United States :: Michigan :: Flint

[STICKY] Winners' Circle!

caffeinatedelf — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:17:43 -0800

Here is a place for all of you winners to hold hands (or not) and dance crazy around a fire! Or... sit and eat all the cookies you want. Or cake. Or nap for the rest of November!

Whatever you want to do, you CAN, because YOU WON! YOU ARE AWESOME! :)

So far, please welcome:
solitaire07!
boxedcrayon!

And, these two have winning wordcounts but have NOT validated their novels yet:
LisaQuing and thorisaz!

Confetti all around! :D

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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

[STICKY] Word War Rules

caffeinatedelf — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 16:59:23 -0800

HEY GUESS WHAT! I am giving you all the opportunity to participate in a Word War with all the rest of Michigan! Well, all the rest of the Michigan regions who decide to participate.

We were invited to do this by the Lansing region ML, Alaina (A_Rachelle), whom I happen to think is pretty awesome. SHE got the idea from the Wales, UK region, who have been doing this for at least one year before this one.

The rules are below:

Rules:

Eligibility
You must live within Michigan and be relatively close to the city or region you wish to represent.

Sign-ups
Your ML will provide a "Word War Sign Up” thread on your local forum to track word count. Participants will post ONCE in the Word War Sign Up thread by 8pm on 10th November stating that they wish to participate.

The Regional Word War
You must update your word count every two days, on the even numbered days of the month, by 8pm. If you are unable to update your count, contact your ML.

During the last partial week (26th –– 29th Nov), you must update your word count daily, by 8pm. If this isn't possible, contact your ML immediately.

If you do not update your word count on four consecutive occasions it will be assumed that you have given up and you will be removed from the war (unless you already have more than 50k) If you know that you’re going to be away and won’t be able to update, let your ML know so that we can prevent this.

You must input your final (verified) word count by midnight on 30th November. After midnight, you will no longer be able to update your count.

Scoring
You may drop out of the Regional Word War at any time up to 8pm on 20th November without affecting your region's count. If you do not drop out by messaging either Alaina (A_Rachelle) or your me (caffeinatedelf), you will be in for the remainder of the competition, NO MATTER WHAT!

During the Regional Word War there will be a regularly updated leader board which I will provide you a link to as soon as I have it verified.

Only the official word count from the "Word War Sign Up" threads on the NaNoWriMo web site will be considered when computing the final score.

After midnight on 30th November, I will ask the other MLs from competing regions (or their designated representatives) to verify the figures before declaring a winner.

Results
There will be two prizes:
The city/region with the highest average word count.
The city/region with the highest proportion of winners from the starting participants.
The MLs will compare results, and when all regions agree, the results will be posted on the NaNo boards.

Banter
Participants are encouraged to engage in good natured banter with participants from other regions in the various Word War Banter threads. Banter should remain good natured and within the bounds of good sportsmanship. The use of 'smileys' in messages is actively encouraged.

Our God-like powers
MLs decide what "good sportsmanship" means.
We reserve the right to remove folks from the competition for any violation of the rules and guidelines listed above.
MLs are the final authority in any dispute or question about the rules.

Ready to sign up? Go to the Word War Signups thread and do just that!

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS POST WITH QUESTIONS - I will be making a question/answer forum post for that. Thank you!

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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

[STICKY] Regional Emails

caffeinatedelf — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:00:28 -0700

I'm posting all the regional emails I send out, so that in case you didn't get one, you can catch up on relevant information RIGHT HERE. Because I want you to be prepared. :D
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

[STICKY] Writein Schedule!

caffeinatedelf — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:18:39 -0700

Hiya Red Hot Writers!

I have been planning out a lovely schedule for us to meet up and get some writing done, as well as to hang out with each other and get some Nano swag. And also WIN! We want to WIN!

