United States :: Texas :: Austin

>oo< Online Write-Ins for Virtual Penguins

akelsey333 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:14:38 +0000

The Austin NaNo chatroom is up and running! Come and join us for nightly NaNo chats, words of encouragement and awesomely fantastic wordcount-boosting Word Wars with everyone's favorite bot, Battle Jesus.

The chats will be held every night from 9 pm - 11 ish.

Keep in mind that the chatroom needs to stay family friendly for the younger writers, so keep it PG-13, please ;)

~~~

To use the GoodChatting site:

Go to http://www.goodchatting.com/rooms/nanoaustin.php

The owner of GoodChatting.com would like users to register their nickname. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to the website. Fill in the "Nickname" text box with the name you'd like to register and hit the connect button.
2. Type: /msg nickserv register YOURPASSWORD YOUREMAIL
3. That's it. Quick and painless.

The next time you connect to the server:

1. Type your nickname in the "Nickname" textbox and hit connect.
2. Type: /msg NickServ IDENTIFY password (replacing "password" with your password) and hit the enter button.

You're ready to chat and Word War with us.

~~~

You do not need to download an IRC client to use the chat. However, if you actually know what this means, and you would like to use one:

For Windows: GoodChatting suggests you use mIRC software (http://www.mirc.com). Although it mentions a 30 day trial, this is actually a free program with the option to donate to their project.

For the Mac: Snak (http://www.snak.com/Snak.html) or Colloquy (http://colloquy.info/) are both fine options/

Everyone:To connect to our channel, go to the server list and select "Goodchatting." Then select "Random Server." The pop up needs to be filled out in this order:

GoodChatting.com
irc.goodchatting.com
6667
#nanoaustin

Then fill out your nickname, hit connect and you should be in. The next time you log in, you should just be able to connect, since it seems to save the last client you used.

~~
If you have any questions, feel free to post them here and I'll do my best to answer =)

Thank you, Julie and the crew at GoodChatting.com for donating your server and software to the Austin Penguins during NaNoWriMo.
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United States :: Texas :: Austin

Events: Week Two

lazym — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:51:43 +0000

Here's a handy text version of our calendar for week two of NaNoWriMo.
Chances are that there will be additions - and there may be some changes, so check back before setting out.

SUNDAY, NOV. 8

What: Write-in at Café Caffeine
When:New time! 2 pm – 5 pm
Where: Café Caffeine - South Austin 909 W. Mary St., Austin, TX
What: Weekly write-in with your Austin Municipal Liaison, lazym at one of our partner cafes. Look for a write-in sign and a penguin.
Who: Age 13 and over, please. No need to RSVP or adhere specifically to these hours, though live music is scheduled for 5 pm.
Contact: lazym

What: San Marcos Write-in New addition!
When: 6 pm – 9 pm
Where: First Christian Church 3105 Ranch Road 12
What: Write-in just a few miles west of San Marcos. The church has given permission to use the space; this is not a religious event. The church has a big kitchen, and some food (maybe burgers or lasagne) will be provided. Bring more food and your own non-alcoholic drinks.
Who: All ages are welcome. Please RSVP so MusicalMe can purchase supplies.
Contact: MusicalMe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MONDAY, NOV. 9

What: Write-in with the Austin Java Company
When: 7:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: Austin Java Café and Bar - Centralish 1206 Parkway, Austin, TX
Description: Join with the Austin Java Company writer's group for a NaNoWriMo write-in. Monday is $3 wine night. Look for BubbaSue the penguin, and expect “the group” to be scattered around the place.
Who: We suggest you be 18 or over to attend this write-in due to possible adult discussions and salty language. No need to RSVP.
Contact: Mex Headroom
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TUESDAY, NOV. 10

What: Write-in at Flightpath
When: 9 am – 11 am
Where: Flightpath Coffeehouse – near 51st 5011 Duval St., Austin
Description: Join returning Wrimo Marianne (mtb0001) for morning writing every Tuesday in November. To find Marianne, look for the Moomintroll on the table.
Who: It's OK to bring your kids if they are well-behaved and don't bother the writers. No need to RSVP.
Contact: mtb0001

