Write-ins (planning)

Panino's is good for Saturdays. I like the food and the atmosphere there.

Alley Cat is good, as long as we can find enough seats.

Maybe we could reserve the upstairs at Bean Cycle on a given night of the week. Now's the time to ask.

Tuesdays aren't ideal, but they'll do in a pinch, for Lisa and me.

Mondays might be intermittently busy for the two of us. Every single week, either Thursday or Friday is out of the question. I'm not sure if it's going to be just one of them for the month, or the other, or sometimes one and sometimes the other. We'll be having D&D and Pathfinder games on those days. One or two other NaNoWriMo participants may be affected by this as well.

Sunday mid-afternoon through evening is out of the question for Lisa.

We'll be unable to attend the entire last week of the month, with the possible (but unlikely) exception of later in the evening on the last day of the month.

The 12th is probably out of the question for us.

We might also be unavailable on the weekend of the 15th.

Hmm. I guess this means we won't be making it to nearly as many write-ins this year as last year. Bummer.

Part of town? Well, we live in southern Fort Collins, so I guess closer to that would be nice -- especially for write-ins that occur during business hours on weekdays since I'll probably only be attending those if I can bike to them.

I like both "quiet and focused" and "rowdy and full of things to distract". The most important thing for me would probably be access to beverages and snacks. Since I try to avoid drinking anything with high fructose corn syrup in it -- and absolutely avoid anything carbonated with high fructose corn syrup in it -- that might limit my choices of venue somewhat, except in cases where it's not entirely outre to bring my own water (I don't drink tap water either -- tastes like ass, even in Fort Collins).

I love writing at Harmony Library. Coffee shops can be good as well. Could we get into on on the south end of town (something on Harmony maybe?) It's on the small side, but Half Moon Bay might be a good south FoCo location.

Times that are good for me: Monday and Thursday nights, Tuesday and Wednesday day time, Friday afternoon. Weekends are mostly open.

Kit

I have no real idea of what venues would be best. I do like writing at both the Alley Cat (when it's not busy in the early mornings) and Bean Cycle. I'm fairly flexible as far as noise/quiet goes. My biggest issue is wireless. If it's available I'm always liable to end up writing livejournal entries rather than working on my fiction. Places with access to outlets would also be appreciated since I may not be able to replace my laptop battery before 11-1.

I'm fairly free (or can make myself so) most weeknights except Mondays, and I may end up free on Mondays at some point during the month. (It's my night at the CSA, and I'm not entirely sure how long we'll run thus year.) I work 8-5ish M-F, but might be able to make a write-in over the noon hour if it is on or close to campus since I work at CSU. Weekends I'm technically usually free, but I expect most of my writing will take place during the week as weekends are for chores and spending time with my husband.

Campus/old town are the easiest areas for me since I'm usually either on my bike, taking the bus, or reliant on my husband for transportation. If my husband does decide to participate (he's actually toying with the idea) then any place is fine.

-Kaki

I will not be able to make Tuesdays and Thursdays due to rehearsals for a Christmas production. I would like to speak for the North end of town... lol. I'm too cheap poor to drive to the South end of town very much, though I did enjoy the write-ins at Half Moon Bay last year (they did distract me, but I was able to pick up some books at Reader's Cove that got me right back on target, so it paid off!). I like the Alley Cat and we've just got round to trying Mugs, and we liked that quite a bit as well.

I am a big fan of any kind of write-in-- there's just something about being with other people who have creativity on the brain that helps like crazy. :D Mostly I just miss everyone like crazy and will be so happy to be back with my friends. Lol. Though I may have broken my finger today, and that sucks because typing hurts like a mother. :P

- catnip_martini

I use the heck out of Internet access for research purposes while writing, so a free wireless network is a definite plus for me.

I find Half Moon Bay small and uncomfortable, and last time I was there I didn't like the selection of beverages much. Too bad Coal Creek closed, or that would be an excellent choice.

I second the nomination of the Harmony Library option for daytime write-ins, as long as we can get one of those study rooms.

The cafe I couldn't remember the name of is The Wild Boar. They actually have a room in the back with a big table that might make for a good venue.

Getting a study room at Harmony Library just requires beating everyone else there...

I almost had an idea for my novel today. November, here I come!

Kit

I want to second the Wild Boar. I got quite a bit of work done there over the summer.

Most evenings are good for me, with Mondays probably being the best during the week. Since I work a daytime job Monday through Thursday, there will probably not be any really late nights for me during the week. Sunday days are good, too, and last year's Sunday write-ins at La Dolce Vida were nice and productive.

