Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

A month since Nano and...

FaeWitch — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 13:23:51 -0800

Well, we've had nearly a month of downtime since the mad rush and, while I know the best idea is to leave it for a while but the keyboard just keeps calling to me.

Anyone else got anything done between nano and now and what are your writing plans for the new year. I'm thinking it might be nice if (after managing to miss all the write-ins) we could arrange some kind of meet up in the new year...probably not in Starbucks though :)
----------
2005 - Pryde and Honour (Won)
2006 - Better the Devil You Know (Won)
2007 - Fata Quadrivium (Won)
Proud member of the Trebuchet Club '06 & '07

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

New ML(s) needed

Rolnikov — Sun, 2 Dec 2007 14:23:18 -0800

Well done to everyone who won this year, and well done to everyone who didn't!

As I mentioned in the email and at the write-in last week, this will be my last year as ML for now. I've had a good run of four years, but I fancy putting a bit more effort, thought and planning into my next novel than I've done previously. Plus Starbucks aren't keen on us coming back for write-ins, so whoever takes over will need to find a new location. Basically I'm leaving that problem to someone else!

(John, the other ML for our area, has said he might take a break from NaNoWriMo next year. He doesn't have to decide till August or so, but that means both slots might be up for grabs.)

Anyone who fancies taking over from me should have a look at the requirements: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/1003232

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about what's involved. I don't have much advice. One thing I've learnt is that although it's nice to give people a choice about when to have events, it takes a while to organise things that way - and a good general rule is that the sooner you set the date and time for an event the more people will come. Another thing I'd suggest is when contacting pubs, cafes, etc, to not bother trying to explain the concept of NaNoWriMo - just say "We're a writing club." That's about the extent of what I've learnt! It's worth mentioning too that if you become an ML you'll get access to the special ML forum where you'll be able to get loads of advice on everything if you sign up (as well as getting to hear the latest inside gossip).

One benefit of being the ML is that you get to arrange things you way you like them. Another is that you'll get to meet lots of great people, just like I have! Thanks to everyone who's made it a relatively easy job for me!
----------
Theaker's Quarterly Fiction #23

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Don't stop now!: Writer's Group and Scriptfrenzy

snuffyssuicide — Mon, 3 Dec 2007 15:52:43 -0800

Hi hi hi!

So I lost. But I am not worried because I can keep writing alllllllll year and maybe I will have less crazy shit going on than I did this month.

If you too want to keep writing all year round, why not do it with fellow writers over tasty beverages? This last year a small group of us have been meeting up roughly twice a month - once for a 'write-in' on whatever project we're currently working on, and once for silly writing challenges. And chatting. Lots of chatting. And tea. And blasphemy. We've been meeting in Starbucks in Martineau Place on Sundays at 12 but that's open to negotiation.

If you're interested, put a comment here with preferences for the next weekend we should meet or nanomail me your email or something. We've basically been communicating by emailing each other en masse so hopefully you don't mind us having your emails.

AND

Don't forget Scriptfrenzy which will be in April in 2008. Scriptfrenzy is like NaNoWriMo except with a screenplay or stageplay instead of a novel, and it's only 20000 words and a lot less people do it but it is FUN. I should be ML-ing for that again next year. The website is www.scriptfrenzy.org if you want to keep an eye out.

Oh and well done, NaNoWriMo winners!
----------
***
Alison/snuffy

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

TGIO: Pizza Hut, Sunday, 4.00pm

Rolnikov — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:55:52 -0800

Hi everyone

Won't write here for long, as I've got loads of writing to do, but I'll be booking a table for us at Pizza Hut - reply to this thread if you plan to come, please, or drop me a line.

I'll be booking the table first thing on the weekend, but if you don't decide to come till later, you can always just come and ask for a table nearby.

No special Christmas offer this time I'm afraid.

See you soon. Good luck!
----------
Theaker's Quarterly Fiction #23

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

50K shoutout

mad4purple — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:46:57 -0800

I finished my novel last week, well by finished I mean hit 50K. I am now writing my second one, leaving the first one in the middle of a scene so I can carry on with it come December.

I am hoping to come to the write in on Sunday, but plans often change at the last minute with me!

Has anyone else finished?
----------
Gosh if I can't even think of a signature, how the heck am I going to write a novel.

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

How I 'cheated' at WriMo

andyconway — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 05:28:44 -0800

I've just written an article about my first experience of Nanowrimo and how I used it as a tool to write the misery memoir I'd been avoiding for two years.

Here it is: http://www.asax84.dsl.pipex.com/

Andy
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Total Boredem after writing?

Duochanfan — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:25:11 -0800

HI all

Okay, it is 3:22 am and this is usually the time I would be writing, or typing as the case maybe. Now unfortuanatly I have not only done the 50,000 words but also brought the story to a nend.

I am at a complete lose of what to do.

Is anyone else feeling the strain of total boredem after a frenzy of writing?
Anyone have any ideas of what to do?

Sue
----------
Love is Love, who are we to judge if it is right or wrong.

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

The Last Dash - For Those of 40k!

justicefornone — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 07:27:49 -0800

Those who did Nano last year may remember how I managed to do the whole thing in 11 days and how I managed to be the Thread started of pretty much all the "IMPORTANTWORDCOUNTNUMBERHERE" threads...

the last 3 days have so seen just over 25k words so this is more like it!

So come on folks! Chime in once you hit the Magical 40,000 knowing that you are almost there! its the final sprint and its all downhill here baby! you can pick up speed and dash to that finish line!!

THEY HAVE COOKIES!!!!
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Losing spectaculourly club!

snuffyssuicide — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:55:01 -0800

I appear to only be writing at write-ins. Now I have 29000 words to write in... lets see... 8 days?
Ahahahaha (manic laughter).
I am writers blocky in the bit of the story I am at so have decided to cut to a bit I'm interested in and head back later. Hopefully I will get some intensive writing done over the weekend (have Monday off as well). It would really help if I wasn't also trying to move house and fill in an application for something I really want, because my procrastination skills from everything bar chatting on AIM are currently amazing. And if I wasn't ill. That would help. I am not quite ill enough that I can't write at all but the late nights on which my motivation thrives are sadly out of the question. Bizarrely it would also help if I didn't like the story because I think inner editor is lurking ominously.

So. Anyone else very behind and want to join the shitshitmadrushshitshit club?

:-)
----------
***
Alison/snuffy

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Birmingham Write-In: Sunday 25th November, noon onwards

john-g — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:58:57 -0800

Just a quick reminder that we'll be having our usual write-in at Starbucks on New Street from 12 o'clock onwards. It'll be a good opportunity for those, like me, who have fallen behind on their word counts, to catch up. As ever, we'll be having intensive 45 minute sessions of furious typing/scribbling, interspersed with coffee and chatting breaks.

Look forward to seeing you there!

John
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

30kers Club!

justicefornone — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:35:57 -0800

*falls over* well, 15,496 words in 3 days, THATS a bit more like last year!!!

I know a few others are here in the 30kers Club, show yourself!!

*hands around tea and biscuits*

Now comes the Hard part!!!
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Time to slow down

theycallmepyro — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:32:08 -0800

OK, I admit it. I'm beaten.

Due to a heavy couple of weeks at work, I set myself a target of 3000 words per night. I thought I could do this, but it's turning into a second job.

I'm not going to stop, because I'm really enjoying the story itself. I think this, my first Nano, has given me the inspiration I needed to create something different to my usual output, but I don't have the time do be doing this without a) putting friendships/relationships in jeopardy; b) burning out; c) getting fired; or d) all three.

So I'll finish my story. Chances are it'll exceed 50,000 words (certainly seems to be headed that way at present!), but it won't be done by the end of the month. And you know what? I'm actually quite relieved. I like this story, I like the characters and I feel I'd be doing them an injustice to rush this just so I can 'win' Nano.

For all of you still writing, I wish you the best of luck. I'll certainly try again next year, but this time I'll book myself some annual leave in order to nail the story without it threatening to take over my life.

-M
----------
"Bunch of savages in this town..."

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Not writer's block but writer's boredom

katpem — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:43:17 -0800

Is anyone else really lagging? I'm finding myself tired and a little bored of writing. I know that I need to finish and need to push myself but I'm finding it hard. I've got about 36,000 and I'm losing the will to write. Does anyone else feel the same?
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Ever have those dreams where you're falling?

charlottestarlet — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:56:06 -0800

Falling... falling... falling....

I am falling behind... I think I'm about 9,000 words behind...

My boyfriend and have both been really ill, so it's a case of lying in bed with a hot water bottle and a cup of lemsip, oh and dragging my ass to and from my miserable job...

I don't think I'm going to be able to recover from this (the wordcount not the sickness) so I may not make it to 50k....

Uch
----------
Charlotte Starlet
"Bittersweet bundle of misery"

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Birmingham Write-In: Sunday 18th November, noon onwards

john-g — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:05:38 -0800

Just wanted to remind you all that we will be having another write-in this Sunday, from noon onwards, at the Starbucks on New Street, Birmingham. So far this year they've been very successful, both in terms of the number of people turning up and the quantity of fiction churned out.

If you've been before you'll know what to expect - high word counts and Joni Mitchell on heavy rotation.

If you haven't, and you're worried about your word count, this could be a good opportunity to catch up, and also meet some fellow wrimos.

Look forward to seeing some of you on Sunday!

John.
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

20k club

thewelshrockchick — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:04:09 -0800

Oh yeah - 20,200 words and counting!
So far my character has had two hangovers, one bad drugs trip, a lot of sex, some horrifying hallucinations and a strange fascination with giraffes. What do the next 30,000 words hold for him? Nothing good, I can guarantee.

How is everyone else doing?
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Arghhhh Help me

Duochanfan — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:55:11 -0800

It's so not fair, I have been trying to write, and it is not writer's block that is stoping me to write, but a blooming cold, i can get a little done at a time, but it is not enough and i am falling behind soooo badly. Can anyone help me a little. I keep having these little bursts when I can write loads, then it will tapper off again, My cold is still around, so i'm a little miffed. lol. And only an hour ago, i have lost a lot of my work becuse the computer went nutty. All the planning that i did, has gone, it only took me a few days to do, but those few days were valuble. argh help!!!!! lol.

Anyone else haveing woes at the moment with their writing?

Duochan a.k.a Sue
----------
Love is Love, who are we to judge if it is right or wrong.

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Winners Circle

justicefornone — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:37:18 -0800

*gets the Tea on the go and starts buttering Bread*

Lets see, the chickens are gently roasting, the currys have been ordered.

Lets see... what have I forgotten???

Oh yeah!! *writes One More Word*

WOO! 50,000!!

Come on everyone!!!!! *does an inspiration dance!*
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Birmingham Write-in: Sunday 11th

Wedge — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:39:45 -0800

Was great to talk with everyone today, it was a real friendly day and the words kept on coming. I got nearly 5000 words done in four 45 minute sessions.

----------
Read my novel at http://otherkin.org.uk now!
I am a writer, well, I'm a corporate communicator, and I thought that counted 'til I sat down to write 50,000 words! See more of me at http://ants.org.uk ; http://kilobox.mobi and http://twitter.com/Wedge

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

the dreaded writers block

thewelshrockchick — Fri, 9 Nov 2007 03:14:02 -0800

head/desk and repeat

Writers' block has struck.

Doesn't help that I haven't had a second to myself in the evenings, and I really can't write the juicy bits of my novel at work (I would be in so much trouble if they caught me that it's not worth risking it).

Now I'm kinda flapping around like a bird with a broken wing - not making much progress!

This isn't so much a request for help, because I know it will pass, but more a thread for other writers who are suffering to come and bash their heads against the desk with me. Misery loves company. :)
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

any younger west mindlanders?

coralamber — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:58:33 -0700

it's my first time on NaNoWriMo this year...
and i'm quite nervous, aswell as excited!

only a few days to go...

are there any younger (i.e. under 18/19) writers from near where i live also joining in?
none of my friends are particularly interested in writing, although they encourage me in my creativity...
so i have nobody on this site to really share my stuff with.
----------

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Introduce Yourself!

Rolnikov — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 07:43:44 -0700

Looks like the forums are on an even keel now, so let's get the ball properly rolling! It's a huge, weighty cannonball that's going crash into November leaving a huge hole through which we'll all pour with our novels in hand!

Well, I'm already up to speed on the rambling - let's all introduce ourselves.

I'm Stephen, and I've been an ML for three years now. I'm on a good run now of three wins in a row, but the first year I took part I came nowhere near finishing. I live in Birmingham, but I'm from Yorkshire originally. My novels tend to be science fantasy. I'm really looking forward to taking part again - I don't do much writing for the rest of the year.
----------
Theaker's Quarterly Fiction #23

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

How r we doing?

markmywords — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:00:49 -0700

1000 so far. not a bad start. Off to bed now, up at 7 for work!
Post in to say how we're getting on. We can do this....
----------
"It's the Ones Who've Cracked That the Light Shines Through"

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Shropshire?

elizabetha — Wed, 7 Nov 2007 08:17:41 -0800

I'm currently in Newport, right on the edge of Shropshire and Staffordshire but I'd love to know if there were any others in this fair county other than myself.
----------
e l f [on the] r o a d

Europe :: England :: Birmingham-West Midlands

Word Wars

aur3lia — Thu, 8 Nov 2007 07:10:56 -0800

Are we, as a region, taking part in this year's Word Wars?

Also, there used to be somewhere you could see how your region was doing in comparison to the other regions. Where was that, or has it gone this year?
----------