What: Write-in at Genuine Joe’s
When: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: Genuine Joe Coffeehouse - North 2001 W. Anderson Lane, Austin
Description: Join veteran Wrimo mapelba at one of our partner coffeehouses every Tuesday night (except Thanksgiving week). mapelba will try to snag the big table, but expect the group to be scattered throughout the café. Look for the NaNo sign and Opus the penguin.
Who: This write-in is not especially for kids but well-behaved kids are welcome. No RSVP necessary.
Contact: mapelba
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11

What: Write-in at the Green Muse Café
When: 9 am – 11 am
Where: Green Muse Café - South 519 W. Oltorf St.
Description: For folks with their mornings free, here's a write-in for you! kswope has been hosting a morning write-in at the Green Muse for years. There's nearly always strange art and bad music. Gotta love South Austin - it's great for getting the creative juices flowing. You’ll usually find Kendra at the large table in the back room. Look for the penguin.
Who: This write-in is not especially for kids but well-behaved kids are welcome. No RSVP necessary.
Contact: kswope
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THURSDAY, NOV. 12

What: San Marcos write-in
When: 3:30 pm – 5: 30 pm
Where: The Coffee Pot, 129 E. Hopkins San Marcos
Description: Join Wrimo MusicalMe and other San Martians for a write-in every Thursday ('cept Thanksgiving). She'll be wearing her cranberry Novel-Writing Machine shirt.
Who: No RSVP necessary.
Contact: MusicalMe

What: Write-in at Roasters in Cedar Park
When: 4 pm – 6 pm
Where: Roasters Coffee Haven, 2011 Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, 78613
Description: Join veteran Wrimo RockinB and friends for a Cedar Park write-in every Thursday in November – ‘cept for Thanksgiving. RockinB reports that they’ve got plenty of plug-ins, and you’ll have no problems locating him. He plans: a monkey on his back, a “Caution, Crazy Novelist at Work!” sign, and a penguin.
Who: All ages welcome. No RSVP necessary.
Contact: RockinB

What: Write-in Pflugerville Library
When: 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: Pflugerville Community Library, 102 S. 10th St., Pflugerville
Description: Write-in with librarian and NaNo hatchling Julia Riley in the library conference room. Free wi-fi is available.
Who: All ages welcome. No RSVP necessary.
Contact: Julia Riley at 251-9185
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FRIDAY, NOV. 13

What: 12-hour Lockdown
When: 7 pm Nov. 13 – 7 am Nov. 14
Where: Writers League of Texas 611 S Congress Ave # 130, Austin, TX‎ 78704
Description: We'll meet at 7 pm and write until 7 am. We'll take breaks for snacking on our potluck fare and playing a few games. Please plan to stay all night - you can really rack up the word count at this event. Space is limited. You MUST RSVP for this event. Complete details are here
Who: You must be 18 or older to attend this write-in. No drugs or alcohol are permitted at the Writers League office.
Contact: lazym
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SATURDAY, NOV. 14

What: Kid-friendly write-in
When: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Where: Pflugerville City Park 515 City Park Road, Pflugerville
What: Write outdoors while the kids whoop it up around you. Ballyhoot, a returning Wrimo, will host this write-in every Saturday except the 21st. Bring drinks and snacks or a full-blown picnic. Bring a blanket and/or chair in case the stone picnic tables are taken. Stay as long as you like.
Meet at the stone picnic tables – Once you park, walk past the playscape – the tables are next to the gazebo. Look for a NaNo sign or a penguin.
Who: All ages are welcome, with or without kids.
Contact: ballyhoot

What: Write-in at Wells Branch Library
When: 1 pm – 6 pm
Where:Wells Branch Community Library 15001 Wells Port Dr., Austin, TX 78728
What: He may have gone away to college, but fortunately not too far to come home from time to time. Veteran Wrimo CreativeFlux will be hosting a write-in in one of the meeting rooms at the Wells Branch library. The meeting rooms are clustered across the breezeway from the library proper, and the Flux is going to make sure you can locate the right one. Look for some sort of sign and a plush penguin.
Who: All ages are welcome to come and write.
Contact: CreativeFlux

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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Housekeeping notices! Please read. (Update 11/2 ~1:30 am)

lazym — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:28:58 +0000

Please read the most recent item(s) in this thread for updates on things I'd really really like everyone to know.

