Welcome all Twin City Wrimos!
One of the best parts of our regions, is how many active participants we have, and it grows each year. With an area as large as ours, it is to be expected that we would have write-ins throughout the entire region, and the only way to do this is by asking all interested participants to consider hosting write-ins when and where convenient to them.
Write-ins are a useful way to get out of your ordinary environment full of distracting excuses not to write. Coffee shops, libraries, café areas in bookstores, and common study areas in colleges are all possibilities. Any public space, which provides tables, outlets, access to food and drink and doesn’t mind a group taking up space for a few hours can work. Other things to consider might be accessibility, parking etc.
At a write-in, primarily we write. The host will have an area marked with a sign so we know how to find each other, and after some initial introductions, silence falls (although some of us bring earphones in case conversations around us are too distracting) and we write. Most rimes bring laptops, but a few brave souls have pen to notebook. Word wars (short timed blocks of a few minutes for all out writing) and dares might be exchanged, and often yield large word increases for all involved.
So, the steps to hosting a successful write-in:
1 – choose a location.
2 – choose a date, just one day, or every Saturday.
3 – choose the time, both beginning and ending.
4 – post your write-in information here in this thread so one of the Mills can post it to our calendar.
5 – be there, a few minutes before your start time so you can be ready with signs etc.
A few niceties, call your location before the write-in to give them a heads up. Also, consider bringing a power strip, or asking someone else planning to join you to bring one. Also, check to see if another participant is hosting a write-in next door at the same time on the same day, team up and do it together.
Feel free to ask any questions here.
----------
"The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected." Swedish proverb
33,255 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2009 - 13 12
Monthly Loft Write-In
Date: Monday October 12, 2009
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Open Book coffee shop
Street: 1011 Washington Ave S
City State Zip: Minneapolis, MN 55406
39,152 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 07 44
Just a reminder that we are happy to post any write-ins on our spiffy Google Calendar (see the Links section under the Regional Info Tab)... but any write-ins that are happening before November 1st should not involve writing the novel you plan to write for Nanowrimo. Work on other projects or do some planning our outlining about your Nano Novel, but the fun and the goal of Nano is to write that novel in the confines of the 30-day deadline. It's worth waiting for!
----------Theresa, aka Sapphirestar
Twin Cities ML
http://sapphire.albatross.org
2003: Out of Houdini's Trunk
2004: Rita, Not the Hurricane
2005: Days of Confinement
2006: My Name Is Shay
2007: After 50 Years
2008: The Fat Lady Sings
34,567 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 19 07
"Official" SW Suburb Weekly Write-Ins (as decided by discussion):
Every Tuesday, from 7pm-10pm at the Galleria Barnes & Noble
Every Wednesday, from 7pm-10pm at the Eden Prairie Dunn Brothers (Smith-Douglas House, 8107 Eden Prairie Rd)
We're having two a week because there's a number of people who couldn't make it to one or the other on a regular basis but still wanted a regular session. In any event, we'll just advertise them both and plan on seeing people there. Add this to the calendar, pretty please?
----------http://matthew.kilanowski.us
2,095 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 14 56
I just set up a one-time "pre-NaNo" Write-In
Sunday, October 25: 1:30pm - 4:30pm at Merriam Park Public Library meeting room. Free WiFi. LOTS of room.
I'm going to bring a couple of power strips and hopefully more WriMos will show up to discuss ideas, get thru some of the pre-work and have a nifty time (:
could you post that on the calendar? thanks bunches!
16,000 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 19 23
Just a reminder to all:
----------If you want your event/write-in/etc. posted on the google calendar linked from this site, you need to post the information in this thread. Then I (or Theresa) will place it onto the goggle calendar. If you can, please remember to include the street address so it is easy for everyone to find. Thanks!
"The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected." Swedish proverb
4,102 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 07 47
Okay, I have posted this in the SE Suburbs thread, but I'm going to go ahead and (in faith) ask that it be calendared:
Write-ins, Friday evenings 10/30-11/27 from 6pm-10pm at:
Pardon My French, 1565 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55122-2574
(651) 454-2233
Pardon My French serves great food, french pastries and wine, has free wifi, comfy couches and power (although they suggest bringing power strips if there are a lot of people).
I plan to start this on October 30th, for a pre-writing/outlining/inspiration session. I need a jumpstart!!
----------Renee
16,000 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 17 33
Done!
----------"The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected." Swedish proverb
57,468 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 10 35
Reservations for the following write-in have been confirmed. Please add to the calendar!
I will be cross-posting in the original thread in which I proposed the write-in.
Location: Minneapolis Central Library (300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 55401, phone 612.630.6000)
Conference room: N-304, third floor (exit elevator or staircase and turn Left)
Dates & Times:
11/1/2009 1-5 pm(Daytime Kickoff--don't forget Daylight Saving Time!)
11/22/2009 1-5 pm (Closing In on the Finish Line)
11/29/2009 1-5 pm(The Sunday Last Chance Write-in)
Description:
If you are participating in NaNoWriMo, bring your laptop, notebook, legal pad etc. for up to four hours of uninterrupted writing! Room seats 12, first come first serve.
Important note: If you have a power strip, please bring just in case.
Nearest major intersection: Hennepin Ave & Washington Ave.
Transit info for U of M
From U of M: by bus from E Bank campus: No. 6, No. 16
From Dinkytown Area: No. 4
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
----------Hennepin County Library Web site (for info on parking):
http://www.hclib.org/
Facility use policy:
http://www.hclib.org/pub/info/meetingrooms/facilityusepolicy.pdf
(This is what we've signed off on).
The write-in will also be advertised on the Central Library website and electronic signage.
Tell all the truth, but tell it slant. (Emily Dickinson)
2009: The Reincarnations of Miss Anne
2008: The Scottish Play, or Fire and Ice
2,095 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 07 09
I set up a write in for November to kick off NaNoWriMo for the peeps who don't necessarily want to start at midnight (:
date: November 1
time: 1.15pm-4.30pm
location: Merriam Public Library,1831 Marshall Ave. St. Paul 55104
meeting room info: downstairs meeting room, capacity 75. We'll have the room to ourselves. I will bring a couple power strips. Snacks and non-alcoholic bevvies are ok to bring in, too.
parking info: free parking lot, free street parking.
would you add it to you dandy Calendar please? thanks!!!!
39,313 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 10 46
If you can't make it to the midnight write-in, please try to make it to this one. One of the best ways to ensure that you complete NaNo is to team up with like minded novelists who will share your passion and encourage you to write faster than you've ever written before. Make it happen. In fact, given the time, I might try to make it to this one as well!
Never underestimate the importance of the support your fellow workers can provide. Take advantage of every opportunity and you'll be surprised at just how fast that word count will skyrocket!
Jim
----------2008 - Compensating Controls (Winner)
2008 - winner Compensating Control
Jim / SynapticJam - Hhhmmm... Tastes just like chicken!
50,401 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 20 01
Hello, writers!
I have a quick question. When I click on the calendar link (found under the regional tab), it brings me to my own personal Google calendar. Since I don't use Google, the calendar is blank. Is it supposed to be blank, or is it supposed to show all the Nano events?
I've never done this before and will be returning to the country on Nov 2. Thankfully, I will have a 7 hour plane ride to start hand writing this out (yuck!), but hand writing is better than no writing! I hope there are some Saturday and Sunday write-ins so I can get into the swing of things.
----------Thanks!
My 2 favorite fortune-cookie fortunes:
Do that which your heart tells you.
Creativity is your ace in the hole.
5,909 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 00 52
Formerly known as The Artist's Grind, The Edge Coffee House will once again be a stop for tamales, coffee, and, of course, productive writing! This year, it's an earlier write in rather than an afternoon one.
Where: The Edge Coffee House, located at: 2399 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55114 (phone 651-641-1656), on the corner of University and Raymond next to the Sharrett's Liquor.
When: Every Tuesday from 9 to 12 AM (I gotta leave at 11 though)
Contact Information, For Questions: Emily W (silverbean3), at 651-675-9560 (cell)
Contact Information, For Directions: call the coffee shop, please (651-641-1656)
----------Emily W.
2007: Deep In The Dark
2008: Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast
2009: Twelve China Cups
16,000 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 17 41
_trixie_, on the left hand side of the goggle calendar page, there should be options for different calendars. you can click on your own, or the TC Wrimo calendar. They will be different colors, mine are blue and red, if you want, you can merge the calendars to show up on the same screen.
----------Hope this helps you, and yes, there are write-ins on Sunday. Hope to see you there.
