Hey Everybody!
So last year we had a lot of success is setting up unofficial* (you're welcome Travis) write-ins out in the Allston/Brighton area. It was a nice way to add another day or so of the week where you can get together with other Wrimos, feed off of the creative energy, vent frustration about sticky plot points, and best of all boost your word count.
With the relaunch of the site, and another month of NaNo craziness fast approaching, let's try to figure out who's in the area and where and when we might be able to do some, again UNOFFICIAL*, write ins.
A couple things to keep in mind:
- Our MLs put in a lot of time and effort to make November an amazing time for Wrimos in Boston. As such, we all should really put in the effort to attend the events they plan. The official NaNoBoston09 schedule should be along soon, and until we know what they have planned, let's just throw out ideas. After we know the official plans, we can choose a time that works for a bunch of people and doesn't conflict with the official events. :-)
- Not all Wrimos are 21+. While I rather like writing at some of my neighborhood bars, I know it's not everyone's cup of tea (or pint of beer in this case), not to mention the age issue. If we do set up an unofficial* write-ins at a bar, we should also plan some unofficial* write-ins at places that anyone get in to.
So drop in here, say hi, and throw out some ideas for good times and places in Allston/Brighton you'd like to write at.
Cheers,
- B
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*Unofficial, as in not at all the responsibility or under the direction of our wonderful MLs. This is important. Again, these write-ins are not the responsibility of the MLs in any way. Let's face it, their life is crazy enough that month without having to facilitate a dozen or so neighborhood based write-ins on top of everything they do for the region as a whole.
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NaNo '08: Glitch (51,016)
=-------=
Brandon N. Schory
Extant Muser
Boston, MA
www.BrandonSchory.com
0 / 50,000
oct. 2, 2009 - 09 02
Hey!
I'm Dave, I used to live in Allston, but my girlfriend still does, so I'm in the area often, and would love to attend some area write-in's. Definitely keep me posted! My personal fave place to sit for ours and utilize free wifi is the Panera at the Arsenal in Watertown, which is a hop, skip, and jump from the Allston/Brighton area, so just throwin' that out there.
Looking forward to hearing lots more!
-Dave
----------It's my first year...be nice.
37,016 / 50,000
oct. 2, 2009 - 09 28
I've never been to the Arsenal Panera Bread. Coming from Brighton, is it right before the mall?
So I live in Brighton, and can get to a whole lot of different places relatively easily. I'm going to vote doing our unofficial stuff on the weekend day that isn't used for an official one, as that's worked out really well in the past. But, if there's some sort of "Let's go here after work," I could be down for that (albeit a little late to it). As long as they're not on Thursdays.
In conclusion: Sundays and Thursdays are reserved for the official write-ins, which our awesome MLs do a fantastic job at organizing (and which I love to attend), so as long as we can agree on one of the other 5 days during the week, I'm totally down for anything.
Tom
-----------Tom-
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~ Groucho Marx
07: The Mists of Nerrivick
08: Divine
09: Late Fees
0 / 50,000
oct. 2, 2009 - 09 33
Hey Tom,
Coming from Brighton, it would actually be right after the mall (assuming the mall was on your left and Target on your right). It's literally right next to the New Rep Theater, if you know where that is.
----------It's my first year...be nice.
37,016 / 50,000
oct. 2, 2009 - 09 42
Haha, you know what's funny? I don't think I've ever actually driven past Target before. Clearly, I've been missing out.
-----------Tom-
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~ Groucho Marx
07: The Mists of Nerrivick
08: Divine
09: Late Fees
2,372 / 50,000
oct. 2, 2009 - 19 51
Hey, lived in the Brighton area my whole life. I don't think I made it to any of the unofficial ones around here last year but if we did something on saturdays I might be able to.
----------Ideas for places sound good so far....don't really have much else to add at the moment.