Please make sure you affiliate with us, and make Austin your home region. If you're affiliated, I'll be able to reach you with informative and encouraging emails. If you are homed with us, your word count and donations will be included in our regional totals. Show your Penguin pride and home with us today.

If you are a returning Wrimo, please take a moment to make sure you are still homed with us, and don't miss the note below.

Here's how to get affiliated and homed:

If you’re not affiliated with Austin:
Go to My NaNoWriMo and click My Regions. On the Regions tab, locate Austin, and click Join. Then click Join again.
If you are already affiliated:
Do not pass Go. Proceed directly to the Home Region tab.
On the Home Region tab, click the circle beside United States::Texas::Austin, and click the Set Home Region button.
Now you’re homed with Austin!

NEW THIS YEAR: Please make sure you have accepted the Terms and Conditions. If you don’t, you’ll be a “user” instead of a “participant,” and your affiliating and homing will have no effect. Go to My NaNoWriMo and click Edit Info. User Settings. Scroll to the bottom on the account settings tab, read the text, and click all those boxes. Then click Submit and you’re an Official NaNoWriMo participant!
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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Austin word counts

lazym — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:26:37 +0000

Heyo! I've got some numbers for you, and I'll post them regularly in this thread. Last year, I was able to post these almost daily. This year I am sooooo busy that I can't promise that. But I'll do what I can. I know how much some of you love your numbers!
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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Show our ML Some Love

AdenPenn — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:55:25 +0000

Okay kids, today is Municipal Liaisons appreciation day. So let's give it up for our wonderous, amazingous, superous ML! Without whom none of the awesome fun we have in the capital city would be possible.

<3 <3 <3

All hail the Captain of Capital Ideas!
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Lushguins Rock! \m/ (>.<) \m/
Nano2008: Here Under Stars
Nano2009: An Agent of Change (a biography in chaos)

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Anyone at UT?

Missfrancon — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:39:41 +0000

Hey everybody! I'm just wondering how many of my fellow writers are at UT...I'm figuring in a school of what, fifty thousand? I can't be the only one here.
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United States :: Texas :: Austin

Insane things we Austin NaNos do during the month of November...

Da Shlom — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:03:45 +0000

I'll start (as I'm one of the more insane...). So, tomorrow at about 10 in the morning a good friend is coming to help me move into his condo. Very nice of him. Very NaNo of me, I'm still pounding away on this novel, trying to get 20k in before the end of the night. I'm about 30% through with the packing, and I foresee a move full of puzzling black plastic garbage bags, with mounds of stuff requiring unpacking and sorting. Hopefully I won't break too many things. Like my computer (strokes computer fetishistically*).

DaShlom

* Yes, during NaNo works like fetishistically are real. Just look: they're made from letters, right?
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---
Help, my keyboard's wearing out!!!
My NaNo blog for the year: http://nnwm09.blogspot.com/

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Under 18s in the hizz-ouse?

Lady Eshen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:56:35 +0000

Just curious to see how many of us Austin WriMos are under 18! This is my fourth year doing Nano and I'm 16. I know for a fact I'm not the only one... show yourselves, fellow minors!
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United States :: Texas :: Austin

Do a few words in Spanish count?

Snowbaby — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:14:01 +0000

One of my characters is living in Peru during part of the story, kind of in a Peace Corps type thing. Some of my dialogue is in Spanish. (It helps that I took a lot of Spanish in high school and college.) Those words count, right?

I looked in the rules forum, but couldn't find anything about this.
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Snowbaby
6 time-NaNo winner: 2002, '04, '05, '06, '07 and '08.
"What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within us out into the world, miracles happen" - Emerson

United States :: Texas :: Austin

>oo< Lushguin vs Crab Challenge 2009: Word Count Thread - PARTICIPANTS ONLY

lazym — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:54:17 +0000

Hello, Lushguins! lazym here. I am posting this thread for the fabluous flickguy because MLs have access to a special feature that allows us to post the same thread in two regions at once. This post, and your replies, will appear in both the Austin and Houston lounges. Now, how’s that for space-age technology?

