United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

How NaNoWriMo Changed My Life

Susieiz — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 04:46:35 -0700

So did all you WriMos out there get Chris Baty's latest email? They are now accepting stories about how NaNoWriMo has impacted your life for the good or the bad. They want to know all the crazy details in a short 100 to 1000 word essay to be published on the NaNoBlog.

How has NaNoWriMo changed my life? I have met a few wonderful people that have become good friends and companions. People who I would not have met otherwise. My Co-ML LaMishia and I chat pretty much daily through email about writing, photography, the quest for men, books and so much more. She is awesome! Our writing styles are very different and yet we compliment each other so well. We are constantly helping each other out and talking our way through writer's block and dead plots. Although it is difficult to get together due to our schedules and commitments we make sure to meet up at least once a month to write. I am truly blessed to have her in my life right now.

Then there is Stacey. We are completely different and and yet so strangely similar. She is a true hippie and me, well I have no idea what I am. But through our conversations over the past eight months we have discovered some similarities that have given us a lot to talk about. We both grew up in Portland, Oregon. We frequented the same pubs and hangouts. We both made the move East to Virginia at roughly the same time. We both remodeled our kitchens recently. Not so strange you say? Well let's see. We both started the projects before we met and neither one of us are finished. We both decided to do the work ourselves rather than hire someone. (We would rather spend the money on books.) We chose the same cabinets. Not similar. The same. Identical. Sink? Same! Stainless steel appliances, huge islands, hardwood floors and oh don't forget the plywood counters we lived with for over a year because we couldn't make up our minds about we wanted. I finally settled on butcher block. Can you guess what she she is getting? So today I find out that she is on the verge of purchasing an existing bookshop not far from where we live. I myself have been considering the purchase of a local bookshop for the past year. Strange huh? I can't help but think that perhaps all these similarities have been building up for a reason and that reason has just been revealed. Maybe we were meant to go into business together. Rather than two struggling bookshops we should pool our efforts into one struggling bookshop?

Then of course there is W.E.E. Ghosties. A fun little venture that started with a writing challenge. The Shenandoah Valley 2007 NaNoWriMo challenge was created when a small group of us discovered that we all shared a common interest...ghosts. So at one our write-ins we decided that each of us had to incorporate a ghost into our novel. Seattle has their duck so we thought hey we can have a ghost. It was an easy challenge for Stacey as she was actually writing a ghost story. I was experimenting with magical realism so it was an easy leap. Emily's main characters were a stripper, a fireman and two fencers so with that combination she was fairly confident she could throw in a ghost and no one would be surprised. LaMishia, on the other hand, writes erotica. But even she was up for the challenge. So where was I? Oh yes, W.E.E. Ghosties. We had a lot of conversations about our own "paranormal" experiences and ghost hunting groups and such and eventually we decided we wanted to go on a ghost hunt together. Stacey was our experienced ghost hunter having been involved with ghost hunting and the paranormal for years. She's rubbed shoulders with the best of them but I am not going to do any name dropping here. Anyway, we scheduled our first ghost hunt at West Virginia Penitentiary and during the month of planning for our investigation Stacey's existing Wee Ghosties blog evolved into Winchester Entity Experts or W.E.E. Ghosties. We have conducted several investigations that have produced some interesting results. We have an exciting three day hunt scheduled a week from now in Virginia Beach. We even have business cards and T-shirts! (You know the black ones with the big white block letters!) Pretty cool huh?

So that is how NaNoWriMo has changed my life. Oh yeah and I have written two novels. So that's a plus! How has NaNoWriMo changed your life? Tell us all about it.

Take care WriMos. I can't wait for November!
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2006: The Scrapbook - I did it!
2007: Leaving Lucy (working title) - Success!
2008: Undecided, but it might start something like...He was a dark and stormy knight....

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Fredericksburg/Stafford/Spotsylvania

BellaWild — Tue, 2 Oct 2007 05:15:04 -0700

We're back and better than ever! (I'm sure of it! We rock!)

Where are my neighbors? Come out, come out, wherever you are! Don't you feel it? It's that time of year again. The time for pumpkin spice lattes and shiny new notebooks and the incredible urge to smear them with ink. The time when every person you meet has the potential to become a character in your novel. The time to start stockpiling treats to stash in your writing area, as private rewards (or distractions, whatever you choose).

It's NaNoWriMo season!

I'm Heather, back for a fifth attempt. Absolutely no plot. Absolutely not a problem (I hope). I'm finally going to take Chris's advice and only spend one week planning my novel, and I will do that the last week of October. Oh gosh, I think I'm starting to panic already. Breathe. Just breathe.

Who else is going for it in 2007?

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Heather
Cups of Tea: Lost count...
"Don't forget to be grateful that you love words."
-Monica Wood

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

William and Mary Students!

ractatma — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:34:48 -0700

Hey! I was at the activity fair yesterday and I was wondering, should we have a club? There are two other NoNoists on my hall who are interested. I know we’ve got three months to go, but it’s never too early to start prepping. Any takers?
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Any Southern Virginians?