Happy plotting everyone!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad." -Aldous Huxley
25,520 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2009 - 03 06
I'm in Porter Square and was hoping to get an unofficial write in in Harvard or Davis for the college folks who don't have cars
----------35,063 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2009 - 06 18
In addition to Porter/Harvard/Davis Write-Ins, you might consider Inman/Union. Given my location, I'll be attending the Inman/Union Write-Ins (since I'm trying to organize them and all), but perhaps also some Porter/Harvard/Davis ones, since I can get around Cambridge/Somerville fairly easily.
35,819 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2009 - 08 20
Hi there!
I'd like to recommend breaking the Harvard/Davis and Inman/Union Squares conversations into separate threads. It'll keep it neater and make it easier for other folks looking for unofficial write-ins in those locations to find the information, instead of having it buried in a thread regarding another neighborhood. Newer folks especially will find this helpful later on in October/November when there are three pages of threads to sort through.
Cheers,
----------Travis
Travis (tkphotog)
Official Photographer and Control Freak
Municipal Liaison (with Anna/QueenOfTheUniverse)
NaNoWriMo :: Boston / NaNoBoston
0 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2009 - 16 58
One word: Cafenation.
----------34,028 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2009 - 18 07
Did you mean caffeination?
----------2008: Three Days of Peace and Music
35,055 / 50,000
oct. 5, 2009 - 10 13
We did Sundays at Cafenation (http://www.cafenation.com/home.html for those curious) last year, actually. It's a great place with great drinks and food, but we did have a problem finding space there sometimes, as it's always wicked busy. It's also out in Brighton Center, which is a bit out of the way for some.
I'd be down for a write-in or so there, but I'd like to vary it up a bit and try other places too.
----------NaNo '08: Glitch (51,016)
=-------=
Brandon N. Schory
Extant Muser
Boston, MA
www.BrandonSchory.com
37,016 / 50,000
oct. 6, 2009 - 10 39
I agree, Cafenation's got awesome hot chocolate and omelets, but we need to switch it up this year. Maybe one of the places over on Harvard Ave (either Allston direction or Brookline direction, I'm open to finding new places)?
-----------Tom-
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~ Groucho Marx
07: The Mists of Nerrivick
08: Divine
09: Late Fees
14,183 / 50,000
oct. 12, 2009 - 14 56
I have to say that I'm a fan of the 'near Harvard Ave' suggestion, particularly if it's a weeknight. Though, I don't know where we'd go.
33,149 / 50,000
oct. 12, 2009 - 19 20
Hooray for regional write-ins!
Not only am I still working at BU, so joining the AllBright write-ins was easy, I've moved into my own place at long last, in Lower Allston. Yay! :D
So I'm all about AllBright write-ins, though I have to admit that I have no idea where would be good, or how often I'll actually be able to make it. But I'm another voice in the crowd!
-----------Vivienne
The Great Geek American Novel 2009
Sponsor me as I run for charity! - Santa Speedo Run - Jolly Jaunt 5K
37,016 / 50,000
oct. 12, 2009 - 20 51
irascible, it's good to see you 'round these parts again!
I feel like someone(s) around here need(s) to do some checking-out-places in the area. All I really know of is the b.good over on Harvard Ave, but I don't want to play b.good out. Hm...if only I hung out at more places....
As for other areas of All-Bright, I know Moogy's is a neat place, but a) I don't know how receptive they'd be to a group of us, b) it may not be the best space, and c) they're out past me and not immediately on the T, so they're kind of a pain in the butt for some people to get to. Good breakfasts, though.
-----------Tom-
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~ Groucho Marx
07: The Mists of Nerrivick
08: Divine
09: Late Fees
5,016 / 50,000
oct. 13, 2009 - 04 01
The thing about just about every business on Harvard Ave/Street is that there's almost no seating. As much as I love Allston Cafe, In House and Ivy's, I can't imagine any of them fitting more than a half dozen wrimos, especially on the weekends. The Starbucks too.