Nell
"The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected." Swedish proverb
39,313 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 08 29
Countdown to NaNoWriMo 2009 Midnight Party!
Date: 11.1.09 at 12:00:01am
Location: Denny's, 2700 E Lake St, Minneapolis
Show up around 11:30pm or so and get settled in. We'll count down and usher in NaNoWriMo 2009 with a flurry of clickety-clacks!
Parking is available in front of the Denny's on Lake St, and at a parking lot around the side of the building.
----------2008 - winner Compensating Control
Jim / SynapticJam - Hhhmmm... Tastes just like chicken!
57,468 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 18 44
OK, it's official.
Loft Write-in (actually, it's Coffee Gallery)
All Mondays in November
6-9pm
Open Book
1011 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1279
(612) 215-2650
Location: first floor, the two tables between the staircase and the bathrooms. We will have signage on the tables.
----------I will bring power strips/surge protectors but just in case, bring one if you have one.
Tell all the truth, but tell it slant. (Emily Dickinson)
2009: The Reincarnations of Miss Anne
2008: The Scottish Play, or Fire and Ice
35,720 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 20 28
2 Write-ins at different locations for Northern Suburbs:
Tuesday nights from 5 pm - 8:30 pm:
Anoka:
3841 St. Francis Blvd.
(also known as Ferry St.)
Anoka, MN 55303
Phone: 763-323-6655
Directions:
(without U-turn) Take hwy 10 to 7th ave.
Turn RIGHT on 7th and go to Bunker Lake Blvd.
Turn LEFT on Bunker Lake Blvd. and go to Ferry St./ St. Francis (sign lists both, and is just before SA gas station).
Turn LEFT on Ferry St.
Turn RIGHT into Parking Lot.
Thursday nights, 6:30 - 8:30
Brooklyn Center:
Panera's
6064 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, 55430
Phone: 763-561-1000
(Some people might also start a write-in on Wednesdays at Panera's in Brooklyn center, due to schedule conflicts, but this hasn't been confirmed yet. I'll post a new reply when its confirmed that someone will show up, as I can't do that night. )
Thanks!
----------50,297 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 09 43
Note: This is not a write-in!
Same idea as last year.
It's on page 128-129 of No Plot? No Problem!
Essentially it would be a meeting where we who are not stuck sit around and listen to the
plot pitches (character descriptions, motivations, whatever people have developed so far),
and provide suggestions of future direction for the work of people who are stuck.
I'd type in the whole thing from NPNP, but I'd rather not.
"... Ask a couple of friends who enjoy the same kinds of books you do to meet with you for
an hour..." except in this case it would be random NaNoWriMo strangers.
"... hand out some scratch paper and pens, and explain the ground rules. You are going to
give them a handful of characters, a setting, and a veery [sic] vague story direction, and they
are to tell you what should happen next.
"Explain everything you know about your characters, one by one-where they work, who
they love, what they're embarrassed by, and so on. Encourage your story students to jot
down questions and ideas as they occur to them, but be sure to emphasize that this is a
brainstorming session, not a test; there are no right or wrong story directions.
"After you've completely described all of your characters and their connections to each
other, your job is to get the conversational ball rolling and then become invisible. Let your
audience argue, debate, and build off one another's ideas as you take notes on everything
they say. Even if you already know what will happen in your book, you'll get amazing
insights on motivations, subplots, and other nefarious activities that will make your book
more interesting."
Well, so much for not transcribing the whole thing. The pens and paper are optional. Just
be prepared to take notes on the valid suggestions and wild ideas we might suggest.
Anyway, that's what the November 10 meeting is intended to be on our Calendar. We'll
have to have people show up to pitch their novels, otherwise we'll probably sit around and
drink coffee and eat soup.
- Brian.
Look for the thread sometime around the seventh. I'd create it now but I know it will get submerged.
http://yourcornercoffee.com/Corner_Coffee/Home.html
Time: 6 - 9 pm.
----------JanNoWriMo07 - Still Waters Run Deep - >70,000 won (didn't know there was a group!)
AugNoWriMo07 - The Wreck of the Day ->50,000 won (over on Proboards)
NaNoWriMo07 - Fever ->65,670 won.
NaNoWriMo08 - Abracadabra - >72,663 won
53,171 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 16 22
Please add Tuesday evenings at Nina's, 7-10. They're graciously going to hold a couple tables for us.
