East Side Writers

I'm not on the east side (I couldn't find a house I could afford there) but getting there is easy. And I'd love to get together with people and meet you all.

I do have one difficulty--I've been laid off since January, and do not have a working laptop. If anyone could loan me a laptop at any of these gatherings (just at the gathering; I have a USB drive to use to take my work home with me) I'd very much appreciate it.

Also, if anyone has a laptop they're willing to barter away or sell cheap, please let me know. I have some very nice wedding gifts to barter, and am very good at stuff like grammar and punctuation. You can find samples of my writing on my website -- a recent story is here: http://wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com/67867.html I could offer copyediting/proofreading. I also have a variety of other creative and practical skills. We'll see if we can come up with something that would benefit both of us!

I also live in Shorewood and would love to meet up for some writing sessions. This is my first year doing NaNo so I'm going to need all the motivation that I can get. I personally love going to Stone Creek on Oakland and the Alterra on Lincoln, but the Barnes & Noble and Caribou at Bayshore work just as well.

"Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try."

The Shorewood Stone Creek is good. I would be more than happy to meet you there at some point. I work from home, so I have a fairly open schedule. Let me know when might be good for you, and we'll set up a time. Also, did you mean the Alterra on Humboldt (near Locust)? I don't know that there's one on Lincoln, unless I've just not been down there in a while. I know there's a Stone Creek down there, though.

In any case, PM me, and we'll figure something out.

James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com

2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

I very much sympathize with being laid off. So I understand your difficulty.

I have two options for you: 1) I have a laptop I've been looking to part with. I could sell it to you for cheap (it's only two years old); or 2) I could let you borrow it for write-ins. If you'd like something to keep, I'm happy to work something out. Let me know what you'd prefer.

James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com

2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

JB,

I'd like to borrow it for at least one write-in, see how I like the keyboard (some keyboards seem much more friendly to me than others), and if I like it, then talk in person. Something to keep would be really nice, if we can work things out to mutual satisfaction.

And thank you!

Deirdre

Deirdre,

I can work with that. I'll be sure to clean up the desktop a bit and remove some of the software that I'm not using in case you'd like to keep it fairly soon afterwards. It's a Dell Inspiron B130 if you'd like to look it up online. I bought it three years ago (this upcoming February) and have essentially only used it for writing and Internet browsing, so there's been very little taxing of the RAM or processor. I've also done very good about keeping up on spybot and virus protection, so it's very clean and up-to-snuff.

I'd be happy to get together with you before NaNo if you'd like to be able to have it to use beforehand (or at least try it out to see if you would like it). Just let me know.

Cheers.

James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com

2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

I actually meant Alterra on the Lake, is it not on Lincoln? It is entirely possible that I mixed the street names up; I have a habit of doing that. But Stone Creek works just as well. I'm free anytime time next week besides Monday because I don't have classes due to mid-terms, so whenever everyone else is free works for me!

"Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try."

Ah, yes, *that* Alterra. Yes, it is on Lincoln Memorial Drive. I always mistakenly call it Lake Drive. Shorewood would be preferable, as I ride the bus, and there's no real easy way to get to the Alterra on the Lake from the bus. Really up to you, though; I'm alright with meeting on campus, too; the coffee shop in the library is rather nice, and there are usually tables to be had.

James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com

2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

I have somewhat of a silly question, but it's relevant because I'm fairly new to Milwaukee. I go to school at Marquette U, which I think is sort of on the eastern side--am I right, here? Ogden and Humboldt are close-ish, I think, but Bayshore is a bit of a bus ride. Still getting my bearings here!

Marquette is more downtown but you can hop on the 30 bus, and it will actually take you right to UWM. Otherwise, the 10 bus will take you straight down Humboldt, which has the Alterra that I frequent. You're welcome to join us sometime. (Also, as a side note, Ogden & Humboldt is very close to my favorite pub, so we could always meet there for a coffee and write :D).

