USA :: California :: Los Angeles

[STICKY] The Grand Write-In Thread

Composr — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:49:04 +0000

To help with clutter, and to give us a place to pull events from, try to use this thread to post write-ins we should know about!

We will add events to the calendar as we confirm them, but since we might not be able to add every single event in time, be sure to post the info here!

You can also use this post to request a write-in near you! Have fun, and good luck!
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~*~*~*~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NaNoWriMo 2006: 別の世界に (~18k )
NaNoWriMo 2007: Matu'a (~52k)
NaNoWriMo 2008: The Mountain Trenar (53k)
NaNoWriMo 2009: I Parma Táriva i Lómino (0k)
NaNoWriMo 2009: Honu Hana Hocus Hag (0k)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Questions about what happens after the deadline.

A_Pez — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:10:29 +0000

Hello,
I just found out about NaNoWriMo yesterday and signed up today. I know I am to late to participate in this years event but I am definitely going to participate next year. I was wondering though. Do people still interact on the site during the rest of the year and arrange writing events or does hibernation mode set in until next year? Thank you.
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

No Vampires?

murgento — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:41:16 +0000

How many of you our there are stabbing a friggin stake through the overly popular (don't know why) vampire novel by not writing one? It's my understanding that there is only one good vampire writer out there and her name is Anne Rice.

That being said, I applaud all of you who have taken the steps into originality and are working on something that has absolutely NOTHING to do with vampires or werewolves, or werewolves that date vampires who have things for regular humans, or vampires who can't vote cause the Frankenstein in office won't consider them real people.

Bravo to you,
and to the rest of you who ARE writing a vampire novel this year... good for you dot dot dot BUCKET OF SUCKFISH.
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Writing so many words, that Webster's is thinking about doing a dictionary JUST on me.

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

SUNDAY NIGHT WRITING EVENT

ellivllams — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:53:19 +0000

I will be driving back home from the holiday on sunday morn/afternoon. There is a write in session in weho at 11am but i cant make it. anyone else doing nano somewhere else that night?
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CL

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Anybody in Long Beach

RobPreece — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:14:54 +0000

Hi Guys,
I'm in Long Beach. Wonder if anyone is writing here. We could maybe to a write-in at Borders or someplace else. I've been blocked for months now and am counting on Nano breaking me free.

Rob Preece
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Check out my books at www.BooksForABuck.com

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

WRITE INS! [San Fernando Valley]

Rowan. — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:10:01 +0000

We don't have a Calendar yet, but I'll try and get one going as soon as I figure out what will work.
I'm not too enamoured of Google Calendar, I'm looking for something else.

This post is going to be a basic list of locations that I am holding write ins in, and I hope that it expands to other locations. Eventually this thread will get too long and we'll have to start other threads, but it is a start.

My favourite location of all time:

House of Brews
231 N Maclay Ave
San Fernando, CA

This is a nice little coffeeshop with some great food, and free wireless access with purchase, which really means with one person getting the password and whatnot. One of the cons is that the parking is not terribly great around there, as I believe that it is limited to street parking, however, it is also accessible via public transit lines 234, and if you want to walk, 734.

Along the line of independent coffeeshops that write ins are good at, we all may remember Lulu's Beehive, where Chris Baty came to LA what was it, two years back?

Lulu's Beehive
13203 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA

They have longer hours than House of Brews does, and they're pretty close to the various Ventura Blvd buses. Again, parking can be a bit of an issue, but they at least have a small parking lot behind them. Again, good coffee, some other good drinks, and definitely good food there, as far as the sandwiches that they serve goes.

Aside from those two, I am also planning on the Starbucks near where I live, because I can walk there.

Starbucks
15355 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA

This is a Starbucks in a little shopping center that has an adequate parking lot to accommodate us Wrimos. Decent enough, though it gets a bit loud, and it definitely isn't the roomiest of them all. But it works, and we can definitely do write ins there. Another pro of Starbucks is that without the free internet, there can be more writing done and less other distraction. There are a fair few outlets, and as usual, if we're expecting a high turn out, I can bring a power strip. I know I have enough of them. It is accessible via public transit along either Sherman Way or Sepulveda.

Starbucks at the Plant
7227 Van Nuys Blvd
Van Nuys, CA

Very large parking lot, because this one is located in a major shopping center. It also has a lot more room than the other Van Nuys one that is closer to where I live, although I believe it has less outlets. Again, I can definitely bring a power strip. The only real con of this Starbucks is that it is right across the street from a high school, and so in the morning before school and at around 1500, it gets a bit crowded with the school crowd. I should know, I attended high school there. Again, this one is also accessible via public transit along Van Nuys Blvd.

