USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

|Sticky| READ FIRST

Saker Pup — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:39:24 +0000

Welcome, returning NaNoNovelists and NaNoNewbies.

This year I pledge to consume way too much caffeine in pursuit of The Great Frantic Novel, host weekly write-ins in the Lafayette/West Lafayette area, plus a Kick Off and TGIO, and do whatever I can to help all of you meet your November writing goals.

Check the Events List on the header for information about write-ins and meet-ups near you. Nothing scheduled near enough? Events nearby but they conflict with your schedule? Consider hosting an event yourself (PM me with the details to have your event added to the Events List). Also, be sure to check out the local chatroom, where (if enough people show interest) there will be virtual meet-ups to discuss the noveling process, provide answers to writerly questions and try to determine how quickly we're slowly being driven insane. See here for details.

While you're in the Regional Lounge, please take a moment to introduce yourself in one of the local threads. Don't know where to go? Check out the directory. Don't see your sub-region? Start an intro thread.

Tell everyone about your novel (and see what the rest of Elsewhere is working on) here. And if you have no idea what you're writing about this year (or if you just need a quick idea to get over the latest plateau), I recommend The Seventh Sanctum: random generators for all your plotting and characterization needs. (Fair warning: I ♥ the Seventh Sanctum, but it does have the potential to become a huge time-suck, the likes of which you have never seen before and the likes of which you really do not need come November.)

Questions? NaNoMail me or pegleg kitty and we'll respond as soon as we can (usually within 24 hours).

Happy noveling,
Saker Pup / Britt
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

|Sticky| Sub-Region-Specific Thread Directory

Saker Pup — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:55:44 +0000

This thread provides quick links to all Intro and Event Masterlist threads organized by sub-region. If you don't see it here but it exists (or if you've just created your events masterlist), NaNoMail me a link and I'll add it within 24 hours.

Anderson
Intro Thread

Clark County High School
Intro Thread

Columbus Area
Intro Thread

Dubois County
Intro Thread

Ft. Wayne
Intro Thread
Meet Ups and Write Ins

Greencastle
Intro Thread

Hamilton County
Intro Thread

IPFW
Intro Thread
Meet Ups and Write Ins

Lafayette/West Lafayette/Purdue Area
Intro Thread
Events Masterlist

Marion/Grant County
Intro Thread
Write-In Thread

Muncie
Intro Thread

North West Indiana
Intro Thread

Ohio Valley
Intro Thread

Zionsville
Intro Thread

Official Elsewhere Chatroom
The Chatroom
Thread About The Chatroom
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Marion Write-ins: Night & day, planned and un-

pegleg kitty — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:07:52 +0000

OK, gang, from now on, let's add to this messge whenever we're writing on the town and are fine with having company.

Please include time, day and street address so writers may plug it in for online directions.

I am listing addresses of places we've used in the past. Feel free to add another location, as it's important to share the love. Just check first to be sure it's a good time for the business and that it's OK to plug into their outlets. (I found a great spot, only to learn that it doesn't have any outlets.) We are space-and-time hogs and it's not fair to fill up the joint during their rush.

MARION
Starbucks Marion: 3101 S. Western Ave., Marion (across from Walmart)

Beatnik's: 123 E. Third St., Marion (On Ind. 18 westbound across from the Courthouse)

Folkie's Tavern: 117 S. Branson St., Marion (About a block north of Ind. 18 westbound) Late lunch has worked in the past; evenings wouldn't work. Ask owner Steve Schrader what time is good.

Tree of Life Bookstore: 3700 S. Western Ave., Marion (Between Walmart and Meijer on same side of street)

GAS CITY/UPLAND no matter what the official address may say...

Payne's: 4925 S. Kay Bee Drive, Upland (Gas City Exit 59 off of I-69, on same drive as Cracker Barrel)

Starbucks Gas City: 4970 N. Beaner Blvd., Marion (Gas City Exit 59 off of I-69)

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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

ATTENTION FT. WAYNE WRIMOS: LOCATION CHANGE FOR THIS WEEK'S WRITE-IN

erikmuse2113 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:09:22 +0000

Hey everyone!

