We don't have a Calendar yet, but I'll try and get one going as soon as I figure out what will work.
I'm not too enamoured of Google Calendar, I'm looking for something else.
This post is going to be a basic list of locations that I am holding write ins in, and I hope that it expands to other locations. Eventually this thread will get too long and we'll have to start other threads, but it is a start.
My favourite location of all time:
House of Brews
231 N Maclay Ave
San Fernando, CA
This is a nice little coffeeshop with some great food, and free wireless access with purchase, which really means with one person getting the password and whatnot. One of the cons is that the parking is not terribly great around there, as I believe that it is limited to street parking, however, it is also accessible via public transit lines 234, and if you want to walk, 734.
Along the line of independent coffeeshops that write ins are good at, we all may remember Lulu's Beehive, where Chris Baty came to LA what was it, two years back?
Lulu's Beehive
13203 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA
They have longer hours than House of Brews does, and they're pretty close to the various Ventura Blvd buses. Again, parking can be a bit of an issue, but they at least have a small parking lot behind them. Again, good coffee, some other good drinks, and definitely good food there, as far as the sandwiches that they serve goes.
Aside from those two, I am also planning on the Starbucks near where I live, because I can walk there.
Starbucks
15355 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA
This is a Starbucks in a little shopping center that has an adequate parking lot to accommodate us Wrimos. Decent enough, though it gets a bit loud, and it definitely isn't the roomiest of them all. But it works, and we can definitely do write ins there. Another pro of Starbucks is that without the free internet, there can be more writing done and less other distraction. There are a fair few outlets, and as usual, if we're expecting a high turn out, I can bring a power strip. I know I have enough of them. It is accessible via public transit along either Sherman Way or Sepulveda.
Starbucks at the Plant
7227 Van Nuys Blvd
Van Nuys, CA
Very large parking lot, because this one is located in a major shopping center. It also has a lot more room than the other Van Nuys one that is closer to where I live, although I believe it has less outlets. Again, I can definitely bring a power strip. The only real con of this Starbucks is that it is right across the street from a high school, and so in the morning before school and at around 1500, it gets a bit crowded with the school crowd. I should know, I attended high school there. Again, this one is also accessible via public transit along Van Nuys Blvd.
Pierce College: Freudian Sip
Pierce College
This is, of course, where I attend college. I figure that although the coffeeshop is very busy, it is a good place for those of us on that campus to meet up and then we can go elsewhere. I am on college campus Mondays, Wednesdays, and a bit of the day Friday although I can certainly stay longer.
Panera
5300 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA
This is the end of the Orange Line in North Hollywood, and at the North Hollywood start of the Red Line, and so there is that big Metro Parking lot as well. And what can I say, it is Panera. People apparently like it although I have never really been in there more than just getting water myself. I'm open to this for write ins as well, though as it is a little far for me comparatively with the other locations I've listed for SFV write ins, this one should be a weekend place.
So, where do you all do write ins? Who is going to be up for meeting me where? What days and what times do we want to have the big gatherings, when do we want the small ones? I would love to be able to have at least three write ins a week in the San Fernando Valley, and I hope folk in other parts of LA take the same sort of initiative. I always feel like there aren't enough events that are going on that are accessible to people who live in the San Fernando Valley, and I would really like to change that this year.
~Rowan
PS. If you read this far, you get to know that I try and bring some sort of candy with me to write ins that I organise. And I'm usually pretty generous with handing it out, so that people can use candy as incentives if they want to while they are at the write in.
----------
The past is strapped to our backs. We do not have to see it; we can always feel it.
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32,000 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2009 - 12 25
Candy! *gets gittery* I obviously won't have enough of that from Halloween. (Actually I think I'm going to be at the races on Halloween, so I'll likely miss out.)
I looked up all these locations. The best ones for me are:
Starbucks on Sherman
House of Brews
Starbucks at the plant
I can come all days except for Saturday, Monday and Thursday. Since I'm homeschooled, time is not really an issue, but I think early mornings won't work well.
I'm not familliar with any of these places (I think) so I can't say when these should be held, except regarding my own schedule.
----------Signed, AA
0 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2009 - 18 13
I'm definitely interested in any of these locations, as they are all easily accessible to me, but a few questions.
Since this is my first year (I wanted to last year, but something came up)...what exactly is a write in? I can make an educated guess, obviously, but would rather hear the real definition in case I'm horribly off.
Second, my schedule prevents me from doing this Monday - Friday 4PM - 2AM (when I work), and some weekends. Would you be organizing them for earlier than this, or on weekends, or...?
Thanks :)
----------Just call me Jam, it makes life easier for everyone :)
7,339 / 50,000
oct. 4, 2009 - 19 02
Obviously, I'll be figuring out the schedules for whatnot a little closer to NaNo.