Pierce College: Freudian Sip
Pierce College

This is, of course, where I attend college. I figure that although the coffeeshop is very busy, it is a good place for those of us on that campus to meet up and then we can go elsewhere. I am on college campus Mondays, Wednesdays, and a bit of the day Friday although I can certainly stay longer.

Panera
5300 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA

This is the end of the Orange Line in North Hollywood, and at the North Hollywood start of the Red Line, and so there is that big Metro Parking lot as well. And what can I say, it is Panera. People apparently like it although I have never really been in there more than just getting water myself. I'm open to this for write ins as well, though as it is a little far for me comparatively with the other locations I've listed for SFV write ins, this one should be a weekend place.

So, where do you all do write ins? Who is going to be up for meeting me where? What days and what times do we want to have the big gatherings, when do we want the small ones? I would love to be able to have at least three write ins a week in the San Fernando Valley, and I hope folk in other parts of LA take the same sort of initiative. I always feel like there aren't enough events that are going on that are accessible to people who live in the San Fernando Valley, and I would really like to change that this year.

~Rowan

PS. If you read this far, you get to know that I try and bring some sort of candy with me to write ins that I organise. And I'm usually pretty generous with handing it out, so that people can use candy as incentives if they want to while they are at the write in.
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The past is strapped to our backs. We do not have to see it; we can always feel it.
Unofficial IRC Chat for Nano! Click here.

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Hey hey, from the South Bay (Carson, Gardena, Long Beach, Torrance, etc.)

KwaS — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:40:04 +0000

Intro thread for the writers in this area!

Where's your favorite out of the house spot for writing 'round these parts? I tend to venture to cafes and larger bookstores over on the West Side (Borders w/ Seattle's Best Cafes) because I'm addicted to the seasonal gingerbread lattes and there are NO large bookstores w/ hot beverages in Carson. :(

Do you have a title/plot yet? I don't, but I do have plans to attend a write-in or two this year. I work full-time and this will be my 7th(!) NaNo; I completed my first 5.

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Torrance?Redondo?..

foureyesandalibis3 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:32:07 +0000

I'm down in Torrance and was wondering if anyone else was in that area?...
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Los Angeles area locations in your novel

PrimitivePrime — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:52:46 +0000

Is anyone else writing a novel that takes place in the Greater LA area? Are you at least inspired by real things in the greater Los Angeles area?

For me, important scenes happen in our local San Gabriel mountains especially at a place very similar to Dawn Mine, an old abandoned gold mine above the Pasadena area. http://www.e-adventure.net/land/mining/dawnmine.html

Much of the rest of the story is taking place in Littlerock, CA. It's a desert community north of the mountains, but still in LA county.
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

We are in Third Place.

SpaceXDebris — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:40:16 +0000

Public Service Announcement:

The Los Angeles Region has surpassed Austria and Germany to take third place in total words. WOOHOO!

Maryland is just on the horizon. Keep writing everyone! We can do it! #2!!
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"If history is to change, let it change. If the world is to be destroyed, so be it. If my fate is to die, I must simply laugh" -- Magus (Chrono Trigger)
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"Once you decide 'why,' the 'how' reveals itself."

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Writing Buddies?

CourierKnew — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:08:45 +0000

Anybody want a writing buddy out there? I'd like one; I'm 20 years old and am writing either a comedy or a drama. I haven't gotten far enough to figure out which one it is.

I thought that I could look for a fellow writer in my area over on this forum.

I'm sort-of new to this. I've known about it for a while and tried it once two years ago and gave up right away.
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-- Jordan L.

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Downtown, Silverlake, Echo Park

Storeetllr — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:25:40 +0000

Hi, y'all! It might be a little early yet to make plans, but I'm up for getting together once or twice a week for write-ins. Last year we met at the Downbeat Cafe near Sunset and Alvarado (1202 N. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, CA), and it worked pretty well for our group which numbered anywhere from one to about 12. In previous years, we've also met at The Coffee Table on Rowena near Hyperion in Silverlake. Both have outlets for laptops, good coffee, tasty food for not too outrageous prices, and welcome writers and writing groups. It would be great to get together with fellow WriMos on a regular basis.
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Mary w/a Storeetllr
http://storeetllr.livejournal.com/
'06: The Landlord's Other Daughter - WON!
'07: Temping a Desperate Man - WON!
'08: The Last Dog (51,252 words) - WON!
'09: Dragon Flower
Be nice to me or I'll put you in my NaNo novel.