Profitmom — Tue, 2 Oct 2007 02:51:20 -0700

Hi, just wanted to see if there were any other folks out there.
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and anywhere else in south Hampton Roads!

jvolavka — Tue, 2 Oct 2007 04:23:03 -0700

Hey, all! Wanted to see who all was here already. Maybe get a regional chat going and see if we can find our ML.... *pokes Alix* ~_^
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Williamsburg -- Now what?

LaurinW — Thu, 6 Dec 2007 14:59:50 -0800

Hey all you Williamsburg NaNo writers. November is over, but we're not done. Phyllis and I met at Aromas Monday to celebrate the successes of NaNoWriMo and we just didn't want to say goodby to all that excellent writing energy that was generated in November so we have an invitation.

You've written the rought draft, or part of it, of your novel. Now (well, January) is the time to take a hard look at it and start shaping it into that story that you really meant to tell (or if you are like me, that you discovered in the drafting process). So let's harness the talents and experience of the Williamsburg writers to take what started with NaNoWriMo 2007 on to the next step -- revision (and continued motivation)!

Join us on Wednesday, January 9th at Aromas at 7:00 pm and bring 5 pages of your NaNo work to share (if you want to share, if not, come anyway!). Phyllis and I are both interested in developing an on-going writers' group for the purposes of critique (NOT criticism!), sharing of craft, brainstorming, networking, the inside scoop on the publishing industry, motivation to keep going on that wip (work in process), etc.

It occurs to me that the William and Mary contingent may not be back from winter break on the 9th. If so, would one of you email me (or post here) with another Wed that might work better.

Have a great holiday everyone, and please bring your energy to Aromas on Jan. 9th at 7:00 pm!!!

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Laurin
www.LaurinWittig.com

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Williamsburg

shadf — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:43:13 -0700

It looks like there are a few of us Williamsburgers floating around here. Anyone interested in a get-together?

Let me know if you're in the area and might be game. My own favorite writing spot, Sacred Grounds (near the pottery factory), might make a good location but I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Hope to hear from you. (Less than two weeks to go!)

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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Where are the C'villians?

nrwgnwd — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 11:35:05 -0700

Is there anyone (besides myself) in the C'ville area doing NaNo this year?
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

WE DID IT

Mercedes Villaman — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:51:05 -0800

We did it!!! Thank you so much for been there. We never met but knowing of your existence kept me honest to my goal.
This weekend I have to get ready for a conference on Sunday at 7:00 PM at Yogaville, VA. I'll be telling stories about my 500 miles walk in Spain this past summer. If you would like to hear some of those stories, real stories with pictures, do communicate for more info. I can meet ssometime next weekend if there is a plan.
LOVE, WRITE, LAUGH
OM Shanthi
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Mercedes
To learn from one's own experience is called intelligence. Learning from someone else's experience that's what I call genius.
Inteligencia es aprender de nuestra propia experiencia. Lo genial es aprender de la experiencia ajena.

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Staunton, Augusta County writers?

artzycarmen — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:09:00 -0700

Anyone in Staunton or surrounds? My schedule is pretty hectic so getting together with other NaNo folks might not be easy, but if there was a gathering right here in town… Shenandoah Pizza anyone?
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I'd rather be raw and real than asleep or pretending

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

My fellow Virginia Elsewheres!

BellaWild — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 07:34:00 -0800

A great quote to carry us through the end of this wonderful, maddening month:

Forget past mistakes.

Forget failures.

Forget about everything except what you're going to do now - and do it.

--William Durant

Good luck, everyone!
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Heather
Cups of Tea: Lost count...
"Don't forget to be grateful that you love words."
-Monica Wood

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Rallying Cry

awooddel — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:54:00 -0800

Dear fellow United States::Virginia::Elsewhere-s.

I happened to notice today on the scoreboard that Finland, an entire country, is only two spots ahead of us on the overall word count. Let us put them to shame! Let us show them that we, forming nothing more than a percentage of a state, have more word writing ability than any good for nothing Finlandier. Let us rise from 36th place, and sweep the mantle of 34th from their strong, golden-hair covered shoulders! No longer will we allow the yoke of Finlandian oppression to weigh us down. Let our keyboards be our weapons, and let our fingers lead us to victory! What say you!?

Sincerely yours,

awooddel
50240 and counting
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Roanoke, B-burg, C-burg, and others!!! 4th week

brkirkland — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:07:30 -0800

hey cats!

sorry about not getting the troops rolling on sunday (kinda hard to confirm emails on the weekend - no internet at home).

our last week is upon us, and we're closer to that tunnel's light.
let's get together and fire up that last week of monster word counts!

i know thanksgiving is at the end of this week, and though we may be bloated with turkey and family dramas we can still crank out our novels on Saturday or Sunday.

