Africa :: South Africa

[Sticky] Pretorians - are we out there?

ActonWriting — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:05:43 +0000

.... cause I hate driving and roadworks and traffic and that means I consider anywhere in JHB too faaaar! :P
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Africa :: South Africa

[Sticky] Johannesburg TGIO Party

lyonza — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:32:05 +0000

Mad Hatter's Tea Party at Emmarentia Dam on the lawns.

Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg
Street: cnr Beyers Naude & Thomas Bowler St, Emmarentia
City/Town: Johannesburg, South Africa

Details:
Park at the end opposite the Botanical Gardens at the corner of Beyers Naude Drive and Thomas Bowler Street
(S26°09'3s", E27°59'50")

Follow the path heading towards the botanical gardens and we'll be there on the lawns.

Dress up with a funky hat, mismatched clothes and bring your snacks and drinks. Be the Cheshire Cat, Dormouse, Alice or the Mad Hatter.

Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186606692137

Google map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=1154644224812290...

The marker is the general location.

Some ideas to use:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5154357_make-mad-hatter-hat.html
http://www.ehow.com/way_5283327_ideas-mad-hatter-costume.html

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~~~~
"Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult."

Africa :: South Africa

[Sticky] Eastern Capers

moonblue — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:41:21 +0000

Greetings to the heroic writers of the Eastern Cape, who will brave vast regions, mulitple towns, insane MLs in the quest to save the world of fiction by producing new novels.

Once again we have two MLs, moonblue in Grahamstown and David Seven in PE. We will be having kick off parties in both towns, probably 25 October and 1 November. If people have preferences about which party should happen when give us a shout.

Otherwise, watch this space.

Better still, start filling it up with words.

moonblue

Save the chocolate brownie, save the novel
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moonblue - ML for Grahamstown
"You develop a style from writing a lot" - Kurt Vonnegut

Africa :: South Africa

[Sticky] Cape Town TGIO Party

magependragon — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:06:54 +0000

As we cross the half-way point and start to free wheel towards the end of the month, our stories will hopefully pick up pace and word counts will become something to celebrate, rather than comiserate over. At this point, thoughts need to be turned to the grand TGIO party as a booking will need to be made and in this mad season of Xmas/End-of-year parties, those bookings can be hard to come by. It will be a party so all supporters/spouses/sigoths (and sprogs where allowed by venue and controlled by parent) are welcome too!

I propose the following:

Venue: Touch of Madness, Observatory (http://www.touchofmadness.co.za)
Date and Time:
1) Thursday, December 3rd - 19h30 -23h30 (they close then) [Switched from Wednesday due to votes by Wrimos]
OR
2) Saturday, December 5th - 13h00-16h00

Unfortunately, my work Xmas function is on Friday the 4th and Sunday the 6th has become impossible for me (The Killers concert and other stuff), but I could also do the Wednesday the 2nd.

Please post your feedback here for discussion with the group.
NO personal emails will be taken into account.
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Yvette (2009 ML - CPT Region)

Sponsor Me!

Africa :: South Africa

[Sticky] Donations

magependragon — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:01:05 +0000

Greetings Wrimos from beyond the rainbow,

I am going to mention this here and I am only going to mention it once and only because the ML's are kinda asked to mention this: Donations to the site.

As the vets will know, NaNoWriMo is run but the non-profit "The Office of Letters and Light" but hosting a site like this costs money which they pay for from donations made from members.

Now I know the ZAR is in a horrid state right now and donating dollars is hard to do but there are other options that have been made available.

Good Search - This Yahoo-powered search engine donates a penny to the charity of your choice for every search you do. This wont earn you
a halo or loot but it will still help and is a great way for the research junkies to give back.

Get Sponsored - Marathon runners do it. Walk-a-thonners do it. And now Wrimos can do it too! You can get friends and family to sponsor your novel-writing month through Gifttool.com. Sponsorees receive donor thank-you gifts from the Office of Letters and Light at their total, combined sponsorship level, and your sponsors get the satisfaction of knowing they've helped bring free creative writing programs to more than 1000 classrooms, 400 communities, and 75 libraries worldwide.

For those who can afford to give donations, there is the donation page

PLEASE NOTE:
No one is obligated to donate anything. There is no entry fee. This is all completely optional but donating does help keep this running year after year.
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Yvette (2009 ML - CPT Region)

Sponsor Me!

Africa :: South Africa

Insomniacs, anyone out there?