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

The Alcove?

lizross — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:35:49 +0000

Any more write-ins happening at The Alcove on Hillhurst?
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Hey from Avalon! Come write on Catalina Island...

grinbunny — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:35:09 +0000

The Avalon chapter of NaNoWriMo has doubled it's members since last year! We now have 2 people!! I'll be posting dates for write-ins and word wars on occasion even though most of you will have to take a boat to get here. All write ins will be held at Courtyard Coffee in the Landing coartyard. If you'd be interested in getting away for a weekend to write by the sea, shoot me an email at Hannahstinkyface@hotmail.com. (I may even be able to get you discounts on hotel rooms or put you up with friends.) Everyone is welcome!
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"Whatever happens, happens."

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Wrimos in South Pasadena?

meowlory — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:19:50 +0000

I'm looking to get together with other wrimos and have a write-out in South Pasadena. We have three Starbuck's in town
as well as Buster's and Kaldi. I'm thinking Sunday afternoon might be a good time, say 2-5 pm on November 22nd and November 29th. Any takers? Thanks.

meowlory
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

does any of this work? I don't think I've received a single email

bjanko — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:50:54 +0000

I've received 3 emails from Nanowrimo t his month. No emials from admins, who I asked about functionality bvefore. Is par for the course?

bjanko

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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Much Ado About Noveling

hockeygoon — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:52:30 +0000

I'm at 39k and really forcing my plot along, and I don't really mean that in a good way. I swear that every inspirational email is somehow the result of a mind meld direct from my brain to theirs. It's uncanny.

And I really don't know why I'm writing this post, other than to share, because at the moment I feel like nobody gives a damn! Maybe it's because a write-in didn't happen for me today... no kindred spirits to bolster my mood...

HOW MY LIFE IS AFFECTED
I have had too many "writer's moments" - those times when you spend an hour in the grocery store to buy two items because your mind is still trying to work your characters out of a sticky situation you hadn't intended them to get into. Or when you drive past your three-year-old's preschool because the dream you had might be relevant and it still feels so fresh... and the preschooler says, "Mommy, you passed the turn."

HOW I KEEP WORD COUNT UP
In the interest of speeding along, I have foregone the thesaurus (and Shift-F7) and simply write slanties around the word closest to it, like /dumbass/ for idiot and /thing/ for alien. (Although why I would do that when there are no aliens in my novel...) It will be easy to go back through and know I meant something else when I come across those slanties, or better yet, when I do a Ctrl-F to find them so i can apply a better word. Of course, editing will be far, far more work than that, so it's not really even worth worrying about.

HOW I MAKE/FIND TIME
Writing at home with the hockey game on in the background or the preschooler demanding that I "buffer up" doesn't work for me. I have to escape. And a venti soy caramel macchiato with whipped cream doesn't hurt to add a little motivation to find the car keys. I can type 140 words a minute, which means my novel could be finished in - what - 360 minutes? So, 6 hours. Who needs a month! Well, being able to actually say something at 140 words a minute is nigh impossible. I am managing much better than last year, but while quantity is up, quality is down. But that's okay, because I'm UP!

WHAT'S IT ALL FOR
Yes, I love writing. Even if every word I write is horrid contrived elephant dung. Even if I work with book publishers who smile /patronizingly/ when I tell them how excited I am to be ahead on my word count, or how much fun I had slaughtering a shipload of space pirates. Even when I'm alone at Starbucks and I know that just a few blocks away there might be a table full of people just like me. Even when my husband says, "Again?" when i am bolting out the door. Yes, I couldn't not do it. I write for the same reason i breathe - because I must.

All right. That's it. Good night, Angelenos!

Feel free to share! Love to hear all the insanities. And need a little diversion...

Ingrid

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2009 Goal: Get out and meet people.

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

malibu/santa monica?

ctreadwell — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:07:06 +0000

Anybody in Malibu or Santa Monica? I'm looking for a write-in or just a good place to go to write.

Thanks,

Caroline
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Culver / West Side?

leenahyena — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:10:26 +0000

I've been writing the past few days at Tanner's Cafe on Sepulveda - is anyone else in the area? I'm thinking I might head over to Teaforest on Washington one of these days, but do you have any other good, cozy suggestions?
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Culver City Lunch Date Write-In!

jubilee319 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:58:21 +0000

A couple of us will be out with notebooks and laptops for a lunch date nanowrimo write-in Tuesday 11-1:30pm at Grand Casino Cafe on Main Street - downtown Culver City...they make bomb sandwiches and it's a great location! Hope to see some of you guys there! :) Hopefully we can start a weekly group for the rest of the month! yipeee!
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Pico-Roberston Area?

melondrop — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:53:14 +0000

Hi, does anyone live in the Pico-Robertson area? I guess sort of westside, beverly hills-adjacent-ish? I am new to LA and I'm curious (and also I don't exactly know the name of where I live, haha.)

