Europe :: Wales

Newbies - How's it going?

Kaymera — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:16 +0000

I know we have a few newbies in our midst this year, and was just wondering how you all found the first day and a half of Nano. Is it living up to your expectations?
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Europe :: Wales

Word Wars Sign-Up

JayWalker — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:30:25 +0000

Hi Everyone,
sorry I'm a bit late posting this - it's been a frantic week and I spent too much time typing my own NaNo words instead of posting threads for Word Wars.

For anyone who doesn't know, Word Wars are fought to decide which region in the UK and Ireland has the highest average wordcount per participant.

In other words, we need people to sign-up and write lots of words. High wordcounts increase our chances of winning, a low wordcount brings down the average.

Wales has done very well in the past and it would be great to do it again. If you're interested, please post ONCE on this thread by 8pm on Tuesday 10th.

I'll post another thread with the detailed rules - and a third for chatting about Word Wars and cheering each other on.

So - to start the ball rolling, I'M IN!!!! Who's next?
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2008 The Second Time: Milk and Honey - 202,246
2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Lampeter Uni

Madness — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:31:18 +0000

Anyone 'cept poor little me in Walker doing Nano this year?
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Europe :: Wales

What are you listening to?

SweetHeartScene — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:45:28 +0000

At the moment to get my novel off the ground I am listening to :

Brand New (live versions and acoustic versions)
Manchester Orchestra
Kevin Devine

It is setting the tone of my novel pretty well and it is chilled enough that it doesn't make me want to go out but into it enough to keep writing.

If you have Spotify, this is my writing playlist for your pleasure http://open.spotify.com/user/tara2109/playlist/6PxITxkuqzaH0mVZaVUlHp

What do you listen to? Want to see what the Welsh writers use for inspiration! If you have Spotify, feel free to share playlists!

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Europe :: Wales

Word Wars Banter Thread

JayWalker — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:33:30 +0000

Ok, this is where we get to cheer each other on, heckle (politely) the opposition and exchange tips on word generation.
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2008 The Second Time: Milk and Honey - 202,246
2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Word Wars - The Rules

JayWalker — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:31:50 +0000

2009 Rules:
Eligibility
You must live within the UK or Ireland, and be relatively close to the 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. There is a minimum team size of five participants. If less than five people sign-up to take part, your ML has the option of joining forces with another region in order to increase the team size. If your ML is unwilling or unable to do so and you still wish to take part, you may go direct to another region and ask to join their team, but please give your ML time to arrange for the entire team to join another one before you do this.

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 (8 days) 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 automatic removal. (The final date that non-updaters will be removed is the 24th Nov, after this date, all surviving participants will remain in the competition.)
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!
If, as a result of automatic elimination or voluntary removal, your team falls below five members, your ML will be given 48 hours to arrange to join another team (this may be extended slightly on negotiation with myself, this is the first time we've had this rule and I'm not sure how it's going to work yet) after which the team will be disqualified. Up to 8pm on the 24th of November, any remaining team members who wish to continue to take part can join one of the other teams (with that team's permission). After this deadline all teams will be fixed.

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.
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
Each team member receives a personalised winner's certificate, plus goodies to be determined...

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2008 The Second Time: Milk and Honey - 202,246
2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Wrexham!

BritishHobo — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:29:29 +0000

Anyone else here from Wrexham?
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NaNo 2008: You Broke Christmas (50,002).
NaNo 2009: Shalloween.
NaNo 2010: Where's Wally?
NaNo 2011: What The Devil Is Happening?
NaNo 2012: Oops.
'Any last words, you giant moron?'

Europe :: Wales

Anyone from Vale?

Tigerprincess — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:35:17 +0000

Hiya Peeps!

Tiger Princess bouncing in from Vale of Glamorgan here. I just thought I'd yell and see how many echoes I get back! Although with the cliffs around here, you get a pretty good echo from anywhere...

