United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Welcome! Hi, my name is ____, and you are?

grouchmuffin — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:06:20 -0700

Hi, my name is Cheri. =) I'm mostly present and accounted for. =) This is my second year as ML, and since I’m not fumbling around quite so much in the dark this time around, we have some exciting new things in store for us!

First, if you are a first time Wrimo, WELCOME! I think you’ll love the NaNo mentality and the strong community support. If you are a returning Wrimo, WELCOME BACK! Check out the bright shiny new pages here at the site and lookie here!! A place for our calendar right on the Peoria forum—so be sure to check it often for a list of our events. It doesn’t get much better than that!

I plan on taking photos of our crazy write-ins and parties this year, so I started a MySpace page to warehouse those and I’ll send additional invitations from there for our events too. Yeah, the layout is boring right now, but I have lots of other things on my to-do list before I spruce it up. Anyway, I invite you to join us at MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/peoriawrimos

I already know a couple of us are interested in renting a suite for one weekend in November. I'd like to get a 2-bedroom suite if possible, and will be asking in late October or early November for confirmation from anyone who wants to attend. More details on that once I can secure a place. I do have my sights set on the new Embassy Suites though...

To get a cool, sparkly halo above your username, you can individually support NaNoWriMo by going to their Donations & Store page: http://store.lettersandlight.org - every little bit helps, so even purchasing a t-shirt or coffee mug would be awesome. Plus you’ll look stylish as you are aiming for your 50,000 words! I also started a firstgiving page for the Peoria Wrimos – so you can invite your family and friends to donate funds to support all of NaNoWriMo’s programs. That link is: http://www.firstgiving.com/peoriawrimos or you can start your own firstgiving donation page.

And, we have a whole city of friendly competition this year too! =) Gainesville, Florida has agreed to be our new sister region. We will be setting up a buddy/enemy program between the regions as well as word wars and online events. Those will be posted to both regions’ calendars, and we’ll be setting up a forum just for us. Details to follow on that when we get it all set up.

I’m looking for write-in hosts too (and a co-ML!), so let me know if you are interested in hosting a write-in at one of your favorite local haunts. The east side of the river doesn’t always get a fair shake as far as write-ins go, so I’m especially hoping some folks in East Peoria/Pekin/Morton/Metamora/Washington might jump in to have something more out your way.

So, with all of those details out of the way, I hope you’ll introduce yourself! Do you all have plans for this year's novel? What genre do you write in? How long have you been a WriMo? Are you interested in attending some write-ins? Maybe a weekend writing retreat in a local suite (I'm thinking possibly Embassy Suites in East Peoria)?

Mine will be a legal thriller this year. Working title is Infanticide. I believe I'll be using 2 narrators-one, the woman accused of killing her baby. She will be a somewhat unreliable narrator, because she's suffering from post partum psychosis. I'll use her POV more in the beginning. The other narrator will be her attorney, who initially sets up a defense of undiagnosed post partum depression/psychosis. I have a couple of plot twists planned too, that I don't want to jinx right yet...

My first 2 NaNovels were thrillers--a mainstream thriller in '04 and a paranormal thriller in '05. The past 2 years I tried my hand at some literary fiction. Mainstream lit fic in '06 and paranormal lit fic in '07. This makes it my 5th year as a WriMo. I have completed the novels from the other 4 years (most of them hovering around the 90,000 word mark)-in fact have peddled a couple of them, and had some agent interest (and subsequently rejection) in NaNovel 2005.

I've also completed one other novel-also a mainstream thriller that took me 4 1/2 years to write. I'm working on a paranormal quirky little lit fic right now that I'm about 30k into. I started writing it for JulNoWriMo, which I lost at only 20,000 words. I also started a chick-lit. It isn't really my genre, but I've had the opportunity to write some horrendously painful & awful poetry for this book (on purpose!) which has been a lot of fun, and oddly liberating. ;o)

Write-ins. You. Must. Attend. If you've never experienced a write-in, you need to. At least once in your life! You'll be a changed person, I swear! ;o) It is utterly AMAZING - all the ENERGY bouncing around in a room filled with like-minded individuals, all in pursuit of that coveted golden 50k prize!

Much luck & happiness in pursuit of this year's NaNo!

