United States :: New York :: New York City

[STICKY] Month-end events: Desperation Libation and the TGIO Party!

shhbabe — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:50:32 -0800

Desperation Libation

What: Desperation Libation - where writers from across the city gather together in one last push to get as many words out as possible - passing 50K or getting as close as they can to their goal! And there is booze/food and cheering all the while. In short - lots o' fun!

Where: Greenwich Treehouse, 46 Greenwich Ave between Charles and Perry Streets

When: Sunday, 11/30, from 7 PM

How (to get there): It's pretty close to the 14th Street 1, 2, 3 and F, V, and sort of the West 4th Street A, C, E, F and V trains. From the 14th St stations: Walk on 7th Ave to Greenwich Ave (just past 11th Street). Turn left onto Greenwich Ave, heading toward 6th Ave. From the W. 4th St station: Use the 8th Street exit or walk on 6th Avenue to 8th St. and Greenwich Ave. Make a left onto Greenwich Ave, heading toward 7th Ave.

Why: Because after a while, the pain killers don't cut it, and the only way to dull the ache in one's fingertips enough to keep banging out those words is with booze. And the cheering when you hit goal is nice too.

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TGIO Party

What: The annual wrap party. TGIO stands for Thank God (or Goddess or Goodness) Its Over!

Where: Ryan Maguire's, 28 Cliff Street, bet Fulton St.and John St.

When: Saturday, 12/06, from 7 PM

How (to get there): The restaurant is on Cliff St. bet. Fulton & John Sts, a block from the South Street Sea Port. Subway: A, C to Broadway-Nassau; 2, 3, 4, 5, J, M, Z to Fulton St. Walk on Fulton to Cliff. The front of the place is well lit at night; the red doors are easily recognizable from the website picture. Driving: There are 2 parking lots as well as some street parking on Cliff St.

Why: To celebrate the end of the endurance trial which is NaNoWriMo with our fellow survivors! All are welcome, including significant others' of nano-ers (known during November as NaNo Widows). Come out to eat, drink, and plan for how you're gonna do it all better next year.

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[STICKY] Brooklyn Meetups - General

alexabexis — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:23:59 -0700

Hey all,

Just FYI, since everyone seems to be getting really excited about meetups and write-ins (which makes me very happy to see!), Brooklyn meetup dates run by Olga and myself have been set. They have not been fully added to the calendar yet, since Olga and I will be researching some new places next week, but we will post the information as soon as everything is finalized.

Here's what I can tell you: I will be doing write-ins on Thursday nights, and likely Saturdays, as well. In the past these have usually been in the Tea Lounge in Park Slope, which I rather like, but this year we're looking to mix it up a little, if possible. (There will definitely still be Tea Lounge write-ins, though, because I like their food a lot.)

Anyway, stay tuned for more info and check the calendar. (The link is at the top of the NY forums page.) We'll have everything up before November starts, have no fear.
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~Alexis. Truly, truly, truly outrageous. Write hard!
Co-Municipal Liaison for Brooklyn
Red Horse Cafe on Thursdays. Tea Lounge on Saturdays.

United States :: New York :: New York City

[STICKY] Manhattan Meetups

fshk — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:32:43 -0700

At long last, here's the schedule for Manhattan (starting November 1):

I'll try to remember to have signs or my little table tent things that say NaNoWriMo on them, so hopefully we'll be easy to spot. We'll probably be at these weekend locations later than 5, but I know Cosi switches over to a sit-down restaurant at 5 and sometimes they get touchy about letting us stay.

WRITE-INs

SATURDAYS
11/1, 11/8, and tentatively 11/15: Cosi, 2186 Broadway (at 78th St.). 3pm-5pm. The back part is reserved for us.
11/22, 11/29: Cafe 28, 5th Ave at 28th Street. 3pm-5pm. We'll be upstairs, look for the group.

SUNDAYS
Watch this space, we might do a different place each Sunday. I have a couple of places I want to try, depending on turnout.
11/2: Cosi, 8th St. at Greene Street (near Astor Place). 3pm-5pm. Look for signs, I haven't actually reserved space yet.

MONDAYS
All Mondays will be at the Tea Spot, MacDougal at W 3rd St. 6:30-9pm. We've got the whole basement reserved.

IMPORTANT: We like all of these places and want them to continue letting us use their space for free. We ask that you buy something at each place. The manager at the Tea Spot has requested specifically that everyone who attends buys something, otherwise they might not let us use the space. (For those of you who came to meetups there last year, you might be please to know that their food menu has improved greatly in the last year. They have sandwiches and dumplings now in addition to pastries.)

