USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

[STICKY] Shenandoah Valley 50K Shout Out!

Susieiz — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:21:05 +0000

While lurking the forums I saw that at least one of our own has crossed the finish line!
Here is your place to brag! Congrats! See you shortly!

Susan (susieiz)
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

[STICKY] Welcome Back Shenandoah Valley Wrimos!

Susieiz — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:25:49 +0000

Hello and welcome back Shenandoah Valley authors! We also want to extend a warm welcome to our first year NaNoWriMo participants and to all of those returning Wrimos who are joining us from another region.

We are very excited about this year's event and have already begun our preparations for this season's fun-filled month of writing and mayhem. Check out our regional calendar of events located at the top of our forum. Our region covers a lot of territory and as our special POCs (Point of Contacts) in your local area schedule kick-offs, meet-ups and write-ins they will be added to the calendar as well. So keep checking in throughout October and November for updates!

For now, we would love for you to introduce yourselves! A lot of us know each other very well by now so this may seem repetitive but we are expecting a lot of new authors this year so let's get to know each other!

Happy noveling!

Your Co-MLs,

Susan & LaMishia
(susieiz & thelonephotographer)
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

I DESTROYED NANOWRIMO & CAME OUT THE CHAMPION!!!

thelonephotographer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:05:16 +0000

Just wanted to be the first to start celebrating! Just hit 50,118 words tonight and cant wait to have all my fellow Nanoers join me!!! I'm officially done. :-)

LaMishia
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-MASTER NOVELIST IN DISGUISE-
www.thelonephotographer.com
2007- "Not on My Watch" (Winner!)
2008- "Shattered" (Winner!)
2009- "Blood Bond" (a work in progress)

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Appreciating our ML's

A Nonny Mouse — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:03:27 +0000

Hey everyone,

I have been away from the forums all day today, and I'm just now getting a chance to post this.

Just wanted to give a shout out to our ML's, Susan and LaMishia, for all of their hard work at getting this region going, and getting it organized, and encouraging everyone, and just making this a great experience. My first year I did NaNo basically on my own, and though it was fun, it was not near as fun as it has been the last two years, being a part of a group.

So thank you, Susan, and thank you, LaMishia, for making this region great. You all are the best!

On our way, to 50K!
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USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Alternate Nanowrimo Slogans

capt.flint — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:00:27 +0000

I was procrastinating when a random thought sprung into my head. If you could change the Nanowrimo slogan to anything you want, what would you change it to? As for me I would change it from Thirty days and nights of literary abandon! to Thirty days and nights of semi-coherent literary sleep deprivation! That slogan, I think, would more accurately describe Nanowrimo, IMHO. So what would you choose?
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USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Upcoming Winchester/Front Royal Area Write-ins

Susieiz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:18:56 +0000

Front Royal:
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 5:30 to 7:00 - Samuels Public Library
Saturday, November 21, 2009 - 11:00 to 1:00 - Samuels Public Library
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - CANCELED due to Library closing early for Thanksgiving Holiday
Saturday, November 28, 2009 - 11:00 to 1:00 - Samuels Public Library

Stephens City
Monday, November 23, 2009 - 6:00 to 8:00 - Bowman Library
Monday, November 30, 2009 - 6:00 to 8:00 - Bowman Library (Sprint to the finish!)

Susan
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Winchester/JMU/Harrisonburg & Beyond Crossover Event!

Susieiz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:18:41 +0000

The characters from Winchester/JMU/Harrisonburg & Beyond are planning a crossover event!

Greater Winchester area writers will be heading down to Harrisonburg on Saturday, November 14th to meet up with our POC arrowsforpens and her trusty writer friends from JMU/Harrisonburg. If you are in the local area or beyond we would love to have you join us. The plan is to meet at noon at the Panera in Harrisonburg (directions to follow) but check back on this forum for possible scheduling and location changes.

How many novelists can you stuff in one car? How many novelists can you fit inside Panera? I will be driving and most likely LaMishia as well. We will need to get a headcount to determine if we need another volunteer driver. We would also like to get a good idea of how many to expect so we can make a change in location if necessary. If you would like to join us, let us know here with a quick location shout out as in:

I'm Susan (susieiz) from Winchester and I'll be there! (you don't have to write that but you get the picture)

Can't wait to meet everyone!

Susan

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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

JMU Nanos out there?

TheOnlyDoylie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:50:21 +0000

Any JMU Dukes who want to get together for this shindig? :D
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Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original. -C.S Lewis

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Coffee, elevators and food replicators.

Susieiz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:17 +0000

If you get a break in your writing go back and read some of the stuff you wrote. Pay particular attention to those moments in writing when you were typing away at a feverish pace and you really had no idea what you were saying. Trust me, while it may momentarily cause you to question your abilities as a writer, it is sure to make you smile at some point.

For example, yesterday my main character woke up, made some coffee, drank some coffee, then went out for coffee. I'm pretty sure right now she is drinking more coffee. Guess what is sitting on my desk while I write? You guessed it! Coffee!

Or I have plenty of these little gems:

Quote:

The elevator slowed to a stop at the penthouse floor and the doors opened automatically.

Only in fiction will you find elevator doors that open automatically! If only we could harness that technology in the real world! Sometimes I just amaze myself with my forward thinking! This one is going to be right up there with the food replicator on Star Trek.

Do you have any gems of your own to share?

Have a productive writing day!

Susan
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Check your timezones!

Susieiz — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:32:33 +0000

Just a reminder. Go to your settings and make sure you have the correct timezone selected. Mine changed after the wipe and I just noticed it last night while looking at my NaNoStats. It doesn't really have a huge impact now but it will on the 30th at 11:59 if you can't post your final word count!

Susan
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Resources for NaNoWriMo

schneirj — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:13:11 +0000

I don't know if I mentioned that Will Vaus, the moderator of the Harrisonburg C.S. Lewis Society, mentioned the Snowflake method at the last meeting when we were talking about Boxen, the stories that C.S. Lewis and his brother Warnie wrote when they were children. He mentioned this "snowflake" method. So I googled it up http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php and it seemed pretty interesting.

I noticed among the writing on the site that he highly recommended the book "Techniques of the $elling Writer" by Dwight V. Swain. I picked up a copy and I'm 105 pages in (it's a 330 page book including the index) and it lives up to the site's billing as a great book on writing. Swain breaks everything up into Motivation-Reaction units, and into Scenes and Sequels and gives a lot of very helpful advice about plotting and writing. I'm going through it in detail and doing my Notetaking Trick -- see if I can summarize the book and get a great compression factor ... so far about 17 to one.

I've never actually participated in NaNoWriMo so I'm definitely getting excited as we come down to the wire. I hope to meet some other Harrisonburg Writers as we all take off on this great adventure.

Cheers, Ray
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"How do I know what I think until I see what I type."

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Show off. xD

TheOnlyDoylie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:34:58 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2TtlZCOti4

A "trailer" of my novel this year. :D The editing in this is not my best, but it was originally to get an idea, as I only had a train wreak idea to work off of. :] So I took some of my favorite actors and made them all hang out and got my idea for my novel. :D I love it for all it's glitches and stuff so I decided to show off to my fellow nanowrimo-ers. <3

So yeah. :D
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Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original. -C.S Lewis

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Any Staunton writers?

blueridgemuse — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:11:51 +0000

Any writers in Staunton interested in getting together to write and celebrate weekly milestones? I'd be happy to organize.

Happy writing,

blueridgemuse
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USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Lexington and Buena Vista NaNoWrimo's

augustskye13 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:23:32 +0000

There is a group of us we are college students endeavoring on the most challenging thing yet. We try meeting at least every two to three days to give encourage and talk about ideas. More are always welcome.

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USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Introduce Yourself

Determined — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:45:52 +0000

Hello,

My name is Nichole. I currently live in Winchester and I am new to NaNoWriMo. Actually an Author friend of mine introduced me to this site.

I have written two short stories. One has already been published and the other anticipated date is December 2010. I am working on my debut novel. I joined this site because I thought it would be helpful for me to finally finish my debut novel.

I am excited about this adventure.

Let's write,

Nichole

www.myspace.com/shy320

Stories written

A short story titled "Double Shot of Mocha, Please" in the anthology Tasty Temptations with My Time Publications

A short story titled "My Soul Says Yes" in the anthology The Breakthrough with Peace in the Storm Publishing.

My debut Novel "Just Friends" - in progress
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USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Twitter in November?

Susieiz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:46:08 +0000

Will you be posting to Twitter in November? I am going to try to post daily inspirations or rants whichever suits the mood of the day as well as my cumulative word count. I might even post a shout out for help should my plot begin to stall and if there happens to be anyone listening maybe you might lend a hand! Wyntermoon suggested we a virtual write-in with established breaks. I think it is a fabulous idea!

You can find me at http://twitter.com/Susieiz. I will return the follow! Post your Twitter IDs here so we can all link up.

Susan
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Online Story Outliner

Susieiz — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:04:49 +0000

Struggling with your plot? Need a break from your writing but want to do something still connected with your novel?

Check out this online story outliner:

http://www.ncn.net/~msj/outliner.htm

It only takes a few minutes of your time and might be able to help if you are feeling disconnected from your plot. After you see the result you might just want to do a second run though and perfect your answers. I did!

