Hey guys,
This is Sean Jordan, your friendly Municipal Liaison (ML) for the Southern Illinois Region!
It's going to be an exciting November this year, and I'm looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible! And in the spirit of that, I'd like to begin this thread where we can all introduce ourselves and get to know a little bit more about each other.
Here's some info on me:
My name is Sean J. Jordan, and I'm a professionally-published writer as well as the owner of Army Ant Publishing, LLC, a small press company that produces educational graphic novels for children. Most of my published work has centered around two industries: video game journalism and the comic book industry. I'm hoping to start shopping around my story from last year's NaNoWriMo, Shifting Shadows, to publishers in 2010.
I'm married to Stacie Jordan (queenstacela), who writes under the name "Stacie M. Ritchie." Stacie is also a published writer and was behind the smash-hit 2007 Marvel comic book adaptation of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. I was her editor, but we both dropped off the book after the fourth issue. It's a long story why.
Stacie and I live in Belleville, IL in a 104-year-old house with two nutty little dogs. Over the last two and a half years, I've been finishing up my business degree and my master's degree in marketing research. I turn 30 on November 15th this year; we'll be having a big party that weekend that you're all invited to attend!
I love NaNoWriMo and will be working hard this year to make sure that you are able to cross the finish line. I am legendary for trashing my story midway-through and starting over from scratch, so if I can finish NaNo, so can you!
This year, I have three goals for our region:
1) To have write-in events available 4-5 nights per week across the area.
2) To see 50% of the people who start make it through to the thrilling, 50,000 word end.
3) To have at least 40 people attend the final weekend writer's retreat we'll be doing on November 28-29.
While we get prepped for November, I'll be working on building up a database of writer's resources we can share. If you have any you'd like to send me, email them to seanjjordan1@gmail.com!
You can also add me as your friend on Facebook, if you like -- here's a link to my profile:
http://www.facebook.com/seanjjordan
I'm looking forward to meeting all of you!
-Sean
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-----
Sean J. Jordan
Municipal Liaison, Southern Illinois Region
Keep up to date on Southern Illinois NaNoWriMo events on our blog!
5,774 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 18 37
Hey, Everybody :) My name's Robyn and this will be my third NaNo and (hopefully) my second win. I mainly posted here to let y'all know that I've moved out of Alton because I transferred to University of Illinois at Springfield. (Finished my associates degree last fall, right after finishing my NaNo novel. ) I'm still hoping to make it to a few events down here, because I'm sure I'll be home at least for thanksgiving break. For those that don't know me, I'm not a professional writer like some of the people here-- I just have a fanstastic time doing something just for fun and to see what comes out of my brain. Good luck everyone!
----------"All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." ~Sylvia Plath
27,260 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 21 53
Hi! I'm Anna, and I'm in the Columbia, IL area, have done nano the past two years but not connected to anyone locally so I'm very interested to see how this works! I'm a full-time librarian with a lot of exciting projects on my plate, and write purely for my own amusement, along with a lot of painting and drawing. I finished up my Master's in Library and Information Science at U of I a couple of years ago and had a B.A. in History before that so I really enjoy writing historical fiction because it gives me an excuse to go back into all my old books and research!
----------2007 - Cloudless Climes - War Games book 1 (won)
2008 - Of Dark and Bright - War Games book 2 (won)
2009 - In Her Aspect - War Games book 3
30,002 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 00 21
Hello, everyone. My name is Bud Fields, and I am a published writer/author. I live in West Frankfort this year, having participated last year from Benton, IL. I may be the first "hotdog" to say hello here, but I know there are many others, including students from the local High School who are or will be participating from my town this year. I look forward to all the nano-cookies I can find. If I can do anything to help, just let me know. Here's to a successful WriMo for us all!
----------Write Well!
M. B. "Bud"Fields, Jr.
West Frankfort, Illinois
Buy the new book!
4,000 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 07 02
Hi, my name is P. Matthew Kimmel. I have an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College, but if that sounds prestigious, I can guarantee you it isn't. That and a couple of bucks hasn't even really gotten me a cup of coffee. Thought, I do, finally, have two publishing credits on my resume. I teach high school, though I'm currently unemployed. I tried to do this last year, but teaching duties got in the way. This year, with nothing else to do, this will be my first priority.