34,028 / 50,000
oct. 13, 2009 - 07 05
This is why I mentioned McDonald's at Coolidge Corner, which may be a little too far south or east or whatever, and doesn't have huge amounts of ambiance, but I do think they have space and it's a fairly clean place, with big windows looking out onto the sidewalk. They have Newman's coffee, which isn't bad, wifi (most McD's do now anyway) and even lattes, although I don't think they're that good! Just an idea...Coolidge Corner is a fun place to hang out. If you get bored you can go to the cinema, Brookline Booksmith, even Peet's, although that's small too.
----------2008: Three Days of Peace and Music
35,055 / 50,000
oct. 13, 2009 - 07 28
I do really love Coolidge Corner, but I fear it might be a bit out of the way, much in the same way that Moogy's is (which is, indeed, and awesome place). I'm about as close to Coolidge Corner as you can get while still being in Brighton (a block from the Brookline town line), and it's still a solid 20 minute walk to get there.
I'll start wandering around town and looking for places with enough seating. Unfortunately, I think the problem with the vast majority pf places in all of Boston is the lack of seating. The MLs do a lot of hard work to find places big enough to accommodate us all, and it's not always easy for them.
How do people feel about wandering in to Brookline in general? Maybe give you input as to the farthest you'd be willing to go (Cleveland Circle vs. Washington Square vs. Coolidge Corner vs. St. Mary's Street near Kenmore)? It might open up some more places.
----------NaNo '08: Glitch (51,016)
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Brandon N. Schory
Extant Muser
Boston, MA
www.BrandonSchory.com
14,183 / 50,000
oct. 13, 2009 - 09 04
For me, it definitely depends if we're talking weeknight after work or weekend. Weeknights, I'd really prefer not to go further west than the 66 bus (hence my like of the Harvard ave suggestion, though I definitely recognize the space issues). On weekends, I'm fine with the full length of the b-line or anywhere easily reachable on the other greens or the 66 or 57.
50,650 / 50,000
oct. 13, 2009 - 09 24
igravina, I hate to burst your bubble, but the McDonald's there closed a few years ago. It got turned into a Qdoba and a Panera. The Qdoba recently closed, and the Panera, while a great writing spot, is so busy they limit you to an hour sitting time when they're busy, and they're always busy because CC is a busy area. Other than that, I don't know of any other place in CC that could accommodate a large number of writers. The library there, while it's got good table space, does not have plugs in good places that I've ever seen. And they do charge if you want to get a separate room there. But, feel free to check it out anyway, just be prepared with a charged laptop battery.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the facts are the facts. If anyone does find a good writing spot there though, please do let me know! I've been hunting for one in that area for a long time!
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Queen Anna
Queen of EdMo
www.nanoedmo.net
Boston co-ML with Travis
34,028 / 50,000
oct. 13, 2009 - 09 27
One place I've noticed has a lot of space is the cafeteria at B.U. I know that's not Brighton it's Boston, but it is big and nice and there are several kinds of food to choose from, and a Starbucks. Also Espresso Cafe is across the street, which I love but which tends to be full of studying students. The caf is almost never full, except maybe right at mealtimes. It has a side room too. It is totally open, no restrictions. Also, MassArt has a cafe with a good amt of space, but they were renovating it so it's either really nice now or? (Isn't MassArt Brighton?) Kids come from all around to go there so again no problem if you are not an art student. Even the MFA has a nice cafeteria--wonder how they would take a few writers showing up. They serve wine so we could do the drinking writer's thing :) No one goes to the MFA now with the economy, esp mid-week. I think it closes at 5 though.
----------2008: Three Days of Peace and Music
37,016 / 50,000
oct. 13, 2009 - 10 25
The MFA and MassArt are actually nowhere near Brighton. If you walk the short route, they're about an hour walk, and if you take the train, you're still looking at 45 minutes to an hour (depending where you're coming from, obviously). Both of those places would be part of the Colleges of the Fens, I believe (so actually, you may want to make a note about those spaces in the Colleges of the Fens thread). I work at Northeastern, so I'm fairly well acquainted with the immediate area.