I am a full time student with classes on Monday and Wednesday all day, but I will definitely be able to figure out my schedule definitely in a week or so. I will be looking up the business hours of each location and posting them later on so that I can make sure that write ins are set up so that they have a possibility of a lot of attendance.
Starbucks on Sherman Way is a very, very good location for me, just because I live so close that I can walk there and I know that they have seating all the time that is accessible to me, and they're also accessible on days that I would need my wheelchair for seating.
Early mornings don't really work well, no.
@jamx0rz, I can definitely make sure that there are write ins earlier in the day. I'm thinking that most of my write ins will be on Tuesdays, Saturday, and Sunday, and rotating between locations or possibly having one in the morning and one in the afternoon at different locations.
The one thing that I do know about the write ins I would like to hold is that I will be being there for a period of time, say starting at 1000 and going until we don't want to go anymore or until I have to be somewhere else at 1400 or something like that. Hopefully this allows for enough time that everyone is able to do what they want to.
I do intend to have some evening ones too, at maybe the House Of Brews or other locations that serve a bit more food than Starbucks, but it's pretty much a given that no one person is going to be able to make it to every write in in an area.
A write in is when a bunch of Wrimos get together and all work on their novels at a coffeeshop or something like that. Writing in groups is a great way for motivation and I always found that I could get a lot more done in an hour at a write in than I got done in an hour at home.
There may also be some impromptu write ins, as I just like to change up the scenery, and I will try and post threads for those too. I'm really happy to see interest in the write ins so far before November, though.
~Rowan
----------The past is strapped to our backs. We do not have to see it; we can always feel it.
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7,990 / 50,000
oct. 5, 2009 - 00 43
I am up for the Starbucks on Sherman Way because like you Rowan I can walk there too. I also like Panera in North Hollywood, which also has a Coffee Bean right next door.
I like LuLu's as well. Cute little place and the time I went there for a write-in it was pretty quite.
My schedule is changing at work. I started a Virtual Assistant business so my full time job hours are scaling back so I have more time for clients as well as my writing. So I am pretty flexible about when we meet. My only reason for not making a write-in is if it is during the week and it is a day I am working with a client.
33,176 / 50,000
oct. 5, 2009 - 07 18
These are good for me:
LuLu's
The Sherman Way Sbux
Pierce (I go there too, I'm on campus every day during the week)
The NoHo Panera
The late afternoons and evenings are good for me on the weekends. My school schedule is kind of random though so I'll just see what's planned for the week and pick what I can go to. As long as there is an afternoon one on the weekends I'll be able to make at least one :-)
I think a big one should be some Sunday afternoon. Those are usually good for people, right?
----------2004: Sending Letters (50k)
2005: Journey to the Dragon (57k)
2006: Things Alter (56k)
2007: By Heart (67k)
2008: Willow Twins (64k)
2009: Her Last Paradise
7,339 / 50,000
oct. 5, 2009 - 11 26
Woo! If the Sherman Way Sbux is working for a lot of people, that is a neat and awesome thing.
Big write ins could actually be either Saturday or Sunday or maybe both. I know that I have school on Monday mornings usually and so I have to be up pretty early, which makes staying out late out of the question.
But still. I'm really excited to see that there are going to be places that work and that we'll have write ins. My parents are even taking me to buy a big bag of candy soon, as well as the candy that we buy for having for Halloween for the kids that come trick-or-treating.
One afternoon one each weekend can definitely happen, though I am also sort of waiting to see if there ends up being an official calendar of write ins before making too many certain moves here, as occasionally I do like to see if I can get to a write in somewhere else from the SFV. The other thing that I am wondering is if anyone knows of locations here in the valley that we can suggest for the Kick off party, so that we might have a chance when that thread comes around of getting a party that we can all go to. I know that in years past, the party has been in places that were either too far or markedly too expensive for me to get to.
Ideas, anyone?
----------The past is strapped to our backs. We do not have to see it; we can always feel it.
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0 / 50,000
oct. 5, 2009 - 19 47
Hey all,
Just signed up. I live in Valley Village so any of the suggested meet-up spots work for me and as for scheduling, I'm very flexible. I look forward to meeting all of you.
Best,
Rich
7,339 / 50,000
oct. 8, 2009 - 18 42
Can I get a quick show of hands as to a location and a time that would be preferred for a write in on the 1st of November? Obviously, I'm not setting anything in stone, especially as I don't know where the traveling write in that the MLs are hosting is going to be, but I would like to figure things out well before the 1st.
I think that we should have it at Starbucks, at the Plant, or possibly Lulu's Beehive. My main concern for this write in is somewhere that will accommodate a large number of us, not mind quiet chatter, and be okay with people staying a while, as well as the fact that there needs to be enough parking for everyone. That basically narrows it down to this unless someone has any other suggestions as to where to hold it.
