USA :: Delaware

The final countdown!

rstudd — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:39:10 +0000

So the other day I realized that the end is coming up soon, by now I should have two thirds of the book done, but alas I'm barely at a third. Then I put down some more words, and I'm catching up. Thought about it, and while the time we have left is numbered, a book is forever. Keep it up everyone, even if you're a bit behind, we still have time to catch up! Take additional time work the late hours and drink your caffeinated beverage! The result will be worth it!
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USA :: Delaware

Write-ins.

MalCreigt — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:55:26 +0000

ok first wondering if they are still happening....

and second just wondering how one knows where all the NaNoWriMo people are in the place.

Of course I type this while sitting in Pantera in Newark 5 minutes before the scheduled time...so...yeah.
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USA :: Delaware

Hooray for Halfway!

lonelyahava — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:12:50 +0000

Alright Delaware Wrimos! Raise your hands and be heard!

You have hit the 25k mark, or passed it. You Are More Than Halfway There! You Really >CAN< Do this!

State your name, Show your pride in yourself, Encourage others to come join us in this fine fine party we're having over here.

It really does get easier on this side of things.

So pop a cork, pour some tea, smoke a butt, CELEBRATE!

and then get back to writing. C'mon, it's only halfway, you've still got another 25k to go!
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2006: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: Medari (winner)
2007: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: Kyrin(winner)
2008: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: The Devoted (winner)
2009: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: The Wandering

USA :: Delaware

The Death of a Character.

MalCreigt — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:54:05 +0000

okey, I got to wondering this, mostly because its nearing the point where I'm going to have to cut the life of a character short...or at least if I stick to my notes written long long ago for a short story that has apparently vanished into the ether not to be returned >.<

Problem is, in the notes and what little I can remember of the story the character in question was already six feet under, no development or personality given...

But now, I've had to develop the character, give her a personality and everything...and I like her too much. (Which has gotten me to pondering to throwing out the old notes and saying phooey)

But anywho back on track, I was wondering, has anyone else set out designing and building a character meant for an untimely demise just to end up liking the created character? And if so did you have any troubles going ahead with the original plan, or did you end up changing your mind?

and feel free to ignore me heh, I tend to do random ponderings and ramblings either when I'm restless or sleep deprived.
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USA :: Delaware

Favorite Line

lonelyahava — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:48:40 +0000

Ok, so we've seen everybody's first lines.

Now, what about your favorite line? Something in your book that you wrote that had you laughing or giggling, or just plain pleased with yourself.

It can be one line, or a paragraph, or perhaps even a few paragraphs. Show us your pride!

********************************

“They looked like rutting goats.”

Doran looked at Rihanne when she said that, and he had to laugh. They had looked like rutting goats. Or pigs. Or any other animal in the world. So, Hogan and Rosan were nothing but animals, rutting in the wild, completely out of control. Sounded like something an adult would do.

********************************
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2006: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: Medari (winner)
2007: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: Kyrin(winner)
2008: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: The Devoted (winner)
2009: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: The Wandering

USA :: Delaware

Where to write Poll

katpetal — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:53:19 +0000

Instructions
Please answer the following question by submitting your choice(s) with the form

VOTE="place your selection here"

Make sure you include the quotation marks around your answer. You can choose more than one response. I'll make an example as soon as I've finished setting up the post, so you can see how it works.

Question: What area would you be willing to go to for a write-in? You can choose multiples, and this is general areas, not meant to be leaving any areas out. If you want to suggest other areas, put them in after your votes. <3

• North Wilmington
• Wilmington
• Hockessin
• Newark
• Dover
• Milford
• Lewes

NOTE:
To vote for multiple options, put more than one VOTE="option" in a post. E.g.,

VOTE="eating dinner" VOTE="running around with scissors" VOTE="lying down on the grass and gazing up at the stars"
All three of these votes would be registered.

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USA :: Delaware

First Line

lonelyahava — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:06:33 +0000

So, I've been told by every creative writing teacher that I have ever had that the first line (or few lines) of a story are the most important. They are (hopefully) the first thing that your reader will read when they encounter your story. The line should grab them, draw them in, and make them want to keep going. If a reader is bored by the end of the first, if you're lucky second, paragraph then they will most likely not continue reading.

So, this is a place to put up your first line, or few lines, of your novel for this year. Entice us, intrigue us, make us want to read what you're writing.

So far, I'm thinking of this for a first line.