Candoit — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:26:30 +0000

Dunno if I really am one. i just hate going to bed before the clock strikes 12. so if there are a few of you, shout it out, loud and proud!;D
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Africa :: South Africa

The end is nigh. Time to mend your ways (and settings)

David Seven — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:28:12 +0000

Okay boys and girls and wrimorocks,

In less than 12 hours the wordcount validater should come online. That means that by this time tomorrow we could have our first official winners in South Africa.

These are exciting times, are they not.

Just to be clear that everyone understands, let's go over a few points here:

You want your wordcount bar to turn purple. Blue means you are under 50K. Green means you are over 50K, but purple means you are validated as being over 50K.
You cannot just tell the site how many words you have, you must upload a manuscript of 50,000 words to validate it. If your bar is still green, you have not done so.
Make sure your time zone settings are correct for SA. We would hate for you to miss the chance to validate at 23h55 on the last day because your validation button dissappeared an hour early
Don't wait until the last moment. If the servers clog up, it might take a few minutes, or hours, to validate. Or your DDO playing partner might take too long to let you onto the internet, and then you will lose the window of opportunity (WOOP)
I know it goes without saying, but I will say it anyway. November has 30 days. Not 31. I know we all knew that already, but I'm just saying. Tuesday will be too late to validate. Monday 30 November is V-Day!

If like me, you have witten part or all of your novel by hand, go here to learn how to validate a script.

Leave no Wrimo behind!!!!!!

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"The Magnificent Seven"

(click on the banner to visit my blog)

Africa :: South Africa

PTA R21 South...

AlyssC01 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:09:43 +0000

IS CHAOS!!!!
If anybody in PTA wants to drive that way today (espesually where it turns off for the N1) take another route. The R21 is in chaos. I was in such a traffic jam...
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You are never given a wish without being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.
Richard Bach
http://alyssc01.wordpress.com

Africa :: South Africa

Who has finished?

brabruski — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:54:15 +0000

I'm not so happy...can't bring myself to add 'end' after 'the' :/

So who are the winners circle members..post here for a back slap and your 5mins of "You Da Maaan!"

Oh and Great Job...you prove yet again it can be done ;)
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___________________________________________
Don't let common sense stop you....
Instant Human - Just Add Coffee

Africa :: South Africa

Grahamstown Write-Ins

moonblue — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:25 +0000

There will be two write-ins each week in Grahamstown, so hopefully everyone can make it to one of them. Or both.

Sunday afternoon 3-5pm at Cow Moon Theory. Same time, same place each week. (With the 15th the half-way party where the out of town wrimos will join us. No throwing of rocks, we will declare that day a truce in the war:)

One evening a week - we will meet on a different day night each week, and at a different venue. Hoping to cater for busy people with multiple committments - and those who might not be comfortable writing at CMT (one wrimo assures me her daughter will never speak to her again if she shows up at CMT:). If people have preferences for times or places do let me know.

Thursday 5 November : 6-8 at Wimpy

I know some people are going to Cow Moon Theory in the evenings to write, which is great. If you don't have a laptop, why not invite some writer friends to your place. Informal write ins are always good.
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moonblue - ML for Grahamstown
"You develop a style from writing a lot" - Kurt Vonnegut

Africa :: South Africa

40k shoutout!

Lynne16 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:26:59 +0000

Don't know why no-one has posted one of these threads but this is a big one for me... so... w00t!!

*expecting deirdre16 to stop slapping me about the head*

*walking off with a swagger*
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Africa :: South Africa

Word Wars

WinterWhite — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:01:32 +0000

So. Anybody up to word war me this week? I need serious motivation to get writing in the evenings and keep my word count up, so any offers are more than welcome...

[Edit Note: Plase do NOT use the widgets in your signatures here as they over tax the site. I have added it to the post at top so it can bee seen.]
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Africa :: South Africa

Ah... Brabruski?

AlyssC01 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:51:26 +0000

What happened to your word count?!
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You are never given a wish without being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.
Richard Bach
http://alyssc01.wordpress.com

Africa :: South Africa

Civil War - EC Style.

David Seven — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:25:11 +0000

On behalf of Port Elizabeth, and all the unbalanced writers contained herein, I would like to declare war on our closest NaNo neighbour: Grahamstown.

That's right. We see you up there with your smug attitude, and your brownie-in-a-mug fuelled wordcount. Do you think we're scared of you? Well we're not.

