United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Kick-Off, Night of Writing Dangerously, and TGIO info [sticky]

ReinaCriss — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 08:53:42 -0700

Hello, fellos DFWrimos!

October is finally here!!! We can start planning our novels and our events with frenzied abandon!

Synthetic_Jesso is in negotiations with The Coffee Haus to let us have the Night of Writing Dangerously all-night write-a-thon there, in the Arlington area. Those of you in far-flung remote locations might want to think about planning your own all-nighter, but hopefully Arlington will be central enough for most of us to have one huge get-together.

We need to plan the Kick-Off Party; the way I envisioned this, to spread out the driving, we'd have the Kick-Off in Fort Worth and the TGIO in Dallas, or vice versa. Does that still sound good to everyone? (That way, no matter where you are - unless you are in those far-flung remote locations - everyone get to have at least one event "close to home.")

Should be flip a coin to see if we're in FW or Dallas first?

Give me locations! Last year we met at the Ol' South Pancake House in FW (however, I believe we were not entirely impressed with the service... several members expressed dissatisfaction with that choice) and Two Rows in Dallas (I believe we did not have any issues with that establishment). Usually we try to meet somewhere where there is food, but it doesn't have to be a restaurant - a coffee shop will do!

Also, do we want to have the Kick-Off on Thursday, Oct. 30th or Friday, Oct. 31st? Should we do it the first weekend of November (Sat the 1st or Sun the 2nd), even though that would cut into our precious writing time? Or do you want to meet the last weekend in October (Sat the 25 or Sun the 26)?

Please give me your input!

Thanks!
:) Criss.
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Criss, la Reina
DFW co-ML
www.crisswrites.com
http://crisswrites.blogspot.com

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

[Sticky] Looking for NaNo Rhinos!

synthetic_jesso — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:08:41 -0700

Alright, guys, the poll is done and we are the NANO RHINOS. I am still amused by this turn of phrase.

Now, we all need to work a Rhino into our novels. If you can do it without your characters visiting a zoo, then you get extra points. If the rhino is named Nano, you get extra extra points. Once November starts, I hope to see this thread fill up with excerpts of novels containing rhinos. For now, how about some catchy slogans?

DFW NaNo Rhinos- Charging to Victory!

Maybe? Any other ideas?
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~Jesso~

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

[STICKY] WRITE-INS

ReinaCriss — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:52:53 -0700

Post write-in info here! Recurring write-ins will be added to the calendar.

Please limit your postings to this thread to write-in time, date and location. If you have questions about the location or event, or want to comment on attendance or how cool that location is, please PM the poster or start a new thread for that write-in/location. We want to keep this thread easy to read!

Remember to include the name of the venue, the area/city, street address (for those of us who depend on MapQuest to go anywhere), and the time and date. You can post weekly write-ins or one-time events; if you're heading out to a coffee shop and want to invite others to join you, feel free to post that too! (But please remember to limit posts/replies to write-in info, not comments about someone else's post.)

Thanks!

:) Criss.
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Criss, la Reina
DFW co-ML
www.crisswrites.com
http://crisswrites.blogspot.com

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

50,000 Done And Waiting On Verification To Open Up

wrytersblock — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:15:38 -0800

*falls over panting and out of breath*

I made it again this year! I crossed 50,000 at 9:45pm tonight, limping and struggling all the way, but the tale is actually finished. I actually finished 9 days sooner than last year, AND I got the whole story down this time. I don't know how cohesive it is, but that's what December is for to figure out. Now I just need to go back and edit it and fluff some things out and give it a title.

Who else has made the finish line?
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Indecision May Or May Not Be My Problem.

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Arlington Peoples!

synthetic_jesso — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:35:03 -0700

Hey Arlington people! What is up?

Remember last year, when we met at Coffee Haus every Thursday and Saturday, and it was totally AWESOME? We need to do that again. What nights work for everyone? I'm thinking Tuesdays and Saturdays this year, since I have class Mondays and Wednesdays.

Also, I'm trying to work with the owner of Coffee Haus to set up an OVERNIGHT WRITEATHON. It would probably happen on a Friday night going into Saturday morning. Who here would be able to come, so I can get an idea of the numbers to try to talk the owner into doing this?

And please please PLEASE go to Coffee Haus as an alternative to Starbucks as much as possible! They are having hard times lately and have had to cut back their hours and lay off some people. I really don't want them to go out of business, because it is a completely awesome and laid-back place.
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~Jesso~

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Irving Writes!

kadair — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:29:01 -0700

Well, at least one person in Irving does, anyway. I've moved from Rowlett to Irving since last NaNo. Anyone else here? *listens for crickets*

I can and do walk to La Madeleine and Starbucks on MacArthur (between 114 and Royal), and will be writing in probably both places random weeknights and weekends. I'd love to have company! La Madeleine has many electrical outlets and isn't teeming with people, so I'll probably go there more often. Also, their coffee is cheaper. ;-) The downsides are ... their chocolate croissant is delicious, and they close at 9 on weeknights.

Anyhoo, I'll post on here whenever I'm planning on going out and about to write!

I'm totally jazzed about NaNo this year, as I'm trying something drastically different from previous years. Since my erotic novels never end up very erotic :-P I'm not even pretending to write one this year. (It will probably be my most SCANDALOUS yet!) I'm writing an entire novel based on a clever notion a co-worker and I had one day after our boss's boat got stolen and I had a hard time finding a parking place at a shopping center. :-)

Is it time to write yet?
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It means Big Kitty, in secret Japanese.

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Plano in the NaNo house!

BlackScorpio — Thu, 9 Oct 2008 21:08:01 -0700

Hi, everyone... I'm In Plano. Anyone else in Plano doing NaNo this year?

I'm trying to challenge myself and writing in a totally different genre, like I did last year with my fictionalized memoir (which I did not have fun with and just kinda left it in its binder since last year). This year I'm writing historical fiction. What about y'all?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 - Daniel In The Lion's Den (crime/mystery)
2005 - Two Women and a Girl: EGG, MAT, and MSG (crime/mystery)
2007 - Finding Emma Jane (fictionalized memoir)

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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Who's on track?

Aarchane — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 08:28:55 -0800

Hey guys, as of posting this (on the 9th) I thought I'd see who's on track and who's not. I think the total should be just about 15,000 give or less. I haven't done any of my words yet today, but I'll be a little behind when I do.

Anyone else? Has all this Election time slowed anyone else down?
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"There's no writer who has not had enough ego to hope something he or she wrote would be seized on by the public -- that something they write will last beyond them. But hoping and expecting are two different things"

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Anyone in Mansfield?

cranberriesandcheese — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 13:56:54 -0800

I know we had a post about Arlington and that's all straightened out, but I don't think I will always be able to swing driving to Coffee Haus. Anyone in Mansfield interested in write-ins? On particularly good days I think the Katherine Rose Park would be nice, there's also America's Best Coffee, and Tea Zone. Anyone interested?
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Come on n and introduce yourself!

gradyp — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 18:39:55 -0700

What a day! Came in a couple of nights ago and things were working fine, then it seemed everything fell apart yesterday morning :D

Well, Welcome to NaNoWriMo 2008 everyone!

I'm Grady. I'm in Watauga. This is my 4th NaNo. I've won every NaNo I've been in and though I signed up for both Script Frenzies, I didn't make it this time purely because I had a newborn in the house that took up a lot more of my time than I had in previous events.

I have 2 boys, one 7 months and one 5 years. The older one will be 6 by the time NaNo starts. He just started kindergarten. He and I just finished writing a short "kids" book.

I'm looking forward to meeting others from around the area!

Oh, and for newbies, you'll here a lot of advice about putting forth effort directed towards your novel, especially on a daily basis. But just as important, and perhaps more so, is to find 5 or more fellow NaNos to encourage and urge on to the finish line. You will find that by encouraging others to reach the finish line that you will encourage yourself to reach for the line as well.

See you at the finish line!

