West Area Write-Ins

My two current favorite places to write are outside the ice rink at Memorial City Mall - lots of tables and chairs with plugs available, free Wi-Fi, several food places nearby in the mall, a nice atmosphere with a giant fireplace to look at. Chilly, though, bring a sweater. There's a Panera right next door if you prefer that. And the Starbucks at 43rd and 290. I'm at one of those two places almost every weekday from around 9am to 2:30 pm. I'd love to have a get together either of those places sometime.

Money's tight at my place at the moment, but if there's a place to go that doesn't require you to buy a drink to hang out with people, and has a bus route to get there, I'm game.

Hi Diane38 ~
I totally understand about money being tight. Participating in NaNoWriMo can be completely and totally free. I've been to dozens of write-ins where I didn't purchase anything. Several are at libraries that don't even allow food or drinks. Coffee shops & Panera type places are used to writers coming in for the free wifi and atmosphere. Buying coffees & snacks is never a requirement - just a luxury available. If know of a choice writing location near your home, on a bus route that doesn't sell food or drinks, like a bookstore or library, please PM ChrisMacG and he'll add it to the write-in locations. Then, just let people know when you'll be there so they can join you.
Best luck noveling!

Oh trust me, SM. I know. While I'm not familiar with the word Panera, I'm thinking it's sort of like an outdoor sitting area surrounded by food vendors?

I've been in Houston only a year and I'm still working on knowing what is where and how to get around. *love the train, though* The closest thing to me at the moment... within walking distance, that is... is the Alief Library on Kirkwood. which I have to run down there before 5 to return some books and get a couple movies.

When I started writing Nano novels in 2003 in Riverside, Ca. We all used to hang out in a plaza type setting just in front of a place called Back to the Grind. Gods I miss that place. He had good coffee, he had old furniture and some barstools and tables around. It looked very comfy and inviting. Darren is a really cool guy. One wall was nothing but books, it was amazing.

Anyways, Yeah, I'll go wherever you guys go when I can. :D I can't wait for the kickoff party!!!

It's been too long since I've been to one.

Panera is an excellent sandwich and coffee shop - atmosphere similar to a Starbucks, but more food. Good bakery, too. Usually inside, though.

My mom, Elana, has already listed her usual haunts, which are basically the same places I've been. The Town and Country Barnes and Noble is also a nice place - not too many comfy chairs, but good tables. I'm not sure about plugs, though, as I've never actually taken my laptop there.

I'll be at most of the West Houston events, along with my mom, so I look forward to meeting y'all!

One thing to keep in mind about Panera- at least the Hwy 6 location- is that it now closes at 9pm. Great for daytime or early evening stuff, but not as good for night owls.

I don't know if anyone would actually want to write there, but the Kroger down the street from me has free wifi and a Starbucks inside. And I'm pretty sure they're open 24/7.

I'll keep an eye out for other possibilities.

OMG! blue moon, that is Brilliant! I would have never thought about 24-hr grocery stores with Starbucks inside them. What a clever idea for a night time writing location! I love it!
We found a great bar/coffee shop called Chelsea Coffehouse and Wine bar here in Clear Lake that has a great upstairs with comfy chairs, they make an excellent warm brie plate and since they're also a bar are open til about 2 am. That's all the time I need before I start turning into a pumpkin anyways so its perfect for me.
I'm now going to be on the lookout for more open-late outside-of-the-box writing location places like this grocery store idea.

I need the West area participants to let me know what days and times suit you the best for write-ins. And your prefered location(s).

Diane, I checked with the Henington-Alief library when I was there today. There's a nice conference room that we could use and they don't mind if we bring in food and drink, as long as we clean up after ourselves. The library would be open 6 afternoons a week and is open until 9 pm Monday-Thursday. Would this location (on Kirkwood between Bellaire and Beechnut) suit anyone else?

Stitch

Oh Outstanding, Stitch!

Thanks for checking in on that one. I'm still getting used to the place and I still don't know who to ask about what while im in there.

So thank you so much... Name the day and time and I'll be there, monster drink in hand. :D

What's a good time for you? Afternoons or evening?

Stitch

Hrmmm... considering I will be walking that way before and after... I'm good to go for either afternoon or evenings.

Hi Stitch, and all West Area writers. I've just arrived here from Toronto and am wondering if there are any Katy write-ins planned? Thanks,
T2

I know there were some at the Katy library last year but I haven't heard any suggestions yet for this year. If you spot a likely place, let me know. What days and times will work best for you?

Stitch

I'm quite flexible since I've taken a leave of absence for the year. I don't drive, but occasionally have a chaffeur. I'll also be spending some of the month in Austin, and may try to fit in a couple of write-ins there.

Hola, y'all!

I love love love the Panera on Hwy 6, because I know where the volume control is for their music.

I haven't been to Cafe Inka (Westheimer near Dairy Ashford) since they reopened, but I'll try to stop by to check things out in the next week or so. In a previous incarnation it was a GREAT place to write. Critically good cocoa.

Also, I'm planning "shut up and write" time every Wednesday at my church on Hwy 6 and West Little York. 4-7pm. Not a time that works for everyone, but it's free and low-distraction--NO INTERNET so you actually have to go a few hours without email and nanomail and 'research'.

Ok, time to deal with my October.