So I proposed a formal war; to the death, or 50K, whichever comes first!

As the two largest outposts in East Cape Country, I propose that we draw battle lines to incorporate our local allies, and that the MLs formulate terms of engagement for a war of the words.

Are you in?

"OUR WORDCOUNT WILL BLOCK OUT THE SUN!!!!"
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"The Magnificent Seven"

(click on the banner to visit my blog)

Africa :: South Africa

w00t you're halfway

brabruski — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:56:53 +0000

I forgot to post when I got there...but give a shout when you hit 25k words so we can toss gratuitous "for he/she is a jolly good fellow" at you...you're only halfway....that's half the story done, halway to victory, halfway through the pain....all you need to do is what you've done up to this point and you'll be a winner.

Well done guys.
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___________________________________________
Don't let common sense stop you....
Instant Human - Just Add Coffee

Africa :: South Africa

Ght TGIO Party

moonblue — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:36:50 +0000

As so many of the Grahamstown writers will be leaving town at the end of the month we will be combining our TGIO party with the final write in. Yes, I know it is not actually over yet, but we can have a pre TGIO party.

Cow Moon Theory Sunday 29 November, 3pm (the party will last as long as wrimos are in the room:)

We will write, we will celebrate with those who are finished, we will encourage those who will need to go home from the party and write furiously, we will laugh and complain about what we have written. We will celebrate that we have written so many words. The Eastern Cape Wrimos have been awesome. So let's end off with a bang.

For those of you heading home to places like Cape Town, Joburg and Pretoria, check out their party threads and join in. If PE can invade Ght, then Ght can invade the rest of the country:))
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moonblue - ML for Grahamstown
"You develop a style from writing a lot" - Kurt Vonnegut

Africa :: South Africa

What I hate...

AlyssC01 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:06:31 +0000

You know that wonderful feeling of making coffee and that first taste? Nothing beats that. Now, you know that wonderful, comfortable feeling that you have when you know that you've just made some coffee and you can have a sip any time that you want becuase there's still some in the cup?

Now, pick up the cup and find it empty.

I HATE THAT!!! WHERE'S MY COFFEE?!
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You are never given a wish without being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.
Richard Bach
http://alyssc01.wordpress.com

Africa :: South Africa

30k shoutout!

eponine254 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:14:19 +0000

60%! Hooray! Break out the beverage of your choice :)
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(\ _ _ /)
( O.o ) Beware the deadly donkey, falling slowly from the sky -
( >< ) You can choose the way you live, my friend, but not the way you die.

Africa :: South Africa

Continuing to write after a brief hiatus...

WinterWhite — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:15:43 +0000

So having gone away for a couple of days for the BF's birthday, and not being able to / allowed to write while we were away, I now have to get back into the swing of things.

-twiddle-

Any suggestions for getting back on the preverbial horse without having to go back and re-read the entire novel?
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Africa :: South Africa

Wrimo Rocks

moonblue — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:51:51 +0000

Those clever people who attended the Eastern Cape Kick-Off Parties are now in proud possession of their own personal pet wrimo rocks.

We will be posting regular suggestions and tips on how your rock can help you with the writing process.

To start things off why not introduce your rock and let us know how it is doing.

moonblue (and moonrock)
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moonblue - ML for Grahamstown
"You develop a style from writing a lot" - Kurt Vonnegut

Africa :: South Africa

Title help for Addo book?

skillage — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:13:28 +0000

This is more or less crossposted in the Young Adult section

It looks like my novel will be from middle grade to fairly young adult, aimed roughly at 12yos. It involves some step-siblings (well, the parents haven't married yet, but it's clear that they will) on their first holiday as a family in Addo Elephant Park. It's a bit of a romp, with talking animals, bad guys, danger, humour, and an underlying theme of the kids having to work together and get on in order to triumph, learning to accept each other's differences as the animals do, etc. Sort of an Ubuntu idea. God that sounds cheesey now that I write it out, but there you go.

So the working title was An Addo Adventure, which has nothing but aliteration going for it.

Help?
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Africa :: South Africa

The Worst Line Written Yet...

WinterWhite — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:54:26 +0000

Ugh. My writing is going from bad to worse. (If I were Shakespeare, it would be from Bard to Verse... pathetic, I know... but I couldn't resist.)

How's this for a really bad line...

"He didn’t dare tell her that the whole reason he forgot to call her was because he had been day-dreaming about her, which was rather silly if he thought about."

