So here's the obligatory introduction thread. Tell us about yourself!
I'll start us off...
Hello, I'm Jen and I'm a NaNo-holic. (or should that be NaNo-aholic?) This is my fifth year doing NaNo and I've won three times. I've never finished a novel and I prefer to believe that editing does not exist (apart from minor spelling and grammar mistakes). I love baking and sort of like cooking, even if no one here wants to eat what I make. (Which is why I'm glad for NaNo because you guys will eat the cookies I bake!) I'm a sad and delusional Leafs fan and I have tormented them before in my stories. I have a dog who will make sure I get out of the house once in a while to take a breather in November. I usually spend most of my free time (of which I have plenty) writing, reading, or procrastinating. I also love learning languages, even if my brain refuses to retain the information I give it.
I'm not sure what else to include here, so now it's over to you!
----------
9,431 / 50,000
Oct 2, 2009 - 14 40
Hello everyone. I'm Jess, and this is my fifth year attempting NaNo. Last year was the first time I hit the 50k mark, though my novel was less than finished as far as plot goes - it would have been great as a lead in book to a series. I'm really great at starting projects but not so great at finishing them, as well as being a terrible procrastinator. It makes writing consistently towards a deadline a challenge for me, especially when I have other things on the plate. But every year I keep coming back for more, and I've gotta say, finally hitting that finish line is a pretty cool feeling
I'm an undergrad at YorkU in Toronto, so while I won't be able to make it to meetings this year, I'll be there in spirit (and will probably be hanging around the forums more than I should). I'm taking an overfull course load as well as working a part time job, so come November and an extra 1600 words a day, I may just die sometime in the second or third week. But hey, it's going be an awesome ride along the way!
Current hobbies/obsessions include scifi, which wormed its way into my heart a few years back and never left, knitting, which I picked up this summer, and being awful at telling jokes, which has always been a particular talent of mine.
44,007 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 12 28
Hi guys. I'm Rachel, and this is my first year attempting Nano, though I have been writing for a few years. I really hope that I can make the meetings!
----------My current hobbies include fantasy, romance, young adult, and reading.
I have nothing else to say. :)
42,845 / 50,000
Oct 2, 2009 - 16 47
I'm Megan! This is my fourth year of NaNo; I've won three times. I have a lot of stickers from previous years.
I will be 16 in a couple of weeks. I go to Regina Mundi. I like British television shows, such as The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd, Black Books, QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and Look Around You. I got into comic books in the summer. I like to draw. I like to procrastinate on schoolwork. I think doing experiments in Chemistry class is fun.
I'm not sure what I'm doing this year in terms of plot, but I snagged a few from the Adopt-a-Plot threads last year. Adopting has become a bit of a hobby for me. I do it when I'm supposed to be doing homework. That is, if I'm not watching a British television show. I love NaNoWriMo, and hopefully this year I'll be able to go to the meetings, because I have long since quit learning how to play guitar. After it became apparent that my skill was hardly improving, I decided not to waste my time.
I am also not allowed to go trick-or-treating this year for Halloween, which I find highly unfair.
43,267 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 10 05
Allo allo!
Julie's the name... I'm not technically a Londoner, but I'll be working in London for the foreseeable future, so thought I would touch base with all of my fellow crazies... er, authors here. ;) Don't imagine I'll make it to any of the weekend write-ins, but who knows, maybe I'll see some of you around. And I'm always available online for encouragement or brainstorming if needed.
This will be my ninth NaNo, and I'll be getting back to my roots this year by picking my plot off a random prompt generator on the evening of the 31st, and seeing where that takes me. In the past few years I've done everything from writing multiple stories to finishing old ones, and in the process I guess I kind of feel like I've lost the point of what NaNo is supposed to be-- spontaneous, uncritical creativity. So this year, by god, I will start from nothing and I will build a novel, and if in the end I need to resort to ninjas-- so be it. :D
40,331 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 06 05
My name's Marshall, and this will be my first NaNo. I was originally going to participate last year, and had an idea planned out that I thought would work well, but my very heavy schoolwork responsibilities led me to wait a year. In that time I tweaked and tweaked and tweaked that idea until it transformed into something that doesn't resemble the original at all, but which I think will be a more interesting story to write, so I guess it all works out. I'm looking forward to actually getting it out in November!