Woot! Write-ins! - drew...who vows to attend more write-ins than he did last year...

Thursdays through Saturdays work for me...for now, at least. Oh, and CSU games trump write-ins, due to my girlfriend being in the marching band.

1: Places with wireless are definitely a plus, but not required. Caffeine and sugar can help too.
2: I live around Drake and College, so near places are good, but I can drive a bit as well.
3: M/W/F I have class from 0900-1100 and work from 1300-1700, T/R I work 0900-1700. I have no standing obligations Sa/Su.
4: I tend to prefer "on task but open to questions and brainstorming sessions", but I don't mind having fun sometimes too.

Hi! My name is Mai, and this is my second Nano, my first time officially as a FoCoWrimo.

The Harmony Library would be great. ^^ My knowledge of cafes/restaurants/venues is disappointly small otherwise. Preferably south/southeast, to the center of town-ish, but I'll try to make my way to a few even if they're farther away. Any day besides Tuesdays and Thursdays would be excellent, not as late as nine or ten but after four. I think an on task, productive atmosphere, but open to brainstorming and questions would be ideal, as well as a few focused conversations. That's my personal preference. :/

I may come up for a Saturday Paninos or two. ;-)

Just to let y'all know, if you're in the South Denver areas on Wednesday evenings during November, I'm hosting a write-in and y'all are more than welcome to join. I know it's a long-shot, but ya never know, especially for those of you that will be back down in this area the Wednesday before Thanksgiving but would still like to hit up a write-in.

There will also likely be present some of the best frozen custard you'll every try. *evil grin* Bribery - does a writer good.

If anyone's interested, post here or let me know or whatever and I'll get you the info!

I'm definitely a coffee junkie. Anywhere with coffee is more than great for me.

An update on the Alley Cat, though: with the change in management, I'm not so sure they'll be open to very frequent write-ins. Lately people have been getting kicked out for being there too often, no matter how much money they drop on the place. I myself, while I was still working there, was told I probably shouldn't come in anymore outside of my shifts.

On top of that, with the school year started up again and an apparently growing popularity of the place, there is absolutely nowhere to sit in the evenings at all. Early mornings (until about 9am) are really slow, and of course no one's there late at night/early in the morning.

I'd still recommend the Alley Cat for overnighters, but not much else.

(overnighters are great, by the way :D)

Seriously? That's absurd. I really need to find a better place to hang out. It's just difficult to find places open that late.

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all original text licensed PDL [ http://pdl.apotheon.org ]

I can't really suggest any spots for writing ... My knowledge of places like that is very very small.

I think evening write-ins would be okay for me, though with homework and whatnot, I'm not sure how many I can attend. Thursdays are out for me, as are Tuesdays. Saturday/evening Sunday would probably be the best.

Ashe

Alright, well, I have classes during the week, and work every day, but I will definitely fit in as many different write in days as possible. I love them to death! They're my favorite!

I can do anything after 5pm. I work until then each day, except for Sunday, which I'm completely free...mostly. I really enjoyed La Dolce Vita as a write-in place. The people there were real nice, and it's pretty quiet.
Also, as an idea, what if we did one at CSU? After classes are finished, Lory Student Center is really open and quiet. We can definitely find a place to work there, and it's kinda in the middle of the city, so it's a fair place for everyone. Parking opens up for free after 4:30 in most lots, so you don't have to worry about your car or anything either.

And can we have another fieldtrip day? Going up to Estes was a lot of fun, and I know we got quite a bit of work done there. If we don't want to do the Stanley again, we could take over a restaurant or the library. :)

So, yeah. I hope I can get to a bunch of write-ins this year. Last year, it's what kept me going. I've never had so much fun! I can't wait to see you guys again!

Niassa -
I might be willing to drive up to South Denver for a write in or two if you get me the info, and even drag my roommate along with me. Definitely closer to the Springs than FoCo... though I hope to make it up that far to a write-in or two if I can, because I love my FoCo WriMos. :)

Hi Slythrn_barnbum,

Powerwoman (carmen) from Estes here. Schmoo suggested the two of us maybe organize a write-in in Estes. I think it would be fun to do one at the Stanely again (I often write there on my own...I love the energy). Maybe reserving a "ghost/historic tour" of the hotel just prior to our write-in would be fun, interesting, and maybe inspire some ideas or "Stephen King prolific writing energy" just prior to getting to work at our laptops.

