For all you returning NaNo-ites, great to see you again.
For all you newbies, we promise not to haze you. (Week 3 is hazing enough...you'll understand soon enough! But Week 4 is uber-cool, so hang in there. People do come back, so it can't be THAT bad.)
We're slightly tweaking the things we've done in the past. Check the calendar for planned local events. Here's the news so far:
1. Commisseration sessions
We'll meet at Marion Public Library at the same time, but not on the same nights. It'll allow different people to make it. This year, we're limiting it to adults and 16- and 17-year-olds who bring in signed permission from their parents. (The reason: Adults sometimes discuss adult scenes, which may honk of some parents; other adults feel uncomfortable discussing these same adult scenes, which frequently are tough for new writers.) So adults only for these events.
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dates: Nov. 4 (Wed), Nov. 12 (Thu), Nov. 19 (Thu), Nov. 24 (Tue)
Place: Conference Room (upstairs) Marion Public Library, 600 S. Washington St., Marion 46953
We will set times for younger writers elsewhere in the library. At the rate they're growing, they'll need their own space anyway. Stay tuned.
2. Write-ins
Let's start with evening sessions at 8 p.m. the night of the commisseration sessions. I usually write at the Marion Starbucks, but it's frequently a zoo at that time on Thursday nights. Maybe the Starbucks in Gas City or Payne's would be better? (Needs to be a place that is open fairly late, has tables with nearby outlets, has well-lit parking and is easy to find.) Any ideas would be appreciated.
Late lunch write-ins work well; has to be late so it doesn't interfere with lunch crowds at the very kind businesses that let us use their space. (Thank them profusely and tip generously! They are doing us a favor.) I will propose Wednesdays or Fridays, but you're welcome to do it any day.
We've met in the past at Starbucks, Tree of Life and Folkie's, with lunch at 12:30 or 1 p.m. and writing afterward. Tree of Life is a Christian book store, and Folkie's is a 21-and-up tavern, if this matters to you. Other ideas are encouraged; as long as the owner/manager is OK with us being there and there are usable outlets near the tables, we're golden.
Anytime you're writing on the town and you'd welcome other writers, post it on the write-in post NaNoMail for Marion/Grant County. (I will create one.) I post just before I fly out the door.
3. Pre-NaNo meeting
Would y'all be interested in meeting ahead of time? Might be nice to help with emerging plots, characters and settings, as well as meeting other writers. Face it, other people think we're crazy for doing this. It's good to know who's in it with you. (Just tell 'em this would be a light-output month for Nora Roberts!) And maybe if there's interest in rewrite, we can rekindle the writing group at the library.
4. Community-wide novels
For those too chicken to take the big plunge, I am looking into setting up 2-3 community novels. There would be 1-2 stations around town, 1 for adults and 1 for older students, plus one on Google Documents. The point? Let folks try it on a smaller basis this year so they try their own in the future. Even if they don't, they get great writing experience. Stay tuned.
That's all for now. Hope to meet you soon.
Pegleg Kitty
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5,867 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 19 25
I wouldn't mind a get together before NaNo kicks off. I'm still working out some plot ideas and character outlines.
----------Much Love Always,
Rose Marie Wolf
www.rosemariewolf.com
rosemariewolf.blogspot.com
21,082 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 19 46
I'm game for meeting up before the BIG day!!! Friday mornings are out for me though. I meet with my critique partner at the Gas City McDonalds on that day. Anytime other than that is fine with me!!! I want to get more involved with the local writers this year. Last year it was all new to me so was a challenge enough just keeping my pace. This year I am raring to go!!!
39,500 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 11 00
Gotta share some pre-writing info with the Grant Co. Gang. It's a site recommended by another ML, and it's uber-fab. Enjoy.
http://maidenfine.wordpress.com
39,500 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 13 26
Update with meet-up times for YOUNG WRITERS!
Meet-ups will be 5:15-6:15 p.m. in the Children's Activity Room in Marion Public Library, 600 S. Washington St., Marion. Dates are the same as adults: Nov. 4 (Wed.), Nov. 12 (Thu.), Nov. 19 (Thu.), Nov. 24 (Tue.) These sessions are for writers under 18. (Those 16 and 17 may attend adult sessions with written permission from their parents.)
1,227 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 19 20
First-time NaNoWriMo in Marion. I started and never finished 7 years ago, but when a friend joined the staff, it inspired me to try again. Looking forward to meeting some other locals at the library in a few weeks.
39,500 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 06 01
Glad to see you're on board. We have a great bunch, some of whom do it to finish and others who know full well that 50,000 words in November isn't going to happen, but maybe 20,000 can happen.
Looking into setting a pre-writing session once I get some plot-character stuff done this morning. I've done so much with NaNo admin that I haven't bothered with my own novel. Oops!
19,134 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 08 48
Hey everyone!
I'm fourteen, I live in Marion and go to MHS.
This is my first time doing NaNo.
I'm pretty excited and don't know if I can finish,
but I do want to try.
I might try to come to one of the meet up in the library,
and drag my friend along with me too, haha.
Of course the rents have to say okay first.
