Introductions

hey everyone!

I'm Mike. Last year was my first NaNo, and won by a hair. I write genre fiction. Last year I did fantasy, and this year I will be doing science fiction. I just started at Valencia pursuing an AA in General Engineering, which I will transfer to UCF to finish out my bachelors in--well, i'm not exactly sure. I love science so it will be either a specified engineering degree, physics, or astronomy. I am considering double majoring, and want to pursue a masters.

I play drums in a progressive rock band called Fæthm. http://www.myspace.com/faethmband (couldn't help the shameless plug :p). I like to paint, and i make my own canvas. I also play World of Warcraft (insert nerd joke here).

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces from last year, and can't wait to meet all the new peeps! Break out the coffee IV!

\m/

:blog:: http://mreynoldo.blogspot.com
:AIM:: polypatterns

Hi!

I'm Rachel - I first joined last year, and won, but I was back in LA at the time (LaLa land - not Louisiana). I'm here getting an MBA at Rollins mostly just trying to wait out the economy. I don't tend to writing anything terribly exciting - I'm more interested in people's internal psychological battles - but I have a great time doing it, and I can't wait for this thing to get started!

Rachel

NaNoWriMo 2008: "Dreams" - winner

Hi everyone!

I'm Erin and this will be my sixth official year doing NaNo [did it a few years prior to that with my own rules and without coming anywhere near the website / forums]. This year, I'm writing the third installment of my non-liner series of books. It's a chick lit set in a small, rural area just outside Central London.

I'm 23 and have a BA in Spanish with minors in math and music from FL Southern College. Currently, my degree hasn't been much help and I work for Universal Studios. This is the first year doing NaNo that I'm actually living in the city of Orlando [right near the Mall at Millenia], instead of hopping between St. Cloud and Lakeland, so I'm hoping I'll actually get to attend a write-in or two.

Looking forward to getting to know you guys!

http://erinfoster.webs.com
Purchase the AugNo 2009 Anthology or my 2007 NaNo

Hey Guys,

My name is Geovanie. A bit of background on my username, it's something I invented during my sophomore year of highschool when i needed to come up with a quick pseudonym to play a game with a classmate online. It has since followed my online endeavors.

Currently I'm attending VCC East, as I have for the past 3 years. I'm finally buckling down and working on my Gen Eds and electives for a pre-major in Computer Science. From VCC, I'll head back to UCF to finish out my BS degree in CS. After that, I'll try my hand at getting into UCF/EAs Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy for my Masters degree in Interactive Entertainment.

I'm an entertainer at my core and as such I love video games, fiction, and how they can be infused to create an immersive, story-driven, platform. I love reading fantasy and science fiction novels. My favorite fantasy novel is The Wheel of Time, and my favorite science fiction novel is Stranger from a Strange Land. I like writing in a style that allows me to be free with my ideas. I really like Punk styles, fantasy, science fiction, romance, and a touch of suspense. If I had to pick a genre to stick to, I don't think I could.

My NaNo project is going to be a cyberpunk novel, which I'm aiming for it to be the first book of a trilogy named Rebel Impulse. While NaNo's objective is 50K, my personal objective is to reach at least double that. I've yet to win a nano yet due to conflicted scheduling and lack of dedication, however, I hope the level of dedication I've built for this iteration of the contest will help push me to the finish line.

Hi! I'm Sarah and this is my second NaNo. Last November I was in Syracuse New York. I finished, but I was up there for work and didn't have a social life to speak of... so this year should be much more challenging!

I primarily write fantasy and sci fi, with a leaning towards urban fantasy. This year I will make my very first attempt at writing a YA novel!

I am 26, have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and work as a Copywriter for a web development firm! I live in the Dr Phillips area with my sister and puppy, Jasper.

http://www.twitter.com/sarahnfisk

Hell yes! I love the Wheel of Time. I am listening to the series on audio book, having read up through book 8. Never got around to reading the others yet though I plan to. It's a shame Robert Jordan died before finishing the last book. I hope the guy finishing it (brandon sanders?) can fill his shoes at least a little. I suppose the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. :p

Peace favor your sword.

