USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Pep talk: Couple's Retreat

ShannonDoah — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:05:18 +0000

Remember how excited you were when you came up with the idea for your novel? The giddy rush of the first few pages when your muse was telling you exactly what to write? When you had a vague idea of what came next?

Ahh, those sweet, sweet first days when it was all fresh and new.

It seems different, now. The honeymoon is over. This day-to-day relationship with the novel has gotten a little mundane, more of a chore sometimes. It’s tempting to scrap it and start a new story. Or go out to enjoy the unusually mild weather. Or even go to the grocery store, that sounds more appealing than sitting down to this novel. Again.

On the other hand, there are only nine days left. You’ve already invested so much, and there are some really good parts that you’ve written. Flashes of brilliance, even. Your novel deserves your attention for a little while longer. Just think how great it will feel in a week and a half when you can celebrate that NaNo win.

It’s time to put the romance back into this relationship. Try a little couple’s retreat – just you and your novel. Here are the couple’s retreat rules:

Read back over some of your earliest pages;

No editing, no criticism allowed;

Read until you find five things you like. It could be anything - a vivid character description, a poetic turn of phrase, a laugh out loud moment, a good rhythm to your sentence structure.

See? You have talent. This is a good story, an interesting story. These characters have value, and they deserve to have their story told. You are the only one who can tell it.

This novel is worth your energy. It’s worth getting to that 50K mark on November 30. You can still do it. Write on.

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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

NaNoWriMo Song

Jessiner — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:49:32 +0000

There is a song about NaNoWriMo. Check it out. It is great!

http://scifisongs.blogspot.com/2009/11/sci-fi-song-23-nanowrimo.html

-Jennifer
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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Akron Area High Schools

urbanko — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:06:17 +0000

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone else went to any of the Akron Area High Schools. I go to Cuyahoga Falls, and I've heard that the writing teacher here talked about NaNo.

How do you guys cope with writing and school? Have any of your teachers set up NaNo groups or assignments? Are your friends trying it?

:)
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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Nano gave me words!

Jessiner — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:04:04 +0000

I just tried the word counter on the Nano site to see how its compares MS Word's. I was having nightmares that I would think I am done and when I attempt to validate at the end of the month, Nano says I am short 2K. But it worked the other way. The Nano gave me 42 extra words! I wonder what it counts differently.

-Jen
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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Pomodoro Technique for writers?

Jesse Dalton — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:15:21 +0000

Has anybody tried the Pomodoro Technique to overcome procrastination?

I have heard that it works well for writing.

http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/

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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Write In Panera 6pm Tonight

dchadbrown — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:35:51 +0000

Is anyone coming? It was a slim - but mightly - turn out on Sunday at Mocha Joes in Stow. Just thought I'd throw a note out there reminding us about tonight. Hope to see you then.

Deborah
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Deborah Chaddock Brown, freelance writer specializing in web content; helping customers connect via the Internet. www.allwriteink.com. But by night I'm a frustrated first person, tongue in check, fiction writer striving to write the great American novel.

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Hudson Area Meet-Up?

armageddoni — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:51:21 +0000

Hi--as I mentioned previously in another thread, I live in the Akron region (in Hudson, if that wasn't obvious by the thread title), but due to many circumstances beyond my control, will not be able to attend any of the meet-ups in the city of Akron itself. So here' s my question--I know there are a few NaNoers who also live in the Hudson area, and/or Streetsboro/Stow, etc. I was wondering if we could plan some kind of meet-up, preferably on a Saturday afternoon/evening and/or Sunday mid-afternoon. I would love to get together to hang out, and since I have about two weeks in Hudson this NaNo season, the sooner we can pull this off the better.

Thanks in advance!
Ai
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NaNo 2007: Failure to Cope
NaNo 2008: Jump Without Thinking
SF 2009: Out

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Montrose Area Write-In on Tuesday nights 7 - 9 pm at Barnes and Nobles

jhudson67 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:02:29 +0000

AkroNaNos,

Since Ruth and I cannot make two of the Wednesday Write-Ins @ Panera, we are going to head out to Barnes and Nobles in Montrose on Tuesday nights from 7 pm - 9 pm.

The store is located on route 18 (Market St.) about 500 feet east of Route 77.

NOTE: I have not contacted any one at B&N, we just plan on showing up, grabbing a table and coffee and typing away for a couple of hours. Beside the tables in the cafe area, there are tables scattered through out the store. Also, make sure your laptop is charged up, plugs in the place are scarce.

See you tomorrow night,
Jeff & Ruth Hudson

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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

We're half way there!

Jessiner — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:58:12 +0000

Yeah! We made it halfway through Nanowrimo! Congratulations to everyone who is still working hard toward the 50K goal by the end of the month! You can do it!

I'm proud of myself for continuing on. I thought for sure that I would have given up by now. I am happy to say that I am still writing and I am enjoying my story very much. I look forward to writing everyday.

Keep writing!

-Jennifer

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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

i JUST TYPED "THE END"

dchadbrown — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:02:13 +0000

I did it. My first NaNo and I finished. Almost 51,000 words. What a rush. I have been typing non stop since three and it is 10:01. I need to put my hands in a bucket of ice. But I am so excited!!!! And just in time to watch the finale of Project Runway.

OMG I finished. I can't believe it.

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Bad Weather for NaNoWriMo

ShannonDoah — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:01:19 +0000

I don't know about you, but I was really counting on a typical Ohio November to keep my butt in the chair in front of the computer. You know - clouds, cold rain, wind, the works. Cozy weather, perfect for thousands of words just so you have an excuse not to leave the house.

This Indian Summer is killing my motivation. They've even canceled the rain they had predicted for tomorrow, and it's supposed to be sunny all next week, too!

I've even tried going out for an hour or two, then coming back to write. It doesn't help.

I feel better for venting. Thanks for listening. :-)

Shannon

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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Pep Orders, I mean Pep Talk

ShannonDoah — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:08:31 +0000

Aaaaaahhhh. I love the smell of electricity in the morning.

Now that we are almost halfway through National Novel Writing Month, I can tell you a secret that only the veterans know.

This is war. And war is hell.

War threatens the basic necessities of life: adequate sleep, clean clothes and a balanced diet. War isolates soldiers from family and friends, and generates a freakishly close relationship with your comrades in arms, who are the only people who can relate to what you are going through.

Some of you have won, and to those I say, congratulations. As for the rest . . .

Soldier, you’ve got a job to do. I don’t care what you THINK you’ve done these past two weeks. If you haven’t hit that fifty thousand word mark yet, you better get your rear in gear.

Do it for your country. Do it because art is an essential part of being human, and we are in one of the few places on earth where we have the freedom and the luxury to get silly and devote a whole month to creativity.

Do it because I just told you to, Suzie.

Now close down your browser and write, soldier.

Sgt. Shannon

PS – The foregoing was tongue-in-cheek, and I hope you got a chuckle. I have tremendous respect for anyone who puts his or her life on the line for our country, many of whom are in my family.

I also apologize to anyone named Suzie.

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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Sunday Stow Write-in

Jessiner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:06:20 +0000

Several of us have decided to meet this coming weekend. The plan is Mocha Joe's in Stow off 91 and Graham. We will meet at noon on Sunday.

Hope to see you all there.

-Jennifer
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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

It's fnished.

conmaggot — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Wow. This was the most fun with writing I've had in quite a while. Now to curl up with a good printout and do some editing. Good luck to all.
John
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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Consideration for a free cover design

dchadbrown — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:55:06 +0000

Fingers crossed, please. I just got an email from Tim Kim that my book is being presented for consideration to be one of the 30 covers designed by Fwis, a New York-based graphic design company. 60 books are being considered for 30 covers so my odds are...wait...you guessed it...50%.

Did anyone else get an email? I mentioned this at the Wed write in that books with titles, synopis and exerpts were the ones most likely to be considered. I don't think it's too late - there is a thread on the forum where you nominate yourself. I didn't do that but I did read the thread to see what books were being nominated. So many great books being written this year.

Anyway - fingers crossed. I'll keep you posted.

This is more fun than a chocolate tasting competition.

Write on!

D
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Deborah Chaddock Brown, freelance writer specializing in web content; helping customers connect via the Internet. www.allwriteink.com. But by night I'm a frustrated first person, tongue in check, fiction writer striving to write the great American novel.

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

I did it!!!

Shecrab — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:16:42 +0000

I did it! I made my 50K!! The book isn't done yet, but I just won Nanowrimo again!!!

HOORAY!!!!!

Christin
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CK or as they say in Spain, "Yes, What?"
http://www.christinkeck.webs.com

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Can't Make Write-In Tonight

apurcell — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:01:41 +0000

Hi, All

Have a super great word-accumulating Write-In tonight at Panera.

Unfortunately, I went through physical torture (physical therapy) earlier today. Let's just say it's not good when your post-knee surgery PT session begins with the words "now, Amy, don't worry if you start crying while I'm working this stuff out". So...if you need a string of 1,667 expletives to add to your word count tonight, I'll be happy to supply 'em. :-)

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A. Purcell
www.amypurcell.com/blog

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Virtual Write-Ins

padawanchina — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:55:17 +0000

I'm going to try and do the UStream broadcast for my evening writing sessions. I may just be sitting there with headphones on, but sometimes I know it's good to have a writing buddy, even if we're in different locations. Should you want to pop-in and check in on me there is video broadcast and a chat window over at:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/house-of-chaos1

I should be on shortly after 9PM in the evenings and more on the weekends. I'm "chinagrrrl" on Twitter and china.darrington on FaceBook and both of those will send out a "tweet" when I turn the darn thing on.