Grady
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NaNoWriMo 2005 Winner -- The Storm (WIP)
NaNoWriMo 2006 Winner -- Dragon Secrets (WIP)
Script Frenzy 2007 Winner -- The Choice
NaNoWriMo 2007 Winner -- After The Storm (WIP)

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Busted at work in Plano!

john nielson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:13:35 -0800

I'm visiting from Minnesota and trying to keep my word count up by advancing my plot wherever it lets me. so there I was in a meeting at work today when my business partner comes over to ask for help running the meeting. then she saw it: there in plain sight over my meeting notes was a list of my Greethuanian characters along with their motives for killing their rellies to pocket more of the inheritance. I tried to hide them right away and help with the meeting, but she busted me. first with a smile during the meeting, then with unrelenting ridicule afterwards. no worries. I did jot down a few good ideas at work today – then just hit 19,291 words at NYLO in Plano. anyone else get busted at work in DFW or the Twin Cities today?!
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Big 'Thank You!' shout out to Grady!

Maddening-Maisie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:24:59 -0800

Just wanted to say thank you to Grady. As you can see from my word count I've been falling off this week. I started to get discouraged several times and would pop in here and see one of Grady's messages with the friendly signature line:

Keep going, and I'll see you at the finish line!

Grady

Now it may be a little silly, but I have been finding real encouragement in reading that. It just seems so hopeful and makes me think I can still push through this and make it.

So, thank you Grady for being such a great cheerleader! I really appreciate it.
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Last minute push?

gradyp — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:25:49 -0800

Anyone else care to meet somewhere for a "Last Minute Push" late night session on Friday Nov 28 or Saturday 29? Others could meet earlier, but I wouldn't be able to arrive until around 11 PM or a little later. We could go to 2 AM. (Kind of like one we did last year at the IHOP in Southlake.)

Could give someone the push they need to win! :D

Good luck, and we'll see you at the finish line!

Grady
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NaNoWriMo 2005 Winner -- The Storm (WIP)
NaNoWriMo 2006 Winner -- Dragon Secrets (WIP)
Script Frenzy 2007 Winner -- The Choice
NaNoWriMo 2007 Winner -- After The Storm (WIP)

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

M-cubed's Word-mongers

M-cubed — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:57:55 -0700

All right guys, here's the official thread for our class this year. Post in to make sure I know you're paying attention!
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Can't we beat Boston?

gradyp — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:31:58 -0800

I was just looking at the Word Count Scoreboard (Under Fun Stuff). Did you know that we're only 31,643 words behind Boston? That's less than one novel! Surely we in the great D/FW in the great state of Texas can beat Boston, Mass! We're less than a novel away from them!

I bet if we have a couple of people who haven't updated wordcounts in a while update their counts, we just might can pull ahead of them!

(Maybe we can start a battle with them and show them we're the better region ;)

Keep writing, and I'll see you at the finish line!

Grady
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NaNoWriMo 2005 Winner -- The Storm (WIP)
NaNoWriMo 2006 Winner -- Dragon Secrets (WIP)
Script Frenzy 2007 Winner -- The Choice
NaNoWriMo 2007 Winner -- After The Storm (WIP)

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Seeking NaNos in Stephenville, Glen Rose, Dublin, etc. Region

Unicornsky2982 — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 10:33:13 -0800

Hey is anyone doing NaNo actually in my area? I would really like to set up a write-in so I don't always have to go all the way to Dallas/Ft. Worth for one. We do have a Starbucks in Stephenville, as well as the possibility of a location at the University to hold it in. Or my house. I wouldn't mind a few house guests as long as I have enough time to try and clean, and as long as no one is allergic to animals.

Please drop me a line and let me know so I can get started planning.
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Southern Dallas County Folks Are You Out There?

Wendi-B — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:31:47 -0800

Anyone in DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, or Lancaster area? How about Red Oak, Ovilla, or even Midlothian?

