USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

Sunday Afternoon Write-In?

StorieStorm — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:48:16 +0000

***one of the other members suggested I start a new topic for this.

Hey Flagstaff Wrimos! I was wondering if anyone would be up for a write in this Sunday. I live in a town an hour away from Flagstaff that isn't big enough to have formal write-ins so I've never been to one. I would love to have the opportunity to experience one of the best parts of NaNoWriMo and I'll be there visiting family this weekend. If anyone is up for getting together on Sunday, say between noon and two for a couple of hours, I would love it! I have to leave town by four or five so I don't have to fight the elk on the long drive home. I don't care where. Let me know and I'll make plans to see you soon!
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Stormy
http://storiestorm.com

USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

Write-In for Thursday November 19th.

Cory5412 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:48:01 +0000

Hey everyone!

Sorry this has taken me soooooo long to post.

Just as a bit of an update on me and my novel, I caught up on Sunday, like, I wrote 5,500 words or so, and then I stayed caught up on Monday, and yesterday and today I have totally fallen off the boat again, so I will need word wars this write-in. How have all of you been doing with the word count? Presumably much better than I have!

Tentatively, unless I get like a huge flow of emails suggesting differently, Macy's Coffee House on Beaver Street.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&cid=0,0,5320460241594217132...

And here's a bit of a simpler map: http://www.macyscoffee.net/map.html

The meeting is scheduled for like 6 to 8, but I am going to try to be there early, so I can hopefully wrangle up a few tables for us.

I hope to see you all there! There will be stickers and fun will be had by all of the novelists!
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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

Word Counts

SaraLucindaKnoll — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:30:32 +0000

Where should I theoretically be if I want to hit 50,000 by the 30th? Do you all keep track of how many words you write per day? I had originally planned to do 2,000 a day but it's so hard to work, go to class, write 2,000 words and keep up with laundry and dishes....

which is why there are literally, swear to God, three feet of clean clothes piled up on my kitchen table right now.
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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

The Observation Deck: A Tool Kit for Writers

KillerCassandra — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:25:58 +0000

Hi all:

I have this thing I bought years ago called _The Observation Deck: A Tool Kit for Writers_. It looks kind of like a Tarot deck (or I guess plain old card deck--but I'm in Sedona, so Tarot comes immediately to mind) and it functions kind of like those colored index cards we filled out last week, to help when you're at an impasse or need a new approach or inspiration.

Anyway, I thought I'd draw a card every day, post it here, and comment on what it might mean (there's a book that comes with the deck that does this, but I've lost it, so I'll create my own commentary).

I missed yesterday, so there are two cards for today.

And they are (drumroll):

November 1:
"Create a sacred space"
To me this means think about setting, describe it in detail, or literally create a sacred space for your character, maybe like what is sometimes called a "liar" for killers in mystery fiction (the killer's home in _Silence of the Lambs_, for example).

November 2:
"Build a history"
Not much commentary needed: backstory, obviously.

Hope this helps someone!

Cordially,
Cassandra
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KillerCassandra

USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

FMS people talk

theflagstaffian — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:22:51 +0000

this is tyler mcferson, aka THE AWESOME 1. Talk about random stuff
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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

Write-In for Thursday November 12th

Cory5412 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:40:37 +0000

Hey everyone!

The write-in last week was a bit less than perfectly successful, just because it turns out Campus Coffee Bean is incredibly busy on Thursday nights.

In the previous write-in thread, we received reccomendations for Macy's Coffee House and for another newer coffee shop on Humphreys, both of which I'll need to find and put on a google map for us.

Is there any preference as to which we go to?

For anybody on the NAU campus, there may be rides available if you wanted to meet somewhere (like at Cline Library or Student Union), or I'd be willing to meet up with you and make the adventure walk.

Hopefully we can find a slightly quieter place where a few more of us will be able to gather in one spot. I will probably go location scouting on Monday or Tuesday as well, to see if I can gain approval for our meeting, or even set up a little dedicated spot for us with power outlets and everything.

So, any specific preferences or is it just "somewhere we can write"?

