Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

STICKY: Do(jo)nations

Canoegirl — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:30:36 +0000

If you've enjoyed NaNoWriMo in years past or even so far this year, please consider giving back to the community. Every little bit makes a difference.

What's in it for you?
- warm "I've made a difference" glow
- shiny halo above your name on the NaNo site (as Arnold wrote here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3290973)
- NaNo site donor goodies
- your name in lights on the "NaNoWriMo is brought to you by" page on the NaNo site
- stamps on your NaNoScroll (Halo, Mr. Bear-san, Clan Weapons Chest)
- future years of nano
- improvements in NaNo website operation (such as the many improvements we've seen this year)
- knowing you've helped keep your MLs from losing their minds

If you check out the Fund-o-Meter on the NaNo home page, you can mouse over each of the different donation landmarks to find out exactly what that amount of fund-raising will pay for. For example, at 75K+ the NaNo Program Director and OLL Executive Director, Young Writers Program Director and Community Liaison get paid for the months leading up to NaNo (Landlords rejoice!).

I will give you a minute to let that sink in: Chris Baty, Tavia and Lindsey have not been paid for any of their work this year!

There are many ways to help out:
1) Direct donation to NaNoWriMo site https://store.lettersandlight.org/ gets you a stamp on your NaNoScroll, a halo on the site and selected thank you goodies and listing on the "NaNoWriMo is brought to you by" page: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/halos. In the $100 category, you can see the donation that Edmowrimos raised last year at our DiagonAlley Fundraiser.
2) Donating at Edmowrimo events. We welcome any amount, no matter how small. Donations can be dropped in Mr. Bear-san or your Clan Weapons Chest (more on these at the events). Donating in either of these ways will earn you a stamp on your NaNoScroll. These funds are used firstly to fund local events, then any overflow is donated to the NaNoWriMo site in the name "Edmowrimo Literary Ninjas". Donor goodies are used as door prizes at selected Edmowrimo events.
3) Participating in local Edmowrimo fundraisers. This year's Dojo Den (November 24th) will feature a used booksale among other fundraisers. Donate a book or purchase a paperback. All proceeds go to the NaNo site.
4) Visit "Donating when broke": http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/donatingwhenbroke and consider using GoodSearch as your search engine or any of the other tips to help NaNo out financially.
5) Get sponsored to write your novel! It's fundraising and a motivational tool in one: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/sponsorship
6) Fundraise for the Night of Writing Dangerously (I'll let SarahJanet fill you in on the details).

Additional info:
Where your donations go: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/wheredonationsgo

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Canoegirl
Clan QWERTY
EdmoWrimo Literary Ninjas

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Desperately trying to Write...

Just_Jane — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:07:35 +0000

Okay, so far behind in writing it is not funny. Everyone seems to be celebrating their bars, and mine isn't even half full!

Not sure when life took over but am determined to make it by the 29th....

I only have 30 000 words to write in a week.. I can do this!

Anyone else in the same boat?

5000 words a day for the next week?

Need a partner for the last push?

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Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

University Write ins continue!

joe_da_bucket — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:43:46 +0000

There will be another one this Monday, and possibly this Wednesday again.

Feel free to join us at the College Plaza Steeps. There are normally people there until 5 or 6, and they have been proven to be enjoyable.
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Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Ninja Word Challege

Canoegirl — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:16:15 +0000

This challenge is for the toughest of ninjas. Every day (roughly) a word will be posted and sent out on twitter. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to write this word into your novel in the most creative way possible and return to report your success.

The words of the day will be summarized here, in case anyone wants to catch up!

Day 1: Minion
Day 2: Hobo
Day 3: Yurt
Day 4: Frock
Day 5: Condiments
Day 6: Willy-nilly
Day 7: Smorgasbord
Day 8: Festoon
Day 9: Quash
Day 10: Euphemism
Day 11: Bailiwick
Day 12: Gumption
Day 13: Hectoring
Day 14: Bosom
Day 15 (Bonus on Day 14): Shubbery
Day 16: Persnickety
Day 17: Embed
Day 18: Malarkey
Day 19: Tarnished
Day 20: Succumb
Bonus phrase of the day: "Ukelele full of ________"
Day 21: Curmudgeon
Day 22: Lambaste
Day 23: Juxtaposition
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Canoegirl
Clan QWERTY
EdmoWrimo Literary Ninjas

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Green/Purple Bar Club

Canoegirl — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:12:07 +0000

Every year the Edmowrimos surprise us! So many of you finish and so many finish so early, it's incredible!