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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

[STICKY] P-Town Wrimo Events

grouchmuffin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:17:27 -0700

Here's the thread to post Wrimo events. If you are hosting a write-in, or you just want some company at a coffee house or restaurant while you are diligently playing Solitaire - oops, I mean writing your 50,000 words - this is the place to post.
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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

TGIO Party - Saturday 12/6

grouchmuffin — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 08:35:00 -0800

Please RSVP if you plan to attend the TGIO party this Saturday.

It's a mid-afternoon party so you can have your evening free!

WHERE: Larry's Driftwood Inn, Creve Coeur

WHEN: 12/6/08, 2:30PM - ?

WHO: NaNoWriMo participants & significant other/spouse/favorite cheerleader

WHY: To celebrate your writerly accomplishments (plus your muses probably want pizza, and they deserve it!)

AGENDA: Discuss the highs and lows of November, your novel, NaNoFiMo & writing year-round in Peoria, and yes...the bag o' goodies make its final visit too. =)

Be there! Or be somewhere else...not quite as much fun. ;o)
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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Thank you, Cheri!!

Bristow — Mon, 1 Dec 2008 03:04:34 -0800

Much love & goodies needs to be showered upon or fabulous ML, Cheri *applauds* She arranged events online & out in the world, set up the chatroom for us on myspace & just generally was sweet, wonderful, helpful & always ready to cheer somebody on when they needed it.

Thanks Cheri!!
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"What I need is a strong drink & a peer group!" - Ford Prefect
aim - lumatam, ym - lollypop1407
http://fast-paced-fiction.blogspot.com/

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Beyond the November

grouchmuffin — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:06:14 -0800

I've been going to Apple's Bakery for months now, for the sole purpose of write-ins. Every Saturday. I invite Wordsmiths by Night and the Wrimos to join me. I'm thinking ahead now...

How many of you are so pumped by your NaNoWriMo experience, that you don't want it to end?

>>grouchmuffin raises hand!

I want to adopt a year-round NaNo experience, a la NaNoPubYe...or NaNoWriYe. To learn more about those NaNoWriMo spin-offs, check: http://www.nanopubye.org/ and http://www.pro-board.com/index.php?proboard=nanowriye2008 .

Respectively, NaNoPubYe is designed to get your NaNovel into the free world...i.e. publication. NaNoWriYe is for those who are on the creative bent, and need to write, write, write.

Who's in? I plan to follow (somewhat loosely) the NaNoPubYe plan. I have 5 novels collecting dust right now, a slew of short stories, 2 poetry chap books, essays...you name it! They are all wasting away on my hard drive. And, my 6th novel is nearing completion. I really need to get these suckers out into the free world while they are still relevant! ;o)

~Cheri
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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

December - National Novel Finishing Month

grouchmuffin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:51:24 -0800

Come finish your novels with us!

(Learn more about NaNoFiMo here: http://www.nanofimo.org/resources.html)

Write-ins:

12/6 - 10-2 at Panache
12/13 - 10-2 at Apple's
12/20 - 10-2 at Apple's
12/27 - 10-2 at Apple's
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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

I know I'm not supposed to...

Juniper34 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:21:02 -0800

I went back and read some of it...ARGH! I have plot holes you could drive a buick through!!!!! It's kind of stressing me out to be honest. I would love to think that this will end up being "publishable" but it seems so horrifically far away from that! Is anybody else having stress attacks about that?? Or should I just save those for December...

Eeeek!!

Nicole
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United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

So...how's it going? =)

grouchmuffin — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 05:33:43 -0800

Any rants or celebrations you want to share? Plot bunnies multiplying faster than you can keep up with them? Plot holes?

What's the most unusual thing that has happened so far? (Either in your novel, or real life?)

I'm pacing myself this year, which is going well. I go to bed still hungry to write, and that hunger stays with me all day at work until I can come home and satiate it.

My title keeps changing though! Argh. Still not sure I'm happy with the one I have. And, I'm a little bit rambly in places (good for the word count though, I suppose) and the muses were itching to start the story where the big action is. Unfortunately, I'll have to rearrange the book after I'm done writing it otherwise the whodunnit shows up in the very first chapter...in plain view. And well now...that wouldn't be too exciting. =o{ So, revisions will be intense, but at least the book is flowing.

Most unusual thing real life? Hmmmm...not odd unless you know me well. My drink of choice has been some hot tangerine tea with cream. Especially since I'm doing a lot of my writing at night. (For the record, I have never slept better through NaNoWriMo than these first few days already!) Decided that coffee and/or whiskey would be bad choices on a work night. ;o)

Most unusual thing in the novel? Erm. It's kind of embarrassing...but...my one character is pregnant. She has a superpower - sort of. She has really bad morning sickness, but she can stave it off. Yeah. Believe it or not, that "superpower" is essential to the plot. ;o)

Hope you all are doing well. And the muses are happily and busily building your word counts. We have a write-in on Saturday at Apple's. It's on the calendar from 10A-2P, but we actually have the room reserved until 4. So, stop by & write with us! =)

Happy Day!
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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

I did it!

sweetjami — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:52:37 -0800

Thanks to Cheri, Margi, Buda, Sarah, and Tim for all their encouragement today! Tim, please write to me so I know what your handle is..I am so glad I finished, but now the real work starts!

Best,
Alice
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All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men (and women) do nothing.
Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Planning your novel: Plotters v. Quilters v. Pantsers

grouchmuffin — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:16:50 -0700

I have to totally admit that I am a pantser for the most part. I fly by the seat of my pants in MOST things in life, just to keep it interesting. ;o) This year, I think I became a bit of a quilter, because there were certain things in this novel I'll be writing that I have to research. Not that I'm against research by any means, but it was/is just sort of different for me this year.

Over the years though, I have met writers of every variety. There are those die-hard plotters who outline every step of the way. For them, I have a couple of websites that might be of use:

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/870156

Pantsers. That's normally me!! But, being a pantser, I have run into one HUGE bump in the road, most every time. Names. I'm HUGE on names. They need to MEAN something-either personally to me, or they need to have a basic root meaning. For other pantsers who might be in the same boat, I offer some baby name sites:

http://babynamecentral.com/?gclid=CKPXivK3o5YCFQQrFQodKDlR6g

http://www.parents.com/babynames/index.jsp?ordersrc=google2babynames_tool&cobrandId=ww5&s_kwcid=baby%20names|693523522

http://www.babynames.com/

Then there are the quilters who take from all varieties of novel planning and piece it all together to make a whole. They tend to be maybe more character driven sometimes than plot driven. Other times, they have rough outlines of what they want and fly by the seat of their pants on the rest. For the quilters, I offer the following:

http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/twisters_character_sketch_help.pdf

And might I add, that there are folks who are more visual in their planning, but can really buckle down and pound out the words after their story is firmly visualized. I'm a HUGE proponent of mindmapping. Although I've not really utilized this technique for my novels because I usually am so muse-driven, I have used this concept a LOT in the more businessy areas of my life. Especially for my consulting jobs. (And, I'm going to get the opportunity to teach this concept really soon! =))

http://tenkeyboards.com/30-technology-tips-for-writers-use-mind-maps-to-...

Feel free to mix and match these different styles...it's kind of like mixing old school & new school. It's making for some awesome music these days...awesome outfits...awesome hairstyles...why not try mixing and matching until you find the right combination for you!? And feel free to add to the thread if you find something that works really well for you...

Happy Writing!
Cheri

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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

HEAD STILL ABOVE THE WATER!!

zswife — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:50:44 -0800

Hey everyone,
I am glad to see some have made it to the finish line. I had to go offline and write because there are just way too many distractions for me otherwise. It is bad enough having a cell phone w/blue tooth. The internet is too inviting with people wanting to chat and "hey just one more thing I have to tell you." and well you know. So, I hope everyone is doing well. I'm not being snobby, I just want to finish this year damn it.

Lynn

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United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

50,000-and the robots validated!!!

Juniper34 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:16:54 -0800

Oh yeah! It's official I am not a loser teehee!!!

However...I need close to 10,000 words today to be back on track for my 90,000 goal...so pass on the happy writing vibes, I'm gonna need them!
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United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Chat with authors online Nov.19- invitation from Gainesville

weylyn42 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:19:45 -0800

Hi there Peoria.

On Wednesday Nov. 19th we have our big event of the month, a massive write-in from 5pm-10pm (EST). We are excited this year to not only have authors coming to speak live to our group, but also we have 2 authors who will be joining us via live chat to provide inspirational pep-talks, and answer questions.