\m/

:blog:: http://mreynoldo.blogspot.com
:AIM:: polypatterns

My name is Shannon, aka RangerChic and this will be my third year doing Nano. I have yet to win, but this is my year! Last year, I ended up losing my job in the midst of Nano (well, learning I would be gone the first week of December), so I had a lot of stress to deal with meaning my novel went by the wayside. I am determined to get to 50,000 words this year and of course complete my novel. :)

I am a freelance writer and photographer who moved to Western North Carolina in June 2008 from Orlando and ended up back down here in Central Florida before Christmas. Presently, I work in a call center to pay the bills. My goal is to be back up in Asheville, North Carolina by the end of the summer 2010.

My novel is a mystery/crime story based upon a true crime that happened in Asheville. Been wanting to work on this for a very long time now, so I can't wait to dive into all of my research!

~Shannon Chenoweth
Musings of a Writer

Hi! I'm Lunas.

This will be my 6th NaNoWriMo, and my first in which I don't have the dreaded thing called college/grad school weighing on me. Hopefully, it'll be my 6th win as well, and my third handwriting.

I tend to write sci-fi/fantasy, though I have dabbled in other genres. It never really gets anywhere, as my home is in speculative fiction. I'll be writing a historical fantasy set during WWII this year.

I look forward to meeting you guys! :-)

"Do you think he plans it all out or just makes it up as he goes along?" Captain Theodore Groves . . . on NaNoWriMo?

I handwrite NaNo. Yes, I am insane.

Moderator :: Writing Groups and Clubs

My name is Gary, AKA, Surfer_Clock, and this will be my second year taking on the NaNo challenge...and hopefully my second year as a winner as well.

Much like last year, I'm still a Disney cast member and I'm still working full-time. The difference this year is that I'm taking a 32-hour work schedule over the next 6 months to make more time for the writing and family time during the holidays. 32 hours is no guarantee, of course, particularly with the busy season starting right around NaNo time.

One change this year is that I'm also enrolled at the Institute for Children's Literature, so I do have a potential other obligation depending on when my next assignment's deadline falls, as it's possible that it could end up being due in December, leaving most of November free for NaNo.

Depending on what schedule changes occur to my schedule, I'll see what meetings I can make, as I did enjoy meet-ups last year.

Hi everyone! I'm Abby aka Abreena and this is my second year of NaNoWriMo-ing. I won last year, but I don't like most of what I wrote. Currently, I am attending UCF as a sophomore Social Science Education major and I work part time at a local church. I'm also very involved in a student organization, unlike last year, so we'll see how this goes!

Unfortunately, I do not have a car, so I can only attend meet-ups very close to UCF. The forums should be fun though!

Hi Everyone!

My name is Stuart Myers, and my pen name is Ochani Lele. I'm an author of three books on the Lucumi (Santeria) faith, published by Destiny Books, a division of Inner Traditions. In August 2010, my first collection of short stories will be published by them.

This is my first year competing in NaNoWriMo.

I found out about NaNoWriMo last year in the middle of November -- obviously too late to participate.

My project is untitled; however, I will be working the traditional Yoruba/Lucumi creation myths into a coherent whole, using them as the basis of a novel.

Hopefully, this will get published (eventually) and will be the start of a series.

I'm also hoping that other writers who participate in my website, lit.org, will take the NaNoWriMo challenge this year. There, I've opened a space dedicated to the writers who take the challenge, where we can post our daily work and motivate each other.

I can't wait until November 1st!

Ochani

Hi,

I'm Cat. I'm new to FL, but not new to Nano. I've participated in Nanowrimo for the last 6 yrs, in another life (least it feels that way, lol) I had a data entry job, taught karate, and did advertising for the studio I was at (just basic stuff). Now I work, write & spend time with my cat, plants & fiance. I look forward to attending some of the Nano events though I must admit it's going to feel a bit odd with none of the familiar faces I'm used to.

Good luck all.

Cat

Howdy, folks. My name's John. This will be my first serious attempt at NaNo. I've known about it for years, and I haven't really tried to participate before.

