Hey all, our thread here got deleted (along with everything else) and I thought I would repost it. I copied what we had so far the other day (I hope I didn't miss anything) and saved it to repost here. So, below is what we had prior to deletion. If I missed anything please feel free to repost! (Actually it looks like I missed my own response to the last post. Oops, guess I'll repost that in a minute.)
Tohoku Nanos, UNITE!
53,385 / 50,000
Joined: Oct 28, 2007
Location: Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata-ken, Japan
Posts: 33
Posted on:
Sep 10, 2009 - 19 50 Hey all, I am a newbie in Japan (just got here in August) but this will be my third year doing Nanowrimo. I was just wondering if anyone else out there planning on doing it this year is in Tohoku. I am in Tsuruoka (which is in Yamagata). Just curious if anyone else in the area is planning on participating and might be up for write ins or a kick off party.
I saw the old thread from last year, but figured a new thread was in order. I also thought it might be worth planning a bit in advance so that people have plenty of time to schedule things in. Even if no one's up for a meet up I was wondering if people wanted to introduce themselves here.
I'll go ahead:
Hajimemashite! I'm an American living in Tsuruoka. I will be teaching English through an Eikaiwa (I start in October) but I am a field teacher so I don't have an office. I have been in Japan since mid-August. I don't speak much Japanese but I am hell bent on learning as much as possible while I'm here. I live here with my boyfriend who is a new JET ALT this year. I used to teach Spanish full time back in the states. I write whenever I can. This will be my third year doing nanowrimo. I participated and won in both 07 and 08. I am still editing my novels from previous years and have not yet submitted them for publication though that is my ultimate goal. I have had some short stories published in the last few years but not many. I find nanowrimo to be an excellent motivator and I am very excited to be doing it again. I write fantasy and adventure, largely with kick ass female leads. That's about all I can think of for introductions. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
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ClaireR
RE: Tohoku Nanos, UNITE!
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Joined: Oct 22, 2007
Location: Misawa, Japan
Posts: 8
Posted on:
Sep 19, 2009 - 03 42 Guenhwyvar: Yokoso! Welcome to Japan! I hope you're enjoying your time here.
I'm also an American living in the Tohoku region, but I'm active Navy assigned to Misawa (in Aomori prefecture). The really funny thing is that I chose to come to Misawa even though I hate snow. I'm a little far away myself but I might be able to manage a Saturday away from Misawa for a write in somewhere between Yamagata and Aomori prefectures. But hopefully there will be some more Nanos popping up in the region.
My Japanese speaking ability is atrocious and, so far, I haven't been able to continue lessons because of a combination of work, online math classes, and kimono dressing lessons. I can read a good amount, write some, and understand quite a bit, I just can't speak well :p. My job is in meteorology and oceanography, but I will be getting out next year so I can spend more time with my husband (who is also Navy but stationed in Yokosuka, Kanagawa prefecture) and finish a bachelor's in applied mathematics, as well as take a break from the daily grind.
This will be my third year doing Nano (and hopefully a year of win this time). I don't have any goals of publishing what I write with Nano, I've mainly done it because 1) I like writing, it's a great way for me to reduce stress (mainly by throwing my problems at my protagonists), and 2) to get the story ideas I have floating around out of my head and onto paper. Most of my ideas have been fanfic stuff, so nothing's really publishable anyway.
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Jenlesic
RE: Tohoku Nanos, UNITE!
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Joined: Sep 16, 2009
Location: Fukushima, Japan
Posts: 1
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Sep 23, 2009 - 16 07 Hey Guenhwyvar, I didn't realize you were in Tohoku! I'm in Fukushima-ken, making you my northern neighbor.
I'm a newbie JET participant for the 2009-2010, though right now I'm planning on staying on longer than a year. I live in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima-ken and am in love with the place so far. I teach Junior High students at a large combined Junior/Senior High School which is very academically focused, making English important but only in order to pass entrance exams! My husband of one year has tagged along with me and works remotely as a computer engineer.
I've never participated in Nanowrimo before, but love the idea of it and am excited for my first go at it. I have a degree in English Literature and plan on going for a Ph.D. upon return from my time in Japan. I adore fiction, though my strengths are definitely more in analyzing than creating. But stretching myself to get 50,000 words on paper seems like an excellent challenge! I took creative writing courses in college but usually stuck to short stories and poetry, so a longer piece will be difficult for me. My job offers plenty of free time, however, so I'm really antsy to get started in November!
