Please join me for Day One of NaNoWriMo at the River Ranch C.C'.s. on Sunday, November 1st, 2009.
NOTE: This is the coffee shop by the City Club, and not the one with the drive-through window over on Camellia, closer to Kaliste Saloom.
The Official Introductions and Discussion hour to meet each other and talk about our books is 4 PM.
However, I'll be there from noon to six (approximately) and I have the meeting room reserved for all day.
Address:
1042 Camellia Boulevard
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
Hours:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Phone:
337-981-6167
Free High Speed Internet Access
Please bring your writing machine (or paper materials), yourself, headphones if you like, any reference material you might like to share or show off, and your enthusiasm. Non-NaNo folks are not forbidden (but they might get bored watching us type).
Can't wait to see you there!
Sean Landry/apathos
----------
God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
40,032 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2009 - 19 55
The Magic Hour is almost here!
(And I only have names for maybe three of my characters! Nice.)
Two quick notes:
(a) I'll be at the C.C.'s as early as I kind stand to wake up. I will start working on my book at the stroke of midnight, but I'll try not to stay up all night! I would like to make a big start, however.
(b) There's no rule that says you must update your word count daily, but I encourage it. You will naturally feel more confidence if you can make a nice little ladder shape on that bar graph showing your ever-increasing output, and I would also love to know where we as a region stand on a our word total on a given day, simply because it makes me happy. :)
To unofficially adjust you total word count, simply type a number in that little box next to your user name at the top of any page of this website and hit the "Update" button!
(Enter your word total, not the amount you want to add to it. Whatever word processor program you use, it should have any easy feature that lets you check your word count.)
Update this count as many times per day as you like (I like to update it every fifteen minutes--very gratifying!), but the number you've entered as of the stroke of midnight will be the number registered permanently on that bar graph.
The official word count validation robot will become available on November 25th. Until then, we will all do own own unofficial counting.
Good luck! See you in the morning, I hope!
SeaN
----------God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
40,032 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2009 - 22 20
Update: The special room is $20 an hour/ $100 per day, so I'll just be sitting wherever we can fit. I'll be the little guy with the silver Toshiba laptop and the towering stack of reference books.
~SeaN
God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own (but sadly, not his own room).
----------God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
3,056 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2009 - 23 15
I hope to see you there, Sean!
----------http://www.hinchy.us/ - my site.
3,056 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 08 12
Hey, where are you? I'm at the River Ranch CC place and I don't see a little guy with a Toshiba laptop and a towering stack of reference books. I'm the husky guy with the blue and white shirt and the silver macbook in the back corner.
----------http://www.hinchy.us/ - my site.
40,032 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 09 57
I am here, folks!
Hinchy found me at the River Ranch C.C.'s (it's easy to get the two Camellias confused). Leviathan is also her and we are each in our own corner. It's a perfect day for writing, and the mood in the cafe is tranquil and pleasant.
Hope to see more of you as the day progresses!
----------God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
22,281 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 12 31
Checking in from the CC's in River ranch.
9,340 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 21 06
It was great meeting everyone there today!!! My boyfriend decided after seeing me excited today to try and write as well and has hit his goal for today. I'm hoping I can talk him into coming along to the next write in we can make and getting him to meet everyone
----------Not quite sure what I got myself into...
22,281 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 22 16
Awesome! The more the merrier, definitely! It was a lot of fun tonight. Exactly what I needed. I'm really pumped and I'm looking forward to seeing you and all of the others who were at CC's again. Good luck writing and keep spreading the word!
~Joy
46,447 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 23 59
Whoa!! Some of you already have 7k words!! Well done and I'm especially jealous just because I wasn't in town for the first few write-ins :( I could probably use that extra motivation to get my story well under way. Hopefully I'll be back within a week so I can get in on the action though. I might set something up for CC at river ranch when I am in town because I live right above that shop in the Crescent.
-Jim
40,032 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 04 40
Oh, great location for you, then! We'll have to have some more meetings there, definitely. Sunday, we found it was a very nice place to write, especially in the morning. Very peaceful.
It's cool that you mentioned Easter Island. I have Atlantis as a backdrop for my novel, and I was already planning to use a couple of famous islands for certain chapters. I have not figured out where those big stone heads could fit into my mythology yet.
