United States :: Oregon :: Salem

baby update!!!

Coryashire — Tue, 9 Dec 2008 16:50:11 -0800

No, that brat is not here yet. she is taking her sweetass time being born. However Ashley is getting close, and if avery hasnt come by 7:30am thursday morning, they are going to induce. The Doctors however are saying that Ashley is along enough that they dont think it will take till thursday. So, either way, I will be a uncle by thursday.
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United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] TGIO Party Info & RSVP

Brighterskyte — Tue, 2 Dec 2008 08:56:38 -0800

Ready to have a knee slappin' good time with your fellow Salem Wrimos? We here in ML Land are, don't worry, we promise not to make you square dance.

It's time for the TGIO Party! Come hang out with the best bunch of writers in town. Won? Didn't win? It doesn't matter, this party is for you. Even if you haven't made a meeting at all this year, and are a little nervous about joining in, we hope to see you there too!

Lots and lots of board, card, and video games, prizes, food, The Winner Ceremony of Awesomeness, a cheer for Olympia, and more. Bring a treat to share if you can, we will be providing soda, juice, water (napkins, plates, forks....honest), and a yummy cake.

Don't forget your name tag and your poker cards for great prizes!

When: Saturday, December 6th 2008
Where: Salem Public Library, Anderson B Room (Downstairs)
What Time: 1:30 – 5:30

PLEASE RSVP – and let us know if you're attending, if you're bringing anyone (family is invited!), and if you're a winner. It is very important if you're a winner that you RSVP (and provide your full real name!), so we know how many winner goodies we need.

We can't wait to see you there, parn'er!
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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

Capital Wordwar Smackdown

Brighterskyte — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:44:47 -0700

Salem Wrimos!

The challenge has been issued to Olympia to once again participate in the Capital Wordwar Smackdown, our competition between capitals to see which can write the most words during November.

Olympia gave us a run last year, and we won by a hair. They are great sports and we've really enjoyed this event the last couple of years. I'll let you know if they accept the challenge.

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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

the bragging thread

Coryashire — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 19:38:03 -0800

Yes, a bragging thread. for those who are doing well, why dont you post to let others know, and give tips for how you find time to squeeze in a good hearty writing session so we can help others maximise their chances for sucess.

Currently, I am on the fourth chapter of my story, and just crossed 10k words. This book has for the most part been in my head for 3 years. I have added to the plan for the fourth book in my series over the years, further improving upon my plan, and outlining it in more detail, and so I am now simply writing scenes that have been in my head for ages.

I was a little under the weather yesterday, so I didnt get much writing done. but my goal is to do at least a chapter a day. my plan currently has me with 27 chapters, which is a general guideline for what I thought it would take to tell the story. who knows, I might be writing 25 chapters, or maybe 30 by the time I finish it.

I might try to finish it all during november, but who knows if I will be able to keep up the pace. so far, what I have written has made me very happy, and I think I am keeping both quantity, but also quality in my writing this year for nano.

my biggest tip, find someone comfortable to write. if you have a laptop, you could find a comfy chair. I write on my bed, which is nice and soft, and gives me privacy with my bedroom door closed. I can watch tv while I write, and take nice lie down breaks when I feel like it.
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United States :: Oregon :: Salem

anyone else having trouble uploading?

becky littrell — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:38:49 -0800

HELP, I'm stuck and tried everything. I'd really appreciate it if someone could tell me what I'm doing wrong. Thank you.
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United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] Pep-Talk November 29th

Brighterskyte — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:58:19 -0800

Today I look to Sir Winston Churchill for inspiration.

“He who ascends to the mountaintops shall find the loftiest peaks most wrapped with clouds and snow.”

If you are near the end or have reached the holy grail of 50,000 words then you know how splendid the view is from the top. However, if you (like me) still have some climbing to do, listen up.

“Never give in; never give in, never, never, never… never give in”

As I plow through my story I often encounter sticky points. That is when I chant these words. It may be week four and the task may seem impossible, but I don’t think that. I think NEVER GIVE IN. Whether you have won several Nanowrimos or never seen the end doesn’t matter. All that matters is this year, and this year you are not going to give in.

“Look forward, do not look backward. Gather afresh in heart and spirit all the energies of your being, bend anew together for a supreme effort.”

Writing 50,000 words in one month is a supreme effort. Gather your energies and write. Do not bemoan the number of words you have so far. As I write this I have only 23,000. It will take a lot of energy to finish by November 30. So I focus on getting the rest of my story on paper. That is what is important. I know I can do it and I know you can do it.

“Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy, an amusement; then it becomes a mistress, and then a master, and then a tyrant.”

If in week four, your book is a tyrant, as mine is right now, the only thing to do is bring in the marines and move it along. When you reach 50,000 glorious words your tyrant will become a shiny toy, the one you dreamed of on November 1. I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. I will be typing my way to the winner’s circle and know I will see you all there.

“Short words are best and the old words when short are best of all.”

I personally like the words “The End.”

By by Jennifer Vandenberg
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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] Last Chance Mad Dash Write-In Today, Cowpokes!

Brighterskyte — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:28:04 -0800

From 10:30 to 5:30 at the Salem Public Library in Anderson Room B downstairs. Come join us for word wars, lots of mad typing, games, and the last write-in of the year (man, I hate typing that!).

Bring a treat if you can, we're providing soda, water, juice. Also, randomly I am bringing pie.

Can't wait to see you all there, and if you have never been to a write-in before I hope you join us!

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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

Random Wrimos Dancing

Brighterskyte — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:29:18 -0800

So last night, I was doing some random NaNo type upkeep and I decided that this would be amusing...mostly to me.

I present Random Wrimos Dancing. Random because they were the pictures I could find at the time.

Please don't kill me.

I love you.

Random Wrimos Dancing
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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] Pep-Talk November 28th

Brighterskyte — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:14:56 -0800

Hello, everyone!

Now, you may wonder why I'm so cheerful. There are only three days left until we're out of time, and many of you are probably terrified, feeling far behind and stressed out as a result. Even so, I can't help but think of it in a different way. Look at your word count. Even if it's well below what it should be, isn't it higher than the word count you had on Halloween? Those words wouldn't exist without you. They are your own words, and no matter how much work you think they need, or how many more you think there should be, I think that you should be proud of them.

I started off the month with one idea-- The one that's still listed as my novel on my page. But that idea fell through within forty-eight hours of starting NaNo. I got stressed. I got upset. I started a new book with two fewer days. You know what? That novel is one that I feel proud of, but I also feel proud of the one that fell through. For a little while, I had that glimmer of possibility, and some day, I may revisit it and bring that glimmer back.

This was meant to be a short pep talk. We all need those few extra minutes to write; were I to write something much longer, you might lose precious novel-ing time. So all I have left to say is good luck, and enjoy yourselves! NaNo is meant to be fun, even if it doesn't feel like it right now. Keep at it, and every word you write will be something to be proud of.

Have a nice day!
Morgan

__________

Morgan Bauman is a nineteen-year-old student at Willamette University. Her hobbies are reading and writing. She has so far managed to complete ten novels, two of which were NaNovels, and she has also finished two Script Frenzy screenplays. Her first book, Untold Memories: Rayai, is available at the websites for Amazon, Borders, and Barnes&Noble. It was self-published, and the sequels will follow as soon as she takes time off writing to finish editing them. Her life really does revolve around writing sometimes; she has five novels planned or in progress at the time of this writing, Her best advice is to slog through first drafts and celebrate red ink.
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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] Pep-Talk November 26th

Brighterskyte — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:37:03 -0800

Hey, Salem WriMos!

It’s time for a stampede! Spur your keyboard, pen or pencil, and give those wild words a smack on the rump to get them headed toward the 50,000 word corral. Get the snacks lined up. Snag another cup of coffee, or heck, just chew the beans! We may be crossing another dangerous stretch of ground but we can see the ‘NaNoWriMo Winner’ sticker on the corral gate in the distance.

As I sit at my desk and try to avoid eye contact with Duffy the Scotty, who really wants a walk in the woods with me instead of my husband, I whisper that it’s only a few more days. Five more days.

November is a selfish month for Wrimos. In October we announced our intent, knowing that there would be sacrifice not just for the writer, but for family, friends, and pets as well. Fewer meals have been cooked, many a NaNoWriMo house has developed a fine coat of dust, and our normally active involvement with movies, books and video games, phone calls, forums and blogs has been negligible to non-existent.

As a writer, I have learned that it is okay to be selfish. I remind myself that without this selfish gene no novel would ever be written – the world would be bereft of literature. So, I urge you to be selfish for a few more days. Five more days.

For many, the writing is now in ‘domino’ drive. Words are falling over one another, sliding into sentences, piling into paragraphs and racing toward the end. But for some, a new enemy rears its doubting head and worries us with whispers of plot holes and weak endings. We must remind this monster that a NaNo-novel is a draft, a skeletal frame waiting for flesh. Plot holes? Don’t sweat ‘em. We’ll pack them with fresh meat during revision.

As for that potentially weak ending, just in case it needs a kick, here are a few tips to build strong story bones in preparation for bearing the weight of accumulated post-NaNo ‘revised ending’ muscle.

Choose a basic ending
Positive (Think Jaws: Brody kills the shark.)
Ambiguous (Think The Catcher in the Rye: It is unclear whether Holden Caulfield will make it in the world after he is released from the sanitarium.)
Negative (Think Gone with the Wind: Scarlett loses her true love, Rhett.)

Plug in a bit of complexity with the element of sacrifice
The final choice
Your protagonist sacrifices his/her goal, exhibiting moral courage
The final battle
Your protagonist sacrifices his/her safety, exhibiting physical courage

This is the point during NaNoWriMo where many fingers are itching to do the editing we’ve waved away all month. We suddenly long to stop writing for a few hours; and read what we’ve written. What can it hurt? But that is the NaNo Naysayer talking, trying to drag us down and cost us precious writing moments in these final hours. But, we will not be deterred. Positive, ambiguous or negative story ending, we will write our way to that NaNo-novel end.

We’re on the homestretch and when we cross the finish line, whether you’ve written 5,000 or 500,000 words this month – you are a winner. You’ve done far more than most folks do in a lifetime. You’ve started a novel.

See you at the 50,000 word corral, cowpokes!

Jayel Gibson

Following a 13 year teaching career which earned her two ‘Teacher of the Year’ awards, Jayel Gibson’s sense of mythology drove her to create the Ancient Mirrors Tales, a series of books that delve into an ancient and magical world. She is an Amazon Celtic Mythology bestselling author, and the recipient of a Writer’s Digest International Book Awards Honorable Mention, three USA Book News ‘Best Books’ Finalist Awards, and the 2008 National Indie Excellence Award for fantasy and science fiction.
In addition to a full-time writing career, Jayel serves as an adjunct professor at Southwestern Oregon Community College, where she teaches the writing for publication workshop series, “From Brainstorm to Book and Beyond.” She has been a contributor for Dallas Child and Louisiana Parents magazines, Education.com and Thefatherlife.com. She is also a popular conference speaker, and is the online book club moderator for Realms of Fantasy magazine. To learn more about Jayel, visit: Tales Touched by Magick

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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

NaNoWriMo Challenge #4: A Win is as Easy as ABC!

hysterium — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:14:04 -0800

It's the final week. Are you near your goal? I hope so. If not, how about a nice challenge?

So, this is how the challenges work...

1. read the challenge carefully. there may be certain criteria that must be met.
2. be creative! let your mind wander and make a colorful trail over whatever media you prefer.
3. bring your entry to a weekly write-in for acknowledgement.
4. winners will receive a chocolate reward. (For those with chocolate allergies, an alternative will be found.)
6. bonus challenge winners will receive an idea book and matching pen.

Are you ready? Here's your final challenge...

Challenge #4:

We're going retro this week. For those of you who have been around for a couple years, this one may sound familiar. I'm even adding an extra bonus for this, the final challenge for 2008.

26 letters. 26 sentences. That's your challenge. But the catch is... your sentences must start with the letters of the alphabet in order. You can start at any point in the alphabet but all 26 must best represented in order.

EXTRA BONUS! Going really retro for this one. In your course of 26 sentences, introduce a character named Chester. Chester must be wearing a pair of red heart boxer shorts. Yes, that's what I said... Chester in red heart boxer shorts. (Or, if you will, Chester in drawers! Ha!)

This challenge is open to everyone. This challenge is open all month.
__________

There you have it. are you up for the final challenge? Remember these key items:

* 26 letters means 26 sentences in order alphabetically (I will be checking!)
* for a bonus, add Chester to the mix
* bring your entry to get your reward
* collect your reward(s)

i look forward to seeing your ideas!

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We will, we will... write you!

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

million word march

hysterium — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:00:24 -0800

as os this posting, on November 12th around a quarter til 9pm, we as a region are less than 3000 words shy of 1,000,000 words. i'm sure that we have those words out there in someone's unposted word count.

but that's not my point. if we can reach 1,000,000 words in 12 days, let's try to get 1,000,000 words in the next 12 days too! we can do it! so, here's what i am going to do...

tonight at midnight, i will check the official regional word count. over the next 12 days, i will post daily word count totals as we make our way to the next 1,000,000 words.

we can do this, Salem Wrimos! let's do the million word march all the way to December 1st!
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We will, we will... write you!

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] Regional Stats Thread

Brighterskyte — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 12:55:49 -0800

Hi Wrimos,

Well it's the 5th day, which means NaNoWriMo is in full swing. Which means one of our favorite things: statistics!

That's right, and here it is, your current statistics for 12:43 pm on November 5th 2008.

Our total current word count is 346,606 words. Salem is currently ranked Region number 143 out of 445 Regions for total word count. Not shabby Salem!

Our current average of words per person is 6,189. Ranking us 334th.

Our current total for donations to HQ is $60.00. Ranking us 236th.

Our current total for donations to Regional (Monetary, gifts-in-kind, and donations made on our Regions behalf to other or by other organizations) is $700.00. Way to go Salem for supporting your Region!

Not bad stats for only day 5! Let's pump it up and see if we can beat last years totals. You guys rock!
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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] How To Finish NaNo In 7 Days

Brighterskyte — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:54:01 -0800

Hi Salem Wrimos!

Sooo...many of you are probably in the same boat that we here in ML Land are in right now. You've got between 10 and 20k and the great big huge circled '30' on your calendar is approaching at the speed of light. Maybe you avoid looking at it...you do the dishes, do some laundry, play a couple of rounds of Guitar Hero. Anything is better then thinking about the novel waiting patiently on your hard drive, and the looming deadline.

Never fear! It is still entirely possible to finish your NaNo Novel this month. We here in ML Land believe in you completely. We know that inside your crafty fingers is a story just waiting to bust out on to the page. We know that it's hard, but with a little extra chocolate, a cup of coffee and some fuzzy slippers, you can do it.

Counting today, November 24th, you have 7 days left. Here's a quick breakdown on how many words you have to write a day, to complete your novel, give or take. Wait! Don't go anywhere! It's not nearly as bad as you might think.

If you have 5,000 words, you need to write 6428 words a day. Not bad, you could absolutely pound those out.

If you have 10,000 words, you need to write 5715 words a day. Why, that's totally doable!

If you have 15,000 words, you need to write 5000 words a day. You can do that!

If you have 20,000 words, you need to write 4286 words a day. That's cake!

If you have 25,000 words, you need to write 3572 words a day. Hey, no problem!

If you have 30,000 words, you need to write 2858 words a day. Easy peasy.

If you have 35,000 words, you need to write 2143 words a day. Simple!

If you have 40,000 words, you need to write 1429 words a day. So easy a caveman could do it.

If you have 45,000 words, you need to write 714 words a day. Child's play!

See? Not all is lost! It is absolutely possible for every single one of you out there to get back on track and finish your NaNo Novel. Just think, in seven days you will be the proud owner of a happy, shining bundle of Novely goodness and it will be worth every calloused finger, every quarter in the swear jar, and every stack of dirty dishes in your kitchen.

Don't give up you amazing Salem Novelists. We know you can do it, and we'll be doing it write (ha!) along with you. You all never fail to awe and inspire us with your awesomeness.

Keep on writing, you guys ROCK!

Your biggest fans,
The Salem MLs

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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] Pep-Talk November 20th

Brighterskyte — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:03:48 -0800

It's week three and by now, you may be starting to wonder whether you've made a colossal mistake. The person who signed up for NaNoWriMo was an entirely different person. You're split in twain, now; at sign-up, maybe even the beginning of the month, there existed an insanely optimistic individual who had no idea what it was like to be bowed under the crushing weight of a daily word deadline that dwindled from reach with each successive dawn. Even if you've done this before, you still had no idea. Trust me. I know. Selective amnesia keeps the human race alive and moving forward - which is why I've been signing up every year since 2002! Now there's the "you" of now, the one who gets up every morning and looks at that word count file, that notepad, that train wreck of a novel in progress, that hideously blank page staring you in the face and frames insurmountable questions that douse the possibilities of the words and phrases that came during week one.

Our local challenge guy Robert summed it up quite eloquently, "Most of you, by now, are thinking that everything you've written so far is crap."

How can I do this? How can I keep going on?

My very first year as I groaned under the daily grind of meeting the desired word count and keeping up with loved ones and chores and work to boot, that was the point I reached at week three: despair. "This is crap," my internal monologue droned. "How can I possibly finish something this terrible?" At that time, what kept me going - and stayed with me all this time - were the steely words of wisdom from a pep talk from years back, perhaps even from our very own esteemed Chris Baty. A discouraged writer in much the position from which most of us are laboring this very minute wondered aloud to his colleague how on earth she consistently managed to meet the punishing deadlines of the journalistic world. "You keep putting one word in front of the other," the senior journalist belted over her shoulder at her colleague, her fingers never ceasing. That simply. Put one word in front of the other. She made the deadline that day. So did he.

I took that to heart.

This month is not the time to gush forth from the pinnacle of eloquence and articulation. This month is about production, and it is grueling and painful, yes, at times but there's an amazing freedom in surrendering yourself to a goal that is less about brilliance than it is about the sheer amount of words that you force out of the ends of your benumbed and bleeding fingers.

You know your characters by now - at least, I hope so. You've lived with them and they have been there with you for every single word of all eighteen grueling, exhilarating days of this month so far. Now it's time to shake things up, move things around, throw a few people off a cliff, trip the most hated party member in front of the crowd of ravening zombies, have the main characters excoriate one another in the cutthroat parlors of the highborn, launch one corporation's hostile takeover of another, send all the elves from the peaceful calm of their wood onto a rollicking space cowboy opera, and above all, keep things moving.

I'm not going to tell you about tips and tricks for inflating your word count, like avoiding hyphenated words or examining your sentence structure to see about inflating one simple word into two complex, more descriptive ones. I'm here to tell you to keep putting one word in front of the other. Like a hike through barren territory, there's no turning back now - you've got to get your characters to the other side: the promised oasis of 50,000. To do that you have to put aside the filters in your head that may want to edit what's coming from your head and out through your fingers. Get rid of the little voice that tells you that your daily output isn't good enough to line an outhouse. Remember the exercise from one of our Region's write-ins (if you were there) where we drew our internal editor on a notecard - and sealed that bad boy (or girl, or non-gendered creature, or animal, or alien) into an envelope. For the duration of the month. If you weren't there to trap your i
nternal editor on paper and seal them away then, do it now. It's symbolic - and powerful. Give yourself over to stream of consciousness writing - when you form the words in your head, jot them down, type them out, capture them on paper or with whatever electronic means you have to hand. And whatever you do, DON'T GO BACK. Resist the urge to make it "betterer."

This is about going forward, not pausing and taking a look back at what can be improved or culled or fixed before going on.

Hold onto each and every valuable word and line them up in some semblance of coherency and keep moving forward. That's the most important part of this month. As one of our recent high profile pep talk writers (and published novelists) advised, don't revisit what you've already written; you'll have time later to clean it up and make improvements. If it doesn't quite make sense or what you wrote in scene three doesn't jive with what you end up writing in scene ten, don't give it a moment of thought. In that instant, you could be producing more words.

Put one foot in front of the other. Keep your neurons firing. When they form a sentence, heck, even part of a sentence, capture it. Build from that to your next one, and your next, and your next.

You'll get there - I know you can do it! You know why I know this? Because you, my dear member of Salem Region, you kick ass. And you keep on writin'. Because that's what cowboys (and maybe even space cowboy ninjas) do.

See you (at 50,000) words, space cowboy!

Tracy is a transplanted Midwesterner who's been living in and loving Oregon since May 2000. One of her double majors was in Rhetoric (U of I's Creative Writing equivalent) and she has, in fact, been insatiably writing since the age of 10. Had written three novels by the tender age of seventeen that turned out to be not much of anything at all; has produced one a year for the past six years during NaNoWriMo and wrote another original novel in the first eight months of 2001, yet mysteriously has managed not to edit or submit a single one. In conclusion, the lure of the "ooh, shiny!" is strong with this one. Style of writing for NaNo is an intensively plotted outline, daily work done in a "word count" document file, lots and lots of time spent at the Starbucks without using wireless internet, and an extremely accommodating girlfriend who functions as life support system and sanity check. She enjoys happy endings, strong characterization, unexpected plot twists, inciden
tal gay, and classifies her current endeavor as "character driven highly implausible post-apocalyptic science fiction fantasy."

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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] All State Write-In This Weekend

Brighterskyte — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:07:03 -0800

It's time for the second annual All State Write-In, and this year Salem is going to be hosting it. We're very excited to have all the other fantastic Regions in Oregon joining us for a day of writing madness. Are you excited? We're excited!

The All State is Saturday, November 15th. From 11:00 to 1:00 we will be hosting an Ice Breaker Brunch at Pietro's Pizza (1637 Hawthorne NE in Salem) in the back curtained meeting room with ice breakers and mini golf for those who want to play. From 1:30 to 6:00 we will have the All State Write-In at the Salem Public Library in Anderson B. Please bring a snack to share if you can! MLs will be providing drinks.

We're going to be having some fun games, word wars, some mini-workshops and lots and lots of writing with our fellow Oregon Wrimos.

We hope to see everyone there!

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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

Wordstock Photos

JayelGibson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:03:06 -0800

...of me, of course *grin*, and some dedicated Salem Wrimos wracking up the word count in the space provided by Wordstock. Oh, and me modeling this year's 10th anniversary NaNoWriMo tee. Anyone else get pics?

Wordstock '08 Photos

It was super to see Jamie and Hannah strategically positioned across from my booth. What a great event; I'm already looking forward to next year!
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Always with a Touch of Magick

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

Report Card Link

hysterium — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:28:20 -0800

Everyone-

At today's write-in FutureGal and I were trying to find the link for the updated NaNoWriMo Report Card. This is an Excel spreadsheet that tracks your progress and projects your ending date. It's pretty nifty.

I found the link. Here it is...NaNoWriMo Report Card.
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We will, we will... write you!

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

I think I left my glasses...

WritingLife — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:56:22 -0800

...at the library today (11/15). Did anyone see a black glasses case where I was sitting, at the far table nearest the snacks? Purplish wire on the frames? Two Chinese fortune cookie fortunes in the case along with the glasses? Please? I hope?

If so, Jamie can bring them to me at school on Monday. She knows where my office is.

Karen
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The Writing for Children Resource Site

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

NaNoWriMo Challenge #3: Naughty, naughty

hysterium — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:26:27 -0800

So, this is how the challenges work...

So, are you ready? Here's your challenge...

Challenge #3:

Last week, as I was leaving the Salem Write-in, I noticed someone sitting in the car next to mine surfing the internet. Not a strange occurance mind you. The library's signal extends well past its walls. But what I came to notice, once I was in my car, was that this person was viewing naughty videos on his computer! Even as I started my car, the voyeur did not flinch, nor did they stop their viewing. My only thought was... THAT HAS TO BE A CHALLENGE!

Your challenge this week is drawing on this experience. You are challenged to add a character (or use an existing one) who is doing something naughty while in a vehicle or while traveling by some mode of transportation.

For those who will ask:

something nuaghty is hereby described as - some action that is morally, spiritually, socially or otherwise deemed as inappropriate by society.

vehicle and traveling by some mode of transportation is hereby described as - a car, boat, ship, rocket, subway, carriage, pumpkin with wheels, bicycle, walking, running, sliding, etc.

This challenge is open to everyone. This challenge is open all month.
__________

so, there you have it. are you up for the challenge? remember these key items:

* add or use a character who is doing something naughty
* have them travel or use a mode of transportation
* bring your entry to get your reward
* collect your reward

i look forward to seeing your ideas!

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We will, we will... write you!

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

Event Photos

microkat2004 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:56:41 -0800

For all who don't know we have photos of write-ins and the kick off party on Flickr.

You can go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/salem_writerazzi/

I just downloaded some pictures from the kick off party.

And for more pictures you can go here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/salem_nanowrimo/

I have pictures of past years write-ins and other fun activities!

^Kat^
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^Kat^
Here we go again!

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

Car Pool Thread

Brighterskyte — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:06:55 -0700

Hi Wrimos,

Use this thread if you need a ride to an event, or if you can give a fellow Wrimo a ride to an event.

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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

NaNoWriMo Challenge #2: Homophones and Palindromes

hysterium — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 15:52:22 -0800

So, this is how the challenges work...

So, are you ready? Here's your challenge, and it's a bit harder...

Challenge #2:

hom⋅o⋅phone: –noun. a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not.

pal⋅in⋅drome: –noun. a word, line, verse, number, sentence, etc., reading the same backward as forward.

Your challenge this week has two parts- one is easier; one is quite hard.

Easy: add two (2) sets of homophone or four (4) palindromes into your novel over the course of not longer than a half page.
Hard: add a palindrome sentence of not less than six (6) words into your novel.

This challenge is open to everyone. This challenge is open all month.
__________

so, there you have it. are you up for the challenge? remember these key items:

* use homophones and palindromes
* don't go over half a page
* bring your entry to get your reward
* if you choose to go for the hard challenge, I will have special rewards for you.

i look forward to seeing your ideas!

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We will, we will... write you!

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

Happy ML Appreciation Day!

microkat2004 — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 20:47:46 -0800

To Jamie, Savvy, and Hannah:

Today is ML Appreciation Day! You guys are so great! Let me count the ways of your awesomeness:

1) You guys rock.
2)You are our best cheerleaders.
3) You work so hard to make November great for us all.

I just wanted to let you guys know how totally awesome you are (and no I am not sucking up for more stickers!) So three cheers for our MLs!

Now get back to work on those novels!

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^Kat^
Here we go again!

United States :: Oregon :: Salem

[From Salem MLs] Pep-Talk November 10th

Brighterskyte — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:58:40 -0800

Hi Salem Wrimos,

We just got back from Wordstock, Portland's Book Festival where we had a booth, and let me tell you, NaNo was the talk of the place. It was a lot of fun! The turn out from other Wrimos that were participating was astounding. We can't wait to go back again next year. Thanks again to Jayel Gibson for sponsoring our booth! You are AMAZING!

Here's your pep talk this week from Cory Warren. We hope that you enjoy it, and that your novels are rockin' their way to 50,000. A big heap congrats to Eric Witchy who's already hit 50k! Way to go!

Have a great week, you guys rock!

---

While traveling through the dense and dangerous forest on the edge of a vast alkaline lake in the middle of the Sahara desert after being chased through the polar ice caps of the south Florida beaches, we were accosted by a group of cowboy alien vampire werewolves who challenged us to a game of Quidditch at the Circus Maximus under the watchful eyes of Empress Strawberry Shortcake. We were only able to escape by a combination of sheer cunning, fleet feet, and Felix Felicius. Most of us were able to escape with our lives, except Kenny, but come on, how many people honestly expected Kenny to survive?

So Crazy Writers of the Salem Region, how are we all doing along the path of novel madness? Have you lost your trains of thought and found your Science Fiction novels turned into Westerns? How many of your desks have dent marks from headdesking as you try to wring ideas out of your fried brain like a sponge? Let us hope by this point into November, you have not turned your childrenʼs book into something tawdry and cheap that would make your typical harlequin writer blush in shame by adding lurid sex scenes that would make Stephenie Meyer proud. Well, I guess it could be worse, and now that Midnight Sun has been cancelled, I heard her publisher is looking for a replacement, so there might be hope for your book about three frisky bears and a bowl of porridge.

Either way, if your book has run off the rails, taken a life of its own, and is terrorizing you with random outburst of genre switching. Or if your books are still on track, know this; the first week is finally over, and only three more weeks await you. No matter what problems have reared their ugly head, you are a fourth of the way through NaNo this year. Sure, it is not as nice as having three weeks behind you, but still, one week down, and the clock is ticking ever forward, even if slowly. Just remember, pulling out your hair is bad, so is going on a broccoli binge, and donʼt hesitate to put in a dirty sounding name for a character, just as long as you let Robert read it at the next write-in.

So just keep at it. Before you know it, it will be November 29th, and you still got 15k words to go. So just remember to have fun, and if something goes wrong, the Butler did it!

Sincerely,

Cory

Bio:

Beloved for his witty naughty sounding character names by everyone but the poor person who gets roped into reading the Continual story, Cory, or Coryashire as he is known on the NaNo forums, has done NaNoWriMo three times, and is hoping for his second consecutive win. When he is not torturing Robert with names worthy of prank calls to Moeʼs Tavern, he can be found lurking in the NaNo Forums looking for names to steal and put away in his notebook of horrors for future use.

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- Jamie
Co-ML Salem, Oregon
2006/2007 Capitol Wordwar Smackdown Champions!
Proud member and founder of the Cardboard Box Wrimos
2008 Novel - Untitled