My name is Amanda and I’m your Municipal Liaison this year. This is my first year as a Municipal Liaison so I’m definitely open to suggestions from all of you on how to make November as stress-free (HA!) as possible! As Municipal Liaison it is my job to schedule write-ins, our Kick Off and TGIO parties and, most importantly, make sure that everyone is having an enjoyable, positive experience.
This week I plan on following up on several places for holding write-ins, however if anyone has suggestions I’m really eager to hear them. My problem has been finding places open later than 9pm with the right facilities for writing. Week night write-ins will need to start around 6:30 or 7pm and 2 hours seems much to short to get there, get comfy and get writing! I plan to hold weekly write-ins at my place as well, participants would be welcome to bring snacks and drinks (alcoholic or otherwise, it doesn’t matter!) and people could stay as late as they wanted. I’m a total night owl.
As far as the kick-off party is concerned it should be in the last week of October. In the past people have tried hosting kick-off parties on 10/31 that go past midnight and become their first write-in but its been my experience that people usually already have plans for Halloween and attendance is pretty bad. I’m open to anything though! I’m free every weeknight after 6pm and any time on the weekends. Feel free to voice ideas here or in a private message to me. With as many participants as Tulsa has (because its not just Tulsa, its BA, Bixby, Jenks, etc) I know it will be impossible to find days that work for EVERYONE but I definitely want to include as many people as possible!
Please remember to check our google calendar (in the regional heading!) often to make sure you don't miss out on any write ins!
I look forward to hearing from all of you!
----------
Amanda ML for Oklahoma:: Tulsa
2005-50k :: 2006-51K :: 2007-63K :: 2008-78K
39,389 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2009 - 20 01
Hello!
Veda here from S. Tulsa. This is my second year participating in NANO. I won last year and plan to win again this year :) I used to write more regularly some years ago and have had some work published. Having a family and children has put writing down on the list of priorities, but I'm feeling the muse blossom again! So here we go!!!
Looking forward to November and to meeting fellow Tulsa authors ;)
----------~Veda~
55,780 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2009 - 20 38
Me too!
That is awesome that you have had work published! I'm sending out queries (for the first time!) in December!
Hopefully you'll come to a few write ins next month, what days work best for you? I know that it'll be impossible for me to find the perfect date that will work for everyone but I want to make sure to include as many as possible! I'm also in S. Tulsa, by the way.
----------Amanda ML for Oklahoma:: Tulsa
2005-50k :: 2006-51K :: 2007-63K :: 2008-78K
39,389 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 09 43
LOL it's so hard for me to say what is best really. I'm a homeschooling mother of three, active in all their activities, and I'm active in politics as well. LOL So it's all sort of up in the air all the time :) Go ahead and schedule the write-ins, and I will try to plan accordingly so I can make a couple :)
----------~Veda~
0 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 22 56
Hi, all!
I'm Heather and I live in Owasso. This is my 3rd year doing NaNo and my hope is to complete my personal goal and if I get to 50k words, then that's just the icing on the cake!
I'm not sure what my work schedule is going to be come November 1st, but for now I'm working normal business hours (except for this week; I'm currently filling in gaps in coverage). Last year I went to a couple of write-ins at TU, those were on Thursday nights. I'm pretty open about what nights and times work for me currently.
24,134 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 05 04
Hey there. This is Jean from East Tulsa. I'm working as a freelance web designer and virtual assistant now, so my schedule is pretty much whatever I decide to make it -- in other words, I'm flexible. I kind of love the idea of a Halloween kick-off and write-in, and in fact just yesterday was lamenting the fact that I don't have any local writer friends to invite over for just such a shindig. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year it might be more doable for more people than in other years, but then again maybe not. I just think it's a fun idea.
I loved writing at the TU library last year, even despite the parking problems. Does anybody know if that's available for write-ins this year?
----------2007 Winner - This Old Haunt
2009 - Dominion of the Damned
55,780 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 08 58
If people want to do a midnight 10/31 kick off I'm totally open to it! I would be concerned about location because it's a BUSY night! I can't think of many places who will allow writers to squat for free! Depending on the number of people attending we could have it at my house but we're talking about 800sqft, a couch and a couple chairs!
Weeknights I leave work at 6pm (as long as there are no emergencies) so aside from that constraint I'm totally open!
----------Amanda ML for Oklahoma:: Tulsa
2005-50k :: 2006-51K :: 2007-63K :: 2008-78K
17,642 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 18 53
Hi everyone,
My name is Frank, and I live in an underground bunker seven miles below Tulsa. I did Nano last year for the first time and loved it, although sadly I did not hit 50K. This year I will hit 50K thanks to willpower, extensive outlines and as much Starbucks coffee as I can drink. I wish everyone luck! I would love to meet you all, but due to ridiculous work schedules I may not make it to any of the write-ins (although I will definitely try!). Glad to meet everyone here, I look forward to sharing this rollercoaster ride with you all, and a special shout-out to my friend Veda, who has already thrown down the gauntlet :)
Frank
74,181 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 19 31
South of Tulsa Holla!