So, come hand out with me, while you write too! I'll be here all of November!

Chinagrrrl | padawanchina

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China Krys Darrington
china@chinakrysdarrington

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

WEEK TWO DARES!

apurcell — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:24:41 +0000

Maybe it's because I never turned down a dare as a kid (um...and as an adult) but I LOVE the Week Two Dares that our fearless NaNo leaders offered up to us.

Take your pick or take 'em all and let us know how things turn out!

1. Give your antagonist a cute little brain-eating zombie kitten as a pet.
2. Include a character who can communicate with the dead via text messaging.
3. Add a flashback that includes a mysterious phone call, a stick of butter, and a bearded lady.
4. Send a very important message to a character using a bowl of alphabet soup
5. Have your main character write a novel about you in the novel you're writing about them

See you at the Write-In on Wednesday!
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A. Purcell
www.amypurcell.com/blog

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Increase Word Count

Jessiner — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:12:06 +0000

It has been quiet this weekend. That must mean everyone is ignoring the beautiful weather and typing their hearts out!

I thought it would be nice to share your tips and secrets for increasing word count.

Mine is simple, but I only just realized it yesterday. Avoid contractions! I do in my normal writing, but used them at every opportunity in my Nano novel because it allowed me to type faster. I started feel bad about being behind in my word count, so I did a quick grammar check and removed the contractions. Instant 100 words more.

-Jen
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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Nov. 8th "Mini writ-in"?

Mad_Hatta — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:58:55 +0000

I know this is out of the blue, but my sister works at the Seattles Best in the Boarders at the "Shops of Fairlawn" shopping center next to Rose Hill Burial Park. Shes got a meeting today and shes gonna be there till 10 and more than likely, so will I.
I don't know when exactly we're going to get there but my rough estimate is 3pm.

So anyone got some freetime for joining a silly little newbie-Wrimo? [If it helps, I can wear my Mad Hatter hat I made so you guys know its me! lol]

[url=http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=3UB&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=borders+in+fairlawn&fb=1&gl=us&hq=borders&hnear=fairlawn&ei=lPf2SpH3JJXl8QaNj_XzCQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQtgMwAA]GoogleMaps to see where it is[/url]
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Just call me Hat.

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Thank You Shannon and Amy!

dchadbrown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:03:43 +0000

Thanks for all you are doing and will continue to do to keep the Akron WriMos on track. You rock!

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Pep talk!

ShannonDoah — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:39:32 +0000

Congratulations! You have just survived the first week of National Novel Writing Month. Whether you’ve written twenty words or twenty thousand, your goal is eminently doable. Our fearless leader Amy didn’t start last year’s NaNoWriMo until around the 10th of the month, and she won. You can, too.

For some, you can’t write fast enough for all the ideas you have. For others, each daily word count can feel like a marathon, as you painfully eke out stingy paragraphs in an attempt to move the story from point A to point B. When an hour’s worth of focused writing yields a paltry few hundred words.

That was me on Wednesday.

Then I remembered. I don’t have to get from point A to point B. It doesn’t have to flow, it doesn’t have to make sense. All it has to do is produce a viable word count.

Once I remembered that, my word count began to swell. With this in mind, here is my official . . .

Word Count Padding Tip: Social Conversation

Your characters may be out saving the world or trying to destroy it, but they can still have a nice long conversation with an old friend or relative. Base it on your own experience, and you won’t even have to invest any imagination. For example, have your MC describe your favorite vacation in great detail. Your MC’s friend can then describe your second favorite vacation. In great detail.

Then, the magic NaNoWriMo fairies will actually make this scene useful for your story down the road. It’s true. I’ve seen them.

Stay tuned for next week’s Word Count Padding Tip: Arguing About Politics.

Write on!

Shannon
Co-Municipal Liason

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USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Highland Square write-in?

ohmisskaroline — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:08:33 +0000

Hello, folks!

I was just wondering if there would be any interest all in having a write-in or two at the Angel Falls in Highland Square?

Let me know and we can work out a day and time!

-- Carly
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ohmisskaroline.wordpress.com

USA :: Ohio :: Akron

Writing Buddies

manci — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:32:28 +0000

Just wanted to stop in the forums and say hello to all of my writing buddies! It's nice to have others to talk with and help keep pace. This place seems full of interesting people...and I am happy to have found all of you around Akron. It's hard to meet people like this in your day to day activities. Well...at least it is for me. Most people I meet rarely read, let alone write.

Anyway, I hope to get out to a meet up at some point, but I have some challenging things going on in my life right now, so it's going to be hard to find the time. But I will try.

Good luck to all of you and keep it up!

-Jaysen
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