Hey fellow Orange County Nano-ers! Are you thinking of going to the regional events? If you have, I thought it would be fun to write about your experiences of going to regional events here! If you haven't, are you considering it? Why or why not?
Have you braved a write- in yet? Any other regional events? Do you recommend it?
I just braved my first one and it was surprisingly good. I went to the “Week One- Tough Base” in Old Town Orange. I suspect that a lot of writers are introverts. Still, it turns out to be fun to talk to someone who is braving a pretty crazy feat like this. Not painful, even for someone who might be shy.
It was so worthwhile to actually talk to someone else who is trying to attempt this nano thing. It was also wonderful to be able to go to a coffee house with a fellow author, talk about our novels, drink coffee and listen to ambient music and for me to pretend to be a legitimate author for a few hours. It's also cool to be in Old Town Orange. It's fun to write in a place with a little more history than... well.... other places in Orange County! I also got a surprising amount of writing done there!
So do what I did and go without knowing anyone! I did and it turned out okay! And I have to say those of us who went were nice and didn't bite at all. I highly recommend it.
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2003- started a week late, and finished a day late!
2007- after 4 years, trying again, and starting late again!
Procrastinators unite!
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Nov 5, 2007 - 16 48
I actually recorded a little of the North Orange County meet-n-greet, and posted it on the Viddler NaNo group: http://www.viddler.com/SaintJoi/videos/15/
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Nov 5, 2007 - 18 12
Cool! It looks like it was a good turnout. Sadly, I had audio difficulties and couldn't hear the discussion. But it the parts i heard sounded like fun!
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Nov 6, 2007 - 10 25
Hey everyone!
I'm Katie attemting year 3 for NaNo. Hoping this is my year.
I was thinking about doing the write-in at the Disneyland Grand Hotel but damn it, I'm scared. And I find that funny due to the fact that I flew to New Zealand alone and traveled the country with total strangers and had a blast. So I seemed to be able to fly around the world to meet new people but I'm struggling to go to a hometown meet-up with strangers. I can blame shyness or that fact that I've been at home a lot the last 2 years because I have a little one who I rarely leave with a sitter. But my inner social butterfly wants to get out.
Any suggestions or support would be great, especially if there are any parents who are reluctant to leave a little one with a sitter. I'm a single parent so I don't have a spouse to leave him with but I do have a sitter he knows. It's something I can do because I'm totally capable but I'm nervous about going and not knowing anyone or getting there and worrying about my son the whole time. . . .
Damn inner conflict!
Katie :)
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Nov 6, 2007 - 15 41
ooh, I didn't hear about the one at the Grand Hotel, where's the info posted?
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Nov 6, 2007 - 17 16
Hey dirtybird!
I’m actually pretty timid about the whole nanowrimo event in general. All sorts of inner critic stuff going on- my book and just the normal “who do I think I am” stuff.
Even the forums were intimidating. But I posted that I was intimidated by the forums on the ‘NanoWrimo Ate My Soul” section, and suddenly, very nice, accepting people came out of the woodworks and said they felt the same and invited me to join their threads.
So, what I’m saying in a roundabout way is that just by posting about your fears, it is probably going to get a bit better.
And I was the same as you (minus having a child to get a sitter for! ☺) as far as being afraid to go to a write-in without knowing anyone.
The one I went to, one other nice (self-described) shy person showed up. (Apparently other ones have more of a showing-like the one saint joi went to. It looks like the Grand Californian could have more people too.)
So, I’ll be doing the same thing again: Going without knowing anyone. The first time I didn’t die. Actually it made me stoked about the whole process. I got a bunch of writing done in one sitting, and I felt like an author for a bit. It turned out to be fun to meet and talk with others who are trying something we all know is a little on the nutty side. And most of us think at one time or another… “This is crap,.. Who do I think I am to be attempting this… etc.”
Oh, and I’ve had the experience of traveling with people I hardly knew as well! But, somehow this seemed scarier before I went too. Maybe it’s because it’s in Orange County where the standards of acceptance can be quick and shallow at times. Maybe it’s because I am timidly trying a dream of mine- so it’s more vulnerable. Maybe it’s because I assume everyone will be smarter and more legitimate writers than I am and therefore I will just feel dumb. But none of those fears “came true” last time. (Well, maybe the smarter and more legitimate part! But turns out I was okay with that.)
So I’m hoping to go to as many as I can. I’ll be intimidated, again, but writing at the new Disneyland Hotel lobby sounds fun. So, go, too! It’ll be helpful to know that I’m not the only one going without knowing anyone! Besides, I bet there are a lot of people “lurking” like I was who may get the courage to go as well because you are considering it. I’m guessing there are a lot of introverted writers out there who could still enjoy writing together.
There! *gasp* Is that enough of a pep talk for you?! ☺ Now to see if somehow I can count this towards my word count. Dang these attention-stealing fun forums!
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Nov 6, 2007 - 21 12
I've been thinking about going to a gathering of some sort as well, but I have yet to work up the courage. I'm not very good at meeting new people, or at talking about my writing. But I think the moral support would be great, so I hope I get up the courage. Is there anything happening in South Orange County?
Wow, dirtybird...I don't know how you do it. My daughter is 4, and between work and spending time with her, I feel like I barely have any time to write...and I'm not a single parent! You obviously have much better time-management skills than I do.
