Hey Everyone

Hi there!

I'm new to this area this year...just moved up here from College Station, TX in the middle of August. Done Nano three times now, and I'm looking foward to meeting everyone and kicking off a fourth year!

2005 - Toy Soldiers (Finished!)
2006 - Hydrophilia (Finished!)
2007 - unnamed (Failed T_T)

I didn't hear anything yet.

I am starting year two. For now I am still a hybrid Madison/Elsewhere person, but I am hoping to change that soon.

I must admit surprise at finding another displaced Aggie up here in cowtown! Was there a mass exodus? Did a fiendish scientist from rival UT devise a clever airborne virus to release a plague of cheese-loving zombies upon that fair city?

Or is it simply the fact that the beer is so much better here?

It was a mass exodus (graduation) coupled with a temptations of grand riches to the north (aka, a job). At least, thats what got me moving. I'm suprised to find another Aggie here too, actually. I always figured that the cold alone would force the majority to flee to a less harsh ( and warmer) environment. It's not like CS ever got that cold (minus the freak ice storm we had the winter before last)

Mind you...I wouldn't be suprised if there was a UT born airborne virus that was released at some point...sounds like something they would do :-)

2005 - Toy Soldiers (Finished!)
2006 - Hydrophilia (Finished!)
2007 - unnamed (Failed T_T)

A lot of Southerners move up here for jobs and then retreat after a winter or two. I grew up in Atlanta and am facing my fifth winter up here. I'm still not used to the cold.

I'm working on my third winter here this year (first time NaNoer, though), and it's not so much the COLD that I dislike, it's the snow on the roads.

Once it hits the temperature where you can't feel your toes even though you've got double-layered socks and snowboots on, it don't get much colder than that. Doesn't really matter what the thermometer tells you. Past that point, it's all the same.

No, it's the treacherous roads I hate. Love the snow, hate the driving in it.

In reference to the original post, what is a 'ML' ?

I'm surprised too to see so many southerners. I've lived in Wisconsin my entire life. The cold really isn't so bad, I promise! Driving on wintery roads is a bit tricky/scary but after a few years it's second nature.

I was thinking if no one else steps up to be ML I'll sign up to do it, I'm starting my fifth year doing Nano. Oh and ML is a Municipal Liaison, it's a volunteer who organizes the kick off parties, write ins and the thank god it's over party. As well as encourages writers along the way.

Do most of you live within the actual city? I'm attending the UW so I'm right in the thick of things.

Snow on Easter is not natural.4 of the 5 Easter's I've spent up here have had snow fall on or already on the ground at Easter. It's not right to hunt for eggs in snow.

To me, snow on Easter is just one of the ways to spend Easter. This is why we always hunted for eggs inside. However, snow days in April are a little ridiculous.

I'm really hoping that a winter doesn't scare me off. I like it up here so far, but the prospect of a winter with actual snow is somewhat daunting (I've never lived anywhere where it snowed regularly. We did get a "blizzard" one winter when I lived in Atlanta, but that was like six inches of snow, I think....and I was about six at the time)

2005 - Toy Soldiers (Finished!)
2006 - Hydrophilia (Finished!)
2007 - unnamed (Failed T_T)

I live to the west, just outside of Middleton. Nice area, but kinda far away from everything downtown.

2005 - Toy Soldiers (Finished!)
2006 - Hydrophilia (Finished!)
2007 - unnamed (Failed T_T)

Same here - I'm in Cross Plains. I put fliers up at the local coffeehouse and the library. I expect I'll be spending more time there than at home come November!

I'm a junior at the UW, so I'm right in the middle of everything, too. This is my first year doing NaNoWriMo, so I'm pretty excited. My two completed novels took about 6-12 months each, so this is going to be a challenge, though I'm sure that's how it is for everyone, hah.

I have to say though, my least favorite aspect of Wisconsin is definitely the snow. Especially on campus. I'm willing to bet that I'm in at least three of those videos on youtube of kids falling due to icy sidewalks. I've lived in Wisconsin my entire life, but I've never had such a hard time getting around as I did last year.

