I'm not one to start rumors, but apparently I've managed to talk Chris into coming up to our neck of the woods to write with us next week!
I'm not putting it on the write-ins page just yet, 'cause I've got a day (Tuesday, November 27) and a time (Chris will be a little later on - maybe 8pm to help mitigate traffic issues coming from the East Bay) but not (really) a place. I suggested we hit one of the Novato locations - to help get him a little closer for the Sonoma County folks who want to come write with The Man, but I don't know exactly what that would be. Can someone Novato-wise please call the spot? If need-be we can back up to Aroma's in San Rafael, which I'm sure will work.
Chris is an awesome guy. Last year, after speaking to a group of (mostly NaNoWriMo) folks at the San Rafael Borders about 'No Plot? No Problem!', we grabbed a table in the coffee shop area and started kicking out words like crazy. It was great fun - and I encourage everyone who can to come out on the 27th, regardless of wordcount, to catch a little of that incredible vibe!
It could even be our official Sonoma-Marin Write-In. What do ya think?
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2003: Chasing Mermaids | 2004: ENX | 2005: Facets | 2006: Leeward | 2007: Five
60,832 / 50,000
nov. 19, 2007 - 17 32
I think it's great. Depending on where and what time, I may or may not be able to make it, but I would certainly try my best. I look forward to getting the details if this comes to fruition.
Thanks, Swaziloo!
Debbie
aka boo boo
51,077 / 50,000
nov. 19, 2007 - 17 36
Fantastic! A place is what we need to work on. The Starbucks we've used in Novato is probably not a prime location. Not enough outlets and it tends to be crowded.
I can think some more on it in a bit. I'm off to the veterinary hospital with my daughter. Her kitty is still there. It doesn't look good. I'll be back later tonight.
Great job, Ken!
Corina
51,989 / 50,000
nov. 19, 2007 - 20 53
That's exciting news. I'd drive up from Sausalito.
50,001 / 50,000
nov. 19, 2007 - 21 40
Yippee I'm in. I just spent a couple hours at the Vintage Oaks Starbucks and it's busy and has few outlets as someone else has mentioned. Cafe Aroma is a writer friendly place,more room, more outlets, and yummy food. I know it's a bit of a longer trip for the Santa Rosa and above folks. Let me know. Either way I'll be at Aroma on Wednesday. Corky. PS Happy Holidays.
52,851 / 50,000
nov. 20, 2007 - 11 04
Hi All,
I have been a regular lurker here, without saying much. The write-ins are difficult for me because of a) not having a laptop (although Corina most generously offered to loan me one!) and b) living in Napa, which is away from the rest of you writer-inners (although Corina again most generously offered to meet me near Sonoma). Mostly I guess it's because I just want to write, and taking the time to drive etc. seems to complicate things too much. But I would love to meet you all and put a face together with a plot, and enjoy in person the ambience of people who write.
The 27th sounds like a perfect time to do that, with Chris coming, but unfortunately, that is a day that I will be driving out of town in another direction. Does anyone know if Chris will be speaking again, as he did before, maybe after the month is over?
Susan
P.S. Just out of curiosity - do you really get writing done when you are together? It sounds like a great opportunity to talk over plot twists and characters. Maybe I"m just too distractible when other folks are around . . . .
29,776 / 50,000
nov. 20, 2007 - 20 24
Darn... The 27th is the only night next week that I can't make it!
I don't know any place in Novato that would work for a big write-in - - we don't have anything here that even compares to Aroma Cafe in San Rafael. I agree, that Vintage Oak Starbucks just isn't going to cut it for such a momentous event!
I have to agree with Ken, too, that last year's write-in with Chris Baty was incredible fun! And highly productive as well. To chat and write with the man who started it all... It's an experience you won't want to miss!
Leslie
50,293 / 50,000
nov. 20, 2007 - 20 58
Yes please!
I vote for Cafe Aroma since my bike is my transportation, but I understand our Sonoma friends need to feel the love as well and I will travel to see our truly fearless leader Chris Baty!
Eeeeee!
51,938 / 50,000
nov. 20, 2007 - 23 29
I'd definitely try to be there, which is saying something since I'm an antisocial writer. :-)
-jason in Mill Valley
52,565 / 50,000
nov. 21, 2007 - 00 24
Sounds awesome! Totally worth the trip from Sausalito. Hopefully I'll be able to get out of work in time.
51,077 / 50,000
nov. 21, 2007 - 01 53
I will try to look at a couple of places in Novato on my way through to Aroma's tomorrow. I'm going early anyway, in hopes of avoiding some of the traffic.
In any case, those of us in the Santa Rosa and north should try to car pool if at all possible. I will be driving from Santa Rosa. My car will comfortably seat three more people, a fourth if someone small squeezed into the middle in the back. There are three seat belts in the back seat. I'll be happy to take the first three or four people that let me know they need a ride, with preference to those that have no other transportation. Assuming it is at 8, we could leave by 7. Let me know if you might want to ride with me.
Corina
53,433 / 50,000
nov. 21, 2007 - 11 09
Thanks Corina. I can steer him either way to be honest, I was just thinking that Novato was more central for the region than San Rafael - but I agree with the above comments that if there really isn't a good spot in Novato, we should fall back to Aroma Cafe in San Rafael.
Chris wanted to arrive at 8 to avoid the nasty traffic from the East Bay, but we should get started earlier so we can have some tables, and plug strips, and be a little more settled-in.
Susan: Yes! We usually get some good, solid writing done at these events. From experience, it's actually not a bad idea to work in little spurts. Chat for a few minutes to get the brain cells stirred-up, then power out a thousand words. Resume chatting for a few minutes, do a ten-minute sprint, etc. If nothing else, it really enhances the NaNoWriMo experience, and nobody will stop you from just tuning-out when the distractions would pull you from a writing moment of epic significance.
Sorry to hear you're out that night Leslie. You'll be missed.
I'm really happy to see so many Marin writers crawl out of the woodwork at the opportunity to write with Chris - please do come out! If we decide to meet in Novato, I can grab the van and up to 6 of you for a carpool. I live just a hanful of blocks from Aroma Cafe, so I don't want to hear any excuses!
See you tonight at Aroma Cafe.
60,832 / 50,000
nov. 21, 2007 - 11 25
I knew something about the 27th was bothering me. It turns out I can't make it after all. That's the night my critique group meets, and I already begged out of the last meeting. I think I am destined never to meet Chris. If the night changes, however, I might have a shot!
Have fun with Nano-Man!
Debbie
53,433 / 50,000
nov. 26, 2007 - 12 08
We decided last Wednesday that Aroma Cafe in San Rafael would be a better location than our options in Novato, so here's the plan:
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 7:00PM AT AROMA CAFE in SAN RAFAEL
http://tinyurl.com/3645mt
Expect Chris (the man who started it all) to show up around 8pm. Everyone
is welcome!
29,776 / 50,000
nov. 27, 2007 - 14 20
Have fun writing tonight at Aroma's with Chris... Somebody take a picture, okay? Ken??
Leslie
52,851 / 50,000
nov. 27, 2007 - 16 01
Just can't make it tonight. Wish I could meet you all, to say nothing of meeting Chris. Have a great time, and post a review of the festivities tomorrow!
This has been a terrific experience for me. I've loved the rush of creating under pressure, and being in touch with all of you who are just as crazy.
Susan