Have fun!

Susan
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

two miracles...

Retta — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:54:51 +0000

I started Nano in 2003 where I left my main character newly widowed, pregnant, and filling in as sheriff of a small Shenandoah Valley town. I am ecstatic to announce that two miracles have taken place in my first 2 days of writing. She has delivered her baby after six yrs of and he is a preemie!
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Retta

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Waynesboro Write-Ins (to include Staunton, Fishersville, Stuarts Draft, and Augusta County)

A Nonny Mouse — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:21:56 +0000

We have scheduled weekly write-ins for all those in the area.

We will be meeting at BooksAMillion in the Target Shopping Center off of Exit 94 on I-64.

Mondays at 7 PM

Saturdays at 2 PM

BAM has great wi-fi, great food, and the store personnel enjoy having us there, so it's a great time.

Please come and join us! We would love to see you there!

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USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Winchester Area Kickoff

Susieiz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:41:33 +0000

Great news Winchester Area Wrimos! Your trusty ML LaMishia (thelonephotographer) has secured a fabulous location for our Kickoff! We will be meeting at the Wingate Inn in Winchester. Here are the details:

Wingate Inn
150 Wingate Drive
Pleasant Valley & Wingate Dr.
Winchester, VA 22601
540-678-4283

We have the room from 11:30pm to 2am this Saturday October 31st. Meeting Room First Floor.

Everyone should arrive promptly as the doors are locked after 10pm and they will be letting us in. They will have tables and chairs set up for us. Please feel free to bring snacks and beverages.

Please post in this thread if you plan to attend or if you have any questions. Send me a private message if you would like my cell number for contacting me Saturday if you get lost or need assistance.

See you there!

Susan

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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Countdown to Kick-off!

Susieiz — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:23:03 +0000

Hi there!

With November only a few short weeks away it is time to start thinking about Halloween Kick-offs. As our region covers a large territory we are hoping to schedule at least two or three events throughout the region if we can generate enough interest. I am thinking Winchester, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro/Staunton and then maybe one further south in the Lexington area. Of course, if anyone here happens to have a rich uncle with a large hunting lodge complete with Wi-Fi, hot tub, bed and breakfast, I will definitely consider a road trip! Okay I really don't need the Wi-Fi.

Last year several of us met at the iHop in Winchester and are thinking of doing the same again this year. (Unless of course anyone has another idea!) We are always open to exploring new options and venues. The only requirements are coffee, outlets, the ability to start writing at midnight and hang out for at least an hour or longer, and of course, coffee. Pancakes are nice too but not a deal breaker. Tweetywill has generously offered to make arrangements with iHop in Winchester if we decide that is where we want to be at midnight. We just need a Winchester head count so he can give them a heads up!

Please post your ideas and suggestions here and if we need to start individual area threads we'll do it! As soon as we have some set plans they will posted to our calendar.

Happy plotting!

Susan

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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Warrenton Write-In

burninglady — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:40:00 +0000

Is anyone interested in a write-in anywhere around Warrenton, VA?

Kate
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USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Did you see this?

tweetywill — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:40:09 +0000

http://www.nvdaily.com/lifestyle/2009/10/pen-pals-writing-clubs-help-mem...

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Tweetywill
The Piker Press

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Attention Charlottesville Writers

Susieiz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:18:37 +0000

Charlottesville writers now have their very own region to call home. Co-MLs runkefer and swiftdust have already set up the forum and regional events calendar. I stopped by and they already have several introductions on their welcome thread.

If you decide to move over to the new Charlottesville region, we will be sorry to see you go but we know you will benefit from having your trusted MLs close to home. We hope you enjoyed your stay with us! Feel free to stop in on the forums or drop in at a write-in if you ever find yourself in our neck of the woods!

Good luck to you in November!

Susan
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed

USA :: Virginia :: Shenandoah Valley

Attention Lynchburg Area Writers

Susieiz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:26:24 +0000

Lynchburg area writers now have their very own region to call home. I exchanged NaNoMail with the Lynchburg ML, ashleyyosaurus, and she is very excited about her new region. She gladly welcomes anyone in the surrounding area including Lexington, Roanoke and Farmville to stop in and say hi. We know Lynchburg will still be quite a drive for some of you but it is a lot closer than Winchester and Front Royal!

If you decide to move over to the new Lynchburg region, we will be sorry to see you go but we know you will benefit from having your trusted MLs close to home. We hope you enjoyed your stay with us! Feel free to stop in on the forums or drop in at a write-in if you ever find yourself in our neck of the woods!

Good luck to you in November!

Susan
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2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed