United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Anybody else....

SpiderWolve — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 17:12:48 -0800

...suffering from Write-In withdrawal?

For some reason I was thinking I was going to be packing up and taking my laptop with me to the TGIO tomorrow...

I blame my plot bunny.

Who still is nameless.
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United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

TGIO PARTY!

jvolavka — Mon, 1 Dec 2008 13:44:32 -0800

Hey, all. I sent out an email with the TGIO info, but thought I'd post a brief version of it here.

DATE: Friday, December 5th.
TIME: 6 - 8pm, then 8pm - ?

The TGIO will be in two parts: a potluck and an after party. The potluck is from 6 to 8pm and the after starts after dinner. You'll need to RSVP for both. You can send me a private message here or reply to my email with the following:

______________________
RSVP
Name:
Coming to dinner:
Bringing this many guests:
Bringing this food:
Coming to after party:
______________________

If you're coming, I will send you the location info, etc, either via PM or in response to an email (which is the best method to reach me).

I look forward to seeing you!
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joanna V.
United States::Virginia::Hampton Roads co-ML
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Script Frenzy April 2009

Cassie Ryan — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 19:23:38 -0800

Script Frenzy http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/ is also brought to you by The Office Of Letters and Light which also runs NaNoWriMo.

Quote:

The 5 Basic Rules of Script Frenzy

1) To be crowned an official Script Frenzy winner, you must write a script (or multiple scripts) of at least 100 total pages and verify this tally on ScriptFrenzy.org.

2) You may write individually or in teams of two. Writer teams will have a 100-page total goal for their co-written script or scripts.

3) Script writing may begin no earlier than 12:00:01 AM on April 1 and must cease no later than 11:59:59 PM on April 30, local time.

4) You may write screenplays, stage plays, TV shows, short films, comic book and graphic novel scripts, adaptations of novels, or any other type of script your heart desires.

5) You must, at some point, have ridiculous amounts of fun.

I used the free Celtx program http://www.celtx.com/ to write it then change it to PDF to validate.

This is last year's winner certificate: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/MissingSliderRyan/SF2008winner2A....

Dammit Jim, I'm a novelist not a scriptwriter.

Even so, I enjoyed taking part in it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cassie

NaNoWriMo 2005-2008 Winner
Script Frenzy 2007 & 2008 Winner

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cassie
NaNoWriMo 2005-2008 Winner
Script Frenzy 2007 & 2008 Winner

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Tale of the Missing Plot Bunny

mightygitis — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 17:14:53 -0800

So, it was past six in the morning on November 30th and in a spectacular all night writing rush I had finished my novel. I start packing things up in the living room to go catch some sleep before work on that Sunday. When I did this Carter (my plot bunny) was sitting on the table next to me.

For the three days afterwards, Carter was no where to be found! I can not tell you the panic I felt when I realized I couldn't find him. I looked high and low. In my purse, in my computer bag, in between the cushions of the couch. I had almost given up when yesterday my sister comes into the living room holding a very frigid bunny.

Turns out he had been in our refridgerator! Sitting right behind the pitcher of water. I don't know how I managed it, but I assume that in my half awake state I was moving things around and putting things away, that maybe I put something in the fridge and Carter went with it?

Regardless he's mad at me now for both the fridge abandonment, and the fact that the only editing I did this week was to spell check.

Sorry, Carter!
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United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Photo Exchange

Last Knight — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:42:47 -0800

So, here's one thread for everyone to exchange their NaNoWriMo pictures and photo albums.

My NaNo pictures can be found here - I've managed a decent number from all of the write-ins I've attended thus far. :)
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2005 - Yon Lonesome Road
2006 - Searching For Avalon
2007 - Toy Soldiers' War
2008 - Beyond World's End

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Congratulations and a ramble

Robin A — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:27:26 -0800

To all those that won and all those that made the attempt, congratulations. You have created something that didn't exist before, or people that are now alive or undead, or perhaps continued on someone's story in some cases. If you participated, you are a winner, no matter what your final word count.

Even though my novel would have to be almost completely re-written to have anything done with it, I am still happy with what I've done.