I'll be writing a fantasy story that's likely to be as much crack as anything else, but hopefully it will be fun. I'm an assistant manager for a major convenience store chain (no, you can't have free coffee :p) and a motorcycle enthusiast in my spare time. I live across the street from UCF, and end up all over Orlando when I feel like it. I may even come out to some of the meet ups, if I have the time off. :)

Hello Everyone,

My name is Aleesha ... This is my first year participating in NaNo and I am very excited to see some life on the site now. I have been wondering on to it since March... Anyway I just moved to Orlando about a year ago from New York City and I am glad to now be able to wear flip flops all year around! I have a MA in Speech Comm from NYU and my writing has been pretty much limited to Academic writing so I am excited to try my hand at a novel - The only problem is there is too many ideas! So I hope over the next few weeks I can narrow something down and commit to it! I look forward to meeting everyone!

Hello everyone!

My name is Elizabeth, and I am the other ML. This is my second year as an ML and my fourth year doing NaNo. As of right now I am still undecided about what I want to write this November, but I've still got a few weeks to figure that out. :)

My non writing hobbies are playing instruments & writing songs, cooking/baking, and doing crafts (most recently I've gotten into jewelry making).

I look forward to meeting you all over the course of November!

Happy writing,
Elizabeth

Orlando ML

Hi Everyone,

Iris here. (yes - my username is not so creative... sigh)

This will be my third NaNo and I am looking forward to it with great anticipation. The last two have taught me incredible things! On top of that, I've met some delightful people who are inspiring and worthy of admiration for reasons beyond word count!

When I embarked on my first NaNo I was working 75 hours a week on a development project in Miami that was going nowhere - like watching a giant building teetering in an earthquake. That was 2007, just before the real estate bubble truly imploded. That is the year I came to realize that if my life would end in one year, I wanted to spend that time with my laptop - writing. That is the year I woke up at 45 years old and realized I couldn't put off my life anymore. That was also the year - starting off with a very vague sense of purpose and a goal of 50k in 30 days - I discovered my tendency to write stories that reach beyond reality (at least the one most humans agree upon) and break thru boundaries of consciousness. Mysticism, mythology, fantasy, SciFi, Steampunk, Weird Westerns, Cyberpunk, other worldly lands... they fascinate me.

Last year, I discovered (much to my still shivering ego's dismay) that I need to learn my craft and grow in a more technically sound direction if all this glorious creativity is going to give birth to something that anyone else can understand.

Consequently, I've spent the last 12 months in the dance of chaos and structure that writers know well. It goes a little like this...

"Wow, this is brilliant! No one has ever done anything like this before! I love it!"

(next day - sometimes after seeing a movie preview that seems vaguely familiar)

"OMG, this is crap! I hate myself, I just spent four months re-hatching every theme known to fantasy literature... this is the worse thing ever written. Where's that damn hemlock?"

So, here I am again. Can't wait for the hugs, face slaps, laughter, butt kicks, ego wringing, and strange prizes (I still love my little black play doh!) that is NaNo - Orlando.

(thanks MLs!!)

Iris

"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill

Hello!

This is my fifth time participating in NaNo, although I've only one twice.

I've been living in Orlando since June 2007, just after Hubby and I got married. We live on the east side (near Bithlo), and we'll most likely be moving somewhere near(ish) Altamonte Springs in the near future.

I'm a work-at-home mom. My son was born this August (he'll be two months tomorrow, actually), and I work as a freelance writer part time. I write a lot of online content, but my passion is (and always will be) novels. When I'm not taking care of "Bean" and writing for others, I'm working on my first novel, which started as a NaNo novel, actually.

In addition to writing, reading, and being a mom, I'm addicted to coffee (currently decaf since I'm nursing), I love scrapbooking, and I'm a bit of an organization freak.

For a little insight into my writing world, you can read my blog: http://coffee-stainedwriter.blogspot.com or follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CSWriting.

For a little insight into my personal world, you can read my blog: http://coffee-stainedmama.blogspot.com or follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NPalmby.

Yay for Orlando NaNo!

Nicole Palmby
npalmbyauthor@gmail.com
http://coffee-stainedwriter.blogspot.com

NaNoWriMo 2009: She Pondered These Things in Her Heart
NaNoWriMo 2008: Untitled (winner)
ScriptFrenzy 2008: Do You Remember? (winner)
NaNoWriMo 2007: Untitled (winner)

Hi there I am Brian. This is my first time participating in NaNo and my first attept at a novel. I used to write all the time when I was younger but stopped at some point. Writing a novel has always been a dream of mine and due to an illness I find I have all the time in the world to do it.