FRIDAYS
Bar 9, 9th Ave at 53rd Street, 7pm-whenever. No writing at this one (well, you an bring a computer if you really want to). This is mostly just hanging out and de-stressing. We'll have a couch or two reserved; ask at the bar if you can't find us.

I think that's everything. No need to RSVP or be on time, feel free to just show up. For everything except the Friday meetups, bring your writing implement of choice (laptop, AlphaSmart, notebook, chisel). There might be games and word sprints and good opportunities to up your word counts.

Let me know if you have questions/need directions.
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~Erin
New York City Municipal Liaison
Moderator of Romance and Writing 101
Slightly Crazy
See also the (seldom updated) fshk blog

United States :: New York :: New York City

[STICKY] NYC NaNo News and Info (Read First!)

fshk — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 07:57:01 -0700

Hi everyone! Welcome to another crazy year of noveling!

First, let me introduce myself to those of you who are new. I'm Erin, I'm a municipal liaison in New York City, which means that I and my co-MLs organize events and provide support and pep talks and are generally available if you need advice or have questions. There are five of us this year. We're all working together, but we are also region specific. The team is:

Erin (fshk) -- ML at large
Teresa (shhbabe) -- Queens
Alexis (alexabexis) -- South Brooklyn (Park Slope and environs)
Olga (notoffred) -- North Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
Olivia (nfwbls) -- Manhattan

You can reach all five of us simultaneously by emailing nycnanoml at gmail dot com.

As of today (9/27) we're still planning events, but there will be lots of great things happening all over the city (including, I'm guessing, Staten Island and South South Brooklyn) and I hope to see as many of you as possible.

We have a Flickr group. If you take photos at events, we'd love for you to upload and share them. (Plus, you can see how much fun we had last year.)

We also have a Google Calendar which will soon be updated with events.

And some new things for this year: We plan to do a weekly on-line write-in wherein everyone can sign into a chat room type situation and chat while they write. It'd be just like an in-person write-in only... not. We'll do writing sprints there if you need extra motivation but can't make it to a write-in.

Watch this space for other regional news and information. And happy noveling!
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~Erin
New York City Municipal Liaison
Moderator of Romance and Writing 101
Slightly Crazy
See also the (seldom updated) fshk blog

United States :: New York :: New York City

Createspace.com

llong — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 05:55:09 -0800

According to Wikipedia:

In October 2008, the self-publishing company CreateSpace teamed up with NaNoWriMo to begin offering winners a single free, paperback proof copy of their manuscripts, with the option to use the proof to then sell the novel on Amazon.com.

Is anyone doing this? I'd eventually like to have my novel (once edited) in book form, and I don't expect publishers to be super interested.
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United States :: New York :: New York City

I see Purple People

Mel Walker — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:25:37 -0800

Guys the word count validator is open. The final days are upon us. Everyone into the validator. Time to change those bars from Green to Purple. Step right up and get your certificate.

Purple People of the city unite.
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======
If you never want to work another day in your life, do something you truly love.

United States :: New York :: New York City

New York Winners

July63 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:52:16 -0800

I thought I would post here as inspiration for those who are so very close to completing their 50,000 words. As more people hit the mark, hopefully the larger this thread would become and maybe it would even become a sticky.

So, come on guys, lets see how many winners there are.

(and personally, even if you do not make 50K words, but if you did stick through the whole month, then you are a winner too!!!)
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Unpublished Crime
http://www.amazon.com/Unpublished-Crime-Five-Screenplays-Love/dp/0595313...

United States :: New York :: New York City

50k or bust!

cornbread — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:06:01 -0800

i have a theory: i have a theory that we can all make it to 50k this year. this theory is rooted in my belief that all incoherent babbling is created equally and has been endowed by the creator with certain inalienable rights. and among those rights is the right to be validated. which we will do, when we hit 50k.

there are five days left. you could literally start your novel today at 0 words, write 10k a day for the next five days, validate and win!

trust me on this: i just started writing on saturday, i know of what i babble.

so who's with me? shall we make a big push for 50k? (and please realize that if you decide to not join me you still need to get yourself to the TGIO so we can cheer for you cos you started!)

what say you? what say you?

(i say that i should not be allowed near a keyboard ever again....)

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write hard!

our ML can kick you'r ML's ass!
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"our ML can kick your ML's ass."
write hard!

United States :: New York :: New York City

Quotes!

cornbread — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:40:11 -0700

so, i am once again providing random quotes (the first time being script frenzy 2008). i have approximately 60 quotes ready and waiting for your nano use. use them as actual quotes, use them as background for your character, use them as plot bunnies, read them and decide i'm crazy, or ignore them, whatever works best for you!

i make no promises as to what time they'll be posted, and since i know i'm going to be out of town twice this month, i may post 3 quotes on a friday to help you get through the weekend in my absence (hmm, yeah, my ego is shy and retiring, really :)

enjoy!
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"our ML can kick your ML's ass."
write hard!

