We've managed to have a couple of years now with weekly write-ins in Derry, and I'd hate to break tradition!
So when works best for people? I'm good to be in Derry on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday nights, as well as on the weekend, so would personally prefer one of those... but don't let that stop the rest of you from picking another evening.
And the other question is where? Last year, we had about half of them in Starbucks in Foyleside, which at least was open late, plus another couple in Cafe Boho on the Strand Road (though I don't think that's open any more). Anyone got any alternative suggestions?
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- Northern Ireland Municipal Liaison | WriMo Ireland | NI NoWriMo Facebook & Twitter
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10,801 / 50,000
Oct 2, 2009 - 14 01
Well, I can come any day of the week, provided I can convince a member of my family to drive me out to Derry at night and then hang around for the duration of the meet, so really, for me, it's just a case of throwing a whole load of petrol money at my granddad and crying and begging at my uncle's feet. Both will be highly unpleasant experiences, but alas, we all have to make sacrifices.
As for where, I don't have any particular suggestions, but the Starbucks appeals to me, mostly because it's the only place I actually know how to find. XD I haven't been to Derry very often, as you may or may not be able to tell.
I've never actually been to a write-in before, but I'm actually kinda excited at the prospect of doing so.
----------44,021 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 09 37
I'm available all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Fridays from 16.00 onwards.
Sadly, Café Boho is closed :( I miss it.
I like Starbucks too, but I think Café Del Mondo (on Guildhall Square, where Café Calm used to be) is also opened late. I must confirm that though. Café Del Mondo also has sofas and a nice friendly atmosphere, plus all proceeds go to a charity (SEEDS, which is an association that helps immigrant workers with very little english). They have power points too, but they frown upon people who use their electricity.
----------~ The Unquiet Mind (http://minamzi.livejournal.com)
2007 : House of Wolves
2008 : Red Hot Moon (Won)
2009 : The Small Print
35,184 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 05 29
I like Café del Mondo too, but it always seems really really busy. I could book us a table, I suppose? But if they're not keen on people using their power, then maybe they're not the best location.
That said, I should probably check Starbucks over for their power points, and to see if they do wireless access (although having it isn't necessarily the /best/ idea).
Fridays look good for me too at this stage, but I'll wait for a few more people to pop up before we commit to anything, I think. (Where /is/ everybody this year?!)
----------- Northern Ireland Municipal Liaison | WriMo Ireland | NI NoWriMo Facebook & Twitter
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44,021 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 11 30
As I was in town with my laptop this afternoon, I stopped at Starbucks and tested the Internet connection. You can pick up several networks but the signal is very weak for most of them and some are password-protected. There is also a BTOpenzone network apparently sponsored by Starbucks but you must buy credits online.
----------~ The Unquiet Mind (http://minamzi.livejournal.com)
2007 : House of Wolves
2008 : Red Hot Moon (Won)
2009 : The Small Print
35,184 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 05 13
I'm going to pencil in a Derry write-in for 6:30pm Friday evenings then, in Starbucks unless we come up with anywhere better. Foyleside is open till 9 on a Friday (possibly even later in November for Christmas shopping) so at least we wouldn't have to rush out. And even if Starbucks' internet access isn't really accessible, that might be for the best?
----------- Northern Ireland Municipal Liaison | WriMo Ireland | NI NoWriMo Facebook & Twitter
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44,021 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 09 29
Friday, 6.30PM, Starbucks - sounds perfect :) I jot that down in my calendar.
Since I finish work at 4 on Friday, I may be in Starbucks earlier - ad if it's not too busy, I'll keep us a couch near a power-point ;)
----------However, I recently got one of those 3G keys that allows you to log in from anywhere - including Starbucks hotspots. The signal is quite good, but it wouldn't be a good idea for me to take the key with me - maybe ?
~ The Unquiet Mind (http://minamzi.livejournal.com)
2007 : House of Wolves
2008 : Red Hot Moon (Won)
2009 : The Small Print
2,004 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 07 50
I'll try my best to be there. Though at the moment I'm regretting my choice of a desktop rather than laptop.
35,184 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 10 17
Don't fret, I shall probably be handwriting on Friday in a notebook! Hope to see you there...
----------- Northern Ireland Municipal Liaison | WriMo Ireland | NI NoWriMo Facebook & Twitter
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2,963 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 12 18
Starbucks in crescent link might be better?
Lots of free parking, more seating, no Christmas shopping crowd milling around, and open later.
----------“I warn you, if you bore me, I shall take my revenge.” J.R.R. Tolkien
35,184 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 13 30
Dunno - what do people think?
Starbucks tonight was fine - 5 of us there, a Derry write-in record, whoo, shame you couldn't be there. And we met there regularly last year as well and were always able to get a seat even with the shopping crowd getting busier towards the end of the month. (Plus it's open till about 10 or 11 on Fridays coming up to Christmas.)
We do have WriMos who don't drive, which has to be a consideration for where we meet.
But I'm always open to suggestions for where to meet!
----------- Northern Ireland Municipal Liaison | WriMo Ireland | NI NoWriMo Facebook & Twitter
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41,530 / 50,000
Nov 16, 2009 - 15 19
I was thinking about going to a write-in. This is my first year participating in NaNoWriMo and I was just wondering what exactly occurs in a write-in other than the obvious writing in general thing? Does it usually get a good number going to it? And thirdly, do you get many teenagers?
I'm just wondering...I feel a bit of an idiot for asking but still...I kind of feel the need to ask.
35,184 / 50,000
Nov 16, 2009 - 15 26
Answers...
1. Apart from the writing (which tends to happen in fits and spurts), we just chat, really, about how NaNo is going; share tips and advice and congratulations and commiserations. And drink Starbucks' finest products.
2. Not at the Derry ones. We had an amazing and record-breaking 5 people our first week, but last week was just 2 of us. However, don't let that put you off - we're nice people and very welcoming (and I have sweets and stickers to give out).
3. No idea. We don't ask ages, nor do they really matter. I think last year, the spread of ages over the people I met was between about 17 to 60+.... You can always bring a friend or relative though if you're nervous about coming along by yourself to meet people older than yourself. Just tell them to bring a book. :)
Hope that's helpful?
----------- Northern Ireland Municipal Liaison | WriMo Ireland | NI NoWriMo Facebook & Twitter
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41,530 / 50,000
Nov 16, 2009 - 15 52
Thanks for the info. I'm always a little cautious about meeting people and my writing in general so mixing the two is often a little tricky for me, but I might come along to the next Derry write-in if I'm not busy. I would go to the Belfast one if I was closer to it but Derry is the only one I would be able to go along to. Ok, thanks again. :D
25,335 / 50,000
Nov 17, 2009 - 02 36
1. Apart from the writing (which tends to happen in fits and spurts), we just chat, really, about how NaNo is going; share tips and advice and congratulations and commiserations. And drink Starbucks' finest products.
2. Not at the Derry ones. We had an amazing and record-breaking 5 people our first week, but last week was just 2 of us. However, don't let that put you off - we're nice people and very welcoming (and I have sweets and stickers to give out).
3. No idea. We don't ask ages, nor do they really matter. I think last year, the spread of ages over the people I met was between about 17 to 60+.... You can always bring a friend or relative though if you're nervous about coming along by yourself to meet people older than yourself. Just tell them to bring a book. :)
Hope that's helpful?
*shamefaced* I was gonna come on friday, but I was so far behind I was ashamed, so I went home and got 2000 words written instead. :-( I promise I'll come this week! I'll have my new netbook to show off by that point. *touches wood*