Hmm, getting an idea now though. . . . :)
--SeaN
----------God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
3,056 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 13 02
Hey, who's going to the Library write-in today? I didn't get to write much yesterday so I'm going to try to get a ride there today so I can focus on writing - it's always easier for me to concentrate on a project when I've got other people to lean on, you know what I'm saying? Anyway, hope to see you all there.
----------http://www.hinchy.us/ - my site.
40,032 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 14 36
I am here now, at 4:30, with Soji. I'll be here another couple hours, then I have to split to watch TV at seven (premiere of V. Cannot miss that!). We are in the round booth behind the CD's and DVD's closest to the big window.
I am 400 words away from the goal I set myself for the day, so I'm feeling optimistic.
----------God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
54,773 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 15 14
Wish I could be there, but I'm getting ready to head over to a Spiderman-themed birthday party for my nephew. Fun, fun, fun! I'll try and make it next time around, though- I enjoyed meeting y'all at CC's! Hope everything is going well!
-Emily
1,364 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 17 20
I just found out about NaNoWriMo today from a YouTube video. I thought it would be fun to participate in!
22,281 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 21 36
Hi Tech2030!
Welcome to the madness! The "all for one, one for all" approach to the event makes it so much more enjoyable and by that I mean that we all have the same goal, and we're all in this together.
Yesterday and today were really busy for me and I completely forgot about the write-in. Sorry! I was looking forward to it too. So, Sean, when's the next one?
Cheers!
~Joy
40,032 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 09 51
Welcome, Tec!
Have you begun writing yet? Do you have a story you have been wanting to tackle? It's not too late to dive into the Nano. Let me know if you have questions!
Joy, today I am going to see what the schedule at my job looks like for next week. I'll try to schedule one or two meetings. I think we'll do C.C.'s again, either the River Ranch or maybe the College Drive location, if it's not on a busy weekend.
Does anyone have any feelings about a time and place for writings, or a request? I want to do something more to the north of Lafayette, for Zach, but I can try to schedule something to the south, maybe a library in New Iberia if any folks in the Abbeville or St. Martinville area are interested.
----------God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
43,498 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 11 33
I'm always available Thursday nights and all day on Sundays. My schedule changes randomly for the rest of the week, so I never know if I'm free.
I'll drive wherever in Lafayette, so just post them, and I'll show up.
22,281 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 13 41
Hey, I live in Carencro and the library in Carencro is awesome if you're looking for a place up north to have a meeting. Who's Zach?
~Joy
1,364 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 15 10
Hey thanks for the welcome guys! I've been trying to squeeze in writing between studying, work, and then my research paper which I have for my British Lit class. I've only been able to get out about 2000 words since yesterday. But its coming along!
The nights that work for me are Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. And as for the location I live close to both CC's that you mentioned, and also the Main Branch Library and the South Regional Branch Library. Even the North Regional Branch wouldn't be too far to drive, but I think Abbeville or New Iberia might be. But I'm not picky. lol Even if I can't make it to the next meetup I'd like to make it to at least one or two.
8,047 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 00 02
Okay, okay. Late start for me. Certainly not my traditional "Kick-Off with Halloween Candy." But I've started, and I'm thankful for that.
I hate that I missed the first meet-up, but I'm so glad the rest of you were able to get together. Very, very good for my morale to hear about the enthusiasm here! It's infectious!
By the way, Soterios...I checked out WriteMonkey, and I like it! This is just the kind of no-distraction program I need, one that simulates a typewriter, without the headache of correction tape! Thanks for the tip!
I'm partial to Southside (and food. and coffee.), but I'll go anywhere if I'm free!
- 'Ailina
----------- 'Ailina
Done: 2001-2008
Won: 2001-2004
Website: Portrait in Linen
30,055 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 03 51
Hi friends. Sorry this is my first post. I've been reading all of your posts/replies on my phone for a week now but haven' t made the time to sit down and introduce myself--I've been writing a book!
My name is Jered, and this is my second year doing NaNo. I finished last year with "Prayers for Icarus," a short Sci-Fi novel at about 57000 words, and have started "Song of Saints," another Sci-Fi set as a sort of sequel (or second half, really) to last year's work. I'm feeling the enthusiasm of the group and can't wait to meet some of you in person! I wasn't able to attend the introductory get-together on Sunday due to work, but I'll definitely make some time to get to another!
Best of luck to all of you!
40,032 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 05 35
Hi, Everett!
Good work! Those are very strong titles. Sounds like you are doing interesting things. Yes, please come by a write-in when you can make it to one. We'd love to meet you.
