Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

So long and thanks for all the fish

chickenchargrill — Tue, 4 Dec 2007 03:43:14 -0800

During the TGIO we came up with the idea of meeting up once a month from January. Everyone has got on really well, and why wait until next November? These will be just social meets so don't worry about having to compare out of NaNo writing or quizzes and the like.

Anyone interested, email me at sarkymoo1 at hotmail.com and I'll let you know when and where nearer the time.

Vickyx
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

TGIO - PICTURES!!!

Prosody — Sun, 2 Dec 2007 14:30:35 -0800

Enjoy and thanks for the great night, I'll miss you all and look forward to January. :)

http://picasaweb.google.com/christopher.barker/TGIO2ndDecember2007

*hugs and kisses for all*
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Christopher Barker
Derby, United Kingdom

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

TGIO

chickenchargrill — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:10:24 -0800

... Will be 2nd December in Derby

Can you let us know if you are interested so we know how many people to expect. At the moment we're thinking of Vines in the evening (or maybe the new Mexico next door to Bar Lisi?? What do you think?)

Vickyxx
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

November 29th 22:58pm

chickenchargrill — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:57:52 -0800

And so we bid farewell to another NaNoWriMo. There is a little over one hour left to go at this moment and I must say this year has been a fantastic one for writers in Derby.

I want to thank you all one last time for all your feedback, for those who came to write-ins and to those who emailed me during the last 30 days. You guys rocked!

I would also like to say a special thank you to Christopher (Prosody). Although I have not managed to get the pretty purple bar by my name, I would not have made it as far as I did without him. It is just a shame the last week of November was so busy.

I would also like to send another thank you to our glorious ml Starlakid, who, despite moving, planning and wedding and everything else has still come to all the write-ins, cooked the most gorgeous cakes for us, and posted in the forum as much as she could.

November is usually a busy month for most people and for anyone who even attempts to undertake such an insane task, you're amazing.

If you have anything to comment on, things you would like to see next year, or just anything, do not hesitate to get in touch.

Hope that you will all be back with us next year,

For now,

Vickyxx

Finally, the last announcements,

TGIO - Sunday 2nd December 6pm Pizza Express in Derby. All welcome but do let me know if you plan on coming so I can book the table.

Spam - For those looking to join a writing group, Derby Scribes meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at Bar Lisi 7.30pm. derbyscibes@googlemail.com

Don't forget there are several events associated with NaNoWriMo, such as NaNoFiMo, NaNoEdMo and NaNoPubMo.

For anyone interested in writing a script, there is ScriptFrenzy (organised by the same folk as NaNo) during April. See http://www.scriptfrenzy.org. Just sign in with your NaNo username and password.
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Shhhhhhhhh........ it's all so quiet...

Prosody — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:53:18 -0800

So where is everyone... *listens intently forthe sound of keys being pounded maniacally in the pursuit of NaNo glory*
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Christopher Barker
Derby, United Kingdom

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Impale me with the devil's pitchfork...

kaecyus — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:31:57 -0800

...for I believe I am done.

'Til next year, the Wednesday before last will probably be the last time you see me in person.

I just got a revision of my contract through from the Co-Op. Wednesday 6-10pm is now a contracted time, and any time I have to go has to be pre-cleared by my Manager as Holiday. Pity Manager isn't here, and the person running in his stead hates my guts, isn't it? Ugh. And couple that with overtime which is as good as contractual (if I want to have a relatively quiet December; who fancies ten hour days while other people get to go on holidays?), I'm not going to be able to make the target. Honestly, I don't think I really was since after the first Write-In, but I was still going.

