark the all important half way point with a sojourn at the seaside? If you live in the area (and I know some of you do), then so much the better. There will be a write in at Signals cafe in Saltburn, which is in the station buildings facing out towards Station Square. We will be there from twelve until two, and then moving on to another cafe or pub, not sure which yet. Maybe a trip to the secondhand book shop would also be in order.

For more details, or if you can't get down to saltburn until after two, then call or text me to find out where we will be and for how long. My phone number is in the email I am sending out to everyone - I don't want to put it on the website, obviously.

See you soon!

Jo.
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

General Chat

hysteresiscure — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:39:23 -0700

Exactly what it says on the tin. Post here if it doesn't fit anywhere else.
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Well, I received something very interesting in the mail today...

becibear — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:14:05 -0800

I guess now I have no reason not to bring a copy of my novel to the N'Oscars this year, huh?
I have to keep it away from the kids of course, which should be fun!
In case you're wondering, the fuzzy blur on the middle right of the book is the reflection of my hands when I took the photo.
Yuo can buy your own copy from here - cheeky, I know, but I thought I'd give it a shot. :)
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"The most beautiful things are those that madness prompts and reason writes." -
André Gide

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Write-Ins and Meet-ups

hysteresiscure — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:28:00 -0700

This is where I will post all information about Write-Ins and Meet-ups, with the exception of the Kick-off party and the N'Oscars party at the end, which will have their own threads.

Jo
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Joint-meet up with Newcastle and Durham

hysteresiscure — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:17:28 -0700

I am planning a joint meet-up with the Newcastle and Durham group, either in Durham or Newcastle. Anyone have any thoughts on where/when? Post here. Thanks!

Jo
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Someone PLEASE help me!

Rummbaabaa — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 09:33:23 -0800

This is my third year of Nano and my sister's second. She's just got an e-mail telling her she can get a free printing of last years book and I never got this e-mail! HELP ME! I need it! Can I get this e-mail re-sent? I've signed up to the pep talks and stuff now, but I'm not very good with all this interweb and it scares me. Who do I talk to? CAn I use the same code that she was sent? ANYONE?!
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My God.... It's full of Typos.

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Let's all wave at Bel in Nicaragua, she might have Interweb.

Belwrites — Sat, 4 Oct 2008 05:20:39 -0700

Hello my dear Scribblers,

Hope you are all well and up for another year's frantic novelling madness. Tis Bel, your ML from last year. Greetings all.
Jo has already done her big welcome and let you know that I am ... well,kinda retiring this year and pleading geographical incapabilities. Basically I can't do meet ups, and I may not even have an electricity supply or interweb connection with which to type. But hopefully, the delights of internet cafes may allow me to contribute to these forums.

I am sad to be missing out on Nanowrimo this year, but I will definitely be back in 2009 and hopefully even from Script Frenzy. I wish you all loads of caffeinated good luck - you are in very capable hands with Jo (and thank you muchly to her for taking over!).
For any Newbies - this will take over your life in November. It will stress you out to the extreme and render you unable to function as a rational human being, But come December, the euphoria and exhaustion kick in and you see that is it all worth it in the end!

I honestly don't think I am going to make it to 50,000 words this year, not whilst being the other side of the world on a high altitude coffee plantation and having to write this on my mobile phone. However, the temptation to at least TRY is too much for me. This is my personal pledge. Last Nanowrimo, I did not actually finish my novel, I got to 50k words, but left my heroine standing on a doorstep in Brazil, with a parrot in her hat. This year, I am going to finish the actual story. I think this will take me at least another 25000 words. This is my chosen challenge - I am going to try and do a half-novel in a month. From Nicaragua. On my phone.
Please wish me luck!

Above all, have fun with this, and I look forward to reading all your contributions on these forums!

Happy scribbling loves,
Bel xx

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"The trick is not just becoming a writer, it is staying a writer...".
I still have too much blood in my caffeine system.
www.rascwriters.org.uk
http://drcoffee.wordpress.com

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Word War Rules

hysteresiscure — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:16:43 -0700

Rules

Eligibility

You must live within the UK or Ireland, and be relatively close to the city or region you
wish to represent.

Sign-ups

Your ML will provide a "Word War Sign Up” thread on your local forum to track word
count. Participants will post ONCE in the Word War Sign Up thread by 8pm on 10th
November stating that they wish to participate.

The Regional Word War

You must update your word count every two days, on the even numbered days of the
month, by 8pm. If you are unable to update your count, contact your ML.

During the last partial week (26th –– 29th Nov), you must update your word count daily, by 8pm. If this isn't possible, contact your ML immediately.

If you do not update your word count on four consecutive occasions it will be assumed that you have given up and you will be removed from the war (unless you already have more than 50k) If you know that you’re going to be away and won’t be able to update, let your ML know so that we can prevent this.

You must input your final (verified) word count by midnight on 30th November. After
midnight, you will no longer be able to update your count.

