USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

[STICKY] Fundraising for NaNo: Everyone Wins

TimSimms — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:14:17 +0000

In the past, ChiWriMo has had its own annual fundraising incentives - and will will this year too! On top of that, NaNo HQ is also instituting their own donation/fundraising contest as well. By donating money toward NaNo HQ, everyone can win. NaNo will have funds to operate again next year, and you'll have a chance to win one of several prizes just by participating! Here's how it works:

Donation Derby
This year NaNo HQ is beginning the Donation Derby, a friendly inter-regional contest to see who can raise the most money. It's broken down by region size - and since we're such a powerhouse region, we're in group one. Here's the way the contest works:

The winner in each league will be the region with the highest average increase in donations between last year and this year. The contest will close at midnight on November 30th, and winners will be announced as close to December 4th as possible.

Each winning region will receive these lovely prizes:
· A personalized web badge to decorate blogs and regional websites
· A personal email from Chris
· Their region name on a plaque/trophy at HQ, plus photographic evidence that they’re enshrined in the HQ hall of fame
· Public acknowledgment on the site

You can keep track of Chicago's progress by going to the Fun Stuff menu pull down/link, then to Donation Derby.

As an added incentive to donate, ChiWriMo will once again be offering a ChiWriMo button for anyone who donates and receives a halo on their profile. All you need to do to receive your button is donate, wait for your halo to appear, then PM me (Tim) with the address you'd like the button mailed to.

The 2009 ChiWriMo/NaNoWriMo Poster Contest
While we want everyone to donate online to NaNo HQ to get your halo right away, some people may prefer to pay an ML in person so we can send it off to HQ for you. (We can't blame you either in this age of sending personal financial information over the web!) Just for those of you who prefer to donate offline - we have a contest made for you! (Those of you who donate online are also encouraged to participate as well though!)

For every $5 you donate to an ML at any ChiWriMo event, you'll receive an entry into the contest. For $20 you'll receive ten entries, which means more chances to win! We'll give you a raffle ticket(s) and gather your contact information in case you win. And speaking of which, here's what's at stake:

Grand Prize: the 2009 NaNoWriMo Poster, a $100 value
Runners Up: You can also win one of several other smaller prizes such as a pass to the Children's Museum, a USB Flash Drive to keep your novel safe and saved, and much much more!

We'll be drawing winners at the TGIO Party on December 5 at Open Books. You don't need to be present to win the grand prize, but you will need to be in order to receive one of the runners up prizes. If you do win the grand prize and you're not at the party, we'll mail the poster out to the address you gave us when you entered the raffle!

Here's the catch: we need to raise $100 in order to purchase the poster from NaNo HQ - if we don't hit the goal, we'll still be drawing for a handful of other prizes. To track our collection progress, keep an eye on the ChiWriMo Sponsors & Donations page.

For additional information on either contest, leave a comment on this thread or send Tim NaNoMail!

Can't Afford to Donate? You Can Still Help!
Fondly referred to as "Donating When You're Broke", NaNo offers everyone a chance to help out. Check out the page & see if you can help out! Let's keep NaNo around for another 11+ years!

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Tim
Municipal Liaison for Illinois::Chicago
ml-tim at chiwrimo.org

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

[STICKY] Write-in Calendar Requests

hikari.ni.uragitta — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:59:37 +0000

Are you hosting a write-in this November? That's awesome of you! Here's what you need to do to maximize your time and resources:

Be sure you've downloaded a table tent from the ChiWriMo website if you're meeting in a public place. That way, it'll be easier for people to find you. You can go directly to the writer resources download page by clicking here.
Post a request to this thread to have your write-in information added to the ChiWriMo Calendar. Please be sure to include the date(s), start/end time(s), address (and location if it's not a residence), and any other pertinent information. If you have questions please contact Matt, Michelle or Tim using the information listed at the top of the forum.

As a side note, please try not to schedule write-ins (in the city) on the nights of official write-ins. We have a goal of having as many wrimos in one place and time as possible! (Plus, we have prizes and giveaways people might miss out on!)

