Hello from your regional co-ML! My name is Zof; some of you may remember me from last year. Our other ML is lauren_write, and Lindsey assures me she'll have her halo and status tag soon enough.
We're already gearing up for November, and planning some great things for you throughout the month. Last year, meet-ups in Café Nero seemed to work well, so we're thinking of going with that again, but I also want to arrange some other venues. I'm especially keen to get a Durham chapter (forgive the bad pun!) set up, as the two cities are fairly close (fifteen minutes on the train, folks, and that's fifteen minutes of writing time), and since I work in Durham, I end up spending a lot of time there. If anyone's interested, or knows anyone who would be, please let me know.
That said... welcome to all of our local novelists, old and new alike! (To newbies: we promise we don't bite hard, even if my userpic is my pet vampire character. (He, to his great disgust, is not in my NaNo this year either -- he was disgruntled enough I wouldn't write about him last time).
Do you have plans for this year? Any idea of a plot yet? How about characters?
Mine, I must admit, are already threshed out fairly fully. My story this year is based (rather loosely) on true events, so theeeeoretically it should be fairly easy (we've heard that before, haven't we?!), and I have most of my characters already wandering around in my head. How about you?
When do you plan to write? At work, in your lunch break, at home, in the breaktime at some club you attend? Me, I've got the first week of November off work and I have a personal challenge to get 20,000 words down in the first week alone (that's a bit under double what you should be aiming for if you do the minimum 1,667 a day -- god help me). Outside of that, I'm considering taking the bus to work so I get an hour's extra writing time every day!
How about meet-ups? I'm taking any and all suggestions for times, places and what to do when we're there. Old-timers -- what worked well last year, and what didn't? Newcomers: what would you like to see at a NaNoWriMo meet up? What would work for you personally? Let me know and I'll do my best to get it organised!
You can contact me either through the forums, or by email at nano.northeast@live.co.uk, a special address I set up for all your NaNo-related queries and difficulties. Feel free to drop me a line any time, and I'll do my best to help out, or point you in the right direction if I don't know the answer myself.
Last and perhaps more importantly, good luck with all of your novels!
With best regards all round,
Zof
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34,689 / 50,000
Sep 26, 2008 - 16 12
Just chiming in to say hello, I'm here... looking forward to getting started :)
----------10,115 / 50,000
Sep 26, 2008 - 23 52
here to say hi too.
This is my second year and I'd love some durham meets as the Newcastle one was a bit too far, so I only made it once last year ( also half of last november I was in bristol, so my Nano was all over the place. It did mean I got to meet loads of Nanoers though ;-)
Any thoughts of a venue for Durham anyone?
114,200 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 01 43
Hey there. I'm here again this year and hoping to make it a hattrick.
I'm still deciding which project to choose, I've got - ooh - is it nine now to pick from? My head is full of people clamouring for their turn in the spotlight. And I've got my nifty little Acer Aspire One now, so write-ins should be a breeze.
I didn't actually like Cafe Nerro very much last year. It seemed so cramped. I like the Starbucks near the Central Station myself. Cafe Nero was no cheaper than Starbucks. More handy for transport too.
15,028 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 13 23
Haya, can't believe it's been a year (well yes I can but ya know lol), anyway, back for my second year and die hard on beating what I got last your, which shouldn't be hard since my computer crashed and I only got 1500 words, ah well lol.
Anyway, doing meet ups in Durham sounds cool, but as long as we still get the normal cafe meet ups cos I thought they were fab last year. Or maybe a meet up in Sunderland so I can get there quickly for once lol, sorry bad joke.
10,858 / 50,000
Sep 28, 2008 - 13 05
Hello Newcastle Chapter!
I'm hoping for the creation of a Durham Chapter, since that's where I'll be during NaNoWriMo.