See ya Thursday!
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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

INTRODUCTIONS!

joebob1379 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:31:57 +0000

(Does that thread title make anyone else think of this?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP4N27kbMdk )

ANYWAY, we are fast approaching November, and I know a lot of us will get to meet on Thursday, I think it would be lovely to get to know each other a bit RIGHT NOW, because I am impatient.

I'll start:

Hi, everybody! I'm Allison, I'm a junior at NAU, Secondary English Education major with minors in Spanish and (maybe) Theatre. Harry Potter was my first love, Twilight my most recent love. Though I also really love John Green, Maureen Johnson, Scott Westerfeld, and I'm FINALLY reading Justine Larbalestier. I love YA literature.
What else? I love The Office. And Glee. And I have NO IDEA what I'm going to write this year, but I am still really excited :)

So, what about you?
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-Allison
DFTBA!
www.nerdfighters.com

USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

Write-ins!!!

Cory5412 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:34:45 +0000

Hey everyone! I'm working on the plan for write-ins, and so far it looks like we'll be good for either Tuesday or Thursday, and it sounds like most people didn't have any specific desires as far as locations go.

Based on these things, I think our best bet will be to pick either Bookman's or Campus Coffee Bean, just because I think either of those locations will have a better atmosphere for novelwriting, and both work great as generic "hang-out" locations, whereas Peter Piper really is specifically a restaurant.

Except for next week and the week of Thanksgiving (that I know of) I can do both Tuesday and Thursday, if everybody wants. (Oh, actually there may be one more week where I can't do a Tuesday, so I might only actually be able to make it to one or two of the Tuesday write-ins, if we have one.)

If I had to (and it may work better if I do) set a single night, it would be Thursday, because I am pretty sure I can make it to CCB or Bookman's every single Thursday (except Thanksgiving) of the month.

So what works out best for all of you?

Oh, also, I'm sneaking in some information about how you can donate to the Office of Light and Letters, the fine organization that puts on the event as a whole, and in general, works to increase writing and other awesome things, as an example, the awesome stickers I was able to give out at our kickoff party were paid for by donations to the Office of Letters and Light.

Also, (I have a handbook that suggests I say this) that NaNoWriMo does have fabulous merchandise and donation levels available! They're available at https://store.lettersandlight.org/merchandise and https://store.lettersandlight.org/donations . The organization is a non-for-profit, information is here: https://store.lettersandlight.org/are-you-non-profit-my-donation-tax-ded... .

There are also a variety of tactics for donating when broke! These things you can do while researching stuff for your novel, or just searching for what that error message Microsoft Word has given you means.

Also, there's information on how The Office of Letters and Light uses the money they get from donations. All of that is right here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/wheredonationsgo

Thank you and have a great day!
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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

When and where will you start writing? (Also where do you write in general)

Cory5412 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:02:10 +0000

Hey everyone, happy almost november first!

Just for the sake of discussion, when and where do you intend to start writing?

I personally am at work on NAU's campus in the South Learning Resource Center until 11, I don't know if I'm going to stick around here for the use of the great chair until midnight, or if I'm going to go home and hang out with my laptop on my bed, or if I'll stand up at my main desk, which is at standing level (I stacked a desk and a small folding table together so I can stand at my computer, which lets me move around and burn a few more calories)

Happy writing!
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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

Kickoff Party Sign-in informatoin

Cory5412 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:07:25 +0000

Hey everyone!

We passed a sign-in sheet around at the kickoff party, and here's who checked in. Just like on the sign-in sheet, IRL name will be listed, followed by your NaNo user name.

Cassandra -- killercassandra
Megan -- melimsah
Allison -- joebob1379
Biz -- Guardiandragon67
Ally -- Freezair
Glenn -- Endermage
Shannon -- Securry
Eve -- Eves_pen
Jill -- JillKoelling
Cory -- Cory5412 (that's me, apparently I signed in last.)

Twitter information is forthcoming, as I have lost that paper on the other side of the room. Mine is http://www.twitter.com/Cory5412 however.
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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

As requested, the contents of the story cards.

Cory5412 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:41:14 +0000

Hey everybody! Sorry this has taken so long, but as promised, for your perusal, here is everything I got out of the story cards. I'm going to buy another pack in case yuo want to add more at the write-ins, or I suddenly feel the need to make a whole bunch of them.

