Step up, step up! C'mon, get your butts out here and let's see who we've got. I'll even go first.
For those who don't know, I am curiosity. This is my 7th NaNo. I am writing two novels (again) and somewhere between twenty-five and fifty thousand words of poetry (new breed of insanity, here). I also live year-round moderate in the #nanowrimo chatroom on Goodchatting.com for added hilarity. I typically write urban fantasy and marvel at those who write other genres (though chick lit still scares me, sorry). I do semi-regular updates of my progress at http://nanocurio.livejournal.com. My NaNo-addictions are Pocky, tea, and new music.
Next!
----------
http://www.goodchatting.com/rooms/nanowrimo.php
40,604 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 20 43
oh yeah - i'm here.
live in moline. 34. married (thank God for nano-slaves), no kids - yet! lots of silly pets. involved at church, so kinda busy.
third nano. only one novel, not nearly so ambitious as curiosity. plus helping coordinate some events in the qc.
this time around i'm a horror/thriller writer. and i'm ready to start noveling like crazy.
nano-addictions. hmmm, sounds like a good idea. not food though - stupid diet. ... tea, that's good. wine, hmm maybe not as much as tea. i like the sound of the dryer?
Your Turn!
----------2007* - "Thailand Shuffle"
2008 - "The Greatest Gifts"
46,511 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 12 11
Well, we're back again.
I'm Lunae (better known as Teresa), I'm 31 and female. I'm not nearly as ambitious as you are, but I am putting forth as many words as I can possibly squeeze out of my brain on this one novel, since I've learned the hard way over the past seven years or so that 50,000 words just don't cut it. That's a good start for me, and leaves a majority of the novel undone. I don't know whether to hope for the 100k result a friend of mine got a few years ago or not (leaning toward not, because she burned out and it made her a bit crazy), but I would like to get more than 50k into this novel.
ITA on the chick lit, though. No offence to people in our region who've written it. Or at least attempted to.
This year is kind of a apocalyptic meets modern fantasy meets science fiction. Yeah, it's going to be a genre-defying kind of year. I'll probably do my updates either on my regular LJ (terredancer) or my dreamwidth (mindglitter). I love this year's idea, and have been trying to write in this universe for over a year now... *sighs* Hopefully this time will take.
As for NaNo addictions - Pocky is probably at the top of the list, there's this chocolate-hazelnut Stash tea that'll probably be part of that, or the raspberry cocoa that I've been consuming lately. We'll probably grab up some half-off candy before the kick-off, too. New music is a must, although I went over to the library and snagged some big band jazz for this month's NaNo. We'll see what else comes out by then.
----------Twitter * Livejournal * Dreamwidth
Exit Dusk
NanoWriMo 2009 (41,005/50,000)
0 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 13 26
Hello QC-ians, this will be my first nanowrimo and I am excited! I am trying to get ready by doing some character and location sketches. I am 38, moved here from Virginia in June, born and raised in Minnesota. I have 2 boys and I work from home. The company I work for is slow right now, so supposedly I will have plenty of time to write. The problem will be discipline. Write? or finish the novel I am reading? Write? or waste time online? Write? or clean my house? My novel is maybe chick-lit but I hope it will be a little more substantive. It is centered on a group of older-than-usually-portrayed women set in a small town. It has already changed form and I haven't even begun it, so it will be interesting to see where it goes! I have always enjoyed writing, been considered good at it, but it takes a lot to craft a novel, I am learning! I will look forward to hearing how y'all are doing!
80,535 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 13 33
Hi,
Back in Moline after spending 3 years in Wisconsin (Kohler-Sheboygan area).
This will be my 5th nano. Only failed to cross the finish line one of those times (new job in Wisconsin ate my brain that year -- funny thing is it tasted like cheese). Last year I became a victim of the bad economy halfway through November which made for an interesting nano. Now comfortably employed again with my former employer in Moline (which has its 'ups and downs' -- QC'ers may know who that unnamed former and now present employer is based on that comment).
Married, 4 children. I've talked my oldest 2 children into being wrimo's with me the last 2 years and at least one of them will again this year. The other is in college and I've told her that nano comes second to college work (sacrilege, I know, but the kind folks at her school just don't want to slack off on her assignments for a month for some reason).
And it's all a lot more interesting and complicated than that but that's enough for now.
Happy nanoing, all !
