To the Wrimos who live in the center of our city,
Any suggestions for write-in locations this year? Last year we met at Te Tea House on Fairview. It was a good location with excellent food, a big selection of tea, and free wi-fi...so I'm going to throw that out there for consideration.
If you habitate in the inner loop area (this means you too Galleria dwellers!) I really hope you'll consider participating in the write-ins this year. Last year was my first NaNo experience and it was good to know that I wasn't alone in this endeavor of insanity. I also found it infinitely valuable to have other Wrimos there to bounce ideas off of when the plot bunnies stopped multiplying!
So what days would work best for you and what are some of your fave locations to write? Let's get some write-ins planned!
-Lynn
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26,096 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2009 - 12 41
Hi Lynn!!
I've never been to Te Te House, but then again, I haven't been much of anywhere since I moved here back in February!
I so wish Catalina's Coffee House had more room and plugs in the wall. It would be a fabulous place to hole away for awhile!
There's a Panera on San Felipe that would be a great meeting spot. Last year, when I was still living in FL, our NaNo group regularly met there, and as we bought food and drink, the managers welcomed us with open arms.
Perhaps we should figure out where we'll meet ahead of time and then contact the venue to make sure they won't give us any issues - you never know how touchy some people are! I read here a few months ago that a popular meet-up place was the Katz's Deli - it's open 24/7 so it would be great for those writers -ahem, me- who like to/need to/MUST stay up late to write.
----------0 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 05 27
I am going to check out Taft Street Cafe today and see what the availability and internet set up is. It's usually pretty quiet in the evenings. Antidote on Studewood is another possibility, but it's usually quite crowded.
I was uncertain about participating this year, but just had my first inspiration and thought of a starting point, so I'm in.
Marianne
80,760 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 05 37
Hey, Marianne, I'm near there, as well. I've gone to Inversion at times. They have free wifi if you purchase something. I usually get a tea and nurse it for a while. That one is down Montrose just past West Grey.
----------2009 - Destined to Rule (Unverified Winner!)
80,760 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 05 39
Also, Faeth, I have a power strip from last year's nano (was the AL for the Southwest), so we don't need too many wall plugins.
----------2009 - Destined to Rule (Unverified Winner!)
37,708 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 15 21
I think Panera is an excellent idea. They do have good food and they have wi-fi too! I know it can be hard to find a place where the manager is cool with people camping, as we tend to do with NaNo. Hopefully the one here in Houston will be just as welcoming. I go by that area often, so when I'm over there again in the next week I'll stop in and have a chat with the manager to see if they are good with Wrimos parking there for a few hours for one night a week.
Also, here's a list of Houston restaurants with wi-fi for you (and the other Wrimos reading this thread) to parse through...
http://www.b4-u-eat.com/houston/restaurants/cuisine/wifi.asp
Because hungry Wrimos without internet access are just not productive.
78,103 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 15 27
[Cross-posted from the North Area thread]
I can't decide whether I'm Inner Loop or North Area. I live around Greenspoint, but I used to work at Rice (and used to go to writing meetups close to there on my way home). I have a feeling I may miss the Inner Loop gatherings, so maybe I'll split my outside writing times between North and Inner. There are a lot of good meeting spots inside the Loop. I'll take a look at the suggestions so far as soon as I've posted this.
Michael
----------"Scribo Ergo Sum"
2002- 39K, 2003 - 53K, 2004 - 100K, 2005 - 86K, 2006 - 70K, 2007 - 110K, 2008 - 74K, 2009 - ?
78,103 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 15 43
The suggestions people have made so far all sound good. Te Tea House has excellent food (and tea, of course), and a not-too-noisy atmosphere. Inversion is good also if you can manage to find the right spot, but it's a bit noisier and power isn't accessible at every table (they have a great couch if someone in the group can snag it). Panera is always good. Libraries are good choices if you just want quiet time to write and aren't concerned with food or coffee (the Montrose, the Heights, and the Looscan libraries would be good choices). If I think of more, I'll chime in again.
Michael
----------"Scribo Ergo Sum"
2002- 39K, 2003 - 53K, 2004 - 100K, 2005 - 86K, 2006 - 70K, 2007 - 110K, 2008 - 74K, 2009 - ?
41,175 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 20 16
I second Antidote. I *love* that place, and I'm already planning on spending most of November there (ok, so some of that time will be spent doing math homework instead of writing, but I'll be there =P).
