USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Directions to Tomorrow's Write Now Write-In Party

Zhie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:50:39 +0000

I've had a few messages come through asking for directions to the bash tomorrow (Friday) night, so I thought I would post this on the forum in case there was anyone else who might need the link.

The easiest way I've found is to use the google directions tool. If you follow this link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=6665+S+Howel...

...and click where it says 'Directions' on the left side, you can type in your address and get directions from your front door to the campus.

The campus is located at 6665 S Howell Avenue in Oak Creek, which is on the corner of College & Howell Avenues, south of the General Mitchell Airport. When I approach from downtown Milwaukee, I get onto 794, take the Pennsylvania exit (the last exit in Cudahy), and turn right onto Pennsylvania traveling south. At Pennsylvania & College, I turn right and go west. It is a bit of a crazy road now (curves and travels through a farm field), but does reach College & Howell. Move to the left turn lane, turn left, and then move to the right lane. There are a few houses along Howell Avenue, continue south until the campus entrance is visible; turn right onto the campus. If you come in from the Howell Avenue entrance, you'll want to take the straight road going southwest instead of turning. Follow the signs to the B, C, or visitor lot.

From the east, I just make my way to College avenue or Rawson, get to Howell, and go from there -- south from College, north from Rawson.

Unfortunately, I don't make many trips from other directions, but I'd be happy to try to help if anyone has any other questions.

Looking forward to seeing everyone who is coming tomorrow night! I have some fabulous things planned that should be especially helpful for anyone who thinks they might have hit a roadblock in their writing.
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Yahoo IM :: jubatus_rex
MSN IM :: zhie@live.com
If I'm online and it's November, it's a good time for a (word) war.
2005 :: Consequences :: 52K+ (complete)
2006 :: Koko :: 50K+ (dreadfully unfinished)
2007 :: Unforgettable Book II :: lost count...

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Write Now! Party on Friday, November 20

Zhie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:37:16 +0000

In the latest email to the region, I sent out the information about the party on the 20th, but I wanted to post it here as well for those who might not be checking email much this month, or who might check the forums more.

Write Now! Party at MATC Oak Creek on Friday, November 20th

From 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, join other WriMos at the MATC Oak Creek Campus in Lecture Hall A (which is really a large multimedia room with lots of tables and electrical outlets, deceptively hiding under the guise of being a lecture hall). It’s our local version of a Night of Writing Dangerously! We’ll be word warring & holding a White Elephant Auction! What’s a White Elephant Auction? Read on to find out… Beverages will be provided, and you are welcome to bring snacks in. If you plan to attend and will be arriving by car, please email me (zhiester@gmail.com) so that I can email the parking pass t you. (And no worries, if you don’t know until the day of, we’ll have some at the event – I just suspect it will be cold by then and easier for people to print it up ahead of time rather than running it back out to the car). Park in lots B or C, or the visitor’s lot and enter on the south side of the building; there will be signs directing you to the correct room.

White Elephant Auction

‘White Elephant Auction’ to benefit The Office of Letters and Light, the nonprofit organization that runs NaNoWriMo, Young Writer’s Program, and Script Frenzy. Participation is optional, but here’s how it works...

1. Find items that you have that you want to get rid of, but are still useful (the basic rule is, if you would still use it yourself, it’s okay – if it’s icky or something you would otherwise throw away, it’s not a good fit for the auction). Good examples: A CD you picked up that you no longer listen to; extra sheets of origami that weren’t used for the kick-off plot bunnies. It’s not that the items need to be new or unused, just that they are still usable. Bad examples: Half of a box of cookies you decided you didn’t like; one old sneaker that you can’t find the match for. (If you have something you want to use and you aren’t sure, you can always send me an email or private message.) I find this is a great way to find a new home for items that I thought I was going to use and then realized I didn’t.

Also, please make sure that the items are ‘family friendly’ – we have some young WriMos in our region, and certainly want the event to be fun for everyone!

2. Wrap them up. It doesn’t have to be fancy; in old newspaper or a paper bag is fine, just so that you can’t see what the item is.

3. Write a clue. This is the part I think is the most fun – coming up with clever clues for the items! In one auction that I participated in, the clue was ‘For Kings and Queens’ and the item turned out to be a chess set. You can use your creativity to come up with some fabulous clues for the items (make sure you remember which item is which before you wrap them if you have multiple items – I’ve had to unwrap an item once or twice because I forgot what was in there!)

