NSW - Central Tablelands?

I'm a Waggarian...it's closeish. ^_^

*waves* I'm from Lithgow, that's close-ish too :D

Bathurstian here too. Good to see you again this year Trekkie
I was born in Lithgow so hey to you too MiriMouse.
As to Wagga? I drove through there once so that's close enough for me. Hi salzki.

What are you good people writing this year?

Jeff
http://jefferyedoherty.googlepages.com

Hi all,

I'm not a central wester (I'm in the Blue Mountains), but it's nice to see some familiar names. I'd be happy to trek out to Bathurst for a write-in, but no further west for me.

Jeff, I'm not sure what to write this year. Anyone like to help me out?

1. The prequel to my taoist fantasy novel. It's based on a dream I had, and I've developed a rough outline.

2. The sequel to my taoist fantasy novel. It has ... um characters (and a sword), otherwise nix.

3. Novelisation of my Urban Fantasy Script Frenzy effort. The plot needs work, but the characters & scenario are all good. This should be pretty easy as I did all the hard work during SF. Just need to iron out the truck-sized plot-hole and write the movie that's playing in my head.

Too many options! I didn't finish last year (do not attempt NaNo when taking a road trip to Northern NSW with a 5 y/o and stay up late chatting to friends you haven't seen in years), but I'm thinking of trying to write 2 books this year.

The question is whether I write my UF and taoist fantasy (completely different voices, but both with decent outlines), or go with writing two novels with the same voice.

What do you think? I'd be grateful for any thoughts (and you don't need to tell me I'm crazy).

What are others up to? I'd love to hear.

Cheers,
Tys.

Hi Tyswan,
Good to see you back.

Personally, I'd go for the ones you have outlines for. It's already the 16th and not much time for plotting.

This year I'm doing a YA adventure/thriller titled "The Zoo". The MC Mira, is a 15 year old foster child. She knows nothing about her parents or early childhood. She has been passed from foster home to foster home, city to city so she has never developed any close relationships. She is emotionally isolated, very shy and there is something strange and disquieting about her.

Katt Baxter is a first year teacher who is forced to quit her dream teaching job to take up a position as the Education Officer at The Zoo. Her fiance was a freelance journalist investigation claims of animal cruelty at The Zoo until he disappeared, presumably murdered. Katt is determined to discover the truth about The Zoo.

Mira makes an unlikely friend in Shandy, the wild and vivacious daughter of the local minister. Shandy coaxes Mira out of her shell. When the class go to an excursion to The Zoo, some of the kids play a prank on Mira, trying to scare her. This causes the animals to react strangely toward her. They seem scared of her. Soon after Mira starts to think she is being followed.

Shandy goes missing while trying to discover who is following Mira. The police won't do anything because Shandy has "run away" before. Mira and Katt are drawn together in their individual searches. The Zoo seems to be at the centre of things and what they discover there is much worst than animal cruelty and leads Mira to discover her origins. The people behind The Zoo will do anything to protect their secrets and making a 15 year old foster child and a first year teacher disappear seems like the perfect solution.

The story idea came to me after reading an article about scientists in England making a hybrid creature from a cow embryo and combining it with human DNA. and Scientists in the US who have created mice with human brains. Apparently there are strict rules governing the research but my theory is; If the technology is there, someone will will abuse it break all the rules.

We will have to organise a write-in once the mad key tapping starts.

I'm coming up your way on the 25th of this month. I'm doing a picture book workshop at Blackheath with Margaret Hamilton and Dee Huxley.

Anyway, I'll talk to you soon

Jeff
http://jefferyedoherty.googlepages.com

Jeff, that sounds great.

I'd like to write a YA novel one day, but I'm not sure I could come up with such a good scenario.

Did you do anything with the novel you wrote last year?

I've finished the novel I started during NaNo last year, and I'm in the process of re-writing it (as well as rewriting the novel from 2006 NaNo).

I think I agree with you and I should run with the two novels I have outlined - especially as I'm trying to write two novels and I won't have time to deal with lack of plot.

A write in would be good. I have school duties, but am free most Sats & Suns, and Uni will be on hiatus for November.

Cheers,
Tys.

One more question about my project, then I'll go away and write it.

I'm working on an Urban Fantasy, and I'm trying to think of a unique urban setting. I have the plot, but I'd like to think of somewhere interesting to provide the backdrop.

E.g. Public housing slum
Steel works (although there's a guy who's already written a vampire film in Wollongong).
Lithgow (mining + prison)
Kernell (Oil refinery + Sydney airport)
Mascot (Planes & Shipping)
Docks and warehouses

The only glitches are that it's post-global warming and peak-oil so the seas have risen 18 meters, and transport is very expensive.