Weekdays around 7-7:30 is a good time to go, the crowd usually thins around around then. The nice thing about the place is that they have LOTS of plugs, even some outside so we could sit out if the weather's nice. (And as a major plus they have free bug spray.)
----------0 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 00 38
Hello! This is my first year writing! Looking forward to meeting up with other writers in the inner-loop and elsewhere in Houston. :-)
I live on the East End, less than a mile from UH but very close to the freeway. I've found I can get most places in the inner-loop in 20 minutes or less (depending on traffic!). I work in the Heights. I just love Houston.
I work some nights, so can I suggest we meet on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday nights? I'm new and I don't want to miss out on meetings.
38,681 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 07 31
I highly recommend Tea House on Shepherd. It's in the same shopping center as Auntie Chang's Dumpling House, and there's a Jason's Deli. That was by far my most frequented writing place last year. The front room is a bit crowded and busy, but if you make your way to the back room, there are loads of couches, plugs, and free wi-fi, although it's a bit slow. Great place to write, and they don't mind if you camp! Great selection of drinks, too.
----------37,708 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 08 29
A summary of the suggestions so far (websites provided for each local if you aren't familiar with one or have questions about the menu, etc.):
1. Te Tea House http://www.teaagora.com/
2. Panera http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/8/1410963/restaurant/River-Oaks/Panera-Bread...
3. Katz's http://www.ilovekatzs.com/deli/
4. Taft Street Cafe http://houston.citysearch.com/profile/40857479/houston_tx/taft_street_co...
5. Antidote http://www.yelp.com/biz/antidote-coffee-houston
6. Inversion http://inversioncoffee.com/
7. HPL locations
8. Tea House on Shepherd (couldn't find a website)
9. *New Suggestion* Onion Creek on White Oak in the Heights
10. *New Suggestion* The Black Labrador Pub (free wifi) http://www.blacklabradorpub.com/lab_about_us.html
My votes are for 1, 2, 5 (I've been wanting to try this place), 9, and 10 (I really really really love #10! it's probably my favorite spot in Houston and the food is amazing!!!)
Please weigh in and, as a group, we can narrow down the top 4 locals people prefer.
As for a schedule:
last year we did Tue, Thrus, and Sat (lunch-time-ish). That seemed to provide at least one time a week that would fit into most schedules. I think adding a Sunday afternoon time (say 2-5 perhaps) would be a good idea too. With 4 meeting times...we could meet at 4 different places. That way there would be something on the list everyone would like and people could pick and choose what would work best for them. There's my two cents on the schedule.
Once we get a schedule and locations nailed down, we can get it up on the inner loop calendar and be ready to go for November!
80,760 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 16 03
I'd like to try Te Tea and Antidote. I can only make Saturdays if we're doing noon. I work during the week. I saw someone was talking about weekday nights (7ish). That I could do most days. I think I'll have my Sunday afternoon out in the SW to hang with those guys.
----------2009 - Destined to Rule (Unverified Winner!)
37,708 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 16 43
Sorry, I should have been more specific. During the week would be nights. Last year we did 7-10.
53,214 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 20 42
While I have not actually seen them, I can confirm that there are electrical outlets at TwoRows in the Rice Village, and that's a really nice place to go for parties, too. Oh, and they have WiFi, though I'm not sure if that's good or bad for NaNo novels.
For smaller groups, I like to go to Chik-Fil-A (any of them), for free WiFi and cheap, low-calorie food that somehow tastes like it's worse for you than it is. Definitely high on my list.
----------2004-2008: No wins yet
2009: Wiles
This year is going to be my first win. I'm well past the pace for it so far, and I have almost my entire plot planned out in advance.
3,636 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 23 17
Wow, I didn't realize there were so Nano-ers around me. Freakin' sweet C:
I'm living in the dorms at UH, so all of the aforementioned places are relatively close (especially Katz's - all I have to do is hop on Elgin and I'm there.) I've lived on the outer loop for these last few years so I need to re-familiarize myself with the local romps anyhow. I know I've been to Inversion once or twice. Two years ago I attended a Nano meet-up at Taft Street Cafe - I had good fun, but it wasn't that comfortable in my opinion.
Any other college students in the area who are planning on meeting up?