4. Bring them to the Write Now! Party on the 20th & Bid on other people’s items. Because of the nature of this auction, items tend to auction off for somewhere between 50 cents and a few dollars, because you don’t know what you’re getting! But part of the fun is bidding on items with interesting clues, and then getting to unwrap them and find out what they are! (And – you never know – you might end up with an item that’s so awesome or unusual that you find a way to write it into your novel!) All money generated from the auction will be donated to the Office of Letters and Light (and will count toward our regional donation amount).

You can bring items, and decide not to bid on any, and you can also not bring items, but bid on items other people have brought. Or, you can just sit back and listen and watch the silliness of the auction as it happens!
If you plan to participate, please let me know with an approximate idea of how many items you plan to bring so that I know how much time to set aside for the auction. Also, if you’re the dynamic sort of person who would enjoy being an auctioneer, let me know via email (zhiester@gmail.com) or nanomail – there are usually two or three auctioneers during an event like this in order to keep the silliness going.

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Yahoo IM :: jubatus_rex
MSN IM :: zhie@live.com
If I'm online and it's November, it's a good time for a (word) war.
2005 :: Consequences :: 52K+ (complete)
2006 :: Koko :: 50K+ (dreadfully unfinished)
2007 :: Unforgettable Book II :: lost count...

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Tuesday MWW Co-Working

JB Dryden — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:03:34 +0000

Because of NaNoWriMo, I've had a few people ask me to have my usual co-working on Tuesday night, so I will be doing so. I usually do it at the Alterra on Humboldt from 6:30pm until whenever I'm the last man standing and go home to pass out. So I will probably be there around then to get things set up. If anyone is keen on joining me, feel free to do so. I'll be working diligently on getting my word count and more out that evening.
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James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com
2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Tool

dancingturtle — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:25:35 +0000

A friend just passed along this site. Thought it might be a help when you are hitting the wall:

http://hubpages.com/hub/101-Writing-Prompts-To-Inspire-You

Rochelle
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If my doctor told me I only had
six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood.
I'd type a little faster.
—Isaac Asimov
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.WriteNowCoach.com

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Word count

maripro — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:27:19 +0000

Help!- I have mistakenly entered my novel twice! So, my word count is way off. Do I need to do something about it? Or just leave it? Am I correct in thinking that the daily counts we are accumulating now are just for our own measure-and after Nov. 25th we submit the whole thing for official verification? Thanks for any replies.
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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Half Way Day at Boswell

kayla 27 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:26:31 +0000

Thanks to everyone that showed up at Boswell Book Company yesterday. We had a great turnout. Special thanks to Rochelle Melander, our fearless writing coach, and Libby Fischer Hellmann, our talented guest author who was kind enough to drive up from Chicago. We look forward to carrying all of the Nanos' books in our store as soon as you finish writing them and get them published.
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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Wrimo playdates?

house mouse — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:41:56 +0000

Hi!

Rochelle had a great idea a while back that the Wrimos with kids could maybe get together and share tips. And, let's face it, I bet the kids of literary people are going to get along great with other literary kids. ;-)

Anyhow, mine are 2.5 and 1 yrs, but they play well with others. Anyone else interested?

~Kara
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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

What are Plot Bunnies? (link to another NaNoWriMo forum)

Zhie — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:23:58 +0000

Since the question has come up a few times, I thought I would share this link from the All Ages Coffee House to explain a bit better the concept of Plot Bunnies (an idea that basically breeds other ideas, allegedly inspired by the John Steinbeck quote "Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.")

http://www.nanowrimo.org/nl/node/3266258

The plot bunnies we had at the kick-off were origami bunnies, with plot ideas written inside.
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Yahoo IM :: jubatus_rex
MSN IM :: zhie@live.com
If I'm online and it's November, it's a good time for a (word) war.
2005 :: Consequences :: 52K+ (complete)
2006 :: Koko :: 50K+ (dreadfully unfinished)
2007 :: Unforgettable Book II :: lost count...

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Anyone else a bit stressed out?

house mouse — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:47:52 +0000

Hi, everyone!

So, I'm hopelessly behind in my word count and am trying to work around a writer's block. Anyone have any tips? How about tips for dealing with toddlers underfoot or working around a migraine? Thanks in advance!

~Kara (aka House Mouse)
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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

What is today's (11/15) writers workshop about?

grahamcr — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:35:25 +0000

Can the organizers of this event tell what is planned for the two-hour Write Now! workshop at Boswell Books this afternoon? Thanks.