Allston/Brighton are tough places to find space to write. I feel like they have a ton of of cool places to eat, but no so much to sit and write at.
Hm...
-----------Tom-
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~ Groucho Marx
07: The Mists of Nerrivick
08: Divine
09: Late Fees
33,149 / 50,000
oct. 15, 2009 - 10 19
My friends and I were doing a writing group on weeknight evenings at the Panera in Coolidge Corner, which definitely is spacious. Because we were getting there around 7, we weren't having difficulty with having space and staying as long as we wanted. So... that might be an option if people are willing to go a little ways afield.
I'd hypothesize that there's probably rooms in the Allston or Brighton branches of the BPL?
Okay, here's a Yelp search of coffee shops in the AllBright area (restricted to 1 mile): http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=coffee&ns=1&find_loc=Allston%2C+MA#places=MA%3A[Allston%3A%3A%2CBrighton%3A%3A]&bbox=-71.1439418793%2C42.340846133%2C-71.1180210114%2C42.3600026523
So, uh... anyone having their memories jogged by that list? I've been so broke lately that I haven't gone out to do anything at coffee shops or the like, so I honestly just have no idea what these places are like. But maybe one of them would be viable?
-----------Vivienne
The Great Geek American Novel 2009
Sponsor me as I run for charity! - Santa Speedo Run - Jolly Jaunt 5K
14,183 / 50,000
oct. 15, 2009 - 10 32
I know a knitting group uses that Panera (I wish I could remember what day) for more than an hour on a weeknight evening.. so we might be able to get away with staying for a bit.
0 / 50,000
oct. 16, 2009 - 10 15
Hi there :3
This is my first time doing this and I'm really excited :3 I live in Allston, so if anything is going on I will most likely be there ^_^
21,753 / 50,000
oct. 19, 2009 - 18 27
I'd be up for Allston write-ins! I'm pretty new to the area so I don't really have any location suggestions, but I'm pretty good at showing up places if I'm given an address.
*flits to and fro, spamming the Boston-area boards*
*flit*
*flit*
isn't the word "flit" so weird?
*maybe had too much coffee today*
sorry. I'm not usually like this. I mean I am, but usually I hide it better.
----------I blog! look out, world.
35,055 / 50,000
oct. 26, 2009 - 06 40
So there seems to be a nod towards trying Panera, which could work.
Dinosaur has been telling me about a great place she knows near Harvard Ave in Allston, and said she's pop in here to put up the details about it, so maybe that will work too.
Aside from location, let's start thinking about when we'd like to do this.
I'd like to suggest getting together early-afternoon Saturday (say 1 or 2) for a few hours to write. The weekends tend to be the easiest time for me, and it would be nice to get to write with you all on Saturday and then the greater NaNoBoston group on Sunday.
Though I'm definitely not opposed to doing anything on the weeknights after work, if there's a call for that.
Thoughts?
----------NaNo '08: Glitch (51,016)
=-------=
Brandon N. Schory
Extant Muser
Boston, MA
www.BrandonSchory.com
37,016 / 50,000
oct. 26, 2009 - 08 51
I'm all for Saturday afternoons. I plan on doing a series of mid-week post-work write-ins (and I get out of work late enough so getting anywhere in Allston/Brighton early enough to accomplish anything after work is basically a no-go for me anyway).
So, Saturdays at 1 or 2 sound great to me.
-----------Tom-
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~ Groucho Marx
07: The Mists of Nerrivick
08: Divine
09: Late Fees
55,154 / 50,000
oct. 29, 2009 - 11 49
I'm a newbie to NaNo and to Allston, and I'd love to meet up for some write-ins. Saturdays sound great.
2,141 / 50,000
oct. 29, 2009 - 12 21
This. I'm going to try my best to participate this year... *crosses fingers*
But yeah, I live right on the border between Allston and Brookline, so I'm up for anywhere in the area that the more seasoned Wrimos think would be best :).
----------Give your heart to everybody you meet. The rest is pretense.