United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

TGIO party!

Cillilib — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:16:36 -0800

The time has come....

Another November draws to a close....
another Nanowrimo draws to a close....
and we all breathe a collective sigh of relief and in many cases exhilaration.

and now it is time to party...

Time? Place? Date? Themed?

I am thinking next weekend, either Saturday or Sunday afternoon. A couple ideas for places...

Panera Bread in poughkeepsie
Palace Diner in poughkeepsie (off 9, on washington st near mike artega's and cosimo's)
Uno's Chicago Grill in wappingers

those are just a couple ideas, any others?

Also does anyone want to do a themed TGIO party?

----------
~Aimee
Poughkeepsie, New York ML
Nano '08 Seraphina (working title)
Nano '07 Three Shots For a Dollar (winner)
Nano '06 untitled
Nano '05 Solace (winner)
Nano '04 Escape Velocity (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Events

Cillilib — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:34:50 -0700

Until I can embed this in the regional header, here is the link to our Regional Calendar

http://www.google.com/calendar/render

By general consensus on Sunday was agreed on having write-ins on Sundays and Thursdays. You may notice that one Thursday is missing from the list. I realized, when I got home, that we had included Thanksgiving on the list, and while your family may be more understanding, mine is not. We also tried to scatter them throughout the region, but if anyone is having any on different days or different locations, please let me know and I will add them to the calendar.

Happy Pre-writing!
Aimee
----------
~Aimee
Poughkeepsie, New York ML
Nano '08 Seraphina (working title)
Nano '07 Three Shots For a Dollar (winner)
Nano '06 untitled
Nano '05 Solace (winner)
Nano '04 Escape Velocity (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

We're famous! (Sort of.)

TessD1891 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:05:40 -0800

The YWP pep talk tonight mentions Poughkeepsie! The author who wrote it, according to her website, went to school at Vassar. Here it is (I signed up on YWP purely to get more pep talks):

Hi Authors!

When I was asked to write this piece, one of the phrases used to describe it was "pep talk."

That is not a good mental metaphor for me. "Pep talk" makes me think of pep rallies and color me grouchy, and I firmly believe that nothing involving pom-poms can ever end well. Besides, pep rallies seem to attract the sort of super-hyper-peppy people whose veins glow with caffeine and whose bounciness, even when they're sitting still, is enough to make a hyperactive ferret feel like he's falling behind.

Falling behind is not what you need to think about right now. Trust me on this. I have been there and done that. I cannot begin to tell how many times I sat before the keyboard and as I sat there, somehow I was gifted with the psychic power to know that every single other writer in the whole blessed world was doing a better job than I was, and faster, too! Oh, and did I mention that they were all talking about me behind my back, sniping at my unworthy writing, and snickering? Snickering!

Yes, I know I'm being silly, but sometimes you need to tap into the Silly to get things going again. The Silly makes you laugh, and the laughter performs a great service: It restores your perspective, especially when it opens your eyes and lets you see that feeling tired or discouraged or even a bit overwhelmed by the need to tell the story you know (know!) is worth telling is not the end of the world, nor even the end of your novel. You can tell the difference. Unlike the end of the world, when you get to the end of your novel you can have pie.

As for me, I face my nonexistent snickerers with a rousing "Oh YEAH? Say's who?” And you know what? It works. The mad scientist's demented cry of, "Laugh at me, will they? The fools! I'll show them! I'll show them all!" is not exactly the attitude of which After School Specials are made. It's prickly and confrontational a nd is sadly lacking in Team Spirit, but writing is not a team sport. If it were, pom-poms would be involved, and I believe you already know my attitude towards pom-poms. Writing is all about you and your story, the story that no one else in the entire history of the known universe (and parts of Poughkeepsie) can tell in just the right way---the way only you can.

And you will tell it, and when you're done it might make a lot of other people happy you did, but the main thing to remember is this: Telling it will make you happy!

You.

With no pep or pom-poms. Just pie.

Esther M. Friesner

Find out all about Esther on her website. (http://www.sff.net/people/e.friesner/)
----------
Michelle Writes (blog)

2007: Quest for Serentasia (winner)
2008: Swimming in the Garden (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Character dress up halfway there party

Cillilib — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:45:16 -0800

If anyone is interesting, so of us are going to dress up as our characters or characters in our book this evening. I know this is kind of last minute... but if you feel like it, it could be fun.
----------
~Aimee
Poughkeepsie, New York ML
Nano '08 Seraphina (working title)
Nano '07 Three Shots For a Dollar (winner)
Nano '06 untitled
Nano '05 Solace (winner)
Nano '04 Escape Velocity (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Cheap meets?