I'm hoping my second year is much more productive than last year, which wasn't very productive at all. I'm going to retry writing the novel I tried writing in the first year. From scratch of course, with a brand new beginning since last year, the beginning of my attempted novel bored me to tears,and I lost the motivation to write. It was also the all important A2 year, and I had a late start because someone else had reminded me 4 days into NaNoWriMo (whoops!). However, I'm hoping to actually get it done this year! The characters have been floating in my head all year, and the plot developing, but due to laziness, I haven't managed to get all the details down on paper although I have briefly outlined my start and my ending, and a few things I would like to see happen in the middle. I still have time to get details sorted.
I don't know what my schedule is gonna be like yet, but I'm going to try writing in most of the free time that I have (and probably while eating breakfast!!). Given that I'll have other assignments to do as well, I'll probably try to do 2000 on the days I have plenty of time, and maybe do some catch up on the weekends. I'm crossing my fingers that I won't be the only student doing NaNoWriMo.
Good luck everyone!
0 / 50,000
Sep 29, 2008 - 06 46
Hi all, this is going to be my first attempt at NaNoWriMo. I live in Newcastle but I'm actually a student at Durham, so I'd be happy to meet up with people in both places! I don't really have a clue what to write about, but it is in part a motivation exercise. I'm supposed to be writing my PhD thesis right now, which is really dragging on and giving me a terrible sense of failure, so I think I'll probably end up writing some kind of dark and gruesome novel about all the crap that goes through my head when I'm supposed to be doing work. Maybe some kind of overwrought goth/ghost story, I don't know!
Anyway, another big reason for me to try and get involved with the NaNoWriMo is that I've only just moved to Newcastle, and I'm a foreigner to boot, and I don't know a lot of people in the area. I thought it might be a fun way to make some friends and have something to do besides drinking endless pints!
Speaking of pints, however, I have always been partial to the front room of the Weatherspoon's across from Central. If you get there early enough it's fairly quiet and it has lots of books and big tables. Sort of like a library, only with beer. Perhaps it would be a good venue to meet up in occasionally? In Durham Esquires is usually fairly quiet, or the tea shop next to Barrat's (though I don't know how they would feel about a big group descending on them with laptops and pens!).
I'm looking forward to the challenge!
52,817 / 50,000
Sep 29, 2008 - 12 37
Hiya, this is my first attempt at nano too though I've been hearing about it from friends for years so i thought I'd give it a go... I'm a student in Durham though I'm up in Newcastle most weekends anyway, any kind of writing-encouragement-meet-ups sound good, anywhere with coffee and company!
50,564 / 50,000
Sep 29, 2008 - 12 42
Hey, and welcome all! Good to see some old timers here as well as newcomers -- I'm thrilled you're all involved.
As for locations, I'm inclined to agree about Cafe Nero -- it did seem a little cramped. I'm open to other ideas; the Starbucks near Central has always seemed about the same size to me, but if there's a section I'm missing (or another Starbucks), we can check it out! I'd also like to arrange some different meets this year -- outdoors would be nice, especially if it's a nice day. And the Wetherspoon's idea up there sounds perfect -- definitely one to look in to.
As for Durham meets, I'm trying to persuade the library to lend us a room, or else we could look at coffee shops (I sort of half-know the fellow who seems to run the Cafe Nero near the post office; it's small, but I bet he wouldn't mind a group in every now and then); there's also the new hotel, Fallen Angel, which has a small restaurant-cafe and seemed quite receptive to a small group landing every now and then.
It's great to see so many responses. Huge welcome to all the newcomers, and welcome back to the old faces. I look forward to meeting you all in person!
6,435 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2008 - 01 25
New in Newcastle, but not at Nano. I did it last year in Copenhagen - but was defeated by the evil Writer's block mid-way, and a couple of years ago, when I managed to hit the magic limit.
I have a couple of ideas with regards to plot, but expect I will use October to get it semi-sorted out.
15,810 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2008 - 12 55
Hey, another NaNo newbie here. heard about it last year but it was too late to join :(
My muse is a bit temperamental, but hopefully I'll be able to tie it down and get this story finished (unlike the other five i have on the go at the minute...)
