UCF NaNoers

I do not attend UCF, but I live behind the school. I was planning on checking out Natura for my writing excursions (i've never been there). I am not familiar with many other coffee shops around the area, though I've seen Java Jo's and a couple others I cannot recall the names.

I graduated from UCF some time ago (MA in Creative Writing). I still live in the general area but I'm not up for anything parking on campus. Last year I checked out Natura in hopes that we could have some meetings there. It has good parking, especially at the end of the lot. They can be crowded on weeknights but on Sunday they seem very quiet. Oh, they also have free wireless and I did spot some power outlets. Some major bookstores aren't as convenient as they could be because they don't have power outlets and we can't recharge or batteries. But Natura looked cozy and inviting.

Tina Marie

Definitely! Java City would be awesome b/c they are open so late. Mike, I could always pick you up, that way you don't have to buy a parking pass. Let's organize something one or two days a week that people can come too if they aren't busy or whatever. Actually, everyone who would like to attend but doesn't have a UCF parking pass can meet me at the Starbucks across the street and ride over.

I thought about posting some flyers on campus promoting NaNo. I'm sure some lit folk stuck in dorms would be all over it. I have some contacts in the English department that I can use to spread the word.

What do yall think?

Dave

Doh, this is what I get for not reading all the posts... what/where is Natura? Sounds... organic. lol

Natura is in one of those shopping strips on University and Alafaya. If you're on University Blvd facing UCF, it's on the right but back behind the chain restaurants. It has tables, couches and one of those funky writing attitudes. It also has hookas. We've never done Nano with hookas before.

Tina Marie

I looked it up, I think Natura is by CB & S? The bookstore?

I probably won't be going that far. :) The other locations are a lot closer for me-- I'm on foot, and all the way at the *other* end of campus, up by the Walmart Neighborhood Market-- and they also take my meal plan. (Except for Volcano's but I wasn't too keen on them.) But hey, do what y'all need to do! ^_^

I was thinking about making a post just like this one. I would definitely like to meet up and do a couple of write-ins during November. I've been trying to get my friends to join me, but they just look at me all crazy-eyed. As far as writing places, this Natura sounds like a good place, I'll have to check it out tomorrow since I live on University. Usually, I write at the B&N on Colonial. It's a bit out of the way, but I love the layout of that store and feel cozy writing in the corner on the second floor.

That Barnes and Noble is amazing, but sooooooo far....

I think we really need to consider hours of operation. How much room is there is natura, and what time does it close. It probably won't work if it closes at 10. Java City/Library is open until something like 1:30am or 2, and is closer for people who walk/live on campus (I remember what that's like.... no fond memories there...). Just looked up Natura's website... no hours posted, but looks like a nice place. Check out the Daily Grind as well, another good location.

If closing at 10pm is too early, I guess I'll leave the UCF meetings up to the college crowd. I'd be looking more at a mid-afternoon weekend write in. But if someone arranges something in the area (but not needing a parking sticker) I'll see if I can stop by.

Tina Marie

lol, I'm not a late night sort myself (in bed by 11 every night, up at 6, unless I've got an exam); I sort of just assumed that's how these things usually go. Can you tell I've never done this before? :)

mid afternoons i am at work. evenings/nights would be good for me. after 6 or 7 until whenever. If anyone needs a ride who lives near UCF, like Tessan, I am willing to give rides. I live right behind UCF so swinging around to pick someone up isn't a big deal.

we can always change the location throughout the month too, so we can switch it up.

\m/

When I checked with Natura last year, they said they tended to be busy week nights with poetry readings and such. But when I dropped in on a Sunday afternoon, I practically had the place to myself. If they still do the poetry readings and such, they won't be good weeknights. I've been at Austins when the poetry readings are going on and it's a bit too busy.

I work out at Disney, so weekdays I'm way on the other side of town. If we have write ins for the Orlando Writing League out at Barnies by the Florida Mall, I'll be stopping by there on weeknights. I know it's a drive from UCF but when I'm coming from Disney, it's sort of mid-way. But if we have something local on weekends, I'd love to stop by.

Oh, and mid-November I'm speaking at the Florida Writers Conference so sort of losing that weekend. I'm going to try to get some writing done during the event but before I give a presentation I usually can't focus on anything but the presentation. My schedule is a bit wonky this year.

Tina Marie

sunday afternoons would be good for Natura, and good for me. I work in Winter Park during the week, so driving to the florida mall isn't so bad for the write-ins

i think some impromptu meetings in the UCF area week evenings would be cool, for those of us who live in the area

I went to check out Natura this afternoon. It was about 3pm and the place was crowded, almost couldn't find an outlet for my laptop. I'm an evening writer myself, too busy to write during the day and I don't wake up early enough to write in the mornings :).

UCF Library closes at 1am M-Th. Natura closes at 1am or later every day. Last time I was at Austin's they closed at about 11pm. Stardust has a couple of tables to write at, but not sure what time they close. I'm guessing the library would be the best spot for everyone at UCF.

In fact, I'm in the library right now writing this post so that I can procrastinate writing my important scene of my current short story.