So far, you can either click on the embedded calendar link that's posted at the main page of our regional forum (or just click here: Flint RHW Calendar), or see the handy list below for the dates and times:

October 26th (Sunday) - KICKOFF PARTY! - location TBD
Time: TBD

November 1st (Saturday) - First Day Writein! - VG's Flint Twp. (see below for info/directions)
Time: 5pm-8pm

November 2nd (Sunday) - Writein - Panera Grand Blanc (see below for info/directions)
Time: 6pm-8[m

November 7th (Friday) - Writein - VG's Flint Twp.
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 9th (Sunday) - Writein - Panera GB
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 11th (Tuesday) - Writein - TBD
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 14th (Friday) - Writein - VG's Flint Twp.
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 16th (Sunday) - Writein - Panera GB
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 21st (Friday) - Writein - VG's Flint Twp.
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 23rd (Sunday) - Writein - Panera GB
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 25th (Tuesday before Thanksgiving) - Writein - TBD
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 28th (Friday after Thanksgiving) - Writein - VG's Flint Twp.
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 30th (Sunday) - LAST DAY MARATHON! - Rachael's house (info & directions to come)
Time: 6pm - midnight

---------------------------------------------------
VG's in Flint Twp:
Located in a plaza on the corner of Corunna Road and Linden Road. In the front is a Coffee Beanery, which has a nice sitting area (chairs, tables, power strips) and of course, yummy caffeinated beverages. The wifi here is free! Also, the store itself has a great deli and salad bar, so any eating you need to do while you're there is ridiculously easy and also tasty.

Click for the Google Map!

Panera in Grand Blanc:
Located in a plaza on Saginaw Street south of Hill & Dort Hwy (near the Walmart, Staples, Sam's Club, etc.). The wifi here is free, and the coffees and teas are tasty. There's no obligation to buy anything much to use the seats and wifi, but it's nice to bring a little beverage money if you're not planning to get a snack. There are comfy chairs, laptop tables, long tables with chairs, booths, and so on.

Click for the Google Map!

---------------------------------------------------

The reason I'm not scheduling any writeins at Border's or Barnes & Noble is that their wifi is not free. While I absolutely love being among stacks of books when trying to be creative, I don't think that having to pay for your ability to update your wordcount is worth it.

But! I have no problem with any of you lovely Red Hots meeting up for your own "unofficial" writeins at any locations other than the ones I've picked, because you probably know a few places of your own that are perfect for writing in. Please share them here on the forums, and let us know when you're going to be there, so that some of us can come along too.

LASTLY, I have no location for our kickoff party yet! I need help! There are only a few guidelines:
1. A restaurant would be nice, because eating and socializing are easy to do together.
2. Wireless internet is NOT necessary - the kickoff happens before Nano does, so nobody needs to frantically update a wordcount during the event.
3. Family-friendly locations are the best, since some of us have kids, and most of us are loud all by ourselves in public. Okay, maybe I just mean ME.

Please respond with some suggestions, complaints, rants, or excited happiness! I need your input to make this the best Nano possible! :)

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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Life after Nano!

Leianajade — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:13:19 -0800

So I'm curious. What is life after Nano going to look for you guys? I'm sure there will be some celebrating in this next week (because whether we reach 50k or not, we've all done a fantastic job and have more words than we did last month at this time!).

Do any of you write outside of Nano? I don't normally, but I'm hoping that I can keep this a habit. (The writing, not the 50k in a month!) I definitely see that my novel is destined for more than 50k, so if nothing else, I'm going to finish it. Then, there are a few other stories itching in my brain, but we'll see.

The hubby and I would like to make a habit out of write-ins somewhere. He's a more dedicated writer than I am, but we both enjoy getting out and sitting down solely for writing. We haven't decided where or when yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

My immediate plans involve a stack of books on the shelf, video games and movies. It'll all be guilt free, since I won't be neglecting my nano novel! Woo hoo!

So how about you? What are you shorter/longer term plans starting tomorrow?
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Not Going To Make It

Shell Lee — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 12:59:41 -0800

Well, I did fairly good all month, but going into the last week of the challenge, I ended up getting pretty sick so the most I think I've written all week is 8,000 words. I think I'll end the challenge somewhere around 40,000 words total.

Which I'm fine with. I tried the challenge, I gave it a real good shot. And I am very happy with where I am and how far I have gotten. This is the most I've ever written on one story, and I know it's not finished. I'm setting a goal for Christmas to have the first draft finished. I also know it's very rough and will need to be polished up a lot. But I think it has potential. So it may take a couple months, or a year, to edit it enough to the point where I feel confident in trying to find a publisher. But that's another challenge I'm setting for myself, See if I can get my novel published.

And... write more, and more, and more. So many stories out there in the imagination world begging to be written. Time to reach my hand into that world and pull out another story.

I challenge all of you to reach into the imagination world and pull out a idea or two. Then set it there on the desk and look at it, examine it, turn it around so you see the back, then write the story it is begging you to write.

Next year, we'll be here again, working on our nanowrio novels... and we can tell each other about the ideas and stories we wrote over the year.

I challenge all of you. Lets do it!

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Shell Lee
http://shellsletters.blogspot.com/
"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. - Theodore Roosevelt."

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Marathon still on for tonight?

CraigKennedy — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:56:28 -0800

Rachael, are you still having people over for a write-in tonight? If so, what's the specifics?

Craig
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Would Anyone Mind A Rant?

Anubis_S_Jakkaru — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:06:08 -0800

With just over two days left of NaNoWriMo, as you can tell by my word count, I'm in a bit of a conundrum. Although, in my defense, I haven't updated it since earlier last night.
Since I plan on making the 50k word count come Hell or High Water, I've got a lot of work to do. I've got to make myself pound out 20k tonight, 20k tomorrow, and just barely cross the finish line. Yes, I probably will be dead at the end of this event.
The problem is that I'm working in less than ideal conditions. I had to send my gorgeous new laptop in 'cause the screen broke, and let's face it, it's really hard to write when you can't see what you're typing. I won't see him again for 2-3 weeks... *tear* So I'm at my mom's using her computer, and the problem with this, is that the whole apartment is covered in cigarette smoke, which I'm highly allergic to. I don't think I've stopped sneezing, or been able to breathe properly since I got here. I can't take any allergy meds, either, 'cause they knock me out in five minutes flat. My future step dad and his kids are here for the weekend, too, and while I don't mind them, I have a hard time writing with people around. I'm usually in a (no-so) dark corner, just my and my laptop, where no one can look over my shoulder and ask questions (I HATE that).
I'm not really looking for sympathy or even expecting replies. I just needed to rant to SOMEONE. Hopefully you all know who that goes.
Anyway, back to the writing. See you at the finish line!
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Well, Crap - part 2

HardSciFi — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:58:48 -0800

The 'real' world creeps back in with a THUMP.

Quote:

Can someone pick up Our illustrious ML, Rachael, for the Panera Bread Sunday Write-in?

I'll probably manage to get the last couple 3-4 thousand words and win, but my heart is down in my aching stomach.

Chrysler has just laid off ALL contract employees for the month of December. I'm one of the thousands.
They also say that they are going to take back 20% of them in January. I may be one that they want back, but I'm not going to wait around for that. It's time to find a new job, 8 hours a day, any state in the union.

Wish me luck,
Myron
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

10k weekend

stanmanx — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:10:44 -0800

All right, maybe I'm biting off more than I can chew, but I really won't know until it gets stuck in my throat and someone has to Heimlich me.

Beginning at the writein tonight, I'm aiming for 10k this weekend. That would bring my word count up to 40,731 by Sunday night. I'm posting this so the threat of public shame will motivate me to keep on truckin, even when I start thinking "Maybe this is really boring and I should play video games instead." I will stay the course.

So...anyone want to join the 10k team and rock the walls down this weekend?
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Is there a write-in tonight?

Leianajade — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:51:45 -0800

Are we gathering together, or are we writing-in separately tonight?
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Panera 11-23

Leianajade — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:58:02 -0800

Just a heads up that Stan and I will not be at Panera this evening.
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Well, CRAP.

caffeinatedelf — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:17:00 -0800

Until further notice, I will not be at any writeins.

Our car quit today, and it will be more money than we currently have to get it fixed. To make matters exponentially suckier, my husband's job laid off a bunch of people and cut his hours from 48 to 32 weekly. I'm thankful that he still has his job, but this makes everything that much harder, at the same time.

Bleh. I don't even have any energy right now for writing. I'm a big ball of fail.
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Tomorrow's write in

MidWestPrincess — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:03:20 -0800

Hey everybody!

I'm actually feeling good enough to go to the write in. I was wondering if I could catch a ride home with anybody that also lives in Grand Blanc. I've got a way there, just not a way back.

I'd appreciate it. I've got gas money to help with.

Connie
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Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.
-- A Cinderella Story

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Missed everyone again!

