USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Attention Bay Area Wrimos!

Tavia Stewart — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:14:58 +0000

We wanted to make sure you all knew about the third-annual NaNoWriMo Night of Writing Dangerously Write-a-thon. This noir-themed noveling event will be held from 5 PM to 11 PM on Sunday, November 22 at the beautiful Julia Morgan Ballroom in downtown San Francisco!

All you need to do to raise $200 in sponsorships through GiftTool from family and/or friends by November 18. And if you raise $300 or more you can bring a guest!

Not only is this a great chance for us to see the faces of those who support us, but all proceeds from the evening make our programs possible, including the classroom-based Young Writers Program. Come show your support this year by helping us reach our $25,000 fundraising goal! The more money you raise, the more tickets you'll get for our prize raffle. Plus, the top fundraisers will walk home with one of our grand prizes. Check out our Night of Writing Dangerously Write-A-Thon 2009 page to find out what this year’s grand prizes include.

Don’t miss your chance to come write with us for six hours surrounded by San Francisco’s city lights and 200 fellow NaNo-novelists typing frantically alongside you!

Already shopping for my Noir costume,

Tavia Stewart-Streit
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

I murdered someone today.

Naomi Williams — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:30:31 +0000

I had a character who was stupid, unnecessary, and going nowhere. So I wrote a scene in which he pondered how stupid, unnecessary and going nowhere he was. Then he jumped in front of a bus.

Bwa-ha-ha-ha!
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

An awesome experience

yakera — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:55:39 +0000

I must say that this has been an awesome experience. This is my first nano and I've enjoyed the challenge. Who knew ? I have surprised and delighted myself. I mourned the loss of my anxst when I hit 50k and then remembered my challenge was to write for 30 days. I got back in the saddle and have been trotting along with the goal of completing the story. My anxst was delighted to rejoin me on my quest for the ending. It has been liberating to do this 'radical free write' over such an extended period. I have discovered scenes of diabolical merriment and circumstances of outrageous frivolity that would have eluded me had I allowed my critical mind to participate in the journey. Have a wonderful last few days on this shared adventure. Thank you for the threads and the posts, they have sustained me. I have enjoyed being in community with you all. Have a peace filled rest of the year.
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

LIBRARY WRITE-INS -- Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Sebastopol

Boo Boo — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:11:17 +0000

Here is the schedule for write-ins at various library branches. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Erin.

CENTRAL: 3rd and E Sts, Santa Rosa ---- Mondays 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. (Erin will be there!)

HEALDSBURG: Piper & Center ---- Mondays 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.

PETALUMA: 100 Fairgrounds Dr ---- Tuesdays 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. except Nov. 17th (Erin will be there, too!)

RINCON VALLEY: 6959 Montecito Blvd ---- Mondays 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

SEBASTOPOL: schedule varies, please see the calendar at the web site www.sonomalibrary.org

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Debbie aka Boo Boo
ML for Sonoma County
Winner--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Also Ran--2003

USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Unexpected subplots and random characters!

yakera — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:07:17 +0000

Have you had any unexpected characters show up or subplots develop that you hadn't planned for? My main character horse whispered a wild colt, then rode north bound to a city that I had no idea was in the story. I thought she'd be walking. Who knew? I'm sure she's happy. She was getting tired. Here's to a fun last week as we head to the finish line. No matter how many words we have on the 30th of November we will have won. We will have focused on writing for a month. A first for me.
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Nano word counts

mig — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:40:05 +0000

My word processor (Pages) counts my words as I type, keeps the running total at the bottom of the window all the time, and the program's "Inspector" when set to info keeps track of pages, lines, paragraphs, even characters counting spaces and not counting spaces. Pretty thorough.

HOWEVER, when I copy and paste my ms into Nano's Novel Info, the word count shows as less. For instance, last night I reached 35,067 according to Pages; Nano counted that as about 34,860. It's been doing that all along. I tried taking out some brackets, made sure Pages wasn't counting running heads etc., but made no difference.

Last night I reread the instructions and re-input my word count according to Page instead of having Nano count the words; but that won't do at validation time.

Anyone have any clue why Nano is getting a different word count?

Cheers,
Mig

ps--for those of you who live by the Word as given by almighty MS, Pages is Apple's premiere word processor in their iWork package (and it's excellent).
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***********************************
* http://www.margotcomstock.com
* Short Short Stories in Doorknobs & BodyPaint: www.iceflow.com
* Tell Me a Story--fiction and verse: http://web.mac.com/margotsart/ArtToo/
* Lead Short Story in Riverbabble, Summer

USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

I am so jealous...

Naomi Williams — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:50:53 +0000

I am so jealous of those of you who are already more than half-way done. Some of you are beyond 30,000 words, and I feel like I've already scraped the bottom of my brain to eke out my 12,262 ! GAAAH, my writing is getting worse and worse as I go along. I'm down to regurgitating slightly fictionalized versions of my real, every-day life; pretty soon I'm gonna have to go into painstaking detail about my characters going to the bathroom.
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Still in the game

yakera — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:16:23 +0000

Look at us! Still in the game! We're all moving, steadily, towards the finish line. Who knew we could commit to 2+ weeks much less a whole month. One word at a time we continue to honor this commitment to ourselves. We deserve a pat on the back and a huge hug!
Just curious. How have you honored yourself today for being so awesome? I took a long, hot bath.
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

S. Marin write in on Sat PM in Sausalito?

sausalitogirl — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:57:07 +0000

Cibo Coffee on Saturday around 2 PM? On Bridgeway in Sausalito, North from the touristy part and kind of across from Paradise Bay and the water.

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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

What do you do when your novel goes off course?

HongKongSuperCop — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:21:10 +0000

I stumbled across this in my inbox this morning:

http://io9.com/5406901/what-do-you-do-when-your-novel-goes-off-course

Authors Scott Westerfeld, Brad Meltzer, Cherie Priest and Rudy Rucker talk about how they fix the seemingly unfixable. NaNoWriMo even gets a shout out!
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

The NaNoWriMo Song

KevinGoneNuts — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:24:45 +0000

Hey everyone, someone on youtube made a video about NaNoWriMo and I just wanted to share it with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhs-yodZJcw
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

WRITE-INS ---- MASTER CALENDAR--Addition

Boo Boo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:30:14 +0000

Those of you who watched Lindsey’s video this week on NaNoVideo may be disappointed that we don’t have one of those cool scrolling calendars at the top of our regional forum. I do apologize, but this ML ran out of time and technical saavy to make the Google Calendar happen this year. I promise to enroll in Google Calendar 101 for next year. For now, I offer this version with, again, my apologies.

**NOTE: For write-ins at SRJC, please check the listing in the forum titled “Thursday Write-ins at the SRJC Library” (Santa Rosa) for additional info.

Mondays:
11:00 ish **SRJC — see note above
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. RINCON VALLEY of Sonoma County Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd, Santa Rosa
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. CAFÉ AZUL — 521 4th Street, Santa Rosa
5:00 – 8:30 p.m. CENTRAL BRANCH of Sonoma County Library: 3rd and E Sts, Santa Rosa
5:00 – 8:30 p.m. HEALDSBURG BRANCH of Sonoma County Library, Piper & Center

Tuesdays:
12:00 – 1:30 p.m **SRJC — see note above
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. (NO 11/17) PETALUMA BRANCH of Sonoma County Library: 100 Fairgrounds Dr

Wednesdays: -- **** NEW LISTING ****
11:00 a.m. — ? ***** Dr. Insomnia's: end of Grant Avenue, Old town Novato. Ask at the counter if you don't see us.
11:00 ish **SRJC — see note above
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. REDWOOD CAFÉ— 8240 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. CAFÉ AZUL — 521 4th Street, Santa Rosa
7:00 P.M. — ? AROMA CAFÉ — 1122 4th street, San Rafael (near A Street, I think)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. BORDERS BOOKS CAFÉ — Santa Rosa Ave, SR (same center as Michaels & Aarons)

Thursdays:
12:00 – 1:30 p.m **SRJC — see note above
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. CAFÉ AZUL — 521 4th Street, Santa Rosa

Saturdays:
11:00 – 1:00 p.m. PEETS COFFEE—Washington Sq. Shop Ctr, 351 S. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma (east)
6:30 – 8:30 (9:30?) p.m. BORDERS BOOKS CAFÉ — Santa Rosa Ave, SR (same center as Michaels & Aarons)

VARYING & ONE-TIME:

SEBASTOPOL BRANCH of Sonoma County Library:

Monday Nov 2 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday Nov 5 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday Nov 10 5:00 – 830 p.m.
Monday Nov 16 5:00 – 830 p.m.
Friday Nov 20 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.

COPPERFIELD’S BOOKS — 140 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, CA 94952:

Tuesday Nov 10 6:00 – 800 p.m.

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Debbie aka Boo Boo
ML for Sonoma County
Winner--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Also Ran--2003

USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

WRITE-IN -- Santa Rosa -- Borders Books Cafe

Boo Boo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:55:18 +0000

New write-in location in Santa Rosa -- Borders Books Cafe, Santa Rosa Ave, SR (same center as Michaels & Aarons)

Wednesdays & Saturdays

Wednesdays ---- 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. -- (they close at 9:00 during the week)

Saturdays ---- 6:30 – 8:30 (9:30?) p.m. -- (they close at 10:00 on Saturday)

This cafe has become more popular, so it fills up pretty fast with other people who will also be hunkering down for several hours. Some of us come earlier at times, and some of us stay right up until closing, but you can count on 6:30 - 8:30.

The Wednesday night write-in is probably my favorite write-in of all!

Hope to see some of you there...

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Debbie aka Boo Boo
ML for Sonoma County
Winner--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Also Ran--2003

USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Shout out for sitting down to write today!

yakera — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:33:07 +0000

Hi guys, confession to make, I am sooo relieved when I go into the sonoma/marin region and there are no shout outs for numbers reached! Maybe we could have a shout out for all of us who sat down and wrote today. Sometimes that's all we can do and sometimes the numbers don't reflect the amount of effort it took for an individual to get comfortable enough to let the words flow. So anyone with ten words or more deserves a shout out! Ten words, maybe a sentence, possibly a paragraph. Way to go all of us. Congratulations for showing up to the page.
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Saturday write in South Marin?

kierstan.gilmore — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:22:14 +0000

Hey there!
I would love to meet a few people Saturday morning. Maybe 9-12?
Dr. Insomnias in Novato?
Borders in San Rafael?
Sausalito?
Mill Valley????

Any ideas? Anyone want to meet? I've got to get my word count up!

Kierstan

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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

writers' discussion panel/inspiration from published novelists

Erin McGonigal — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:06:36 +0000

I know everyone is very busy with their novels and the write-ins BUT if you need some inspiration from published novelists, join me at the Central Library tonight at 7pm. We're having a fiction writers' discussion panel -- paranormal, romance, erotica, historical and commercial fiction will all be represented! I think Young Adult, too. You can ask questions and, I assume, the authors will hang around for a little while to talk with everyone.
See you there!
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Poor turnout issues

RobinW53 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:42:32 +0000

Hi WriMers,

Questions have arisen in the public library system about whether we should continue to host write-ins given the low numbers of attendees. (Everything is being looked at in view of the budget situation.) I would hate to see this program abandoned given how much pleasure Erin and I have taken in planning and hosting. If you are at all invested in keeping write-ins going at the library please try to attend one -- and bring a friend!

Robin
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Wednesday Write-Ins at Aroma Cafe in San Rafael

swaziloo — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:48:32 +0000

Marin seems so hopelessly underrepresented in this whole write-in thing. I truly wonder if we A) have less writers per capita or B) are just downright slackers. I'm not going to hazard a guess, however, we have managed just a little traction in the past at Aroma Cafe on 4th street in San Rafael: http://aromacafesanrafael.com/

I like the place, and love seeing you all, so I'll plan on spending my Wednesday evenings writing there. No novel-writing-failure like last year for me! I work in SFC, so getting here before, say, 7pm is a hardship, but I'm hereby committing to 7pm every Wednesday in November - hope to see you there!

I <3 writing sprints with WriMo buddies!

MLs: Please feel free to add this to the calendar too.
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2009: Sleepwalking
6-year, 5-win veteran. Details

USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

New at NaNoWriMo ! first year entry

Elwyndas — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:08:36 +0000

Greetings!

I use to think I was a writer when I was younger. Lately my youngest daughter has been suggesting I write stories. So I started a couple of days late and am way behind.

How is the Petaluma writeins? I live close to the Fairgrounds & thought maybe being around others maybe the quantity would rub off.

Sandy*.
aka Wyn or Elwyndas Galbraith online & in virtual worlds
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Story outline in 6 words or less!

yakera — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:05:14 +0000

Mine is .....'Journey through scenes of diabolical merriment' .....
or maybe ....' Wandering along hopelessly lost".....
Thought it might be fun. Took the idea from the San Francisco site.
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Growing Pains

yakera — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:45:52 +0000

Well here we are approaching week 3. I wonder how everyone is doing and am interested to hear about the various growing pains some of us may have experienced. I have a new found respect for novelists! Whew it's a lot of work. The most important shift I have noticed while showing up to the page every day, these past couple of weeks is, that I can trust my inner voice to guide me, that I don't have to wait for outside validation. There's only so much I can learn attending the right classes, learning the craft, rubbing elbows with the successful, hobnobbing with the intellectuals etc. etc. At some point it has to be about me. What more can I do to honor my dreams and further my chances at success? These last two weeks showed me. Show up to the page, place words on it one after another. Each word brings me closer to realizing my dream. Here's to another fun week of challenging that little voice that says " I can't or later, or as soon as I.....(fill in the blank) and honoring the one that says Yes I can and I will! Yay to more frivolous sentences and paragraphs created in diabolical merriment.
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Dr Insomnia's 11/18 & 11/25

Tooie — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:55:57 +0000

Another fun filled, wired day at Dr. Insomnia's. This Wednesday and next at 11 AM. See you there. If you can't find us, ask at the desk. Dr Insomnia's the end of Grant Avenue, Old town Novato.

Tooie

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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

Making it through week 2

yakera — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:49:45 +0000

How's everyone doing? II have heard that the second week is the hardest!! We have made it through these first few days so we can do this. It's only words. They won't kill us. Do any of you 'old timers' have advise or suggestions that can help us newbies (first timer) get through the second week? I had no story line when I started and only one character and a dog. I have followed my character to new and exciting places and have met interesting new characters and traveled fascinating terrain over these past few days. I can look forward to next week knowing that my character will take me deeper into unmarked territory. However any tricks to make the journey easier will be welcomed. Here's to more interesting words and creative sentences.
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USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

WRITE-IN, Friday November 13th?

AlyssaPandaEyes — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:28:57 +0000

argh, I can't find the schedule! Is there anything happening this Friday??

I'm feeling terribly unmotivated and would really like to meet up with some NaNoWriMos. I'm coming into Petaluma tomorrow, would love to meet up at a Starbucks there. But I'll try to make it up further North if that's my only option...
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http://www.alyssathralls.com

USA :: California :: Sonoma/Marin

The First Timer's Thread

Czenko — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:47:59 +0000

Greetings everyone!

I'm new to NaNoWriMo, and this is my first year taking on the challenge.
Reading the threads, you seem to be well acquainted with the concept of write-ins and getting together for coffee and typing sessions. Frankly, I'm really nervous and shy. I may be too embarrassed to show my face within the SRJC library or Azul Cafe.
"I'll be an outcast!" "They won't like me!" On and on, these silly thoughts.

So, I'm basically looking for reassurance and perhaps a more detailed explanation based on years passed. What is a the typical day of a NaNoWriMo-er?
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