One other thing, if you're looking for information on how to get published, or at least an agent, I can be of some service. I can't actually get you published, but I can provide some information on how to get started.
Also, as I am currently unemployed, I am available a lot of the time should you need someone to bounce ideas off of or spur you on through your word goals.
Thanks,
Matt
20,561 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 07 50
Hi everyone! I'm Katie Gassmann, or Dedikated on the forums :) This is going to be my 4th NaNo, even if last year didn't really end up going very far for me...(Sorry guys..). I've only actually won in 07 but hopefully I can start a streak this year! So, anyway, I started doing NaNo when I was 13 and on November 25th I'm going to be turning a whoping 17 years old! Holy cow! Maybe we can have a party for me too, Sean. I'm a junior at Collinsville High School, seriously hoping my boyfriend will understand all this, and still trying to madly come up with some sort of inspiration.
----------Um, I'm pretty much still relying on my mother to drive me when I'm at her house because even though I have my license, she owns a stick shift. Those things are killer! So, I'm going to try and make it to as many write-ins as possible because they really do help. Tremendously.
I'm not thinking that I have much else to say right now. I might edit later if I think of anything else you all might need to know about me, but now that I've officially rambled on for long enough, I'll leave you all do type up your own introductions :)
2006: 11:34 A.M. (Ubran Fantasy), 10k- Fail
2007: Delilah's Demons (YA/Urban Fantasy) 51k- COMPLETION!
2008- Untitled (Historical Fiction) 3k- EPIC Fail
2009- Suns Dissapearing [Working Title] (YA/Fantasy/Romance)
36,424 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 11 33
Hi my name is Trisha I'm a stay at home mom in Collinsville IL, this is my first NaNoWriMo and at this point I am feeling out of place, because I have had nothing published, I did not take any writting classes . The reason I am doing this is because my hubby and most of my friends have talked me in to doing it this year. They say I am a great writer and I promised I would try. I write mainly about vampires, werecreatures,some fairies, elves,pixies. I would love to have other writers' opinions of my work but I have been told by some writing groups I can't join til i get published. I am just feeling a little self-conscious right now. Yes I know my spelling really sucks, I am sorry it does
I am on facebook and twitter I will try to put the links here but not sure how
16,256 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 15 58
Hello everyone, I'm Bonnie. This is my third NaNo. I'm looking forward to it.
31,054 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 22 08
Trisha..You have no reason to feel out of place. I am 66 years old, retired hairdresser..I have only had 4 years of college and no degrees. (went to college when I was 48 years old.) I am still trying to get published...I have been working on a novel for a long time. Just scared it isn't good enough..but I can't let it go. So, if you will meet for some write ins..I will also..and we can feel "in" place ..what do you say? Let's see if some meetings can be arranged and hopefully those who know how to get these write -ins set will be glad to include us.. Jan
----------PTJanny
36,424 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 23 19
ok its a deal
32,025 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2009 - 23 31
Hey gang! My name's Jenna, I'm going to be co-MLing with Sean this year. I was a rare site last year, but this year NaNo's going to get my full devotion. I look forward to seeing everybody at the get-together, as well as meeting all the new people!
----------Eight lords sleeping till it’s foretold
By an old hand they will be stirred
One a tree that’s grown too old
One a sound that’s never been heard
One a shade that hasn’t a caster
One a light been swallowed by a bird
One hangs like a ghost in the sky
0 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 07 50
My name is Deb and this will be my 5th Nano although I haven’t managed to finish one yet. Seems I get about half way through and fall off the wagon. I have gotten as far as 37,000 words before although last year I only got to 8K or so. I live in Cobden which is 15 minutes south of Carbondale so getting up to Edwardsville or Belleville is too far a drive for me (I work full time and have five boys on top of that!). I haven’t been to a write in but am hoping to get to some this year.
43,649 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 13 41
Hello everyone, I am Stacie Jordan. This is my third nano and hopefully my third win. I write about a lot of things, but thought I would write towards those that actually know my name (Stacie M Ritchie) and am thinking of writing a vampire steampunk novel.