Scoring

You may drop out of the Regional Word War at any time up to 8pm on 20th November without affecting your region's count. If you do not drop out by messaging either myself or your ML, you will be in for the remainder of the competition, NO MATTER WHAT!
During the Regional Word War there will be a regularly updated leader board on an external web site. I'll post a link to this board to each competing region as soon as I've confirmed it myself!

Only the official word count from the "Word War Sign Up" threads on the NaNoWriMo web site will be considered when computing the final score.
After midnight on 30th November, I will ask the other MLs from competing regions (or their designated representatives) to verify the figures before declaring a winner.

Results

There will be two prizes:
The city/region with the highest average word count.
The city/region with the highest proportion of winners from the starting participants.
The MLs will compare results, and when all regions agree, the results will be posted on the NaNo boards.

Banter

Participants are encouraged to engage in good natured banter with participants from other regions in the various Word War Banter threads. Banter should remain good natured and within the bounds of good sportsmanship. The use of 'smileys' in messages is actively encouraged.

Our God-like powers

MLs decide what "good sportsmanship" means.
We reserve the right to remove folks from the competition for any violation of the rules and guidelines listed above.

MLs are the final authority in any dispute or question about the rules.

Trophies

To be determined...

Good luck one and all.

Lottie

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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Kick Off Party

hysteresiscure — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:00:10 -0700

Kick off party will be held on Saturday November 1st at the Voodoo Cafe, above In Arcadia, 84 Skinnergate.

Stuff will be happening from 11 o'clock onwards until the cafe chucks us out - when we can move to the pub - hopefully one with wi-fi - if you like. If you would like to come along, or can't make it for some reason and would like me to arrange alternatives - please signal your intentions below.

Jo.
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Hello and Welcome!

hysteresiscure — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 13:46:47 -0700

This is a big hello from Jo, your new Municipal Liason! Bel is Absent With Leave this year, for those of you who have taken part in previous years. She is off to Nicaragua and Costa Rica for four months to study coffee. So you are in my capable (cough) hands.

Real life meetings will probably be taking place at the Arts Centre, Voodoo Cafe at In Arcadia, and probably the Tanners - dates and times TBA, but Wednesday nights are more than likely. I'm open to all suggestions as to when and where to meet up - this is your group.

Virtual meet-ups are probably possible here, and other likely places for showing off your work and venting your spleen include the RASC (Random Acts of Senseless Creativity) forums at rasc.muux.org. In case you are new to all of this, RASC is a creative writing and arts group set up by me and Bel. We also have a website: www.rascwriters.org.uk, where you can submit your work for the perusal of all and sundry. There is also the option of that time sucking portal of doom: Facebook. Add me. Don't be shy. Search for Joanne Land, and send me a hello.

See you soon!

Jo.
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Word War Banter!

hysteresiscure — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:42:28 -0700

This is where we will discuss The War Of The Words, as the sign-up thread will be locked on November 1st.

Jo
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Word Wars sign-up! Darlo v Cambridge!

hysteresiscure — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:40:31 -0700

This is where you declare your intention to kick the collective arses of Cambridge - no hard feelings towards them, obviously.
Bags me in.
Simply make a post on this thread to be included, and somehow, I will work out how this thing works.
The key to this contest is average word count per head, so we need people committed to writing as many words as possible (Chris, I'm looking at you).

Jo
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

To North Yorkshire peeps! Please read!

hysteresiscure — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:12:37 -0700

Would anyone be up for a meeting in Richmond? Or perhaps Northallerton, if I'm able to get there by train? I'm not sure where would be best, so please let me know where and when would be best for you. Thanks!

Jo
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Darlington Wrimos: Beating The Word Count of Luxembourg since 2006

Europe :: England :: Darlington

Clearing the boards

P. N. Tebble — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 04:30:44 -0700

Is anyone else writing other stuff at the moment?
I've been fiddling around with some short stories and I can't decide whether to finish some off and maybe not do enough planing on my nano or leave them hanging and still have them shouting at me to be finished all next month.
Grrr.
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Europe :: England :: Darlington

FAQ

Belwrites — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:35:05 -0700

Hey all,

Just to say, if there is anything you need help with on this site (if you can't find what you're looking for elsewhere, obviously!) then please feel free to post it here, or email me or Jo if you want a personal response. (click Nano-mail under our names). We can certainly try and help, even if it's just asking what you are actually letting yourself in for! Jo and I are both Nano-veterans, so if you are new to this then do ask us anything you like! We'll happily share our experiences as best we can, and I'm sure between the two of us, we'll find an answer!
Though I can't promise to get back to you immediately, Jo is on hand and I can fill in if she's not sure. Cheers and enjoy!

Bel x
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"The trick is not just becoming a writer, it is staying a writer...".
I still have too much blood in my caffeine system.
www.rascwriters.org.uk
http://drcoffee.wordpress.com