Also, please do not respond to this thread to RSVP to write-in sessions; this thread is for calendar requests only.
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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

[STICKY] Looking ahead to 2010: Expanding ChiWriMo

TimSimms — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:42:01 +0000

We're always looking to improve, and this year Matt, Michelle and I have been discussing covering more areas of Chicago we traditionally haven't had the resources to reach. That's where you come in!

We love it when Wrimos host their own write-ins in areas of the city we're either unfamiliar with or can't readily reach (ie: the south side and the northern suburbs, respectively). We want to harness the energy in those two areas, and you can help. If you find yourself taking the lead this year and hosting multiple events in either of those areas, you may be a good candidate for ML status.

We're looking to add two new ML's by NaNo-2010 for those two areas of the city. If you'd be interested in volunteering your time and resources to the cause, keep reading. It's a mostly thankless role, and your primary reward is the satisfaction of knowing you're helping other wrimos in your neck of Chicago. (We're SO not in this for the fame, folks...)

Along with organizing write-ins for your particular area, you'd also be asked to do such things as help scout new locations for larger events, fund raise for donations and raffle giveaways, and help plan with us for YWP events and the Library Outreach Program in the off season (We're mainly doing the outreach through libraries in the suburbs this year, but are looking to expand that in the future.)

Still interested? Wow, you must really like NaNo! Now that you have interest, we need to add a few more things:

ENERGY: Being an ML is like herding cats. We need an ML with a supernatural reserve of energy ready to be utilized

Experience: We'd prefer Wrimos who have completed & won at least one year of NaNo prior to the 2009 season.

Proven Track Record: Throughout the rest of this month, host a few events in your area (the northern suburbs and/or the south side of the city)

Please let us know you have interest in becoming an ML by emailing us at contact (at) ChiWriMo.org. We'll keep an eye on how your events this month turn out, and if everything goes smoothly, we'll move to the discussion phase.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please leave a comment in this thread or email us at the address above.
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Tim
Municipal Liaison for Illinois::Chicago
ml-tim at chiwrimo.org

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

[STICKY] Welcome to NaNo 2009! Please Read Me First!!!

hikari.ni.uragitta — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:57:48 +0000

Welcome to yet another fantastic year of NaNoWriMo! This November is sure to be jam-packed with fun events, so keep reading for everything you'll need to know to get started.

There are three Municipal Liaisons (MLs) in Chicago this year to help guide you all through the turbulent November currents, helping you get through to December 1st. Please don't hesitate to ask us any quesitons that you may have... we're here to help you reach that victorious 50,000 word mark!

Attention all New and Returning Wrimos!

- Be sure you are affiliated with USA::Chicago::Illinois.: Go to My NaNoWriMo; You should be in the Regions directory; Search for Chicago and click on Affiliate
- Set Illinois::Chicago as your Home Region
- Introduce yourself to the other Illinois::Chicago Wrimos in the Illinois::Chicago forum Welcome thread

2009 Events Calendar

As you've likely noticed, we have been given a shiny new header to use in our regional forum this year! Our tried and true Google Calendar of Events from last year has been embedded in the header for your convenience. A full calendar of events can also be found at chiWriMo.org.

ChiWriMo

ChiWriMo is the local Chicago NaNoWriMo chapter. We participate in events year round outside of NaNo, and have a lot of fun.

Our website (http://www.chiwrimo.org) has a lot of resources, including links to our social networking pages, Flickr pictures of ChiWriMo events, and writer resources. Also included is a portion of the site where you can donate to the local chapter to help fund local events (like food at the beginning and ending parties) - as well as our CafePress shop with ChiWriMo merchandise. When you have a moment. check the site out!

We can't wait to meet you all and to have a productive, challenging, and (above all else) FUN November!

Tim, Michelle, and Matt
Municipal Liaisons for
NaNo::Illinois::Chicago
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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Down not out

thegrinch — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:45:41 +0000

Anyone else fit in the category? You are wayyyy behind but you are still pushing yourself to get to that 50K in the next 10 days? Want to challenge each other to get ____ done in a day or something?
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The Grinch
" I don't want the world, I just want your half." They Might Be Giants
Winner 2006 - Untitled
Winner 2007 - Untitled 2

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

The 50k + Winners Thread

TimSimms — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:55:50 +0000

Though it's early in the month, we already have some NaNo winners here in Chicago. (I'm looking at you CrimsonBlood!)

