Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

The Colour Purple..

Swisstony — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:44:09 -0800

It really is SO great to see so many people from Bristol & Bath (and the surrounding countryside) doing so well this year! A few purples already, and some greens who'll be purple as soon as they officially verify their word counts. I'm sure there are plenty more to come too. I'm into the final 10k at last, and now it's just that downhill dash to the finish line. I'm not looking back, I'm not watching my feet, I'm just running and keeping my eyes on that purple tape.

For those of you who haven't hit the magical target yet, don't lose heart. Five days is a long time in politics, and six days (if you count today, which I am doing) is an even longer time in NaNoWriMo. I'm sure that you all have it in you, and in the event that you don't make 50,000 words - at least you can say that you tried. You gave it a go. You launched yourself into the madness that is Nanowrimo and you came out the other side without giving up.

I'm proud of everyone in this region who's taken part this year, the over-acheivers, the just-going-to-make-its, the might-not-make-it-but-trying-anyways and the started-but-ran-out-of-steams. And you should all be proud of yourselves.

Russ.
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Working out Chapters ?

AlienRocker — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:46:32 -0800

This has been puzzling me for quite some time. I've yet to seperate the story into chapters, and just wondering if there is a set pattern to seperating the story or is it just working out on instinct ?

Thanks

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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Bath Write-ins?

StS — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 06:16:28 -0700

Voila, I'm a fresher at the University of Bath, with tons of other stuff going on to ensure that I can't make it to the (Thursday) Bristol write-ins (how long does it take to get to Bristol, anyway?). =O

So, not wanting to miss out on the experience of having an actual Nano-community around me (Luxembourg is a bit lacking in numbers; not that it wasn't fun!): is anyone interested in additional write-ins organized in Bath? We would have them, say, on Wednesdays (eh, I hope I've got nothing on; I really have got to write up that timetable of mine!)?

Anyway, I'm awaiting feedback from absolutely everyone living in or around Bath! =D

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Sandal that Stinks

Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

The Big TFIO Party

Swisstony — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:27:14 -0800

This is just to let everybody know that I'm working on the TFIO (Thank Flip It's Over) Party.

I can't manage the 1st of December, unfortunately, but having it on the Sunday afternoon ties in quite nicely with the usual Sunday write-in.

As far as a venue is concerned, there's potentially a choice. Because we're being forced out of the Watershed tonight by their short film festival, we're taking temporary refuge in the bar next door - Mackenzie's (see the Week Three Write-in thread). They've been extremely helpful, reserving us a table near the power sockets so we can plug our Lappies in and so on, so once we've had a chance to try them out as a meeting venue, I'll weigh up the pros and cons of both venuues, and then we can have a quick discussion thread as to whether we break our loyalty to the Watershed and move to Mackenzie's.

For those of you coming tonight, I'll see you later. For those of you who came tonight and read this when you got home, I saw you earlier. For those of you who didn't come - just keep on writing! :-)

Russ.
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

A Sense of Loss

jajderian — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:38:17 -0800

Is anyone else actually sad the month is ending? I don't mean panicked, or pain-striken, just sad?
I just finished my story. I killed off my villain and I sent my MC's unrequited love over to America. But now I don't want to leave my pretty little characters and their pretty little world. I don't know how eventful their lives are going to be if I stop writing, and I don't want them to get bored and waste all that lovely development they went through.
Pssshhhhhh I don't know. It's like I've gotten to know them quite well over this month, and now I don't get to see them again.
Of course, I realise these are fictitious characters. Better yet, they are fictitious characters which I have invented myself, who inevitably each contain a part of myself, and as such are just figments of my imagination. But over this month, they've seemed like more than that.
Anyone going through this same mild wistful Schizophrenic nostalgia?
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Can't stop the spirits when they need you
This life is more than just a read-through

Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Progress report?

markmapstone — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 23:23:38 -0800

I'm screwed - ok maybe not, but its certainly feeling like it. 2 things - my spare time is being eaten away by other peoples demands, and I'm less motivated than last year. mustn't give up tho, mustn't give up!!
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"Learn as much as I can, at whatever cost, then give it away for free and ask for nothing in return"

Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Auto-Summarize

The Skoot — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:40:24 -0800

Saw this on the front page, and thought it might be an idea to have it in here to give everyone an idea of what we're writing. Instructions from the other thread:

Quote:

What is Auto-summarize? A great time waster, really. It give a "summary" of your novel, which is usually not right, but humorous.