----------2005 - Lift (won)
2006 - Boot Camp (fizzled out at 14,110 words)
2007 - Red State (won)
2008 - Fork in the Road (won)
2009 - Bungee (shooting for 90,000)
80,535 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 13 55
Welcome to the QC. I finished high school in Virginia and went to UVa (Engineering '79) and my parents still live in Alexandria. My family and I get back there periodically to visit them (last time was this past Spring for the cherry blossoms).
And welcome to the nano experience. Even if work picks up, there's usually enough time to Nano. I say this though a couple years ago I couldn't get across the finish line because I was in a new job and it consumed me. But...1,667 words a day is all nano asks. Piece of cake.
When I get stuck and don't know what the characters should be doing, I usually get them talking. For me, dialog is fun to write and I can get characters going back and forth talking about nothing for thousands of words to fill a word count void if I really have to. After all, the goal is the word count, not really the next great American novel although that would be a cool outcome. I find if I worry too much about the quality of what I'm writing, my inner editor takes over and I grind to a halt.
The most successful year I've had so far was the first. I knew early on what the overall story arc was and what the basic structure needed to be. It was effectively a series of short stories that were connected over a long period of time. I knew what each of the vignette/short stories needed to be about so all I had to do was invent characters and flesh them out by having them interact and do things and then it was on to the next. It was a blast. Wasn't stuck once. Finished a week early.
Also have had years when I uploaded my official word count version in the late hours of October 31st.
Either way, it's a lot of fun and it's definitely worth grinding across the finish line. Promise yourself that you'll stick with it to the bitter (or joyful) end. Having writing buddies helps, too. My oldest two children have been doing it with me the last 2 years and we've been able to challenge each other when one or the other starts slacking off. We found doing one-hour word count challenges (who can write the most words in one hour) were pretty fun and fruitful.
Let us know how you're doing!
----------2005 - Lift (won)
2006 - Boot Camp (fizzled out at 14,110 words)
2007 - Red State (won)
2008 - Fork in the Road (won)
2009 - Bungee (shooting for 90,000)
41,173 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 06 28
Hello! My name is Tracy and this is my first Nano. I'm excited and a bit freaked out all at once. Just worried about finding enough time, but it sounds like a lot of people are in the same boat.
I'm 36 years old and live in Bettendorf with my husband, 13-year old stepson, and 14-month old son. I work full-time for a non-profit agency as a grant writer. So...life is hectic.
I've had this plot idea in my head for quite some time, but have gotten very liitle work done on it - little bits of character development here and there, but no actual writing. I hope this experience/challenge helps me get the story out on paper (make that computer screen). My internal editor is quite loud and I think way too much when I write. I need to just get this story out of my brain.
I write literary fiction...
I'm excited to see other people from the QC. I'm originally from suburban Chicago, but I quickly adapted to life out here (and I love it).
37,050 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 08 04
That internal editor is the only thing that makes time too tight, I think . . . because writing is fast when you don't have to agonize.
I learned that when I didn't even make 25k my first year . . .
46,511 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 16 05
The internal editor is one problem, but my main problem with putting out the word count is the fact that I get easily distracted, and when the story is harder to write, not as fun, or just plain isn't coming out as easily, I like to find the shiny distractable things on the internet. Like Twitter. Like Bejeweled. Or Facebook games. Or the never-ending bubble wrap. Or... any other number of distractable things that I haven't even found yet.
I suspect it will happen this year as well. And I'm mentally out of shape, too. :p
----------Twitter * Livejournal * Dreamwidth
Exit Dusk
NanoWriMo 2009 (41,005/50,000)
1,901 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 21 01
I grew up breathing the black air in downtown Chicago... Long live IOWA!
----------Blondbomb ~ Participles dangled while you wait.
2002 Mountain Lover
2003 In the Desert
2004 Mountain Fastness
2005 Leanna's Story
2006
2007
2008 Whine, Whinny, and Song
37,050 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 22 39
Haha . . . I get distracted researching and stuff . . . ;3 But mostly I just go crazy with I Need To Write and so there's no distraction that holds for long.
Or I'd rather hide and click at my computer than talk to people, who are all scary.
30,074 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 20 18
Hi!
I'm Sarah, and while I technically live in New York, I only go to school there. I will be spending a few days writing in the Quad Cities when I'm home for Thanksgiving.
I'm a 19-year-old college student, and I'm excited to write the creation of my realistic, post-apocalyptic sci-fi/fantasy world of which I've started another novel. I've hit a wall with character development, and I'm pretty excited to explore them in this novel.