As for time, I would like to start at around nine, maybe ten, depending on the location. I'd like to start early and have a good solid go at it for a lot of time. Most of all, I'd like this to be fairly large. I'm probably not going to get to go to the Kick-Off, pre-NaNo, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who won't be able to go. So I'd like to do something nice for the first day of NaNo, sort of an incentive to get going and do well this year, and large gatherings can be good for that, for all that they'll be intimidating.
Once we settle on a date and time, I'll post them in the grand write in thread.
As an aside from my long rambling about the first write in of November, is there anyone who would like to do some sort of planning/brainstorming/get to know each other meet up during October? I also have some English homework to do and all that stuff gets done better in groups, you know?
Thoughts? Locations, dates? Maaaaaybe … this Sunday? Starbucks on Sherman Way? Anyone?
Edit: Whoo not closing tags right!
----------The past is strapped to our backs. We do not have to see it; we can always feel it.
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11,460 / 50,000
oct. 8, 2009 - 23 18
Hi all SFV-ers!
I'm Stacy and I live in the Northridge area.
I'd love to get together for any/everything.
P.S. This Sunday for brainstorming sounds great. I'll be there.
----------0 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 01 42
I'm also game for this Sunday for brainstorming/meeting people.
Although ideas are literally pouring out of my head and I can't wait to start writing. Unfortunately I won't have my laptop then, so I'll have to go old school with pen and paper. :(
----------Just call me Jam, it makes life easier for everyone :)
7,339 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 12 15
Awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing people this Sunday, sounds like a lot of fun.
I'm going to call it for starting at like.... 10 am?
Starbucks
15355 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA
If there're no objections by the time I get home or get to a coffee shop today, I'll stick this over on the official thread so that we can maybe get it on the calendar.
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33,176 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 13 31
I might make it on this Sunday!
I'm not familiar with any good writing locations that can seat a lot of people who are going to talk. I've never been to LuLu's but it seems to be a popular location. The Sbux at the Plant sounds good though. Lots of parking is always good. I don't know how easy it will be to stake out a large seating area on a Sunday, though.
I don't have a lot of experience with Write-ins though, either P:
----------2004: Sending Letters (50k)
2005: Journey to the Dragon (57k)
2006: Things Alter (56k)
2007: By Heart (67k)
2008: Willow Twins (64k)
2009: Her Last Paradise
7,339 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 14 21
Yeah. My only reluctance with Sbux at the plant is that it isn't actually accessible by public transit on most days for me, from where I live, and so I'd have to convince someone to drive me there. The other thing that I worry is that by virtue of their location, it gets loud in there and that's just from the music. Which can kind of suck if you're trying to have a conversation. Back when I went to high school there, my friends and I learned half broken sign to be able to have conversations in there and whatnot, because at the time it was that noisy thanks to the music that was playing.
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7,339 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 16 04
Aside from my usual locations, I looked around for places that could be a possible change of scenery as I rode the bus today. I am only posting the ones from my list that I think will accommodate a fair few wrimos and whatnot, though.
Here goes!
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Reseda/Ventura
B&N/Starbucks at Ventura/Hayvenhurst
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Woodley
Nuts 'n Berries Cafe, slightly east of Gloria on Ventura
Corner Bakery at Haskel and Ventura
Roman's Cafe at Nobel/Ventura
Borders at Cedros/Ventura (they have internet now!)
Coffee Roaster at Ventura/Ventura Canyon, one block east of Woodman
Starbucks at Tampa/Victory
These are the ones that were along the way a usual bus route on Friday afternoons after class gets out, as well as of course Lulu's. I'm not sure I'd want to do any of them too often, but they could be good for a change in scenery and whatnot. I'm thinking more for Wednesday and Friday afternoons in November and maybe once in the mean time. I get off of school more or less at 1300 and can get to most of these locations by 1400 – 1500 at the latest.
----------The past is strapped to our backs. We do not have to see it; we can always feel it.
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50,817 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 17 11
Starbucks at The Plant seems good. This is my first time doing nano. What I'm worried about is the noise. I can't really concentrate writing if it's noisy. However, it's nice to know that I've got company with this writing marathon. :-)
----------50,817 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 17 12
Send me a message when it's been decided where.
----------33,176 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 19 50
Maybe a coffee place in a bookstore would be good. Spacious. And most big bookstores are attached to big parking lots.
We should spend this month going around to some locations and talking to the management. I remember one year a Wrimo worked at a Starbucks in Burbank and he gave free refills to people there working on NaNo novels. Maybe we can get some support or at least an OK from management at a place or a few places that will help us out with finding space or turning down the music or free refills or something.