Maybe we can get together and have a mini, local write-in? Time is ticking and the words are collecting, but I would like to attend a write-in or two before it is all over. The write-in places thus far have been too far flung for my taste. I'd like to be a little closer to home. I spent some time at Barnes and Noble knocking out 2500 words last night. The smell of coffee and books was a great motivator but I bet I would have knocked out more had I been surrounded by fellow, local NaNoers (smile).

If you are out there, give a shout out and we will see what we can do, shall we?
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Who was at the Write-In?

arwood — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:47:46 -0800

So I need to expand my circle of friends. What better way to do it than with fellow NaNoers!? So, that said, help me remember who was who last night!

I'm Alicia. I was the Great Cupcake winner with a whopping 933 words in 15 minutes (that's the best wpm I've gotten all season!!) I was in a purple shirt. I brought the fruit & veggie trays. And I sat in the "quiet" room because... well... YAY COUCHES!! OH! And I hit my 50k last night!

My aim is shadowboxrrbaby. YIM/Email (& i think msn) is theshadowboxerbaby@yahoo.com. And my gtalk is thegirlyousee@gmail.com.

So! Tell me who you were last night and give me some contact info! I love new people!
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

T. H. William's Tournament

dramaroxmysoxoff — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:34:48 -0800

Is anyone going to be there? I'm only competing on saturday, but I'll be there both days. Most likely, I'll be volunteering for stuff watching duty.
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

McKinney?

Edward4evr — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:16:50 -0700

Anyone here near McKinney?
I feel kinda lonely!!
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~Cierra
~Angel

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Who says week 2 is the hardest?

gradyp — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:07:40 -0800

Okay... Really? It has been a little difficult, but I just had a big boost! I just had a 5K+ day, putting me just 4 1/2 days behind where I should be. This is one of the biggest NaNo days I've ever had. I've had a couple bigger, but not many.

I'm still behind, but if I can get 2K to 3K before I go to work tomorrow (doable, if I just sit down and write), I can easily be caught up and maybe ahead by the time 7AM Saturday rolls around :D My goal is to be back on pace or slightly ahead by the time we finish the NOWD on Saturday.

I've found that by using "word sprints" (word wars vs yourself), I tend to write around 1.7K an hour well within an hour and a half. That's more than the 1667 a day for a NaNo win :D If I can get back on pace, then I should be able to hit the 50K mark easily. And maybe, I just might can make my original goal of 75K by the end of NaNo. You never know!

Anyone else having big word count days in the midst of week 2? Especially if those are higher than your normal word counts?

Keep writing, and I'll see you at the finish line!

Grady
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NaNoWriMo 2005 Winner -- The Storm (WIP)
NaNoWriMo 2006 Winner -- Dragon Secrets (WIP)
Script Frenzy 2007 Winner -- The Choice
NaNoWriMo 2007 Winner -- After The Storm (WIP)

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Legacy Books Write In

vinnymin — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:32:55 -0800

Missed the event today, how did it go?

What an amazing store, everyone go buy something to support our only independent bookstore.

Vinny
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United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Paragraph enders

Aarchane — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:29:33 -0800

I've heard that the key to success in writing is having a catchy end to every chapter. That way the reader can't wait to jump right into the next chapter instead of putting the book down.

I thought it might be fun to share endings to paragraphs as we write them.

This is from the chapter I just finished. . "A deep chill filled him the instant he plunged into the near-freezing water. Then everything went black."
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"There's no writer who has not had enough ego to hope something he or she wrote would be seized on by the public -- that something they write will last beyond them. But hoping and expecting are two different things"

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Any fellow UTD people?

JellyFish72 — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 18:54:18 -0700

Anyone? Anyone?
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2005: Harry Potter and Heredity's Gifts (Fail, 5K)
2006: Once Upon An Ever After: A Fairy Tale in Two Parts (Epic Fail, 2K)
2007: Spotlight on Center
Word Count: 0/50,000
Dares: 0/150
Cups of Tea Had: 1

United States :: Texas :: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Little elm frisco area

whendees4 — Tue, 7 Oct 2008 07:11:36 -0700

I could of swore I saw a post from near me, but can't find it now, anyone????
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