This is my first NaNo, having talked myself out of it previous years for various reasons. I'm excited to give it a whirl (though a little afraid to fail) regardless, and also to see what comes from writing in a different method than I'm used to.
44,000 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 02 36
Wow, I am surprised that we have so many new people. Not sure why I am surprised, exactly, but I am. :P Anyone else out there?
Also, yeah, internal editors get locked in the closet. Mine has been in there permanently since 2004. I don't think he'd come out now if I tried coaxing him with a pizza.
Lunae - is there anywhere in the area that sells lots of varieties of Pocky, do you know? I am having trouble finding it again. :P
----------http://www.goodchatting.com/rooms/nanowrimo.php
0 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 09 16
Hi all, I am Meg. Been Nano-ing since 2001. Only failed it once - the first year. It's been a blast and I am SO thrilled to see that there are people around the area who have found the joy of NaNo!
Pocky - I get mine from www.fastfoodanime.com Otherwise I try FYE or scarily enough - Borders. Fast Food Anime has desert Pocky. Which I will warn you know is addictive.
I lost my job halfway through NaNo last year and have been part timing it at several different places since - so I am going to use my free time wisely this year. This year it's not entirely sure what will be coming out of me. I have about three idea figting for dominance in my mind - So this will lead to an interesting month.
Now to check up on my tea, cocoa and peanut butter cup supplies.
----------So I write....and I lose my plot....and sometimes I find plot - but it isn't the same as it was when I lost it....but I pretend it is anyway...
~~
2008- Finding Me...and not where I Left Me
2007 - Blood Stained Path
2006 - Wayward Bloodlust
2005 - Re
37,050 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 09 50
I work in a Wal-Mart (I know, ew) and we do sell a little pocky. It's not exciting varieties, but hey, it's freaking pocky. Can't go too far wrong, right?
44,000 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 03 43
That's true, dest.
Thanks, Megs! :D
I am getting more excited everyday . . . but I haven't done -any- planning yet. >.> Not even for the 50k in a day NaNovel. I need Pocky!
----------http://www.goodchatting.com/rooms/nanowrimo.php
6,837 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 09 31
I grew up in rural Sott county. Extended family is all around eastern Iowa. I'm now in Seattle.
This will be my 2nd nanowrimo. My Davenport sister and neice also participate. I will be staying with them for over a week later in November and hope we can all have time to write on our various projects together.
6,837 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 09 31
I grew up in rural Sott county. Extended family is all around eastern Iowa. I'm now in Seattle.
This will be my 2nd nanowrimo. My Davenport sister and neice also participate. I will be staying with them for over a week later in November and hope we can all have time to write on our various projects together.
108,882 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 13 49
Hi,
----------Thanks so much for even mentioning Pocky, I'd totally forgotten about it, now I'm on the hunt! Have a great week everyone!
Orangetunawriter
26,329 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 11 51
I'm glad I found this early this year! Last year I only found it after NaNo ended!
I'm Ann, never Annie except to family. I'm a senior at North Scott. This is my third NaNo, my second novel. The first is getting ready to query and the one for this year is probably going to be Young Adult Chick Lit if that is possible...
Pocky...hmmm. I remember that in the Commisary in Germany.
----------54,500 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 08 05
Greetings everyone, old friends and new. Looks like it's about that time again.
My name is Paul - I'm a 39 year old archivist and history professor. This will be my 3rd year with NaNo. I've had a couple of books published and am looking to submit this year's NaNo novel for a contest in February, so I'm looking forward to getting started and trading encouragement back and forth with you all.
I usually write historical fiction set at least 100 years ago, but this year's story will be a bit different. I suppose it's technically historical fiction . . . it will be a fictionalized memoir of my awkward transition from public school to private school and back again when I was 13-14 years old in the 1980s. I've been collecting anecdotes from my friends and a lot of weird events (good and bad) are flooding back. It should make for a lively novel. I'm hoping to make it something BASED on actual events, but somewhat universal in that the moments should be recognizable to anyone. I don;t know if I can pull that off.
As for write-ins, some of us will be working Wednesday nights, 6:30-10pm at Cool Beanz coffee shop in Rock Island (30th Street and 14th Avenue). Anyone who wants to come is welcome. If you have plans for marathon sessions on the 1st, let me know. I should be free after noon.
Cheers. 11 days and counting. Get those outlines together! :-)
Paul
40,604 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 13 55
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL QC NANO PARTICIPANTS!