Participants Only

If you have signed up for the optional 2009 Lushguins vs. Crabs Challenge, this is the official Word Count Thread. You must post ONE TIME on this thread, so we can easily track your numbers and see your progress in real time.

ONLY if your name is on the official Challenge list here, please post to this thread JUST ONCE.

When everyone has posted to this thread, we will lock it for tracking purposes.

So please post only ONCE.

If you are not an official Challenge Participant, please do not post here.

Did we mention only posting here once, and only if you are an official 2009 Challenge participant?

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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Houston

Write-in at Mozart’s on 11/7

lazym — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:02:20 +0000

Join us from 2-5 pm for our traditional first Saturday write-in at Mozart’s wonderful coffee space on Lake Austin. There isn't much parking in front, so be prepared to park in the parking lot up the hill on the other side of the street.

We’ll be scattered around at various tables outside, so look for write-in signs and penguins. I’ve also reserved the Grotto, directly underneath the building, for our group. Mozart’s doesn’t have a great system for letting folks know this space is reserved, so if we want to sit underneath, we may have to ask non-NaNoers to move.

I will bring some extension cords and surge protectors, but if you have these items, we might find them useful. According to the internoo, Mozart’s has free wi-fi.

If the weather is bad, I will still be there, and the Grotto will be available. After we fill the Grotto, we can begin colonizing the interior spaces of the cafe.

There is a write-in for kids and parents on Saturday morning in Pflugerville (see the calendar at the top of this forum). Since there is usually a crowd at Mozart's, we’re asking that folks be 13 and over to attend the Mozart's write-in.

Mozarts Coffee Roasters is located at 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703.
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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

South Austin Weekly Write-In Proposal: Summermoon

Myke22 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:14:34 +0000

Summermoon Write-In Proposal [X-posted]

I frequent Summermoon in South Austin; tiny, overcrowded parking lot, but good wood-fired coffee and plenty of outlets. Anyone up for a recurring Tuesday write in from 12PM-4PM? I'll bring a power strip. If parking lot is full, there's nearby off-street parking. I'll talk to barista(s) today and get details.

-M
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United States :: Texas :: Austin

Introductions!

lazym — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:14:39 +0000

Well, here we all are. But who are we? Inquiring minds want to know! Everything! So do tell.

If you’d like some starters, try these:

Have you done NaNo before? Are you new to Austin, but not to NaNo?
Do you know what you’re going to write? Have you picked a genre? A character? A title? Anything?
What’s your word count goal - are you trying for 50,000? Setting your sights higher or a little lower?
Will we see you in person at a write-in or party? (Sure hope so! )
What’s your greatest hope or fear for this November? Any ideas on how you’re going to manage your writing or that pesky real life stuff?
How did you choose your user name?
Anything else?

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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

The annual "Show Us Your First Line" post

helenathemuse — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:10:25 +0000

So, what's the brilliant, tender, thought-provoking, witty, life-changing first line of your NaNo novel?

Here's mine:

The paper slid underwater in the tray, ghostly beneath the dim red glow of the darkroom’s safety light. Tina pushed the wet corners with her tongs, agitating the chemicals as they drifted over the surface of exposed emulsion, the image materializing as if from a dream.

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_______________________
Deanna
Austin ScriptFrenzy ML
www.deannaroy.com

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Good NaNo Locations

Burgerlicious — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:20:08 +0000

Some people like to write at home, but others find that they're too easily distracted, or not focused enough when they try to write at home. I thought we might compile a running list of places around town that are good spots for people to escape and NaNo. If you're like me, you're always on the hunt for a cozy haunt but maybe aren't that familiar with where the good spots are to be found.

Please include the name of the place, the location, and what makes it a great place to NaNo.