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.

Don't worry too much about the snow! Unless you're walking through it, it's really not too much of a pain...well unless you have to shovel but that's a whole other story...

I heard the sidewalks around campus get really slick which kind of worries me, hopefully it won't be too bad. I can start running again in November and I'm worried I'll only have a few weeks outside before the snow hits!

Oh and it was a neat idea to put up flyers around you! it'll be nice if you can gather up some people closer to you and have write ins without having to trek into the city.

OK - I've lived here {mumble} years...well, I'll admit it. I was pregnant with my third child when I moved here. He's {{koff koff}} 37 years old. Hang on a sec, I have to lie down......ah, that's better. ANYway. I live on the west side, near the Arb, and this is my FIRST NaNoWriMo experience. I hope this is like a support group on account of 'cause I'm going to need it. I'm seriously questioning my sanity, because I write SHORT stories, and with a "juvenile slant". (I'm in my second childhood - the husband says I'm "a twelve-year-old with a car and a credit card".) So anyway, I am glad to discover there are Others Around. So...HALLOO! Oh, and regarding winter? I LOVE it, LOVE the snow (it insulates, you know) and I just stay off the Beltline in the snow. I drive like a Little Old Lady. (Heck, I *am* a Little Old Lady!) But I was born in North Dakota (can you believe THAT?) and grew up in Minne-snow-ta. (And..........it seems I ramble when I'm nervous. Nevermind.)

@dale-harriet

Hey, the ability to ramble when nervous should serve you well in NaNoWriMo! *laughs*

It's true. The sidewalks around campus are TERRIBLE in winter. They refuse to salt, since it "depletes the lake," or something. They just pour sand everywhere, which does absolutely nothing. I think this year I'm going to resort to taking the 80s around campus, just so I don't have to worry about slipping and sliding everywhere. I'm not sure why I hadn't thought of that before.

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.

Most definitely agree with this one....also the ability to ramble when your half asleep. That is pretty helpful as well!

2005 - Toy Soldiers (Finished!)
2006 - Hydrophilia (Finished!)
2007 - unnamed (Failed T_T)

I agree, the ability to ramble is most definitely helpful during NaNo. Though, during NaNoEdMo (editing month) it makes you hate yourself a little but it's okay. But either way, this is one of the best support groups around I'd say! Does anyone have any plot ideas yet? I usually go into November with some idea or an entire outline but so far I've got nothing this year!

I might have to resort to using the 80's as well. I live in the Lakeshore dorms so it's a trek rain or shine to get to class. And I'm already sick of getting rained on, I'm sure the snow will be way worse!

I'm another displaced Texan. Moved up here for grad school. It's my second year this year after a horrible, horrible fail last year. I'm probably a bit insane to try it this year, being a Master's student in journalism and all, but I figure a) I'll meet people and b) it gives me an excuse to write something I like in the midst of what I have to write for class. And a break from the criticism of my profs.

I'm a UW student but actually live just south of the beltline, meaning I'm not located convenient to anything.

***Kimberly***
****************
Nerd
Hates Naming Characters and Places
Gets Lost

Do you have to drive in/take the bus every day? That has to be kind of a pain. I live on W. Johnson, across from the Double Tree, and I think the 10/15 minute walk to Van Hise is bad enough. Granted, that's probably my own fault, since I'm always running late.

Lakeshore's really not that bad, depending on where you live. If you're in Liz, you're in basically the center of campus, so it's easy to get everywhere. If you're over by Tripp, and all that, though... Then I'd definitely resort to using the buses.

And when I write, I never plan anything. I find that the more planning I do, the less excited I am about writing it. So I'm just going to write on the fly. I have a title, a general concept, and character names, and I'm just going to leave it at that.

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.

I've got an idea for my story...two characters, a beginning and an ending. Everything in between is up in the air at the moment though. That's how I like it though. It makes for some rather hilarious scenes that I never would have thought of normally.