CraigKennedy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:32:08 -0800

Sorry, guys, we've been preoccupied with our youngest son's health. He had to have hernia surgery in September and has been experiencing some complications with an infection for the last week but we seem to be in the clear now. We follow up with his surgeon on Tuesday so hopefully everything will go well. Since he seems to be feeling better now that he's been on an antibiotic, I'm hoping to meet up on Friday. We'll see how things go. Fell behind a bit on my word count, but trying to do a marathon day today to catch up. Wish me luck!

Craig
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

How's everyone doing?/Tips for making those word quotas

CraigKennedy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:37:56 -0800

Just wondering how everyone was making out on their WC's. I've been having a lot of luck by sitting down and doing mini-word chunk. I just try to sit down and do 200 wds ten different times. It's been working for me and it only takes about 4-5 mins to hit 200 wds. Any other tips out there from people who are struggling to stay on track?
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Lulu?

CraigKennedy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:33:38 -0800

What's the deal with Lulu? i heard they'll print Wrimo's one copy of their novel for free but I can't find anything about it on their website. Anybody know the deal?
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Word War Leader Board

A_Rachelle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:19:28 -0800

To see the latest in the standing on the Word War visit the Leader Board here:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3123438

Also, if you missed the cut-off for sign-ups I've extended it to the 11th at midnight due to the delay in getting this up. Have a great day and Happy Writing!

Alaina aka A_Rachelle
Co-ML Michigan :: Lansing
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Panera Writein -- 11/16

stanmanx — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:00:57 -0800

We're in the back, in case the rest of you are here and not sure where to find us.

It's just now 6 as I write this, so the crushing sense of isolation hasn't set in yet.
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

NOT GOING TO BE AT VG'S WRITEIN :(

caffeinatedelf — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:51:10 -0800

Hey y'all -

I have kids here who aren't entirely behaving themselves today, and I can't bring them along. Which means I can't come to the writein tonight.

HOWEVER!

If you want, I am signed into all my IM accounts, so you can holler at me and maybe even see if we can word war with each other!

Yahoo IM: caffeinatedelf
Google Talk: caffeinatedelf@gmail
AIM: caffeinatedelf78
MSN Messenger: offonatangerine@hotmail.com

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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

I'm Gaining on You...

Shell Lee — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:47:49 -0800

You know who you are...

Really, you do. You are anyone who is ahead of me in word count. I'm catching up, I will catch you soon in words. You better get busy if you want to stay ahead!

12,790 words and counting. I still have more writing to do tonight before crawling into bed at 4am.
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Shell Lee
http://shellsletters.blogspot.com/
"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. - Theodore Roosevelt."

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Tuesday 11/11 Writein

caffeinatedelf — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:47:57 -0800

Can I get a show of hands for who will show up for tomorrow's writein?

Since it's at my house, I need to know whether or not I should, you know, maybe vacuum or something. ;)

Thanks in advance for letting me know!
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Nice to meet everyone

CraigKennedy — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 16:51:37 -0800

I was glad I at least got to see everyone tonight! lol Good to see you Rachael, I was shocked by your baby bump, you're so tiny! but don't worry, you are as beautiful as ever, maybe more so in your current state, especially to your husband!! Congrats again! We're having so much fun with the baby right now it's all worth it. But I'm sure you know that. Hope to see you all at the next write-in and get to sit down and put some words in with you guys.
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Questions and Answers about the Word War

caffeinatedelf — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 17:05:07 -0800

If you've read this post: Word War Rules, and you have questions, please post them here! :)
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Donating to the Wrimo Cause

caffeinatedelf — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 19:22:40 -0800

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Academy...

Oops! Wrong speech!

Actually, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the loveliness that is National Novel Writing Month (including the Young Writer's Program and Script Frenzy) is run entirely on donations. I realize you all know that already, and I promise I'm not writing this to make anyone feel badly. If you are planning on donating a bit of money to them this year, or you already have - thank you! And if you don't have money to donate (like me last year), there are other things you can do.

You can set your browser's search engine to be GoodSearch, which donates a little money EVERY TIME you search for something. You can have people sponsor your writing. You can even have money donated when you sell your stuff on eBay. For more on these, go and read Donating When Broke.

As always, donors or not, you all are the reason NaNoWriMo exists. Writers who love to write and who aren't afraid to be insane for 30 days straight. I love you all, and thank you for letting me ML you this year!
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)