Come in here to proclaim your victory and show off you pretty green or purple bar.

(Please note: The hyper-speed people are not our standard. They are the exception (which is the root of the word exceptional).)
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Canoegirl
Clan QWERTY
EdmoWrimo Literary Ninjas

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

The California Challenge

SarahJanet — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:41:44 +0000

I'm jetting off to California tomorrow afternoon and leaving you all in the capable hands of Karen, Nikki, and Joce. Like Karen and I did last year, I'm going to have a contest for whomever has the largest percentage increase in word count while I'm gone. Winner will get some kind of Bay Area/NaNo HQ-related prize. Last year's prize was a San Francisco bookmark signed by Chris Baty. I'm spending my whole weekend with the OLL crew so I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something cool. And autographed.

To enter, let us know your starting word count. I'm leaving at 1:18 tomorrow afternoon, but an approximate number for where you were as of around then is fine. I return on Monday quite late, so we'll stop things at 11:59pm Monday. Remember, it's not how much you write, it's who has the largest percentage increase of word count. I'm hoping someone might build us a nice spreadsheet again this year to keep track of what percentages we're looking at! (I'm math-impaired.)

Are you in? If you don't expect to write any more between now and tomorrow at 1:18, give us your word count right now. (Post the actual number in your post, as your word count bar will change.) Then come back Monday night and tell us where you ended up! Last year we saw some SERIOUSLY epic numbers for this challenge, so I expect greatness.
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Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Characters taking over my novel!

Amyro — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:18:17 +0000

Does anyone else have characters who have grabbed onto your novel and ran away with it, leaving you with something far beyond what you had originally planned?

My novel concept was simple; romantic comedy and zombies. Then my two main characters (newly weds, one zombie one living) decided that they wanted to be neither funny nor romantic. So now I'm left with a novel whose genre is on the ground in tatters and two main characters who have decided they'd rather lobby for Live/Zombie marital rights. I swear, I never intended on writing something that would turn into political commentary on the right to marry.

Anyone else writing anything that has changed drastically from your original plans?
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Nano History:
2007 - "In the Blood", historical drama
2008 - "Earth", post apocalyptic fantasy
2009 - "For the Love of Brian", romantic comedy and zombies

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

EVENT: Dojo Den, Saturday Nov 21 (Social Event)

Learan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:10:32 +0000

When: Saturday, November 21, 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (if you are arriving after 7, you will need to call an ML to be let in. Numbers will be pasted on the door.)

Where: Strathcona Library Program Room, 8331 104 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta (http://epl.ca/EPLBranchesDetail.cfm?id=strathcona)

Being a ninja is hard work, isn't it? You've done well so far and your wise clan leaders think that you deserve a night off! Come on down to the Dojo Den for food, fun, and fundraising!

Even ninjas need sustenance, and what better treats are there than ice cream sundaes and floats? You can buy a float $2, a sundae for $3, or both for $4! Please feel free to bring other snacks and goodies (not limited to ice cream sundae and float-related items) to share with your fellow ninjas!

Once you've been revived with your sundae or float (or both!), why not check out our used ninja scroll sale? Everyone has some books that they aren't ever going to read again; donate your books to our sale and pick up a paperback for $1 or a hardcover for $2! It's a great way to clear some of those old scrolls and make room for all the bestsellers the EdmoWrimos are sure to be writing, pick up some new favorites, and have it all go to a great cause!

And what would a day free of the rigors of training be without some games and merriment? Check out our gaming corner for oodles of board and card game fun! Have a family favorite that you think your fellow Wrimos would enjoy playing? Bring it along!

Design your own button at our button station or pick up one of the new clan buttons at a $1 each. Peruse past ninja items for sale.

Mr. Bear-san will be in attendance. Funds donated to Mr. Bear-san go directly to NaNoWriMo HeadQuarters and will count toward the Edmowrimo ranking in the NaNoWriMo Donation Derby (http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/contest/donation_derby/2?sort=desc&order=Di...). Donations to the Clan Weapons Chests for Edmowrimo expenses are also welcome.

