Hi fellow Beijing NaNoWriMo'ers! Quick introduction. I'm Dylan and I'll be writing my first novel (hopefully) this November. I'm a little worried over whether I can hack it, since my job involves me sitting in front of computer and translating all day. I'm a big believer that submitting to peer pressure is almost always the right choice. As to my novel, it's not like I'm ungrateful for all the financial support that it's various government departments have given me over the years, but I'm writing a sort of thought experiment/politico-literary-esque novel in which Canada crumbles apart at the seams. I also like hyphens.
Anyway, there was a point of this post and it's arriving. It'd be great to meet up with some other writers and organize some writing-together-a-ma-bobs with anyone else doing NaNoWriMo in the Jing, keep in each other on track.
I observe from other threads that in the past some groups organized around Haidian, which is... far away from where people that aren't students live. Maybe y'all'd be interested in meeting up around that vast district in the middle of the city named Dongcheng? Like... Cafe Zarah or one of the billion odd cozy bars/cafes just-like-it-but-not-as-good scattered across Dongcheng... or alternatively if anyone knows the owners of Bookworm, that would a hilariously appropriate (and awesome of own accord) place.
Suggestions, thoughts?
I'm thinking of a kick-off meeting on November 1st. It's a Sunday this year. Perfect for an afternoon of literary debauchery just as our Halloween hangovers start to fade. Who's in?
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35,636 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 15 47
I'm up in the north, in Changping, so it takes me over an hour just to get into Beijing proper. But I have no plans for that Sunday, was probably going to just hang around in my room and start my novel alone, so I don't mind the trip to do a meet up. Give me directions from the nearest subway station and I'll have no problem. I've not really spent much time exploring all the little bookstores and tea houses in central Beijing, otherwise I'd have some advice on where we should meet up.
----------Unsanctioned Maritime Wealth Redistribution Officer
Also known as Vercingetorix
0 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 06 36
Hi Dylan,
I live in the Chaoyang and definitely wouldn't mind joining a few write-ins (good for combatting procrastination!). I may not be able to make it on the 1st, but perhaps we can organize more in the future?
2,424 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 23 29
Well... I can think of three places that seem like good locations: Cafe Zarah on Gulou Dongdajie, or Waiting for Godot (cafe) on Jiaodaokou Dongdajie. They're both centrally located (Zarah is right near the entrance to Nanluoguxiang, and Godot is near the Beixinqiao metro stop on line 5), have decent coffee and good atmosphere and though Zarah is a little nicer, Godot is a little cheaper. For Laowai in the other major laowai centres, both of cafes are easy to get to from Sanlitun or Wudaokou via the 635 bus.
As for time, I'm sure most of us will be out partying and wrecking our bodies for most of the previous night and morning... so maybe we could set up informally throughout the afternoon. 1-6pm. Hang-out. Help each other break through those terrifying first few pages.
Whaddya think?
0 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 04 14
The idea is excellent.
I'm almost definitely in, no matter which place is decided on.
I haven't heard of Cafe Zarah or Waiting for Godot, but a quick Google-mapsing reveals both of them to be too close to where I live (Chaoyang) for me to not go. The Bookworm is also a possibility even if no one turns out to know any of the owners, although it's a bit far from the other suggestions (and thus probably from those who suggested them) so far.
Having the meeting start in the early afternoon would probably be a good idea. 1-6pm sounds great.
Wow, I'm excited for this. It's going to be a wonderful way to kick-off NaNoWriMo.
Cheers everyone
2,424 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 04 30
Actually, I really think Waiting for Godot is a great find, having just finished my second time there. There is a lot more room than Zarah, the place is actually oriented towards writers, and best of all, as of yesterday, their coffee is 10 kuai (for a nice cup of coffee).
So unless anyone has any major objections, come one, come all, all-Saints Day afternoon and I will be doing my writing there from whenever my head stops aching that morning until whenever my stomach tells me it's dinner.
Waiting for Godot is half a block west on Jiaodaokou Dongdajie 交道口东大街 from the Beixinqiao Metro stop on line 5 北新桥站. It is also on the route of buses 684, 635, 612, 117, 107 (electric), 13 and the 观光四号线. There is a little black sign, but the front of the shop disguises it as a stationary store, the simultaneously spacious and cozy coffee-shop is in the backroom. Besides coffee, they have a pretty big menu. Contact me if you're not sure about how to get there.
The more the merrier!