I'll start with one I found while I was at work:

Bennu Coffee
2001 E. MLK Blvd, 78702 (East Austin)
It's open 24 hours, has lots of places to plug in, an endless supply of snacks and caffeine, cozy couches, and is usually inhabited by tons of other people also being productive with their laptops.
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NaNo 2009:

United States :: Texas :: Austin

San Marcos write-in this weekend!

MusicalMe — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:52:36 +0000

We're having another San Marcos write-in this weekend since I know some folks can't make it to the one during the week.

Where: First Christian Church (not a religious event - I work for the church and got permission to use the building for this)
Address: 3105 Ranch Road 12 - it's a few miles out of town
When: 6 p.m., Sunday, November 8th

The church has a big kitchen and I think someone's going to make burgers - please RSVP so we can get the supplies.

You're welcome to bring food or drinks (non-alcoholic please, given the location) and all ages are welcome.
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2008 - Finding the Words (epic fail)
2009 - Doxology (I can do this!)

United States :: Texas :: Austin

12-hour Lockdown Friday the 13th at the Writers League of Texas

lazym — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:30:10 +0000

From 7 pm on Friday, November 13th until 7 am on Saturday, we will write! We’ll also snack, socialize a little, and play a game or two. The 12-hour lockdown is a great way to boost your word count.

Please:

Be a registered NaNoWriMo participant
Be actively working on a novel
Be 18 or older – this is required by the Writers League insurance company
Plan to stay the whole twelve hours – that’s why it’s called a lockdown!
RSVP to receive the secret password.

Space is limited
RSVP is first-come, first-served. Once we’re full, we’re full. After that, I’ll start a waiting list. RSVP either to my NaNoMail, or to the gmail.com address I use for NaNoWriMo – lazymle. If you RSVP and then can’t make it, please let me know so someone else can take your place. Please don’t show up without the password!

What you’ll need to bring/do:

Bring potluck snacks to share during the long long night
Wear comfortable clothes, and bring a sweater in case it gets chilly
If you think you’ll need a nap, bring a pillow/blankie
Bring headphones – please make sure the sound doesn't bleed through
Arrive by 7 pm if possible. We’ll post the phone number at the door for emergency late arrivals.

No drugs or alcohol allowed.

What we’ll provide

Liquids – sodas, water, tea, and coffee, ice (there is also a soda machine in the building)
Extension cords and surge protectors (though it wouldn’t hurt to bring one if you have it)
Tables and chairs and one small couch
Access to the internet for folks who just can’t write without it
Access to the Writers League library

Where it is
Writers League of Texas, 611 S Congress Ave # 130, Austin, TX‎ 78704
This is a tall office building a bit off the street on the east side of Congress. It is just south of Riverside. There is ample parking in the rear.

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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

North Austin writers?

WittyGlib — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:14:33 +0000

Anyone living south of Cedar Park and North of Mopac looking for a regular write in and social gathering? Looking for a few hearty souls to share coffee and support.

WittyGlib
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United States :: Texas :: Austin

My sympathies to our Ft. Hood NanoWrimos

TexasDutchie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:01:17 +0000

It's a big base and yes, I'm being presumptious in thinking we might have a presence there. I hope that there our Ft. Hood NanoWrimos will use their writing for dealing with this situation. Isn't this the best refuge after all? My sympathies to all. And no, I'm not turning this into a political post of pro-anti war, pro-anti military. The setting is military, but the break down has happened all over the country in different times in different settings.

Writing can be good therapy. That's all I'm saying.

Peace, Namaste.

Ingrid aka TexasDutchie
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When we can name the systems and institutions that we must resist -- and change, and eventually destroy -- then we can begin the hard work of creating the path toward that change.
Robert Jensen

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Challenge 2009: Trash Talkin' Texas Style

lazym — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:07:44 +0000

Hello, Lushguins! This thread is cross-posted. That means it will appear in both the Austin and Houston forums simultaneously. Your replies to this thread will appear automagically in both the Austin and Houston regional lounges.
---------------------

Hiya! It's flickguy here, via lazym. I asked her to post this for me so it could be cross-posted to Houston.