-sighs-

I'm going to go and hide now.
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Africa :: South Africa

Who DOESN'T edit?!

StillDormant — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:43:06 +0000

Just wondering. Seems like everyone's climbing out of the editing closet...

I DON'T edit. I don't even know whether I'm planning to go through this story or just print it out so I can burn it. I like the latter idea *pyro grin*
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If you want your life to have impact, focus it.
<'}}}><

Africa :: South Africa

JHB Events on the calendar

lyonza — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:30:10 +0000

Check out the calendar for this year's JHB NaNo stuff.

I chose the Mugg & Bean Rosebank since its the most central to all parts of JHB. I'll go scout parking and let you all know where it is, it will come in handy for Sundays with the market being there too.

I went back to Rosebank and spoke to the manager again who finally understood what I was talking about. He seemed reluctant to farm out prime location to a bunch of writers who will more than likely just drink coffee and munch muffins than letting as many people on their way to the movies spend more money and rushing off creating more bums in seats.

Thus, I went to Melville and the manager was super-nice and she will be delighted for us to use their venue at the times that will work for most of us.

So, its all moved. Melville is still the more central place in all directions. There is a lovely lounging area with couches and armchairs, which to me makes for more fun writing space than a bunch of tables shoved together. I get the feeling we can take over that whole space.

All the events will be at the Melville Mugg & Bean now. You will also note I've made all the Saturdays and Sundays for write-ins. I just need to call the manager in the morning and she will be more than happy to keep the space for us. Personally, I plan on doing a lot of my writing there so I won't be bothered by the people at home.

Join me Saturdays and Sundays from 14:00 to 17:00, it can only be fun!
The Map

Routes indicated on the map.

GPS co-ordinates: S26 deg 10' 32", E28 deg 00' 28"

EDIT:
Directions from M1:
Take the Empire Road off-ramp and turn right (from PTA side) or left (from the city side) and head towards Melville/UJ/SABC. Watch out for the roadworks and choose your lanes carefully. Pass under the fly-over bridge, crossing Barry Hertzog Drive. Follow the road past Debonair's / Steers, around the curve up to the T-junction and turn right. Stay in the right-hand lane.

Follow the road, crossing two intersections, one immediately after you turned right at the SABC and the next one at Media 24 (don't go into the turning lane). The next set of lights is where you will be turning right, going down the side of Media24. There is an enormous ABSA call centre on the one side and Media24 on the other. Follow the road up to the top where there will be a circle. You are now in 7th Street, mistakenly marketed on that Afrikaans local soapie thing on SABC2 as 7de Laan. The circle is at 1st Avenue. Go down the street towards the set of lights at 4th Avenue. You will want to turn left there if you plan on parking in the street.

If you want to park off the street, turn left at 3rd Avenue where there is construction work happening at Buzz9. A little bit down the street there is a parking lot on the right. They charge money but your car is secure and its right behind the M&B. Entrance to the building from the parking lot.

Directions from N1:
Take the Beyers Naudé off-ramp and head towards Cresta. Keep going down Beyers Naudé, passing Cresta, Northcliff Corner, Wespark Cemetary, crossing Judith Road and heading up the hill. The UJ sports fields will be on the right. At the lights, turn left. Fiasco is on your left, Spar on your right and May's Chemists opposite right. Go down 4th Avenue, crossing two circles. There will be a park on your right, Terenzo's hairdressers on your left and up ahead on the right, M&B.

To get to 3rd Avenue, go to the set of lights, turn right up 7th Street and right again into 3rd. The parking lot is on the right-hand side.

The TGIO will be quite cool with a picnic at Emmarentia Dam and Botanical Gardens. Other suggestions welcomed.
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~~~~
"Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult."

Africa :: South Africa

Dirty Secret

Niel Malan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:00:25 +0000

I feel that I have a confession to make. It's a dirty secret, but I feel I no longer can live this lie. It would be stupid to pretend that it doesn't exist.

Here it is:

I edit.

Yes, I edit.

I suppose it started with the 'innocent' little tap at the backspace key to correct a spelling error. Soon I couldn't stop it. I would go back and change words to make the sentence clearer. Sometimes half-a-sentence would disappear under the delete key, to be replaced by something better, and the perpetrator would be me. Once or twice whole paragraphs got picked over. Late at night when everybody was asleep I've even run a spell check. Yes, I edit.

Am I alone? Or could we open a chapter of EWA (Editing Wrimo's Anonymous)?
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