Bring loonies & toonies, books to donate, food to share, enthusiasm & creativity! Ninja-Adjacent Persons are welcome at this event.

RSVP in thread.
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-=-=-=-=-=- Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Write! -=-=-=-=-=-

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Wonderful live-music-based distractions

Absotively — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:19:11 +0000

So, sometime between last NaNo and this one, I developed the habit of going to see live music. Now, obviously I'm trying to cut back on this in November, but there are some awesome artists coming through, so I've told myself that I can go to shows if my word count is on track to 50,000.

I figure there might be other ninjas who could use the occasional live-music-based break from novelling, so I'm going to post what shows I'm planning/hoping to go to in November here to see if anyone wants to come with. So far, I have not planned beyond this weekend.

November 4 (tomorrow): One Hundred Dollars at the Black Dog Freehouse on Whyte
A cool alt-country band from Toronto. I will definitely be going to see them, because I have already written the 6,668 words needed. Yay!

November 6 (Friday): Said the Whale and Hannah Georgas
To be honest, I would consider skipping this for the write-in if I hadn't told someone I'd be there (if my word count is at least 10,002), because I saw StW in the summer. But I haven't seen Hannah Georgas (who is awesome), and I might be able to go to the write-in after, so I'll probably be at this one.

November 7 (Saturday): Slates at the Pawn Shop
I know that aiming for three shows in one week in November is foolish, but I've been annoyed at myself for missing The Pack A.D. (also playing this show) since the last time they came through Edmonton. So I will be at this one, even if I have to lock myself in my apartment and turn off my internet for several hours on Saturday to get the needed 11,669 words.
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Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Clan Like the Wind Camp

Learan — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:16:18 +0000

Welcome, swift and mighty ninjas of Clan Like the Wind, to your clan camp and sanctuary!

It is here that our battle cry can be heard on the breeze... "Whooooooosh!"

It is here that our history is inscribed on each and every breath we take...

"First, there was nothing. Then, there was the mighty ninja dragon Whoosh! And Whoosh said, "Let there be ninjas!" So with his powerful breath, Whoosh fueled the first fire! And as that fire touched the nothingness, so created was the earth. And as Whoosh's breath cooled the surface of the earth, so became was water vapor. It is only with air that all the other elements were created! (He also later fathered a dragon son the likes of which you may have heard, for Woosh is Puff's daddy.)"

Clan Members:
-----
Learan-sensei (Nikki)
Tiny Hobbit (Dawn)
David_Supina
Xx-Paige-xX
Kalesta (Melinda)
Saxon Chainsaw (Sarah)
Sce.clark (Steve)
Opalescence (Andreanna)
Arnold
Reki Ryukaze (Kelly)
Shaisukebe (Crystal)
.Doc (Ryan)
Absotively (Jen)
Torrey
Cillomir (Joel)
Psydark Stranger (Jason)
SK (Cherene)
floreal etona (Lexi)
kelsiefm (Kelsie)
vanceinthepants (Vance)
Subcutaneous (Shelley)
EmperorKage (Ehrin)
TheFallen (Matt)
earthula
animal74
yowiemommy
-----

May the wind always be at our backs and may our laptop batteries never run out!

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-=-=-=-=-=- Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Write! -=-=-=-=-=-

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Clan QWERTY Camp

Canoegirl — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:46:19 +0000

Welcome to the camp of Clan QWERTY where all typewriter afficionados can come to relax. Take a moment and tip your tired hands in the cool waters, take a paddle around Lake UIOP, or just stare out at the reflected sunset for inspiration.

Element: Water

Weapon: Typewriter

Motto:
Quick-witted
Writing Skills
Energetic
Reading and Reveiwing
Typing
Yes
!

Origin Story: And lo, the gods sent their holy vessel, carrying the divine typewriter and the waters of inspiration and bestowed them upon the Ninjas of Clan Querty, that they could bring the true words to all mankind!

Members:
Arnold
Dr. K
Joe da Bucket
Timothy Flewelling
GAU-8-Avenger
Alix
theFinn
DragonSouled
AubinMagnus
Rei
Reiha
Tamia
sterren
sa_razage
Moonsong_Fae
icecheeks411
greenfire
ElunaNuv
Firstlaugh
atruscot
Emineminy
Not_Croft
elle2109
rogersms
fishpants
Auntie3
Twilla
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Canoegirl
Clan QWERTY
EdmoWrimo Literary Ninjas

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Clan Wins

Canoegirl — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:00:12 +0000

You MLs/Senseis have finally had a chance to determine some clan wins! You can collect stamps for your clan wins at any event.
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Canoegirl
Clan QWERTY
EdmoWrimo Literary Ninjas

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Virtual Clan Camp

Canoegirl — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:00:25 +0000

Former Edmowrimos who are far from their Literary Ninja roots, but who remain Literary Ninjas at heart can gather here.

Clan Weapon: the Internet

Clan Motto: See you in chat!

Clan Members:
Jeyradan (Pennsylvania, USA)
ShirtNinja (Vancouver, BC)
Chibification (Brisbane, Australia)
Aquadeo (Medicine Hat, AB)
Lynxie (Vancouver, BC)
Abulia (Vancouver, BC)
Pilpingto (Japan, Edmonton, New Orleans, probably other places I can’t recall)
Tracey Eh (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
Xeryfyn (Fort Mac, AB)
Leanna (Vancouver Island, BC)

Are you a member of Virtual Clan? Sign up here!
(Please note that if you are located in Edmonton, do not sign up here. There will be many ways for you to be sorted into the appropriate clan. Stay tuned!)
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Canoegirl
Clan QWERTY
EdmoWrimo Literary Ninjas

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

EVENT: Sherwood Park Write-In, November 19th

Learan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:01:36 +0000

When: Thursday, November 19th, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Where: Sherwood Park Denny's (44-975 Broadmoor Blvd.)

Who: Wrimos ONLY (Ninja Adjacent People are welcome to find a booth in another section.)

Designed with the Sherwood Park wrimo in mind, since there are many of you.

Note: Only one ML is able to attend and will be arriving late so if you get there before her please grab a booth near power and get set up.

Please RSVP in this thread.

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-=-=-=-=-=- Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Write! -=-=-=-=-=-

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

The Shiny Halo

Arnold — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:56:32 +0000

Hello all! Some of you may have noticed the shiny bling with my name now :)! For those of you that are new, if you donate $10 or more to the Nano site, you get the cool looking halo by your name. It's exciting! It makes me feel special...and well, shiny! Donating of course is optional, so if you do, wonderful; and if you can't, we understand.

There is also cool merchandise you can purchase from the Nano store as well!

Well, I'm going to go admire my new halo! :D
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Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

University Write in: The Third

joe_da_bucket — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:40:13 +0000

Some of us will be gathering again on Wednesday November 18th. Same deal as before, College Plaza Steeps at around 1 until some point in time in the evening. Bring some homework, bring some writing, and let's drink tea!

We now have signs too!

Come and join us! One hundred percent of NaNoers agree that Steeps write ins are fun!
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Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Talk Amongst Yourselves!

Learan — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:18:25 +0000

This is where everything that doesn't quite fit into any other thread goes! There's nothing wrong with a little chit-chat and getting to know your fellow ninjas. Bursting with great news that you just have to tell someone? Welcome! Sit a spell and spill the beans.

Nothing major going on, but you feel like being chatty? Here is right where you belong!
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-=-=-=-=-=- Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Write! -=-=-=-=-=-

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

MacEwan BA in Prof Writing- opinions wanted

Tracey Eh — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:19:28 +0000

Hello,

I noticed a few people in the "University Students" thread who are in the MacEwan BA in Prof Writing program. I am thinking about applying for next year (I am living overseas now so would do it when I move back to E in 2010). If you are taking the program, or have taken it in the past, and would like to share your thoughts with me on it (organization, quality, usefulness etc.), please send me a Nanomail. I have already had another career (teacher) and would be starting over later in life (40), hopefully with something that fulfills me more (it would be hard to fulfill me less).

Thanks in advance.
Tracey
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I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down. - Chumbawamba

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

EVENT: Castledowns Library Write-In, November 17th

Learan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:31:37 +0000

When: Tuesday, November 17th, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Where: Castledowns Library (106 Lakeside Landing, 15379 Castle Downs Rd), Program Room (http://www.epl.ca/EPLBranchesDetail.cfm?id=castledowns).

Who: Wrimos ONLY. (Ninja-Adjacent Persons can feel free to peruse the library while you write.)