A Saturday between Nov 6-Nov 22 works for me. Lets see how many people would be interested. Reservations need to be made for the tour (I believe it is $10 per person...I will check to be sure). There may also be people down in the Valley (as we Estes folks call FTCO and Loveland) who need rides.

Contact me through the email if you would like to help plan/prepare this write in.

:) Powerwoman

Definitely!

They are going to be $10 if we do a tour. If there's interest, people should post here so we know. If we get enough people, we could have our own tour up there! Maybe post your favorite date(s) that would work for you, and we'll try to plan one that works for everyone. I'm willing to give rides, too!

I'd be totally into a tour and write-in at the Stanley, and I assume my hubby would join us for at least the tour. (I'm still trying to talk him into doing nano. I think he might give in eventually.) The only weekend I know is out for anything for us is the weekend of the 8th and 9th (our 2nd anniversary is the 4th, so we're headed to hot springs that weekend to celebrate).

By the way, I was interested (and appalled) to hear the less-than-stellar things about the Alley Cat. It was my early morning hang-out last winter and was such a friendly, low-key place. It makes me really sad to hear that things have gotten so busy that they feel the need to start kicking people out. I haven't been in there in ages (no coffee budget of late), but maybe that's a good thing. I don't take to change all that well...

-Kaki

You've got mail - NaNoMail, that is. :-) Depending on where you're at in the Springs, and, of course, depending on traffic, I'm only about 45 minutes to an hour away. :-)

My words, they pour like children from the playground...

Make sure that you change the subject header so it includes something about Estes or the Stanley when you reply. Otherwise it gets difficult to cull through messages. Or just reply to this one - I've already created a new subject heading for it.

Thanks, all!

~shmoo
~~~~~~~~
Returning Municipal Liaison, 2008
NaNoWriMo winner, 2005, 2006, 2007

I'd probably be interested in going to the Estes write-in again. However, I will not be in Colorado from the 12th to the 16th, so if it's during that weekend, I will be unable to attend. And depending on when my write-ins are I may or may not be able to attend. Sooooooo basically I'll be there if I can!

I freaking love the Alley Cat too; it's very sad that it's not the place it used to be. Still has some kickass chai though...^_^

1) I prefer coffee shops for venues as I tend to be able to make the ones later in the night and need caffeine if I'm going to stay semi-coherent and write in my novel.
2) I live on-campus at CSU so anything close to that would be ideal. Though I do have a car and am willing to drive places if I really want to.
3) Evenings after 8 since I work, and then weekends
4) I like to have a mix of those atmospheres. Depends on what I need to do.

There's a calendar of events on the front page of the Fort Collins forum now! Write-ins will be added once they're known. Woot!

I am interested in attending a write-in in the morning... Friday mornings or weekends I could stay longer/start later; other weekdays I would need to leave by 7:30 or so to get to work. Don't know if there are any other early morning writers out there, but it would be cool if there are! As I live in Wellington and have no social life, I'm not sure of a venue to suggest, however...

Last year we did have at least one weekly morning write-in. However, it was at the Harmony Library, which doesn't open until 10 or so. Tell me more about your Friday schedule. I'll be switching to morning shift (7am start time), and will have Fridays off. We might be able to find a time that works for both of us.

=====
Simmon/traevoli
Municipal Liaison for Fort Collins, CO

Last winter I spent several months coming into town between 6:30 and 7:00 and writing at various places close to campus until it was time for me to start work at 8:00. I plan to do the same thing for Nano. I bounced back and forth between the Starbucks at College and Laurel, Deja Vu, the Alley Cat and the first floor of the Lory Student Center near the transit desk (the building is pretty much empty that early). I'd be up for combining at least some of my morning writing time with a write-in, but I do need to be within walking distance of campus. (My ride into town drops me off at about 6:45 and then I have to walk to work on Howes by 8:00.)

-Kaki

I hereby commit my vampire monkey butt to a Friday morning write-in.

Earlier in the morning seems to work better for Kaki, and I am down for that, as my Fridays are flexible and I'm up early anyway. How about a 6:30-6:45-ish start time, somewhere near campus. Any of the places Kaki mentioned works for me, but I suppose it might depend on how many people come--as I recall, Deja Vu is really small, but I haven't been there in a few years (remember, I'm looking to nanowrimo to boost my social life!). How about you, Simmon, and Crash? Does that sound good to either of you?

Would anyone be up for mini write-ins on the Front Range campus from 2-4 in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Thursdays?