Due to the holiday and the massive sales happening on Black Friday, the location of the Ft. Wayne meet-up and write-in this Friday and Saturday, November 27th and 28th has been changed. Both will be in the location listed below. This is down the street from the normal location, on Jefferson Blvd, in the Covington Plaza shopping center. We will be located in the back right corner of the store, laptops ablazing! If you need directions or are generally curious as to what's going on, let me know!

Thanks!

Jenni

Mitchell Books
6360 W Jefferson Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46804-3075
(260) 432-2665

PS. I will send out a reminder on Thanksgiving and also on Friday morning. Hope to see you all there!
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Ft. Wayne Barnes and Noble Meetups/Write-Ins Reminders!

erikmuse2113 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:32:20 +0000

Hey all,

This is the new post for the Ft. Wayne-B&N writing meetings. All scheduled meetings (save the TGIO party) are on the ML page, but this is to gently remind those who cannot always make it out to the site!

The next one will be tomorrow at 6:00! There will be a sign in the cafe for those who are too meek to ask random strangers. We had a great turnout last week, and more are always welcome!

Hope to see you there!

Jenni
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

IPFW Novelists

ripter001 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:28:59 +0000

Hi, my name's Chris and this is my seciond year doing nano. There are all these regions for the other universities but none for IPFW! I'm hoping I'm not the only one, so say hello here if you're a student at IPFW.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Night of Writing Dangerously

Skylo_Snowfire — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:51:15 +0000

Well, with work, a baby, and no money, I couldn't go to the gathering in San Fransisco (I believe is where it was held) for the night of writing dangerously marathon. However, my twin sister and I had our own writing marathon at her house. I even scheduled off work. I don't like to lie to my manager, so I just told him it was a writing project. He asked me about it; when I explained what it was, he laughed his butt off, but he still gave me the day off. We bought snacks/soda and set our goal to 30,000+ words and stayed up until early the next day writing. It was really great. I'm so sick from soda now. I hope everyone else who couldn't go still wrote their butts off and had a fun night as well.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Marion/Grant County Writers -- welcome aboard!

pegleg kitty — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:54:36 +0000

For all you returning NaNo-ites, great to see you again.

For all you newbies, we promise not to haze you. (Week 3 is hazing enough...you'll understand soon enough! But Week 4 is uber-cool, so hang in there. People do come back, so it can't be THAT bad.)

We're slightly tweaking the things we've done in the past. Check the calendar for planned local events. Here's the news so far:

1. Commisseration sessions

We'll meet at Marion Public Library at the same time, but not on the same nights. It'll allow different people to make it. This year, we're limiting it to adults and 16- and 17-year-olds who bring in signed permission from their parents. (The reason: Adults sometimes discuss adult scenes, which may honk of some parents; other adults feel uncomfortable discussing these same adult scenes, which frequently are tough for new writers.) So adults only for these events.

Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dates: Nov. 4 (Wed), Nov. 12 (Thu), Nov. 19 (Thu), Nov. 24 (Tue)
Place: Conference Room (upstairs) Marion Public Library, 600 S. Washington St., Marion 46953

We will set times for younger writers elsewhere in the library. At the rate they're growing, they'll need their own space anyway. Stay tuned.

2. Write-ins

Let's start with evening sessions at 8 p.m. the night of the commisseration sessions. I usually write at the Marion Starbucks, but it's frequently a zoo at that time on Thursday nights. Maybe the Starbucks in Gas City or Payne's would be better? (Needs to be a place that is open fairly late, has tables with nearby outlets, has well-lit parking and is easy to find.) Any ideas would be appreciated.

Late lunch write-ins work well; has to be late so it doesn't interfere with lunch crowds at the very kind businesses that let us use their space. (Thank them profusely and tip generously! They are doing us a favor.) I will propose Wednesdays or Fridays, but you're welcome to do it any day.

We've met in the past at Starbucks, Tree of Life and Folkie's, with lunch at 12:30 or 1 p.m. and writing afterward. Tree of Life is a Christian book store, and Folkie's is a 21-and-up tavern, if this matters to you. Other ideas are encouraged; as long as the owner/manager is OK with us being there and there are usable outlets near the tables, we're golden.

