Welcome Hatchlings and Mentors!
Um ... what? Why am I calling you a hatchling? Well, 'cause I'm weird. And because, since Austin is the home of the Penguins, it seems pretty natural to refer to newbies as hatchlings. And why is Austin the home of the Penguins? Well, someone out there remembers the story, I'm sure, but I'm sorry to say it isn't me.
So, what's this all about, anyway?
Well, really, it's all about you! The Hatchery is a place where newbies can hook up with mentors. It's easy! All you have to do to get started is post a reply to this thread.
A few very simple rules to help keep things easy for everyone.
Everyone:
Before making your own post, please read through those already here. No one is going to assign mentors to hatchlings! Mentors, check out all the hatchling posts. Hatchlings, check out all the mentor posts. If you see a post from someone you would like to work with, contact them directly in the manner they request.
Hatchlings:
1. Please title your post 'Hatchling.'
2. Tell us something about yourself.
3. Tell us something about what you're looking for in a mentor. Are you hoping for daily inspirational emails? Or just a shoulder to lean on?
4. How should a prospective mentor contact you: email or NaNoMail? DO NOT POST PHONE NUMBERS!
Mentors:
1. Please title your post 'Mentor'.
2. Tell us something about yourself and your NaNo experience.
3. Tell us what you feel you can offer a Hatchling. Daily inspirational emails? A shoulder to lean on?
4. Tell us how many hatchlings you would be comfortable supporting.
5. How should a prospective hatchling contact you: email or NaNoMail? DO NOT POST PHONE NUMBERS!
When you've made your match, please let me know via NaNoMail. While I will not be pairing people off, I will keep track of which hatchlings have mentors, and will post an updated list here as often as necessary to keep things moving in the right direction.
And, finally, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, whether you be hatchling or mentor. Wait a minute ... who am I? Never did introduce myself, did I?
Kendra Swope, Hatchling Herder
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0 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 07 45
So hey! My name is Aggrandizement, and this is my first year (duh) doing Nanowrimo. First and foremost, I hope this is the right place to post this--else my woeful lack of forum savvy has struck again. :(
Anyway, I'm a Native Austinite smack-dab in the middle of college, where I'm double-majoring in English and RTF (Radio, Television, and Film.) My dream career would be that of Neil Gaiman or Joss Whedon--you know, they can go to anyone, in any medium, and say, "I want to tell a story" and bam. They get the money to go at it.
In a mentor, I'm looking for someone with writing experience, who can be a hardass when it comes to all things prose, and who'll help yell at me to meet deadlines. Someone who knows the pros and cons of using different kinds of p-o-v for different kinds of stories would be helpful too.
I'm good with any kinds of communication--PM, nanomail, email, whatever you want. I've got AIM for direct chatting, and I'm really serious about getting the most out of this month so...please let me know if you can help me out!
cheers,
A
50,352 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 10 17
Howdy Hatchlings!
Aden here. I am a document clerk, but that is just a cover for my real love of writing and improv. I like thinking about long walks on the beach from the comfort of my couch, most things that Joss Whedon touches, and playing pretend.
I am an 8 time Nano player. Now I have only finished once (the other times were a complete Maxwell Smart situation "Missed it by *that* much") but don't let that scare you away. I know how the game is supposed to be played, I have books to help motivate, writing prompts to get you in the mood, and I am only a text/email/instant message away. (and I firmly believe that having a hatchling last year is what helped me finish!)
I can offer hatchlings some hope, support and butt kicking emails. :)
I would be willing to take on at least two hatchlings. If you willing to take a chance on me, you can email me at adenpenn at gmail.com
13,212 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 13 02
Well hello.
Even though I participated last year, I'm still considering myself a hatchling. Giving up within the first two weeks barely counts as participating.
Anyway, I'm Anne and as you may have guessed by the nick, I'm somewhat musical (and so is my story). I mainly play the piano and the mountain dulcimer, and dabble in a few other instruments. I also sing when no one can stop me. I love humor and have a freakish ability to memorize numbers and movie quotes. For example on the numbers thing, I have memorized my social, drivers license, bank account, debit card, utility billing account, a calling card (both the number to call and the 12-digit PIN), and my license plate number.