I've lived in London for about six years now, and very recently completed my Masters in Library and Information Science. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, gaming, films, all the good escapist pursuits. Although I've never written a novel or participated in NaNo before, I do try to keep my creative side busy. My current projects are a webcomic and a short animation.
Good to meet you all, and I look forward to hearing more from you!
36,760 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 08 57
Hey everyone. I'm Mike. I write stuff.
I've done NaNo for three years, and actually managed to finish my novel last year. I'm still editing it, but someday soon it'll be an actual finished novel. In my non-noveling time I'm a grad student at Western, which mostly involves writing, and I blog too, so I'm pretty much putting words on computer screens all day long every day.
I'm looking forward to chatting with you guys on these here forums, and maybe even in real life. I do love cookies, so Jen's promise to bring some to the meetings is awfully tempting.
Later!
----------Phronk.
a.k.a. Mike
http://www.phronk.com
52,150 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 09 10
Hi everyone!
I am actually from Sarnia but this seems to be the closest 'big' group to my area.
I have done NaNoWriMo for two years now and have completed the writing goal each year.
My first NaNo I completed after November while my second NaNo is now at 37 chapters and needs around 6 to 8 more chapters to complete (I really should get on top of that this month).
The first two novels have followed the same main character through a fantasy war story.
This year, I am not sure if I should continue the story or try something different.
Ahh, October, so many ideas and so little time to pursue them all.
----------2007 The Lieutenant of Fairies (won!)
2008 The Captain of the Dammed (won!)
2009 Black Dog (let the games begin!)
47,895 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 17 38
Hi Everyone. My name is JR and this will be my first attempt at NaNoWriMo. I've had several short stories and book reviews published, and as of this month I've finished the first draft of my very first novel. I thought I'd celebrate by cramming 50,000 words into a single month.
Best of luck to everyone!
8,734 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 18 40
Hey all,
I joined the London region in order to get more 'connected' to the community - I live near Brantford, but have recently started part-time courses at Western.
I'll be in London on Tuesday nights, but usually arrive moments before school and leave right after - I will see if there is an event I might be able to join up with, though.
This will be my third Nano, and even though there are some really bad parts in last year's novel, I planned more than my first year and enjoyed the final product a lot more. This year I don't have so much as a good seed of an idea, but I am 'planning on planning.'
Good luck!
28,118 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 07 55
Hey everyone. I'm Tara, and not quite a Londonder—I live in St. Thomas. I moved here from the GTA about a year and a half ago, to move in with my boyfriend. We are the proud parents of two cats, Mikhail and Mia.
This is technically my third year as a Wrimo, though I don't really count the first year as I didn't even get through the prologue and called it quits on November 3rd. Last year I was fully committed to writing 50,000 words, and I did! I did not, however, finish my novel; after crossing the finish line, I decided what I'd written to get me there wasn't good enough to salvage. This year, my goal isn't just to write 50,000 words, but to finish the story.
I'm kind of adrift in the sea of plots right now. I have several ideas, but none of them are grabbing me by the throat and screaming, "WRITE ME! WRITE ME!" Last year I found an idea on the Adopt-a-Plot thread that my muse grabbed and ran with, but this year it's a fickle bitch that isn't interested in any of the premises I've been considering. So I'll be lurking on the Adopt-a-Plot thread throughout October, hoping that something will jump out at me soon!
40,050 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 08 33
Hi Everyone,
I'm Anthony and I live in Tillsonburg. I have written for ages, mostly short stories and poetry, and have been trying to give myself the push to write a longer work and this seems like the place i'll find it. I plan on using this month as a way to churn out a rough first draft on one of my novel ideas, then using the rest of the year to get on with the re-writing. I will try to get out to one of the kick-off meetings in October, but it depends on work and family stuff.
Good luck to all!
21,565 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 11 12
I'm Bryoney. I wrote a lot when I was younger but stopped when I hit the end of high school. I recently took it up again and have been having a lot of fun with it. I've found a great little writing community online and have really been enjoying sharing the process with friends who love writing as much as I do. This is my first NaNo and I'm a little worried about it but looking forward to the challenge. I have no idea yet what I'm going to write though... *ponders*
7,768 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 08 53
Hi - my name is Dana and this is my very first NaNoWriMo experience. I'm not really sure what to expect, but I've got a kernel of an idea forming, so we'll see where that takes me.