Since Peoria is our sister region, I wanted to extend an invitation for those of you who are interested to join us for the live-chats. We will be in a Meebo room much like the one Cheri set up for our cross-regional word wars.

The "speakers" will be:

7:30 – 8:00pm (6:30-7 pm your time) - Live Chat with urban fantasy writer, Illona Andrews

9:00 - 9:30pm (8-8:30 pm your time) – Live chat with sci-fi author, Ann Aguirre

The live chat will take place at http://www.crushedmuffin.com/Chat.htm

Feel free to come join us, and I believe we'll be doing some Q&A with the authors after they speak a bit, so you're more than welcome to join in if you have questions.

Hope your novels are going well, and hope to see you there.

-Christy
co-ML, Gainesville, FL

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-Christy
Co-ML of Gainesville FL
2008 title: Dogs of Pompeii

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Accomplished.

JudyRosella — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:08:07 -0800

50,284 words, and counting.
WooHoooooO!

That was fun!

Judy Rosella Edwards

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Judy Rosella Edwards
http://www.judyrosellaedwards.com

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Just a quick note of pride on today's date-veterans day 11/11

zswife — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:23:04 -0800

Hey everyone!!
This is just a brief break from my slow writing to share why today must be my lucky day to write. Although it is Veterans Day, it is my lucky day. Why? Well, I have four kids. Two boys and two girls, of which my oldest son and my youngest daughter both share the same birthday which is today. The ironic thing is that they are eleven years apart. Corey and Karah Lynn were both born 11/11 and being 11 years apart, well how cool can it be. My Son is 21 today and my daughter is 10. Now I have not forgotten the Veterans. Most of the men in my family have either fought in the war or were in the military. My son called me today to tell me that he may not finish his Senior year of College next year because he was told this summer that they would be deployed next October during his AIT training for the Army. He did not tell me because he said that he thought that I would not be able to handle it at 38. I asked him why he decided to tell me and he said because he had to sign his 55 page clearance papers last weekend. (he does the reserves on weekends). His girlfriend told him to tell me. He was afraid I was to young of a mom to handle it. He forgets that at 17 I had to learn to handle having a baby. We have always been close until I remarried three years ago. It was a hard thing for him to handle at his age. While I think he is to young to be there, if needed, there comes a time when we all have to realize that our babies have grown up even when we are not ready to let them. I just wanted to share this moment with all my fellow nano's.

Lynn

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United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

A Kansas City Wrimo's heartfelt challenge

grouchmuffin — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:56:29 -0800

Please read the thread below, and help this Wrimo out if you can find a way to squeeze his brother's memory into your book.

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3129303

Thanks!
Cheri
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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

where do I get a writing buddy?

zswife — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 10:25:08 -0800

How do I get a writing buddy for word count wars?
Lynn
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United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Gainesville/Peoria Sister Region Buddies Sign Up Here!

grouchmuffin — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 22:58:03 -0700

NEW EDIT 10/29: This thread can be seen from either forum - Gainesville or Peoria, and will automatically update both. Hooray!

**Note: This thread will be posted to both the Gainesville & Peoria regional forums, so everyone can be in the same loop.

While the Gainesville ML team is visiting Tokyo in early October, they've given me the go-ahead to start our regional buddy/enemy search! Everyone needs a strong support team and a little motivation (even if it comes in the form of friendly competition), so here are the details of the Buddy/Enemy program:

This thread is for the Gainesville/ Peoria Sister Region group. From here members of either region can request a NaNoWriMo buddy/enemy from the sister region.

For those of you new to the concept of Nano Buddy/Enemy pairs, the idea is that two people match up in order to have someone to support / to draw support from during the month of November. Support can be friendly rivalries, competitive word wars, or encouraging e-mails shared between partners. Really, the partnership is what you make of it, with the end goal being something that will help both of you cross that 50k line.

Because people vary in what motivates them, we are opening the floor to you - introduce yourself, and what you are looking for in a sister region partner. Or, look and see if there is anyone who has already posted from the other region with whom you'd like to work. You can reply here, or via private message.

Or, if you'd rather, you can reach one of us MLs by private message: Cheri (grouchmuffin), Christy (weylyn42) or Alison (bankysgirl) and let us know what you are looking for in a buddy, and we'll try to help match you up with a suitable partner.