35,636 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 04 58
Godot Cafe seems easy to find, literally right outside the D exit of 北新桥站 from the maps. I'm used to telling people they can spot me by the white skin, but this place sounds a little foreigner oriented, so maybe that won't work for us. Either way, I'll be there. I won't be taking any coffee, can't stand the stuff, but a good beer sounds nice. Something dark and bitter, I'm about sick of the light 青岛 and 燕京 beers. Of course, the Chinese I talk to are often as surprised to find out beer comes in many varieties as I was to find China had only one variety.
Tangent aside, looking forward to it.
----------Unsanctioned Maritime Wealth Redistribution Officer
Also known as Vercingetorix
25,185 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 07 08
So, uh, as one of the Haidian-based students, I really am not complaining about possible Wudaokou write-ins. But I see where you guys are going with this. I've got no problem with heading into a slightly more centralized location for the occasional write-in, but something in our neck o' the woods is nice too. Frankly, I need peer pressure to beat NaNo. Every year, I manage to frantically type ever-increasing last minute miracles on Nov 30th (5K, then 9K, and an impressive 11K last year). This year, I would really really REALLY like not having to do that. It's murder on my joints and on my laptop. Plus, I have classes that Monday.
As for regular caffeine injections, how's the coffee at this Waiting for Godot Cafe? (I approve of the literary title. Not as good as the Bookworm, but hey.) I'm probably going to get lost, as my one consistent skill in China seems to be getting disgustingly lost at the drop of a hat. Perhaps the name and address in Chinese? Despite my lack of navigational skills, I will be there, nursing a hangover and possibly still glittery. (You know how it goes: you never bring the glitter but someone else does... and then you look like a Twilight vampire.)
I'm thinking that we should either have a sign or some sort of visual marker pointing out the Wrimos. I mean, yes, our general aura of awesomeness and desperation (oh, those lovable anemic word-counts) should be obvious, but I'm not trusting me with anything. I vote Dylan (since he's the one who suggested it) wear something neon. Or have a fantastic hat. Or something along these lines. You know what I mean.
Can't wait to see you all there!
Jane
42,450 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 16 43
Oh... it's exactly times like this when I wish I lived in Beijing or Shanghai... I'm pretty much stuck with McDonald's coffee, which is greatly improved since they introduced McCafe a couple months ago. Will the write-ins be a regular weekend thing? I might be able to make it up to Beijing one of the weekends. (I need a Jenny Lou's run!)
2,424 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 02 11
Jane, as per your request, I will continue wearing whatever hat is on my head from the night before. See you there!
38,455 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 07 42
Hi
My name is Greg. I am another nanowrimo participant in Beijing, I live in Chongwenmen and work in Caochangdi most of the time. This is my first attempt wrimo and I am pretty lazy and very good at watching bad tv instead of writing. I will try to make it to the write together for peer pressure or commiseration.
715 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 21 50
I'll be participating but doubt I can make it to the center of the city for write-ins, as time is going to be tight just getting the writing done without the three-hour trip from the Wu to wherever and back. Were I actually a student (in days past) I might have that kind of time, but my work and home is up in the Wu, so I'll have to bow out of any kind of write-in sadly.
I would like to say that on Monday nights I help with the Writing Group that meets every week at 7:30pm at the Bookworm, so that would be a great place to come and showcase your work (as long as you print about four to five copies of something readable). Be aware that your writing will be critiqued heavily, perhaps to the point of having a nervous breakdown... your writing, not you. ;)
But here's to another joining the ranks of Beijing wrimos.
Ben
35,636 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2009 - 06 49
Sorry folks, not going to be able to make this one. Found out on Friday that my mid-term would be on Monday, so I need to be studying. I just can't afford to spend 4 hours getting in and out of Beijing if I want to get any studying/writing/life tasks accomplished. I thought about studying on the bus, but if you've taken those anywhere, you'd know how difficult that would be. Plus I get car sick when reading. Anyway, be sharing the hectic first day with you guys, if not corporeally.
If this one goes over well and there's talk of setting up a mid-month write in, or even a "crap get it done fast!" end of the month write in, I'll try to make those.
----------Unsanctioned Maritime Wealth Redistribution Officer
Also known as Vercingetorix
2,424 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2009 - 23 36
Hi everyone! This is Dylan, your erswhile organizer. I have finally dragged my sorry ass outta bed and I'm sitting at the large corner table of Waiting for Godot, where I expect I will be for most of the rest of today. No funny hat, I'm afraid, just a red-haired dude with a macbook.