I was born and raised in London, and currently I'm working as an ESL tutor and part-time freelance editor. In my spare time, I like reading pretty much anything, although I mostly find myself reading silly, pink-covered chick lit novels, with the odd science fiction novel thrown into the mix.
0 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 09 47
The name is Jean-Guy, net handle is Jero (teh_jero, JeroX, Jero88, and other variants thereupon), and I have been known to use the pen name Don Psymue in some of my short stories (mostly previous assignments in Secondary School).
Just in case people don't immediately see it, I'll give an explanation on the pen name (cause I'm kinda proud of it considering it's something I thought up in grade 8 or 9 heh): If you re-arrange the letters, it spells Pseudonym. YAY ANAGRAMS!
This is my 2nd year as a registered participant of NaNo, but my first year that I will most likely truly participate. Last year I had some...circumstances that got in the way of actually writing something. So my goal this year is to hit 100k words to make up for last year :P
Okay, so that's not gonna happen, but it was a good idea at the time.
Hope to write alongside you all for years to come.
Also, maybe down the road, we could look into the possibility of some kind of group project? I dunno. I'm tired. I don't wanna work today. Stupid work. Hinders the creative juices and such.
K, that's me.
Ciao,
Jero
316,219 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 13 24
A huge welcome to all of you! So glad to see some veterans and newcomers this year. If you're planning on attending November meetups and write-ins, don't forget to pop by the thread and let me know what days/times work best for you. :)
----------8,300 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 15 17
I'm Celine and this is my second year doing Nano. Last year, I topped out at a whopping 6000 words. This year, I'm hoping to have that beat by 250 words or more.
I work at the university and I'm active in social media networks, so I'm already
troubledamused that I recognize some names (HI PHRONK). Between my day job and my World of Warcraft addiction, I spend a lot of time staring at computers, so most of my initial noveling is done pen and paper style, at least for outlines and character sketches.Everyone in my life is pressuring me to be a writer, especially my husband so he can live in a style to which he would like to become accustomed (I am guessing he wants to be able to buy chicken whenever he wants, even if it is a whopping 20 bucks for three breasts.) Nano is my way of proving to them how wrong they are. Last year's novel was to be about two social outcasts who survive a zombie apocalypse; this year, it's a street kid from Toronto who hooks up with Metatron to find God and save the world. Seriously, who would read those? The important thing to me is having fun writing them.
Very nice to meet you all!
51,427 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 05 02
Greetings from the far north (well Seaforth). This is my third NaNo. I have two wins. I have a few ideas kicking around, but I may go way out in left field and be totally rebellious this year. I live in Seaforth with my wife and son, two dogs and a rat. I have a novel that is 95% done, so I may finish it then start project two. (I did say I way being rebellious.)
Getting into London for meetings may be problematic, but I will try.
Alex
----------Put the story first.
26,213 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 18 58
Hi, I'm Krista and this is my first NaNo.
I'm a little scared since I always seem to start writing and never finish but also excited. I just recently graduated from Graphic Design at Fanshawe and am currently in that awkward life phase of looking for a big girl job/trying to figure out what to do with my life. That's really all there is.
0 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 19 38
Hey!
I'm Kinnery, this is my 4th NaNo, and the ADD seems to disagree with my novelling so I have yet to actually win. Maybe this year?
...Yeah I doubt it but hey, it's fun!
I'm in my last year of high school, I like chilling with my pets at home and being a total recluse, and chatting on internet forums where I don't have to be genuinely sociable. But hey, I guess I'll leave my hermit-hole for you guys. :)
Grace and peace,
Kinn.
P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!
0 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 08 15
Hey, I'm Rachel. This is my first year doing this, NaNo sounds like fun. I know I won't write enough, but I'm going for it anyways :) I love writing novels, poems, and songs, it helps me express myself
0 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 09 17
Greetings all!
My name is Denise and this is my third NaNo. I made it to the 50,000 word mark last year.....wooohoooo!! It's so much harder than you think going in, and so much more rewarding at the end than you could possibly imagine. I live outside of the city, so getting in to the gatherings isn't always easy. I've met some great people at the ones I did make it to.
I'm always full of ideas for plots and this year is no different. I have a ton of notes that I've made for myself. I should sit down and take a look at them before Nov. 1. I'm a huge fan of the murder/mystery, no doubt stemming from growing up as a policeman's daughter.. Nov., for me, will likely be filled with bloodshed and psychotic killers, a fitting follow up to Halloween and an inspiring adventure for NaNo '09.