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Guenhwyvar
RE: Tohoku Nanos, UNITE!
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Joined: Oct 28, 2007
Location: Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata-ken, Japan
Posts: 33
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Sep 27, 2009 - 17 50 Yay, Tohoku Nanos! You're there! :-) Sorry for the delayed response. I was out of town for all of silver week, but I'm so glad to hear from you guys.
Sounds like we're quite spread out, but perhaps we could organize a weekend in Sendai or Niigata or maybe even Akita (still haven't been there) sometime for a write in/nano party. If people are at all interested let me know and I will try to organize something. If you have a preference for location and timing let me know. If we do it in early November it could be a kick off party/ write in. Or we could do late October and just have it be a kick off party.
Not sure what people are up for, but it might be fun to have a get together to put faces with names and give us a chance to get some word wars started etc. Write ins can be extremely motivational and really give you a boost in word count. Feeling like you're not the only person in the world who has signed up for, and is actually working towards, writing 50,000 words in 30 days can be very reassuring and inspiring.
Anyway, thanks for chiming in! Hopefully more people will show up and introduce themselves. Though, even if there are only three of us that would still be fun for a get together. (Actually, I think I have convinced a couple other people in my ken to sign up, so we may have a bigger group. I will try to point them towards this forum in the not too distant future.)
Hope you two are doing well. I look forward to hearing from you again, and from others as well. Let me know what you think about a meet up sometime and what dates and areas might be preferable.
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idiosyncratic_g...
RE: Tohoku Nanos, UNITE!
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Joined: May 14, 2009
Location: Petaluma, CA
Posts: 1
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Sep 27, 2009 - 18 09 Hey everyone,
I'm from Kobe - now living in NorCal, USA, but I've visited Tohoku before and I couldn't help but notice your suggestion of Akita.
Whether you meet up there or not for NaNo, I do want to suggest visiting Akita some time anyway.
They have really great Onsen, and in that area, you can see a free Taiko performance of the Namahage (Akita Oni) troup - A must see! There's also an aquarium, and the Godzilla rock and some other interesting things there. Oh and its' very very beautiful.
Sorry, shameless plug. My good friend is from Akita and I had a blast visiting.
Good luck with NaNo! (^_^) v
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ClaireR
RE: Tohoku Nanos, UNITE!
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Joined: Oct 22, 2007
Location: Misawa, Japan
Posts: 8
Posted on:
Sep 29, 2009 - 04 01 For me, the first three weekends are pretty full up.
I'm volunteering for a haunted forest on the base here that last weekends in October, ending that last Saturday. However, I may just not do that last Saturday... I haven't managed to get to a kickoff since I started doing Nano.
The first full weekend in November, I'll be participating in the regional kimono dressing competition in Akita, so unless I can manage some time away from things Saturday late afternoon/early evening (competition is that Sunday), that weekend is shot.
And, as the watchbill stands, I'll be on call the weekend of the 14th (which means I can't leave the Misawa area).
However, I should be able to swing something the weekends of the 21st and the 29th (tho probably just that Sunday). And possibly October 31st/November 1st for a kickoff.
As far as location, Sendai is a definite possibility for me since it's fairly easy for me to get to. Also, I've never been to Niigata, but I have wanted to get out there before I leave Japan next year. And again, if it's not too busy before the competition, I might be able to meetup somewhere near the area of the kimono competition in Akita that first Saturday in November (I'm really not sure how much goes on or how much my sensei is going to want me to practice before competition).
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4,592 / 50,000
Oct 4, 2009 - 02 52
Hey ^-^
I too live in Fukushima-ken and would love to meet up for a write-in or something if I can, though last year I couldn't get the time off work, but this year fingers crossed ^-^
I'm also an English teacher, I've been in Japan for 4 years and this is my second time doing NaNo. Yoroshiku ^-^
76,689 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 03 47
Yay Korayne! Welcome. I am psyched to have a sempai among us who can help us navigate a bit better.