Week three is just around the corner, which means it's time to buckle down and keep the words flowing! Come join us on the north side of the city for what promises to be a productive night of writing (all nights in November should be productive nights of writing, but write-ins help take the pressure off of you for stealing those hours here and there to watch your favorite shows or, you know, eat and bathe!).

Please RSVP in this thread.
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-=-=-=-=-=- Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Write! -=-=-=-=-=-

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Sharing our (non-writing) expertise

Tracey Eh — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:26:24 +0000

Greetings Edmowrimos,

I hope you are all meeting or surpassing your goals this week. I'm not yet, but I will be!

The earlier post about obstacles, and some of the very helpful responses, made me think that perhaps we can help in each in ways other than encouragement and writing skills. So here is my proposal...

If you have any areas of expertise (or at least experience) that you think other Nano writers could benefit from (and you are willing to answer some questions), write a list here of what you know about so that others can check to see if there is someone here who might be able to help.

For example, I know a few things about:

teaching English as a Foreign Language
living overseas (in China, Morocco, Macedonia and the United Arab Emirates)
travel in a variety of places in Europe, Africa and Asia
a little bit of French language
living with chronic pain

So if anyone wants to know about any of these areas, they can Nanomail me directly. Or, when other posters (hopefully) add their expertise, you can Nanomail them privately rather than spend hours researching things elsewhere because, as I am sure you know, it can sometimes take forever to find the precise info you are looking for among the overabundance of general information in internet searches..

Let's use each other as the fantastic resources we all are!

Tracey

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I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down. - Chumbawamba

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

Do you need to be sorted?

SarahJanet — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:08:43 +0000

If you'd like to be sorted into a ninja clan, now's your chance! If you haven't been able to make it to an in-person event, we can sort you virtually. (Please note that if you aren't local, you are automatically a member of the Virtual Clan.) We'll come back and report which clan you've been sorted into. (Please note that this is not an instantaneous process. The magical mystical ninja pimp hat has a day job.)
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Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

The Half Way Mark

Tracey Eh — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:12:54 +0000

If by 11:59 p.m. today, Nov. 15, (the half way mark) you made it half way to the word count, magical 25, 000, add your name here so we can virtually high five each other for being on track to succeed!

Just quote the post before you, write your name in the next number at the bottom and post). Also, post your location and/or your clan so we can have a little inter-region competition going.

I made it so....

1) Tracey Eh - Abu Dhabi- Virtual Clan
2)
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I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down. - Chumbawamba

Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

University Write-in: Part 2

joe_da_bucket — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:36:58 +0000

So! People liked the last write in, so there is another one!

Where: Steeps in College Plaza
When: Monday Nov. 16, 1:00
Who: Anyone who wants to/can come.

Last time people were there until about 6 ot 7 in the evening. People come and go. They sell delicious hot chocolate, tea and foamy drinks, like chai lattes!

Come and join in! This time we should have signs up and everything!
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Canada :: Alberta :: Edmonton

EVENT: All-berta Write-in, November 15th

Canoegirl — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:19 +0000

The Edmowrimo Literary Ninjas cordially invite you to the First Annual All-berta Write-in!

All of the Wrimos in Alberta are invited to attend a write-in located in Red Deer’s Gasoline Alley. It's time to end the rivalry and transition to a more collegial attitude towards our fellow Albertan wrimos.

Date: Sunday, November 15th
Time: approximately 3-5 pm
Location: Glenn's Restaurant (the one with the tea pot beside the Donut Mill)
37424 QEII South, Red Deer
Who: Wrimos from NaNoWriMo::Edmonton, NaNoWriMo::Calgary and NaNoWriMo::Elsewhere regions of Alberta.

Come out and beef up your word count with your fellow Albertan wrimos!

This is a restaurant so please make sure you plan to buy food and tip well!

RSVP here please! We have a reservation under NaNoWriMo - Karen.

Note: This thread is located in all three Albertan forums, so you might see some unfamiliar names in here. Please make them welcome!
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Canoegirl
Clan QWERTY
EdmoWrimo Literary Ninjas

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

WriMo Birthdays!

Learan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:08:27 +0000

Know an Edmo who was lucky enough to born in the great noveling month of NaNovember? Here's the place to give them a shout-out! Spread the love, sing a song, maybe even do a little dance in celebration of their birth!
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-=-=-=-=-=- Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Write! -=-=-=-=-=-