Once you've crossed that venerable finish line, take a break, kick up your feet, and leave us a note here so we can all say how awesome you are.

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Tim
Municipal Liaison for Illinois::Chicago
ml-tim at chiwrimo.org

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Hyde Park Write-In?

ktpollock — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:32:12 +0000

It seems like there might be interest in at least one Hyde Park write-in. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good location? Maybe one of the coffee shops at U of C?

My preference would be for a Saturday daytime write-in on Nov. 7.

What do others think?

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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Thanksgiving writein?

mshulman1980 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:20:38 +0000

I'm thinking about putting together a write in for all of us with nothing better to do on thanksgiving. It's probably best to do this in some kind of place that is open on Thanksgiving and doesn't mind us lingering around, hopefully getting close to 50k words (such as a coffee shop, 24 hour diner, pool hall, etc.)

Pressure Billiards is open regular hours on Thanksgiving.

Would anyone else be interested in this?
If so, does anyone have any suggestions where we could do this?

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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Bridgeport

vegas658 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:01:40 +0000

Anyone is the viscinity of 35th and Halsted interested in meeting?
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If I should labor through daylight and dark,
Consecrate, valorous, serious, true,
Then on the world I may blazon my mark;
And what if I don't, and what if I do? -Dorothy Parker

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

WORD WAR 2009: The Windy City vs. The Big Apple (take two)

Limmenel — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:22:18 +0000

As many of you will recall, our fair city engaged in a rough three-way battle in 2007 with the cities of Toronto and New York City for a Word Battle To The Death. (I personally was not a Chicago ML that year, but I have heard tales of these vicious battles from fellow ChiWriMos!) That year, we emerged victorious and defeated both at once: we triumphed over New York City, but bowed to the wordcount superiority of Toronto.

But this year, we have once again challenged New York City to a WORD WAR! New York is a strong rival, and we believe that they will be a great competitor this year, forcing us to struggle if we want to reign supreme once again. (After all, what fun is a battle if it's easy, right? Well, okay, it's LOTS of fun, but it would just be cruel to challenge the lone WriMo of Russia :: Elsewhere...).

We've been working out the details with Erin, one of the MLs for New York City, and we're excited to finally announce the Terms Of War:

In the past, we've done team vs. team, with a Word War Captain leading the troops and collecting wordcount info for our statistics, but this year we are trying something a bit different: a FULL REGION vs FULL REGION WAR. The NaNo Tech Gurus have given us a handy new feature this year, which tells us average count "per Wrimo with wordcount" entered. This means that we won't be weighed down by WriMos who don't update their word-counts. We will also count entire region word-count vs. entire region word count, as well as whole region average (including writers with a "zero" word-count) vs. whole region average.

Alright, troops? I expect us to POUND NEW YORK CITY TO THE DUST! This November, the Second City will be the FIRST City, right? RIGHT??!
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Michelle
ML for Chicago, IL
Moderator, "Character & Plot Realism" forum
ml-michelle AT chiwrimo.org

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Loop Write-Ins?

sparrowzingly — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:00:25 +0000

Hey guys,
Any college students or otherwise living in the Loop/Downtown or surrounding area interested in some weekly write-ins? I would be more than willing to look around to some cafes in the area and see who might welcome us :D
You don't have to live in the Loop to come-- just thought I'd put it out there and see how many people might be interested.
Let me know!
Sam
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"We must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy us." -- Ray Bradbury
2008: Bona na Croin -- 96,566 words
2009: Gone the Dove

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

[scanpost] A wordcount graph for Chicago

NewMexicoKid — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:52:22 +0000

Since the all-state write-in is tomorrow, here is a word count graph for the awesome region of Chicago, in honor of your terrific MLs Limmenel, hikari.ni.uragitta and TimSimms! To participate, just post below the most memorable line (with or without context, as your preference; and making sure that it meets the all-ages rating of this regional forum :-) ) from your 2009 NaNoWriMo novel. If you don't have a favorite line yet, just pick one at random. ;-)

This scanpost word count graph updates once every hour (based on the wcapi). Note: if you want a graph like this for you and your writing buddies, check here. Click on the above graph to be taken to the detailed list with links to things like the nanolyser (a truly nifty tool by Daniel H Lewis).

