Introduce Yourself!

I'm Michelle, and this will be my eighth year doing NaNoWriMo (and hopefully my 8th win!). I've been an ML for going on six years now, and this will be my second year with the Chicago Region as both ML and participant! I usually spend most of September and October tearing my hear out and freaking out as I get ready for November, and then spend most of November itself doing everything in my power to procrastinate on my novel. (I finished last year, but it was close!)

I tend to write anything that interests me, but I think this year will be "smart" chick-lit, about a punk librarian chick who accidentaly gets recruited to a pseudo-CIA organization after her boyfriend dumps her. Last year I wrote a YA novel, which I'm currently editing and preparing to send out to publishers.

I honestly think 2009 will be the best year EVER, which is why I'm awake two hours before my alarm to get on the forums and be gleeful, because NaNo is my third favorite time of year (after Christmas and Purim; don't front, fellow Jews, Purim is the coolest of the cool, because it's the only time of year you get to say "hamentashen", and that's just a really fun word!).

And now I'm going back to bed for two more hours.

Michelle
ML for Chicago
ml-michelle AT chiwrimo DOT org

Michelle
ML for Chicago, IL
Moderator, "Character & Plot Realism" forum
ml-michelle AT chiwrimo.org

Greetings!

I'm Hillari and this will be my first NaNoWriMo. I spent two years at Columbia College Chicago as a Fiction Writing Major. I write mostly fantasy but have dabbled with science fiction and loved it. I think the community atmosphere of NaNoWriMo is exactly what I need to get myself out of a writing slump that I've been in ever since I lost my writing portfolio at about the same time that my computer crashed, so both my hard copies and electronic backups of every decent piece of writing I ever produced vanished in a puff of smoke. I've been kinda hesitant to put pen to paper since then, convinced that my best work was gone forever. But as it turns out, fiction is too much a part of me to give it up for good. I'm ready to start over with a fresh page and give it another go.

Besides writing, I love theatre, singing, and various role playing games. I also enjoy making and wearing costumes. I prefer to spend my time with nerds, creative types, and pets. ( Between myself and my boyfriend, we own six cats. ) Part of what drew me to NaNoWriMo is the challange, but also the oportunity to expand my social circle a bit. I need an excuse to get out of the house more often. ^_^

2009: Paper in the Water

Hello Everyone!

My name is Trish, I've done NaNoWriMo for the past three years, but my first win was last year. I've always been a forum lurker, but I'm going to be doing my best to become actively involved in the forums, including becoming actively involved with my region!

I'm a sophomore at Dominican University in River Forest. As much as I love the school, I wish I could just write full time instead of going to classes... But no one will let me... =P

I really can't wait for November. I'm going to be writing the next book in what I hope to become a Trilogy of Awesomeness. I've been planning it since last November, after I wrote the first book. I have a lot of lovely and juicy ideas stored up... I really can't wait to start up again.

Other than writing, I enjoy reading... I also like to draw a little. I collect Beatles records.

I hope to get to know you all much better!
Here's to the best November yet!
=D

"Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else."
-Gloria Steinem

Hey all NaNoers!

I've participated, to some degree, in Nano since 2000, I think. Won a couple times. Offered moral support others.

This year I'm in Chicago rather than out in the hinderlands of suburbia. So...Lakeview folks...I gots some write-in place ideas. Unfortunately not the place on Sheffield this year...but there's a few places around that show promise.

Heya stranger! Welcome back!

I was actually on Sheffield the other day and noticed the Fixx Coffee place was closed =/ It would've made an excellent write-in location for the month too.

Whenever you come up with some places, just post the info on the calendar request thread and we'll advertise it for you!

Tim
Municipal Liaison for Illinois::Chicago
ml-tim at chiwrimo.org

Hello.

DaWaterRat here. Back from the abysmal failure that was last year's NaNo attempt. (It was early in my Year of Suck, but that year should be over now. (knock on wood.)) Got a good outline and I can't wait to start writing, so I'm expecting this year to be better. Hopefully more like '05, which is the only one I consider a true victory, since it's the only time I finished in the month of November. (Yes, I made it to 50K in '06 and '07, just didn't finish my story.)

I'm hoping that I can get in on the Word War this year. (We are doing a Word War, right?) That always helps me write. (I wasn't in on the word war last year either, though that was probably a good thing.)

