Who can come to events?
- Folks attending events should be registered NaNoWriMo participants (13 years of age or older) intending to write a novel in November.
- Writers may be accompanied by an Unobtrusive Adult – a support person acting as chauffeur, chaperone, etc. Your Unobtrusive Adult will be writing, reading, or otherwise fade quietly into the background.
- Folks are welcome at the kickoff who are thinking of joining but haven’t decided yet.
- Please do not bring children under 13 to Austin NaNo events, unless the event is specifically labeled "kid-friendly." We try to have at least one event that includes children during November.
- At parties – such as the Thank Goodness It’s Over celebration, a non-Nanoing friend, spouse, or significant other is encouraged to whoop it up with us.
Why all the rules?
It’s National Novel Writing Month, and our intent is to write a novel in 30 days. We want have as much fun as possible doing it, but we also need to be able to write without too many distractions. People who are not participating in NaNoWriMo will not enjoy sitting for hours watching us write.
How can I find out about events?
- Information on events will be posted on this forum. Note the handy calendar at the top of this page! Well, actually it's not there yet -- but it will be, and we’ll be adding to it as we go along.
- Also, if you are a member of the Austin AuNoWriMo group, you can check the calendar there. To join AuNoWriMo, see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aunowrimo
- I will include event information in occasional emails to everyone who has affiliated with Austin.
How do I find the places where events are held?
This year, the Google calendar automagically links to a map of the location. You can also Google the address yourself. If you ride the bus, check out Cap Metro.
What should I expect at a write-in?
A write-in is a chance to meet with other Wrimos for writing and socializing. Write-ins are usually hosted by your Municipal Liaison (lazym), a veteran Wrimo, or a year-round Austin writing group. If it’s on the calendar, chances are that there will be anywhere from a half-dozen to a dozen Wrimos in attendance.
- Bring your computer or a notebook and pen. Have your computer fully charged, if possible. We try to make outlets available, but it’s not always possible for everyone to plug in. Bring some money for treats for yourself and tips for the servers.
- To find the NaNoWriMo group, look for tables full of laptops, penguins or other animal mascots, crazed looks, or odd attire. Some venues are small and crowded, and the "group” may be scattered around the room. If you can’t locate other Wrimos, don’t worry. Just have a seat and get writing.
- The character of a write-in will be affected by the ambiance of the venue and the temperament of the hosts. Nearly all of our write-ins are in public places and are suitable for any Wrimo aged 13 or over. However, Monday nights at Austin Java Company tend to be a bit livelier, and may not be suitable for the younger set.
What if there’s no write-in near me?
You can pick a convenient place and time and post your spontaneous write-in on the Austin regional forum page. Please avoid setting up a write-in at the same day, time, and general location as a write-in that’s already on the calendar. If you want to set up a regular write-in, see Create Your Own Write-In (Note: this is a post I'll be a'postin' in early October).
What’s all this about regional affiliation and homing?
During November, it’s fun to compare word counts and see how our region stacks up against all the regions in the world. Austin has been, variously, third, thirteenth, and seventeenth in the world. For these stats to approach reasonable accuracy, we need YOU to affiliate with Austin and set Austin as your Home region.
- To affiliate: Click My NaNoWriMo, and then click My Regions (on the left of the screen). On the Regions tab, locate United States::Texas::Austin (page 4), and click Join. Then, click the Join button.
- To set Austin as your home: Visit the Home Region tab, select Austin, and then click the Set Home Region button.
What if I have another question?
Contact lazym using the private mail system on this website.
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ML Captain of Capital Ideas
Austin, TX Municipal Liaison 2004-2008
NaNoWriMo Winner 2002-2008