Hey all. This is my second year doing NaNoWriMo, and my first year in Houston. I attempted to participate last year, while in Nacogdoches for school, but some unforeseen circumstances got in the way. This year, I'm in Houston and would love to participate in some write-ins. I work for Starbucks, so if you're interested in going to any Starbucks, I do get a 30% discount. As for anywhere, else, just let me know. I'm in class until 3:30 MW and around 4:00 TR. So late afternoon, early evenings are fine with me.

Looking forward to another year of NaNoWriMo. =)

Sinara

Hi, Sinara, there's a fairly new, free-standing Starbucks just off the Westheimer/Hwy 6 intersection. It doesn't have many tables though. I need to check the hours to see if they are open later than Panera Bread.

Stitch

I know. I've worked at that particular store several times. My store is actually just down Memorial from that store. While the lobby is almost completely empty at HWY 6 & Memorial every night, they do close fairly early. I want to say 9 or 9:30 on weekdays. Maybe 30 minutes later on weekends.

Hey guys! I'm primarily in Waco now for school, but over the Thanksgiving holiday would love to go to a write-in - I never discovered that they existed until AFTER I graduated high school. And I absolutely love the Panera Bread around HW-6/Westheimer, and whoever else mentioned Memorial City Mall by the ice skating rink - that's a good idea as well. They have some couches there that are pretty darned nice.

Is that the one at Memorial and Dairy Ashford? I've been through that drive thru but never inside. Does it have more tables than the Westheimer location?

Stitch

2006: Murder at the Reunion, Winner
2007: Satori - Winner
2008: Untitled

Yes, that's the one I work at. The lobby at HWY 6 and Memorial has quite a few tables. It is a fairly large store, compared to most of the other stores in West Houston.

That's another location that I've only been through the drive thru of ...

Is anyone interested in a plan-in on Suncay the 26th? That's the day after the kick off party. I was thinking we might have it at Panera (Hwy 6 @ Westheimer) since that's kind of central to our whole area.

Stitch

2006: Murder at the Reunion, Winner
2007: Satori - Winner
2008: Untitled

^Sure. I'd be up for a plan-in on Sunday. I cannot go to the kick-off party on Saturday, however, because I am going to be attending the Jason Mraz concert that night. =/ But just let me know when on Sunday, and I am game.

Trying to determine the best times and places for West area write-ins. The link below goes to a poll so let me know which ones work best for you or if you have better suggestions. I’m going to narrow it down to three or four to put on the official calendar but of course all anyone has to do is say that I’m going to be at such and such a place at such and such a time and, presto, we have a write-in.

Click Here to take survey

I'll be at the Panera Bread (Westheimer @ Hwy 6) at 2 pm Sunday if anyone wants to join me for a planning session.

My dad is leaving on a business trip Sunday around 3, so we're going out to eat before he leaves. Otherwise, I would be there. I know I said I could, but we just found out earlier this week. =(

Okay, these are the scheduled write-ins for the West Area:

Tuesday, 3:30 pm - Henington-Alief Regional Library, 7979 South Kirkwood, Houston, TX 77072
Wednesday, 6 pm - Panera Bread, 2150 S. Hwy 6 #200, Houston, TX 77077
Friday, 7 pm - Barnes & Noble, Westheimer Crossing, 7626 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77063
Saturday, 2 pm - Inka's, 12225 Westheimer Rd Suite B Houston TX 77077

In addition, Elana has said that she's outside the ice rink at Memorial City Mall most weekdays. I've never been there but I'll try to make it on Mondays at 11 am.

I'll try to be at as many of these as I can and hope to see you there too.

And to repeat, in case you don't read the Got Plot thread, we are having not one but TWO Got Plot meetups. Both will be at the Panera Bread listed above. One on Sunday, Oct 26th, at 2 pm and the other will be Wednesday, the 29th, at 6 pm.

Stitch

Hola, y'all! Hope you've been enjoying all the start-up meetings! I'm in Albuquerque for a conference this weekend, so I'm only with you in spirit... I'll probably be at the Katz's extravaganza, then see more of folks after election day. Oh, what exciting times we live in. I might need to figure out how to add an election section to my book?

I'll have my church open every Wednesday 4pm to 7pm. It's non-wifi and no fancy snacks and coffee drinks, so not as cool as Panera. But it's quiet enough for knocking out a few thousand words and an easier drive for those in Copperfield.

Northwest Community Unitarian Universalist Church
5920 hwy 6 North (just south of West Little York, in the Casa Ole center. Across hwy 6 from Chilis)
You can call me on the phone there on Wednesdays 281 550 8884

kt

Hi there

I happen to be the manager of the Alief library on Kirkwood. Let me know if I can help. I'd like to play, too if you all get together.

Mel

Hello everyone. This will be my first time doing the NaNoWriMo. I live right on Hillcroft by W. Bellfort. Are there possibly anything close to there going on that doesn't involve the insanity that is Westhiemer by chance lol? I hate driving down there. That and I work some long hours. Generally 12 days straight 10 -12 hours a day with only 2 days off every other week. To boot, I go to college online full time for Game Software Development. So, I'm not sure when/if I'll be able to attend the write-ins or meet ups. In any event, I look forward to getting to know you. Is it Nov 1st yet?

Richard