----------2004: Sending Letters (50k)
2005: Journey to the Dragon (57k)
2006: Things Alter (56k)
2007: By Heart (67k)
2008: Willow Twins (64k)
2009: Her Last Paradise
0 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2009 - 01 30
I know the Barnes and Noble off of Topanga Cyn and...I want to say Erwin (basically next to the AMC 16) has a decent coffee shop size, although not as spacious as most people would like I imagine.
I love Lulu's though and can't wait to get to go there for a write-in.
----------Just call me Jam, it makes life easier for everyone :)
33,176 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2009 - 06 19
Topanga Cyn is a little far for those of us in the east valley. I liked the Plant Sbux because it was more central.
Perhaps we could try the B&N at Ventura/Hayvenhurst?
----------2004: Sending Letters (50k)
2005: Journey to the Dragon (57k)
2006: Things Alter (56k)
2007: By Heart (67k)
2008: Willow Twins (64k)
2009: Her Last Paradise
7,339 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2009 - 09 40
None of those locations that I listed were definitive by ANY means. They were just suggestions that I thought we ought to keep in mind for if we ever needed a change in scenery, which tends to happen for me in the last week of November.
Just a reminder, there'll be a planning/meet and greet type of thing tomorrow, starting between 0900 and 1000 at the Sbux on Sherman Way. I'm about to go post its own thread now.
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9,000 / 50,000
oct. 11, 2009 - 11 09
This is my 4th year doing Nano, but i've never been able to make a Writein because of my schedule. I'm hoping I can manage this year! Most of the locations are good for me!
And i'm a Pierce Student also! If you ever want to have a little mini-writein with at the Sip, let me know!! :p I'm sure we could arrange something!
7,339 / 50,000
oct. 11, 2009 - 12 08
Little mini-writeins sound like they could be a lot of fun. I think the better idea would be to meet up at the sip but maybe move to somewhere else on campus after we have met up though. The Sip is both crowded, and noisy, and that makes it a bit difficult for any real concentration to happen, I think.
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6,000 / 50,000
oct. 17, 2009 - 14 07
If anyone wants to meet me at the Borders at Canoga and Victory let me know.I write here all the time, it has lots ot outlets and free wifi. I don't like the Barnes and Noble at the Promenade as it has very few seats and even fewer outlets. We have held write ins here(at Borders) before and it was great.
If you are in the West Valley and don't want to travel this is a great place to meet.
33,176 / 50,000
oct. 19, 2009 - 12 53
Rowan - yeah, I don't like the Sip very much either.
Have we decided on a time and place for November 1st?
----------2004: Sending Letters (50k)
2005: Journey to the Dragon (57k)
2006: Things Alter (56k)
2007: By Heart (67k)
2008: Willow Twins (64k)
2009: Her Last Paradise
50,817 / 50,000
oct. 21, 2009 - 13 11
Just a suggestion. We could have a poll here and see which ones people do prefer to go to. Is there a way to do that?
----------6,011 / 50,000
oct. 25, 2009 - 19 31
It would be great if there was a write-in at Lulu's Beehive! I live in studio city and I haven't seen any write-ins planned anywhere near me.
666 / 50,000
oct. 26, 2009 - 08 39
I'll probably be doing most of my writing at the Borders at Cedros and Ventura anyway, so if folks ever met there, I'd be quite happy. I walk there, but I know they have a fairly decent sized parking lot in the back.
Otherwise, anything along the bus lines on Ventura Blvd or with decent parking would work for me. I'm unemployed, so time's not an issue either, heh.
50,817 / 50,000
oct. 27, 2009 - 15 53
Are we having a write-in this Sunday?
----------33,176 / 50,000
oct. 28, 2009 - 07 49
Let's have a write-in this Sunday! I might have to work 9 - 5 at Pierce, but I might not, I'm not sure yet.
So we need to pick a time: morning or afternoon/night
And a location. I think it should be LuLu's or Starbucks at the Plant.
----------2004: Sending Letters (50k)
2005: Journey to the Dragon (57k)
2006: Things Alter (56k)
2007: By Heart (67k)
2008: Willow Twins (64k)
2009: Her Last Paradise
33,176 / 50,000
oct. 28, 2009 - 07 51
Let's have a write-in this Sunday! I might have to work 9 - 5 at Pierce, but I might not, I'm not sure yet.
So we need to pick a time: morning or afternoon/night
And a location. I think it should be LuLu's or Starbucks at the Plant.
----------2004: Sending Letters (50k)
2005: Journey to the Dragon (57k)
2006: Things Alter (56k)
2007: By Heart (67k)
2008: Willow Twins (64k)
2009: Her Last Paradise