I have a BA in Social Science to teach, but have yet to get a job at that. I do data entry by day, so if you see me rubbing my hands at a write-in that is me. I will be helping my husband, Sean out at the beginning of the month with some ML duties, due to him being in crunch time with his masters. If you have any comments or ideas on what should be included in my steampunk vampire novel I am : staciejordan@gmail.com and stacie marie jordan on facebook, on goodreads (for all that are there) I am queenstacela.
Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you at the write-ins!
----------A good book and a cup of tea, what more can you ask for?
3,141 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 07 12
Hi, I'm Nikki. I'm a plethora of story prompts with no real direction. I've been a waitress, a Fast food worker, a Chinese food delivery driver, a security officer, a CNA, A bookseller, a factory worker, a barrista, and am currently employed as a school bus driver. If I can't get a story out of all that, then I'm just lost. This will be my first NaNo. When I signed up back in June (or was it July?) November looked so far away. Now it's looming on the horizon like a warship. A very well-armed warship. I'm more than a little frightened by this prosepct, mainly because I'm afaid it will earn the "Epic Fail" badge of aproval. That and it's hard to bang out more that 10,000 words a day with a one and an eight year old. The only words I remember sometimes are "Mommy!" and "I'm hungy!" But, I'm willing to have a go at it. Besides, if I don't try my characters will be very disapointed in me. They've been bugging me for a while, but I haven't had the cojones to put them to paper; or would that be ones and zeroes at this point? At any rate, Hello! I hope to go to several write-ins and just have a good time with it if nothing else.
----------Yes. But what does it mean?
37,007 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 07 30
Hi Nikki,
10,000 words a day is a bit ambitious! I'd recommend shooting for 1667 -- if you do that every day, you'll find on Nov 30th.
If you can do 2,000 a day, you'll finish on Nov 25th.
If you can do 2,500 a day, you'll finish on Nov 20th.
It sounds nigh-impossible, but for most people, that's a couple of hours of writing a day! My advice is to worry less about the quality of your novel and more about just getting it all down on paper. That way, you have something to work with and edit from December on down the road.
But yes -- come to the write-ins, and we'll help you work towards that 50,000 word goal! You can do it! :-)
---------------
Sean J. Jordan
Municipal Liaison, Southern Illinois Region
Keep up to date on Southern Illinois NaNoWriMo events on our blog!
3,141 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 07 32
10,000 words a day is a bit ambitious!
oops. I'm a little undercafinated today. Can you tell?
Yes. But what does it mean?
----------Yes. But what does it mean?
27,925 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 09 53
Nikki!!!
*hugs* I haven't seen you in almost a year and hope all is well with you and the kidlings and hubby. I can't wait to join in this years Nano don't hesitate to hit me up and keep in touch . . . Oh I will keep you guessing who this is. *hugs*
----------In love you never lose, because love is never lost, like energy, it transforms, and is in us to find the new shape, to take it again, and keep going.
27,925 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 09 58
Ok here is my introduction. Hello fellow Nano's!!! I'm 30 years old and not quite right. I personally think thats my best quality. So this year I'm diving into Nano in attempts to put my crazy whirlwind imagination to paper. I'm married with three adorable fuzzy fat cats. My job keeps me chained to a chair in front of a computer inside a cubicle. My cubicle is smaller than a common criminals jail cell. Some of you already know me or at least I know who YOU are and soon you will figure it out. Don't hesitate to ask me questions I'm not unfriendly and I only bite if I like you .... or wait maybe it's I only bite when asked. Hrmm, let me get back to you on that! *HUGS* Cheers everyone! -Angelis
----------In love you never lose, because love is never lost, like energy, it transforms, and is in us to find the new shape, to take it again, and keep going.
0 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 10 29
Hey everyone, my name is Nick and this is my first attempt at this. I can't even remember where I heard about NaNoWriMo...
I live in Fairview Heighs with my girlfriend, dog and cat. I work for the Illinois House of Representatives doing communications work for the House GOP. I'm happy I discovered NaNoWriMo this year instead of next, as next year seems to be rather busy in my line of work...
I'm not sure what I plan on writing about, but I hope to have it narrowed down really soon. I figure the more prep work I can do in the beginning, the more likely I am to finish, since I never know what the typical day can bring (I distinctly remember waking up thinking it was going to be a boring day in December when Rod Blagojevich was arrested... I was WRONG!)
I would like to attend some write-in events, but I'm not quite sure what they are. Do we just get together and write, or is it a more social thing?
