WHO: You! It is statistically proven that NaNoWriMo participants who attend write-ins are more likely to reach 50k than those who don't.
WHAT: Bring your laptop or notepad to a cafe to crank out some words in the supportive company of your fellow SoBaNaNos.
WHEN: Throughout November at recurring times on weeknights, weekdays, and weekends. We try our best to set up enough write-ins that everybody can make it to at least one.
WHERE: Around the South Bay, again with an attempt at enough geographic diversity that at least one write-in is conveniently located for everyone.
WHY: Because many NaNo participants find that one of the best motivations to increase your word count is another writer sitting next to you with a higher word count.
HOW: Show up! But before that, help us decide when and where to hold write-ins this November!
The following write-ins will definitely be on the calendar, because they are also active during the off-season. Yes, in the South Bay, we're so hardcore that we have write-ins throughout the year! Feel free to join us this month to work on novel planning (look for laptops with NaNo stickers, contact me if you need more details):
* Sundays at Orchard Valley Coffee in Campbell, 4-6pm
* Tuesdays at Barnes and Noble (cafe area) in South San Jose, 9-12am
* Thursdays at Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara, 12-3pm
In November, you can also expect these established traditions:
* Tuesdays at Red Rock Coffee (upstairs room) in Mountain View, 7-9pm (joint write-in with Peninsula region)
* Thursdays at Coffee Society in Cupertino, 7-9pm
Where else? When else? That's up to you! We would love to see more write-ins organized by participants at times and places convenient for them. Ian and I cannot commit to attending every event, but if you're willing to be the official host (meaning you'll show up every week and be visible so people can find you), we'll put your write-in on the regional calendar. We'd like to get the weekly schedule pretty nailed down by October 27, though changes and plans for one-time write-ins can still happen after then.
The ideal write-in spot is a public place, usually a cafe, with enough space and tolerance that a large group can stay for several hours (we've had upwards of 30 people at some write-ins). Power outlets are a must, internet access is a big plus (or a minus, depending on your perspective), and availability of caffeine and sugar is usually a given, though we're open to the idea of write-ins at venues that don't serve food and drink.
Post here with your location suggestions, proposed write-in times, questions about write-ins, and testimonials to their power. I notice that we have a number of SJSU students. You guys want to organize a write-in either on campus (but open to the public) or at a venue in downtown San Jose? We've been sadly lacking in events in that area for a while.
----------
50,734 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2008 - 07 04
Anybody interested to get together for a write-in in Gilroy and/or surroundings?
----------NaNoWriMo Winner 2004: Silicon Relationships
NaNoWriMo Winner 2005: A Day in the Life of Alien XYZ
NaNoWriMo Winner 2006: The Day After the Oil Crashed
2007: abducted by aliens without wifi, sorry.
125,319 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2008 - 11 15
I vote for Barefoot Monday afternoons from 12-3(or later).
:-)
----------The Beatings Will Continue Until Word Count Improves!
125,319 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2008 - 11 16
I'd be interested in heading your way
Which days, what times?
----------The Beatings Will Continue Until Word Count Improves!
50,797 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2008 - 16 41
Awesome! I will hit some of the Campbell write-ins.
Stupid question time - where do I get the NaNoWriMo stickers? I don't remember seeing them on the store page.
59,001 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2008 - 17 01
There are no stupid questions! Ian and I have received stickers from headquarters which we will distribute to anyone who shows up at a South Bay event. There aren't any stickers for sale, but if you donate $25 or more, you'll get stickers as part of your thank you gifts.
%) Lisa
South Bay co-ML
50,750 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2008 - 18 39
Me! I'm going to try to make it to at least a couple of the write-ins at the Almaden B&N, but would like an alternate/supplemental location a little closer to home (I'm in Morgan Hill).
----------2005 Winner
2006 Winner
2007 Winner
2008 Winner-to-be!
Write on!
50,065 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2008 - 10 20
LOL! I thought I wouldn’t be able to make any groups because I don’t travel, but you’re at my local B&N, I hang out there all the time anyway.
61,348 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2008 - 18 28
I could do more weeknight evenings in the San Jose metropolitan area, if anyone wants to try to get something else together.
50,183 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2008 - 19 05
More evenings would be great for me, too. The only ones I can attend right now are the Thursday nights. I work until 6PM. Can we arrange for another one or two San Jose evening write-ins?
59,001 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2008 - 20 42
Any suggestions of a good place to meet up in San Jose, downtown or otherwise?
50,734 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2008 - 13 23
Hi there all who would be interested in a write-in in or around Gilroy.
So far I can come up with the following suggestions but strongly encourage you to add your own 2 cents. I am willing to go to Morgan HIll if we get a South County group together this way.
My suggestions are:
Gilroy - Panera (off 101 south exit 10th Street, opposite turn than WalMart towards gas station to your right)
Monday or Wednesday after 7PM until they close at 10PM
or
Sue's coffee shop downtown Gilroy on Monterey Street (easy from Morgan HIll) on Saturday morning starting 10 AM
Looking forward to hear from you all!
----------NaNoWriMo Winner 2004: Silicon Relationships
NaNoWriMo Winner 2005: A Day in the Life of Alien XYZ
NaNoWriMo Winner 2006: The Day After the Oil Crashed
2007: abducted by aliens without wifi, sorry.
50,124 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2008 - 11 38
For SJSU students/faculty/staff, the library would be a good place. Someone could reserve a study room. I'm not sure if you have to be a student to do that or if anyone with a library card can do it.
51,409 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2008 - 12 51
For Downtown San Jose and surroundings there are these possibilities:
The Britannia Arms on Santa Clara advertises its wi fi however its the Brit and all that implies.
The San Jose Main Library has free internet access and wi fi and closes at 10:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday. San Jose State is in session (and San Jose Main is on a corner of the campus at 150 E. San Fernando and 4th St. ) it's possible it'll be crowded in the evenings. Parking is also tough but there's a parking lot just up the street that is free after 6:00 p.m. (at least it was last summer)
There's a $tarbuck$ at Santa Clara and San Pedro but I'm not sure of the hours.
Beyond that I'm not familiar with other downtown spots with free wi fi and plenty of room for people to write and chat.
If you're willing to go a little farther afield there's a Border's at Santana Row open to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It's been a while since I've been in there so I can't speak to the cafe situation.
Barefoot Coffee is open until 10 p.m. at Steven's Creek near Lawrence Expressway.
About 10-15 minutes from downtown is a favorite spot of mine, the Campbell location of Coffee Society in the Pruneyard.
And, of course, there's Orchard Valley. Thursday evenings they tend to have music but that's the Cupertino Coffee Society night. Mon-Tues they're open to 9 and Wed-Sat they're open until 10.
61,348 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2008 - 14 58
I live near downtown San Jose.
The Panera on Coleman (along the Guadalupe River Trail) has wifi and is bigger than the Starbucks on Santa Clara and San Pedro.
The Rosegarden or Main library would work.
There is also a Starbucks on 2nd St. by the movie theater
The Pizza My Heart by SJSU has decent space but I don't know about Wifi
There are several coffeeshops along The Alameda between The Arena and 880, including Crema, Starbucks, and Peets
0 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2008 - 05 49
I would also like to see Panera on Coleman, or Crema, Peets or Starbucks on the Alameda.
----------I would be happy to host!
Coffee! Send in the coffee!
0 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2008 - 15 17
I could make it to Barefoot on Tues.,Thurs., or Fridays. It's my favorite place to write.
----------Graphic Novel - "Senior Delinquents"
2,757 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 17 07
Wonderful - I thought I wouldn't get to any write-ins, but the one in Mountain View is definitely convenient. (Are there any other out-of-novelling-season write-ins in town?) I think Red Rock has live music on Mondays, which is sometimes a bit loud.
Though the idea about the San Jose library is also good. We might be scattered about, but with 8 floors we'll never run out of chairs.
I am going to get 10,000 words in and completely crack. I can see it now.
59,001 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 18 05
I have made a few adjustments to the write-ins listed in the first post of this thread, and I've added them all to the South Bay calendar. Go to November, and you should see them.
I haven't yet added any of the additional write-ins under discussion, because I don't think anything has been finalized. The calendar should make it easy to see what days don't have anything scheduled (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) -- consider proposing for one of those days to spread write-ins out through the week.
Here's a summary of what's been mentioned so far:
1. Gilroy (or Morgan Hill). Specific proposals:
- Gilroy - Panera (off 101 south exit 10th Street, opposite turn than WalMart towards gas station to your right)
Monday or Wednesday after 7PM until they close at 10PM
- Sue's coffee shop downtown Gilroy on Monterey Street (easy from Morgan HIll) on Saturday morning starting 10 AM
2. San Jose - interest in evenings. Locations mentioned:
* Downtown:
- San Jose Main Library - wifi, closes at 10:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday
Anyone know about policies on reserving study rooms? It would be nice to be in a room so that we can do some talking without bothering other people.
- Britannia Arms on Santa Clara - wifi, but probably too loud?
- Starbucks at Santa Clara and San Pedro
- Starbucks on 2nd St. by the movie theater
- Pizza My Heart by SJSU - decent space, wifi unknown
* Away from downtown:
- Panera on Coleman (along the Guadalupe River Trail) - wifi
- several coffeeshops along The Alameda between The Arena and 880, including Crema, Starbucks, and Peets
- Borders at Santana Row open to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
3. Additional afternoons at Barefoot - Monday, Tuesday, or Friday
Note that evening write-ins tend to attract more people than are likely to fit at Barefoot, which is quite small.
4. Additional evenings at Orchard Valley in Campbell
Mon-Tues they're open to 9 and Wed-Sat they're open until 10.
5. Campbell location of Coffee Society in the Pruneyard
Let's start nailing this down! Ideally, pick a place and time that you can be available every week (or at least most), propose it, and if a couple more people are interested, we'll make it official!