"Are you going to steal me?"
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2006: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: Medari (winner)
2007: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: Kyrin(winner)
2008: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: The Devoted (winner)
2009: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: The Wandering

USA :: Delaware

What is your story about?

katpetal — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Just vague generalizations are fine - or you can get as detailed as you want in telling us about it. Again, I realize that today (10/3) we haven't started writing yet, but some of us know what we're writing - and this may help others to start thinking about it. And as nano starts, this post will still be here to see what others are writing about.

So tell us what you're writing/planning to write.
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USA :: Delaware

Nano Habits

lonelyahava — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:04:25 +0000

Is there something that you do specifically for Nano? A food you eat, a drink you drink, music that you listen to? A certain place that you go to?

For me, there is a brand of tea that I get from englishteastore.com that I only drink while writing. I don't know why, but it's the only time that I drink it. Buckingham Palace Garden Party. It's a blend of earl grey and jasmine tea. And it helps fuel my creativity for some reason that I don't know why.

Also, tastykake chocolate cupcakes.

And nicotine.

So what do you eat or drink to help you get through this month?
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2006: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: Medari (winner)
2007: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: Kyrin(winner)
2008: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: The Devoted (winner)
2009: The Chronicles of Ahlterra: The Wandering

USA :: Delaware

Made up Cities?

Hexx — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:13:07 +0000

Is that a big deal?
In my novel I made up a small northern city in Delaware called Lancaster.
I know there is an area called Lancaster in Delaware and Lancaster Village in Delaware (I live there) But there is no ACTUAL city right?

I made up the city cause I don't want to write about a preexisting city that I don't really know about cause I feel like if I get some stuff wrong I will be insulting the people who live there.

So is Lancaster City, Delaware a good idea? Should I use a different name?
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Indirect Roundabout Method GO!

USA :: Delaware

Characters?

katpetal — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:49:50 +0000

Tell us about your main character(s)
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USA :: Delaware

Delaware - Mississippi FRIENDLY taunting thread

katpetal — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:51:25 +0000

Howdy Folks! The challenge has been made and Delaware has accepted. So lets have some fun taunting and challending each other to ever ascending word counts.
Here's the competition widget:

Here are the categories:

Wordiness Award : to the region with the highest average word count per active member.

Loquacious Award: to the region with the greatest number of 50K winners per active member.

"All Words Are Good" Award: In the NaNo tradition, every region which participates is a winner. This is not a lame consolation prize, because, ALL WORDS ARE GOOD.

An "active member" is a member who is "homed" to the region and who has logged a word count of any size.

This is the thread that, by the magic of the NaNo site, appears in both. And this is where we taunt one another. In a FRIENDLY fashion, of course.

Let the taunting commence!

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USA :: Delaware

I'm a failure

F.C. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:18:10 +0000

I was motivated to start on the 1st, and was all ready to go. But then I was away all day and ended up losing that momentum and it has been difficult to start myself now.

Will these several missed days end up hurting my chance at making the 50k word goal? How do I get myself to finally start?
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USA :: Delaware

Southern Delaware Chime in

katpetal — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:06:01 +0000

Howdy folks,

As I mentioned in a previous post, I don't live in the southern part of the state, so I don't have any good ideas for you as far as write-ins. Use this post as a sounding board for where to meet, and hopefully ya'll can get some organized. That's not to say you wouldnt be welcome at the write-ins I'll be organizing up 'north', but I don't expect you to go that far out of your way to join us.

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USA :: Delaware

Introduction

katpetal — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:55:45 +0000

Hello there!
I am your friendly neighborhood ML, Katie. I'm very happy that you;re joining me this month for all the insanity that will ensue. We've had a blast the last 2 years that I've been involved, and I hope that we can have as much fun this year.

I've started this post so we can introduce ourselves. Feel free to tell us anything you want. As much or as little. Even just pop in and say hi to let us know you'll be writing with us.

I'll start.
I'm Katie, I'm 30, and this is my 3rd year both participating in NANO and being an ML. My first year, I finished but last year I hit a snag and didn't get very far in my novel. I'm married, I have 3 cats, and I work in a busy optometry office in Wilmington.
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USA :: Delaware

How about POV?

katpetal — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:07:02 +0000

What POV will you be writing from? Is this something different for you? Why will you be using this POV?

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USA :: Delaware

Two, Four, Six, Eight – Why do we affiliate (and make Delaware our Home Region)?

katpetal — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:30:11 +0000

Toto, we're home. Home! And this is my room, and you're all here. And I'm not gonna leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all, and - oh, Auntie Em - there's no place like home!