Most importantly, I have made some really good friends at the end of this year, that have come into my life at a very much needed time. I can't even begin to say what all the write ins have meant to me. Last year I didn't go to any and consequently, I missed out on some great friendships. This year, I learned just what I missed, and I don't intend to let that happen again. There are a couple of you in particular, who should know who you are, that have meant and mean the world to me after a very short time. I don't want or intend to lose you. I want to find time at least once a month if possible to get together. As many of us that can.

I look forward to the TGIO!!!

Love to all of you.

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~We are the music makers...we are the dreamers of dreams~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Story to share

Robin A — Tue, 2 Dec 2008 05:56:41 -0800

For those of you that make it to the after party, I have a little story I've written to share with you all. It involves some very familiar folks and quotations that have become familiar over the month of November. I hope you'll enjoy it!
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~We are the music makers...we are the dreamers of dreams~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Wordcount Rollcall! (Who's won, who's winning, and who's stubbornly hanging on! grin)

MarthaBechtel — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:51:49 -0800

I'm in the 'Stubbornly Hanging On' group at 28k, not ready to give up yet and yet woefully behind. ^_~;; (although I'm really hoping to make 35k today and catch up to 43k tomorrow. *crosses fingers*)

How goes the rest of the pack of mad merry fools? ^_^ Avast!

Martha (and cat)
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United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Our Regional Stats!

jvolavka — Mon, 1 Dec 2008 05:27:23 -0800

In case you're interested, I did a quick search on our region and have found the following:

* We currently have 245 members, 220 of which list Hampton Roads as their home region.

* Of those 245, we had 70 winners-- that's 28.6% of you that won!!

* As of my current count, we have 23 halos showing, meaning 23 people donated and asked to be recognized. Thank you to each and every one of you. By the way, that's almost 10% of us-- twice as many as have donated (percentage-wise) across the board. The official percentage for all of NaNo-land is just over 5.5%!

* The highest wordcount I saw was an amazing 304,801. Yes, you read that correctly. Wow.

And this is why our region rocks:
* 78% of you (listed in the author search as being in this region) attempted NaNo this year and uploaded wordcounts. That's a HUGE percentage!

I'm so proud of you!
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joanna V.
United States::Virginia::Hampton Roads co-ML
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Emergency Plot Device Activation Center

jvolavka — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:03:56 -0700

This thread is to share your Emergency Plot Device (or EPD) once you've activated (i.e. broken into) it.

Good luck, and happy writing this month! ^_^
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joanna V.
United States::Virginia::Hampton Roads co-ML
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Last Sentence Written game

jvolavka — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:30:58 -0800

Okay, so I'm going to give us a few more distractions (as if we needed any... ~_^), and the first is the Last Sentence Written Game.

It's easy to play. Simply post the last sentence you wrote before stopping for the day (or night before, as the case may be).

All I ask is that you keep in mind that this is an ALL AGES forum, so if it needs to be edited (or if you've got a sentence several lines up that wouldn't need editing), please take care of that so I don't have to do so. ^_^

I'll begin.

"Jessica found this a little odd, but she followed the man to the area where they kept records of old Supreme Court cases, some of them landmarks and some of them land mines."
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joanna V.
United States::Virginia::Hampton Roads co-ML
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Keep that NaNo guy with the pencil running!

jvolavka — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:49:09 -0700

I'm starting this thread as encouragement to all of you, if you love NaNoWriMo, to make a small (or large) donation through the store for the Office of Letters and Light. Without help from us, this wonderful event can't happen.

With that in mind, I'm issuing a challenge, right here and now. I want to see our region, HAMPTON ROADS, with the most golden halos on the site. I'm talking percentage here-- I know we're not the biggest region, but if we can get at least 50% of us to donate, even a small amount, it will go a long way.

Good luck in November, and support your local NaNo chapter by donating-- we couldn't happen without the Office of Letters and Light! ^_^

[UPDATE]
From the official site:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It’s NaNoWriMo’s tenth year! From Adelaide to the Yukon Territories over 115,000 adults and 21,000 kids and teens are taking up the challenge of writing a novel in November.