Ok, so that's two in Fukushima so far, one in Aomori and one in Yamagata. Woot, four people! That is the solid makings of a write in and/or kick-off party. I guess if we're hoping for a kick-off party over halloween weekend (or any other time in October) we should start planning soon. So, what are other's votes for place and date. So far November first sounds like the best date to me, which means we should make it a kick off party/write in, but that should be a pretty fun combo. Does November 1st work for others?
Looking at a map Sendai seems like it would be a reasonably central location, and Claire mentioned it was easy for her to get to even though she's the farthest away distance-wise. Fukushima NaNos what say you? There are a few cafes, at least one of which has nice comfy chairs, on Clis Road very close to the station, so those might be decent places to meet up. What does everyone think. Please chime in if November 1st doesn't work for you or if you think Sendai isn't a good place to go.
By the way, I am also willing to host meet ups at my place if anyone wants to trek all the way out here. There is a train station in my town and I live relatively close to it. However, I think it may far enough out of the way so as not to be worth it. That would be up to any of you might want to come though.
Other thoughts? Opinions on times and dates. I would love to get a kick off party organized if we can, so please let us know what your preferences are!
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Oct 6, 2009 - 21 24
Hello everyone! I'm Jess, a new ALT from Akita City. I'm here to plug for a write-in weekend. Doesn't really matter where it is (though Akita is, of course, lovely!), as long as we can get some kind of appropriate accomodation. Maybe a cabin-style place of our own with a common room and possibly cooking facilities. Japan has plenty of places like this, though since I'm new to this area I don't know where to start...
Of course, anyone is welcome to come here to Akita City for a write in whenever they want, though my apartment would only be suitable for shorter write ins... there is karaoke and a jamaican reggae bar right across the street though!
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Oct 6, 2009 - 21 28
p.s. I second (or third??) Sendai as a place for a kick-off party since I've been dying to get over there but I need a reasonable excuse...
But, Sendai probably wouldn't work as well for an overnight/weekend write in since accomodation will be pricier...
Actually, if there's only a few of us who can swing a weekend of writing then I doubly offer my apartment as a location.
76,689 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 23 34
The cabin for a weekend idea is sorely tempting, but perhaps a longer multi-day write-in like that might be best saved for a post kick-off party event. It sounds like Sendai is appealing to most people so, unless someone chimes in otherwise, we can start planning on that.
For me it would be just for a day, I have things going on here on Saturday night and then I have work on Monday so I would not plan on overnighting in Sendai myself, though I would be up for hosting a write-in over a period of 6-8 hrs or so, so that people can stay as long as they want, come and go and then maybe wander around and look at the city.
If we're a small enough group none of the cafes will probably mind if we set up shop for a while and if we're a bigger group we can probably make arrangements for it.
If people do want to stay in Sendai I know of a very nice "youth hostel" really a Ryokan for younger people (I stayed there and I'm 27 so I don't think you have to be too young) that is about 3800 yen per night. Not super cheap, but not expensive either and it's pretty easy to get to from the station. Plus it's clean and quiet and the guy who runs it is very friendly. Also, if any JETs want to stay in Sendai then be sure to check in with the Sendai JETs for floor space. There are LOTS of JETs in Sendai and most of them would be happy to host other JETs. So that's a thought too.
Meanwhile, what do people think about having a write in from 12 to 6pm or maybe 8pm. I would volunteer to stay the whole time so that if people want to come and go there would always be someone there, and everyone else could come and go as they please (though the idea is to write as much as possible on November 1st so you might consider sticking around a bit). We could start off with a kick-off party get together, with intros etc. and then we could transition into a write-in from there.
Does that appeal to anyone? If not, let me know, we can rework that however people like. By the way, I have word in with the ML down in Osaka and she is happy to send us some stickers and starter stuff for the meet-up. (For those who don't know, NaNo stickers rock!)
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Oct 7, 2009 - 02 39
Let's see... how about we make a plan to meet in Sendai on Sunday 1st for a kick off then? I guess early afternoon would be best since some of us will be traveling a bit...? Actually, we can talk about possible write ins etc. then, I suppose. Ah, how nice to think I'll still be at a Cafe with other writers on November first even though I'm in Japan!
By the way, shall I introduce myself properly?