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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

East Side Writers

JB Dryden — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:26:19 +0000

If anyone is on the East Side (say between Shorewood and Ogden), let's see about putting together some meet-and-greets between now and November and then look to set up some times to write together. There are quite a few good coffee shops on the East Side, though some of them, admittedly, are very short on the plugs. Let me know if you'd like to get together with me. I live in Shorewood, but I'm on the UWM campus often, and I am down at Alterra on Humboldt regularly.

Also, as a side note, the Caribou at Bayshore is open late, especially on the weekends, and they have free refills on house coffee all day -- Yippie! I'm there a lot, too. I can also bring a few power strips for anyone wanting to come along with their laptop.

Just message me, and we'll figure something out.

Cheers,
Boone
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James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com
2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Delafield Write-In?

Redhead_08 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:37:14 +0000

Anyone up for a write-in at Stone Creek Coffee or Milwaukee Street Traders either today or tomorrow?
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Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~E.L. Doctorow

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Handwriting/counting

maripro — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:59:01 +0000

Hello everyone-
This being my first nano, I think I'm doing pretty well. I would, however, like to write some by hand as was suggested in the last pep talk. I have always preferred handwriting as I think there is something different about the outcome compared to typing andI have learned to use the computer for convenience sake. I am hoping someone can explain the method for word counting when handwriting. I just don't get the info provided in the FAQ section. Thanks.
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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Tuesday @ Alterra on Humboldt

JB Dryden — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:31:54 +0000

Today's location: Alterra on Humboldt. I'll be there starting at 11am -- yeah, it's short notice, but I just got asked to come be supportive of one of my mentees, so I'm gonna.

The Alterra is on the corner of Humboldt and Chambers, one block north of Locust. I will be bringing one power strip but if we get more than five people, we're going to need a second one so please bring one if you've got it.
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James Boone Dryden
Director, The Milwaukee Writers Workshop, www.milwaukeewritersworkshop.com
2006: Shadows of Mati - 63,000
2007: The Travlers - 32,000
2008: short story collection - 22,000
2009: untitled steampunk YA novel

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Five Minutes of Distraction/Inspiration for our LotR fans...

BlueDelirium — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:00:37 +0000

http://xkcd.com/657/

Click on the picture to embiggen it.

I simply adore xkcd's comics...
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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Military Telegram

miav23 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:41:51 +0000

In the so-called olden days, does anyone know what a military death telegram woul look like?

Thank You

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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Hales Corners WriMo looking to car pool to tonight's meeting

Zhie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:16:47 +0000

Anyone live around the Hales Corners area? We have a wrimo potentially looking to hitch a ride in & back... please private message to me if you're coming in from that area and might have space in your car. Thanks!
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Yahoo IM :: jubatus_rex
MSN IM :: zhie@live.com
If I'm online and it's November, it's a good time for a (word) war.
2005 :: Consequences :: 52K+ (complete)
2006 :: Koko :: 50K+ (dreadfully unfinished)
2007 :: Unforgettable Book II :: lost count...

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Wednesday's Write-in @ MATC Oak Creek Library

Zhie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:41:26 +0000

Just wanted to get an idea on how many people are thinking about showing up for the write-in on Wednesday night so that I get enough tables/power strips set up for us. It's scheduled for MATC's Oak Creek Campus Library (the same place we had our kick-off party). It'll run from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm; since the library allows food and drink, feel free to bring stuff in with you, or else there is a cafeteria with happy little vending machines in it (unfortunately, they don't take charge - cash only).

Also, if you are driving here, be sure to park in the visitor's lot (or Lot B or Lot C if visitor's is full), and then check in at student services (A106) so that they don't ticket you.

And, there are laptops available for use in the library, so if you don't have one, don't worry, we can hook you up!

(It looks like there is a lecture/tour set up for about 6:45 that night, so we may want to migrate if it gets too loud, but we can just play it by ear... it's a big campus with lots of cozy places for writing.)
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Yahoo IM :: jubatus_rex
MSN IM :: zhie@live.com
If I'm online and it's November, it's a good time for a (word) war.
2005 :: Consequences :: 52K+ (complete)
2006 :: Koko :: 50K+ (dreadfully unfinished)
2007 :: Unforgettable Book II :: lost count...

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Brookfield Write-In Saturday (Nov 14th)??