I have a bunch of ideas floating around in my head for subjects, all within the setting of historical fiction. I am a huge history buff so doing the research is as much fun for me as seeing my own writing. My only fear is that there will be many days I am not well enough to write. I am trying to remember that most of you have to fit the writing into work and school schedules so if you can do that then my illness shouldn't be an excuse.

I don't know how many meet-ups I will be able to attend as I am all the way out in Clermont and am not really supposed to drive although I do around town when I can't get a ride. I do hope to get to at least one event so I can get faces to go with everyone's names.

Good luck everyone!

Brian

Hi Brian,

Welcome to Nanowrimo.

While 50,000 words is official goal of Nanowrimo, this year Elizabeth and I want to encourage people to consider their personal goals and ongoing writing goals too. Not everyone can slam out 50,000 words in a month, but that doesn't mean those people can't write a novel. Historical novels are particularly difficult to write fast because of all the research needed. So for some people, November might be more of a way to think about incorporating their writing schedule into their life. If you're battling an illness, Nano may help you learn what times of the day work better for writing and help you get into a schedule.

If we can find a handful of Clermont people, we might be able to find someone to host write-ins in the area. We'll also be focusing more on using the web and technology to keep people involved and excited about Nanowrimo.

Tina Marie

ML for Orlando, Florida; Mod for the Erotica forum
http://mariedees.com

Hi, I'm Laura. This is my fourth or fifth year participating in NaNoWriMo, not quite sure how long I've been doing it and it's definitely not been concurrent (college made me forget about it one year!) Not sure what else to write for an introduction...I love music and am hardly ever found without headphones on, and of course I'm always singing along to whatever is playing.

Greetings and salutations, all!

Lori here, two-time NaNo'er. I'll be "cheating" a bit at NaNo this year since I need to finish a current in-process novel rather than start a new one. But since I only have the first four chapters of it written, there's definitely room for 50,000 words more!

Mostly I've published fantasy and horror, and am currently shopping a YA fantasy and an adult urban fantasy around the publishing world, so here's hoping!

I also edit for a small romance epublisher and sell freelance travel articles on the side. By day, I'm a mild mannered (cough*cough) Friend of Mickey over here at Epcot. By night, I behead munchkins and hang out with Buddhist vegetarian vampires and shapeshifters with ferret envy.

Looking forward to meeting you guys at the write-ins!

Smiles!
Lori

Smiles!
Lori

Hi, all! My name is Laurel Ann, but I generally just go by Ann. I lived in Orlando most of my life, but spent the last five years in Gainesville, Florida. I graduated from UF last December with a bachelor's in anthropology with a specialization in archaeology and a minor in religion. Guess how much call there is for that in this economy? Yeah, none.

So I work at Disney now, in the Epcot parking lot, and I LOVE it. I also worked seasonally at Universal for 6 years.

I live just south of downtown in the Conway area, but my parents are in Dr. Phillips, so I'm over there pretty frequently.

It's my third year doing NaNo, but I've never won before. I attribute this largely to college, and the fact last November, not only was I finishing up my last semester, but I was also planning my wedding. I still got to 15k, for which I'm proud. We don't need to talk about my first attempt. It was a disaster.

Last year's novel was some sort of fantasy grim reaper thing that I miss and haven't had a chance to pick back up. I haven't really decided on this year's yet, but it'll probably be similarly fantastical... I love writing as escapism, not gonna lie.

Feel free to look me up on LiveJournal and Facebook, I'll post that info on the appropriate thread, and I'm really looking forward to getting to meet you all at write-ins!

-A

Hello all. My name is Danielle and this will be my first time participating. I've dreamed of being a novelist since the second grade. My school was holding a writing contest and my teacher had everyone in the class submit a story. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote another one and submit it as well. My first story won an honorable mention and the second one I wrote for fun won second place in my grade. I've been fascinated with the art of writing ever since. In the sixth grade I started my first book. Since then, I have been writing on and off, never really finishing anything. I'm hoping to change that this year.

I am 23 years old and am currently working for UCF, the YMCA and seasonally at Disney, and I plan on going back to school to finish my AA in January. I'm a bit of a music junky with random and eclectic tastes. I feel rather lost without my mp3 player with me. And I love stories that take me out my world and toss me into another. My favorite genres are historical romance and fantasy. I also love scifi but mostly in movies and tv shows, I don't read a lot of it. I will most likely be writing a fantasy next month, though I haven't settled on a particular story yet. I could end up writing an historical romance instead.

