Those of you who've participated in NaNo before probably remember me; in the past I did my best to help out with administering the Lawrence NaNo community, and this year I've officially taken the reins as Municipal Liaison! I'll do my best this year to serve as cheerleader/drill sergeant/organizer/confidante/anything else you need to succeed at NaNo2008.
If you're a returning NaNoWriMoer, welcome back! I can't wait to catch up with you again and go through the NaNo process with you once more.
If you're new to NaNoWriMo, let me extend an especially warm welcome. You're about to embark on one of the most insane, daunting, rewarding experiences of your life. I almost envy those of you experiencing NaNo for the first time. Almost :-) This is going to be my fourth NaNo (I am a glutton for punishment), so please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the NaNoWriMo experience.
For many people, writing is often a solitary experience. NaNo, however, attempts to change that, by encouraging write-ins and get-togethers. In addition, the forums, and in particular this regional forum, serve as a great place to get advice, commiserate on writing difficulties, and get to know other writers in the area.
This year, the folks at Letters & Light are encouraging the MLs to share all our get-together information on a Google Calendar. Ours will be located at:
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=ted.boone%40gmail.com&ctz=Ameri...
I'll do my best to keep it up-to-date with all the events we'll have throughout the month of November. At the very least we'll have weekly write-ins in town, which have been very popular in the past.
One word of encouragement about the forums: BEFORE creating a new thread, please check to see if one already exists. Every year, we end up with tons of duplicate subject lines and people miss valuable information that could be helpful.
Welcome again to the forum. I look forward to meeting all of you (virtually or otherwise) in the next few months!
-Ted
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51,217 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 16 08
Great to have you as ML again, Ted!
Can't wait to get started!
55,407 / 50,000
Sep 28, 2008 - 06 56
Welcome back, Ted, and all other NaNo participants!
I have a small request: I would really love it if all the get-togethers this year weren't on a Saturday afternoon. If they could alternate with some Sundays, that'd be great. I work -every- Saturday until 4:30, and by the time I get home from work, change, and grab my laptop, most of the write-ups have broken up. Also, KU plays on Saturday and I have a slight football addiction :)
So a few write-ins being on Sundays would be awesome - I've never gotten to attend one, due to my work schedule, and I would really love to get together with some of you during the NaNo process!
60,041 / 50,000
Sep 28, 2008 - 12 50
I'd be happy to have some Sunday gatherings. That's an easy request to satisfy!
55,407 / 50,000
Sep 28, 2008 - 19 34
Awesome! Really looking forward to getting together on Sundays in November, then!!
50,004 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2008 - 19 23
Hi Ted,
What a nice welcome! This will be my first NaNoWriMo, and it's my first year in Lawrence as well. I should've figured there'd be an active community here for NaNo participants :) I look forward to the write-ins and everything else--this was something I was just going to do, but now it can be something I do while meeting some more people in the community as well!
0 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2008 - 22 24
Will the write-ins always be held at Aimees? Or can we switch it up and go to other places like La Prima Tazza, or other coffee shops....
60,041 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2008 - 06 24
We can switch it up, sure. We'll have some on Saturdays, some on Sundays, and the venue can change as people wish.
10,000 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2008 - 19 26
Hi,
Second year for me. This time, I'm rebelling. Short story first drafts. At least ten; weighing in at about 5000 words each. May everyone have massive word production.
J
50,334 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2008 - 20 37
I know I'm not a Lawrence person and I don't know if I'll actually make it out to a write-in there, since my hubby works weekends now. But just to throw my two cents out there, I thought Aimees felt a little cramped. Especially when I was bringing my daughter. I don't really know Lawrence well enough to suggest any place that is better, I just felt like the cozy atmosphere was a little too cozy when I was lugging around a baby and a diaper bag with all her stuff.
0 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2008 - 12 53
Where is Aimees?
And is there a November kick-off planned yet?
:) I'm looking forward to being really involved in the community this year!
60,041 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2008 - 14 20
And is there a November kick-off planned yet?
:) I'm looking forward to being really involved in the community this year!
Aimee's is at 1025 Mass Ave.
Yes, we'll have a kickoff. I have our first meeting 1pm-3pm at Aimee's on November 1st, but if folks wanted to catch up for dinner on the 30th or something, I'd certainly be game.
50,000 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2008 - 16 05
Ya know, Munchers Bakery is open 24 hours/day, just in case anybody wanted to get together and start at midnight.
60,041 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2008 - 17 26
23,215 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2008 - 17 37
Just a quick reply to everything mentioned here so far (Hi, everyone! I used to be alybaba, BTW):
Sundays are great for me after 2 or so, as I work every Saturday until 4; I mentioned to ted in an email maybe we can grab the table at the back of Mirth Cafe as an option for gatherings; For a midnight start, Munchers might be good, as it's Halloween that Friday evening and downtown will be absolutely packed and crazy.
Looking forward to meeting some or all of you over the next few weeks! -- alison
60,041 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2008 - 19 38
It looks like Mirth charges for internet?
Also, Munchers has no WiFi at all.
That doesn't necessarily mean that either place won't work, it's just something to consider.
60,041 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2008 - 19 46
Henry's, Java Break, Prima Tazza, Aimee's and Bourgeois Pig all have free WiFi. Anyone have pros/cons for any of them?
23,215 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2008 - 20 41
Hmmm... Last time I was at Mirth with my own laptop, access was free. I think that's just for using their computers rather than bringing your own. I have sent them an email asking about that as well as reserving the back room for regular gatherings.
Java Break would be great for the opener at 12:01 November 1st because they're open 24/7. That's where the wee hours of the Ulysses readings were held in 2004. Fond memories. They have a cereal bar now, too. Fun!
Thanks for looking into those things, Ted! -- alison
50,003 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2008 - 07 37
I'd definitely be up for a midnight Munchers meeting. I don't care about wifi, as I'm going to try not to download my novel ; ). Some may argue, but for me, at least, internet will serve as a distraction when I'm trying to write. And, as someone alluded to above, I'd prefer to avoid downtown on that particular night.
BTW, Hi everyone, this is my second year to participate in NaNoWriMo, but my first to venture into the community here. Last year I only made it to about 19,500. But my internal editor busted loose and went on a rampage on around day 12 or so. For this year, I've already locked him in a bank vault located in Marietta, Ohio. I hope this works.
Hopefully I'll be able to attend multiple writing events this year. More than likely I won't be able to bring my totem, which is a burning oil lamp (I'm not confident that coffeehouse proprietors will look favorably on customers tending open flames, atop small vessels holding lamp oil).
Rich
50,647 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2008 - 08 02
This is my third year here, and hopefully I'll be dragging along a friend of mine that will be a newbie! I know that I'd be up to a meeting at midnight to kick it off; I'm fine with just about anywhere, as I won't need WiFi either. I do have a special place in my heart, though, for Java Break :-)
57,151 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2008 - 11 16
I think I prefer Munchers over Java Break. I won't be needing WiFi and the thought of noveling downtown on Halloween night kind of creeps me out. I don't think I would get much accomplished!
50,062 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2008 - 11 41
Hello everyone. This is my first year attempting this. I'd abolutely love to come at midnight to begin writing with others. I like Java Break a lot, but would be fine with wherever works. I'd think a wi-fi connection would just distract me from writing though. ^_^;;
And I'll do my best to keep up with you "pros" AngelCaida. ; P
1,668 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2008 - 10 45
totally ready for this, but i'm utterly terrified at the thought of writing that much that fast! is it really possible? what comes out, is it useful have you continued on with any of your NaNo's? i mean what the hell did i just get myself into!?!
60,041 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2008 - 12 57
Double post
60,041 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2008 - 12 56
1. Yes, it's absolutely possible.
2. Most people find that they produce a lot of mediocre writing, with some gems smattered throughout. However, most people also find that the exercise of writing so much in so short a time period actually improves the quality of their work over time. Writing is like a sport: you have to practice to get better. NaNo is like Boot Camp: intense training over a short period of time.
3. I'm very happy with my story from last year, and have continued to edit it over the past year. Absolutely, you can produce something to be proud of at the end of November.
4. The wackiest, weirdest, and most wonderful experience. Welcome!