NaNoWriMo and the Young Writers Program are possible because of the energy and optimism of a tiny staff at the Office of Letters and Light and an army of volunteers. Because the Office is a nonprofit, your tax-deductible donations are essential. It takes a lot of money to keep servers humming, websites up and running, forums moderated, pep talks flowing, the office functioning, and the coffeepot perking. NaNoWriMo is free to everyone, but it has lasted this long because people like you donate to the cause.

There are many ways to give something back to the organization that gives so much to you, and many of them take no money at all. You can:
* Donate directly by credit card, PayPal, or check
* Purchase some fine and stylish merchandise from the store
* If you are monetarily challenged, set GoodSearch as your search engine, and Yahoo will donate a penny for every search
* Set up a sponsorship page at Firstgiving.com and invite your friends and family to donate on your behalf
* Or, see this page for more ideas on donating when you are broke

Please donate today to keep NaNoWriMo alive and strong!
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joanna V.
United States::Virginia::Hampton Roads co-ML
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Still A-Writing

SpiderWolve — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:06:27 -0800

Soo..while I was relaxing away from my novel thats not done yet....I cooked this up:

Sung to the tune of Still Alive --> http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/ellen_mclain/still_alive.html ( dunno how to link here)

This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here: huge success.
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.

Nanowrimo Science.
We do what we must because we can.
For the good of all of us
Except the ones who are done.

(Chorus 1)
But there's no sense crying over every mistake
You just keep on writing till you run out of plot.
And the noveling gets done and you make a neat story
For the people who are still a-writing.

I'm not even angry.
I'm being so sincere right now.
Even though you wrote me in and killed me.
And tore me to pieces.
And threw every piece into a fire.
And as I burned it hurt because
I was so happy for you.

(Chorus 2)
Now these points of plot make a beautiful line
And we're now done noveling, we're releasing on time.
So I'm glad I got burned think of all the things you learned
For the people who are still a-writing

Go ahead and leave me.
I think I prefer to stay inside.
Maybe you'll find someone else to help you.
Maybe Script Frenzy -
That was a joke. Haha. Fat chance.
Anyway, this book is great:
It's so suspenseful and tense.

(Chorus 3)
Look at me still talking when there's noveling to do.
When I look out there it makes me glad I'm not you.
I have plot twists to run, and there is research to be done
On the characters who are still alive

And believe me I am still a-writing.
I’m noveling and I'm still a-writing.
I feel fantastic and I'm still a-writing.
While you're writing I'll be still plotting.
And when you're winning I will be still writing.

Still a-writing
Still writing

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United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

No car, no wordcount... help! >.<;;

MarthaBechtel — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:15:55 -0800

Some unknown and inconsiderate soul side-swiped my parked car night before last and now I am without ways to get to the various write-ins (where-in I get most of my word count!). So lo, would anyone like to write and AIM chat at the same time? I miss the company! >.<;;;

*pokes her novel* Darned uncooperative Muses. And darned giant spiders. *sighs*

Anyone else running several many thousands of words behind?

Martha (and cat)
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United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

So did something like this happen to anyone else?

catalinacat — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:55:18 -0800

To start, I was silly and decided to write my NaNo. I figured it would be easier because I could write wherever and not have to lug around my computer. And at first, I thought I'd be all abiding-of-the-technicalities and type it up. That went fine, for the first two weeks or so.
Except that a notebook, when opened up, comes in contact with a huge container of water, generally comes out on the losing side.
So thanks for that, cousins-that-I-only-see-once-a-year-who-were-at-my-house-for-thanksgiving-and-thought-it-would-be-amusing-to-dump-an-entire-pitcher-of-water-on-my-notebook-no-scratch-that-on-my-NOVEL. Thanks.
And it might have turned out okay, except for the fact that I, uncharacteristically, wrote in pen instead of pencil. And so, of course, the ink ran all over the pages and left about... five words that are actually legible.
Seriously. I like, NEVER use a pen if I don't have to.
Except, randomly, I decide to use a pen for NaNoWriMo.
I think I must have been a serial killer in another life.
Where else would I have gotten all this crazily bad karma?