On Microsoft Word (I'm not sure if other word processing programs have this, or how to do it on them) go to Tools > Auto-Summarize. Then, select "Create a new document" (bottom left option) and change 25% to something more suitable - 10 sentences, 1%, it doesn't really matter.

And this is what came up for me...

Quote:

‘Yeah. ‘Well... ‘Yeah! Hannah sighed. ‘Your people? Hannah smiled.
‘Yeah. The world doesn't change. It never changes. ‘Greg! ‘Yeah. ‘Stop! ‘Yeah. James laughed. ‘I’m James. ‘Yeah. ‘Yeah. Sally smiled. ‘Yeah. ‘Yeah.

I... think I might be using the word 'yeah' a bit too much.
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Brizzle - Weekend of the 22nd?

RobReynolds2303 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:19:15 -0800

Hello all :)

I'm a NaNoer based up in Birmingham. However this weekend coming I'll be down in sunny Briz.

And I'll have my laptop too, cos I'm just that "bohemian". Anyway, I was wondering about your write-in arrangements. I've had a scan of the other threads (not an intense read cos I'm at work and fourms are supposed to be banned >,>), but am I right in thinking it's Thursdays and Sundays? It's normally at the Watershed, but might be elsewhere this weekend? If so what time?

Any info would be muchly appreciated, and hope to maybe see some of you the weekend :)

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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Finish via Facebook!

jenniferpickup — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:06:15 -0800

Well, you've written 50k, or maybe you haven't, but your novel isn't looking anywhere near complete. Your MC won't behave, the war is raging, the loose ends are writhing around your head like those snakes in Indiana Jones and YOU WILL NOT LET THIS ONE FESTER AWAY, HALF-FINISHED ON YOUR COMPUTER TIL NEXT YEAR, and the year after that, etc etc.

So join my facebook group - my personal challenge is 100k by 6pm, Dec 31st, 2008 (why not midnight? Because at midnight I shall be drunk with my friends in a pub somewhere shouting 'Happy New Year' and my novel, at 100,001 words, will be finished, smugly, on my laptop!

So join here:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39886111395

Set yourself a target - 60k, 80k, 100k, or even 200k, by the end of 2008. A finished novel.

And then on 1st Jan 2009 we'll discuss editing targets!

J x
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To write and to live are two very different things.

Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

25k!

Mnemeson — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:05:09 -0800

*does the happy dance*

(well, I would, but other watershed patrons might think I was slightly odder than I really am)

I don't care that I'm 12,973 behind where I need to be, I don't care that I've got to the same again what's already been done, I have broken the back of this thing and need only redo what has already been managed :)

and thanks to the Gods for write or die, which has helped the production of 5,600 words in the last 3 hours :)
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2008 NaNo: Union - Looking Dodgy!
2007 NaNo: Nalex - Loser!
2006 NaNo: Indefatigable - Winner!
2005 NaNo: Sha'ena - Winner!

Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Write-in - Week Three (important notice)

Swisstony — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:25:01 -0800

Ok, so we all love meeting in the Watershed. They have the free Wi-fi, and nice the beer, and the delicious chunky chips, and the mains sockets and all the other things that are so conducive to our social sessions.

There's a blackfly in our chardonnay, however. There's a no-smoking sign on our collective cigarette break. Ten thousand spoons, if you will, when all we need is a knife.

Next week the Watershed is hosting its annual short film festival, as is its wont. It's an art-house cinema as well as a bar, after all. This caused us immeasurable trauma last year. There was hardly anywhere to sit, it took ages to get food, the place was rammed, we couldn't hear ourselves type. Two of our Wrimos got themselves caught up in a crowd of people on their way in to watch a ten-minute silent animation charting the career of an obscure Romanian violinist, and they were never seen again. It's possible that they're still in the screening room, crying quietly in the corner.

Anyway, that means that next week's Write-in (Thursday 20th) needs a new home. A new home could mean new directions and all kinds of other confusing malarkey. It could - if I hadn't found us a new temporary home PRETTY MUCH NEXT DOOR TO THE WATERSHED! How excellent is that? I know - I'm such a genius, I should have an underground lair...

So - next week's Write-in, for one week only, will be in Mackenzie's, which is just along a bit from the Watershed. You can't miss it - there are tables outside (although given the seasonal temperatures, we'll probably stick with the indoors instead. I don't think they have the lovely free wifi that we've come to know and love, so our procrastination might have to be a little more primitive, and I don't know if they have mains power which we can use (I'm going to try and find out today).