Anytime you're writing on the town and you'd welcome other writers, post it on the write-in post NaNoMail for Marion/Grant County. (I will create one.) I post just before I fly out the door.

3. Pre-NaNo meeting

Would y'all be interested in meeting ahead of time? Might be nice to help with emerging plots, characters and settings, as well as meeting other writers. Face it, other people think we're crazy for doing this. It's good to know who's in it with you. (Just tell 'em this would be a light-output month for Nora Roberts!) And maybe if there's interest in rewrite, we can rekindle the writing group at the library.

4. Community-wide novels

For those too chicken to take the big plunge, I am looking into setting up 2-3 community novels. There would be 1-2 stations around town, 1 for adults and 1 for older students, plus one on Google Documents. The point? Let folks try it on a smaller basis this year so they try their own in the future. Even if they don't, they get great writing experience. Stay tuned.

That's all for now. Hope to meet you soon.

Pegleg Kitty

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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

- REMINDER - Lafayette/West Lafayette Write-In 11/29: Write-In Of Impending DOOM

Saker Pup — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:39:08 +0000

(Hey, kids. Sorry I couldn't make it to the last write-in. I went to urgent care today and was diagnosed with acute bronchitis but I should be better in time for the next one.)

Our next meeting will be held on Sunday 11/29, from 1-4pm at the West Lafayette Public Library, Elm Room.

This is the last day of the last weekend of NaNo and I've reserved the Elm Room for a full 3 hours to give everyone a chance to either catch up or try to find the end. The Blue Pumpkin Of Sugary Doom will be making an appearance and we'll be doing one word war per hour (prizes for winners!).

NaNoMail me if you have any questions, I'll respond within 24 hours.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Challenge For Lafayette/West Lafayette/Purdue Area

Saker Pup — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:45:20 +0000

Since I won't be at the write-in on the 21st (and that means leftover prizes), I'd like to challenge everyone to do a Personal Best Hour on the 21st.

Here's how it works: Pick any hour and write as much as you possibly can on your NaNo novel, keep track of how many words you've written, post the number on this thread. The two people with the highest words written in one hour can lay claim to a prize at the next write-in.

Details: 1) The words must be written on the 21st; 2) You can do as many do-overs as you want until you get a count you're happy with; 3) Make sure to post your count on this thread on the 21st or 22nd in order to claim your prize; 4) These are the same prizes I've been handing out all month, if you already have one you're still free to participate but your prize will be bragging rights.

Questions or comments, NaNoMail me.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Lafayette/West Lafayette Write-In On 11/21

Saker Pup — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:51:44 +0000

If you're still struggling going into Week Three, I suggest you start thinking about spontaneous fun. That's what our novels need to aspire to be. These are not the works of Tolstoy and Austen, these are just ugly little first drafts with beauty in their flaws. And the sooner you embrace the ugliness, the sooner you'll start to see the beauty.

Hate how your intricate plot is failing to come together? Start a new chapter. Your first sentence is "S/he woke up from a very convoluted (yet very well-plotted) dream."

Have a character that kills every scene they walk into? Start a new chapter. Your first sentence is "[difficult character's name] walked into the room and was promptly hit buy a bus." (Yes, I know I wrote a bus into a building but this is November; editing can wait.)

Your romantic leads just won't get together? Start a new chapter. Your first sentence is "That night, the zombies came."

In the spirit of spontaneous fun, the next write-in will be take place on Saturday, November 21, from 2 to 4, at the Tippecanoe County Public Library in Meeting Room A. This is the kids' activity room, complete with kindergarten-style artwork and tiny-sized tables and chairs.

It's spontaneous!

It's fun!

It's stab-your-inner-editor-through-the-heart-with-a-crayon time!

This will be a writing event. Bring a laptop or whatever you're writing on/with this year--unfortunately, this rooms is a little short on outlets, so if anyone has a spare power strip they could bring that would really help out a lot.

Don't forget your noveling music and whatever drinks/snacks make you feel most writerly. ~~I'll be bringing the Blue Pumpkin Of Sugary Doom and there will be prizes awarded at the end for the two people who write the most during the write-in.~~

So who's in?
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

If You <3 NaNo

Saker Pup — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:49:06 +0000

Do you know what's even more fun than NaNo '09? Making sure NaNoWriMo is here for 2010.