In a mentor I would like someone who is at least somewhat humorous, will give me inspiration/input as needed (don't worry, "as needed" is NOT code for "in the middle of the night") and possibly give me an encouraging butt-kicking from time-to-time.
Best ways to contact me consist of NaNo mail, e-mail, Yahoo messenger, or Facebook. PM me here first and I'll give you the info for any of the other ways of contact.
Oh, by the way, I live in San Marcos, so I'm not in Austin proper - but close enough, right?
----------2008 - Finding the Words (epic fail)
2009 - Doxology (I can do this!)
102,716 / 50,000
Oct 27, 2009 - 21 18
Howdy! This is the first time I've done this, but I figure now that I have a few NaNo's behind me, I'd like to give back to help some folks getting going. I can probably handle a couple of ya.
I've done NaNo for the last three years, if you don't include my own personal NaNo before I even knew it existed, and won all three years, averaging around 73K words. I have two published books and several short stories/flashes/poetry in various on-line mags.
My downside is I live in Marble Falls, so getting together physically may be difficult, though I intend to make at least a couple of the events this coming month. And I have a day job that doesn't allow me any leisure time, so mostly I'll be available in the evenings, probably mostly by email, and we can hook up with chat by Skype if need be, or even Google Wave if that works for you.
The upside is I plan on taking the last week of November off work, so I'll more availability as we come down to the wire.
But I'll give encouragement, support, and shoving if needed. ;) And I'll answer to the best of my ability any questions you have, suggestions, etc.
If interested, contact me on my NaNo mail and we can exchange email addresses and anything else we find helpful.
And above all, have fun!
----------R. L. Copple
http://www.rlcopple.com
Infinite Realties
Transforming Realities
2,704 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 11 50
I have lived in Austin for 31 yrs minus a 9yr hiatus (got back here as quick as I could). For some, that is considered a Native Austinite...lol! I moved here in 1978 for attending UT and just didn't leave, excepting for the hiatus. When I told my Mom that I planned to just stay in Austin, she told me, "Everyone would love to stay, but not everyone can!", to which I responded, "Watch me!!". lol... Love it here and have lots of old memories of old Austin. If you need your memory jogged about something here in Austin, I just might be able to help you with that.
I work for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. As a result, my novel this year is going to touch about sextrading/human trafficking. Because that can be a serious matter, I'm going to need some prodding to remember to add humor along the ways so that the novel doesn't get too dark. I have some ideas of ways to do that; but, any additional ideas/suggestions can be most appreciated. Because, too, this is my first NaNoWriMo event, or anything of the likeness, I may need some basic encouragement -- and, perhaps, someone to lean upon when I begin losing my hair. :P j/k Just not knowing what exactly I've got myself into this year; however, I do have an optimistic viewpoint and I'm determined to meet the challenge head on.
Contacts can be made via YM, Gmail Talk, FB, Emails (Gmail and NaNoWriMo), FastPencil and/or many other options. I'm pretty tech savvy.
I live in the 620/FourPoints area of Austin. Ideally, I'd love to have a mentor out in this area, or Cedar Park/Leander. Would even consider to Marble Falls as I love to escape there from time to time -- and this month may be the perfect month to do so. Hmmm...wondering, does the Bluebonnet Cafe have WIFI???
More information about me can be found on my NaNoWriMo profile. Any questions, just ask. :D
Kat
----------txbluebonnet2006
Austin, TX
9,098 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 18 50
Hello (:
My name is Jessica, and I'm a freshman at UT. I'm not sure how this will work with all of my classes and such, but I'm trying to start focusing on doing things that make me happy rather than things that are a waste of my time, haha. Writing, of course, would be one of the things that make me happy.