There needs to be a gangland war (drug mafia), so I can't set it away from a built-up environment.

Any suggestions?

Thx,
Tys.

Saturdays and Sundays are fine for me too. We could probably do one early in the month and another some time toward the end. One at Bathurst and One at Lithgow if you like?

I have been rewriting last years effort and it was coming along pretty well, but I stopped to concentrate on some shorter fiction - I have written five picture book texts over the last six months and worked on a couple of junior novel ideas. I really like writing picture books, even if they are the hardest to find publishers for. I'm determined to get some published though.

Now as to the setting. I just created my own fictional city called Haven and I never actually mention where it is. It could be US, UK or Australia. (I started building the city a few years ago as a setting for some urban based short stories and it has sort of grown.) It has an ultra modern CBD, Docks and warehouse area, a wonderful park, un underground maze of subways and sewers, an older touristy section that still has cobbled streets and gas lights, slums and a beverly hills like posh part. New things keep cropping up - namely a Zoo that was built on top of an old military base, complete with secret sub-levels where all the bad stuff happens.)

If you get really stuck - I can send you the specs on the city, a mud map and some of the highlight places and characters like Spinner's Cafe, Fat Gordies, Seven Gates Park and the Boons. It is a really fun and dangerous place.

Jeff

Jeff, you rock!

I suddenly had an image of a deserted Luna Park! How cool and creepy would that be?

I'd create something bigger, like Australia's Wonderland/WB Movie World.

I like the idea of an abandoned Zoo, but then you're using the Zoo thing already.

Thanks,

And a writein in Bathurst & Lithgow would be good (And we'll make sure we don't miss you this time).

Cheers,
--
Tyswan
writer ~ artist ~ designer | www.tyswan.com
I recommend a free online-critique group

A deserted Luna Park. That is cool. I can picture someone giving the big face a Goth paint job, a scar and broken jagged teath.

That is creepy. I'm glad my last comment sparked the image for you.

I'm happy to do the first write in in Lithgow - What about the 8th?

Regards

Jeff

8th is good for me.

We just have to find a venue (I'm closer to Blackheath). Maybe I'll ask the library in Lithgow - that's where we went last time.

I'll also see if margaret is around and willing to join the madness.

Any chance of you dragging some of those other c-westers with you (hint hint Trekkie! Tell you mum we're house-trained & don't bite). Well the growed-up ones at least.

I'll let you know...

Cheers,
Tys.

I've messaged Trekkie and MiriMouse. Hopfully they will want to join the write-in.

Jeff

Hi Guys,

I'm located in a small town between Orange and Canowindra.

I was raised in the inner west of Sydney, moved to the Blue Mountains when I got married and I have lived out here for about six years. Do you get the impression that I can't get far enough away from Sydney or what? Let's kick some Sydney butt, I say ;)

Anyway, this is my first attempt at NANO. My big challenge is to write 50,000 words or more and write an adult novel. I have written a couple of YA novels - one finished, one undergoing major edit (well, re-write actually), and one I've almost finished the first draft of.

I'm a stay at home mum, studying with UNE part time and in the middle of writing up my two last assignments before NANO starts. I haven't even got close to doing a plot outline for my NANO novel, but it's been hanging around in my head for many years now that I think I've got it pretty well sorted out. Well, it will probably have to do anyway.

Looking forward to the challenge!

Debbie

Welcome to NaNo Debbie J,

If you need someone to nag you if you are getting behind in your word count. Just let me know - I'm your man.

I know Lithgow is a bit far to travel for a write-in but we are hoping to do one in Bathurst around the middle of the month if you are interested.

Feel free to add me to your buddy list.

Regards

Jeff

Hi, Fellow Central Westernish People!

I'm Laura, and I live in Mt Vic (Situated about halfway between Lithgow and Katoomba). This is my third official attempt at NaNo.

Because of school I spend a lot of time in Lithgow, particularly at the library because it's warm and they don't mind you sitting there reading books all afternoon while you wait for your train :P

So yes, that is me in a nutshell.

Hey Lawza,

Welcome.

This is my second year doing NaNoWriMo. I'm doing a YA Action/Thriller with just a touch of Sci-Fi thrown in for good measure. What are you planning to write this year?

What are you doing on the 8th. We are looking at holding a write-in at Lithgow, most likely at the library if you are interested.