A meet up with other novel-y types could be interesting, might make this whole writing malarkey a bit easier. Anywhere in Newcastle would be fine for me, Durham too if i got directions.
Anyways, good luck to everyone!
50,097 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2008 - 14 17
Hey, guys!
Yep, I'm a returning participant for this absolutely wonderful month of frenzied writing. I was an arch-villain last year, reaching the 50,000 word mark by the time only half the month had gone by! I'm hoping to have that same stupidly fast this pace, and maybe even break the 80,000 word barrier. Only got 70,000 words last year!
As far as meet-ups are concerned, I was content with Cafe Nero (and drinking Coca Cola all the time!), but... how about The Gate? Perhaps being static was better for writing itself, and passing around sheets of paper, but maybe we could go around town or something this year, as the concentration levels weren't too high anyway, what with the great chat and the meeting of new people!
I'll hopefully be able to go with the flow, wherever we meet up.
But yeah, it's lovely to see new faces and old-timers, and hopefully, we'll have another whole load of fun, and creativity this year! Good luck in the novels, everyone!
2,034 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2008 - 04 06
Hi! This is my fourth attempt at NaNo, but my first at actually planning to be sociable with it :P I only have vague ideas what I'm going to write, but I'm hoping to get a pretty good outline together between various essays at uni before November starts. I'm looking forward to getting started! x
715 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2008 - 10 29
Hi,
This is my first attempt, so hopefully I won't get it wrong,
I'm not from Newcastle, I'm from Sunderland so yes I am a mackhem, but please don't be mean, I had to join here since there was no Sunderland, in the regions, I'm very disappointed.
So Hi to all,
- Hannah
715 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2008 - 10 29
Hi,
This is my first attempt, so hopefully I won't get it wrong,
I'm not from Newcastle, I'm from Sunderland so yes I am a mackhem, but please don't be mean, I had to join here since there was no Sunderland, in the regions, I'm very disappointed.
So Hi to all,
- Hannah
50,564 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2008 - 13 52
Nothing wrong with Sunderland! My mother went to uni there, as will I next year.
Welcome aboard! Any hope we might see you at a Newcastle or Durham meet?
5,161 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2008 - 02 28
You're not the only Sunderland person kicking around these forums.
I've been half attempting NaNo since 2003, but last year I actually gave myself a kick and gave it a real go, and actually hit the target. That means that this year I'm aiming to both win... and be sociable.
As for meet ups, I'm trying to get a couple of friends involved, and if I do it should be easy enough to roll through to Newcastle on a weekend. Evening meetups would probably be out though.
We shall see. Oh yes. We shall see.
50,097 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2008 - 02 54
Sounds like we'll have enough coming to completely take over Cafe Nero! :D
And it's only the 9th of October!
0 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2008 - 07 07
Hi,
Just thought I'd my name to the list of sacrificial lambs.
I did nano and succeeded three years ago, under another ID, and I've flunked out once since. This time I'm coming with a new approach - having an idea what i'm going to write about before actually setting pen to paper - and hoping it works out better.
In fact I have two ideas in the running this time. One is almost certainly a lame duck. Which means I'll probably go with the other, slightly more healthy duck.
Hope to see you at one or two of the meetups.
0 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2008 - 08 25
Hello!
My second year nano-ing and hopefully it'll be a successful one, looking forward to meeting all you Newcastle based writers! Any hints and tips for success? Anyone else in Northumberland?
The Costa on Gray St is a possible meet up point, the upstairs would be pretty easy to take over, and it's a little further out than the starbucks which means it's often a little quieter
good cake tooAlexa
10,095 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2008 - 18 26
...and I put my name here so that if I don't write, I'll feel like I've let people down. I work a lot, and I'm fitting in as much voluntary work as I can get hold of in preparation for a postgrad next year... and applying for those things by the End Of November... but hey, it's totally doable.