Anyway, I'm a SAHM of a 4th grader living in the near 'burbs (the city limits are within walking distance. Towards the edge of walking distance, but still walking distance) with 3 cats, two of whom are keeping me warm right now. I probably won't make any of the city Write-in's, but I may try to make some of the ones out in Oak Park.

NaNo '09 - Phoenix Inheritors
---
Wins: NaNo '05, '09
Target Met: NaNo '06, '07, SF '09
Losses: SF '07, '08, NaNo '08

I'm Satai Delenn, aka Delenn (this is my username, not my name). I'm 35, and I attempted a NanoWrimo project last year and fell far short of the 50,000 word goal. I'm back this year and determined to succeed!

*waves enthusiastically to Michelle!* HI! :)

I'm also planning to host a write-in or two in my area, so if you live in the North/Northwest area (Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Mundelein, and Long Grove) I hope you can make it out to the write-ins!

I was writing mainly fanfic, but since taking creative writing classes this past year, I've begun branching out into other areas and plan to write a fantasy/steampunk novel this year. If I succeed, I'm hoping to get a total of three books out of this!

Back in March I entered the 2009 Skyway Writer's Festival in Chicago under the short story category and I was a finalist.

I look forward to meeting many of you this year. I've never hosted a write-in, and unfortunately I never got to make it to any of the ones hosted, so I'm hoping this year will be different!

To all the returning NanoWrimo patrons, and to all the newbies, I say, "HI!!!!"

Oh, and Michelle? I'm LMAO at Hamentashen! lol. I used to love Purim. I always dressed up as Esther, lol.

___________________________
Here's to hoping I don't flop at this!

Hi all!!

My name is Cindy, I'm 27 and this is my fourth year participating. Won '06 and '08 (2007 was a bit of rough year...) and I'm raring to win '09! I'm a floor director at a local tv station here in Chicago and feeling slightly bummy about the Olympics loss (though I did call Rio!).

I love to write, love to play guitar and love to knit, just to name some of my hobbies.

I've got no clue what I'll be writing, but that's just part of the adventure!

Welcome Cindy!

I just friended you via the ChiWriMo twitter today or yesterday...and speaking of which, did NaNo HQ get back to you on your question?

Tim
Municipal Liaison for Illinois::Chicago
ml-tim at chiwrimo.org

Hi, Everyone!

I'm Magistra, and this is my maiden NaNoWriMo voyage. I am very excited to get started. I'm going to be working on a dramedy that I've written before in two other incarnations, both screenplays, but I feel it's better suited to novel form. We. Shall. See.

As you may be able to tell from my name, I used to be a Latin teacher. Now I am a stay-at-home mom with a 15-month-old son. I live on the far Northwest Side of the city. Like far, far Northwest Side. Practically the 'burbs. I have blogged about American Idol (among other shows) for the past few years, so if you ever need to vent about that or other reality TV competition shows, I'm your lady.

I enjoy talking and not talking. I could talk and not talk for hours and still find things to not talk about. And I love movies and paraphrasing quotes from said movies, obviously.

Bonam fortunam vobis ago!

Mags
@MagistraAI

"A licky boom boom down." -- Snow

Howdy all! I'm Kinkatia, and this will be my third NaNoWriMo, but only my second in Chicago. I have won every year. I'm a second year student at Shimer College, and am busy recruiting everyone I see on campus to join us for the upcoming noveling adventure!

I've got an actual plan this year, instead of just a place and a handful of characters and a vague idea of what might possibly be going on. I've got a world figured out. I've got characters that I've known for years and that I'm very familiar with and almost completely comfortable with writing. I know the important parts of their history, how and why certain things happen, and an actual end in sight. And because my dearest Sephyr and Stalla know the importance of their roles in the much bigger story that will stretch beyond their novel, they won't stray too far from the path... hopefully.

There will NOT be a repeat of last year. I refuse to allow character to do nothing for half the novel because they'd rather cuddle or play board games.

I'm working on organizing a write-in on campus hosted by Shimer and IIT's creative writing group, Liit, and am considering hosting some myself so I can bribe people with baked goods. I'm likely going to show up to every write-in that I can get to via public transit, and I'll likely be too colorful to miss.

I'd also like to add that the anticipation is making it really hard to stay within the word limit for the short stories I have to write for my Creative Writing Workshop. I'm already thinking in novel-sized proportions.

2007: Undetermined -- Drafted
2008: Amorphous Tenacity -- Drafted
2009: Twins (Book 1 in the Annals of Cyrca) -- In Progress! Write, write, write!