Aiffe — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:23:35 -0800

This is my first NaNo, and it'd be really cool to hang out with other people who share my ~~pain~~ ~~woes~~ goals.

Thing is, I'm, well...broke. I put the starving in "starving writer." Going out to restaurants wouldn't be much fun for me. It wouldn't be much fun for you guys either, because I'd totally order water and start picking off your plates. Poverty has made me shameless.

I saw in the other thread some people suggesting the Barnes & Noble on 300 in Newburgh, which would be convenient for me for two reasons, the first being that while some people could grab a bite at the Starbucks, I could not order anything and still preserve some dignity. And there could be book-browsing and stuff. The second reason is just that it's closer to where I live, and I don't have a car.

Just wondering if anyone else thought money was an issue in this. I mean, everyone knows the economy's in the tank, but even I feel kind of ashamed to say, "No, I can't go to Charlie Brown's, I can't afford it."

Also wondering if anyone was carpooling. I know gas is down, but I figure some people might still want to save on it. (Not for me, I cycle pretty much everywhere. Just in general.)

~Aiffe
----------

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

halfway there meetup headcount and this weekend's events

Cillilib — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:07:32 -0800

I was wondering if everyone who is planning to attend this Saturday's halfway there party please post, so that I can get a somewhat accurate headcount to make the reservations.

Also, unfortunately I won't be able to attend this Sunday's write-in as my husband's cousin planned his son's birthday party for Sunday at 2pm!

Happy writing
aimee

----------
~Aimee
Poughkeepsie, New York ML
Nano '08 Seraphina (working title)
Nano '07 Three Shots For a Dollar (winner)
Nano '06 untitled
Nano '05 Solace (winner)
Nano '04 Escape Velocity (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Yay!

masarath — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 17:53:15 -0800

So I past the half way mark today! I'm so happy. I knew I was ahead, but I didn't realize by how much. I'm totally in love with my MC, and I think that's really helping me to stay motivated.

So how's everyone else doing?
----------

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Themed Write-in

CRayChapman — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:41:17 -0700

I read about this somewhere last year and thought I'd throw it out there. What about a themed write-in or two? A bit of fun, so to speak.

Two ideas are Hat day, where- in honor of our viking NaNo crest (see store)-we wear a hat, crazy or otherwise (anyone have Norse horns?), and the other is favorite writer day, where we bring in an object or wear an outfit that inspires us and/or brings to mind a favorite author. It could be a picture of Nora Roberts; the flowing velvet garments so often seen worn by Anne Rice; or jodhpurs, a flask and a few double-barreled shotguns to remind us of Hemingway. (Okay, so that last one is a bit dangerous and not recommended.)

But you get my drift. This is just an idea. :)
----------

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Three Cheers for...

masarath — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 14:56:56 -0800

There's a post on the main page from Chris Baty about how today is ML appreciation day. So let's give a hand for our ML, Aimee!
----------

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Introductions

masarath — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:11:56 -0700

I thought it'd be nice to have a thread for Nano-ers in the Poughkeepsie region to introduce themselves.

My name is Masarath. This is my second year doing Nano and I'm totally stoked. I've already got a plot for this time around and I'm falling in love with my characters.

If anyone wants to add me as a writing buddy, feel free :)
----------

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Real name vs Nano name

Cillilib — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:55:55 -0700

At the kickoff party we made of list of our logins and real names.

Aimee:: Cillilib
Leanne:: Foxkaiya
Sarah:: Sarahepierce
Merideth :: Raiuyn
Rebecca:: RebeccaLizzy
Joe :: Xsodamonkeyx
Michelle:: Tess1891
Rob:: Arr-el
Charlie:: Alson
Cassie "K.C.":: CRayChapman

For those not in attendance, please feel free to add your name.
----------
~Aimee
Poughkeepsie, New York ML
Nano '08 Seraphina (working title)
Nano '07 Three Shots For a Dollar (winner)
Nano '06 untitled
Nano '05 Solace (winner)
Nano '04 Escape Velocity (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Bard College write-in Friday

Maiyun — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:31:32 -0700

Hello all,

I'm organizing a small party on Bard's campus Friday evening for anybody who wants to begin their novel among fellow novelists. If you're interested in coming, just drop me a note and I'll get you the information!