I just called Natura. The guy there said that they're open until about 2AM or so every day, except for Sunday when they close at 12:30AM "on the dot". I don't know if I'll be able to join everyone there or not though, as I'm not really one to rely on rides (although thank you to everyone who offered, and I hope someone else can take you up on that!) but I've still got some time to decide. :)

However, I will say to you other UCF students, if you're in Knightro's or Java City and you see a grass-green Dell, that's probably me! I haven't seen anyone else with a similar color laptop, so feel free to come say hello, just let me know you're from the NaNo boards so that I don't make a run for it.

for those of you who prefer to meet on campus, i live literally in a neighborhood right behind the school, so i can ride my bike there in like 10 minutes.

in other words, I am up for wherever/whenever :)

\m/

Hey all!

I tend to be more of a lone writer, but I might stop by some meetups if I can. Thought I'd at least say hi. =)
I'm carless and on campus, but I can take my handy-dandy bike to places nearby. Everywhere that's been mentioned is good for me.

Nicole

I go to UCF, and I'd be so happy to have a meetup in the area. I don't have a car and don't have time to take long bus rides downtown - not to mention that it's scary at night! - so I haven't been able to meet anyone during NaNo for the past two years. But if we're on campus or at Natura or somewhere, I'm sure I can get a ride. Also, I'm happy to write by hand if others need to use the outlets. :)

I live in the UCF area as well and wouldn't mind meeting up at Natura's or some other coffee stop, however, I'm very curious as to what the MLs cook up and the Official write-ins. If anyone is interested I wouldn't mind carpooling over there. I know the area in case someone who isn't familiar with that side of town doesn't want to go. If you're interested let me know.

Also, we should probably come up with some level of organization. Maybe we can push to get some recognition for East Orlando seeing as it takes half an hour to get to the other side of town, and with gas prices as they are, and tolls, it'd be a lot more affordable for the college crowd. Just a thought.

I'd love to carpool - problem is I don't have a car. And I'm not taking a two and a half hour bus ride to the official meeting place. Um...I'll buy you coffee if you drive?

Seriously though, I just got a pretty new laptop, so I've got to meet up with some people and show it off. :D

I just ordered a super sweet laptop, so I'm all for showing off! :)

I just hope I have it by the time NaNo starts.

Well, I thought that I would change up where I would go every day/week, but as of the moment I am undecided. Natura is not far from where I live, but it may be the furthest I will go without a car. Either way I will continue to lurk the coffee shops until the 1st, and I hope to see many of you there.

So I propose that we meet at Natura sometime on Sunday, November 2 for our own UCF-area kickoff party. :D

i am all about that. i may be there tomorrow night too. i went there for the first time the other night, pretty chill spot.

I've never done nanowrimo before and I'm really excited. I just pray my dreams can keep pumping out stuff for the next four weeks since that's what I'm planning to write about. And if they don't... then it's back to my Mars story that I've been trying to figure out a plot for the past 4 years, in which case I'll probably make up some crazy stuff, almost like Mushroom Jazz... but not quite.

I'll probably show up Nov. 2nd since I generally have nothing better to do during the day, and I would've ended up spending the entire day at Knightros regardless.

Will we need a surge protector or something? I usually carry that around as well as my cameras, but I probably won't need the camera that day.

I've done nano for a while, but never with a group. The group meetings/write-ins have always been too far for me since I too live right by UCF (and attended until just recently). I've honestly never been to Natura and it *not* been very busy and _loud_ but it is open late and they seem open to large groups, so if you guys say it's quiet I'm game. I also agree with using the UCF library, although non-students may have a problem with parking, but it is open late and has the java city. There's a BN at the waterford lakes town center that's near by as well and they're open until 11 everyday.

I'm still not sure if I'm going to do NaNo this year (I don't have any ideas for a story yet!) but if I do it'll be fun to do it with others I think :)

Wow, so many words, so little decisiveness.
This is what I've gathered, so far...

Natura, November 2.
No set time. No secret password, handshake, or colored clothing accessory.
Some people feel anything over a mile is "too far" and a lot of other people do not drive.

Ok, first, anyone who needs a ride that lives anywhere from the Semoran and Pershing area, to Full Sail and on over to UCF, give or take, I will drive, I will pick you up, we will write. If you've got enough extra scratch to hook a dude up with a coffee, swell. If not, don't sweat it, I won't even ask.

If you've got AIM or ichat and you need a lift, my SN is BrokenHandMatt, just say "hey I'm (your name) from NaNoWriMo"
If you do not have the instant messenger, NaNoMail me and we can swap digits.

Since there seems to be a solid split between day folk and night folk I was thinking 2PM might be a time we could all work with.

So, any day folk who want to show up prior to 2PM, go for it. I'll see you there at 2.

RECAP:
Natura, Sunday, November 2. 2PM.
Need a ride? Hit me up. Otherwise, see you there Eastside!

Hmm... I didn't realize that no time was set until you pointed that out.

I'm good with 2pm at Natura. Though should we wear something distinguishing? Or does the fact that a bunch of people go in with laptops and just write (although we'll probably end up buying drinks/food as well) say enough?

They've got bandanas at just about every dollar store I've been in, not to mention at any independent gas station/quik-e-mart from University to 50.
Kind of "Gang-like", but if we go for camouflage instead of the traditional Red vs. Blue, we won't have to deal with as many drive-by shootings.

My vote is for camo bandanas worn in any fashion you wish, except on the head like a pirate.

i think the camo bandanas *should* be worn on the head like a pirate.

how funny would that be--a bunch of strangers in a coffee shop wearing camo bandanas hunched over laptops.

btw, im cool with that plan. I can give rides too for anyone that needs it. that goes for the write-ins at the sandlake barnies.. I live next to UCF so its no biggie to give rides.