Any questions, suggestions, ideas? That’s what we’re here for. =) Ask one of your friendly MLs, and we’ll be happy to answer your question the best we can.

Have fun and good luck to everyone this NaNo season!!

~Cheri, ML - Peoria, Illinois

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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Florida :: Gainesville

Washington/Eureka area Wrimos?

grouchmuffin — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 09:23:05 -0800

We have a Wrimo who will be visiting our area shortly. She'll be in Eureka & would like to get together with fellow Wrimos for some writing & support. Anyone in those areas willing to host a coffee house/library type of write-in in that neck of the woods? I'll let you know exactly which dates she'll be in town, when I find out.

A gajillion thanks--hope everyone's doing just marvy! =)

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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Kewanee Group Invites You

sweetjami — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 10:02:37 -0800

We are having an all nighter on the 22Nov at the Community Ed. Center in Kewanee. We have 20 computers we can use, lots of floor space and Wi-Fi, A kitchen with a coffee maker, microwave and fridge, Lots of good will and support. We will have goodies and everyone can bring some kind of food/drink to share (unfortunately, no alcohol) with the rest. We are trying to get a handle on how many could come...please let us know even if you are just thinking about it!

Alice and Margi
ML's for Kewanee, Henry County
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All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men (and women) do nothing.
Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Inspiration/ I Dare You to Put This In!

circus13 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:04:38 -0700

Think of it as you will, but last year when I was looking for some inspiration for some plot ideas, I found the DARES list on the NaNoWriMo forums. I collected a bunch of them that I wanted to use (not necessarily in my book last year) at some time or other and saved them. Below I give you a list of some of my favorites to use as you will. Most of them are from fantasy and sci-fi (because that's what I was working on last year).

Maybe we should start our own Dare thread for Peoria!

When your hero and villain meet for the first time, they have a friendly conversation over a beverage.

Have someone say, “Maniacal laughter is inappropriate and unbecoming.”
+ if it’s the villain.

Use the line “He touched her in accordance with the ancient prophecy."

Have a character whose main weapon is a boomerang.
+ If the character claims it's magical
++ If it really isn't.
+++ If it's the best weapon of the group anyway.

Include the line "That's the last time I hire discount assassins" in your novel.
+ if it makes sense and has a proper context/subplot and everything.
++ if that line is the entire basis of your MAIN plot (not just a subplot)

Have a character accidentally explode a piece of furniture.

"I dare you to use the phrase "yet again" at least once in every chapter.

Have a character constantly ruining emotional/dramatic moments with what they say or do
+if it is clearly intentional
++if it gets them scolded
+++if they stick their tongue out at the villain at any time
++++if this is crucial to the plot

Have a brawny male warrior whose nickname is 'Cupcake.'
+ if he likes this name and answers to it readily.
++ if he doesn't understand why people find it humorous.
+++if he is especially heroic and is immortalized in bardic lore as 'Cupcake the Great' or suchlike.

Have your MC plagued by some sort of bodily parasite that speaks to him.
+ it drives him insane by the end of the story
++ the parasite recites useless facts or really silly jokes at irritatingly crucial moments that have nothing to do with the current setting.
+++ the parasite is expelled at the end of the story and the story ends with something still speaking to the MC

Have your MC be terrorized by a chef or a waiter.

Have a character ask another "will you shut up if i give you this tomato?"
+ if they DO shut up :P
++ if its a special tomato in some way
+++ if the tomato is referred to later once
++++ if the tomato is constantly referred to/mentioned or becomes important to the plot/quest

Include a Great Horned Owl in your story
+If it can't talk or communicate in any other way with the characters

Include the line: "You can say what you want about my mother, but don't ever talk about my horse that way again!"

Use the words "natural" and "twenty" in the same sentence as often as possible, e.g., "It was only natural that twenty of them ran away. It was more amazing that any of them stayed."

Have a talking set of keys
+ the keys at first appear to be useful, but are, in fact, useless (keys to broken locks, keys to locks in another dimension, whatever)
++ they are always really loud and embarrassing when they talk, saying things like "It's really hot in your pants!" and "Your pocket smells like cheese."
+++they are magical keys that can't be lost. They can only be given away to someone who willingly accepts them.
++++Passing around the keys in an effort to lose them IS your plot.

