And so it begins...

First and foremost, there will be some region shifts happening. Amber and I have spoken to the powers that be about splitting the Phoenix region into 3 separate regions: East, West, and Phoenix. We haven’t heard back yet, but whether it’s an official thing with a separate region on the forums or just something we do on our own, we’re doing it. East and Phoenix, anyway. Amber will be the ML for the East Valley. She will be your contact if you are in Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, etc. I will continue to ML for Phoenix. The West Valley is still without an ML. If anyone would like to step up and take over that region, which will include Glendale, Peoria, Avondale, Sun City, Surprise, etc., Amber and I will support and assist you in any way we can. There also may be a North region happening which, I believe, will include Scottsdale, PV, Fountain Hills, and that whole area. That particular split is being looked into by a wrimo, not by the ML’s. But if we find out anything, we’ll let you know. For now, affiliate with Phoenix. When we hear anything from Headquarters, we’ll send out another email and let you all know what the deal is. Thing should be in order by October 1st when the forums reopen, so you can also check back then in the regional area.

Amber will be sending out a separate email soon regarding the East Valley region and the events happening there. She’s still waiting to hear back from a few places, but things will be nailed down shortly.

Now, onto Phoenix region stuff!

Big news first! We are now affiliated with the Phoenix Public Library! This means only good things for us. We have a steady and quiet writing environment once a week, every week in November and probably beyond. It’s also free! The library is going to include NaNo information in their event calendar and on the website. I’m also going to email my contact a flier and ask her to post it and possibly make some smaller ones available to patrons. So far, events have only been scheduled at Burton Barr. However, if there’s a library that is more convenient, let me know. If we have some interest in other areas, I can ask if something can be set up there as well. It was offered, but I don’t know who’s where, and I didn’t want to schedule something and have no one show.

The event calendar is very nearly completely done. I’m still waiting to hear back from a couple of coffee shops, but I’ll update the schedule as soon as I do. We’ll meet at Bookmans (19th and Northern) Mondays from 7-9 every week. Burton Barr is Wednesdays, 6-9, except for Thanksgiving week, then we’re meeting that Saturday from 2-5. We’re also doing a pre-NaNo Movie Night, Midnight Kick Off, Midway Party, 24-Hour Write In, and a Last Minute Mad Dash. I need suggestions for the Midway and the TGIO. So far, we’ve come up with Dave and Buster’s or Amazing Jakes. (Remember, Midway is fun only! No writing allowed! And you can bring your family to any non-writing event, like the Kick Off, Midway, and TGIO, so family friendly is good!) I know it’s a lot of events. But not everyone can make it on the same day, so multiple events means more opportunity for people to interact. As with last year, you’re welcome to meet up with fellow wrimos any time you’d like. Thes
e are just official events that I have organized and will be attending. I will post the events on the regional forum page, and I will also post them on the Google Calendar and on the PhoeNoWriMo Myspace. Please be sure to check for updates.

Something for everyone:

I know a lot of us haven’t written much since last year’s NaNo. We all mean to, but then life gets in the way, and we once again become “one day” novelists. In order to gear up for this year’s marathon, I’m putting together a training group. It’s a 30x30 challenge: beginning October 1st, I challenge each and every wrimo to write for 30 minutes a day. We will end on October 30th, just in time to start NaNo at midnight on the 31st. This will let us flex our writing muscles and get into the habit of writing every single day. You can write about anything you’d like. Make it a journal entry. Try freewriting. Continue last year’s NaNovel. Create a backstory or character vignettes for this year’s NaNovel (not to be used for your word count!). I’ve created a a Myspace for the Phoenix region, but everyone is welcome to join and post your progress for 30x30. I will also post prompts each day for those that would like a little nud
ge. Just mention in your friends request that you’re a wrimo, and I’ll be sure to approve you.