Hopefully all of these are helpful, or at least funny!

NaNoWriMo Story Enhancement Cards
United States :: Flagstaff :: Arizona
Kickoff party
2009-10-29

Plot Twists (Green cards)
Your main character's best friend is about to get on a train to go to Seattle.
Suddenly, John was the demons!
It turns out that it takes place on the Internet.
Suddenly, the rest of life has a soundtrack.
Character is in a coma as a result of an accident.
Huge earthquake in area.
It turns out it was all a dream
Liver transplant
Character recovers from amnesia of which they weren't aware.
Character discovers that they have a past they were oblivious to.
The main villain is actually a malevolent gerbil.
The "lovers" are long-lost twins
He killed your father. Prepare to die.
Have a character come through the door with a gun (stolen from Raymond character)
Someone gets poisoned and an antidote must be found.
The murderer is the hero.
A new character appears named "Arthur" who becomes important to the story.
A wind storm blows a tree into your character's vehicle.
Your main character is accosted by a famous boy band. They steal his/her wallet.

Random Quote (Pink cards)
"What do you mean you don't want to make out?"
"Chastity Bono dissed my dog?!?!"
"I am a fish, blorb blorp"
Male character: "Hey, it wasn't as painful as giving birth. ... Never doing THAT again..."
"Pardon me, miss, there's a duck on your head."
"It's a small world, after all."
"Confounded, madam!"
"Teller of untruths! Your pants are combusted!"
"Just a sec, someone on the Internet is being stupid"
"The food is as good as the fun."
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder!"
"That which does not kill me -- better run pretty darn fast!"
"I FEEL ASLEEP!"
"It's absurd that the cows are dancing"
"That's what she said"
"She's cracked out on whore" (happens to be a nanoism of sorts that I had in my phone)
"DIET COKE!!!!"
"Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!"
"I don't want a boyfriend. I want a MANfriend."
"It's none of your bizwix."
"It's all about the Benjamins... or the Hokey Pokey... or something."

Character Development (Blue cards)
Turns out, the character was adopted.
Character comes from a long line of alcoholics.
Character discovers as an adult that they are adopted - with misterious circumstances.
Character finds out divorced father is now in a relationwhip with a man (or mother with a woman)
A character becomes a vegetarian.
The character was adopted at age 2.
Character has a bad toupee.
The character realizes they love something they have refused to try for a long time.
A character's favorite story is "Harry Potter"
Character was born in a log cabin.
Was severely burned in a fire.
Character is homosexual.
Your character develops a strange unusual addiction. (to carrots, the smell of cabbage patch dolls, the feel of mud between toes, something odd like that.)
Character is allergic to gluten but still bakes cakes.
Your character writes a web site or publishes in a paper. Or just yells really loud.
The character sees the person s/he will marry later in life.
Wears a muu muu and has no teeth.
Your character wanted to be a denist when s/he was little.
Your character was a contestant on a B-list game show. They won a lifetime supply of chewing gum.
Your MC or another character has a pet named "Master Sergeant Pamplemoose"
Patrick (or maybe your MC?) has no sense of smell.

Dares! (Yellow cards)
You have to make a reference to a liver.
Main characters with inferiority complex.
Include a character missing one or more limb.
Suddenly a character gets a Scottish accent.
I dare you to write a scene at a Peter Piper or Chuck E. Cheese style pizza place.
A major character dyes his/her hair bright green.
drag race
Mahnamshna. (Doot dooo do do doot.)
Every good novel should have at least one chicken.
I dare you to make a romantic scene involving stickers.
Talking Jack'o'Lantern.
A character falls through thin ice into a lake.
Tell a story backward.
Make a reference to NaNoWriMo in your story.
Shakespeare gives people magical powers through his plays.
Mention a vampire then explicitly mention that this vampire */_does not sparkle._/* (bold, italics and underline are required)
Someone randomly runs up and hugs the main character.
Time travel. Double points:Maybe your character meets a future or past version of themselves. Super bonus points: Your character has damaged and needs to repair the time stream. Triple Bonus Points: Thaddeus.
Hybridizer: a piece of technology that your characters can use to combine any number of objects in just about any way.
Find a book. Open up to page 25. The fourth sentence must be used.
Reference your favorite song.
Write one sentence (of at least 10 words) with each word betinning in the same letter. (This includes articles.)
Your character shows his or her sticker collection to his or her love interest.
TAP DANCING VAMPIRE!