Hiya!

I'm Stacy, this is my second NaNo. I participated back in 07. Then in 08 I sat out and went to law school, and now I'm back. I'm still in law school but I missed NaNo so much I had to come back this year... we'll see how it goes!

I live in the far northwest suburbs (Barrington-ish... Carpentersville) but I'm also downtown a lot because that's where I work and go to school... only thing is my time downtown is limited by the Metra schedule... boo!

Anywho, can't wait to get started... any news about the word war this year yet???

-Stacy. Just Stacy.

Hey all!

I'm KnitChick, or Mary Jo IRL (I respond to either, or MJ or KC or even the name of whatever character I'm cosplaying). This will be my *counts* fourth NaNo and hopefully third win. I'm bi-regional this year as I now have a job as a cataloger at the Naperville Public Library, so I set Chicago as my home region but I'll be out there too :)

I had to drop out of two Big Bang events recently because I haven't been able to get any writing out the last couple of months. Let's hope the "OMG WORDCOUNT!" motivation of Nano kicks me into gear. I did, however, get one Big Bang novel written earlier this year (yay!!!), it's at the TARDIS Big Bang website, http://www.tardisbigbang.com and the title is "Kiss Her Goodbye".

Lessee...when I'm not delving into the realms of science fiction writing, I'm a student at Dominican University working on my Master's in Library Science, I knit and knit and knit (just finished my winter hat, got two pair of socks, a blanket, a sweater, and a pair of fingerless gloves on the needles), and I cosplay. Oh and babble incessantly about Torchwood and Doctor Who. :D

*waves at Michelle* Your novel idea sounds awesome!!

*waves at Trish* Hi from another Dominican student! :D

Looking forward to NaNo this year!! So, who are we gonna crush in the Word War? I say we challenge Rio, blood revenge for today BWAHAHAHAHAHA! (okay, I think that means get me to bed....)

http://knitchick1979.livejournal.com

This may be a deja-vu, but we've extended an invitation to NYC for a one-on-one rematch. Details are being worked out now. You missed a great battle against all of New Zealand last year!

Tim
Municipal Liaison for Illinois::Chicago
ml-tim at chiwrimo.org

Hi I'm Ri and I'm back for year number 3. I finished last year even when I didn't like the ending and thus went back after last Nov and edited the ending and still haven't found a decent end. This year I'm going back to what my 2007 attempt was but this time have it planned out better and such. I'm aiming for 75k to get a better rounded story. We will see how good I do. It's a paranormal/thriller/romance with vampires. I'm planning on doing my outline this weekend and loving that I'm off on Nov 1 from work so I can get ahead without being tired from work. I will try to make at least one write in, but no promises with my nasty work schedule and convention at the end of Nov (which I'll most likely still be working on my book during that time).

~ Ri
NaNo 2007 ~ Untitled (lost :( )
NaNo 2008 ~ Darkness' Light (won!)
NaNo 2009 ~ Darkness' Welcome (hopefully win!)

Heya All!

Last year was my first year, and I was introduced to NaNo via the www.roomtowrite.com website. I'm happy to say that I won, and am happier still that I met some good people in my neck of the woods, namely Schaumburg. For better or worse, I didn't do much with my abbreviated novel aside from spelling, grammar, and a few minor plot corrections over the past year. This year, I plan to take it a step further and actually follow up with at least one re-write. I reckon we'll see.

Good luck all.

P.S. The freaking smoke alarm in the hallway of my shared building has been beeping, like it has a low battery, for the past five days. I tried putting an older battery I had laying around in it, and the issue continues. I then phoned the association two days ago, because I'm too cheap to buy a new battery for something that I shouldn't have to replace anyway. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that if I don't participate this year it's because I'm in jail for shooting a full clip into that %#$! smoke alarm! *Sigh*

Chudz

How much sudz could a Sudz Chudz chugz, if a Sudz Chudz could chugz sudz?

Ellos everyone! It's nice to meet you all, or see some of you guys again! I'm 'ezreader,' but people call me usually whatever they'd like. So, I've got many nick names, but for simplicity sake call me Alivaster OR ezreader. Whichever fits your fancy. =)

This is my second NaNo and my second year with the ChiWriMos! I'm a writer for many genre's but I tend to gravitate toward the fantasy, sci-fi, and YA. Though, I have been known to write all genres except horror, comedy, and a few others. This year, I'm trying my hand at the genre of romance to make it a challege and new adventure for me. (Plus, the idea really hit me hard and it's engraved in my head.)