I'll finish the novel, though; just not in time for the end of Wrimo, nor at the pace that Wrimo dictates. Anyone who wishes to IM me (since I'm backing off from the forum; I'm gonna listen to the podcasts and then let my account sit dormant 'til 2k8 after the 30th) can do so at the following:

AIM: vizualcriminal, botherednation, f0rg3tb0ut1t, kaecyus
YIM: kaecyus, blue_moon_black_sun
MSN: msn *AT* kaecyus-drake *DOT* net, or allan *AT* petebs *DOT* plus *DOT* com
Email: allan *AT* petebs *DOT* plus *DOT* com, or mail *AT* kaecyus-drake *DOT* net

Sorry about this. Blegh, I feel like a child having to apologise for his parent's behaviour.
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http://albowsmit.livejournal.com - Previews + Journal

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Where did Monday go? Why is it nearly Wednesday now?

starlakid — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:15:50 -0800

I think, to be honest, it could have had something to do with the fact that not only was last night a Poliakoff night but of course the new Harry dvd was £9 in morrisons. i went out at the bit when sirius died. just couldn't cope.

and, on other news, i found all of my novel plans that i'd spent half the summer writing in prep for nano and then promptly lost as i moved house. hence my pathetic wordcount. now i've found that thoughg, i'm on a mission!

and so, to make up for my shoddy lack of attendance and wordcount (letting the side down terribly), I promise that I will, by the end of the week, have added 10,000 words to my pathetic total. I want badgering emails people.

and, should I kill off the girl?

sk
xxxx

Today's Workshop.

What If?

write some 'what if' chains and see where they lead you.
what if my character had a phobia of carrots? what if my character's phobia of carrots meant that they couldn't have a job in the local shop because the boss had a real thing for carrots? what it this meant that my character couldn't pay his rent and so had to take work on a government scheme working on a carrot farm?

you get the idea.

essentially this is all story writing is anyway. but i want you to bash your internal (infernal) editor and keep going for a whole two pages until something magnificent comes up.

go on.

you can do it.
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Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Here's to the Valiant Effort

starlakid — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:39:41 -0800

I would like to raise a glass to all those wrimos who are joining me in the pursuit of making a Valiant Effort in the face of Too Much of Everything Else Going On To Muster the Energy for Writing A Novel.

Keep going. You're doing just brilliantly.

love from starla

workshop activity

code writing - have your characters communicate using a code. this could be a written or a verbal code. do they understand each other? could misinterpretation throw a spanner somewhere in your plot?

this exercise could also help function as an excellent procrastination activity as you spend precious writing hours creating your own uncrackable code and then have to rewrite it as you lost the key in the recycling bag.
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Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Tuesday - for those of you who are afraid.

starlakid — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:45:45 -0800

There are eleven days of National Novel Writing Month 2007 to go.

I hope that all of you are making not just progress in completing your projects, but also brave steps forward in being able to look your own need to create full in the face and not be afraid of it.

So much of what stops us doing the things that we really want to do is fear. We might call it Writer's Block, or I'm Not Good Enough, I'm Not Talented Enough to Win the Pulitzer Prize/Get A Publishing Deal So Why Bother, or I'll Do It When I've Made My Fortune In A Socially Acceptable But Dull Career. Essentially though, it all boils down to being afraid:

Being afraid of what might happen financially if you allow yourself to follow your dream; being afraid of what Other People might think of you; being afraid that you'll go mad/drunk/broke/cheat on your boyfriend if you allow yourself to do these things; being afraid that you'll be laughed at; being afraid that you're rubbish at spelling; being afraid of how success could change your life.

Nanowrimo has, along with many other books, people, classes, countless hours of thinking and most of all about three boxes of notebooks made me realise that all of this fear is at best unfounded, at worst downright dangerous.

Keep a close guard on your creativity. Do not allow others to stray you from your path. Do not sabotage yourself by showing a work too early and inviting criticism. Keep your own counsel for a while and let things compost. Most of all, try and keep going in the face of all this fear - keep the hand moving. It doesn't matter if it's shoddy, unoriginal and hackneyed work. Inside of all of that will be glistening gems of originality and wit and imagination. I promise you.

And so, my best wishes to you all today and good luck for the coming appointment with the doctor to address your googly eyes and repetive strain injury.

love from Starla
XXXXXXXXXXXXX

'Man is not free to refuse to do the thing which gives him more pleasure than any other conceivable action.' - Stendhal

'We cannot escape fear. We can only transform it into a companion that accompanies us on all our exciting adventures.....Take a risk a day - one small or bold stroke that will make you feel great once you have done it.' - Susan Jeffers

'Surround yourself with people who respect you and treat you well' - Claudia Black

'Do not fear mistakes - there are none' - Miles Davis.
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Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Novel Procrastination thread

chickenchargrill — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:54:29 -0700

Things to do when you're not novelling or just to chat.
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Obligatory Introduction Thread

chickenchargrill — Tue, 2 Oct 2007 02:33:33 -0700

Hello and welcome, one again, to NaNoWriMo 2007.

We have a few newbies joining us this year, how exciting!

For those of you who don't know me...

I'm Vicky, I'm the ML for this region alongside Starlakid. This will be my third year doing NaNo.

I've managed to sort out a private room for write-ins this year. These will be held upstairs at Bar Lisi every Wednesday evening during November. I will be there from 6pm, and the room has been booked until 9pm. I hope you'll all be able to attend one or two of these.

As always, feel free to send me a NaNoMail, get in contact any way you wish, and if you have MSN or Facebook and want me to add you to either of those places so you can get in touch that way, just let me know.

Vicky
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Shoop da woop, baby.

kaecyus — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:42:04 -0800

My work is done.
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http://albowsmit.livejournal.com - Previews + Journal

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Facebook/MySpace/blogs

chickenchargrill — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:53:41 -0700

If anyone wants to promote their site, add friends on Facebook or Myspace, you can do so in this thread.
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Insert zany and original title here

chickenchargrill — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:20:48 -0800

Hey guys!

Thanks for tonight, I hope you had a good one and aren't all as knackered as me.

Just a couple of quick announcements as I seemed to have blanked out for those last few minutes and before I knew it everyone was exiting.

TGIO do, will be 2nd December if you want to put that in your diaries. Think Starla and I said Yates for it, but if anyone has any better suggestions feel free to shout out. Times? Obviously, that is a Sunday so assuming trains/buses are slightly different.

[WARNING - Shameless plug follows] For anyone who is looking to join a regular writing group, Derby Scribes will be meeting at Bar Lisi on Monday evening. The session runs from 7.30-9.00ish and will be on Inspiration by Mark Dakin. Obviously you all should be at home and writing ;-) so the session after that is 3rd December, same time and place, session on Planning and the Snowflake method run by me. If you want more details you can message me.
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Music

Shav Guernica — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:47:50 -0800

Let's talk.

As you all know, it is my primary passion.

I would like a Derybshire NaNoWriMo discussion of what toots your musical whistle!

I predict that this will end up as me and Starla will just end up saying how awesome MSP are.

But anyway.

Where to start?

I like a lot of music.

It would be too long to list all my many loves, but right now, my darlings, my Cd player is being graced by the likes of:

Radiohead
Nirvana
Saul Williams
Velvet Underground
System Of A Down
Rage Against The Machine
Bob Dylan
Tom Waits

etc.
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This had nothing to do with what you think; if you ever think at all.

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

I shall be at the bar early this evening

Shav Guernica — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 06:51:15 -0800

Oh, yes.

I am over my throatiness, so I can drink beer now without wanting to die afterwards

will I be able to gerrin t'room early?
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This had nothing to do with what you think; if you ever think at all.

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Dead and dying.

Nixtress — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:16:12 -0800

Agh, well I think it's official. I'm dead.
I haven't slept properly since Saturday, I managed to steal an hour of sleep earlier in one of my frees but I'm piratically dead.

And I don't actually think I can go on.
S=
I have 7 hours of work to do for tomorrow. .. I can't do that sort of amount of work.
Maths work too..
>.<
Kill me now?

I need sleep but everytime I go to my room I have to tidy it or sit on my bed with a laptop writing. >.<
I can't actually sleep. It's driving me insane.

u_u

I'm a head of Kitty though.. But she's like died worse than me.
S=

Erm.. help?

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0___o

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Sunday

starlakid — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:59:34 -0800

Well,

i've been writing.

just not what i'm supposed to. but before you all shout at me letting the side down, i'm on a mission this evening. i will type until my finger bleed or i run out of earl grey.

skx

today's workshop activity

jealousy - is someone jealous of your character? or is your character posessed by the green eyed monster? describe that jealousy in delicious detail and then why not give your character just what it is they want and find out if that grass really was greener....
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Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Did you know...

chickenchargrill — Thu, 8 Nov 2007 07:23:29 -0800

Derbyshire's regional wordcount is at a massive 194636
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Day 10

chickenchargrill — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:00:17 -0800

So how is everyone doing? Still feeling positive? Starting to get the post-honeymoon period blues?

Personally, I have wrist ache and slightly daunted by only having 12 days left (DON'T PANIC! That's my own target as I'm going away that weekend and very busy the last week)

I've been at word wars with Prosody this afternoon and that really helped. Not competitive, honest. Well, nowhere near as competitive as certain people in the Nottingham lot anyway ;)

Right, a confession from me. I really didn't expect to get this far. I thought with all I have to do this month, I'd end it pretty early on and just concentrate on cheering on you guys. So, I'm quite chuffed with myself. Because even IF I get to 25,000 tomorrow and that's it, something serious crops up. I have some words. I do intend to keep working on this novel after November and getting some of it, no matter how much or how little, is fantastic. so, yes, my wrists hurt, I am exhausted after all the running about after men and children and writing, but I am content. Nay, I am happy.

Even better, if everything else goes to plan over the next 12 days for me, I get to print off my certificate in December. It's a win/win situation. Sweet!

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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Saturday

starlakid — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:21:34 -0800

Oh hell. this isn't going well.

someone give starla a kick up the arse. i'm going to have to read my own novel in bed tonight to even remember what i've written.

sk
xxxxx

today's workshop activity

like a rolling stone -

what is home for your character? is home a place or a person? is home the place you lay your head or do you need your own special pillow with spiderman on it? my home is my desk and my pens and my piano and my family.
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Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Where's Chick's ML shirt?

chickenchargrill — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:47:59 -0800

In the post, as of yesterday :-P

See, there were some problems with orders and the site. So there's a few of us MLs who didn't get sent stickers for their wrimos or 2nd year shirts. Have emailed the guys, and got a message back saying that it was in the post! Not sure how long it will take to get here, but I promise I will be wearing the gorgeous thing when it arrives.
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mlforderby@googlemail.com

Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Friday - just about

starlakid — Fri, 9 Nov 2007 15:55:33 -0800

Well hello you lot.

I hope your words are flowing. I'm having a hard time stopping reading about sirius black. i shall attempt to get back on track though.

One little topic for today...

Why do you write? Do you actually find it fun? Or perhaps you have a kink for RSI....
Do you write outside of november?

Personally, I find writing something of a nervous tic. I get irrationally grumpy without doing at least three pages of nonsense every day.

sk
x

Today's Workshop Activity

Write about a moment when your character (or yourself) was celebrated for something that they did well. Perhaps they felt they didn't deserve the recognition, or perhaps they had been hankering after it for some time.

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Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

something to help the plot along if you're desperate

starlakid — Wed, 7 Nov 2007 06:01:24 -0800

Just thought this might tickle the underarms of your muse...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7081038.stm

sk
x
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Europe :: England :: Derbyshire

Here be photos!!!

Prosody — Thu, 8 Nov 2007 11:27:11 -0800

Let's see if this works :

View Album Get your own
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Christopher Barker
Derby, United Kingdom