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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

Kickoff party ideas?

Cory5412 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:32:58 +0000

Hey Flagstaff! I am not listed as such in the forum yet, but I passed the test of awesomeness for my 4th year of NaNoWriMo and I hope that I can be a great ML.

I thought I'd get a bit of a head start with the planning of what I hope is a great kickoff party. The kickoff party can also give us a good indicator of when and where we might have write-ins.

The best times for me are Monday after 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday after about 1 p.m., Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., and any time on Sunday.

Thursday 10/29 could work well for a regional kickoff party, and in a pinch I can get work off on Saturday 10/31.

Let me know what works best for you in terms of scheduling!

Thanks in advance!
--Cory W.
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USA :: Arizona :: Flagstaff

Super Special Awesome NaNoWriMo Remix Writing Music Dance Party

Freezair — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:26:28 +0000

At the suggestion of Glenn (what username is he running around here under, anyway?) and Oure Moste Wonderfulle ML...

In this topic, post songs, artists, CDs, soundtracks, whatEVER it is out there that you think makes good writing music! Because writing music is awesome. And I always like new suggestions, both for writing purposes and because I like ear candy. :D Also, if you're looking for a specific type of song to help you set a mood, feel free to ask for it here.

-The soundtrack to the video game No More Heroes is awesome; there's a lot of rock/metal stuff, with some techno splashed in for fun, and a LOT of thumping base. It's great motivation for writing action scenes, and ESPECIALLY good for completely-off-their-rocker villains. Most of it is either lyricless or has nonsense vocalizations, so if you find lyrics distracting, it works well. A few, but FAR from all:
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN5HG0Ww0A4&feature=related Oxygen Graffiti (Did I mention all the songs have weird, awesomely nonsensical titles like this?)
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSfbb3WHClE Pleather For Breakfast (I've actually been using this song to "get into the mood" for one of my non-NaNo villains, a psycopathic cyborg evil investor. :P)
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FISXJNCcLM0&feature=related We Are Finally Cowboys
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnhMIJKSHs&feature=related Stop Hanging DJs
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs-SxiWXS8Y&feature=related Mach 13 Elephant Explosion
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP3DFYVsQN8&feature=related Vioectrolysis

-Both a video game soundtrack AND a standalone album, Terry S. Taylor's "Neverhood Songs" is full of great, catchy folksy guitar/oompah tunes with utterly nonsensical lyrics, most of the time. Due to their strange, silly nature, they're the PERFECT music backdrop for writing comedy, and otherwise really "lol wut" scenes.
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppkBUXKjLw0 Klaymen's theme
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgfzWLP2pPE&feature=related Dum Da Dum Doi Doi
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiIomFNNNxo&feature=related Operator Plays A Little Pingpong
--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6R5x1VP2b4&feature=related Potatoes Tomatoes Gravy and Peas
--http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2612/38 Homina Homina (Weird comedy... or descent into stygian madness?)
--http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2612/21 The Weasel Chase (Especially good for weird slapstick scenes)

SINGLE SONGS (Warning, here may be lyrics):

-For a triumphant heroic character: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw2KOHRjia8 "Mighty Little Man," by Steve Burns (Fun fact: The writer/singer is the old Blue's Clues guy. Who knew he could rock?)
-A song for a perservering character: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LNvZpkQzKI "Another Believer," by Rufus Wainwright
-For trying to be awe-inspiring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc "A Glorious Dawn," remixed by Melodysheep
-Creep-them-the-hell-out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfJs0gtiwhA&feature=related "Subconcious." I have no idea who the artist is, because it's in Japanese.
-Nonvocal: For a hint of esoteric, European mystery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj51i-Smo1U "Theme of the Diabolical Box," from Professor Layton and te Diabolical Box.
-Nonvocal: For when things just need to be SAD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyIQHDpJ0R8 "Abandoned Memories"

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I'm going to kill myself doing this, aren't I?