I got into NaNo from seeing it on another website and overly curious, I came to see what it was all about around two years ago. However, it was the middle of November so I skipped out, though I WAS technically writing a novel I had worked on since that October.

I actually don't own any cats (Sorry everyone!) and don't particularly like them for the simple reason I'm pretty highly allergic (but not deathly). It just doesn't work when I'm near any cats. However, I love dogs, and I actually own my own plot bunny who's a brown dutch! I also have a particular love for guinea pigs.

Other than loving writing, I highly enjoy reading, ballroom dancing, singing, acting, playing sports, and many other things that's mostly listed on my page.

I can't wait for this year to start, and this year I'm coming out of my home to hopefully see some of you this year! Though, right now, I need to run off and work on my ballroom dancing, so Alivaster, signing out!

NaNo'08 ---- "Keeping Sanity" -------- Fantasy ------- 52,562 Words --- WON!
NaNo'09 ---- "Love in Death" ------- Romance ----- - ? - Words --- -?-

Goodmorning! This will be my first year participating in nano officially, but I did join last year and mussed around a bit. I am 15 years old, 16 in January, and live in the suburbs, specifically, Park Ridge. I really have no idea how I'm going to pull this off between school and AP homwork, but I'm giving it a good go. I have been writing for a long time, but most of my work is unfinished. Mainly I doodle in short stories and verse, but I've always wanted to write a novel. Other than writing, I read, run, take care of my dog (who is going to help get me through this) and spend way too much time online.
My novel is really a mix-up of memoir and literary fiction. A really messed up mix. I have it semi-outlined and I'm just going to wait and see how it goes from here.

nanowrimo 2009: The Building of Facades

Hiya nutmeg! I'm popping in here to say that it is completely possible to finish your NaNoNovel while dealing with tons of schoolwork. I'm in my second year of college, and last November was killer. But I found a method that I believe works. Remember to always put school first. If you refuse to allow yourself to write until your homework and all is done, you'll be more motivated to get it done faster, and then not only will all your assignments be done on time, you'll actually have more time to write! Plus, if you fall behind, know that I wrote about half my novel in the last week of November, mostly over Thanksgiving. (And that's where the best writing got done, too!) It is completely possible, and entirely exhilarating!

Also, you should come to write-ins. They're terribly fun and astoundingly productive events.

2007: Undetermined -- Drafted
2008: Amorphous Tenacity -- Drafted
2009: Twins (Book 1 in the Annals of Cyrca) -- In Progress! Write, write, write!

My name is Joanna I am 31, and this is my second try at NANO, last year I was trying a fan fiction I fail badly. This year I am trying something new and creating my own story.

My life is filled by working for Starbucks, spending too much time on Facebook, learning to knit ,and reading everything from JK Rowling to the Twilight books and reading the new ones I got from the Banned Book Readout.

My character has been chattering away at me, wanting to get written. It's a story about a young girl who has a learning disability and is partially deaf. This is through her point of view, how she sees her life, her friends, family and going to school.

::waves to the MS HAWK:: (I graduated from MS in 1997)

My name is Daniel and this is going to be Nano Number 5 for me. I've won every other year at this point, so if the pattern continues, this year will be victory!

I've been working on this giant mess of a quadrilogy in my spare time for the past 3 years (including the past 2 Nanos). This year I'm going to take a break from it and try to write something short and sweet. It's called "Zuu and the Stormchasers." I know it's going to end in or around the planet Jupiter.

Hi. My name is Ashly and I attend Northwestern, so it's always a git of a challenge getting my NaNo done around schoolwork. I've done NaNo for 3 years, but last year was my first win. I write when I can, finding that it helps me unwind from the chaos that is a major in engineering. Some of my non-writing hobbies include playing guitar, knitting, spending way too much time online, watching anime, and reading.

Since I completed NaNo last year, and I feel that my plot has a lot of potential (not including the plots that I have for sequels) that I would like to explore, I'm making it my personal goal to write 100,000 words this year.

Hey, hey, Crimmy here!

This is my fifth year doing NaNo, and I'm extremely excited for this year. My goal is to beat last year's word count and hopefully not go insane. =)

Hope to see you all around November!