Enjoy!

--Tim

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Tim Yao aka NewMexicoKid
co-ML, Illinois::Naperville
Fog Readability Analysis
Writing resources

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Gurnee?

CrimsonBlood — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:38:59 +0000

So, I post this every year, and I only get a couple people in this area...and then we don't manage to meet up, haha. But I'm pretty determined to change that this year!

So, any Gurnee wrimos out there?
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2005: 50.7K
2006: 100.2K
2007: 326.5K
2008: 686.4K

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Highland Park Write-In?

Speed926 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:47:19 +0000

I work for Starbucks in Highland Park and I do believe I have my boss interested in sponsoring a write-in at our store (the Drive thru on Deerfield Road). I was thinking, November 22?

I would love to say to her "[so many] people are interested in coming, we can offer prizes for who worte the most, etc.," but I am curious as to who would be interested in attending one in the North Shore to begin with. Feedback would be great, and if you are evr in my store, SAY HI! I'm the redheaded Coffee Master.
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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Share a line from your novel

Salad — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:23:40 +0000

"She chewed slowly, trying to remember every texture and flavor of her food and quietly watched the far wall, waiting for the moment that the last rays of sunset would hit the French doors leading to the dining room and shatter into a hundred rainbows. "
-last line of first chapter of my Wizard of Oz-inspired Novel.

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“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.” - Leonard Bernstein
"You are joining the proud ranks of People Who Write When They Are Supposed To Be Doing Other Things (PWWWTASTBDOT)." -Maureen Johnson

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Unemployed? Come write with us!

dizzyD — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:40:53 +0000

Hi all! A few of us who find ourselves without jobs currently are planning a little unemployed write-in tomorrow morning, Wednesday the 11th. We're unemployed, so planning ahead and putting things on a schedule does not apply to us. We'll be meeting from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bourgeois Pig on Fullerton and Halsted.

It's really short notice, but if you'd like to join let me know and we can plan some other ones at other places as well. Although this place should have some very inspiring sandwiches.

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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

The 25K Word Midway Point Thread

TimSimms — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:54:18 +0000

Once you've reached the halfway point - 25,000 words - leave a post here so we can all give you a well deserved pat on the back!
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Tim
Municipal Liaison for Illinois::Chicago
ml-tim at chiwrimo.org

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Park Ridge Write-in / Meet-up!!

viper565 — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:48:27 +0000

If any teens in the Park Ridge area wanna meet up with us, we have one planned!

When: Sunday, November 1st.
Time: Noon - ?
Where: 'Meet outside in front of the Park Ridge Library
Who: Any teen writers in the Park Ridge/Des Plaines area.

Questions? Post them here!
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Don't ask for it, go out and win it. Do that and you'll succeed.

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village Write Ins?

amandarenee — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:20:42 +0000

I live in the neighborhood and think it'd be awesome to have a once/twice weekly write-in. Anyone else agree?

Possible locations:
Alliance Bakery
Sweet Cakes
Letzia's

Other suggestions?
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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Lincoln Square write-ins!

goodbyewaffles — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:56:56 +0000

Since we got a pretty good crowd last year, I propose we do these again!

We met at the Starbucks at Lincoln and Wilson last year, and they were very accommodating - but I am definitely open to having them elsewhere if people have ideas.

Let me know if you'd be interested, and what times/days work for you. (Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings are best for me.)
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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Writing Buddies in Andersonville/Uptown

sonanova — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:43:41 +0000

Hi there!

Looking for later evening writing buddies in the Andersonville or Uptown neighborhood. We have a regular Tuesday night thing, but I was thinking of trying to set things up for other evenings? Thoughts? Ideas? Where is everyone.