Watch this space for any changes/updates.

Russ.
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Top Tips

stripeymouse — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:23:33 -0800

My top tip is research - surfing the net around topics, themes and symbolism i'm using in my book often helps spark off ideas :)

What's your top tip?
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Write-ins - Week Two

Swisstony — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:24:19 -0800

Well, we're in week two of Nanowrimo already, so let's have a new thread for the week. :-)

Thursday night as usual this week (13th November), and as usual I'll be around from about 6.30ish. Feel free to turn up and start occupying space earlier if you like...

Russ.
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

I'm worried...

AlienRocker — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:07:09 -0800

I notice on the FAQ's section, they say we can scramble the novel by using Microsoft Word before we submit it. But I'm using Microsoft Works, and I can't find a way to scramble the novel.

So I'm worried that when I submit it, someone will take my novel and claim it as their own. Is there any way to ease my worries ?

Thanks

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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Writing haunts in Bristol

Zora — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 06:11:39 -0800

Hi all

I'm wondering where in Bristol is good to go hole up and write. I'm a dedicated cafe writer, and all my previous Nano's were written in Manchester, where I had several favourite hangouts. I just have NO IDEA where to go in Bris.

Ideally I'd like somewhere with comfy chairs, good music (but pretty quiet), a relaxed atmosphere, excellent tea, veggie food, accessible power sockets and free wifi. Seems like it might be a tall order - any suggestions?!

Cheers

Roz
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Write-ins: Week one

The Skoot — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:58:38 -0700

I thought it might be an idea to start a new thread for this, just so everyone knows what's going on, and there's an easy place to post whether you'll be coming along or not.

The plan for the first week of NaNo was to have the first write-in on the Saturday instead of the Sunday, since it's the first of November. There was a little bit of confusion over whether this was decided upon at the kick off party, so it's probably worth throwing the choice out again. Which day would people prefer?

The second write-in, as usual, will be on the Thursday.
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Introductions

elpelco_gecko — Thu, 9 Oct 2008 11:45:12 -0700

Figured we needed a proper thread for this.

Hi! I'm Linzi, I'm 22 (23 in November!) and I work as a sales assisstant, and a video editor (voluntary job). I love writing; I'm doing a few open university courses in it next year. I also love photography; I'm hoping to get my first DSLR very soon.
Hmmm....oh yeah. I also play guitar :-)
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Nano 06: Scarlet 151. Bio terrorist attacks wipe out the population of my home town.
Nano 07: Breathe. A story of recovery, love, and change. Possible start of a trilogy.
Nano 08: Disconnect.

Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Soundtracks

Kroomi — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 08:41:09 -0800

Whenever I start a writing project I soon find myself creating a soundtrack album - so much easier now I've got an ipod. I find it helps to listen to music that somehow matches the mood of what I'm creating. For some reason I haven't come up with anything for this project - apart from (ahem!) Billy Idol's Rebel Yell. Oh dear. Can I really admit to that in public? And right now Frank is blasting out My Way. Yup, this book needs some serious help. Anyway, I wondered what everyone else was listening to. What are your fictional soundtrack albums right now? And - um, yeah, time to stop procrastinating...

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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

No laptop...just paper and pen.

AlienRocker — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 03:56:45 -0800

I do not have a laptop, so when I'm out and about I always make sure I got a pad of paper and a supply of pens. This is for two reasons, one is I write a lot of poetry and inspiration strikes at any moment and the other reason is of course, if I get inspiration for my novel I can scribble down notes and such like.

Anyone else without laptop and has to resort to this method ?

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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Ask not what Nanowrimo can do for you...

Swisstony — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 05:35:28 -0800

But rather, ask what you can do for Nanowrimo..

Ok, that was cheesy. That was possibly cheesier than the ham and brie panino that I just had for lunch, and that was pretty cheesy. Anyway, enough about my lunch, and enough about cheese. What the hell was I talking about? Ah yes, that's it.

Fundraising...

Don't be put off by my use of that swear-word, trust me - read on.

Every year, around 5% of the people who take part in Nanowrimo contribute financially to its operation. Of course, the organisation generally receives enough donations throughout the month to cover its costs, but until today I didn't realise that Chris Baty starts each year with a level of personal debt (he takes out loans and credit to get each year started) that would leave me unable to sleep at night.