This is my very first year to find NaNoWriMo. I was surprised to hear that a) it existed and b) I could still join up.
I have 4 kids, 1 husband and 6 pets. It may be a crazy year for me to join in - but the whole concept of NaNoWriMo sounds like crazy fun, so why not?!?
As for Write -ins...all my schedules depend on The Professor's good schedule.
----------So keep me posted and I'll come if I can!
Life is too short to read bad books or waste good dreams.
The first draft of anything is s**t. ~ Ernest Hemingway
First time WriMo --writing "The Bounty of Grace" - totally stoked!
3,726 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 19 03
Let's hear it for South Tulsa!
I introduced myself in the other thread, which promptly killed off the thread. I do that a lot, it's like my special talent.
I have a fairly flexible schedule and can pull of most things as long as I have a few days notice. This November will be a bit complicated scheduling-wise as I have to take our little girl to a couple different hospitals in Denver for 1-2 weeks (schedule is still being determined), but if I'm in town, I'll find a way to make it to write-ins, etc.
Eek. I can't believe I'm trying this. (Total newbie to not only NaNoWriMo, but also writing in general.)
----------The sun struggled up, another beautiful day.
And I felt glad in my own suspicious way.
-- My imaginary boyfriend, Elvis Costello
55,780 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 19 20
Don't worry Jemima, I'm a thread killer too!!
I've been calling around looking for a place to do the write ins but unfortunately I sort of fell off last week. I know thats terrible! My kitty was having respiratory distress and ended up passing away on Saturday so I haven't been much myself and I haven't been able to get much done. I got a new kitty yesterday (she's ridiculously cute!) so I'm feeling perkier and will hop on it to schedule our kick off party that will be held the last week of October. I'll hold it at my house if I can't get a place!
And EVERYONE is a newbie sometime and its SO much fun to experience for the first time!
----------Amanda ML for Oklahoma:: Tulsa
2005-50k :: 2006-51K :: 2007-63K :: 2008-78K
45,558 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 20 59
Amanda,
If your 800sqft is wheelchair accessible, I'll bring my own chair! Nightowls unite!
----------God said, "Choose Life!" Inner Editor replied, "Don't say 'choose.' That's too vague. Why not say ‘engage'?" "Go 'way!" God boomed most emphatically. "Writers engaging life have no time for NaNoNoveling. I love their crap. So leave them alone, too!"
45,558 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 21 26
OOPS. Forgot to introduce myself.
I'm the wife of one, mother of three, grandmother of thirteen. I live in a cabin in the heart of the Cherokee Nation (twenty miles from Arkansas). I'm nine credits short of a master's (will graduate in May) and plan to start my doctorate in July. I have got to be crazy taking on the NaNo with so many writing deadlines already looming. But, geez, it sounds like sooooo much fun! I just can't resist it.
Frankly, my geographic isolation limits my opportunites for meeting new people, so I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone at the write-ins. I work with a non-profit, but everyone works online. I work with people all over the world, but have met few of them in person. Even my university is online. So I'm excited about getting to see real people and work together face-to-face.
Other than having to be in OKC the 18th and 19th, my schedule is mostly flexible. But please no early mornings. As I mentioned above, I use a wheelchair, so need an accessible location. Hope that doesn't complicate things too much for everyone else.
---Nancy
----------God said, "Choose Life!" Inner Editor replied, "Don't say 'choose.' That's too vague. Why not say ‘engage'?" "Go 'way!" God boomed most emphatically. "Writers engaging life have no time for NaNoNoveling. I love their crap. So leave them alone, too!"
3,726 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 10 26
Oh no, Amanda. I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. :( That's a huge loss. What's your new kitty's name?
(Uh, I started writing this LAST NIGHT, and apparently got really distracted.)
Our house is very wheelchair accessible, except for one small step up into the front door (I think that it's about 4-5 inch tall step). We have a really big living room, but not tons of tables (ooh, I may be able to scrounge up some of those TV tray table things). The only hold up to it is that our kids don't go to bed until about 8-8:30pm, and I can't imagine anyone writing anything more complicated than a grocery list while they're awake. I'd be happy to host a write-in though, if it would work in terms of having a late night.
----------The sun struggled up, another beautiful day.
And I felt glad in my own suspicious way.
-- My imaginary boyfriend, Elvis Costello
24,134 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 17 31
Amanda, I'm so sorry about your kitty. That's a perfectly valid reason for falling out of touch.
----------2007 Winner - This Old Haunt
2009 - Dominion of the Damned
45,558 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 19 42
Our house is very wheelchair accessible, except for one small step up into the front door (I think that it's about 4-5 inch tall step). We have a really big living room, but not tons of tables (ooh, I may be able to scrounge up some of those TV tray table things). The only hold up to it is that our kids don't go to bed until about 8-8:30pm, and I can't imagine anyone writing anything more complicated than a grocery list while they're awake. I'd be happy to host a write-in though, if it would work in terms of having a late night.