Laura Bartus — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:10:22 +0000

Hi everyone-
Are any of you interested in having a write-in somewhere in Brookfield on Saturday?
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NaNoWriMo 2009...
Pieces of my life falling by the wayside as I write:
Laundry
Dishes
Real cooking
Eating
Potty breaks for the dog

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Happy ML Day!

UglyOldWitch — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:03:39 +0000

A huge thanks to our ML, Zhie, for all her hard work and anal-retentive planning. You are fully appreciated, today, and every day...

And hey, do I get an extra sticker for being the first to suck up?

:)
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NaNoWriMo May 2008: Stargazer
NaNoWriMo May 2009: The Swan's Wing
NaNoWriMo Nov 2009: Adventures in Barcelona

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Help from experienced WriMo's (semi-windy in length)

JustDee — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:46:29 +0000

Hey all,

I hope it's okay to post this here. I know there are the larger NaNo "forums" - but I was kinda hoping for friendly advice from the "regional" crowd.

So anyway, here's the thing. This is my first WriMo, and consequently, my first attempt at writing anything longer than a short story or "blog" entry. Yesterday when I sat down to start my first few pages I was all excited about participating in the event, the idea of actually attempting to 'write a whole novel'... yadda, yadda, yadda. It was a pretty good experience and it didn't take me long to churn out the first few pages. All in all I felt quite cheekily satisfied with myself. *chuckle*

TODAY however, is an entirely different story. I re-read what I'd written last night, now that the euphoria of the start of the event has worn off, I've discovered that I hate almost everything I wrote (except the first paragraph - that's pretty good). I KNOW the story I want to tell in my head - well, let's say I know the beginning, the general premise as well as what is supposed to happen at the end - and a fair amount of the plot in between. And I did a tone of research to get ready for this month - including installing two bulletin boards with time-lines, scientific terminology, archaeology research, etc. pinned all over them next to my kitchen table (my spot for writing this month). But suddenly, it's like I can't write. Everything I write sounds like something I wrote in 3rd grade English class (or worse).

I mean, is the goal to just sort of do a stream of consciousness dump of the story in my head, or am I supposed to be trying to write artistically at the same time? Or does today's experience indicate maybe I'm not cut out to do the "writing thing"? Just curious about others' experiences and any sage advice anyone might care to share.

I'm not quitting or anything, but the wind has definitely gone out of my sails already and I feel like I'm typing just to hit a word count rather than typing anything of substance that I like. Anyone else going through that? And this so early (day 2) during NaNo?

Anyway, thanks for reading and any and all advice is welcome.

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.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.
"Jerrh'neh megh stail taeyrrh'gahj purrgh argh la-jaej"
Trans: "The forest may hold many secrets, but you will know them if you listen to the trees.

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Delafield Write-In Monday 11/9!

Laura Bartus — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:52:17 +0000

Hi everyone! I've talked to a couple of the Delafield/Hartland/Sussex Wrimos and decided to do an impromptu write-in tomorrow - Monday, Nov. 9th at 5:30. I'll be at Stone Creek Coffee in Delafield (2644 Hillside Drive, Delafield WI 53018). Look for the girl with the white iBook, brown hair, and writer's block. Not sure who will be there, but I seriously need some motivation! Hope to see you tomorrow evening!
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NaNoWriMo 2009...
Pieces of my life falling by the wayside as I write:
Laundry
Dishes
Real cooking
Eating
Potty breaks for the dog

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Sunday @ Anodyne

JB Dryden — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:26:55 +0000

Hello everyone.

The Milwaukee Writers Workshop will be having it's bi-weekly short story meeting at Anodyne on Sunday and afterward I will be having a write-in. Anyone on the South Side -- or interested in coming to the South Side -- is welcome to join us around 3:00. I'll stay for a while, but I'm more than happy to hand it over to someone else should I leave early.

USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Who's all going to Borders on Saturday?

Luckeh — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:45:29 +0000

I've never really attended a write-in, haha. What should I expect :]?
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USA :: Wisconsin :: Milwaukee & Waukesha

Publishing

Dudeness — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:51:07 +0000

Hey all,

This is my first NaNoWriMo, but my wife and I have been writing for a while now. We have a LOT of ideas and are close to having our first manuscript finished. Currently, its floating around 125K words.

Anyway, I was wondering how one goes about getting their work published. I tried looking into it a few years ago, but all of the websites talking about literary agents said you needed a completed manuscript before they would even talk to you.

Do you need an agent? If not, are you better off with one?

Thanks in advance for any help.
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2009 - The Gemini Virus