Yeah, it's a big area, and I know I didn't get all the spots here, so if you live in our area and know of a place I missed, post it here and message me. I'm keeping a list of every good writing place I come across.
Panera Bread - These places are relatively cheap, have good food, hot coffee and tea, a bakery and free wifi.
Tomball location: SH 249 and Spring-Cypress
Conroe location: SH 105 and 45 (Use this only if you can't make it anywhere else - there are only three outlets in the entire customer area of the store)
Willowbrook location: FM 1960 and Cutten
Woodlands location: The Woodlands Mall
Personally, if anyone wishes to join me, I can be found at the Woodlands Mall Panera most weekday mornings from around 8-12.
There's a Barnes and Noble at the Woodlands Mall that's already on the map, and at least for a little while, they do have free wireless.
----------
------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
6,029 / 50,000
oct. 4, 2008 - 18 56
There's also a Barnes & Noble located at 1960 and Champions Drive.
Has a location been established for the Got Plot on 10/18?
JoannB
50,247 / 50,000
oct. 7, 2008 - 12 24
There is both a Barnes & Noble and a Borders in the Woodlands Mall that might be good places. And for people who want outdoorsy places, the open space next to B&N at that Mall is beautiful.
I'll try to think of other places for things, but I'm 1) a NaNo-Newbie, and 2) a college student in Dallas who may be going back and forth during the month to visit family in Spring and may go to write-ins in both cities.
Good luck with finding places!
----------Music, my heart. Writing, my soul. Gaming, my life.
6,029 / 50,000
oct. 7, 2008 - 18 19
Hi, Ally-Kat722 and RodwenofRohan and ALL other North Houston writers:
I, too, am new to Nano, and live 10 minutes from the Woodlands mall. It would be nice to see some old timers to Nano to help us newbies! I am best inspired by seeing others and being egged on to finish what I started. Woodlands mall is fine. Weekends are good, but I am flexible, as I am self employed and can set my own schedule. Please let us newbies know a time and place and I know I will be there! JoannB
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 8, 2008 - 06 02
The only problems I have personally with the B&N and Borders are that the wifi's not free. I'll get official dates for North side writeins sometime late this week or early next, but my offer is again extended - most mornings you will find me at the Panera at the Woodlands Mall.
Now, Driftsmoke was kind enough to alert me to more good locations:
Dosey Doe Coffee - FM-1488 & I-45
Hastings Cafe - SH 105 & I-45
Central Library, MCMLS - FM-2854 & I-45
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
61,643 / 50,000
oct. 8, 2008 - 06 05
I am a newbie, too! I am about 10 minutes from the Woodlands Mall, give or take, depending on traffic. I don't really know that I'll make any get-togethers. Nights and weekends are pretty much out for me; that's time I spend with family. I usually write in the early morning hours, which, I know, is not conducive to meeting times. ;) The later in the day I wait, though, the more chance there is I'll blow it off.
I wanted to point out that in addition to the B & N at the mall and the Borders at Market Square, the HEB behind Market Square also has a coffee shop. I've never been in there, but I've seen it during my forays into the area. RIght across Lake Robbins from the HEB is a branch of the Library at 2101 Lake Robbins Drive. I bet they have free WIFI in there, and you know it would be relatively quiet.
Someone from one of the other regions mentioned looking forward to going to Katz. I don't know if they have WIFI or anything, but there is a Katz Deli at 19075 IH-45 Ste 116-A (in the Portofino Shopping Center off the I45 N feeder). If you want to avoid the franchises, there is an independently owned coffee shop called Dosey Doe Coffee House, which is a quarter mile west of I45. I think they have another location or two, but I'm clueless about the locations of those.
And that about exhausts my knowledge of meeting places. :)
ETA: Sorry Elephande! I think we must have been posting at the same time! Same info, two separate posts.
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 8, 2008 - 06 36
The HEB Woodlands Market is not conducive to writing. Trust me, I work there.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
61,643 / 50,000
oct. 8, 2008 - 08 30
I will definitely take your word on it. I have this image building in my brain of trying to write in the Apple Store inside the mall on a Saturday.
50,047 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2008 - 20 16
Hello everyone!
G-man here. I'm a two-time Nano winner ('06, '07) and I'm looking to put a third winners cup in my digital trophy case.
I'm in the Humble/Atascocita area. The Panera bread on 1960 (in front of the new Target) is, of course, a great spot to write, drink coffee, and snarf yummy bagles. My writers group, The Humble Fiction Cafe, meets there every other Tuesday (We met this week) and some of us hang out there a lot. We also meet at the Barnes and Noble in the Deerbrook Mall for their official writer's circle on alternate Tuesdays.
I have found great outdoor places to write in Old-Town Spring, but if you are easily distracted maybe it's not for you. A lot of the resturaunts have sidewalk seating, and there are other benches and tables to be found for the adventureous.
Good luck to everyone! If I can be of encouragement to any of our new North Area participants, then drop me a Private Message, and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
Gary
----------A fictional mind is a terrible thing to waste- or is it?
50,248 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2008 - 05 16
I generally write at the Starbucks at PAnther Creek in the Woodlands. Inside is a bit larger than most Starbucks.
----------2007 - The Cimalian Twin (winner)
2006- The Cimalian Invasion (Winner)
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2008 - 06 21
G-man here. I'm a two-time Nano winner ('06, '07) and I'm looking to put a third winners cup in my digital trophy case.
I'm in the Humble/Atascocita area. The Panera bread on 1960 (in front of the new Target) is, of course, a great spot to write, drink coffee, and snarf yummy bagles. My writers group, The Humble Fiction Cafe, meets there every other Tuesday (We met this week) and some of us hang out there a lot. We also meet at the Barnes and Noble in the Deerbrook Mall for their official writer's circle on alternate Tuesdays.
I have found great outdoor places to write in Old-Town Spring, but if you are easily distracted maybe it's not for you. A lot of the resturaunts have sidewalk seating, and there are other benches and tables to be found for the adventureous.
Good luck to everyone! If I can be of encouragement to any of our new North Area participants, then drop me a Private Message, and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
Gary
Been to the Panera in Atascosita, though I think you might fit better with the Northeast area, being on the east side of 59.
------
North Houston AL '08
NaNo '06 - The Priana (winner)
----------NaNo '07 - Beyond the Mountains: After the Priana (winner)
NaNo '08 (planned): The Final Nine Days
------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 15, 2008 - 08 59
All right, so I checked out the Dosey Doe Coffee yesterday. Nice place, decent atmosphere, but methinks it's a bit too small for a write in. I has my idea, though, and I'll get back to everyone in the north area if it pans out.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
3,707 / 50,000
oct. 16, 2008 - 16 49
I sometimes write at the Starbucks on Sawdust (near the Walmart). It's a little smaller in there than it used to be (b/c they just recently rennovated) but there are lots of tables, inside and out. If you bring a power strip, it should be a pretty condusive writing environment.
----------For writing motivation and inspiration, check out the Procrastinating Writers blog at: http://www.procrastinatingwriters.blogspot.com
3,707 / 50,000
oct. 16, 2008 - 17 10
And now that I think about it, the new Kroger Signature store on Rayford Rd. has lots of tables outside (and a few inside by the Starbucks) where people can write all day long. The outdoor tables have umbrellas so it will keep you cool.
I'll check out the outlet situation next time I'm there, but this may be a location better suited to Neo users.
----------For writing motivation and inspiration, check out the Procrastinating Writers blog at: http://www.procrastinatingwriters.blogspot.com
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 20, 2008 - 08 37
All right, who would be able to make a write in on the evening of Monday, November 3rd, between 7-midnight at the Goose's Acre in the Woodlands? I can get us spaces reserved if I can get an accurate headcount.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
0 / 50,000
oct. 21, 2008 - 13 49
I should be able to make it, where in the Woodlands is Goose's Acre?
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 07 25
It's on Waterway Avenue, there across from Tinseltown.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
6,029 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 07 37
Is anyone doing a write-in on Sat. the 1st? I am going to LaBerge with girlfriends for a birthday celebration Sun.-tues and will be doing my writing poolside at the hotel instead of gambling (I hope!) Anywhere from the Woodlands to 1960 is good for me as I live just 1 mile so. of the Woodlands, in Spring.
50,198 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 07 55
The WiFi at the library in The Woodlands is free. They even have little meeting rooms. We might be able to get one there if no one wants to meet at the Mall (which I personally find too distracting).
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 08 00
@ JoannB: The only one I know of is the giant one at Katz's down in Houston.
@ Ytak: I assume you're speaking of the library on Lake Robbins, or do you mean the one on Ashlane? Both have free wifi and meeting rooms.
I should have the finalized list of weekly write-ins by the kick-off party Saturday. It'll be posted up here as soon as I finish it.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
6,029 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 08 14
@Elephande - Thank you so much for working on this..I am sure it is a thankless job! I appreciate it! I am so ready to just get on with it! See you Saturday!
0 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 10 22
Another potentially good location (if it's not on the list already) might be the Barbara Bush library on Cypresswood. They have meeting rooms and free wi-fi. However, we would need to reserve the room at least a week in advance. I've never reserved a meeting room at a library before, so I'm not sure if that's typical.
BTW, I'm Allison and live in the 1960/Champions area. I participated in NaNo last year, but didn't get a chance to go to any of the write-ins or other events. Oh, and I also didn't finish last year, and maybe that's why. So, I've decided to make more of an effort to attend the kickoff and at least a couple of write-ins this year.
I'm looking forward to meeting and writing with you all.
50,282 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 11 32
I'd love to go to a write-in, but I don't have a laptop *sigh* maybe I could convince my sister to let me borrow hers...
BTW, is there going to be a pre-nano party/get together for the North area folks? I can't make it to this weekend's stuff- going to Dallas. But if we could get something before Nov. 1st.......... *hopeful grin*
----------****************
So what? I'm not your average girl. ~Barlowgirl
50,282 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 11 34
I'd love to go to a write-in, but I don't have a laptop *sigh* maybe I could convince my sister to let me borrow hers...
BTW, is there going to be a pre-nano party/get together for the North area folks? I can't make it to this weekend's stuff- going to Dallas. But if we could get something before Nov. 1st.......... *hopeful grin*
----------****************
So what? I'm not your average girl. ~Barlowgirl
50,282 / 50,000
oct. 22, 2008 - 11 43
sorry. for some reason it double-posted.
----------****************
So what? I'm not your average girl. ~Barlowgirl
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 25, 2008 - 18 28
Partial list of North Area events:
Got Plot?:
Thursday, October 30; 7-9PM
Panera Bread - Woodlands Mall
Weekly write-in #1:
Tuesday nights, 5:30-9PM
Panera Bread - Woodlands Mall
Weekly write-in #2:
Thursday nights, 5:30-9PM
Main Street Crossing - Tomball
Weekly write-in #3:
Saturday nights, 7:30PM-12AM
International House of Pancakes - Conroe
If anyone has a good location/date for somewhere in the Spring/Klein area, PM me.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
50,198 / 50,000
oct. 26, 2008 - 08 28
The one on Lake Robbins. The other one is, well, harder to find it you don't live in the area.
9,339 / 50,000
oct. 29, 2008 - 19 02
Hey, I'm a migrant disaster-relief worker currently living in a hotel in the Woodlands; I'm really excited to do NaNoWriMo- I did my last in South Korea, but my laptop broke down right before so I couldn't do the word count (on account of everything being on paper) so I have no idea if I succeeded. I work an awful lot so I don't know how much writing I'm going to do, but I'm going to take up the challenge anyways. I'm excited to meet people in the area. I'm going to try to attend the meet up tomorrow. and hopefully pin down a plot. I currently have no idea how long I'm going to be in the area (they like moving us around with little to no warning) but hopefully it will be for a while.
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 30, 2008 - 08 11
Out of curiosity, which hotel?
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
58,611 / 50,000
oct. 30, 2008 - 08 21
For the Got Plot? meeting:
Official time is from 7-9, but you can show up sooner. I'll be there from about 3 onwards, and you're all welcome to join me. Personally, my plot's pretty much set, so I'll be there to help other people brainstorm and think up amazing adventures.
Hope to see all of you there.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
9,339 / 50,000
oct. 30, 2008 - 10 29
towneplace suites. it's cool because it's got a stove. it's amazing how excited you can get over having a stove.