I've still not determined my work schedule for next week, but I should know more today, and I'll try to plan on something soon.
However, in the meantime, if ANY OF YOU are going to getting out of the house to write, at a coffee shop, library, or whatever, please feel free to announce it on the forums. Start your own post thread if you like. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate, just as simple as "I will be here at this time," or "I am here at this place now, drop by!"
Ailina, I'm glad to hear you've got started. Thanks for chiming in. Keep checking in. I'll be setting up some more opportunities for meets as soon as possible. I'll will definitely try to schedule for a proper sit-down meal for our wrap-up party, since nothing gelled for the launch party.
Happy noveling!
SeaN
----------God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
9,340 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 08 10
Days that work for me are usually Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in Lafayette. I have to be there for school anyways and I am sometimes available on weekends. Doctors appointments and tests have already gotten me behind on the word count but I am still plowing through. I have now written the beginning of my novel, a few paragraphs in the middle, and a portion I have no idea where it will fit in. Does this sound normal to those who have participated in previous years?
----------Not quite sure what I got myself into...
40,032 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 18 06
Uh-huh, absolutely.
Personally, I wouldn't have it any other way. I think some of us feel the need to write in a linear fashion--straight chronological order through chapter one, two, then three, etc.--but I find that to be unnecessarily difficult, like trying to put your shoes on standing up when you have a bench behind you to sit upon.
My approach is to invent characters, write them in the obvious situations, and then put them in yet more situations, and then extrapolate off of that. I generally have an opening scene early on in the process, and plenty of middle chapters, and before too long, a closing image. I am missing all the transitions, but when I don't know what to write on a new day, I write one of those bridge sequences, even if it is just sketchy. That gets me started for the day.
Is this the best way to work? There's no correct answer to that question.
I find it more exciting to jump around, following inspiration, even if it turns out to be something that winds up not fitting in well with the rest of the narrative. Anything that ups your word count is positive. Take a chance.
One benefit of this approach is that you can easily go back (or forward) to insert details that need to correspond with each other. Have an image you want to echo later? Just jump straight to the later scene and write the idea down (even if it is just in brackets or italics, like a stage direction).
Having said that, someone else might find this scary, and more problematic than helpful, which is a perfectly legitimate opinion.
In my personal experience, I've written hundreds of false starts of stories that did not get finished. It's easy to start a tale, and much, much harder to figure out what comes next. Insisting on progressing forward in a straight march can lead to a big wall of writer's block. Some of you might have already discovered this.
I tend to avoid big action scenes, even though I write the kinds of stories and characters that are built for action stories. I find the play-by-play of "he does this, she does that, he counters with this" to be tedious. I'd rather jump around, explore dialogue, or have people travel weird places. I write the fun stuff!
DISCLAIMER: I've "won" NaNo twice, but that just means I've achieved the necessary word count goal. Nothing more. I have the bulk of two manuscripts, 90-95% of each story, or so I believe. Both of my novels are very skimpy around the climactic sequences, the hard parts. If I want to make them publish-worthy, I will have to roll up my sleeves and do the real work (and editing is no fun, but don't worry about that now. Put it out of your mind, because that thought--"Is this good?"--kills productivity and exploration).
That was a great question, Terilyn. Thank you! I hope this was helpful. If you are a person like me, one who likes to jump around and construct the story as you see fit, then take heart. It's normal, or at least, my version of normal.
----------God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.
46,447 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2009 - 01 08
My take: write all the odd chapters first. Then go back and realize the reason you accidently wrote those initially is because even chapters are filler (read: even chapters are for suckers!). Seriously though, I've found that I get about 2-3k words into a chapter and know that it needs to longer, but I've found a convenient stopping point so I put it on hiatus. Go to the next action scene and smack away at the keys there until the same thing happens.
I think we do that just because an outline just won't cut it when you're planning a really long book. The stuff I've written so far is probably just a skeleton for a book or, as I like to think of it, a more elaborate outline than the one I scratched out on a separate sheet of microsoft word paper before november.
Anyway cheers and keep up the good NaNoWriMing everyone!
-Jim
22,281 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2009 - 06 55
Sean and j.stiernberg, awesome commentary!
I have definitely taken the approach of writing all of the odd and fun chapters first. There's a reason cut and paste was invented. Happy writing to everyone. I took a few days off, but I'm excited to be back at it bright and early this morning.
~Joy