Pause is great, but small. Any other places around where people are writing?
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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Illinois Statewide Write-in RSVP Thread

TimSimms — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:59:47 +0000

Date: Saturday, 11/14/2009
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Inn of Chicago, 162 E. Ohio Street , Chicago, Illinois 60611

The Inn of Chicago has graciously donated their 2nd floor Banquet Room for our statewide writing event! We'll have writing sprints for prizes, free food (of some sort), door prizes, and a host of other surprises!

The Inn of Chicago is accessible by both car and public transit. For a map of nearby CTA stops and directions, click here. Suburbanites can take the Metra into Union Station and then take the CTA trains/buses (or a cab) from there. Those further out should plan on finding parking somewhere in the downtown area (there's parking virtually everywhere, it's just a matter of cost and time length). You may also opt to park in the suburbs or outer city area and take the Metra/CTA to the hotel.

We only have 100 seats, and it's sure to be a huge event this year! RSVP below if you're planning to attend, and let us know if you're bringing anyone with you!
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Tim
Municipal Liaison for Illinois::Chicago
ml-tim at chiwrimo.org

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Mid-Month Awesome Alliteration Bowling Blow-out Bash / RSVP Thread

hikari.ni.uragitta — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:09:02 +0000

Nothing says seclusion like trying to write a novel in the short period of a month. But nothing says loads of fun like taking a break from all that writing to get up from that computer, wipe the cobwebs off your belongings and come out for an exciting afternoon of bowling fun with your MLs and all the others from the Chicago WriMo team!

Sunday, November 15th, we will be at Timberlanes Bowling Alley to break away from our plots and knock down some pins. The party will last from 4pm to 7pm, and all WriMos are welcome to attend!

~~Anyone who is bowling will pay the bargain basement price of $10 for up to three hours of bowling (time and space permitting), including shoe rental.~~ If you don't wish to bowl, there is plenty of room to come and mingle.

We are asking that you RSVP for this event ahead of time. If you plan on bowling, please advise of such in your RSVP. We also request that, along with your bowling RSVP, you pre-pay via Paypal so everyone can get straight to the fun! Please pay ahead to sponsors@chiwrimo.org through PayPal. If special circumstances are necessary, cash can be handled at the door as well.
Directions and Info:
Timberlanes Bowling Alley
1851 W Irving Park Rd

Conveniently located steps away from the Irving Park Brown line.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no kitchen at this bowling alley, so please feel free to bring your own food and snacks. The establishment has requested that drinks be purchased at the alley however.

If you have any questions, contact me at ml-matt at chiwrimo.org.

I hope to see you all there!

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

Just an update to be made regarding this event:

Due to the amount of RSVPs to date, we are not able to reserve the lanes as previously hoped.

We ARE still having this event, but it will be handled as open bowl at the lanes. It will be self-pay, $3 for shoe rental and $3 a game per bowler.

No other changes have been made. The alley only accepts cash, so be sure to come prepared. Your friendly MLs will be there early to camp out a lane or two and we can spread out as others arrive.

We do still request you RSVP so we can be prepared come game day. If you have any questions, contact one of the MLs.

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USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Schaumburg Meetups

theinfernumflame — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:02:28 +0000

As some of you may know, for the last couple years (2 or 3, at least), there have been weekly meetups at the Borders across from Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. They're usually open until 11 pm, and it's a great chance for people to get together and write (or procrastinate about writing). For those of you who are interested in going, is there a particular day of the week that works for you? Personally I'm open to anything from Monday through Thursday.

Suggestions? Input? Output? Throughput? Shotput? Kaput?
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2004: Submersed -- 28,000 words
2006: Through the Fire -- 50,100 words
2007: Albatross: 63,174 words
2008: Through the Fire: Age of War -- 63,432 words
2009: The Conjured World

USA :: Illinois :: Chicago

Other Awesome Milestones

kamalynsky — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:16:43 +0000

Today I got to type these words onto a page of my novel: "Part Two". I was thrilled. Giddy, really. The first part of my story was all set up, and it was time to move into a brand new section, introduce new characters, and get to some big scenes I've been dying to write. This was huge.

And it got me thinking - what other milestones have folks hit out there - ones that are only tangentially related to word count? Did you finally get to a big scene you'd been using as a carrot? Did you type "chapter 10"? Maybe you hit 50 pages, or killed off yet another character?

Share, folks!
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