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Nov 7, 2007 - 14 18
kerouac-ky: Thanks for the pep-talk! I got myself all ready to go and face the social challenges of meeting new people and then ran into an issue. No babysitter! My parents are out of town this weekend and a cousin of mine in in from college so it turns out that night we are taking him out to dinner. Oh well, I'm up for it if I have a lot of time to plan and get someone for Jake. I'm in Fullerton, so North OC meet-ups/write-ins are where you might see me!
wylkyn: I don't think it's as much time management as it is not sleeping because I stay up to write when he goes to bed and using up my lunch hour to write! I get most of my days word count done at work and have the evenings to play, cook, and do bedtime. It's tough but I always seem to squeeze a few extra minutes out of the day!!
Katie
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Nov 7, 2007 - 18 22
The Grand Californian date was changed to Monday the 12th, right? At least that's what the post says under the info.
Dirtybird- Maybe you can go after all! :)
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Nov 8, 2007 - 21 18
Actually, now I'm confused if we're going to the Grand Californan on Saturday the 10th or Monday the 12th (because both dates are listed under the regional events section, but an email seems to say differently.) I sent a message to the M.L. to get clarification.
32,779 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2007 - 11 58
It is the 10th not the 12th.
I wish I could go but I'll try to make another one.
Katie
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Nov 11, 2007 - 15 38
The write- in last night was ridiculously fun! we had a blast. I had never gone to a write- in before, so i was a bit worried about meeting people i had met on the internet and stuff (you know, it's been drilled into your head since like elementary school, be careful with the internet!)
It was really great seeing that I wasn't the only crazy person trying to write a novel, though i felt wierd cause i was very easily the furthest behind. they made me feel dumb. :( *pouts*
the grand californian hotel was beautiful and warm and the lady at the piano was so cool. she knew like- every song ever. Brittanie- the song is called autumn leaves. do i get a drink? lol.
have another write- in near me! i can't get down to irvine or anywhere where you need to take the freeway. i can't drive on freeways. or i can but i'm scared.. i want something here! *whines*
Thanks for organising the write- in, brittanie. it was so great to finally meet you!
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Nov 12, 2007 - 21 02
After all the pep talk, I wasn't able to make it to the Grand Californian.
Instead, the small outpatient procedure on my foot on Friday turned into a minor surgery, complete with extra pain, no walking, no driving, and Vicadin that brought on wooziness and no writing!
I still hope to make it to another write in soon- I don't know if my wordcount can recover since last weekend was when I was supposed to do some major catching up.
But I'm so glad that the Grand Californian was fun! And I'm glad you braved it!
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Nov 18, 2007 - 00 40
The Gypsy Den was great! It was a nice atmosphere and I got to meet several new people. We had a nice discussion about all things writing and lots of laughs too, Wonderful event! Thanks Brittanie
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Nov 20, 2007 - 17 37
I had a great time at Disneyland yesterday-- sorry more people couldn't come! We wrote through the morning, getting plenty of weird looks from people for it. I just got done transcribing what I wrote and it amounted to about 1,700 words! Wow, that Pluto pen I bought must be magic (not to mention the notepad TSEdiot loaned me-- thanks, Brittanie!). After that, I got to just enjoy the park. Checked out the new "Pirate's Lair" on Tom Sawyer's Island and happened to meet none other than Captain Jack Sparrow, did a bit of shopping, sang with birds and flowers, met a turkey that met the president, and even got to go on most of the big rides once it got dark and the crowds died down a bit. Fireworks, "snow", and the long walk to the Pumbaa parking lot rounded out the day, followed by sleep. Lots and lots of sleep.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank TSEdiot for the cool write-in idea and for getting me in, and Paige for coming and hanging out for a while. If they do this next year, I definitely recommend it!
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Nov 26, 2007 - 00 29
Went to the write-in tonight at the Starbucks next to Felix's Restaurant in the Orange Plaza/Orange Traffic Circle, but
NOBODY
else showed up...I'm sad...
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Nov 26, 2007 - 02 21
I was there last week all by myself. Sorry libbyreed!
I hope you still got some writing done.
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Nov 28, 2007 - 01 33
Soooooo much fun was had at the Irvine write-in Tuesday night! And lots of writing as well.
Some memorable favorites...
"You look confused." "I'm not confused, I'm just looking!"
Moss
Mean guy in the corner...Ooohh, let's have Border's turn on the Christmas music! If you want quiet...go to the LIBRARY!
Brittanie, Thanks for setting up the write-ins. They were fabulous (and not in the Fabulous or Empress Fabulous way either)!
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Nov 28, 2007 - 04 21
Oh it was FABULOUS!
I haven't laughed that much in a long time. I am going to miss November. It drove me nuts, but it was in such a good way! Thank you for a great time everyone.
BTW, I was so close to winner I just stayed up and wrote some more when I got home. I cut all the highlighted stuff from my scramble. This count is all story. I made it, and there was moss. No baloney though... maybe next year?
50,032 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2007 - 10 38
Were there drunk raccoons?
Congratulations!
50,136 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2007 - 11 01
HaHaHa...the drunk racoons! I forgot to mention the racoons!
50,136 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2007 - 11 02
Kimberly...Congrats on your winning story!