I've been writing at the Starbucks on La Cienega, near Wilshire, and at the Border's on La Cienega, near Beverly Blvd. anybody near there? =)
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Never so sure
We always take more
Though we still don't know what it's for

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Weeeeeeeeere back!

diannelamerc — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:03:16 +0000

Hey everyone!

For this year's challenge I'm moving apartments on the weekend of 10/31-11/2! *facepalm*

At least most of the planning will be competing for forum time, not novelling time...

wait... that's not good either... :-p
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Participant since 2001 ~ Winner since 2002!

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

Word Wars!

Storeetllr — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:25:14 +0000

Hi! I've been doing short (half hour) word wars with a NaNo buddy from the East Coast. Though I'm still dreadfully behind, they have helped get me back in the running. Anyone from So. Cal. care to indulge? If so, we could pick a day/time and just go to it, get the So. Cal. word count up (not to mention everyone's who joins in).

So, how about it?
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Mary w/a Storeetllr
http://storeetllr.livejournal.com/
'06: The Landlord's Other Daughter - WON!
'07: Temping a Desperate Man - WON!
'08: The Last Dog (51,252 words) - WON!
'09: Dragon Flower
Be nice to me or I'll put you in my NaNo novel.

USA :: California :: Los Angeles

NaNo Thanksgiving Dinner in West LA: R U Interested?

ZenWitch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:00:37 +0000

I'd like to know how many people would come to a Thanksgiving dinner at my house in Bel Air, November 26th. My wife and I are thinking this could be an "Orphan NaNo" Thanksgiving, a place to go to have a nice dinner and be a write-in with people coming early (noon) or staying later (evening) to write or just talk about how it's going. Dinner would be at 3 PM. Bring your own alcohol.

Since this would be a fair amount of work and expense on my part, I need to know:

- Would you definitely come? If yes, how many people? (It can you just you or plus guests.)

- Would you be willing to pay $15 up front for food? There would be a variety of traditional items and some vegetarian dishes too. You'd pay the $15 via EventBright.com (you can use a credit card or PayPal on the site) and it would be nonrefundable.

My house is a major party house with a panoramic view of Los Angeles. People could bring laptops if they want to make it a write-in. There is wifi and after the main meal, we'd just leave food out. If enough people want to do this, it could be really fun!!

Please reply here or email me directly at nanowrimo@charter.net and let me know.

Here are some answers to what might be questions for you. Because I've done many, many parties at my house, I've learned some lessons...

Can I just "stop by" and not pay? No, this doesn't work well. My wife and I have to do a lot of prep and food will be out, so naturally there's no way to determine if someone's contributed to the cost or not. You can certainly come later in the day, after the main 3 PM dinner, but we still need to charge. Each person attending would need to pay the $15 no later than Monday 9 PM.

Can I contribute something, bring some food or wine and pay less or not pay? We've experimented with pot lucks and when it's a one-time event with strangers, we've found this doesn't work. Large open dinners like this work well when I know how many people are committed to coming and have paid. Then I can buy that much food. I'll still be footing the majority of the bill. If you want to drink wine or beer or alcohol then that part is BYOB.

Can I get a refund if I can't come because of some major event, accident, act of God, that prevents me from coming at the last minute? At some point, I still have to pay for the food and drink and I can't get it back, so, I can't do refunds either. That's why I need to know who's really interested in this so it doesn't end up with me doing tons of work and people not showing.

Can I bring others if they're not part of NaNo? Sure! We still need to know how many are coming so just buy more "tickets" at EventBright.com for the dinner. The more the merrier.

So, given all these nasty rules, would you like to come to an awesome house high atop the Bel Air Hills and have a fun Thanksgiving Day with a bunch of other Nanos? Parking is easy. Lots of space to hang out in. And overall it'll be fun.

I just need to know if there's a critical mass of enough people to actually do a Thanksgiving Dinner.
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USA :: California :: Los Angeles

LA Chatroom!

NotAnselAdams — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:23:46 +0000

Hey, everyone! A couple of us Angelenos decided we wanted to have our own NaNo chat room, so ... we made one!
Authors in LA welcome, but anyone's free to join! Come on in!

on IRC: irc.goodchatting.com, port 6667
room #nano-la

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USA :: California :: Los Angeles