I'm in Rhoose BTW (not going to say where exactly or I'll get hordes coming over for coffee and the house is just not tidy enough for that!) and I do all my writing on a Desktop - can't afford my own laptop yet. I'm a fairly friendly tiger, I don't tend to scratch unless provoked and I don't bite unless I'm seriously annoyed.

I'm all planned out, maps, plot and and characters are scattered across my desk. My Muse, Puff, is sat beside my computer ready to aid me in this challenge. This is my second time NaNo'ing and as I didn't even make 5,000 words last year, I am hoping that this year is going to be different.

Good Luck for the next month!

TP
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Tiger Princess
Time is a Circle, you just can’t see the curve!

Europe :: Wales

Swansea meet-up: Next?

TJParry — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:16:09 +0000

Alright, yesterday rocked, but there was talk of making it a regular thing, and getting hold of a room in the library for us to natter/work in. Since I'm the one who got the number for booking said room, it'd be helpful to know when we're doing it next so I can find out.

Are we making it a regular Wednesday event? Are we gonna float it? (Awkward for booking purposes...) Are we making it fortnightly, monthly, etc?

Quicker is better, so I can get this organized. :3
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Europe :: Wales

Cardiff, Saturday 14th Nov, Lunchtime, Prince of Wales

JayWalker — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:36:05 +0000

Hello Everyone,

After a great meeting on 1st Nov, this is the second one at the same venue. We've picked a Saturday for those of you who can't make it on a Sunday. We couldn't come up with a better venue - Wetherspoons may not be the most inspiring of places, but it does the job!

I will be at the Prince of Wales from 12 o'clock on the 14th. Look for the purple hat! I will bring NaNo stickers and a small prize for the writing comp. Bring the first page of your NaNo novel if you fancy sharing it.

If you've got a suggestion for a different venue, please post it - we may use it next time.

All welcome, bring paper and pen for some writing fun.

Prince of Wales: 82-84 St Mary St, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10 1FA, United Kingdom
029 2064 4449‎
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2008 The Second Time: Milk and Honey - 202,246
2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Halfway House

JayWalker — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:50:19 +0000

Ok - this is the first thread for people to mark reaching a milestone in their wordcount. I'm in danger of hitting the 25K mark today - with good luck, a following wind and lots more rain keeping me indoors!

Please post on here when you've hit 25,000 after you've done your little happy dance!

^_^

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2008 The Second Time: Milk and Honey - 202,246
2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Aberystwyth Meet-Up

LadyPenelope — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:28:11 +0000

We're hogging the mid-Wales thread again (who knew there were so many NaNoers in little old Aber?) so it seemed logical to have our own space to plan a meet-up, that was for students at the uni and local residents.

So, who's interested in a meet-up/write-in in Aber? Any suggestions for novelling friendly venues?
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http://twitter.com/rockette7

Europe :: Wales

Swansea meet-up-Wednesday 4th November!

spursbythebeach — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:17:07 +0000

Hi everyone!
As mentioned before we're hoping to arrange a couple of meet-ups for next week, especially next Wednesday. How is that for everyone? And what are everyone's preferred times? We're looking into Swansea central but anywhere easy to get to from central Swansea would definitely be considered. Hope to see you all there...
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Europe :: Wales

South-East Corner

JayWalker — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:34:43 +0000

BIt of a long shot this - is there anyone else from the South East? I live in Chepstow, caught between the border and the rivers. Just wondered if anyone else was in my neck of the woods? Maybe even fancy a meetup?

Jay
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2008 The Second Time: Milk and Honey - 202,246
2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Anyone from Cardiff?

ForeversOverrated — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:52:54 +0000

I just moved down here for University. Fantastic city, fantastic people and many a perfect place to lose yourself in the writing lol.

Just wondering if there's anyone else doing NaNo in the area?
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Europe :: Wales

Bangor University Nanoers

Thisbedutch — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:51:58 +0000

Hey, any Nanoers in Bangor or Bangor University?

This is the Treasurer of Arcanii, the Bangor Uni Literature Society and this post is for anyone in the area or the society to come and say hi :D

Ideas, thoughts on the madness that is Nano before it begins are welcome, as are general greetings, introductions and cries for help!
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Europe :: Wales

Mid-Wales area!