--------------------------
----------I have a portable ramp that gets me up a 3 1/2 inch step into my house. That's a pretty standard height for front doors. I can also bring my own lap top table. Kids! They wouldn't be asleep until midnight with a house full of strangers--too much excitement. But if you're game . . . .
God said, "Choose Life!" Inner Editor replied, "Don't say 'choose.' That's too vague. Why not say ‘engage'?" "Go 'way!" God boomed most emphatically. "Writers engaging life have no time for NaNoNoveling. I love their crap. So leave them alone, too!"
45,558 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 19 50
My daughter-in-law is an assistant manager at Wendy's. They have a room we can use Monday or Tuesday evenings, or Saturday/Sunday after 2 pm. They are open until midnight, so it would work for a really late kick-off, write-in, and /or survival celebration.
Not as cozy as someone's home, but their expresso is awsome!
----------God said, "Choose Life!" Inner Editor replied, "Don't say 'choose.' That's too vague. Why not say ‘engage'?" "Go 'way!" God boomed most emphatically. "Writers engaging life have no time for NaNoNoveling. I love their crap. So leave them alone, too!"
55,780 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 20 31
Not as cozy as someone's home, but their expresso is awsome!
This sounds like it has a lot of potential! I'm sorry it took so long but I sent you some nanomail about this!
----------Amanda ML for Oklahoma:: Tulsa
2005-50k :: 2006-51K :: 2007-63K :: 2008-78K
45,558 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 21 13
Yep, got the nanomail. Answered it. The Wendy's is at the QT truckstop at 6008 S. 49TH WEST AVE TULSA OK . Well lit, lots of parking. Wendy's is open 'till midnight. QT is 24 hours. So plenty of employees around for better security in a public place late at night. Not centrally located, but available for free and wheelchair accessible. Course they hope we will buy food and drinks, but then, where else will they let us have food, drinks, and computers at the same table? Not at the library!
Plenty of tables and chairs, but we will need to bring some power strips for the laptops.
Did I mention they have awsome expresso !?
It's 75 miles from my home, so if I can make it . . . .
----------God said, "Choose Life!" Inner Editor replied, "Don't say 'choose.' That's too vague. Why not say ‘engage'?" "Go 'way!" God boomed most emphatically. "Writers engaging life have no time for NaNoNoveling. I love their crap. So leave them alone, too!"
45,088 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 05 56
Oh, hello everyone!
I'm a nano-newbie this year, though I think I've been hearing about it (and distantly thinking I should participate) for a handful of years, now. I'm 23, live in Midtown with my dog Ophelia and my cat Severus, and have no children or husbands unless you count the plants. I have a BA in English and Creative Writing from OBU, and am putting it to fabulous good use by working at a plant-nursery.
I love to write, and have been published only in small ways so far. I also write for examiner.com, under the subject of Young Adult Literature--which happens to be my favorite subject, and writing genre of choice.
I'm excited to do nano--writing is probably the only thing in the world that would ever persuade me to voluntarily take on more stress... and then be excited about it.
But hey! Let's write some. (And I'm game for these write-ins... whenever they may be.)
33,016 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 08 15
Welcome, hanna! I love the synopsis for your NaNo novel, by the way. Sounds great!
Admittedly, NaNo can be kind of stressful at first, especially if you're having trouble getting the words to come out. However, it's really, really rewarding to watch that little bar slowly edge its way to 50,000.
----------NaNo 2006 - The Sorcerer's Blade (win)
NaNo 2008 - Sorceress Knight (win)
NaNo 2009 - Secrets of the Black Moon (working title)
39,389 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 04 42
((((waving)))) Hi Frank!!! LOL Ha, the gauntlet has not officially landed yet, but my fingertips are itchy haha :) Of course it would help if I had my computer!!! (I'm borrowing right now).
----------See ya at the starting line, friend!
xo
~Veda~
50,100 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 15 55
Whoops! I just realized there is an actual introductions post, and I'll repost what was here over there now. I feel silly.
55,780 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 15 58
(I'll just disappear back into my hole now)
You should DEFINITELY come to the Friday night write-ins then! They're going to be really low-key, in my house with 10 people or less. There will be snacks and drinks (and if we end up with a night without snacks and drinks there is a walgreens on the corner!) and fun!
Please don't let anxiety stand between you and write-ins! I did my first year and totally regret it! ALOT of participants this year are first timers and we have ALOT of very shy Wrimos (including myself!) so you're in really great company!
I hope to see you at at least one of the write-ins!!
----------Amanda ML for Oklahoma:: Tulsa
2005-50k :: 2006-51K :: 2007-63K :: 2008-78K