-CrimsonBlood

2005: 50.7K
2006: 100.2K
2007: 326.5K
2008: 686.4K

Hi Crimson, Hi Knitchick! *waves enthusiastically*

And hello to all the other people I don't know!

Good to see everyone!

My goal is simply to try to get 50,000 words while training for a new job and finishing assignments for my writing class, lol.

This is going to be a hectic November!

___________________________
Here's to hoping I don't flop at this!

Hallo, hallo, everybody! I'm LaTia, I'm 21 and this'll be my fourth NaNo and my first win! My characters have told me that I will win, and it's best to listen to them during these trying times, ya know?

When I'm not writing, I spend too much time at work [Barnes and Noble, can ya believe it?], drinking coffee, spending too much time on Facebook [Farmville owns my soul, I swear], and trying not to give my paycheck back to my job.

I'm located in the West Suburbs and invite anyone who's stopping by the Oak Brook mall during NaNo to come by my store to get some writing done! It's usually pretty quiet in the evenings, and there's plenty of coffee and outlets. :D

NaNo 2009: "Untitled (In Which Things Happen)" - Not Started

How do YOU think my username is pronounced? Tell me in a NaNoMail and receive a free* cookie for guessing!

*Cookie may or may not actually exist.

Hey Satai! Nice to see you! =D

How's the planning going?

2005: 50.7K
2006: 100.2K
2007: 326.5K
2008: 686.4K

Well, hi all. I'm Mimi, and this is my second year doing nano. I completely failed last year, by the way, getting barely 20k with what seemed like a good plot at the time. I'm hoping this year will be better, but classes are cruel in November I've learned, which isn't the most beneficial thing in the world. At least we get a whole week off for Thanksgiving break.
I'm going to be fifteen in three weeks, and I'm a freshman in high school. I don't really know anyone in my school, seeing as I just moved from Forest Park to where I am now, but I'm surviving . . . kind of.
I'm already almost done with a novel I started in April--nearly 70k--and I really want to finish it before November so I don't accidentally forget about it, because a lot of friends will be royally ticked at me if I somehow gave up.
My idea this year is a kind of paranormal romance set a midieval time period, which should be interesting. I have it mapped out to about the middle, and then I have no idea after that, so we'll see . . . *crosses fingers*

Smile, it confuses people XD

*waves spastically* Helllllo everyone! :) It's certainly nice to see some new writers, as well as all returning ones! Well, I'm Gema or Emily or whatever and some of you probably remember me from last year (I lived my life vicariously through the NaNo Chicago chatroom) as the crazy fangirl obsessed with Word Wars. xDD

A quick intro is in order anyway, I guess. Well, I'm fourteen and I go to St. Ignatius (goooo sucky football teams! yay! :]) and this will be my third year doing NaNoWriMo and, if I plan meticoulously enough ahead, my first win! My first year, I started twelve days late with no plot and ended with 12K (i can has epic fail?) and last year went a bit more smoothly with 30K.

My novel this year is really hard to explain as it involves meticulous backstory and I am horrible at summarising. But it's basically about this high school student in the distant future who is recruited by this secret society called the Ax Proxima to help take down the future!totalitarian government, which functions according to the teachings of this creep tome called The Book (will be given bettter name later, fear not)

28 days to prepare! :) We got this, guys. Legit. (quick note: I seriously overuse the words "epic", 'fail", "fantastic" and "legit". it will get annoying so I apologize in advance. I'll try to keep the teenager-talk to a minimum xD)

NaNo '07: As To Be Written In Prose: FAIL @ 12k
NaNo '08: White Noise: LOST @ 32k
NaNo '09: Hell Over Soil: TBA

Good to see you too Crimson!

Lol. The planning this year is actually going well. I think I'm good to go, and I'm really hoping I don't run out of steam like I did last year. I think this story really has potential and if I can get this one completed, there is a possibility of two sequels stemming from it. This is what's partially motivating me. I just wish we could start now!

Now if only I could get motivated to pay my bills and do my class assignment...

lol.

___________________________
Here's to hoping I don't flop at this!

Hi I'm David. This will be my 3rd year doing NaNoWriMo, a winner the last two years. I'm ready to roll this year. The last two novels were winners, but they didn't really make any sense. I have a secondary goal this year, and that's to actually write something cohesive that doesn't require major copy editing. Maybe something good will come out of it. I'm going to be writing a "high school noir" novel. I hung out with some great people at the Lincoln Square write-ins, and I'm hoping that we can do something like that again.