Introductions and Welcome!

Hey all -- jwkrug back again! This will be my 3rd NaNo, and my second one also shepherding about 100 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders through the insanity at my school, as well. In past years I've been something of a cheerleader (... all right, "warmonger," if you must know), but I'm stepping down from that post this year to focus in on my own writing, as I've agreed with Tara that both of us are going to try to reach 150,000 words in November. That means two things:

1) The post of Official Indianapolis Warmonger is open and available, should anyone wish to apply (you go "yay, rah!" a lot and Declare (word) War on Various Geographic Regions as a Way of Life ... lots of fun, really)

2) Should you meet me at a write-in and introduce yourself, don't be surprised that, should I see you again, I stare at you with bleary eyes and mutter, "Have we met?"

I'm still fleshing out the idea for this years novel (at least the first one), and it's likely to be a middle grade/YA fantasy novel.

Only one problem -- Ericka, what's up with our tagline on the forum page??? "Naptown stirs"???? Make us sound like some geriatric south Florida town full of snowbirds. Can't we change it or something? "Annihilating the world through prose?" Something like that?

Ha, no need to be so harsh about the tagline! Sheesh.

I guess it was funnier in my head. Sorta like a spooky zombie awakening.

It's my plan to change the tagline often, usually to whatever goofy thing pops into my head. I'm going to stay with something more upbeat than world annihilation (heh), but if anyone has suggestions for the tagline, send me a PM.

Ericka
Co-ML, Indianapolis

Inspired vessel of the Traveling Shovel of Death

Hi, I'm Tara in real life as well as on here. Fourth year doing Nano, every year I've exceeded the previous year's word count, and this year I have committed to 150K (That's a WILL make it, not TRY to make it ;-) ) The only problem I have is that in previous years I've had no idea what I was going to write until just days before Nov 1. This year I have an idea all together and even fleshed out in my head, which means there's a good chance it'll fizzle and die by Nov 2. I hope not. ;-)

I'm really excited for this year. Nov 1 can't come soon enough! :-) (I'm addicted to smilies, too, in case you hadn't noticed . ;-) )

I'm doing NaNo in addition to being a member of two community orchestras and I have a full time job, so I'll be juggling work, rehearsals and concerts (hopefully some exercise, too) along with getting in my 5k words per day. Should be fun! :-)

Edit: Since posting this, I've taken on the co-ML duties for Indianapolis. I've been a NaNo participant since 2005, so if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask.

Tara ~ Co-ML, Indianapolis

I enjoy the new description.

Clever, clever.

Hey, everyone. I'm Jacob. I did NaNo last year, although it was a complete failure... But hopefully I'll do better this year :]

I THINK I'm getting a few of my friends into this, and I will bound and gag them if I must and drag them to the Writer's Group, so be prepared.

I think my mom's doing it too, and she teaches a creative writing course at Morristown Jr Sr High School, and she was wondering if A) Her kids could use these forums, and B) if they can use the NaNo site even if they write a 5000 word short story instead.

Any answers? They'd be appreciated!

Peace out!

Just be glad you never saw the Giant Baby.

Hey, Jacob, glad you're back. I hope your mom joins us, too.

Tell her to check out the Young Writers Program: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/ywp. School-aged kids can set their own word count goals there, and teachers can sign up to lead their own groups. It's a pretty nice deal.

Ericka
Co-ML, Indianapolis

Inspired vessel of the Traveling Shovel of Death

A re-introduction from my introduction a few weeks ago:

This year is my first NaNo. I'm pretty jazzed about it. I seem to be enjoying overwhelming myself with projects this year, and NaNo seemed like the perfect opportunity to "over" the whelming.

Seriously, I have embarked on a mission to do more writing and take my writing seriously. I've been hearing about NaNo for a couple of years now, and I'd like to give it my best this year and just enjoy the hectic creative process. (Watch me obsess about everything and totally forget I made that statement about a week into the whole affair.)

I think I actually have an idea for a story this year, something that will actually expand greatly upon a short story I wrote a year or so ago. Kinda creepy, kinda dark, but with redemptive leanings somewhere in there. Probably it would fit in the horror genre, though I'm not sure on that.

I hope I can make it to meetings and gatherings. I keep a kind of stupidly busy schedule, and weekends are particularly tough for me, as I play in a band and may not be anywhere near downtown Indianapolis on Saturday evenings. That said, this should not be taken as a sign of my lack of enthusiasm. I hope to be as much a part of the group as possible. The folks I've met so far have been welcoming and awesome. I'm getting pretty excited about all this!

"What could I do if I did not have to do it perfectly? A lot more than I am now."

Hi, I'm DreamingEagle (Becky) this is my second year doing NaNo. The first year went surprisingly well (or at least it was surpirsing to me because I'm used to failure).

I already have two different ideas for November, the problem is I don't know where exacvtly I'm going with either one of them except for the beginning and the ending. I'll probably start going back to the Writer's Meeting soon, as long as I don't have to work.

Hope to see you all soon!

No means no, but yes means maybe with a catch.

Happy new Nano Year!

This is my sixth nano year, and this is the first year I have no "firsts" to report. I had the account "kenlyric" last year but discovered the password to my original count, so here I am.

My story this year is going to be a lovecraftian horror story in a high fantasy setting. So, squishy monsters and frostbolt spells

You can find my on the #nanowrimo irc channel as rypakal

The year my nano distractions are:
New baby (4 months old during nano)
GTA4 on PC
Wrath of the Lich King

*Sorry, double post... Read below... Ignore here!!*

Just be glad you never saw the Giant Baby.

Haha, I told my mom I had asked the NaNo-ers about her questions, and she told me she already had the answers.

Psh.

Waste of forum space... Thanks for the answers anyway :]

Anywhoo, the *extremely* tenative title for my novel this year is "Paper Airplanes" I've been contemplating a story-line, and I felt really bad at what I'm thinking of doing to the main character.... Like, really evil.

But, that's probably a good sign. Angst is always welcome in my writing [seriously, if you've read my writing, I convey virtually zero emotion; something I'm trying to fix]

Just be glad you never saw the Giant Baby.

i'm gonna miss you guys...

Hi all!

I'm new to this Indiana forum but not to NaNoWriMo, this will be my 6th year. (Where does the time go?) And does Carmel count as Indianapolis? I just moved from Maryland (which had the top word count in 2006 and 3rd in 2007, woot!) and I'm looking forward to meeting new writers here.

More about me, I'm a stay at home mom of 5 (ages 5 years to 11 with a set of twins) and besides writing, I enjoy sewing and knitting. And I'm 31, not the 50+ age my hobbies seem to make me. I did grow up in Indiana (Loogootee! middle of nowhere southern Indiana) so Indiana isn't really new to me. Although I'm kinda bummed you all went to Daylight Savings Time while I was away.

Um, I have no idea what I'm writing this year and I really never do until the last week of October.

Katie
http://www.katiefleck.com

Checking in from Anderson, Indiana. I am going to try my first Western this year, as one of my sisters complained that none of my previous books were the types of books she likes. I watched "Tombstone" on DVD this week, that should be enough preparation!

--------------
Elmore

2003 - Belt Buckles & Pajamas
2004 - The Holmes & Watson Mysterious Events and Objects Consortium: The Case of the Witch's Talisman
2005 - The Cloud
2006 - The Twenty Dollar Bill
2007 - Not Fit For Human Consumption

Author, The Twenty Dollar Bill
NaNoWriMo Winner: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Script Frenzy Winner: 2007, 2008
http://www.lulu.com/KanapolisFog

Hi, I'm Tami aka Illyria. This is my 3rd Nano and hopefully the third time will be the charm for a win. Between being hit by a car and having a baby, wins were not in the stars for me for my first and second NaNos. This year will be different! (I hope. :D)

I'm collaborating with my husband on an idea he's had for about 12 years or more. Lots of violence, etc. Yay!

Illyria

I had a handle on things...but it broke.

Thimble, we'll miss you around here as well! Maybe you can sneak a weekend up to visit?

Katie, welcome to Indy. I usually work that way for November as well, the idea comes days before the start. It's more interesting, and maybe even a little less frustrating, that way. ;-) And you'll have friends with your hobbies. There are plenty of knitters around here.

Welcome back Elmore and Tami. :-)

Tara ~ Co-ML, Indianapolis

Hi all! I'm Kristen and this is my first year here. I'm one of those people that's had fun writing short stories since second grade. Majored in English in college and did all the requisite prose there. After having kids, though, I never think I have enough time to write anything BIG. So every day I look at this computer and sigh that I should really start the next great American novel. I was very excited to hear about this and signed up as soon as I could get the website to load. It may not be pretty and it may not make total sense, but I am confident I can crank out 50,000 words.

Although my kids seem to give me more than enough fodder for a book, I've always wanted to write a mystery/suspense novel with a little romantic comedy in it. So I've tentatively decided to write about a person who was found dead and there's corruption going all the way to the top to cover up who did it. That part's based on a true story. The rest, about finding out who did it, is purely speculation...

Oh, and where do you guys meet for the writer's group?

Welcome, Kristen. :-)

The writers group is at Mo'Joe Coffeehouse, 222 West Michigan Street downtown Indianapolis. It's the corner of Michigan and Senate. We meet officially and socially at 5:30, but during November (and through much of the rest of the year) there will be a write-in beforehand as well (for writing time, not social). Come join us if you can. :-)

Tara ~ Co-ML, Indianapolis

Greetings and Salutations. I'm Chyenna and, while I've done Nano before last year, (1) I got a real late start and (2) it was under a different account whose name I can't even remember. Alas, in technical terms, this will be my first year.

*cue le sigh*

As for the writing project that will more than likely spew fire and grow five extra heads before the first hour of Nano passes, well, it's the literature equivalent of Jambalaya. Steampunk, Fantasy (of virtually all kinds), Space Opera and Noir, Weird West, a little spice of good ole' Wuxia, maybe some Swashbuckler in there, I'm not sure.

In short, I'm going Cajun on it's derrière, and Lord knows that it'll most likely seem as if I dipped it in radioactive waste by the time it's finished. For I will finish it. The general plot has been brewing in my mind for over seven years. It must go.

Icon by houseoficons @ obidala.net

This will be my second year participating in NaNoWriMo, and I'm hoping it will be a more productive and satisfying attempt!

Last year, I was dealing with a weird work schedule at a soul-sucking job. This year, by contrast, I'm working in a much more relaxed atmosphere and with a much more regular schedule. Coincidentally enough, my new job is related to encouraging childhood literacy!!

I think this is actually the first time I've looked at the forums (shame on me!). I really hope I will be able to join in some of the crazy November festivities. I hope to see many of you there as well!!

Ally

Hey everybody, it's your old pal Justin. You know, the one who attempted to write Sweat Equity, a comedy about a real estate agent-turned-adult *ahem* film director. A departure from, you know, the screen name...

Well, after botching my first Nano attempt, I'm back. And I (think I) mean business this time. I'll be 29 pretty soon, so I guess this means do or die the next twelve months to get that desperately needed validation before I hang the moleskine forever...

Seriously though, I'm a father of now two beautiful, cardiac-arresting children. I'm in Greenwood. But I work at that place we had the kickoff and wrapup parties last year (offer still stands).

I have no idea what I'm writing this year, but I am sure it will be a doozy. Maybe I'll revisit last year's idea.

Sweat Equity, 2007

Hi, I'm Mary Lynn (username Triplescorpio) and this is my first NaNoWriMo. In fact, as I obviously live in a bubble, I've only just heard of it in the last few weeks. I joined on a whim - I've been saying for many (too many) years that I'm going to write a novel. This may just be my chance. I'm a little overwhelmed at the prospect - and not a good planner - but I'm excited as well. I'll pretty much just "wing it" come November!

Mary Lynn,

You have a very fine drag strip up there in Muncie. I've spent many Wednesday nights, and not a few weekends there watching snarling metallic beasts rocket down a long stretch of black pavement. Good times.

You're not the only one to have just heard of this. I mentioned it to my fiction writing group (many of whom are working on novels as I type this), and only one or two of them had even heard of it, and none knew of the specifics.

"What could I do if I did not have to do it perfectly? A lot more than I am now."

Hey guys. My name is Lynn, but you can use my screen name of Sofia455 if you like. I have two kids - one who turns 2 this month, and another that was born late September of this year. I doubt I will be able to attend many of the writing sessions since my evening courses at IUPUI begin around that time (6PM). We'll see. Depends on the day and how my schedule looks.

I hope to make it at least to 50,000. I intended to start NaNoWriMo last year but didn't make the time. So I will be working around full-time school, part-time work (Trader Joe's Baby!), and two kids (and a husband -ha! ). It seems like there's a good mix of people here.

"A student from whom nothing is demanded which he cannot do, never does all he can." - John Stuart Mill (Autobiography)

Hey folks. My name is Sandi (PoohBearFreak here) and this is my first year doing NaNo. I'm very excited though. Been writing since it seems like forever and have been using my time trying to break into the publishing arena. Very daunting task, by the way. Anyway, just completed an outline of what I want to write about for the contest and can't wait for November to get started. I live in the Fishers area, so does that count as the Indianapolis area?

Nice to see both new and familiar names. And if you're like me, introduction threads aren't easy, so thanks for not leaving me alone in the thread, ha! Keep the introductions coming.

We've had writers from Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Carmel, Anderson, and more -- pretty much everywhere in the surrounding area. Fishers is most certainly welcome.

Ericka
Co-ML, Indianapolis

Inspired vessel of the Traveling Shovel of Death

Hello all! I am Brie Cheesman, known to you as Lil Cheez. I joined last year, but fizzled about and only ended up with 11 k words. This year, I am determined! I shall not be distracted from my goal! I WILL complete my word counts every day. Else I shall...I shall implode! Yes. And no one likes imploding.

Hopefully I will be able to get to some of the events, but no guarantees. I do live a full 45 minutes away from Indy, after all.
So. If you see me, be very, very surprised. "Brie!" you shall say, "You exist!"

Feel free to attack me with hugs.

"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny." ~Jack Handey

Hi everyone! I stumbled across NanoWriMo about five years ago. I always feel anything you go to by accident is a sign and you should act on it. Well, er, every year since I have signed up and never completed it. Last year was my peak year at 200 words. I vowed this is the year! I am in a self-enrichment phase, so excited about this new endeavor.

Looking forward to meeting some of you. I vowed this was my year to support more arts and meet more creative people. I am a market researcher by trade, so really want some creative outlets! One of my other enrichments is taking Italian class, so the outline in my head is about a fun and very loud Italian family.

Have fun this year.

Terri

Ericka - if you need some canine time, I can lend you my dog Marty Mcfly for a day : )

Terridactile

You're not a real woman unless you can take out the trash in four inch stilettos.

Terri,

Have you heard about a book called The Artist's Way? It's a sort of program that's all about embracing the creativity. One other NaNoer that I know of has gone through it already, and I'm on my first go-round right now. (Yeah, I needed another project during November, 'cause all I was doing was trying to write a novel.)

g

"What could I do if I did not have to do it perfectly? A lot more than I am now."

Hey - I got that Artist's Way thing as a gift from a college writing professor. Maybe I should dig it out of my library and give it an actual look-see.

What self don't need enriched?

Sweat Equity, 2007

Thanks for the advice. I am always looking for books like this and prefer it when others recommend them. Will head to the bookstore in the next week or so.

T

Terridactile

You're not a real woman unless you can take out the trash in four inch stilettos.