----------2009 - Black Mirror Broken - ?
39,060 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 21 20
Please add:
MOA IHOP
Date: Sunday, November 1st
Time: 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: the IHOP behind the Mall of America
2231 Killebrew Dr.
Bloomington
In fact, go ahead and put it down for every Sunday. I'll go even if nobody else does. :)
----------"Ach, the muse is a terrible thing to have happen to ye."
-Rob Anybody, "The Wee Free Men" by Terry Pratchett
29,132 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 07 35
Is the Anoka event at Dunn Brothers?
35,720 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 05 04
Yes. Its at Dunn Bros. Sorry! I thought that got in their. ;)
----------35,720 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 05 07
Where:
Eden Prairie Smith House Dunn Bros
8107 Eden Prairie Rd
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
When: 11:30 am - 1:45pm
Date: TODAY Only! November 2.
(Its okay if this doesn't make it on the calendar as it was last minute.)
----------My sister and I just happen to be in the area at this time. ;)
Thanks!
16,000 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 11 56
Sorry, I do need a little more notice to get it onto the calendar, unless I happen to be online right at the right moment! Hope it was a good write-in for you.
----------Nell
"The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected." Swedish proverb
46,473 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 12 18
Shakopee Write ins
Fridays-Panera bread
1– location.--Shakopee, Panera bread (address. 8062 Old Carriage Court
Shakopee, Minnesota 55379)
2 – date, -Every friday
3 – time-6pm-closing time (feel free to come early or late)
4-How to find us-Just look for a groop of people with laptops.
Mondays Scott county library Shakopee
----------1) Location-Shakopee Library(adress 235 S. Lewis St)
2) Date- every monday
3)Time-5PM-closing time(most nights 8pm)
4) How to find us, most likely on the 2nd floor of the library.
http://dragcave.net/user/Lera
http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1891&AID=777&PID=1053...
50,401 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 10 00
Roseville/St. Paul/UMN/NE Mpls area write in:
I need all the group write-in help I can get. I will be at the Urban Harvest cafe/coffee shop (with a free parking lot!) on Saturday, Nov 7, 8:30 - 11:30am
Location: 2311 18th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
It's located right behind the Quarry Shopping Center, off 35W and Stinson Blvd exit.
Plenty of tables but outlets are tricky. I'll be there with a power strip but it would be grand if one more person could bring one as well.
Re: signs? I have no idea. I'll be the chick with the Mac computer and iPod headphones at 8:30 in the morning.
----------My 2 favorite fortune-cookie fortunes:
Do that which your heart tells you.
Creativity is your ace in the hole.
46,473 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 10 09
Can we change the shakopee Library one to Sunday? Looks like more people are interested in that
----------Sunday 1PM-5PM
http://dragcave.net/user/Lera
http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1891&AID=777&PID=1053...
35,720 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 06 54
November 30th, Monday
WHAT: Write-In and Final Count Down to Finish
WHERE:
1) Blue Moon
3822 E. Lake St.
Mpls. MN
612-721-9230
TIME: 5pm - 11pm
2) Merlin's Pub and Restaurant
E. Lake St. and 36th ave.
TIME: 11pm - 1am
(not the tgio party)
----------42,623 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 08 46
Please add the following write ins, all for Starbucks, 14903 South Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068
- Wednesday, November 11, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
- Wednesday, November 18, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
- Tuesday, November 24, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
- Saturday, November 28, 8:00 am to 10:00 am
5,711 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 10 39
Write-in at Bloomington Caribou Coffee on Friday, Nov 6 from 7 - 10 PM. The address is 7950 Penn Ave So. That's the corner of 79th (AKA American Blvd) and Penn near SouthTown shopping center, just around the corner from Target. Depending on interest, this could be a weekly event. For map see www.cariboucoffee.com and do a locate on Bloomington.Please let me know if you think you'll be able to come so I can tell Andrew (the manager) how many to expect.
Thanks,
Zarajha
37,244 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 13 14
Hi all,
I just reserved the meeting room at Common Roots for a write-in! It's nominally for the University of Minnesota WriMos, but all are welcome :)
Date: Wednesday, November 11
Time:
4:00-6:00pmCORRECTION: 4:30-6:30Location:
Common Roots Cafe
2558 Lyndale Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 871-2360
www.commonrootscafe.com
See you there!
-Miriam