GUH.
I had little over 7k left, so I would have totally got it done, too.
I even considered finishing the rest of it up then fudging the other 45k or whatever since I would have known that I actually did it (even if that's totally unethical or whatever) but now I'm so mad I don't even feel like writing anything.

ANYWAYS,
this wasn't supposed to be a silly rant, believe it or not.
I was just wondering if anyone else had some good NaNo horror stories to share?
It would make me feel like less of a crazzzyyy right now & hopefully stop me from hunting my cousins down [oh, wait, maybe thoughts like that is where the bad karma comes from :)]
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United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Sunday NaNo Get Together

Last Knight — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:49:56 -0800

So, at the Friday write-in, my house was apparently volunteered for a NaNo gathering on Sunday. I'm down with this, so if anyone's interested, they should RSVP here so I know whom to send directions... original plan was around four, but after having learned that the Leah is again working, I'd like to make it a little earlier, maybe around two, and running until well... whenever.

I should warn you that I have no actual food of nutritious content in the house, so while pizza or such could be ordered, it might be best to bring snacks.
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2005 - Yon Lonesome Road
2006 - Searching For Avalon
2007 - Toy Soldiers' War
2008 - Beyond World's End

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

I dare you!

jvolavka — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:07:01 -0800

As we're in the last 4 days of the month, I'm starting this thread as a distraction (if you need it) and inspiration (if you need that as well).

Please post any dares you have for fellow writers that can act as inspiration. ^_^ If you take a dare, please reply to that post so we know it's been used!

Dares to get us started:

1. Have your main character fall in love with your villain. Bonus points if the villain is only being bad because he/she has been secretly in love with the main character the whole time.

2. Include a solar or lunar eclipse that has a deep religious impact on the population of the city/country/planet on which your story takes place.

3. Include a dream sequence in which your main character wakes up in a clown (or other silly) costume.

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joanna V.
United States::Virginia::Hampton Roads co-ML
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Time Zones

Robin A — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:06:03 -0800

Hey guys, I know Joanna has reminded us of this, but I wanted to throw a quick reminder on the forum since I just checked, and mine was off by 3 hours. Don't forget to check your time zone and make sure it's showing the correct time! You don't want to get messed up right at the end.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and I'm looking forward to later today!

For those of us still typing away. . .

Write on!
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~We are the music makers...we are the dreamers of dreams~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

For those keeping count

AVIRTUE — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:38:02 -0800

I just fired the last member of the board of directors. Glad that's taken care of --smiles--
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United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Friday NaNoWriMo party is a-go! Whoo!

AVIRTUE — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:26:41 -0800

Alright everyone, we intrepid WriMos have decided to move the Friday Write-in. We figured that going to the Lynnhaven B+N on, well, Black Friday might just be a bad idea.

Actually, it took Cassie Ryan to figure that out. But once she did, the rest of us figured it out quickly afterward.

Anyway, in place of that, I will be hosting a sort-of write-in at my house! Yay!

So, the day after Thanksgiving, any and all who want to are welcomed at my house! My husband and I have decided to make it more of an afternoon thing, probably starting about 4:00pm, and going until ?. We'll kick you all out when we need to --smiles--.

Please feel free to bring non WriMo friends and family. We'll find something for them to do. I'm sure my husband could use the company. Just WriMos with all our words can be a scary bunch. --grin--

We haven't figured out dinner yet. Maybe a potluck thing, maybe we provide the dinner, and you all can bring the dessert/side dishes. Ideas?

Anyway, if you would like to come, either drop me a NaNo mail or post it on this thread, I'll get the address to you.

Hope to see you all there!
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United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Write-in at MacArthur Center Mall B&N Tuesday 11/25

jvolavka — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:56:15 -0800

I just sent out an email with this included, but wanted to let y'all know on here, too. I couldn't find a decent place in Portsmouth that could host all of us for tomorrow, so I'm going to go grace the B&N at MacArthur Center with our presence once more. ^_^ If you can join me, I'd love to see you! And maybe I'll get some actual writing done.. my word count needs it with only a week to go...!