I know that several people have already helped out the organisation by buying t-shirts and stuff (Chris was modelling this year's delightful t-shirt last night, in fact), and I'm also very well aware that not everybody's in a financial position to make a random donation to the organisation. For a start, many if not all of us are feeling the effects of the current economic situation, not all of us have well-paid jobs - for example, we have a healthy proportion of students among our number.

Nobody expects people to contribute money which they can't afford, so don't worry, I'm not going to start passing a hat around at write-ins! But even if you don't have spare floating cash to send over to the Office of Letters and Light, there's still something you can do to help. Oh yes. :-)

I've set up a page for our region on Firstgiving, which you can see here - http://www.firstgiving.com/bristolandbathnano

This is a beautiful thing. You can give this address to friends, colleagues, family, innocent passers-by, pretty much anybody, and if they're suitably impressed by the literary feat which you're undertaking, they can just hop onto the page and make a donation online. Quick and easy, and then none of us has to worry about collecting money from people, feeling embarrassed by asking for money (which is never a good thing to do). Of course, you can always make a personal donation too, but I'd recommend doing that through the channel on this site, because then you'll get a groovy halo on your profile, like mine.

Look at that halo, isn't it groovy? You want one too, don't you? Yeeees, I know you do. You can have one, you know... ;-)

Russ.

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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Link to a form which will help you meet daily targets

liam1983 — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 06:16:48 -0800

Hi everyone,

Hope you're wll well and powering on with the old novels.

Anyway, I came across this website http://www.spacejock.com.au/NaNoWriMo.html and the guy has some really good advice on writing. He also made a form which breaks down the 50,000 by each day. I printed a copy and am finding it really useful and rewarding.

Liam
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Phone Numbers and IM details

Freelancecynic — Sat, 1 Nov 2008 08:38:35 -0700

Ok, so it seems to me, after sitting in the Watershed hoping people will find me, that we need a better way of staying in contact than the forums! It gets a bit laborious having to turn my laptop on to see where people are sitting.

So, I was wondering if anyone would like to swap mobile numbers / MSN / IM username swap so we can all keep in contact a little bit easier.

If you're interested E-mail your details to Simon-At-Freelancecynic.co.uk. I'll collect it all together and then e-mail it back out to you all.

That way oul details aren't posted all over the forums for every salesman and spammer to use.
I'd suggest listing the following

User name
Real name / nickname / Thing you'd like to be called
Phone Number
MSN username

and anything else you want to tell me such as your bank details...

I promise your details will not be sold on or used for any spamming purposes, unless someone takes me hostage and does horrible things to me until I give them your MSN username... or if they tickle me relentlessly. Otherwise your secrets are safe with me...
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Last year, I thwarted an Evil Insurance company that was trying to take over the world.
This year, I thwart an Evil Religion that is trying to take over the world.
Next year: Maybe, um, Evil Pasta?

Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Plot woes...

Swisstony — Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:25:10 -0700

I figured I'd start a new thread for plot stuff, before we end up with a single thread drifting from one topic to another. Not that I'm super-organised or OCD or anything, I just can never be bothered to trawl through pages and pages of thread. ;-)

So, yesterday I was bemoaning my utter lack of plot, but when I left home this morning, I had a title. Now I have a vague plot to go with it.

The title's "The Hitman Upstairs", and I'm going to keep the plot under wraps until it's formed into something a bit more substantial, but as a taster there'll be cooking to a very high standard, and killing to an even higher standard. Hurrah!

Happy plotting!

Russ.
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Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Facebook group?

jamesfinbow — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:09:30 -0700

Is there a Bristol Facebook group? Or if not, could we set one up for people whose lives revolve around it like mine.... *looks sheepish*...
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"Closing all Z-Neutrino relay loops using an internalised synchronous back-feed reversal loop! That button there!" - Donna Noble, Journey's End

Europe :: England :: Bristol & Bath

Bristol (and surrounding) Nanowrimers...

Swisstony — Sun, 5 Oct 2008 11:11:26 -0700

How many people are doing Nanowrimo this year from Bristol and the surrounding area? Last year a bunch of us met up fairly regularly through the glorious month for "write-ins", generally on a Thursday night, but there were also some Sunday afternoon sessions.

We'll almost certainly do it again this year, if anybody from last year is around. The Skoot I recognise from last year, Chris, right? And Roxasora, although I don't remember if you made it to any of the write-ins - either way, it's good to see familiar names on the board already.

I don't know if we have a proper co-ordinator this year or not - does anybody have a burning desire to do it? If not, I'm willing to be a central point of something-or-other..

Happy plotting folks!
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