United States :: New York :: New York City

Bar 9 this friday is canceled unless there's a general outcry

nfwbls — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:35:33 -0800

Because of Thanksgiving, none of the MLs can make it this Friday, and I've gotten feedback from regulars that they won't show as well. So it's canceled unless there are a lot of people who think they want to go there anyway. If there are, I can still email Bar 9 and have them reserve a sofa, but there will be no caramel brownies (unless someone else wants to bake them).
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Okay people, it's time to put on your big girl panties...
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"Equal degrees of impossible madness" - darkscribe on the idea of cornbread getting religion and me maintaining complete silence at a group meeting

United States :: New York :: New York City

Panic EMERGENCY!!

barney_really — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:22:51 -0800

So my parents leave tomorrow at 12. Then I will begin the iv drip of coffee and the uncorking of my bottled up hidden well of prolific-ness. But I have to say, roasting a perfect turkey for my parents was worth going into the last 2 days 15000 words behind. Because I'll have both a finished book AND the knowledge that I am the greatest turkey chef of all time. All. Time.

AAAAHAHHAHAHAHAH!!! I might just go nutz instead, though. Somebody wish me luck or something.
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United States :: New York :: New York City

Techniques and strategies to guide the word count......................

An Exispentialist — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:14:30 -0700

What are some things that you think about or keep in mind as you hit the computer or notepad each day in order to progress your story?

For me, I was thinking that, after I come up with a plot, I have to say to myself : "ok, this time I must take Bob and guide him from point A to point B whilst he is in conflict with Steve or Linda or Jackie Chan".

It's quite difficult for me to focus even when I have this strategy employed, but if I don't use this, I'll start the novel about a Northern Soldier in the civil war and it'll drift into an exploration on drunken Martian sex.

What do you use to keep yourself focused?
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United States :: New York :: New York City

[STICKY] Queens Meet Ups - Updated info, please read

shhbabe — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:07:00 -0700

Writers Group

nfwbls — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:16:03 -0800

It might seem a little early to be thinking about writing after Nano, but this last week goes by surprisingly fast.

For those of you who are interested, there are two established fiction writers groups made up mostly of Nano participants and we've got a few spots open this year. We meet every other week (currently Thursdays or Saturdays) and critique a member's work. Sometimes it's part of a nano novel, sometimes it's a short story or part of a regular novel, sometimes it's part of a screenplay. We cover all genres as long as it's fiction.

If you think you might be interested, we're having an introductory meeting on Saturday, December 6, at Cafe 28 (corner of 5th and 28th, second floor) at 3pm. Or you can send me a nano-mail or email me at my nano username at gmail dot com or post to this thread. If you want to send me a sample of your writing or post an excerpt of your novel in your nano profile, that would be great - I'd be happy to read it and let you know if our group would be a good fit for you.

Or if you're not interested in joining an existing group but think that you might like to start your own, feel free to come to Saturday's meeting to find other like-minded people.
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Okay people, it's time to put on your big girl panties...
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"Equal degrees of impossible madness" - darkscribe on the idea of cornbread getting religion and me maintaining complete silence at a group meeting

United States :: New York :: New York City

Donations to NaNo from NYC

Jaeness — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:08:57 -0800

As I logged into NaNo this morning, I noticed that even though there's less than a week (egads!) left, NaNo hasn't even received half of the donations they were hoping to receive this month. Come on, fellow New Yorkers - Cough up some cash! NYC is being walloped by Seattle (who've donated $3,130 so far), by Boston ($1,455), and even by Portland, Oregon ($1,635). Portland, for the love of Pete. As of 12:07 PM on the 24th, NYC has given $1,120. Come on now. Surely the greatest city in the world can do better than that!

Pick up all those pennies you see on the sidewalk, don't buy that delicious bagel, tell Wall Street you're sick and tired of bailing them out and reclaim that sawbuck.

It'd be great if we could up the donation number from 4.61% all the way to a smooth 5%. And I bet we can because we're just that awesome.

Also - Write your little butts off! Good luck, everyone!
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United States :: New York :: New York City

Wind Beneath My Wings

Fear the Clam — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:24:40 -0800

Thanks, guys; I’m touched. A very, very bad touch.
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United States :: New York :: New York City

Abigails

nycavri — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:38:52 -0800

I know it conflicts with the Williamsburg Meetup, but Carrie and I are going to be at Abigails in Prospect Heights (Classon and St John's) on Tuesday, 6 to 9 or so again. I just know I'm going to need a big write-in boost early next week to get me to the finish line, and for me at least this is the venue that works.