Tue, Nov 25, 4:30p – 6:30pm
MacArthur Center Mall Barnes & Noble
MacArthur Center Mall
300 Monticello Avenue Norfolk, VA 23510

Hope to see you there! ^_^

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joanna V.
United States::Virginia::Hampton Roads co-ML
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Virginia Beach Write-In Monday Nov. 24 (2 shifts)

Cassie Ryan — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:17:34 -0800

Town Center Barnes & Noble
12Noon-7PM
Hosted by Rudy (Cassie Ryan)
4485 Virginia Beach Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

In the cooking area. Please bring power cords. They do have one but there's only 4 outlets on it.

Rudy
missingsliderryan {at} yahoo dot com

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cassie
NaNoWriMo 2005-2008 Winner
Script Frenzy 2007 & 2008 Winner

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Any interest in a 11/26 write in in the evening?

Robin A — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:51:51 -0800

Don't know who might be around or even have the time, but I may very well go to one of the Barnes & Nobles that evening and write. If there is interest on anyone's part, leet me know.
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~We are the music makers...we are the dreamers of dreams~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Monday Nov. 24, anyone up for a Write-In?

Cassie Ryan — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:54:36 -0800

Does anyone want a write-in on Monday?

I'm thinking either Virginia Beach (Town Center or Lynnhaven Barnes & Noble or Borders) or Chesapeake (Barnes & Noble)?

I can do morning, daytime or evening though I want to watch the Dancing With The Stars finale at 8PM.

FYI,
If you want to do one at the Town Center Barnes & Noble, Ed, the store manager, and/or Meg, CRM, can set one up like the one on Nov. 19. They need to be informed so a power strip can be run out and tables and chairs set up. Ed and Meg invited us back. They really liked that we did the set up. There were about 15 people there, mostly Wrimos, but we sucked in others.

For the Lynnhaven Barnes & Noble, we just have that one power outlet next to the ramp going up to the cafe. We don't have room to host a big write-in.

Did we ever find the power outlets at the Chesapeake Barnes & Noble? Borders has them on the wall, right next to those tables on that side.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cassie

NaNoWriMo 2005-2007 Winner
Script Frenzy 2007 & 2008 Winner

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cassie
NaNoWriMo 2005-2008 Winner
Script Frenzy 2007 & 2008 Winner

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Regarding Friday's 2nd shift

Robin A — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:25:56 -0800

Just a heads up, Kiddie Winkies ~bonus points if you know what that's from~

Michael has, as of today, found out he has to work evenings Thursday and Friday of this week. What this means is I either have to find childcare for Little Guy, or I won't be able to make it this time. I may check with a friend of mine and see if he can spend Friday night at her house, but in that case I will be late getting there. Now, it is ENTIRELY possible that by Friday, Michael's work schedule could change again. It often does.

Don't cancel the 2nd shift though, even if I can't be there. It's too much fun and we all need more fun and people to be insane with and to let the plot bunnies have a little fun as well.

I will do my utmost best to be there. I will be seeing many of you tomorrow at MacArthur and yes, I will go to the right Barnes & Noble this time, Jeremy. Thppppppp.

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~We are the music makers...we are the dreamers of dreams~

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

United States :: Virginia :: Hampton Roads

Anybody else....

TGIO PARTY!

Script Frenzy April 2009

Tale of the Missing Plot Bunny

Photo Exchange

Congratulations and a ramble

Story to share

Wordcount Rollcall! (Who's won, who's winning, and who's stubbornly hanging on! *grin*)

Our Regional Stats!

Emergency Plot Device Activation Center

Last Sentence Written game

Keep that NaNo guy with the pencil running!

Still A-Writing

No car, no wordcount... help! >.<;;

So did something like this happen to anyone else?

Sunday NaNo Get Together

I dare you!

Time Zones

For those keeping count

Friday NaNoWriMo party is a-go! Whoo!

Write-in at MacArthur Center Mall B&N Tuesday 11/25

Virginia Beach Write-In Monday Nov. 24 (2 shifts)

Any interest in a 11/26 write in in the evening?

Monday Nov. 24, anyone up for a Write-In?

Regarding Friday's 2nd shift

Wordcount Rollcall! (Who's won, who's winning, and who's stubbornly hanging on! grin)