1,916 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 17 55
Hi. I'm Trevor.
It's my first time, and I'm cheating. This is in large part due to my shady upbringing. I also shoplift so if there's a meeting at your house...
No, the reason I'm cheating is because it's something I actually want to do. The way I'm cheating is that I have a co-writer, and we work well together. In effect, this is more of a challenge to see if *we* can carry the mutual workload together. So, while it may see easier to individually throw out 25,000 words, there are two points of possible failure hinged on how much one is whether to pick up any requested slack along the way.
It's a neat experiment and we're both enthusiastic, so far...
36,004 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 18 04
Hi I'm Jo,
I'm local to London and I am looking forward to this November. This is my first NaNoWriMo and I am terrified and excited.
I am probably going to be writing something Sci-fi, fantasy or mystery. Other than that i have no idea what I am doing.
----------Some people are like Slinkies.
Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.
6,900 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 23 45
Hello, I'm Shadia. This is my... eighth year doing Nano, I think. This year, I'm bringing my boyfriend. He lives in West Virginia, but he's here visiting so he'll be hanging out with our London group. :D This is his first year doing it. He's excited.
I'm excited too.
Anywho, hello to the old nano-ers and hello to the new ones.
----------29,288 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 10 49
Hi everyone... My name is Deanne and this will be my first NaNo thanks to my room mate and devoted BFF, Krista Lee (see about 15 comments above).
I've had a dream for about a year to write a Harlequin Romance novel and pay off some of my student loans. So maybe it can all be done in a month... we'll see *nervous laughter*.
I'm a pop-culture obsessed gal. The loves of my life include music, vintage fashion, friends, movies and obnoxious inside jokes. I don't think any of these meet the requirements of a novelist, but we'll see of any of this works to my advantage!
38,153 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 15 49
Greetings, I'm Scott.
This shall, hopefully, be the first year I actually stick to NaNoWriMo. I have a degree in English from York University and just moved to London this summer from New Hampshire. I'm hoping this group will help me find some like-minded friends to abuse caffeine with while writing. :P
When I'm not writing, I like to read, learn, and have been teaching myself Japanese. (again T_T)
I failed at making it to today's meet up but I hope to meet everyone at the next one! :)
3,675 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 16 23
hey all!
I'm name is Theresa and I think this is my fourth year of NaNoWriMo and despirte my efforts, I have never won.
I live in Strathroy just outside of London. I am in Grade Eleven and I love writing. (duh)
Im not sure want I am going to write about, but I want to try something different from the fantasy novel I've been trying to write for the last three years.
Can wait to see you all at the meetings! :D
35,233 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 16 43
Hi!
My name is Kaylee, I'm 21 and this is my second NaNoWriMo. Last year I was all set to go and then I got an injury that prevented me from completing my book. I'm hoping to take it slow but still work hard because I have many ideas going through my head. Other than writing I enjoy reading, acting, editing, filming, working out, watching movies and hanging out with my friends whle doing anything and everything. This November will be crazy for myself as well as many other Wrimos out there since I have to schedule around work while taking Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Good Luck Everyone!
----------what would you do if you were called to do something more in a world you never knew existed?
5,256 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 18 49
Hey,
I'm Amanda and I'm 17 and this is my 2nd Nano (I just sqeaked by with a win last year).
I have no idea what I want to write about this year but I'm hoping I get an idea soon because I'd really like to do more planning than last year.
Nice to meet you all, hope to see you at the Kick Off Party.
33,768 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 11 37
Hey I'm Jen. I'm 21 years old and this is only my second year doing Nano. I finished last year and have been writing as long as I can remember. I have a great support of frinds and family who are always encouraging me and helping me edit and improve my work. I find writing to be relaxing and love the quiet time that I can have to myself to do it.
----------I am going through school to be a PSW and am working partime to pay my way through. Though my schedule is always full I like to find that time to be on ym own and focus on producing a great story. Besides writing I like to paint or sketch, chill out with friends, shop, film and go on random road trips.
Although I live in St.Thomas and I'm not really a Londoner, I am looking forward to meeting new people and creating another piece of writing. Good luck to eveyrone! I look forward to seeing some of your ideas and talents.