USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Write Ins

kysandra — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:14:38 +0000

Since this topic started to spill over into the kickoff thread, I figured it was time it got a thread of its own.

I propose Panera Bread on Mondays and/or Thursdays. I will commit to being at Panera Bread in Hadley starting between 5:30 and 6:30 on Monday evenings, power strip in hand. I think that I can probably also be at at least some of the Thursday "starfish' meetings if those end up happening. Home base for me right now is Northampton, but I have yet to find anyplace I particularly like for writing. Does anyone know if the Dirty Truth has outlets? I'm thinking that it might be a nice place to write on a weekend afternoon (too busy/noisy in the evenings).

If I get REALLY motivated I might even get a new battery before then so I have more than 5 minutes of battery life on my poor Powerbook.

I think I've finally settled on an idea I like, so I'm starting to get psyched. Only 16 days to go! Woo!
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

So What do you do when your story won't end

neddiheht — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:56:16 +0000

GAH! okay, I hit my word count, but my story ... it keeps going, and going and going. I'm not even near a point where I can begin to wrap it up.

GAH!

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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

My Book Serial Cheater has just hit the Bookstands

cfolini — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:40:01 +0000

Claire Folini It's Official! I'm a published author. Order a copy of my new book Serial Cheater online at Xlibris for $19.99 paperback/$29.99 hardcover or send an email to sopranosinger122@yahoo.com to order a copy at a reduced price for $15.99 paperback/$22.99 hardcover for a holiday deal through PayPal or a major credit card.
http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=67305
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Twitter

LuckyXIII — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:40:47 +0000

I think I saw a thread elsewhere for people to type their Twitter usernames, but I want to know the ones for the local people here. So please everyone post your Twitter if you have one, or maybe a link to your blog if you don't.

My Twitter is GrimmAngel
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Mystery Writers should rule the World

GinaG — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:09:19 +0000

I hadn't tried to write a mystery novel before and foolishly thought, "how hard can it be". 26K words later I am overwhelmed with respect for all mystery writers - no matter how crappy they write - how shallow their charactors are - how flimsy their plot - it's shockingly hard to weave together the charactors, the motivations, the red herrings, the timing of the reveals, the goddamn details about locked doors and unlocked doors and who saw what when and who is acting suspicous... I could go on but I have another 1600 words to type. Any of you out there crafting a murder mystery? Wanna cry on my shoulder?
G
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

local laptop theft problem

calilah — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:04:37 +0000

Just an FYI, if you're writing in Panera's, etc.
A snippet from the Amherst College police:
"Since the start of this academic year, the Amherst College police have taken ten reports of stolen laptop computers. In the majority of the cases (eight) the laptops were left unattended in non-secure locations. Thefts have occurred in the Frost Library, the Valentine Coatroom, the Keefe Campus Center and in common areas of residence halls.

These are obviously thefts of opportunity. The opportunity is created when you leave your possessions unattended in an non-secure location, regardless of how briefly."
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Where the Wrimos Are . . . Right Now!

emilyisabella30 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:02:40 +0000

If anyone is writing somewhere and wants or wouldn't mind company, let's post it here. It would be good if we could prevent clutter by not carrying on conversations about who may or may not join someone somewhere. Planned meet-ups/write-ins could still go in the other thread. I thought it would be nice to have a thread to pull up when you want to head out to write right away, so you can see if there's someone to join nearby.
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Donation Derby how to

calilah — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:15:35 +0000

How does the donation derby work? If I go to the donation page,
I don't see a place to put my region, but I belong to two regions (Five Coll, and WMass).
There's a Berkshires region too. It'd almost be cool to link all three to make a
good pool.

I can't donate till next pay period, but I'd like to see the derby regions get up there.
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

NaNo Camp?

Silvermarple — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:38:32 +0000

Last night I thought I saw a pop-up on the front page saying that there would be year-round NaNo. Is that a hallucination from too much staring at the screen, or has someone else seen it too? It seems almost too good to be true!

Silvermarple
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Night of Writing Dangerously Write-a-thon!

Princesita_Boricua1 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:23:54 +0000

I think we should arrange our own Night of Writing Dangerously Write-a-thon, Northeastern USA! I have no time or money to go to San Francisco, but I think it would be fun to get together and write non-stop for 7 hours looking out unto some inspiring skyline. I know one of my nanobuddies would like to go to San Francisco but there is no $$< especially during this time of the year when we have to get ready for the oh so many holidays! What you all think?
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Catching up Write-in

menglishman — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:52:22 +0000

Saturday the 14th. anyone around want to have a Write in? my work life is insane right now and I am [therefore] insanely behind. have off today and plan on getting at least another 4k in. and that will still leave me way behind.