National Novel Writing Month (along with other month-long writing programs) is run by a non-profit organization called the Office of Letters and Light, which is--like all non-profits--ever in need of more funding. The estimated cost to run National Novel Writing Month and the Young Writers Program this year is over $375,000.

There are many ways to help out. Visit the Donation Station, pick up some NaNoWriMo merchandise (any money over cost goes straight to the cause), it's even possible to donate when you're broke in a lot of creative ways, including using GoodSearch as your search engine.

If you have any ideas for fund raising, please post them to this thread.

And if you have any questions about donating or suggestions to make NaNoWriMo more worthy of donations, please NaNoMail me and I'll respond within 24 hours.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Fort Wayne/Greater Fort Wayne Area Intro Thread

deek — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:20:37 +0000

Hi all,

I just wanted to check in. I'm a newbie here to Nano. This will be my first year (if I go through with it, I still have a month to decide not to!).

I think I'll have plenty of a story to write and explore. Not to mention I have typewriters set up in prime locations in my house, computers at work and home, and I even picked up an old AlphaSmart 3000 off eBay (should be in-hand tomorrow). So, the only excuse I may have is laziness and lack of motivation...but that's where everyone here is going to help, right?

Anyways, I'm deek. I'm a 33 year old male, married with two kids (boy and girl) under 3 years old. And am starting to get filled with a volatile mixture of apprehension and excitement for participating in Nano 2009!
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The man who in his work finds silence, and who sees that silence is work, this man in truth sees the light and in all his works finds peace.
--The Bhagavad Gita
Find me at:
http://typeclack.blogspot.com
http://www.deeksworld.com

USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

50k+ Shout Outs!

Saker Pup — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:57:42 +0000

I just noticed that at least one Elsewhere wrimo has already broken 50k. Holy hell and I'm sorry I didn't congratulate you sooner!

Anyone who hits 50k, post here with tips and tricks for those who aren't there yet. Or just to rub it in our faces, whatever you feel like. =)
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Feeding the cats--and other distractions

Skylo_Snowfire — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:19:20 +0000

I'm interested in reading about the things that come between you and writing: the things you have to do--or forget to do--while working on your novels.

I work 34 hours a week--all of which are hours I'd rather be writing. So I write mostly in the evenings after work.

I have a one-year-old son. He already sleeps til 11:30, but sometimes I wish he'd sleep til noon so I could squeeze in an extra half hour of writing time. His nap times are my best writing times. His nap times will also get longer as the end of the month approaches. Hopefully, writing will not make me overly negligent.

I have two cats and a temporary kitten. While I still remember to feed them, they don't get brushed as much as they used to, and they have begun to sit in my lap while I'm on the computer in order to get more attention. It's only been three days, but they know I'm in it for the long hall. The kitten is only staying for the night until the shelter opens in the morning. In the meantime, he has been a pleasant house guest and a distraction from writing. Thousands of words could have been written while I gave him a flea bath, food, water, and dried his fur in a warm baby blanket.

So, basically, I have about five hours of non-interrupted writing time a day. So far I've managed to make the writing quota.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Lafayette/West Lafayette Meet-Up On 11/15

Saker Pup — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:07:30 +0000

Our next meeting will take place Sunday, November 15, from 2 to 3, at the Starbucks on Wabash Landing. If you haven't met me yet, I'll be the kinda-gothy chick sitting at the table with the NaNo sign.

This will be the Half Way Day Party/Bitch-Session/Caffeine Binge and it's a non-writing event, so don't bother bringing your novel in any form as working on novels in a productive way during the Half Way Day Whatever will be heavily discouraged. Since this is a business and we will be taking up some of their space, I want to take a moment to encourage you to buy a drink or something and/or tip. (Note that I say "encourage" as this is the polite thing to do but it is not required.)

Also, do make sure to write down your word count because there will be a prize awarded for the highest word count so far (total written during NaNo). The fine print: you must be present to win and you can win this prize even if you've already won a write-in prize.

I'd like to give the crew at Starbucks a head's up if it turns into a crazy-huge number of people I'll be expecting, so if you think you might be able to make it please post to this thread saying so.