Anyway, I'm looking forward to this. I figure maybe it'll be a good motivation for me to actually work on a project instead of just talking about working on a project.
32,025 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 11 02
Write-ins are extremely helpful in completing the word count! They're mostly about sitting down as a group and all working on our numbers. There's a lot of socializing too, like offering suggestions when people get stuck on a plot point or get writer's block. I find it really helps to keep me from getting distracted and rushing off to work on something else because, well, I can't!
If nothing else, try coming to the Kick-Off Party! We'll talk about write-ins and other stuff then, so you can get a better idea if you're interested.
----------Eight lords sleeping till it’s foretold
By an old hand they will be stirred
One a tree that’s grown too old
One a sound that’s never been heard
One a shade that hasn’t a caster
One a light been swallowed by a bird
One hangs like a ghost in the sky
0 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 11 07
When and where is the Kick-Off Party?
Or is it even set yet? I'm still trying to navigate my way around the forums and the NaNoWriMo website...
32,025 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 11 16
Sean and I are still working on that, so we haven't posted anything yet! We're planning on doing one Kick-Off party in Edwardsville and one in Fairview Heights. It's just hard finding places that can accommodate a big group, for the KO AND for write-ins. So we're looking around and as soon as we have a place, we'll post an invite on the forum!
----------Eight lords sleeping till it’s foretold
By an old hand they will be stirred
One a tree that’s grown too old
One a sound that’s never been heard
One a shade that hasn’t a caster
One a light been swallowed by a bird
One hangs like a ghost in the sky
43,649 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 15 48
Being chained to my desk across the building....you can call me and gripe about your story. That way we don't have to gripe about work or our co-workers (or maybe some of both) Welcome to the madness that is Nano!
----------A good book and a cup of tea, what more can you ask for?
27,925 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 18 03
I figured dear queenstacela you would figure out quickly .. seeing as your serving a sentence in the same size prison I mean cubicle in the same building ...doing the same liscensplates I mean claims daily ....
----------In love you never lose, because love is never lost, like energy, it transforms, and is in us to find the new shape, to take it again, and keep going.
31,054 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 19 39
Hi Nikki, I have done NaNo for three years now..I was really unsure when I started the first one..but made it and now I am looking to take on this year. Even if you can't make it through it is still worth the try. Hope to meet you at one of the write-ins Jan
----------PTJanny
31,054 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 19 46
Angelis like you already I have two adorable fuzzy cats. Looking forward to meeting ...I have never been to any write-ins...wasn't aware of the Edwardsville, Collinsville groups until this year. So hopefully the write-ins will be in the daytime and not more than an hour away for me. I am in Dow...near Alton. This is my third year with NaNo Jan
----------PTJanny
31,054 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 19 51
Hi Nick...I have never attended any write-ins, nor do I know anything about them , but this is my third year with NaNo and this year I hope to get together at some of the write-ins...GOP great...I know you have an interesting job...Blago alone is writing material..as is all of Chicago politics. LOL Hope to see you at one of the write-ins. Jan
----------PTJanny
31,054 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 19 53
Has a date been set yet for a kick off party? Jan
----------PTJanny
37,007 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 21 58
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
October 28th in Edwardsville
October 29th in Fairview Heights
(Places TBA)
KICKOFF PARTY
----------Nov 1st in Edwardsville
(Place TBA)
-----
Sean J. Jordan
Municipal Liaison, Southern Illinois Region
Keep up to date on Southern Illinois NaNoWriMo events on our blog!
31,054 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 08 34
Hi won't be able to come to Kick off. I have meetings all day and a program to attend that night. and then I will be writing through the night for my first 2000 words.
----------However I will probably be able to come to the informational meeting in Fairview...on the 29th of October. Jan
PTJanny
50,458 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 13 25
It's so wonderful that November is almost here. I can't wait to see all of you at write-ins and various activities ... they really, really helped me to win last year and I so appreciate the organizers and their hard work. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I'm continuing to feed the information from my doctoral dissertation into the blender with about five weeks of continuing education this summer in order to generate some fictional froth customized to my taste - if not to anyone else's - plus it's book two of a Trilogy so I get to have a reunion with the same imaginary friends this year as last year.
Dave Zdras
----------