Irvine Write-In Ideas

The problem with having things near UCI is that it is pretty far from the freeway. If there are a bunch of UCI students without cars who want to have meetings there, it might be movable. Later is also okay, but I don't want to make any changes yet, just for one person. Also, even if it did *start* at 5pm, it could still be going at 9 or later. Parking at the Spectrum isn't bad at all on a Monday night.

I definitely agree about the university center, Lee's or otherwise - there's usually ample parking,and it's really not far from the freeway (and not all that hard to find). XP Lee's has a good amount of outlets, I'm pretty sure, but if there's no good place in the Uni Center, then the UCI Student Center might be an option too - it's kinda far from most food, but there's a ton of space. The Spectrum just isn't good for students without cars, which may well be a significant group.

My $0.02: I really liked our write-ins last year at the Borders at the District.

So did I, and that is an option too. It was suggested to me that the Spectrum might be better because it is more in the middle of South County, and closer to both the 5 and the 405, but if people would prefer the Borders, I'm fine with that, too.

Honestly, I would prefer Borders to the spectrum if only because the less freeway driving I have to do at night the better. Lee's is also fine with me considering how close I am to the restaurant. The only reservation I have about the spectrum is that Starbucks is usually a pretty crowded environment, are we going to have enough space to accommodate all the people attending?

Where is Borders "at the District"?

It is at the District, which is a shopping center at Jamboree and Barranca in Tustin.

Thanks. I've never heard of the District. But then I'm still getting used to calling the Mall of Orange "The Village", so I'm never sure if it's a new place (to me, at least) or just a new name for an old place.

It was built about a year and a half ago, I think.

I know that Borders, it's a nice one and the shopping center is great.

I'm new to NaNo though, so I'm not sure exactly how these write-ins work. Is it really as simple as it sounds? A bunch of people with laptops writing the next Great American Novel? Sounds like a good time will be had by all.

Yep, that's pretty much it. You write with other people, and then you have people to hash ideas off of, etc. They're usually in a cafe that has lots of outlets for the laptops, etc.

What do you guys think?

Starbucks at the Spectrum or Borders at the District?

I would prefer "Borders at the District". Thanks, David S

I think so far everyone prefers Borders at the District...lol

I think so far everyone prefers Borders at the District...lol

The District Borders has a great location and plenty of seating, although it might be tough for UCI people without cars to get up there, and it's not super close to any freeway (although it's smack between the 5 and 405).

My only beef with the District Borders is that their wi-fi is not free, and internet access is important for looking things up for your plot, not to mention logging your word count.

Panera has free wi-fi, and there's one at the District and another at Culver and Barranca (which is convenient to a bus that runs to UCI). Not sure if there are other places with free wi-fi closer to the university...

:)

I am not particularly attached to Borders per se, but I would prefer The District to the Spectrum in terms of shopping centers since it is easier for me personally to attend.

I'd be willing to drive some UCI students over there if they needed it since I am at Concordia. :) My car can seat 4 other people.

I need to surround myself with people who are as crazy as I am for taking this on... was a decision made on where to meet?

The calendar gives all the write-in times and locations. Looks like Borders at the District won for the Irvine area.

How come I cannot figure out where this calendar is? I keep looking.....???

Thanks...

the calendar is at the top of the front page of the forum.

As far as the monday write-ins...no one showed up. Should we combine these with the santa ana ones (also mondays) and try to set something up for Fridays or Saturdays?

We had a turnout of a few WriMos at the Mission Viejo write-in on Monday, and there were a number of additional writers who wanted to come to that one, but were unable to do so that week. If you want a place to write on Monday nights, the write-in at the It's A Grind Coffee House in MV is still on ...

Yeah, I really think that having two write-ins in south county and one in north county on the same night was too much...the Mission Viejo and Santa Ana ones are still going, but Tustin isn't.

When/where is the Santa Ana write-in? I was going to go to the Irvine write-in tonight, but I see it's not happening. *sad*

:)

Yeah, no one showed up last week, and no one said anything about wanting to to continue, so I assumed that there was no interest. For the rest of nano, I'll be going to both MV and Santa Ana. The Santa Ana is right off the 5 at 17th street. From the south (northbound), you get off, turn right and its in that shopping center. :-)

I went to the Santa Ana write-in last night, and it was awesome -- best attended write-in in the four years I've been Nano-ing! Everyone was really nice too.

Looking forward to meeting you, skatepixie!

:)