59,001 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2008 - 18 11
There aren't any off-season write-ins in Mountain View currently, but that's not to say it couldn't happen next year. Talk it up among your fellow Red Rockers at next month's write-ins, and you may find other people are interested in continuing the tradition throughout the year.
50,734 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2008 - 13 44
The South County will give it a try: Panera Bakery in Gilroy at 7PM on Monday, November 3rd and every after, should there be interest. I've got some feedback on my Gilroy proposal, so let's do it. I would commit to show up every Monday unless I get sick and will post it and/or email it to the (hopefully) regular participants.
Panera Bakery is off highway 101 south coming from San Jose - take exit 10th street, make a left on tenth and a right after the gas station and traffic lights. You will see the Panera sign from the street.
Nanomail me if you would like my cell phone # in case you don't see me sitting there. I am hard to overlook: big, blonde, beautiful and my PowerBook has two shot holes and a red Nanowrimo sticker.
Hope to see you soon in Gilroy, the city that always sleeps except of November.
----------NaNoWriMo Winner 2004: Silicon Relationships
NaNoWriMo Winner 2005: A Day in the Life of Alien XYZ
NaNoWriMo Winner 2006: The Day After the Oil Crashed
2007: abducted by aliens without wifi, sorry.
50,750 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2008 - 12 34
In addition to the 7:00 PM Monday night write-in in Gilroy that Munichmaedchen has posted about, here's another South Valley opportunity for anyone who's interested...
Brad Jones, BookSmart owner, says 'come on down' Tuesday evenings from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. They have a limited number of electrical plugs, but lots of table space. Oh, and books... they have lots of books to either fuel your writing fire, or pull you into Procrastination Station!
BookSmart is in downtown Morgan Hill, at 80 East 2nd Street, between Monterey and Depot (closer to Depot). I'm planning to attend anyway, and this will still be on a drop-in basis, but if anyone else is interested, please reply or send me NaNo mail so I can let Brad know what to expect.
So with a souther write-in Monday night in Gilroy, Tuesday morning in South San Jose, and Tuesday night in Morgan Hill, we southers may just get all our weekly wordcounts done by Wednesday morning!
Write on!
----------- Meg
2005 Winner
2006 Winner
2007 Winner
2008 Winner-to-be!
Write on!
50,018 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2008 - 14 36
[quote=marcopolo
2. San Jose - interest in evenings. Locations mentioned:
* Downtown:
- San Jose Main Library - wifi, closes at 10:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday
Anyone know about policies on reserving study rooms? It would be nice to be in a room so that we can do some talking without bothering other people.
- Britannia Arms on Santa Clara - wifi, but probably too loud?
- Starbucks at Santa Clara and San Pedro
- Starbucks on 2nd St. by the movie theater
- Pizza My Heart by SJSU - decent space, wifi unknown
* Away from downtown:
- Panera on Coleman (along the Guadalupe River Trail) - wifi
- several coffeeshops along The Alameda between The Arena and 880, including Crema, Starbucks, and Peets
- Borders at Santana Row open to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
San Jose Main Library - wifi was only for students. I could not get on last time I was there
Downtown Starbucks - All of them are small. I do not think anyone can meet at the one by the Theater. I think no more the 4 people could meet at the Starbucks at San Pedro Square or Third St and Santa Clara.
I think the best idea is Panera on Colman
61,348 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2008 - 16 11
I'm game for Panera on Coleman. M, T, W or Friday are fine for evenings. I could do every other Thursday. I think they are open until 9:00 PM
59,001 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2008 - 14 37
For anyone thinking of showing up at Orchard Valley Coffee on Sunday, October 19: Campbell's Oktoberfest celebration is happening this weekend, which means the area around OVC, and likely the cafe itself, will be packed, and parking will be difficult. Ian and I decided last Sunday that we will not brave OVC this week, and you may want to reconsider as well.
%) Lisa
15,069 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2008 - 15 19
I live in south San Jose and would be interested in attending, but hardly ever go downtown because I never know where to park, and I don't want to pay for parking. Is there a place we can meet that has easy parking?
15,069 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2008 - 15 22
Also I am confused. Are the Mtn View write-ins at Red Rock or Books Inc?
1,242 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2008 - 15 43
I'll go to the OVC ones, I live there in Campbell anyway.
59,001 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2008 - 15 49
We will meet at Red Rock (in the new upstairs room) in Mountain View on Tuesday evenings. The Books Inc cafe is a bit too small for us, so we will not hold write-ins there this year, since we now have a larger location a block away.
59,001 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2008 - 16 13
The Panera is in a big shopping center on Coleman (not actually downtown, but not far) with tons of parking, so that should work well for a write-in location. The main reason to try for a location in downtown San Jose would be if we have a lot of participants from SJSU, or who work downtown, and that contingent hasn't spoken up on this thread so far.
1,049 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2008 - 17 34
I vote for Panera on Coleman!
I was hoping we'd get something going that's a little closer to home. :)
ETA: I am free any night though the first week of Nov. it's unlikely I'll be attending anything.