Right now I'm a pre-journalism major, and plan on applying for my broadcast sequence next year. I did newspaper all throughout high school, but have decided to switch to television. I want to keep my options open!
I would like to have a mentor who understands the struggles of being a freshman at a large University. I've had a hard time adjusting despite my involvement in several organizations. It would be nice to have a mentor who, again, understands that and can motivate me to overlook these struggles and help me to focus on this project!!
Lastly, I am debating between writing a coming-of-age novel, or a fantasy novel. I can't decide just yet (:
E-mail or NaNoMail is fine! Thanks.
- Jessica
50,633 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 18 59
Hey, I'm Ranjani! I'm a Classics/Linguistics/other stuff sophomore at UT. IT BE CRAZY. Anyway, I write historical fiction/strange things/fantasy-without-the-elves-and-dwarves-and-things (which doesn't stop me from reading it though). I like philosophizing about stuff (but I do not like Logic).
I need someone to keep me going strong -- someone I can maybe bounce ideas off of to keep writing, or someone I can rant and chat with about how my novel's going. I got 26k last year, which is more than I've written in a very long time, and more than I could possibly ever have written in 30 days without some ferocious creativity spikes (and staying up till 4 with a book and some cereal). I'm afraid I won't be able to replicate that, but more than anything else, I just want to be able to make it to the end. If it takes a shoulder to lean on, I'm there.
So, I'm not technically a hatchling because I've done this before, but a helping hand wouldn't hurt :D
52,822 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 20 48
My name is Alan M Rogers, and this will be my seventh NaNo, and hopefully, my seventh win. NaNo has always been my big creative re-charge, and this year, with my bit of extra free time, I figured I'd offer myself as a mentor.
I've been writing and role-playing (tabletop) for more than 20 years and have worked in the publishing field before. I'm a great sounding board and I'm very good at un-sticking stuck plots, ideas, characters and writers!
I'm a disciplined writer, and very good with grammar, story construction, writing techniques and philosophy. I'm a (professional) geek and a denzien of the internet, though I am lamentably lame when it comes to pop culture (I don't watch TV or movies or even play video/computer games!). Despite my lack of TV trope trivia or entertainment accolades, I am very knowledgeable about the craft of writing and am always willing to share what I've learned - and pick up any new knowledge I can along the way!
I'm not going to be the best if you're looking for a drill sergeant or butt-kicker, but if you need someone to help you through the rough spots, a shoulder to lean on, a bit of advice or a lot of story help (or help with learning how to reach 50K), I'm good.
I wouldn't mind taking up to two hatchlings this year, and though I will be out of town for the first week of November, I am always easily reachable through email.
Email is, of course, the best way to reach me. (alan@dlair.net)
Thanks!
----------~alan m rogers
50,003 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 21 57
This is my fifth year doing NaNo, and I've won every year so far. My first year I was coming off a dissertation, so it was very liberating to write a trashy romance that no one would ever read. I haven't published anything fictional, but I have several academic articles out there and a book on Radiohead coming out sometime next year.
I am constantly on e-mail, so I can offer a hatchling support in that fashion. I'll also be hosting Tues. morning write-ins at the Flightpath Coffeehouse (check the calendar), so you can find me in person there and also at some of the evening write-ins. I won't be around much on the weekends in November, and I'll be out of town for two of them in the middle. I can offer advice on getting motivated and unblocking to move forward.
I can support one hatchling to start with -- contact me via e-mail at marianne at illuin dot org.
Cheers!
------------
Marianne
32,145 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 23 10
Hello! This is my first Nano. I've chosen to write a mystery novel, for which I've got a good handle on the characters, and only a moderate hold on the plot (although maybe that's for the best.) I love the genre, and I've taken some advice from a writing book to heart, and picked up this awesome Humphrey Bogart era hat to wear while writing. ::grins::
I'm currently a psychology major with a minor in creative writing, but that's under re-evaluation this semester, as I may be in love with the editing side of the Rhetoric department. I'm a tad bit older than most undergraduate students, as I spent several years taking care of a parent with cancer, but I'm glad to be both back in school, and thrilled to be participating in Nano this year.