Name: Jess
Age: 22
Nationality: Australian
Home in Japan: Akita City
NaNo Genre: Young Adult
Hmm...I've done NaNo three times, though one of those times I did it myelf in February so it probably doesn't count! Have never been employed full time whilst writing, though, so this year will be interesting...
よろしくね！
4,592 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 03 31
Hey ^-^
I spoke to my boss today and I can actually get the 1st off (yay, dances around the room) so I am in favour of a kick-off/write-in in Sendai on that day. Anytime is fine by me, I too will probably stay the whole day, I live just down the road from a shinkansen station so travel will be easy for me ^-^
76,689 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 06 55
Sweet! I love it when a plan comes together. Ok, so far what I'm hearing(reading) is that Sunday the 1st, in Sendai from 12:00pm to 6:00pm (or possibly later) is cool with people. Is that right? Does that work for everyone? If so I will get to planning. If everyone could chime in yay or nay that would be great so I'll have an idea of how many stickers and such to request from our lovely ML down in Osaka. Thanks to all those who have spoken up so far! I'm already excited for a real write-in even though it's weeks away. WOOT!
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Oct 8, 2009 - 01 40
yay ^-^
2,673 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 17 22
Hey everyone! I am a first time NaNo-er and also this will be my first time writing anything of significant length fictionwise. So needless to say I am a bit worried.
Anyway, I am a CIR living in Morioka, Iwate and just wanted to say hi. My November is pretty hectic due to various midyear seminars, so I have no clue as to whether I could make any meetups or not, but if you stop by Morioka at all send me a PM.
Oh and Guenhywyvar... I've totally been to Tsuruoka before :)
76,689 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 18 34
Grissnap, welcome! Glad to have you. Might you be able to make it to Sendai on November 1st? So far that's the only write-in we have planned but we're hoping to draw as many to that as we can.
You've been to Tsuruoka? No! Surely this is a trick. Just kidding. But, um... why were you here? Please, elaborate.
Oh and to all JETs who've introduced themselves over here, make sure to go drop a line on the JETs page: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3263951
:-)
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Oct 8, 2009 - 23 24
I'm totally up for Sendai on the first :)
Edit: looking at the train schedule, I'll probably be early since the trains only go from Hachinohe every hour and then arrive in Sendai on the half hour. And since I have to go to work early on that following Monday, I'll probably take the 1838 train back.
0 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 01 51
Woah. Just found out how expensive and how long it'll take me to get to Sendai from Akita. Not do-able!! Can we reevaluate? Sendai is easy enough to get to, but it's probably not the most central location.
So, can I ask you guys again where everyone is from...? Like I said, I'm from Akita City!
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Oct 16, 2009 - 03 51
Ok, now that I've actually looked at a map of Japan, I would suggest Morioka as a central location. P.s. Sendai in the real world is in a different place than it is in my head. ^_^ This is the case with most places, actually....
76,689 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 04 53
Purple Angel, I'm willing to pick a new location if lots of people are ok with the switch, but while Sendai isn't necessarily central it's pretty easy to get to using local transportation, which is why I think people are keen on it. I agree that the shinkansen from Akita to Sendai is WAY too expensive and the other trains are still expensive and quite slow.
Have you looked into bus prices? From where I am (Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata-ken) a round trip highway bus is 5,400 yen to Sendai and back. I am closer than you are, but I am also in a smaller city than Akita. Perhaps it would be worth checking out bus prices before we talk about rearranging the location of the kick off party. Let me know what comes of the bus pricing and we'll work from there.
Yet another option to consider: It may be cheaper to get to Yamagata than to go to Sendai (certainly there is a train option that's only 3,500 yen each way, hopefully there's a bus that's way cheaper) in which case if we can work out the timing I might be able to come pick you up in Yamagata and then drive you to Sendai, and do the same on the way back.
Actually, scratch that, I just found a fare that takes you from Akita to Tsuruoka in 2hr 52min (with one change) that is only 2,210 yen (each way). Then we can drive from Tsuruoka to Sendai together. Would that be acceptable? (It's about 3.5 hours from Tsuruoka to Sendai by car- 2.5 if we take the toll roads.) Anyway, just thought I'd throw a few options out there.