Have a character who, at random times, says "And then I ate it"
+If the character eats something key to the plot
++If the item is not at all edible

have MC instruct NPC in the following: "Aim the pointy end at the overlord."

"Hey! Get that monkey out of here."

Include the line, "I swear, I didn't know it was a magic potion!"
+ If the speaker drank the potion
++ If the speaker gave someone of importance the potion
+++ If the potion has some effect other than the one it's meant to have

"I'm not medieval! I'm ALL evil!"

Use the line, "I believe in the power of excuses."

Have an emergency kilt-check happen somewhere in your story.
+ if it's your MC on the receiving end!

One of your characters carries dice or runes they claim they cannot make decisions without.
+ If they consult their chosen objects even for relatively minor decisions.
++ If they consult their chosen objects to decide how they will react emotionally to things.
+++ If they have their chosen objects stolen for intervention purposes.
++++ If the character routinely claimed to have used said objects for the above decision purposes, but was secretly doing whatever they wanted anyway.

Make one of your characters obsessed with finding the holy grail.
+ If they are convinced if they follow the Monty Python script, they will eventually attain it.
++ If they convince at least one other person to find the grail with them by acting out the script.
+++ If getting the grail in this fashion actually works.

One of your characters is half dragon, and trying to keep it secret.
+ If this character belches or farts fire.
++ If this character is able to pass this off to the MC as something else.
+++ If this character has no other obvious draconic characteristics—not scales, strength, vision, wings, etc.
++++ If this character’s flaming flatulence and/or belching is integral to the plot.

One of your characters has a baby.
+ And insists on staying with the party—and taking the baby.
++ The baby cries whenever enemies are near.
+++ And doesn’t stop crying when they need it to be quiet.
++++ Which gets the party found more often than not.
+++++ The baby always manages to get them right back out of trouble when they’re caught.
++++++ The villain of the story has ordered that the baby not be harmed.
+++++++ Because s/he really likes the baby, and wants to keep it.
++++++++ If the baby really likes the villain back.

Have your MC be extremely sleepy during the final climactic scene in your story.
+If he yawns during the Villain's dramatic speech.
++If he falls asleep during his duel with the villain.
+++If falling asleep during the fight causes him to somehow defeat the villain.

Your wizard carries around multiple wands because different spells require different wands
++The wands are on a ring, like keys
+++The wizard frequently forgets which does what, and must check many before finding the right one
++++Other characters seem not to notice/care even when relying on said wizard for help

Have a character complain of a pain in their wooden leg
+ If someone suggests they might have to amputate

Use the line "How was I supposed to know he's allergic to stab wounds?"
+ if the MV says it.
++ if the MV says it after accidentally stabbing his number 1 helper.
+++ if, after hearing this line, an assassin comes up with "Stab Wound Poison" and puts it on his weapons.
++++ if said assassin dies from his own poison, but not the bit on his weapons.

Make the computer AI that controls a ship's hyperdrive ADHD.
+ if this is somehow crucial to the plot.
++ if this crucial plot point comes about because the computer screws up coordinates.

Frequently confuse the terms Wormhole and a hole made by a worm.

include one or more of the following in your novel:
Robots.
An Incurable disease.
Cannibals.

Have an alien that tries to take over the Earth by himself.
+ if he dies on his/hers/its first attempt.
++ if it’s in a fast food restaurant.
+++ if the reason s/he/it was in the restaurant in the first place was because he thought the manager was the President.

Have the villain/aliens/other plants brag about a Ray of Doom. Have everyone be scared of this Ray. in the end it turns out it is a guy called Ray who keeps on saying 'DOOM' to whoever he meets. (TRUCK: “It’s not another guy named Ray who keeps saying “DOOM” like last time, is it?”)

Have an alien animal with see-through skin.
BP: If a character ever makes a funny remark about being able to watch it digesting.
DBP: If that funny remark is about another character the monster is digesting.
TBP: If the monster is terrifying anyway.

Have an alien animal with two heads.
BP: If the heads are (at least mostly) sapient, and fight with each other all the time.
DBP: If the personalities make the body gender-confused.
TBP: If the heads ever make out during the story. :D

Have an alien animal that moves by rolling around.
BP: If it ever rolls over the MC.
DBP: If it crushing the MC is important to the plot.
TBP: If it just keeps rolling around squishing people throughout the story.