READ AND RESPOND!!! KO PARTY
Kick-off party to be held:
1-3 pm on OCT 31st, 2009
At
Pizza and Subs
3700 Blackhawk Road
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: 309-788-7400
http://www.pizzaandsubsqc.com/index.html
need twenty people confirmed to show up to get the separate room, otherwise we're at mashed up tables in with the gen population. THIS IS THE RESPOND PART!
hopefully this will accommodate our second shift writers.
pop this address in your "mapquest" if you are unfamiliar with the Illinois side of the river, it IS really easy to find.
the KO for last year was held on the IA side so this IS fair.
the website has the menu and pricing, to me this seems reasonable, ie not too expensive.
EXCITED TO SEE YOU ALL!!!
yes, i was hoping to have it at Huckleberry's, but they don't open until four. gah!
JK
----------2007* - "Thailand Shuffle"
2008 - "The Greatest Gifts"
26,329 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 14 07
I should be able to come as long as I can comendeer the car that day. Depends - but it's about a 75% positive right now.
----------0 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 14 23
Oh rats, I would love to come on the 31st but will be out of state. I will keep watching for another get together - would love to do it :)
46,511 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 17 19
Well, Chris and I will be there, definitely. :)
Who else is in?
----------Twitter * Livejournal * Dreamwidth
Exit Dusk
NanoWriMo 2009 (41,005/50,000)
46,511 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 21 46
Sorry, life kind of went crazy, and I didn't see this until now.
Sadly, I don't. We used to go to the Oriental Food Store on E. 4th St in Davenport, but there's not much there, either. There's that and Target, but not the varieties I'm looking for. Honey and milk is my personal writing fuel, but unless I order it online or bribe a friend with more access and variety to ship out some, I'm going to have to do without.
Alternately, I could order some online. *ponders*
----------Twitter * Livejournal * Dreamwidth
Exit Dusk
NanoWriMo 2009 (41,005/50,000)
54,500 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 03 34
I should be able to make it to Pizza and Subs.
Paul
37,050 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 17 30
Oh, Seattle, I'm jealous!
40,604 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 17 58
KICK OFF PARTY, questions, ramblings, and a reminder.
are we really only going to have five or six quad-citians at the KO party?!?
that's kinda pathetic. i was really hoping to meet all these new people - after all it's not everyone who can stave off insanity for thirty days while living "normal" life and writing a novel, we're kind of... special.
well guys, you have the date (OCT 31), time (1-3PM) and location (Pizza & Subs, in Rock Island) of the Kick-Off party.
Hope to see you all there - Oh yeah, bring your NaNo slaves, if applicable (my hubby will be with me). They deserve to be celebrated, after all their lives are being somewhat disrupted too.
hey teresa? did we get any swag from the OLL? cause i'm thinking i'm not putting together those little bags this year.
they weren't terribly expensive-it's just extra stuff to think about. and as you know I have an outline to re-build, after having trashed it last week. ugh! (in my defense it WAS pretty terrible and the current outline is coming together fast, because it is MUCH better.)
I was also hoping that the QC NaNo's might be able to do a "night of writing dangerously" like they do out in SF, maybe we could get a little press coverage or something. just thinking out loud.
i'm relieved to know that there are illinois write-ins currently scheduled for wednesday night (at Cool Beanz in Rock Island - there's info in a post around here somewhere), I would like to get another one up and running, perhaps a weekend - if that would help some of our shift working writers make it to a write in.
again, t? do you guys have ideas for write-ins on the IA side?
One week. wow! time flies when you are woefully under-prepared. But we're all going to do great, somehow those 50K words will come flitting into our brains faster than our fingers can type them and the month will be over and we can, again, gather to celebrate our ... "special-ness" at the Thank God It's Over (TGIO) Party!!!
See you all Saturday!
JK
----------2007* - "Thailand Shuffle"
2008 - "The Greatest Gifts"
1,310 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 05 46
Hello. Nice to meet all of you.
I am Ashley from Rock Island. I am unmarried, no kids, so hopefully there will be plenty of time to write. This is my first attempt at writing a full novel, so I'm not sure what's going to come out. I am excited about it, though, and am looking forward to getting to know all of you, also.
108,882 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 18 09
Perty certain that the QC kick-off party will be one that I'm attending. Hopefully more people just don't want to commit, but will show in the end, maybe in Halloween costumes. :)
----------Orangetunawriter