Panera is good for me in Hadley. have to run some errands there later anyway.
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Help please I just started today and now I can't see my work

Willowbreeze — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:40:54 +0000

Can anyone please tell me how to recall what I have written so far? I have tried to search on here and tried to recall my work and I can't. Does anyone know what I can do? Thanks, Willowbreeze
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Confessions

emilyisabella30 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:15:35 +0000

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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

There's...sun?

valleyradionerd — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:44:21 +0000

It's outside time in the Valley! Hit your porch, your sidewalk cafe, your sidewalk! This weather won't last.
Anyone else managing to do some writing outside?
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

quantity no problem, but...

menglishman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:14:55 +0000

this being my 6th NaNo I'm finding this year that hitting the word count is no big deal. last year I was busy as hell and wrote the last 15k in the last 3 days. this is the first year though that I am getting totally bored with my outlined plot so early in. any ideas from the locals? I'll keep going of course, but I want it to be a novel, you know? if I steered it way off course now it would become more interesting to me, but it would (or could) lose all cohesion.

NaNo 07 and 06 for me resulted in two marketable novels. and last year was way too complicated to be even a couple more drafts away from...

whatever. thoughts?
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Where are people meeting this weekend?

Fyrwhin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:34:28 +0000

I'm talking about evenings, though toss in where you'll be this afternoon or tomorrow too?
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Feed your imagination, otherwise it might learn to hunt.

USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Berkshire Writers Group

Birdie — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Forming a Berkshire Writers Group to meet on a bi-weekly basis starting with a Nanowrimo kick-off!

If you're in that area, please let me know. Thanks!
Birdie
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

GREAT NaNo-friendly coffee place in Conway

menglishman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:18:07 +0000

Finally got up to see a friend's new place in Conway, Page's Coffee Bar and Used Book Store. Such an amazing space. seating for up to 14. crazy good selection of used books. free (and secure) wi-fi. local pasties and grub. atmosphere has me charged- just a cozy and lovely space.

anyway. anyone close to Conway (off 91, the Deerfield Exit) and looking for an AM write-in anytime soon?
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

what color is your ... underwear???

calilah — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:21:46 +0000

I love to ask myself odd questions to try to get the feel for a character. for the
most part, my genre of choice is romance, so I usually do a "hero, and heroine."

Question of the day: I wonder what kind of underwear the guy has on?
The gal?

Hmmm...
or, another interesting thought today was, Let's jump 18 years in the future.
I think my characters might be parents, of teens. i wonder what kind of
parents they're going to make. Hmmmm...
food for thought.
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Western MA writers' Group

cfolini — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:13:31 +0000

Would anyone in the Western, MA area be interested in organizing a writers' group somewhere in the area? I am new this year to the NANO WriMo but am publishing 2 non fiction novels before Christmas. Claire
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Introductions?

cobecat — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:54:42 +0000

Hey! This is my third year doing NaNo but my first year wanting to get involved with a region group, and I was wondering if people wanted to do an introduction thread to get to know each other a bit before the craziness starts? So, uhm, this is me:

Name: cobecat
Location: Hampshire College outside of Amherst, MA
NaNo History: participated in 07, won in 08, panicking and without an idea for 09
Favoured genre to write in: fantasy/speculative fiction
Weird writing quirks: I make odd little 'chk' noises when I'm thinking, and I talk to myself in sign language when I'm stuck

Nice to meet everyone, and hopefully I'll see some of you soon!
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Procrastination Solutions

GinaG — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:40:45 +0000

What do you do to get jump-started each day?

this morning I turned on the computer and pulled up the novel - stared dully at the last sentence I wrote the day before and decided to check my email. I scan email and respond to the easy ones - and mull over the pain in the ass ones. Then I am allowed TWO (no more) sucessful solitare games before something must be written... unless I opt to start a new post here -which I did.

gina
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Meetups?

Fyrwhin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:12:29 +0000

I'm in Springfield. Anyone up for evening meetups/hangouts/Paneraing? I wouldn't object to driving a bit. Also, I work at Smith in NoHo, so maybe lunchtime things as well?

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Feed your imagination, otherwise it might learn to hunt.

USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

amherst people?

stuffness1 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:43:49 +0000

I'm planning on being at the Newman Cafe, at UMass campus this afternoon, from 2-6. If anyone wants to join me, you are more than welcome. I'll be on the couch next to the water fountains. I mainly just need to get out of the house, because my cat thinks the keyboard is a resting place for her gigantic tail. Hope to see you there!
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USA :: Massachusetts :: Western Mass

Northampton Weekday Write-Ins?

Brando_calrissian — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:16:48 +0000

Anybody interested in doing lunchtime write-ins in Northampton during the week? This is my first NaNoWriMo, and I have a feeling it's going to be easy to write during the weekends, but really difficult to keep up during the weekdays. My schedule's pretty flexible, so I'd be up to most afternoons. I'm cross-posting this to the 5-College region, too.
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If there is a future of peace for humankind, if there is to be an understanding of how these invisible, internal things should fit together, I expect it will come from the artists, because that's what we do.
-Karl Paulnack, Boston Conservatory