2005 - Toy Soldiers (Finished!)
2006 - Hydrophilia (Finished!)
2007 - unnamed (Failed T_T)

Re: ML status for this year:

Last I heard there were three people possibly working together to accomplish ML duties this year. One of those people was going to be me, but it's very up in the air as to whether or not I'll actually be around in November (yay job issues), so I think I'd better leave it up to other folks who might be more dependable. Having said that, if there's anything I can do to help out, should I manage to stick around in Madison, I'd love do what I can! My big goal is to actually get out and meet you lovely people instead of hiding in my apartment like I did my previous two years....

~ earthy

I would ordinarily be a Texas writer, but this year it looks like I'll be in the Cross Plains area helping my folks out while my dad has knee replacement surgery next week. I'll be in the area before NaNo kicks off, so we may be able to get together.

Jean

"Sing like you don't need the money, love like you'll never get hurt; dance, dance, dance like nobody's watching." written by Susanna Clark & Richard Leigh; sung by Kathy Mattea

Good morning. I'm a Madison writer, have been for most my life. Around the age of three I moved here from Maine, so I'm used to the cold winters by now. This is my first year particapating in the NaNoWrMo and I'm greatly looking forward to it. Now I just have to sort out which story idea I think I can do and crank out a novel with.

----------

"You can't edit a blank page." -First heard from PolarBear60

"A gat in the hand is worth the world by it's tail." -Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon

I'm From the Dells area and commute to work at UW-Madison. This is my first REAL attempt at NANO. I tried once before but didn't do any prep work and gave up after about two days knowing there was no hope for me. I'm anxious to get started and have lots of support from the people who ride my commuter van every day.

Robin

I'm in Adams, which is next to Trip so It's about a 5-10 min walk to class. Really not so bad at all compared to everyone else's commutes. Though, I'm curious as to why so many Texans decide to brave the weather and relocate here.

I think some general idea for a plot line is a good way to go or at the very least some characters and a general theme/idea. Otherwise, I end up spending epic ages trying to think of something and having to play catch-up all month.

Earthy, it's good to hear about the ML, I hadn't heard anything and sent an email off to Eric about volunteering myself. I hope you do end up staying in Madison though!

Yo yo!

I played the WriMo game for two years before coming to Madison in 2006, at which point I scored my first win. Last year I passed it up in favor of other creative projects, but now I'm ready to return and give it another go!

My social life's a lot busier than it was in '06, though--this may be trickier. ^.^; On the plus side, we start on a Saturday, which just screams "Friday midnight writing party" to me. You know, no sleep until you have your first 2000 words, that sort of thing!

This will be my second NaNoWriMo! Last year i got sick the last week, so I only made it to 45,000 words.
This time I am aiming to write those 50,000 words AND work on publishing this dang thang!
:-)

I like riding my bike to any coffee shop on State Street, Johnson, or the Macha Tea House on Monroe.

Is there going to be a midnight writing party for November 1st?

My husband is already trying to help me prepare for this November- stocking up on soup, coffee, tea, popcorn, mac n'cheese, etc.

Has anyone else decided to try to raise money for The Office of Light and Letters? Did you check out that sponsorship page?

Laura Beck Nielsen

I can't speak for any other Texan transplants, but in my case, I'm a Naturalized Texan, native to Iowa with nearly all my family roots from Middleton. We moved several times, so Middleton, in many ways, seemed more like my home than anywhere else until I reached adulthood. Now I have parents, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, a nephew, and a sister (with the appropriate in-laws) scattered throughout the Mad City region.

Jean

"Sing like you don't need the money, love like you'll never get hurt; dance, dance, dance like nobody's watching." written by Susanna Clark & Richard Leigh; sung by Kathy Mattea

Jean

"Sing like you don't need the money, love like you'll never get hurt; dance, dance, dance like nobody's watching." written by Susanna Clark & Richard Leigh; sung by Kathy Mattea