United States :: Alaska

Fairbanks and areas North and South (do you shop in Fairbanks?) SAY HOWDY!

Jeano — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:06:47 +0000

We have a lot to do yet: we need to set up our weekly write-ins/meetings, our bashes, and our get-ta-know-ya pre-Nano meeting!

If you have done Nano here before, then you know me, and you've met Tiana, who will be Co-ML this year. This will be just wonderful!

I've sent away for our Nano stickers, and I have some from last year (will they be collector's items? hmmm), my hideously ugly but very visible Nanowrimo t-shirt is washed and ready to be worn so you can find me wherever we meet.

So what day of the week, time, place? Do we want to have a hang out? Or rotate around to different places this year?

What days/times CAN'T you meet?

How the heck are you? :o)

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Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
—John Steinbeck

United States :: Alaska

Fairbanks Meeting Schedule!

Jeano — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:13:41 +0000

I'll be sending out emails, but to be sure you all get this:

Tomorrow, Nov. 7, 4pm at Sipping Streams Tea House on College, as previously announced: Our first Write-In (and much more!) We will be handing out the EXCELLENT Nano stickers to all attendees, so make this meeting if you can!

For you new folks: we not only do writing challenges, but we often brainstorm, help each other out with plots, do some writing exercises, get prizes (yep, I do have a couple prizes--I found one I couldn't resist getting when I was at JoAnne the other day). We also get giddy and silly and talk way too much off-topic. :o)

The rest of the month's meetings look like this:

Nov. 14: 4pm to ? Barnes & Noble Coffee Shop. In the shopping center on the Johanson near WalMart. They have great comfy chairs! B&N is open long hours, so if you can't make it at 4, come by later and join the second wave of writers

Nov. 21: 4pm to 6pm Lulu's Bread and Bagels on Chena Pump right across from Justa Store/Gas Station

Nov. 28: 4pm to ? Barnes & Noble Coffee Shop.

The Sipping Streams meeting will probably have to end at 6 at the latest as they have events already scheduled for their room.

The Barnes & Noble meetings can go on until those of you who work until 5 or 6 can arrive. This is quite handy. I might not be able to be there, but Tiana, our new CO-ML very well may be there around 6.

I think it would be great to have an alternate week night meeting for those who can't make it on weekends. As of right now, I *can* make it to these, but that might not stick through the month, depending on my work. Tiana may be able to make some of these, too.

Therefore:
ALTERNATE Weeknight meets:

Thursdays: 6pm at College Coffeehouse.

So mark your calendars and I really want to meet you!

Sending you zippy fingers for your keyboard,

Jean McD
Fairbanks ML

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Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
—John Steinbeck

United States :: Alaska

UAF students? Or people on campus often.

rachelandrea — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:35:52 +0000

Rachel here, I'm just wondering if there are students in here who might want to get together during breaks at school in the Wood Center or something and do some mini write ins. Some word wars and just checking in on how we're all doing would be nice. Let me know if any of you feel that way and we could work out scheduling. : D
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United States :: Alaska

Post your AIM IDs HERE! VERY IMPORTANT!

Jeano — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:44:45 +0000

If we MLs know who you are and can add you to our buddy lists, then even if you can't enter the chat room yourself, we can pull you in!

Plus it's really, really nice to know who you are! :oD

copy this and fill in!

Name: Jeano

Nano name: Jeano

AIM name: Jmacangel

Town: Fairbanks
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Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
—John Steinbeck

United States :: Alaska

[Anchorage] Write-ins

NetheneKhthon — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:21:31 +0000

Since they're already reserved and scheduled (where needed), and one of the ladies of Write Club pointed out that more notice is better notice, here's the write-in schedule for November in Anchorage. There are four scheduled a week, so that (hopefully) there will be somewhere for everyone to meet at least once a week. And in proper writerly fashion, everyone is welcome to come and go as they please, free from oppressive glaring for such brief interruptions.