ChamberMonk — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:27:22 +0000

Hi everyone! Can't wait to get underway, I hope I'm not bored of thinking about my story by the time November comes!
I'm just writing here to note something really. I noticed last year that there weren't any write-ins or meetups in the Mid-Wales area particularly. We had a few along the coast in Aberystwyth but most meetups occured in the cities to the north and south. So I'm really just enquiring to see how many people are in the area (Llandod...Newtown...Welshpool...Llanidloes... Machynthleth... etc) and then maybe in November we cuold have a cuople of meetups here in the middle!

Thanks :)
Have fun!
-Rhys
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NaNo '08 - A Meadow on the Moon (unfinished)
Nano ' 09 - Losing Lottie (In Progress!)

Europe :: Wales

Cardiff University

ForeversOverrated — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:53:17 +0000

So, I was amazed at just how many people replied to my general Cardiff thread. Now I want to narrow the field a little and ask if anybody is at Cardiff University?

If so, what year are you in and what are you studying?
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Europe :: Wales

Neath NaNoers?

Fat Dan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:46:11 +0000

Anyone else clicking in from Neath College? It's a massive college, and i can't believe that someone else isn't doing it. :D

Or is there anyone from the Neath area? Or around there :)

I'm pretty much the only one of my friends who likes to write and is doing this and it would be awesome to meet someone else who's doing it :D
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Europe :: Wales

Day 2

stormysoul — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:20:36 +0000

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3267075

This is good for keeping track of your work...ok....its fun to play with, and you can still pretend you are working....

How is everyone doing? Im finding it very hard work at the moment - my plot seems to have changed and also the time period...Im hoping it will begin to sort its self out soon!

onwards....

stormy xx
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Lost the plot already!

Europe :: Wales

Anyone here based in Llanelli?

TJParry — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:29:25 +0000

I guess the title says it all really... I'm new to this, though I've heard about it for a while, and was wondering if anyone was based up my way or nearby?
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Europe :: Wales

Who's starting at midnight?

spursbythebeach — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:44:19 +0000

Is anyone else staying up to start writing at midnight or am I the only one not out for Halloween?lol!
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Europe :: Wales

Cardiff, 1st Nov, Lunchtime, Prince of Wales

JayWalker — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:17:44 +0000

Morning All,

I will be at the Prince of Wales from 12 o'clock today. Look for the purple hat! I will bring NaNo stickers and a small prize for the writing comp, if we decide to have one.

If you've got a suggestion for a different venue, please post it - or mention it at the meet-up.

All welcome, bring paper and pen for some writing fun.

Europe :: Wales

Swansea newbie....

laurasbubble — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:29:08 +0000

Hey all,
I'm from Swansea and starting today.... Wanted to know about the meet-ups, what happens is it a writing circle or more like a social meeting of people? Am pretty interested but a little shy if honest!
Hope everyone is going well on day one! Take care and happy writing!
Laura x x x
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Take care, lots of love and hugs... Laura x x x

Europe :: Wales

Cardiff Meet-ups

JayWalker — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:55:28 +0000

Bore da Cymru!

Okay, let's get something organised in our fair Capital.

I'm happy to come and run "official" meetups on:
Sunday 1st,
Saturday 15th
Sunday 6th December (wrap-up party)

In the past, we've met at the Prince of Wales in Cardiff centre - but there's no reason we shouldn't go elsewhere. Venues need to be:
Open at the right time!
Happy for us to take over part of their space and not buy many drinks
Open to under-18s
Wheelchair accessible
Reachable by public transport

So - pubs (that allow under-18s), coffee shops - whatever.

If anyone wishes to run further meetups, please continue to do so - but try to stick to the "rules" above so everyone can attend that wants to.

I have a number of stickers to distribute and will bring them along. I'll also come prepared to run little writing comps, as they've been so popular in the past.

So - any suggestions for meeting places?

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2008 The Second Time: Milk and Honey - 202,246
2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales