The Big Post Full Of Big Stuff

Hello everyone!

Welcome to National Novel Writing Month 2008!

I am Katie and I will be one of your ML's this year. This will be my 5th year doing Nanowrimo (and hopefully it will be my 5th win). I have been an ML for Central New Jersey since 2006. I currently live in Somerville, NJ.

Most of this post isn't going to be too new to the Nano veterans. Just a rehashing of how I do things. But there are a few changes going on for the region that I need to cover.

First off I want to extend a special welcome to new Wrimos and old Wrimos that are joining CNJ this year. It's great to have you with us!

News

New ML's!

By October 1st of 2007 I knew there was going to be no way I'd be able to fulfill all of my obligations as ML for the region this year. Although I'm still working behind the scenes, getting out there and actually being social is going to be a challenge. Most of you know why so I'll spare you my gushing excitement. But for people who are just coming in, I'm getting married the day after Thanksgiving. If October is this nuts, I'm terrified to see what November is like.

So with that in mind, I've asked Pat Marin and Jamiebee to act as co-MLs with me this year. They've been active members in the region for years. They've been at every single Kickoff and TGIO I've hosted. And they helped form a regularly meeting write-in over in Edison. They love writing. They love NaNoWriMo. I think they're going to do a great job.

Google Calendar

In past years, the Regional Lounges has come with a calendar system that we'd keep updated letting you know where and when Nano-related activities were taking place. The calendar idea itself has not changed. But the kind of calendar has. We will now be using a Google Calendar to keep track of all the events. A link to the calendar can be found under the Regional Lounge header. It should say "Click here to see all official events for Central NJ" or something like that. We will make every effort to keep this information up to date. In fact if you look now you will see...

CNJ Kickoff Party is 10/26/08

Yep. This year's Kickoff Party will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2008. I am in the middle of getting things finalized. I will keep you posted with the details as soon they are worked out. But you can count on the 26th.

General Info/How-To

Who belongs in CNJ?

I've had this question come up to me before. "I live in ____. Does this mean I live in Central?" Basically my view on the issue is similar to NaNo's view on writing a novel...if you think you live in Central, I think you live in Central too. But if you are having a hard time finding other people to write with, please don't forget there are three other regions in NJ for you to look through. You don't have to limit yourself to one lounge. My job is in the Northeast region so I keep an eye on that lounge as well.

All interested people, whether they live in CNJ or not, may attend Write-ins and parties.

A Word About Write-Ins

Although arranging the Kickoff and TGIO parties have been my responsibility, for as long as I have done this I have turned over the creation of write-ins to you, the locals. The reasoning behind this is because you know your towns and you know your schedules. Waaay better than I do. The most successful write-ins got started because a group of people communicated with each other and decided to meet...and just kept meeting. Trust me when I say that I'd only get in the way if I become involved.

You don't need my permission to start a write-in. In fact I encourage it. You are not stepping on my toes in any way.

How do I start a Write-In?

Most write-ins start out by someone posting a new topic saying they live in ___ and they are looking for writing buddies. Or they may say "I'm going to be at ____ at __ o'clock. Come join me!" Whether it's 1 person or 10 people, if a Wrimo is committed to spending a certain amount of time writing in a specific location, in my book that's a Write-In and can be added to the official calendar.

How do I get added to the calendar?

You MUST NanoMail myself, Pat or Jamie letting us know the date, time, and location of your write in. We won't assume any threads about local write-in plans are definite since so many of them are used to "test the waters". So once your plans are made, fire us a NaNoMail ASAP so we can get them on the calendar for all to see.

Even if you are just planning to write in Panera for an hour and a half every Thursday, we'll put that in the calendar. You never know who might be in the area.

I only ask you do to things.

1.) Please commit to your write-in. No one will hold it against you if an emergency comes up and you can't make it. But please don't abandon it without telling anybody. If you need an event removed from the calendar, let us know. We'll take care of it.

2.) Make a table tent or have someone wear a Nanowrimo Shirt or do something else NaNo-y. Sometimes write-ins become total busts because people show up and they can't find each other. So using some sort of visible sign, whether it's a T-shirt of a table sign, will really help bring everyone together. This is especially useful for people who have never attended a write-in before. The write-in could be taking place right under their noses, and they'd never realize it (many people carry laptops these days...it's not always obvious). Most people are not comfortable going up to total strangers and asking if they are writing a novel so a sign of some kind is a huge help.

To the new people and those sitting on the fence about meeting other Wrimos, please don't be afraid to go to the Kickoff/TGIO parties and the Write-ins. People actually do attend these things. We'd love to see you there. :)

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask Pat, Jamie, or myself. We're always happy to help. :)
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Municipal Liasion for Central New Jersey