During November, it's fun to compare Delaware's progress against all the regions in the world, both in word count and donations. Please show Blue Hen Pride by making sure your successes are included in our regional total. To do this, you need to affiliate with Delaware AND set Delaware as your Home Region.

It's a relatively painless process:

1.If you’re not affiliated with Delawre:
Go to My NaNoWriMo and click My Regions. On the Regions tab, locate Delaware (United States :: Delaware), and click Join. Then click Join again.

If you are already affiliated:
Do not pass Go. Proceed directly to the Home Region tab.

2.On the Home Region tab, click the circle beside United States::Delaware, and click the Set Home Region button.
That’s all there is to it!

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USA :: Delaware

Your writing rules

danshortridge — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:28:43 +0000

Does anyone have their own personal rules for writing during NaNo, and if so, would you like to share them?

I'll start. Mine are still developing, mostly aimed at keeping myself focused and on-task.

1. Two hours of writing each day, minimum. Each hour has to be completely uninterrupted time – so it can be 1 hour in the morning, 1 hour in the evening, but nothing smaller.
2. Write nonstop during that time – no research or plot planning, just writing.
3. No self-censoring, deleting or editing. No editing at all until the book is finished. Write whatever stuff spills out of your fingertips, no matter how bad or ugly it sounds.
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USA :: Delaware

Regional Word War?

katpetal — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:50:18 +0000

We have gotten an invite for a word-war challenge with the state of Mississippi. It seems that have about the same number of active wrimos this year that we do. So what do you think Delaware, do we want to take on Mississippi this year? Could be fun! (I am including the email I got about it so you can see why she thought of us):

"Hey from Mississippi,

I was wondering if you might be interested in a regional challenge between your region and mine. I know that size wise Mississippi is a much bigger state but we have about the same number of active participates I think.

I know that me homing in on Delaware is a little strange to you maybe but that is where NaNoWriMo started for me as I went to school in Wilmington at Widener Law School for a year back in '05. I only went to one write-in but it did make a big impression on me. I understand that this is kind of last minute so I will understand if you turn me down.

Carrietta

Co-ML for the state of Mississippi"
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USA :: Delaware

Online Write-ins

katpetal — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:16:21 +0000

Anytime we have a write-in (at least the ones I can attend), I'll also be in the online chatroom for delaware. We can also have online write-ins whenever we would like. Just pop in, and see if anyone is around. And this way, even if the write-ins are too far away but the timing works for ya, you can still join us! The link can be found in our regional header, or here:

http://chatnano.net/tempchats/delaware.html - it tells you how to go about registering your name and what to do. So come join me online to chat about writing!
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USA :: Delaware

Newark Write-Ins?

Adrian — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:12:17 +0000

Are we going to have write-ins in Newark?
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USA :: Delaware

What genre are you writing this year?

katpetal — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:59:10 +0000

(Disclaimer: this first sentence won't really apply once 11/1 hits, but tell us anyway!)So, I know we haven't started yet - but this should be a good excercise. If you haven't already figured out what you're writing, then hopefully this can help you think on it a bit. And if you have, great!

So, what genre are you writing this year? Is it different from what you usually write/Different from what you've done for NaNo before (if you've participated)?
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USA :: Delaware

Kick Off Event

katpetal — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:55:38 +0000

Howdy folks!

Our kickoff event will take place Sunday 11/1 from 1-4pm at the Trabant Student Center at UD.
We'll have games, and fun, and do some writing and get this thing started the right (write?) way!
So come on out, bring your writing implement of choice, and be ready for silliness and fun1
Hope to see you all there!
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USA :: Delaware

Song Lyrics into Novels...

ajacks01 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:30:44 +0000

I love music - and one of my favorite artists is Bob Seger!
Most of his songs tell a story and that got me thinking ...

What if you simply took the lyrics of your favorite 'story song'
and stretched out each line into a small chapter or event!?

Maybe the reason the character in the song reaches the conclusion
he's singing about is because of a more protracted story...

You could elaborate on that event and have yourself a fine little story!
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USA :: Delaware

When to Write Poll

katpetal — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:56:39 +0000

Instructions
Please answer the following question by submitting your choice(s) with the form

VOTE="place your selection here"

Make sure you include the quotation marks around your answer. You can choose more than one response. I'll make an example as soon as I've finished setting up the post, so you can see how it works.

Question: What nights/day of the week would you be available for a writein?

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

NOTE:
To vote for multiple options, put more than one VOTE="option" in a post. E.g.,

VOTE="eating dinner" VOTE="running around with scissors" VOTE="lying down on the grass and gazing up at the stars"
All three of these votes would be registered.

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USA :: Delaware