I hail from Little Rock, but have been formally adopted by the Austin group at the insistence of a good friend when he found out that we didn't have our own. What I'd love from a mentor is someone with either experience or enthusiasm for the mystery genre who can help me untangle what are sure to be some nasty plot threads, and who will provide support and encouragement. The ass kicking is totally optional, but appreciated...
Obviously since I'm so far away this will be purely an online relationship, a bonus for some, I'm sure.
I've written numerous short stories before, but nothing of this magnitude. My mystery novel is loosely titled "Truth on the Rocks." It should be part humor, part adventure, part traditional for the genre. I've decided to go against the grain and cast the main character as something other than a traditional detective type (she's a reporter), and the setting is during the tail end of the Silicon Valley era (it's essential for one of the main plot points that technology be around, but not that accessible). It has a Russian Mafia boss who isn't actually a Russian Mafia boss, an annoying co-worker who you can't live with but it's not legal to kill, and an Editor who abuses a few too many non-prescriptive substances (with good reason!)
If I sound like someone you'd want to adopt, send me a Nanomail or an email at shadowcat26 at gmail dot com.
----------"Writing is an acceptable form of Schizophrenia." ~E. L. Doctorow
50,064 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 14 29
Hi,
My name is Sara (Aka Tathry) I've lived in beautiful RoundRock/Austin area for a little over 5 years now, but was born and raised in Colorado. I have always loved writing, and finished my first novel in January. I heard about NaNo from a cousin, and had to check it out.
I am an avid pet lover, and spend my free time with my hubby, daughter and Border Collie. In whatever spare time I have left, I am an administer/coder/writer on a MUD (for those who don't know what that is, think World of Warcraft, and replace the pretty pictures with text *drool*)
If I sound like someone you would like to mentor, feel free to email me or nanomail me :)
3,759 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 20 36
Hello - I'm a austinite, UT grad and make my living by writing in a less fun way. This is my first attempt to sit down and write something fictional and substantial, and otherwise i just jot outlines and random chapters for sudden ideas in my notebook when I'm bored at work. I decided to give NaNoWriMo a try after years of never hearing a dang thing about it, and suddenly in one night I went to two seperate gatherings where freaking everyone was all about NaNoWriMo. I had an idea I'd been tossing around for an odd, hopefully humorous orwellian-ish satire, so I thought I'd give it a shot fleshing it all out. (I promise I'm not as pretentious as that sounds.)
In a mentor, I'm really just looking for someone with a sense of humor who'll shoot me the occasional message, give some advice, browbeat me into working on days when I'm just too ticked off at work or life to want to do anything but sit on my couch and watch old reruns. I'm not much for inspirational speeches, quotes or cheese unless they are well hidden in humor - but i have a feeling I'm going to desperately need someone to not just gently push, but shove me along the way now and then.
Please contact me through nanowrimo if you think you're a good match
Here's hoping I don't give up after a week.
72,059 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2009 - 09 23
Hi All!
I've been in Austin for about a year and a half now. I work at BookWoman, spend hours and hours and hours dancing, and I also write. This will be my 5th NaNo, and hopefully my second win. This year, my novel will be a re-imagining of the gospel stories, with gender-bending and cross-dressing. Whee!
I'm good at poking at people and checking in on them, making sure they're actually writing. I can give motivational quotations or just bug you until you get your rear in gear and start writing. I'm not above offering small bribes. I also am a really good listener if you just need to vent.
I could take one hatching this year.
Prospective hatchings should email me at whipplea AT gmail DOT com
----------www.allysonwhipple.com
My Lulu.com storefront
2005-2007: Epic fail!
2008: Winter White Lights (Winner!)
2009: Loveless Gospels
50,637 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 11 56
Okay, so here it is, the first Mentor/Hatchling roster. Remember, you must nanomail me once you've paired up in order to make the roster. And, in case you were wondering, mentors are listed first, with their hatchlings following.