80,760 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 04 11
If I'm there, I can bring a multi-plug adapter, so we can use one outlet for 6 or so nanos. Wifi can be helpful, if you need to look something up...or need a momentary distraction to clear your head.
----------2009 - Destined to Rule (Unverified Winner!)
69,483 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 05 26
Sunday afternoons would be great for me. My church is in Midtown, and last year I got together with folks afterwards almost every week. I really need somewhere with a plug, because my battery has practically no life left anymore.
----------Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.
26,096 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 10 14
I'm for any place that's comfortable, has enough room for a mid- to large-sized group, and that has WiFi and plugs. Oh, and good drinks and food/snacks, too =)
I went to Antidote for the first time last night. YUM! Cool place, but it is small-ish. I still wouldn't mind meeting there with a few of you. They're open till midnight, which is great!
----------37,708 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 18 51
My roommate and I (my roomie is doing NaNo this year too!) just went to the Black Lab on Montrose and talked to them about having a write-in there on Sat. from 2-5. I know my roommate and I will be there since it is our favorite spot in Houston so I hope you other Inner Loop WriMos will come too! They have fabulous food, tea, coffee, libations, wi-fi, plugs and comfortable seating. Plust it shares a parking lot with the Montrose Library. And as an added bonus, they are very graciously reserving the big nook by the fireplace for us!
So, let's keep up the great literary tradition of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and so many more of writing in pubs!
I'll see what I can do to get this on our calendar (where ever it went to) so all the Houston peeps can see it.
Remember:
Saturdays from 2 pm - 5 pm at the Black Lab http://www.blacklabradorpub.com/lab_about_us.html
Be There!!!
80,760 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 18 59
Awesome! Does that start in November or this Saturday??
----------2009 - Destined to Rule (Unverified Winner!)
31,148 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 18 52
Just writing in to say hi and good luck!
Katz's is fun, but the outlets are a bit limited, so we need someone to bring a power strip.
37,708 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 04 37
I really love Katz's too but I would call and check things out with management first before just showing up and camping out. It's a restaurant, not a coffee shop or pub and it's really loud too. They may not be too happy with people parking for a few hours at a table if they weren't prepared for us. Their website doesn't say anything about wifi, so I'm thinking that's an indicator they aren't up for long term table occupation.
I think it would be an excellent location for the Kick-off party or the TGIO bash...even a "we're half way there, hang in there everyone" shin-dig.
26,096 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 06 45
Daria, awesome! Thanks to you and your roomie for reserving Saturdays at the Black Lab. I'm interested to check that place out now! Can't wait to meet everyone =)
----------53,929 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2009 - 04 08
Hey :) I'm gained for any place being a 1st timer -- Inner Loop (luv the area)
Just let me know when and where...
I'm available anytime on weekends and after 6pm on weekdays.
10,479 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2009 - 10 52
Hey everyone!
I'm a first timer here at NaNo and am SUPER PUMPED about it! Luckily I've got my roommate (Daria03) to show me the ropes! Look forward to meeting everyone and getting started! Thanks!
Jen
80,760 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2009 - 22 10
Anyone up for something tomorrow/today (this Saturday)? :D
----------2009 - Destined to Rule (Unverified Winner!)
26,096 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 09 18
I'd be happy to meet up with anyone anytime before November 1st. No need to wait till NaNo actually starts! =)
----------80,760 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 11 44
Cool! How about Inversion Cafe at 3? I can do something different, it's just close and convenient.
I'll hold off if I don't hear back.
Edit: Yeah..guess that was short notice...
How about this evening? 7? 8?
Let me know...!
----------2009 - Destined to Rule (Unverified Winner!)
26,096 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 21 00
Bah! I'm just now able to get back to this thread. I'm sorry!! :-\ If you'd like, I can PM you my number and you can text or call whenever you'd like. Then we'll be able to chat at the drop of a hat... Wow, I know I'm tired because the fact that the previous sentence rhymed totally made me crack up X-D
----------80,760 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 05 50
np...you can post in here anytime you're thinking of meeting up to plan/write (any of you)... I get email updates from nano on my blackberry, so I'll see it. Today is probably not viable...I have a write-in in SL mid-afternoon. Then, I think my boss is going to have some work for me to take care of in the evening (he hasn't told me when - oh joy :D).
----------2009 - Destined to Rule (Unverified Winner!)