My fellow Lushguins, as of Midnight on the morning of November 1, WE ARE AT WAR! A word count war, that is. Fighting to write the most words on average over our very worthy opponents in Maryland.

Here is the promised Trash Talk Thread, in which we will goad them into wasting precious hours bad-mouthing us while we ignore the bad-mouthing and write write write.

It's a brilliant strategy, no?

What follows is an excerpt from the Official Rules to remind us not to go overboard in our goading and bad-mouthing:

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Trash-talkin’

Each team will have a clearly labeled “trash talk” thread. The Lushguins trash talk thread will be in the Austin Lounge. Trash talk is to be posted ONLY to the trash talk thread and should remain in good fun and within the bounds of good sportspersonship.

Our God-like powers

Challenge Coordinators decide what “good sportspersonship” means.
We reserve the right to remove folks from the competition for any violation of the rules and guidelines listed above.
We are the final authority in any dispute or question about the rules.

Remember It’s All in Fun

In the heat of competition, we sometimes forget it’s just a game. If you have a concern or question about anything regarding the competition, please contact your challenge coordinator before you post.

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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Houston

Emails from your Municipal Liaison (ML)

lazym — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:48:18 +0000

Well, it looks like the website is pretty stable, but there may be a problem with the system MLs use to send you emails. In case you aren't getting emails from me - or Headquarters, for that matter - there could be several reasons. Rather than go into all the possibilities at the moment, I thought I'd start posting my emails on the forum. I'll make a reply in this thread each time there's a new one.

Update: 11/3
Since Halloween, there's been a giant clog in the NaNoWriMo email system, so I've avoided sending emails to our (currently) 1,744 affiliates. I've got a lot to tell the folks in our region, so I sent emails yesterday to our AuNoWriMo Yahoo and AuNoWriMo Facebook groups. Since not everyone is a part of those groups, I'm also posting it here. When the email system clears, you can expect to receive mails from me again via NaNoWriMo - assuming you're affiliated with Austin and have chosen to receive emails from the event.
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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Off-topic thread!

lazym — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:01:02 +0000

Every forum needs one of these. It's the perfect place to post information and have discussions that have virtually nothing to do with NaNo and novel-writing. So - have at it!
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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

>oo< Fill the coffee pot! (All about donations)

ciri — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:59:16 +0000

This year, the Austin Penguins have an ambitious goal: collect $4,000 for National Novel Writing Month. And you can help.

Last year 411 Austin writers donated a total of $2,268.87. That’s only $5.52 per person, less than the price of one takeout lunch. This year we’re aiming for $10 a person, the cost of two venti mochas at Starbucks.

Why donate? Think back to the first time you decided to write a story. Maybe it was just a short time ago. Maybe you’ve been penning tales ever since you could grasp a crayon. But there was something out there that called to you, that made you do it. It’s different for every writer, but that feeling is unmistakeable. That is some of the feeling we get when we participate in the amazing event that is NaNoWriMo. No time else, no place else, are hundreds of thousands of writers coming together to achieve the same goal. And NaNoWriMo is a nonprofit organization, which means that we are the ones that continue to fuel this collective machine.

Ways you can help:

1. Donate directly to NaNoWriMo with credit card, PayPal, or check. A $10 donation gets you a halo on the site. Higher donations have additional thank-you gifts. This is quick and easy.

2. Purchase merchandise from the NaNo store. Most merchandise makes around $6 for the Office of Letters and Light. Also, if you order “No Plot, No Problem” using the Amazon link on the front page, Amazon returns a small percentage to NaNo. This money goes to NaNo, but doesn't count for our local total.

3. At write-ins, drop your spare change into our coffee pot. Lazym, Ciri, and some write-in hosts will be collecting donations to send in to HQ. A dollar here and there can go a long way. Or even give up one of your fancy coffees or pastries in favor of giving the money to NaNo.

Get others to donate for you:

1. Blog about NaNo and put an icon on your site that links to AuNoWriMo PayPal donation page. Ciri will be collecting the money throughout the month and sending it in to HQ. The icon and PayPal code can be found here. The button numbers will be updated throughout the month as our donation totals go up.