If anyone else would find it convenient to carpool from Tsuruoka let me know. I'm happy to take people. I've got room for 3 people in addition to me. On the other hand, if no one else wants to drive, I may well take the bus as between tolls and gas it may be the same price and then I won't have to find parking.
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Oct 21, 2009 - 18 37
Greetings!
Akita International University (Kokusai Kyouyou Daigaku) student from Norway reporting! XD Nice to meet y'all!
I'd LOVE to go to the Sendai write-in, but I actually have plans for Nov. 1. ;___; I'll have to see if I can shift those about a bit...
(...heck, I'm actually so busy I shouldn't be doing NaNo at all. I hate homework, I swear)
----------2006: Heal Me Gently - Win!
2007: Braiding Shadows - last-minute win.
2008: Maladroit Emotions - terrible and utter loss
2009: Title Undecided -
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"And on the subject of colours, he was feeling kinda green as well."
0 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 03 41
Hi everyone!
I was just wondering what the plans were currently for a kick off party? Will there be one in Sendai or elsewhere? I saw you were talking about one in Sendai, but I didn't see any definite plans. Or did I miss them? *resolves to check again*
I'm teaching English in Sendai and would definitely be up for a kick off party on the 1st. Hope everyone has a good month! ^_^
30,000 / 50,000
Oct 27, 2009 - 19 15
Hey guys!
I'm Claire. Originally from Barbados, but living in Ichinohe in the North of Iwate now. I can't make the first but if you guys are up to a final weekend blowout, I'm all about it. If you want to do cabins, I know some awesome cabins in South Iwate and I can organise them if you want to do the whole weekend. Other than that, I'm willing to meet up wherever that weekend.
More about me. I teach English and I'm a second year JET. Guen, I was also a full time language teacher before I came out: French and Spanish! I'm 27 and I have a son at home in Barbados. I've only done one year: last year. I wrote mainstream last year, but I think I micht be doing a YA thing this year.
And there's at least one more nano-er in Iwate.
----------Nano 08: Urban Legends:
It's not hard to walk the right path. Just turn around.
11,023 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 00 44
Good Evening Tohoku!
Reporting in from Yamagata-ken.
This is my 4th year in Japan and on the JET programme.
This is my first year doing NaNo, and I ain't gonna lie - I'm scared to death ahahaha! But so far I'm having fun. I was invited by my friend whose enthusiasm convinced me to join.
Nice to meet you all~
Cheers!
76,689 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 08 34
Greetings, puchu, zash, muchlanguage and hibiki! Welcome to the group!
We had a fun kick off/ write-in on Sunday with a total of 5 Tohoku nanos representing! Thanks to all who came out! (For more details on how that write in went check out the "Tohoku Kick off/write detiails" in thread.)
Hibiki, 4th year JET from Yamagata? Have I met you? I'm not a JET, but my boyfriend is and we live together in Tsuruoka. Did you come to the Halloween party on Saturday night? I was the pagoda...
Anyway, I hope that everyone's first week is moving along splendidly. Hopefully we can organize some more write-ins in the not too distant future. If anyone would like to organize a write-in post here! Oh, and the weekend cabin thing at the end of November sounds like a great idea. Any idea what the cost would be?
Happy Noveling!
~Gwen
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Nov 4, 2009 - 00 44
Hallo! Let's enjoying writing!
I have lots of not much to do except writing this weekend. Let's make it happen in Tohoku!
2,467 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 22 36
Hallo friends, I am in Tendo, Yamagata. Nice to meet you all.
I don't know if I am up to this, but I will try my darndest.
Thanks for the reccomendation Ms. Tsuruoka.
Meow meow meow.
xxx
Morty McGlassesface
76,689 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 22 46
Welcome Mort and RTI, it's lovely to see you ladies join us. Hmm... me thinks we now have enough people to get a Yamagata write-in happening. There are now 4 of us from this forum in this ken...
Anyone else like that idea?
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Nov 5, 2009 - 01 04
Definitely! Yamagata ladies, represent! Let's meet up someplace soon! It would be silly if we didn't. And maybe we can make an excuse to have it in Sendai because Sendai is The Jam. We could go write at the Sendai Castle site. I'm sure the restauranteurs up there would just LOVE that. ;)
I'm trying not to do much this month, so I'll say I am free whenever!