Any questions, NaNoMail me and I'll respond within 24 hours.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Any Other Zionsvillians out there?

Foolonthehillz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:20:04 +0000

Just wanted to know if I was the only person here in Elsewhere, Indiana who's from the land of Starbucks and no roundabouts :P
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Muncie meet-ups/write-ins?

rachelm — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:23:15 +0000

Are there any Muncie-dwellers interested in meet-ups or write-ins? I am new to NaNoWriMo this year and would like to meet other participants.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Evening meet ups in Marion

kateyjane — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:15:48 +0000

I am having trouble because of teaching GED in the evenings with getting together during the regular Marion times. I've got a group I've been going to in Fort Wayne on Saturday mornings, but I would really like to see if we can get something going in Marion on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays after 8.30, as I am in Wabash until 8.

Starbucks is not so good for me as the smell of coffee nauseates me. However, Trace at Beatniks would be happy to have us on Tuesday or Wednesdays. I can meet anytime after 4 or 5 on Mondays. So about anywhere would be okay. Library, Mall, or anywhere else anyone can think of. Suggest some times and places.

Come on aspiring NaNo's you know we need all the help that we can get! Let's get together and encourage each other!

Katey Jane
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

CLARK/FLOYD/HARRISON COUNTIES--Ohio Valley WriMos

wrtr — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:20:26 +0000

How many of us out here--too far to Bloomington, Evansville, and most write-ins in Louisville?

We could take care of ourselves with weekly write-ins. Warm environment, Wi-Fi, relaxed atmosphere. I'm willing to do one or two evening's or early mornings during the week and early Saturday afternoons and know some good places in both New Albany and Jeffersonville.

These would be for writing sessions, fellowship of the pen/keyboard, not chatty sessions that distract from the real work.

Who's interested?
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Beating the pavement with a pen.

USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Pass the hummus...anybody else Lebanese?

lafftur — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:10:41 +0000

Ok, I boldly joined this region, rather than the Indy one. Anyone else in Lebanon? Gotta be, I figure we've got a Starbucks now and all...
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lala

USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

A Modest Challenge From A Humble ML

Saker Pup — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:52:23 +0000

As we near the end of Week One I realize that once again, I am epically behind. NaNo doesn't get any easier in Week Two. In fact it kinda starts to suck right up until around Week Three. (If you're new, pretend you didn't read that. You'll figure it out soon enough and I hate to destroy anyone's innocence when reality can do so much better a job at it than I.)

Back to the topic at hand: I propose a challenge. Anyone who's behind, catch up now; once you've caught up, keep writing (come Week Two, you will thank me). That means having better than 11,669 by the end of Day Seven. Anyone who's not behind, set your own challenge; once you've gotten there, try to do more than that.

Knowing that slow writers can do about 800 words of novel per hour--and fast writers can easily double that--and knowing approximately how many hours you can horde in the next couple of days, where do you plan to be on the morning of Day Eight?

And remember: If your imagination starts to falter and you feel like you can't possibly write another word. . . just add zombies. (Unless you're already writing about zombies, in which case you're on your own. Sorry.)
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Lafayette/West Lafayette/Purdue Area Intro Thread

Saker Pup — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:51:27 +0000

Hi, my name is Britt and this is my forth year doing NaNo, second year as ML. I've been so busy setting up write-ins and parties that I'm just now beginning to think about what I'm writing this year. Anyway, it's going to be a lot of fun. Much, much too early to speak of noveling so I'll just say happy outlining.

~ Saker Pup / Britt

EDIT: A masterlist of all the local events for this area can be found here.
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USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Anderson Novelists

The Great Dragon — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:58:25 +0000

Hello novelists of Anderson! It's Dawson, ready for another great year of NaNo.

Let's start up early on the write-in organization. Not many people came last year but I look forward to this year as being the one I finally get around to telling the library about this. Do we still want to carry on the Sunday Panera meet-ups at 3:00? I'd love to do that.

Looking forward to a great year, and all ye newbies, you can do it!

Dawson
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Just write it.

USA :: Indiana :: Elsewhere

Columbus Area Writers?

pandorasgift77 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:21:46 +0000

Just seeing who is here with me this year. I hope it's a great time for everyone!
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