Thankfully, my first effort (even though I signed up two years ago...) is an older project that never worked out and I hope it still works after the transition from comic book to prose novel. I haven't written prose in years. Oh dear. Oh dearie me.
3,733 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 03 23
another newbie here :) i joined in 2006, but on october 3rd that year i got a full time job and that knocked me off kilter! so this is my first real attempt.
i'd love to meet up with people, i live in washington but work in jesmond mon-fri til 4.30pm, so newcastle is ideal for me!
oh & i'm a 23 yr old HR graduate (northumbria!), and would love some support whilst i try to bang out 50k! no idea on plot or anything, i'm gonna go with the flow... which scares me! haha
1,070 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 04 26
Hello, I'm another newbie! I'm Charlotte, I'm originally from Cumbria but I moved over to the Northeast for university and decided to stay! This is my first NaNo attempt - me and my mum are both giving it a go in the name of moral support / healthy competition. ;-)
I live in South Shields but work in Sandyford Monday to Friday, I have no plot to speak of as yet and I'm more than a little daunted by the idea of turning out 2000 words a day and still managing to work/sleep/eat. It would be lovely to get to know other folks in the area, so feel free to add me to your buddy lists!
10,095 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 06 05
I'm up near Longhorsley!
50,097 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 07 20
I live in South Shields but work in Sandyford Monday to Friday, I have no plot to speak of as yet and I'm more than a little daunted by the idea of turning out 2000 words a day and still managing to work/sleep/eat. It would be lovely to get to know other folks in the area, so feel free to add me to your buddy lists!
Hey! Another person from South Shields, like me! And with great taste in books, too! Think I'm gonna like you! :D
1,070 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 09 16
Hey! Another person from South Shields, like me! And with great taste in books, too! Think I'm gonna like you! :D
Agreed! Haven't had chance to fill in my musical tastes yet, but we look pretty similar there too! I'm assuming you'll be going to see Flogging Molly at the Academy, then? :D
50,097 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 09 21
Hey! Another person from South Shields, like me! And with great taste in books, too! Think I'm gonna like you! :D
Agreed! Haven't had chance to fill in my musical tastes yet, but we look pretty similar there too! I'm assuming you'll be going to see Flogging Molly at the Academy, then? :D
Flogging Molly are coming to the Academy?!
*checks*
Oh, darn it! Unless I can find 15 quid and someone to go with, doesn't look like it!
(Plus, it's day two of NaNo, heh! Can't crush my momentum THAT quickly, I guess!)
1,070 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 09 32
Flogging Molly are coming to the Academy?!
*checks*
Oh, darn it! Unless I can find 15 quid and someone to go with, doesn't look like it!
(Plus, it's day two of NaNo, heh! Can't crush my momentum THAT quickly, I guess!)
You didn't know? Shame on you!
Well, if you do happen to get the money together try www.nclrocksoc.org.uk for other people going along. It's Newcastle University's Rock Society, but they're a friendly enough lot and there's bound to be someone going. :)
13,569 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 12 45
Hey there, I'm new on the scene... I entered and completed NaNo last year but didn't come to any of the meetings (I guess I was a bit scared to, hehe) but I'd be pretty interested in turning up to whatever happens next month =)
As for story, I haven't thought of anything yet. It's worrying... last year I had my full plot in *September*.
2,034 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2008 - 02 20
I live in South Shields but work in Sandyford Monday to Friday, I have no plot to speak of as yet and I'm more than a little daunted by the idea of turning out 2000 words a day and still managing to work/sleep/eat. It would be lovely to get to know other folks in the area, so feel free to add me to your buddy lists!
Hey! Another person from South Shields, like me! And with great taste in books, too! Think I'm gonna like you! :D
Hi, fellow South Shields people! We should get our own forum, hehe.
3,733 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2008 - 04 29
hi work-neighbour! :D