Local Wrimo Gatherings (Somerville)

Don't worry about asking me, Bill. :)

The meetups worked out so well last year, it'd be pretty hard not to do it again.

The last 2 years have had a gathering at the Starbucks Coffeehouse at Kuser and Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Roads on Sunday afternoons. Admittedly, there were weeks I was the only one to show up. (I forget the exact times, alas)

Last year there was even a reporter from the Hamilton Post (local free paper) one week.

The part I liked best about the meetings is the chemistry - there was no derision about the content of the writing - only a desire to follow through on the decision to write.

Two data points (and I am horrible with names)

1. The author doing the novel about the soul of a woman trapped in an newborn. She was sorta stuck, and we were throwing ideas around. I remember asking her "So, how is the baby fed? Bottle or breastfed?" "Oh, I dunno." "Make it breastfed." "OK" "Think about it for a moment." Then I sat back and watched the explosion happen. The next best thing to getting the Muse to talk to you is to watch it talk to others.

2. Sitting around my dining room table, late one Wed evening, with two authors who really wanted to try the wine I had made. Speaking very quietly, because there were two kids and my wife sleeping upstairs.

It's not all about the writing.

Bill

Is it bad that I'm already completely pumped about the write ins? They were one of my favorite parts of last year's NANoWriMo. It was great to have sounding board,and to just chat with other people.

And Bill, I was the one with the soul swapped woman. That was one of my favorite parts to write. If that one ever gets published, I'm listing you in acknowledgments!

If a stranger can jump in here for a moment--
I'm fairly new to the area, and just discovered how simple it is to get to the Somerville Circle Barnes&Noble from school yesterday. The prospect of write-ins held there is exciting to me! If it does, indeed, go down again I'd love to sit in sometime.

~ N.

Yay for newcomers! Last year, our write-ins averaged about four people. It was still a blast though, and we still stayed until they kickd us out! Join us! Please!

Hey everyone, a newcomer here. I just recently found out about NaNoWriMo and it looks like a blast. Ideas are already froming but I'm trying to keep myself from starting on it before the start date.

Anyways, I wanted to ask if anyone knew how far Somerville was from the Woodbridge area and if it's pretty far if anyone knows any writers meeting in a place closer to me? I'd love to meet a few others during November to share ideas or to just hang out. Thanks.

It's a good ways up 287. It usually takes me around 30 minutes to make the trip depending where exactly in Woodbridge I'll be.

There isn't a thread for it yet but in the past two years there has been a write-in at the B&N at Menlo Park Mall that Jamiebee and Pat Marin regularly go to. But I think they are looking for an alternative location in Woodbridge/Edison for this year. Parking at Menlo gets kinda rough...

Also the Kickoff and TGIO parties have been in the Woodbridge/Edison area before. That's where I'm looking to have them again this year. :)

Welcome newcomers!

I was at B&N last night, and oddly enough, will be again tonight for a totally different reason. I was spreading the love of NaNoWriMo to all and sundry.

How about this: I will be there on Wednesday next week (Oct 22) and the week after that (29). No, I won't be doing any writing - just gatherig ideas. I'll have the laptop and the required cuppa. If anyone wants to join me there, feel free!

Bill

Welcome back! I am so glad you decided to retun to the trenches! No need for acknowledgements, though, I was amply rewarded by having the Muse strike me first, then giving you the spark.

And the gatherings were larger than four. Katie, you, I, and the blacksmiths made five. And there were the others, who, unfortunately, I did not get to know well enough. I would say 8-10 was a good average.

Bill Patterson
Scrivener ordinaire

Winner, 2007, Earth is Hell!

Which Barnes and Noble is this? Because I may stop by if I can manage the time, which shouldn't be too difficult.

The Barnes and Nobel in Somerville Circle. Up on the hill, behind the TGIFridays.

Last night was fun - met up with Brett and RJ. They send their regards to the CNJ NaNo community. RJ is in a welding class until Dec on Wednesdays, so she won't be able to go to writeins.

B&N has a nice coupon for a free small cappuchino, so next Wed we should be well caffeinated.

Remember, all you WriMos - next Wed, Oct 29, barnes and Noble, Somerville! 7:30!

Bill

Aw. This makes me sad as a college kid. Lack of a car kind of makes anything off campus unattainable.

I know, anniekay! i spend more time trying to figure out bus routes to writeins than i probably should >>

There is no reason you couldn't post a "ride needed" post. Obviously, the 'college girl given ride by wizened old gnome' meme is a problem. But I am sure SOMEONE would be willing to give you a ride.

Like, er, me.

Oh man, we'll be missing RJ this year? That makes me sad. She one of our little bitty group that stayed until they kicked us out!

I'll be busy the next two Wednesdays (Devils game and opera at the Met!), but may very well turn up after that.

~Aaron

Well, I worked last week and have a mother with a birthday this week, but I should be able to get there...eventually.

Remember - tonight is the write-in (or really, plot-in) at Barnes and Noble, Somerville!

If you don't have a plot, if you don't have a character, if you don't have an idea about what you will write about - come on by!

Catch ya in the cafe, 7:30. I'm the bald guy with the laptop

Hi! I'm a newbie and really excited to meet up with other NaNoWriMos at the Somerville Circle. What time does the group meet?

Also a newcomer, I joined Friday and just read about the meeting tonight. What is the next date/time the group meets? So looking forward to a little guidance!

We hold the writeins every Wednesday evening, 7:30, in the cafe of Barnes And Noble in the Somerville Circle.

Welcome newbies!

Beating the drum again.....

First actual write-in of 2008 NaNoWriMo for Somerville will be in the Barnes and Noble at the Somerville Circle. Just look for a table with the Wrimo logo on it.

Where was everyone tonight? We got some great ideas together, but would have loved a bigger group. Come on, we've got our very own Idea Guy. We're really looking forward to seeing more of you next week!

Hello!
I'm Samantha and this is my first NaNoWriMo. I just saw this thread and I will most probably be there next Wednesday. Does this Barnes and Noble have a place to plug in my Lap Top? I have a battery, but I can't seem to get it to charge. I'll have to work on it for next week.
Looking forward to it!
Samantha

Hi, Samantha! Welcome to naNoWriMo.

The B&N DOES have an outlet, but it is somewhat out of the way. No problem, though, we will cluster the tables around it for you.

Hi - Great to find this group. For the last week, all I could find was a group from Ocean County. I'm in Piscataway. I've done NaNo a couple of times but haven't yet 'won'. My word count needs some pumping up and my plot needs to move it.

I take it the Wednesday / 7:30 / B&N meeting is a weekly thing?

- Becs (I have so many aliases even I lose track of who I am)

Due to ride issues, I probably won't be able to make it this week. But I DID get some stellar ideas last week. I now understand my characters way better.

We can still finish this thing. I must say, I am not as enthused about this years plot as last years. This one is really an effort.

Anyway, come on by! We can pump up your wordcount through massive infusions of inspiration and plot ideas.

Bill