A) Mondays (2, 9, 16, 23, 30) : 3PM to 8PM in the Children's section of the Loussac Library
3600 Denali St, Anchorage, AK 99503. The Write Club group also meets on this day at 5-ish in the children's section of the library. So perhaps we shall join forces at about that time! [waves to the very fun Write Club]

B) Tuesdays (3, 10, 17, 24) : 5PM-9PM at the Elim Cafe Conference Room
561 W. Dimond (between Arctic & C Street, in the strip mall with Gallo's across from Village Inn) (267-4288) They serve both coffee and tea, hot and cold, as well as regular cafe snacks and some meals. I'll have the brochure with me at the September & October meetings for anyone who wants to see, but I recommend visiting yourself. It's very nice.

C) Thursdays (5, 12, 19) and Wednesday the 25th: 7PM - late/late at the Denali Denny's
2900 Denali St, Anchorage, AK 99503-4025 | (907) 276-0536

D) Saturdays (7, 14, 21, 28) : 10AM – 3PM at Side Street Espresso
412 G St, Anchorage, AK 99501-2127 | (907) 258-9055‎

I'll likely bump this topic with reminders or random, "Hey, Sunday, too?" notes during November...
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Time exists on your wrist so don't panic.
-Anchorage ML (I'm... helpful? o.O)

United States :: Alaska

Hey, Alaskans! Roooooll call!

Summer — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:52:05 +0000

Hey there, gang! November's getting closer... are you excited? Who all's here? Say hello, introduce or reintroduce yourself, and let us know what part of the state you're in. If you have an idea of what you're going to write this year, tell us about that, too!

I'm Summer, and I'm one of the Mat-Su MLs, so you'll meet me if you come to one of the Valley events. I'm 29, I heart typewriters, and my favorite thing right now is my new fountain pen. I have a few ideas for what I'm writing this year but haven't settled completely on one yet. Right now it's between two urban fantasy ideas and a mafia story. I've previously written about dancing poodles, disappearing geckos, the wondrous availability of poisons in grandmother's garden, and Cinderellas who didn't follow the fairy tale. Really, the dancing poodles were the high point. :)

Think that's it - sound off, everybody!
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I'm (one of your two) friendly neighborhood Mat-Su Valley ML(s). (The other one is Indigo.) If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch - we're here to help!

United States :: Alaska

Contest

Caledonia Lass — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:15:14 +0000

I figured that would get your attention. For those of you on Associated Content, AC is having a contest for the best opening of a novel. $20 to the best one and you can use your opening from NanoWrimo, it is in honor of that. No less than 1,000 words and has to be posted before midnight tonight. Go check it out!

There are some restrictions if you plan to publish your book once NaNoWriMo is over. Read the guidelines before accepting the claim. But don't dawdle!

Good luck everyone.
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Visit me @ www.myspace.com/Eirdubrusai
or
www.Writing.com/authors/Relanda

United States :: Alaska

[Mat-Su] Events Calendar

Summer — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:17:38 +0000

HEEEEEEEEY Valley-ites (and people within driving distance of the Valley), you there?! :) We're looking to an awesome year, with some fun new stuff in the works, and I'm hoping to see you all at some of our write-ins. They're great for escalating wordcounts, and have definitely saved my butt on a few years previous.

I've put up all the currently scheduled events on a Google calendar, which I'll be updating as we add a few more midweek write-ins. I'll work on adding maps to the meeting locations as well tomorrow. Please bookmark it and check it now and then, as that's where any updates to the schedule will appear.
Here's the link:
http://bit.ly/MatSuNano

(If it comes up with no events, that's probably because you're looking at October. There are two arrows near the top - click the one on the right to go to November.)

That's all for right now (Ack, 4am, where did YOU come from?!). If you've got any questions or hopeful requests, let us know and Jean or I , or one of our helpful NaNo veterans will do our best to help out. I'll be back tomorrow, too, with a little more information about write-ins, shindigs, something dangerous, and laser-wielding penguins. Sleep well, my darlings!

Summer
who's a little loopy from caramel apples, pumpkin seeds, and 4am. Did I mention the 4am?

:)
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I'm (one of your two) friendly neighborhood Mat-Su Valley ML(s). (The other one is Indigo.) If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch - we're here to help!