Good luck in November,

Jeff
http://jefferyedoherty.googlepages.com

Greetings all *waves*

Not quite Central Tablelands - a touch further west out in Peak Hill.
My first time on here - though have considered it for the last couple of years (am ever so good at procrastinating but eventually get there in the end).
Looking forward to the challenge - and hoping my 4 kids suddenly learn how not to be demanding - get the feeling I will have a lot of late nights. (Have stocked up on coffee)

Happy writing folks
CC

Hi cc1804,

It's good to have you aboard and it is getting close to cast off time.

You are joking about the kids aren't you? Stop being demanding ... Obviously you are writing fantasy - just kidding.

The first year is pretty hard and you are going to want to pack it in some time toward the end of week 2 but stick with it. The feeling if you make it is worth all the work.

Feel free to add me as a buddy and I'll nag you silly if you start dropping behind the word count.

You don't have any novel info on your profile page, so what are you writing? Just curious.

Regards

Jeff
http://jefferyedoherty.googlepages.com

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the offer of help - I think I'm going to be needing it. It will no doubt take some time getting used to what exactly I'm supposed to do (other than write of course)!

I'm currently flat out in doing my last assignment for Uni (one down, one to go). The one I'm doing now is due on Monday, so that's going to interfere with NANO somewhat. I still haven't written some form of brief outline on the story I'll be writing, but I am hoping to get at least something down today. See, I'm not under any pressure am I?!!

I'm fortunate that both my kids are at school, so once my assignment is out of the way, I'll be making a darned good effort in getting that novel written.

Best of luck with the kick-off tonight.

Debbie

Good luck to you too, Debbie.

I'm sure you will do fine. All the best for your assignment too. I have an assignment for my Proffessional Children's Writing Diploma this month but I might do it in December. This assignment is on picture books and my mind won't work with PB's and long fiction at the same time.

And good luck to all the others in Central Tablelands Group

3 hours to kick off.

Jeff

And we are off!

Good luck all.

Jeff

Whoops! I placed rhis in a topic all of its own - er, um! here it is in the correct home.

Hi Central Tablelanders.
Al McCartan from Bathurst here. Whew! Asparagus is over, the curtain is down and my weekend workload is over. Now it's time to get stuck into Salmagundi - This year's novel. I may have cheated a little bit; I've nutted out the plot during my rehearsal and station breaks. I'm going to let the characters take over and I promise on the pain of whatever Not To Edit Proofread or Amend, until I've done my 50K .

Salmagundi is the stories of a group of Aussie soldiers in WW1.
----------

Wagga! Nice ol' Wagga - I am a graduate of the School of Drill, Weapons and PT - aka 1RTB Kapooka. Memories......aaaah!

Hi Al,

Good to see you doing Nano too.

I haven't seen you at the Wrtiers' group for a while but it's good to catch up to you here.

Good luck with your Salmagundi project.

Jeff.

I just found out that Margaret who organised the write-ins for last year's NaNo, died suddenly early this year. :'(

I guess I'm not surprised in a way, but I'm still sad. She was quite a person. A real dynamo. I remember she was hospitalised during NaNo last year, but didn't stop writing, and didn't act like someone who should take it easy for a while.

The Lithgow Library can't help us on the weekend for a writein. I'll try the Workies Club, and get back to you all.

If any of you Lithgowers can think of a venue, let me know.

Cheers,
Tys.

Hi Guys,

Just thought I'd check in to see how you are all going.

I'm working pretty flat out to get to where I'm currently up to, although it's making my hands hurt. I have to give myself decent breaks so they don't get worse. I continue to work without a plot outline, but it seems to be working so far without one. The characters are taking over and I'm just letting them go for it, although I'm finding it a bit hard on the editing front! I'll be hard at it this week to get to the half-way mark.

Is anybody working around the clock or just just getting some writing done whenever they can? It would be good to hear how all of us in the Central West are coping. Let's kick some butt!

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I'm muddling along, managing a few hours a day to write. I'm still just ahead of schedule but I want to get one or two really big 4000 - 5000 days in. There are a few days coming where I won't be able to do any writing. My story is going well, not quite to plan but well. I've had a couple of new character turn up who are pretty interesting and they have taken the story in some new directions.

I hope I'll make it to the end this year again.

Good luck to you.

Jeff

So how did we all go?

Lots of purple bars. Yippeee!!!!

Well done everyone. No write ins this year.... maybe next year.

I finished both my novels. *whew.... falls over* They'll need a lot of expansion, but not a bad start (if I don't say so myself)

TGIO party anyone? I'd be happy to come out to bathurst for a bit of a 'do. I know this can be an issue for the youngsters (with us decrepit suspicious oldies twitching maniacally like axe murderers while sipping cups of tea).

Well, it would be nice to meet some of you and have a chat about writing and stuff.

Anyway, happy sleeping & resting....