I sent an email today to Erin the "ML headmistress" for Nanowrimo to find out what the deal is going to be with Marin-Sonoma not having a Municipal Liaison. Not that I'm volunteering! I have two kids under two, people. Obviously, we are all capable of moderating our own posts and organizing our own unofficial write-ins, however I miss the ML email encouragement, the "official" voice and banter that goes on when you have a good ML. (San Francisco has Rob/Gallifreyan who I love so I signed up with SF as my home region in order to get his fun packed emails since we aren't getting any.)
If she emails me back (no one hold their breath), I'll let you know what she says.
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http://www.leagueofverbs.com/
51,077 / 50,000
oct. 31, 2007 - 23 24
I did volunteer a month ago. Never heard back.
11,835 / 50,000
nov. 1, 2007 - 18 58
Odd. Here's the response I rec'd this morning:
Thanks for writing. I'm afraid that for now you guys are
on your own. I did hear from a couple of people who expressed interest,
but neither of them ended up actually taking the ML assignment. I'd suggest
you post something in the forums letting your people know that you're
ML-less, and hopefully we'll get a volunteer.
Take care, and good luck with the novel!
-Erin
So, the job is still open if you or anyone else wants it! Requirements are listed here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/1003232
53,433 / 50,000
nov. 5, 2007 - 12 36
I spoke to Chris at the kickoff party, and he was actually aware of the North Bay lack-of-a-ML condition. I absolutely did not volunteer to be the ML, and we were very clear about the fact that I was not the ML for the North Bay (though I believe he might make me do it next year,) but I did agree to try and rustle up a few write-ins, and I have a commitment from Chris to come write with us (we had a sponatneous write-in at Borders last year after a Chris Baty author talk) since he says he had fun last time.
Now, my problem: My house (cry) still isn't finished. Every year I say something like "NEXT year, I'll have my awesome house done and we'll just have write-ins at my place. Alas, it is not so. I mean, it's kinda close, and if I made you all bring your own beanbags (or equivalent) we could easily descend upon my almost-complete family room and write all ghetto-style. Borders in San Rafael has worked before - though it's far from perfect, and I'm hopeless at scouting locales. So, before we just cave-in and write at Borders, can anyone think of something better around the San Rafael area? Don't be shy! If you know a cool coffee shop or other place with a space to gather and an outlet or three, please chime in.
In the past we've had issues with trying to get folks from Sonoma to come to Marin, and Marin to go to Sonoma for write-ins. Personally, I'd rather not spend 90-120 minutes driving when I could have spent the time writing - and I don't blame my Sonoma counterparts who feel the same. It would be fabulous if someone in Sonoma could take up the charge of scheduling a few write-ins "up there" as well. Additionally, in the past there's certainly been a desire to see one (or more) Petaluma-Novato area all-North-Bay write-in, but I can't say I've been able to make one =( If anyone has the motivation and a location in mind, let's see how much willingness/interest there is in such a thing.
Finally, I REALLY recommend attending the TGIO party in San Francisco on Nov 1. They're lotsa fun and worth the drive. If you're interested in going, but need a ride, start a carpool thread so we can get as many North Bay writers down there as possible!
And most importantly: Keep your inner-editor locked in the closet. Don't read anything you write during the month. If you find yourself trying to go back and "just fix this one little thing," slap your own hand and say "bad!" until you stop. Rough drafts are about wresting that imperfect, uneven, possibly a little grotesque, idea from your imagination - not about creating fine art. Fine art takes work. And time. It takes seeing that idea as a whole, and approaching it as someone who knows the beginning, middle, and end. It takes hundreds of hours in rewrites and editing. And you have December-October to do those things. Now is the time for the raw creative dump. So go get dumping.
Your Un-ML
ken