United States :: Alaska

Alaskans!! Share your plots!!

sententia — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:58:17 +0000

I figured our region needed its own 'I-want-to-rave-about-my-awesome-plot' thread, so here it is!

Mine is... well, I don't know what genre mine is, but that really doesn't matter at this point, right? (Though, if anyone has any ideas as to where it belongs, don't hesitate to share!)

Anyway, mine: basically this new guy moves/transfers into the main girl’s school/class/something, and he looks terribly familiar to her from the start. She begins talking to him, eventually revealing that she must have seen him somewhere before, but for a long time, he’s adamant that there’s no way that could have occurred. After some time, though, considering she’s terribly stubborn about it, he tells her the whole truth; that he was what I’m loosely calling her guardian angel, but was banished from that job and from heaven and is now human (more or less, and for what reason(s) I’m not sure yet). And everything is good for a while, until shit goes down. This, too, is still fuzzy, but perhaps… what if the others “upstairs” that he knew find out that he not only found her, but told her the whole absolute truth. That can’t be good, right?

Post yours, so that the rest of us can revell in the glory!!
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2008: Another Dawn (won)
2007: Paperthin (won)
2006: Lines Drawn in Red (lost)
2004: Coatia (won)
http://sixthsecond.blogspot.com -> my writing blog

United States :: Alaska

Juneau, Anyone?

RavenLunaStitch — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:27:05 +0000

I'm beginning to think that I am the only Nano in Juneau! Please, someone, let me know if I have ANY company in this 50k challenge this year! --Raven
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"It isn't who's going to let me, it's who's going to stop me." --Ayn Rand

United States :: Alaska

UAA Students!!

sententia — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:55:48 +0000

We needed a new thread since the forums were wiped for the new year, so I made another. :)

Were we thinking of all trying to meet up sometime this month, so all of us can meet each other at the same time before November?
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2008: Another Dawn (won)
2007: Paperthin (won)
2006: Lines Drawn in Red (lost)
2004: Coatia (won)
http://sixthsecond.blogspot.com -> my writing blog

United States :: Alaska

Chat Room Alternative - Suggestion

fictions_mosaic — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:41:49 +0000

I'd like to suggest having a chat room alternative. From 1:30am to around 6am, I wasn't able to get into AIM's 'alaskanano' or any chat room for that matter. Just the same, recently ModernEclectic started to have the same problem and is unable to get back in to 'alaskanano'. The alternative is using IRC. I do know that I mentioned it a couple times so far. There is a web based Java IRC on this website. I've used that several times for each year that I've participated including this one.

I personally don't know too many IRC programs to use, but the one I do use for Windows is mIRC and for Apple, Colloquy. I guess I could also provide instructions on how to get into the same chat. I currently have my mIRC set up to join on Nano's IRC, this way if no one's on, at least I could enter the nanowrimo chat room.

mIRC -

I can't remember what the screen shows for when you first download mIRC and use it. However, to get into the same server that nano uses is go to Tools -> Options -> Connect (To set your nickname as well as alternative) -> Servers

At the Servers portion, you click Add, Description could be Nano or whatever you shall call it with the server set to irc.goodchatting.com. After that, it's as simple as typing /join #nanowrimo for Nanowrimo.org's chatroom, or you can type /join #channelname for whatever else.

Colloquy -

It's relatively the same as the above, but in a way it's simpler. After using the application, click New and enter in all the information listed above.

This way, any problems that arises from using AIM, people can have an alternative as well as enter in NaNoWriMo's chatroom that they have on IRC for more word wars if they want to. Changing a nickname is usually done by typing in /nick Name. Obviously, just replace Name with whatever you want to be known by. This is actually the what happens when AIM is messing up for me or when no one is in alaskanano. I'd get on IRC and go to #nanowrimo
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Bide your time, and hold out hope.

United States :: Alaska

Twitter

Indigo_Visions — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:16:59 +0000

The subject of twitter came up in the chat room thread and it sounded like a wonderful idea, so for those of us with twitter accounts post your username here so we can connect and encourage each other in 140 characters doses! :)

http://twitter.com/indigounicorn
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Alaska/Mat-su Valley Co-ML
Website/Twitter
"Life is a journey. Time is a river. The door is a jar" - Jim Butcher (Dead Beat)

United States :: Alaska

Chat Room Trial Run

Maureen Scally — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:34:23 +0000

I tried both yesterday and tonight to get into the AIM Alaska Nano chatroom and failed to get in both times. The popup said "AIM error: AIM timed out.

I downloaded AIM 2.0 for Macs, thinking my new computer needed a faster program. It still wouldn't let me in. It specifically said there wasn't a problem with iChat. (iChat seems a little different on my new system software. Well, new as in 8 months, but this is the first time since I got the computer I tried using iChat.)

Has anyone else tried to get in and failed? If it's happening to everyone, maybe we should switch to something else.

Also, should we start a new thread, for AIM names so we can update our buddy lists?
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United States :: Alaska

Fairbanks KICKOFF PARTY THIS SATURDAY!

Jeano — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:03:31 +0000

Fairbanks Nanowrimo Kickoff

Upstairs in the tiny meeting room at Gullivers: we may end up playing sardines....
Gulliver's is on College very close to the College University intersection.

6-8pm

Bring paper! Pens! Brains!

Every year I make goody bags, but sadly, kiddos, I can't afford that anymore. SO, let's do it this way:

Each person bring something to share: silly pencils, pads of paper, plastic animals, maps, mugs, whatever, but bring enough to share with the group. Candy and snacks are great for keeping us writing, too! If each person brings one thing to share, we'll have the best goody bags ever!

I will bring the empty bags that we can then fill up!

It's the Stone Soup version of goody bags. :o)

See you there!
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Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
—John Steinbeck

United States :: Alaska

[Anchorage] Write-Off change of location

NetheneKhthon — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:16:52 +0000

Unfortunately, Rebekah's child has gotten sick :(. On the upside she was able to get the Denali Denny's folk to give us use of the backroom. It is still starting at 10:30. They also specified no masks with costumes.
I am sorry for the late change, hope you will not be too inconvenienced.
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Time exists on your wrist so don't panic.
-Anchorage ML (I'm... helpful? o.O)

United States :: Alaska

Looking for Homer Participants

Caledonia Lass — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:13:22 +0000

Hey all, just checking in and gearing up. Anyone in Homer? Kenai and Soldotna are just a bit too far for me to travel these days. Post here if in Homer!
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Visit me @ www.myspace.com/Eirdubrusai
or
www.Writing.com/authors/Relanda

United States :: Alaska

Chat room changes?

Indigo_Visions — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:30:23 +0000

Hey everyone! :) I just wanted to test the waters on something which I'm been mulling over for awhile. Last few years we've had a chat room, using AIM, and it was wonderful. But it was somewhat tricky to get into, and the servers liked to drop people from the chat. Not to mention some computers getting grumpy about the program. To me it seems like the problems have been getting worse with every year. All in all even at its worst its only been annoying, but still I started thinking that there must be a better way.

So! I was wondering what people thought about using a browser-based chatroom, like chatnano or tinychat. Should I see about setting one up? (If so, does anyone have an opinion about what service is the best?) Or do we want to stick with AIM?
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Alaska/Mat-su Valley Co-ML
Website/Twitter
"Life is a journey. Time is a river. The door is a jar" - Jim Butcher (Dead Beat)

United States :: Alaska

Ketchikan anyone?

pamkwill — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:58:31 +0000

Hi ! I am in Ketchikan and usually there are a couple other people doing Nano. If you areout there, let me know. We can do a write in or something.

Pam
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http://pamkwill.wordpress.com

United States :: Alaska

[Kenai Peninsula] Write-Ins at the Library

kenaiqueen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:33:22 +0000

Our write-ins will be at the library on Sundays. We are open from noon to 5 and I'll have an area set aside just for NaNo writers. When you come in, check in with me at the desk and fill out an entry for a drawing that will held at the TGIO party, in the first week of December. The more times you come in to write, the more chances to win something cool! Hope to see you Sunday!
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My Muse took a vacation and all I got was this lousy tee shirt!

United States :: Alaska

Rural Alaska Participants?

MelissaDale — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:37:19 +0000

I'm curious how many people attempting NaNoWriMo this year are doing so from rural Alaska? I recently moved to Dillingham and I am bored out of my skull. So, what better opportunity than to actually get some sort of word count on the board for this year's NaNoWriMo. Last year was my first year, though apparently I found better things to do than write. Strange...I can't recall what those 'better' things were.

Hopefully the lack of distractions (besides cable) and crappy internet service will spur me on to new heights in my writing. One can only hope!
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United States :: Alaska

An Anchorage appreciation

yksin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:19:55 +0000

Just had our regular "third Thursday" NaNo writers get together last night at Denny's on Denali & Benson.

It's probably the last time, at least for a good long while, that many of us will be seeing Kim, who has been the municipal liaison for Anchorage for -- well, I'm not sure how long exactly, but she was our M.L. both last year & in 2007, which was my first year doing NaNo. She & her family are heading down to the Lower 48.

Thanks so much Kim for all the work you did helping to make NaNo in Anchorage a great experience. Travel safely, & stay in touch!

Appreciations also to NetheneKhthon, who's bravely & competently taken over the M.L. job here.

Between the two of you -- & everyone else too -- you've made Arctic Woolly Wrinos a pretty terrific group of people to hang out with on a third Thursday in foggy Anchorage. And lots of additional nights in November, too.
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-- Mel
(yksinainen in Gmail & AIM)
Hiljaa hyvä tulee. (Good comes quietly.)
Henkimaa.com

United States :: Alaska

[Anchorage] Midnight Write-Off

NetheneKhthon — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:54:31 +0000

Our Write-Off is scheduled, Anchorage Wrimos! It will begin at 10:30PM on October 31st (though, of course, no writing will commence until midnight, so show up any time in there) at fellow Wrimo Rebekah's house.

To avoid posting her address to the public tubes, I ask that you send me a nanomail for the address and directions if you wish to attend. I will keep a close eye (more so as the time draws near) and get responses out to you as quickly as possible.

For refreshments, our kind hostess has the supplies for coffees and teas as well as a few finger-snacks. You may wish to bring your own cups and refreshments. Sharing is welcome, but not required. The same applies to costumes! I have heard many say they will come in costume, so you will not be alone.
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Time exists on your wrist so don't panic.
-Anchorage ML (I'm... helpful? o.O)

United States :: Alaska

[Kenai Peninsula] First meet up

kenaiqueen — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:17:26 +0000

Our first meeting will be this Thursday, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at the Kenai Community Library. I hope those who have signed on can make it, but if you can't, we will have the write-in days/times set by then and will have them posted on the library calendar.
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My Muse took a vacation and all I got was this lousy tee shirt!

United States :: Alaska

[Anchorage] Would you come to a midnight Write-off?

NetheneKhthon — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:11:19 +0000

This year we're going to do two kick-offs: an initial Kick-Off on Thursday October 29th and a Write-Off opening before midnight on the 31st.

The Kick-off will be from 7pm to 10pm (or so) at the Elim Cafe (561 W. Dimond) in the Conference Room (Unless there's a lot of us, then it'll be out in the open). That's where I'll be passing out Survival Bags, and where we'll have strange plot-developing games as well as opportunities for you to gush about your beautiful story-to-be.

The Write-off is the real purpose of this post. Last year we were able to get together to start typing right at midnight on the first, and go for several productive hours. It was so well liked that we're bringing it back. Due to scheduling, I may be unable to attend myself. However, some lovely volunteers will be there to manage things (Keriana, very_bored_2day, and yksin - you guys rock!) without me.

So we have the time figured out for the Write-off, what we need to discern is our location. To do this, we need a ballpark of who would be interested in joining this crazy endeavor. So, shout out a reply and let us get a count. Then check back in about a week (if you don't obsessively check the boards daily) for details.
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Time exists on your wrist so don't panic.
-Anchorage ML (I'm... helpful? o.O)