Happy prewriting,
Emily
----------
Just call me Queen of Internal Monologue and of Making People Smack Into Each Other in Order to Advance the "Plot."

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Don't forget to change your clocks!

TessD1891 — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:40:20 -0700

Next Sunday, don't forget to change the clocks back an hour.

Then have a drink to honor whomever of the gods decided to give us an extra hour to write (or sleep) this year!
----------
Michelle Writes (blog)

2007: Quest for Serentasia (winner)
2008: Swimming in the Garden (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Kick-Off Party Update and Headcount

Cillilib — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:27:41 -0700

When: This Sunday, October 26th at 2pm
Where: Panera Bread on Rt 9 in Poughkeepsie
Duration: Probably around four hours or so, maybe longer. I'll be kind of casual.

1- I am trying to get the room in the back. You can't schedule it for weekends (but you can for weeknights), but I was told that I could snag it if it is free, so i am going to get there early and camp out a good spot.
2- Since I haven't gotten around to updating my picture, I will be wearing the bright florescent yellow-green 2nd year ML T-shirt. Trust me, you won't be able to miss me, but I will have signs up as well.
3- Last years we did some fun activities to get into the nanowrimo mindset. Computers won't be necessary, unless you want to get some work done or share something. I would suggest that everyone bring a pen and some paper. I will bring extra, though.

Some of the activities that I am planning on repeating. Capturing your internal editor, Filling up the 2008 "I sprained my brain" box, and sentence expanding excersises. There will be lots of overcaffinated fun! Also we'll be sharing story ideas (if you have one).

4. Also, if you are planning on attending, please reply to this post with the numbers that will be attending (you can do for someone else if you know they are attending) so I have an idea of how many tables I need to snag!

See everyone soon.
Aimee
----------
~Aimee
Poughkeepsie, New York ML
Nano '08 Seraphina (working title)
Nano '07 Three Shots For a Dollar (winner)
Nano '06 untitled
Nano '05 Solace (winner)
Nano '04 Escape Velocity (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Welcome, Meet-ups and pre-nano planning!

Cillilib — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 13:12:49 -0700

Hello everyone, another year of nano craziness is almost upon us! If this is your first year, I would like to welcome you to the beautiful insanity that is nano! If you are returning, welcome back!

Last year, we had one write-in and one meet up a week, but even those our ranks swelled to around 75 members by the end of the month, only a handful of people showed up for the events, so I am thinking of doing a couple things different this year.

One: I am thinking of just having write-ins. Especially as the month went on, i found that most people really needed and wanted to work on their stories. So I was thinking that we would schedule them as write-ins but if people had concerns, questions or needed help, we could help.

Two: I was thinking about rotating between different coffeehouses. Last year we stuck to Panera and Barnes & Nobles because they are large and have parking, but not everyone could get to them. Right now I have been trying out a couple different coffeehouses to see what would work and what wouldn't.

If anyone would like to suggest one, that will be very helpful.

Also looking for ideas for our kickoff party, thank god it's over party and possibly a halfway there party!

Any and all feedback is welcome. I am going to try and come up with a schedule over the next week or so

See everyone soon!
Aimee
----------
~Aimee
Poughkeepsie, New York ML
Nano '08 Seraphina (working title)
Nano '07 Three Shots For a Dollar (winner)
Nano '06 untitled
Nano '05 Solace (winner)
Nano '04 Escape Velocity (winner)

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Any Bard College kids around?

Maiyun — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:38:59 -0700

So I know we all love write-ins, and if there are enough of us, I was considering organizing an on-campus write-in-type-thing for us Bardians in case we can't make it to Poughkeepsie too often. Anybody interested?
----------
Just call me Queen of Internal Monologue and of Making People Smack Into Each Other in Order to Advance the "Plot."

United States :: New York :: Poughkeepsie

Who's still in?

TessD1891 — Mon, 6 Oct 2008 07:03:42 -0700

I'm up for Sunday write-ins at Panera again (or wherever). Anyone else around?

Michelle
----------
Michelle Writes (blog)

2007: Quest for Serentasia (winner)
2008: Swimming in the Garden (winner)