James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com

2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

Hi everyone,

Me again. I just wanted to let everyone know that I'd really like to work on getting together this year, as my attempts to put a group together last year for the East Side/UWM area fell through. If you'd like to get in on some writing togetherness, please send me your email address, and I'll create a temp mailing list for the month of November. I'd like to do a pre-NaNo planning session for any of those who are struggling with last-minute items. So let me know.

Cheers,
Boone

James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com

2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

Hey Boone,

You already know I'm ready (alisha.howard.us@gmail.com). I might not be there this Tuesday, but please let me know when the other meetings are.

I'd be interested in East Side/UWM write ins ... Not sure how many I'll be able to make, my schedule is a little crazy, but I'll try if I know when they are. My email is: originalsteph@gmail.com

Thanks!

I tend to write alone and at odd hours, but I'm interested in seeing some incarnation of local writers. I frequent Alterra on Humboldt, but living in Brewer's Hill can make any East Side location easily. I'm not sure if this will be helpful or distracting, but put me on your email list, please. revmslal@aol.com

'"Now, when Mr. Dickens sat down in 1860 to write Great Expectations, the first thing he did was clear a space for Pip's voice'"(125 Jones).
---The wise words of Mr. Watts in Jones's Mr. Pip

I am also interested. I don't go to UWM, but I can very easily drive to whichever meeting place ends up being picked. rmjk05@aol.com

"Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try."

Hi James,

I'm on Prospect between Kane and Irving. Am willing to go any of the places you mention, and my schedule is flexible. Stay in touch!

Robin Graham

Howdy!

I'm in Shorewood, so it's pretty easy for me to walk/bike/drive to anywhere on the East Side. I'm not sure how often I can get away since I tend to write at home while my daughter is doing her homework, but once in a while. I'm always up for meeting writers!

Laura

"It's easy to become fundamentalist when you've only read one book."
-- Sherman Alexie

Hi, norbielynn,

I just graduated from Marquette and live on the East Side. You are on the west end of downtown. But only three miles and a quick bus ride away from the East Side. You'd take the 30, either the Downer or Maryland. It would probably be best for you to stay somewhere between the MU and UWM campuses, which opens up a lot of possibilities for you (Brady Street, Farwell, North Ave, Alterra on the Lake, et al). The 30 stops at the UWM campus then heads back south toward MU and parts beyond. Another option: you could get off the bus at UWM and walk north about a half mile to Capitol Drive, which opens up a few more possibilities for meeting places. Past that, the bus route planning thing might get too complicated, especially for someone who's new to the area.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.

Robin Graham

Hello everyone,

I will most likely have an early writing session tomorrow if anyone wants to start the month off with a good coffee-induced writing frenzy. Alterra on Humboldt seems the best option, so I'll suggest that. I'd like to get there around 9AM (if I can convince my wife to do so). If you'd like to get in on it, and you're not already on the east side writers mailing list, please send me a private message with your email address -- or just post it here -- and I'll email you later today when I get specifics.

Cheers,
Boone

James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com

2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

I live in Shorewood. Add me to the list! dyserenity at gmail.com

Unfortunately I can't come this weekend--I have some kind of flu--but once I'm better I'd love to join a write in! There's an awesome little coffee shop on the corner of Beverly and Oakland called the Last Drop. It's not too far from Stone Creek Coffee on Oakland. :)

My blog with tips and tricks for NaNo!

Just wanted to say that getting to Alterra On The Lake really is easy by bus. Take the 30 north to Prospect and Lafayette, or the 30 south to Farwell and Lafayette. Walk east on Lafayette. Just past Summit you'll cross a short bridge that goes over the bike path (Oak Leaf Trail). Just past the bridge is an asphalt pathway on the right. Make that right and go halfway down it to the stairs on your left. Go down the steps, and continue following the path. This will deliver you directly to Alterra, which you'll see on your right.

The walk takes five minutes from Prospect, seven minutes from Farwell.

Just in case something gets scheduled there or some of you are looking for a place to meet...