Post it on the calendar, or don't if we'd rather not "split the party", but stop by if you like . . .

a
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United States :: New York :: New York City

It's Week 3. Do you know where your main character is?

alexabexis — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:05:00 -0800

Okay, it's Week 3. You are (theoretically) knee deep in plot, which is hopefully thickening like cooked oatmeal. (It's 1am, and yes, that is seriously the best simile I could come up with.) Where is your main character? What wrenches have you thrown in the way to keep the story going?

My character is currently taking a break from the mystery aspect of the story to go visit her dying mother in Barcelona, the mother who abandoned her at birth. Hopefully there won't be any more deaths while she's away.

If you're still not sure how to kick start your plot, there are a few tried and true plot twists that seem to work:
1. Fire (something)
2. Fire (someone)
3. Make someone pregnant (in the novel)
4. Kill off a character

Clearly, I'm going with #4.

So where does Week 3 find you and your novel?
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~Alexis. Truly, truly, truly outrageous. Write hard!
Co-Municipal Liaison for Brooklyn
Red Horse Cafe on Thursdays. Tea Lounge on Saturdays.

United States :: New York :: New York City

Bar 9 tonight, aka I was an idiot

nfwbls — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:37:03 -0800

I forgot to reserve the Bar 9 spot, but we're still going to meet there. Marsha and I are going to get there really early and park out on the sofa at the front, by the window. We will bring knitting needles and glare at people.
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Okay people, it's time to put on your big girl panties...
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"Equal degrees of impossible madness" - darkscribe on the idea of cornbread getting religion and me maintaining complete silence at a group meeting

United States :: New York :: New York City

Things to soothe the mind

notoffred — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:21:57 -0800

I had a big day yesterday - almost 4 thousand words. I went home after the writein and felt very lazy. Today I had big plans - I was going to write another 4k and go to the gym for an hour. But I hurt my back a little on sunday, so I decided to postpone the gym and instead decided to cook.

I spent 3 hours in my kitchen. I made
1) 12 Russian meatballs - a big mess of beef, bread, eggs, onion, salt and pepper all mixed up and fried.
2) 1 pound of mashed potatoes - possibly the best i've ever made.
3) 1 pound of chicken tenders. Delicious!
4) 1/2 pound of roasted red peppers, to which I have now added oil, vinegar and salt.
5) Creamed Tomatoes - which came out so amazing!

I feel renewed, renenergized, and like I wont need to buy lunch for a week. I also feel ready to write 4k more tonight.

So, now that i've boasted - what activity do you do to get your mind back in shape after too much thinking?
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Olga. Famous. Tyranny.
NYC - Brooklyn Co-ML (Williamsburg/Greenpoint)

United States :: New York :: New York City

FREE CHOCOLATE

penmage — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:28:27 -0800

Free truffles at Godiva, between 1 and 3pm.

Just saying.

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Mascot, NaNoWriMoNYC
Distractivore!
-I bring the serious badlyness-

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Mascot, NaNoWriMoNYC
-I bring the serious badlyness-

United States :: New York :: New York City

WriMo Radio - NYC Veterans featured

Mel Walker — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 07:36:42 -0800

Just saw the update on WriMo Radio featuring the NYC veterans. (The theme to the Love Boat - really guys??)

Great advice from everyone. Especially loved putting the characters in a room with a chain saw to see what happens.

NYC Rocks.
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If you never want to work another day in your life, do something you truly love.

United States :: New York :: New York City

Thank God It's Over Party

Zooey — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:34:25 -0800

Is there going to be one? I didn't see anything about it on the calendar, so I was just curious if it was being planned & whether there was going to be one large party or smaller gatherings throughout the various boroughs.

Thanks!
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United States :: New York :: New York City

Interest in a Prospect Heights write in?

nycavri — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 19:28:54 -0800

If there's interest, I'd like to suggest a write in at Abigail's Wine Bar (on Classon at St. John's).

I wrote their for a couple of hours Wednesday, and found it a great atmosphere. The food and drink is good, including pastries and hot drinks, and the staff and sweet.

Monday the 13th? If I get any kind of response, I'll call and give the owner a heads-up.

Keep writing.

a
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United States :: New York :: New York City

Westchester shoot off group?

Martinjkearns — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:17:17 -0700

I've noticed that the NYC tag is the closest thing to a Westchester region we get. If anyone is interested in being known from this sub-region perhaps reply to this post and you will have a better idea of who to parley with in your more immediate area.
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