Black Water Loft has been a suggestion of places. i'm still cool with that.
if there's any place else that's peaking interest, then let's jump on it!

only 10 days left, and many words to go, so let's hoorah it up as we charge towards the end!!
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Roanoke, et al, 3rd week meeting

brkirkland — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:53:18 -0800

who's up for it? huh?
any thoughts for places to go and times?
sundays are best for me, and at any time.

and what about a meeting in b-burg? i know it's a trek for the Roanoke cats and for this guy here in floyd, but maybe a change in venue would be nice. any suggestions?

there's also a great place here in downtown floyd called the Blackwater loft. comfy couches, chairs, and tables - plenty o' room for a write in or a weekly meeting, and they wouldn't mind a crew coming in. espresso, tons o' tea, muffins and biscotti and chocolates.... mmmmm.... i even think they have wi-fi. the atmosphere is awesome, though the bookstore and gifts shop downstairs might distract you while you find a place to put your future novel!

i'm up for it all,... so who's coming with me?
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Lexington/Rockbridge Co.?

Nzie — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 08:09:38 -0700

Hey folks--

anyone in Lex or Rockbridge County or thereabouts? A friend of mine is also here in Lex. Perhaps other students? Perhaps folks from the area? :-) meet at Lex Coffee with notebooks and pencils like ex-pats from the 30s? :-)

~Nzie
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Mid-week write-in for Roanoke Wrimos

diimmortales — Wed, 7 Nov 2007 10:10:26 -0800

Hey guys, I'm reserving the small room at Mill Mountain Coffee on Main Street in Salem for Wrimos, on Thursday, Nov. 15th, from 5.30 until 9.30 or so. I'm hoping this will be convenient at least for a few folk that couldn't make it to the last meeting, and won't be able to make it to the next.

If it's not convenient for anyone, I can go ahead and change it, just let me know!
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-Laurie

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

I've quit my job in preparation...

diimmortales — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:55:48 -0700

Of course, it was a not-very-fun waitressing job anyway, and I was planning on quitting, I just had extra incentive to say that October 30th would be my last day. I figure I can be unemployed for a month and get by on what I have.

Anybody else do something a little crazy in the build-up? Are you giving up anything for November? Make any drastic changes to your plans, work, or lifestyle? I'm interested in getting the stories of insanity started now. *grin*
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-Laurie

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

New Hampton Roads Region!

xfaereveriex — Wed, 7 Nov 2007 05:03:11 -0800

For all of you who call the Hampton Roads area home.. we now have our own region! Virginia:Hampton Roads.

So go ahead and join. It'll be fun. :)
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~~
Alix - Virginia Beach ML
virginia_beach_va(at)nanowrimo(dot)org

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Harrisonburg/JMU, anyone?

gofish — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:27:10 -0700

This is my second year of participation in NaNoWriMo (last year I was affiliated only with Northern VA) and I'm just wondering if any other participants are current JMU students?
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Meet-up in Virginia Beach

xfaereveriex — Mon, 5 Nov 2007 20:22:29 -0800

Im back from vacation... and my word count is not good. *hides* So yea. Sorry about the radio silence there.

On the bright side, I have swag for people. Meet-up tomorrow (Tuesday) (gah! Darn you vacation and your lack of internet access!) at 4 at the B&N cafe. at thre Lynnhaven Mall in VB. I know its short notice, Im sorry. And no worries if you can't make it. And I promise, better planning next time.

Just look for me. I'll be wearing a neon-yellow t-shirt. You can't miss me. :D

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~~
Alix - Virginia Beach ML
virginia_beach_va(at)nanowrimo(dot)org

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Roanoke follow-up gathering

diimmortales — Thu, 1 Nov 2007 17:41:35 -0700

Hey everyone! Nice to put some faces with the names on here (also nice to put milkshake in mah belly).

For those who couldn't make it, next get-together will be Sunday, November 11th at 4pm, same location (Pop's in Grandin area) unless specified otherwise later.

How's that sound?
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-Laurie

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Lynchburg, Anyone?

PenGryphon2007 — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:00:05 -0700

Hey, Lynchburg checking in here... Apparently everyone lives in Northern VA (I used to) or Roanoke.

Anyway, for those of us stuck in Lynchburg...who wants to do what and where? I'm open to suggestions, and looking forward to a kickoff write-in if nothing else. XD

Look forward to hearing from you all soon!
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United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Roanoke and the surrounding bits

diimmortales — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 08:30:55 -0700

Hey, I see there are a few of us here. I don't believe we have a regional liaison, but that doesn't mean we can't have a kick-off party on the First. Anyone interested? I'm willing to organize if people are willing to come.
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-Laurie

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Roanoke Write-ins

diimmortales — Sat, 3 Nov 2007 12:17:04 -0700

Hey everybody!

I was just wondering if there'd be interest in perhaps a mid-week write-in for Roanoke-area Wrimos? I know there are a few at Roanoke College, and the Mill Mountain in Salem has a lovely private room, as does De Espresso downtown (if it's still open). A friend of mine in Chicago mentioned attended a 5-hour write-in today, and I have to admit I was a little jealous.

Also, for Wrimos in the area without family/friends Thanksgiving plans-- I know I was planning to spend the day writing, but if anyone would be up for a potluck write-in, I'll offer up my house.

Just throwing out ideas. *grin* Happy writing!
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-Laurie

United States :: Virginia :: Elsewhere

Hampton Roads/Peninsula/Newport News/Hampton/Etc

Nave — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:45:43 -0700

Hey all,

Looking for others who are in the area of Newport News, such as those in Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, etc :D

Evan
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