If I'm in the library sometime soon,
maybe I'll get some more info, etc, or whatever,
I'll just show up. =]
Only a few days to go!
Hopefully I can get through this.
Happy Novelizing, everyone, if that's a word.
~Candle.
----------NaNoWriMo 09:
~fArYaL~
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54,150 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 15 25
Hello. I joined last year, but at the end. I would love to meet up with other local writers. I will see how this fits in my schedule!
Sheri
----------http://www.experimentalhomesteader.com
5,867 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 19 28
I did NaNo last year, but only did about 30k or so. Not bad. Really turning that unfinished manuscript into an actual novel.
I've been a writer for years, but only started NaNo last year. This year, I don't really have a plot in mind. I'm just going where the words take me.
I'm going to try to make it to some of the Commisseration meetings, but I doubt I can do the write-ins, mainly because I don't have a laptop any more.
Hope to meet some of you there.
BTW, I'm a published author, so if anyone has any questions about that, I'll be happy to answer.
----------Much Love Always,
Rose Marie Wolf
www.rosemariewolf.com
rosemariewolf.blogspot.com
39,500 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 10 24
Candle, please bring your friend. We're meeting at 5:15 p.m. Wed. in the Children's Room. We'll see how the ages play out -- might need to run parallel events, as interests will vary. We'll be working on characters, plot, etc. as we chat.
If we have adequate interest, we could start a young writers group at the library after NaNo's over. Also, a big enough group could rekindle interest in the county's Young Author's Conference, which brought in published authors and illustrators. With 2 universities and a bunch of schools, there's zero reason that this should have ended. Perhaps some pressure from students will make it return!
See you then.
19,134 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 13 26
If we have adequate interest, we could start a young writers group at the library after NaNo's over. Also, a big enough group could rekindle interest in the county's Young Author's Conference, which brought in published authors and illustrators. With 2 universities and a bunch of schools, there's zero reason that this should have ended. Perhaps some pressure from students will make it return!
See you then.
I'm definitely going to try and come tonight @ 5:15,
and I told my friend to come to and meet me there, he said okay.
Starting a young writers group sounds really awesome, and I'd love to participate in it. Besides my friend who is coming and doing NaNo with me, I know a few people who enjoy writing, in both middle and high school, I could even round up a few. If you need any help organizing it, I'm here, just give me a tap when November finishes up.
A quick question: Did I need to sign up for the first meeting? On the calendar I got last Saturday or something, there was an asterisk that I later noticed indicating I needed sign up for the first meeting, but there was none for the other meetings following, and I never signed up so can I just come anyway, or does it really matter?
If you don't get online to answer this before it doesn't really matter because I'll prolly go a few minutes beforehand to get some schoolwork done.
See you then!
~Candle.
----------NaNoWriMo 09:
~fArYaL~
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19,134 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 13 54
QUICK EDIT: Wellll, turns out my friend's dad won't let him go tonight, so um, I'm coming by myself.
----------I'll see you there in well, a few minutes I guess, haha.
NaNoWriMo 09:
~fArYaL~
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21,774 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 21 40
Hey Grant County! I'm sending a big HOLLA to all you brave Nanoers! Pegleg Kitty, I will do my best to make it to some meetings and write-ins. I'm very glad you mixed the days up, that helps a lot! A shoutout to Kateyjane!
I'm Paulsnextwife, this is my fifth Nano, no wins yet, but November is still young...
39,500 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 07 53
PaulsNextWife, we missed you big time! We had a new crew at the library, one published big time. She spells her name right -- i.e. just like I do. KateyJane joined us at Beatnik's, as promised. (I still don't know why Riverrats dominate NaNo. Must be something in the water.)
Great ideas abounded, even if it's tough getting started. Between both events, we discussed how stills work, moonshine with red hots, zombies, gangsters, chef's knives and how to protect your cellphone from goats.
As for teens, we had a nice start and she promises more will come next week. Again, the creativity of our younger writers would humiliate us to tears. I'm awaiting the homeschool folks from last year -- ran into one of the brood at CSA and she promised that they were coming whenever possible, and big brother reported via NaNo that he'd try to come when he could. (He's probably in the adult group, though.)
Oh yeah, and don't forget all the other goodies that Marion Public Library has for your NaNoing pleasure, including writing books, writing magazines and music to keep you charging ahead. We even have booktape to hogtie your inner editor so you can get something done.
I'll see if I can get a weekend pass and write on the town sometime this weekend. I'll post the particulars. Hope y'all will do the same.
0 / 50,000
Nov 16, 2009 - 19 39
I was googling message boards for Marion/Grant county and you all were on screen - I quess I missed out on meeting you guys for Nano. Looked at your websites and you all look like so much fun. Nice to meet all of you.
54,150 / 50,000
Nov 19, 2009 - 15 00
Hi. I have my granddaughter tonight, so I will not be attending. I hope everyone has a great time and I look forward to seeing everyone next week!
Sheri
----------http://www.experimentalhomesteader.com
39,500 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2009 - 06 25
CHANGE IN TIME for meet-up (also on night and day post)
5:15-6:15 at Marion Public Library, both teens and adults. See Night and Day for details.