Hello Nanowriters! My name is Marangely. Yes, I know is rare and unique and hard to pronounce, just call me Mara. I live in Clermont not so far from Orlando. I am high school junior, I feel so young in here. Anyway, this is my first year entering the nanowrimo. I am currently taking AP Literature which helps me with my writing. I haven't really done much stories, but do I think about stories to write? Hell yes!!! I think of so many stories, but never write them. I am trying to just stick with one and give it a go. When I imagine a certain story, I see it in my head like a movie, I even hear music. Yes it sounds crazy but I think that's how I imagine a story, he he... So I entered nanowrimo to push myself to write. I will do it everyday and at the end let's see how think work. I plan on going to college into communications and hopefully become a journalist. I am still young, but my passion for writing will never change.

Marangely Negron

Well said Mara! Welcome!

Hi everyone,

My name is Alex, and I'm originally from South Africa. I have never done this before, having only written short stories before. I am a published article writer and columnist back home in some heavy circulation magazines but novels are new to me - so I see this as a huge challenge.

Right now, no decision on what I'm writing about but I have a few ideas I'm thinking over.

Looking forward to it!

Hello, I'm Adrienne, wyndelyn online. This is my first NaNo and I'm fairly stoked. I've done a little bit of short stories here and there mostly making things up for all the kids in the family to calm down and go to bed on. I'll be working on fleshing out a more grown up version of one of their favorites. :D

Hi Everyone!

I'm Sabrina aka CheekyGirl. This is my first NaNo and I'm hoping that it will push me to finally get going on a book idea. I've plotted out about 5 books, but something always hold me back from writing them. I know I like to use research as an excuse not to write! So, NaNo seems like a good idea for me. I'm not sure I'll hit 50k, but anything is more than what I've been doing.

I live in Deland, but work in Winter Park so if anyone lives on this side of Orlando let me know! Lake Mary seems like an area that might be good for a write-in for those of us on this side. I'll be looking at the ones in Altamonte for after work.

Nice to meet everyone!

Sabrina

Hi - I'm Cindy aka Sandpipertwin on the site. This is my 4th Nano and I've had 3 wins (two are historical romance and one is contemporary romance). I write in many different genre's but have chosen to do romance for the Nano challenges. I am a published author and just set up my publishing company (www.tidedancer.com). Sorry, shameless plug here. I've recently just published the companies 2nd book. I'm also a freelance writer and have been writing for well over ten years.

I've lived in the Orlando area for about 23 years (long time) with my family. I'm originally from northern Illinois and am from a family of six. My twin sister and I are the babies of the family. My published book is titled, "Kaleidoscope Memories: Childhood Stories That Celebrate Family Life" and is co-authored with my two sisters. It was great fun to write and publish.

This year my novel will also be a historical romance that I've finally gotten into an outline that will allow me to hopefully be successful again. I've done a lot of the research already. It's a novel about a set of twin boys who grow up seperated. One with each parent in the 1850's. The story progresses as they eventually meet and become friends. Along the way, the older twin and the younger twins fiancee' are thrown together in life threatening situations and they find they love each other. Since it's a romance, you know the ending will be happy and all wrapped up. Not sure of a working title yet but hoping to list something soon.

I've read all the introductions so far and find that we are a mixed bag of people with one common thought - to try to write 50,000 words in November. How wonderful that we can all be on this journey through Nanowrimo! I hope to possibly meet some of you (probably at the Kissimmee Meetups) and put faces to the names here.

Cindy Oldham - Author
"Kaleidoscope Memories: Childhood Stories That Celebrate Family Life"
http://kaleidoscopememoriesbook.blogspot.com
(Available Now)
www.tidedancer.com

Hi all. Red_Fraggle here. (also called Gwenda in real life)

I've heard friends talk about this for years. I used to write all kinds of stuff in elementary, middle, and high school back in the day but it's been a while. there have been a few short things I've written in the interim. I finally decided to just go for it. I also live on the north side...Sanford. I have no real idea what I'll write about. I have a few thoughts. Maybe I'll go the "stream of consciousness" route. lol. We shall see come November 30th.

Be excellent to each other! - Bill and Ted