Have an alien that sheds its skin constantly (like, every day).
BP: If it's a really big alien and has trouble getting rid of the skin.
DBP: If the MC ever wears its skin.
TBP: If that's important to the plot.

Have an alien animal that looks just like a coat.
BP: If it's venomous.
DBP: If a character wears one anyway

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Reality is for those who lack imagination...
And never insult a giraffe who's holding nunchucks.
www.circus13productions.com

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

November 22nd - Statewide Write-In - Warrenville, IL

grouchmuffin — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:42:50 -0700

The MLs from Naperville have invited the entire state to write with them on Saturday, November 22nd from 1-4 PM. I'm trying to organize carpools to get there, so if you are interested, please respond to this thread, and let me know if you can drive or not.

More importantly, please respond to Naperville's thread with an RSVP if you plan to attend--their thread is here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3047477. (They need to have a headcount because they can only legally house 87 writers.)

I plan to drive. I have 2 - maybe 3 spots left in my car.
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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Spoiling the muses

grouchmuffin — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 21:05:54 -0700

How will you spoil your muses this year? Or do yours respond better to a swift kick in the arse?

My muses are generally awesome, so I tend to spoil them. They get quite testy and demanding in November though. This year, so far, they've only demanded 2 gifties for a job well done. (I usually reward after 10k, 20k, 25k, 30, 40 & 50) Their 2 requests are 1 CD--The Fixx (80s alternative) and 1 book - Son of a Witch...the sequel to Wicked. I'm sure they'll get more demanding after they start rolling though.

And, they may be deserving of more...because I just learned that I have a paying freelance writing job too that will cross over into November. Woot! =) It's technical writing, but any time I can make a few extra dollars doing what I love---hey! I'm all there. I'm thinking that the money I'm gonna make is exactly the price of an Alpha Neo...

The advent of this newest freelance job though, means that I will be working 4 part-time jobs at about 60 hours per week...maybe more at the beginning of the month. I'm already having a small freak out about that and my poor potentially neglected NaNovel!

Other things the muses generally ask of me...fluffy coffee at all times, unless they are more in the mood for tea, Gentleman Jack, new music, disco lights-lava lamps-fiber optics toys, chocolate, sushi, hiking time (now letterboxing, a new hobby)...

Yeah, the muses have it made in my world. When I am reincarnated, I want to either be a spoiled muse, or a spoiled housecat!
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Cheri in Peoria

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

Free writing software

circus13 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:27:17 -0700

I've found some great free software (freeware) for writing, and most of them are portable so you can have them on a flash drive (with your NaNo) and take them anywhere (even if you don't have a laptop) to work on.

For those of you who have to work at home, you can also use these portable ones (installed on your hard drive).

Anyway, here is the list:

JDarkRoom gives you a totally black screen (no task bar even) and green text so you have no distractions.

Notepad++ a great alternative to Notepad, it retains some formatting (I use it for HTML coding since it color codes it)

AbiWord is probably the best portable writing software that's free. You can create and edit DOC, RTF, and just about every other document type that MS Word does, but it's FREE! And it's PORTABLE! And it doesn't use near as much memory so it's great on older/slower computers.

Open Office has a document editor like Word (as well as spreadsheet and power point editors) that is also free and portable, but uses a little more memory.

PNotes is a program for Post-It Notes on your computer screen. This thing is AWESOME when you need to quickly jot down a note to reference later, or take down a phone number and you don't have a pen handy, etc. I LOVE this program!

If I find any more that would be of use, I'll be sure to post them here.

Oh, and be sure to check out the entire list of Portable Apps, you might find some other things to use as well.
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Reality is for those who lack imagination...
And never insult a giraffe who's holding nunchucks.
www.circus13productions.com

United States :: Illinois :: Peoria

IRC, Wordwars, Chat?

Magic Drum — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:05:34 -0700

Has anyone here ever done Wordwars?

Is it only possible through IRC?

Is there a NaNo chat other than IRC?

Just wondering.

I have the beginnings of an outline going, and it looks like I'll be in a position to generate some words & am looking for motivators.

Will try "doing tens" by myself.

I have always found IRC to be a big mess & not much fun, so I need a way to improve that experience or find alternatives.

Ideas & comments welcome,

Thanks,

Jeff

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see me at http://nocomputers.blogspot.com