Hey folks,
As some of you might know, last year we had a small but pretty successful kick-off house party. We're planning the same again this year, with a few minor changes -- one, we want to see more of you if at all possible, and two, we're not based in the arse-end of nowhere any more (well... I'll come to that in a minute).
We're thinking the evening of Saturday October 31st would be good -- there's plenty of room to stay over, so if you do want to hang around, we can all start writing at 00:01 and get a head start on our wordcounts. There'll probably be takeaway involved, especially if everyone's willing to pitch in a few quid to help pay for it; we'd like your input on the alcohol situation -- we don't know yet if anyone's under 18, and I think it would be better to be fully coherent to type at the stroke of midnight anyway, but we'll take your suggestions!
Getting here: We're based in a little village around 20 minutes drive from Durham city centre; if you're coming by car, the postcode for your satnav is TS29 6GA. If you're a bus or train person, your best bet is probably to make it to Durham and we'll do shuttle-runs from there to get you to HQ. Last time I got the train, it was about £7 for a ticket from Durham to Newcastle by train, and I can't imagine it being any more from Sunderland. Buses are cheaper, but take considerably longer! Hartlepool folks (I know there are one or two), it's about half an hour on the bus. If you're coming from anywhere else, let me know and I'll do my best to help you figure out the best route!
It might be worth making contact with other writers in your immediate area and taking the bus/train/taxi/car together -- if we have groups coming, at least for the first two, it'll make things much easier for us on the shuttle-runs from Durham. We've got two five-seat cars so we're not too pushed for space, but the fewer journeys the better!
We'll be sending out an email next week with some more information, confirmed times and hopefully some idea of numbers, so keep an eye on your inbox as well as here. Not everyone checks the forums, so if any of your friends are NaNoing this year and haven't found the regional lounge yet (and why not, I ask you??), please do let them know about the kick-off.
In brief:
* Alcohol or not? -- Your thoughts welcomed!
* Getting here -- it might be worth seeing if there's anyone else coming from near you
* Interested? Let us know now so we have a vague idea of numbers.
Hope to see you there, and best of luck with your writing
Zof
----------
2007: Equilibrioception (won & finished at 54,000)
2008: The Other Half (won at 51,000, plot ongoing)
2009: Life Story (results pending!)
147,175 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 08 22
Count me in. We were talking about this at the Hartlepool meet up today. We even google mapped where you are. it's not that far from where I live, and I have a vague idea of how to get there. I will either get a lift off the parents, or I will drag the bike up (weather permitting, and providing there is a path/fence/streetlight that I can chain her to)
Food, that sounds like a good plan. I don't mind chipping in to get a nice take out, it will save me cooking. Goodness knows I'll have enough take out over November.
Alcohol or no alcohol. Well, I would say let everyone bring their own but to be reasonable about it. Drunk writing is fun (I have done it a couple of times) but its not really worth the effort of correcting the massive spelling mistakes the following day. It might be worth asking if anyone is under 18, but i would think that most of us would be sensible enough, and I am sure that there will be people there who won't be drinking at all.
Are we doing dress up? It is Halloween after all, and dressing up would be fun. I have a suggestion for it as well, seeing as how we are all writing books, why not come dressed up as a character from your book? It could help bring them to life for the start of the writing, and would be interesting to see what everyone turns up as and how they relate to their books. (Good ice breaker as well)
Anyway, there you go. I shall be there, laptop, dictionary, second dictionary, grammar book, notepad and pens in tow.
Chelle
43,841 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 09 53
Great ideas! I especially like your thoughts about dressing up. Coming as a character from your own book would be brilliant -- and, as you said, a great icebreaker. I think we should definitely go for it: optional, maybe, if folks don't fancy it, but very much encouraged. I have some ideas already...
ETA: It's just been pointed out to me that there's a secure side alley where you can stow the bike. We'll put it around the back, so it's well out of the way, and I'm sure we can find a bit of fence (or a very heavy barbecue, or something) to chain it to. And I'm looking forward to seeing it... ;]
----------2007: Equilibrioception (won & finished at 54,000)
2008: The Other Half (won at 51,000, plot ongoing)
2009: Life Story (results pending!)
147,175 / 50,000
Oct 27, 2009 - 12 55
well, I have a bag of chilli nuts to bring with me (I am addicted to those things) and there are only a few minor alterations to make on my costume. I debated dying my hair and dressing up as my main character, but in the end I have decided to come as one of my vampires. Fangs and all. I just need to fix up my top and add the final touches to my skirt and I am all ready for the party. Add my laptop to my bag and I am ready to get some writing done as soon as it turns midnight :D
Chelle
76,397 / 50,000
Oct 27, 2009 - 21 36
You HAVE to be in fancy dress for Halloween! I'd love to be able to come if there's still room. I have just made a decision to change category, title and plot (at this time?!) so I may need some severe therapy from one or two 'old hands'.
----------I want to die peacefully in my sleep, just like grandpa. Not screaming and panicking like his passengers.
44,005 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 03 02
There's plenty of room. And I've just done something similar myself, changing...everything about my NaNo. See you Saturday.
----------Many great ideas have been lost because the people who had them could not stand being laughed at.
2,126 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 12 37
Wish I could make the kick off party but I'm working long hours on Sat .. hoping to meet up with you all in Newcastle on Sunday, though!