2. Create a GiftTool site. NaNoWriMo makes it easy to make your own page by going here. Notify your family and friends that you’re raising money for NaNoWriMo. If you raise $200 or more by November 18, you’re eligible for the Night of Writing Dangerously on Nov 22nd in San Francisco. Money raised through GiftTool will not count for our region in the total donation numbers tallied on the website, but it helps NaNo all the same!

3. Ask your workplace about donating to NaNo and find out if they have a matching gift program. Some companies will donate to a charity in return for your volunteer hours. This way you can help out lazym at a NaNo event and make money for NaNo at the same time.

4. Offer incentives in return for donations. Let them read your novel as you write it. Create characters based on them. Bake them a cake (in December). Do all their Christmas wrapping. The possibilities are endless.

Broke?

1. GoodSearch donates a penny for every search, once you set up NaNoWriMo as your charity. The pennies add up! In 2008, GoodSearch donated over $1,200.00 to NaNo.

2. Keep an eye out for other opportunities. For example, LJ donated $1 per member who won NaNo last year. We'll be sure to post about offers like this on the Austin NaNo forum

Button and PayPal Code

Cut and paste the following code into your blog!

It will look like this:

(but with the fancy PayPal linkage)

Ciri will be continually updating this blog to keep everyone updated about our donations, and will post about any other donation opportunities we come across. For more information on what happens to your donation, check Where Donations Go on the NaNo website.
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No one told me there would be *work* involved.

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Writer's Resources - reaching 50K

lazym — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:04:48 +0000

Last night at the most excellent planning presentation, a bunch of web resources and personal organizational techniques were discussed. I managed to grab some of them as they flew by, and I'm hoping others who were there will fill in the gaps. Also - everyone - if you have favorite resources, anti-procrastion (or pro-procrastination) tools - anything you'd like to add, please do so.

Here's what I've got at the moment:

Planning or getting unstuck

StumbleUpon Helpful, fun, and dangerous! This web resource displays random web pages for you. You can identify sites you like or don't like, and StumbleUpon will learn your preferences and begin displaying more (or fewer) of that type of site for you. This morning, I got hooked on graphics and checked out some amazing photos from China. Maybe that's what my novel will be about!

Seventh Sanctum is a collection of generators that create random characters, plots, ideas, and more to use in your novel.

Wikipedia The Wise and All-Powerful Wiki displays a different article every day on the main page. Plus, if you click Random Article under the globe on any wiki page it will display something truly random for you. Who knows where the next great idea will come from?

Racking up the word count

Word wars We're planning to have an online chat virutally every night in November from 8-10 pm. Much of the time, we'll be setting up timed word wars. Begin typing when told to do so, stop when it's time to stop, and compare your word count with others online at the time. (More on the chat will be posted soon.)

You can also set up a word war for a longer time span. Maybe the weekend is coming up, and you're behind on your word count. Post a challenge on the forum - set a start and end time, note your word count, and the race is on. You can even up the ante by betting something - maybe the loser will wear a tutu to the TGIO, or send $5 to NaNo.

Dr. Wicked's Write or Die This web application encourages writing by punishing the tendency to avoid it. Start typing. If you keep typing, you're fine, but if you stop, there will be consequences! Some people find this app encouraging, others find it intimidating, and one of our authors lost words last year when trying to save her text. Please be cautious if you use this application. Kamikaze mode WILL start deleting words if you stop typing.

Tips

There is no perfect time. Don't wait for "the right time" or "enough time" to write. Carry a small notebook or electronic device and write whenever you can - even if it's just a sentence or two.
Impose artificial deadlines. Do you have to be at work or class at 8 am? Get up an hour before hand and start writing. With little time to write, you don't have time to procrastinate, and you'll be amazed at how much you can get done in an hour.

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ML Captain of Capital Ideas & Austin, TX Municipal Liaison

United States :: Texas :: Austin

Cedar Park (NaNoWriMo)

ceranko — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:53:23 +0000

Anyone from Cedar Park Participating in(NaNoWriMo)? I'm doing an outline for a medieval Novel set in a low magic fantasy world. Anyone into that genre?
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