I attribute part of my NaNoWriMo success last year (my first in 5 attempts) to actually attending Write-Ins, both unofficial and official. Hoping to continue this success, and shamelessly ripping off Brandon's post, I'm calling you out, people in Inman or Union Square.
Keeping in mind that the official Write-Ins are awesome, thanks to all the hard work Anna and Travis put in, we definitely don't want to have conflicting Write-Ins. This means we'll want to avoid the days of official Write-Ins (typically, Sundays and Thursdays, but we'll know for sure when the schedule comes out), but that leaves us 5 other days we can work with.
Last year, a few of us braved the weather to put some time aside toward writing. We mostly tried:
Bloc 11, in Union Square (power outlets and tables made this a pretty good place to write on a weeknight; I seem to recall that they closed earlier than I would have expected)
The Sherman Cafe, in Union Square (the power outlets can be tricky to get to, but we figured it out in the end; a Saturday morning Write-In here helped me engineer my most productive day)
1369 Coffee House in Inman Square (a bit cramped, the people- and firetruck- watching was a bit distracting, although that was probably just me)
Other places in the area that may work:
The Thirsty Scholar for a weekend morning write-in
The Biscuit, probably another for a weekend morning, since I seem to recall they close early-ish
Cambridge Public Library, Broadway satellite branch?
Darwin's Ltd.
Chime in with suggestions, and I hope to see you in November.
Jose
----------
29,599 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2009 - 12 38
ME!!!!
I used to live in Union Square now I live in Spring Hill right off Central Street/Somerville Ave. Totally looking to do a write in on this side of the river. I can't do Monday nights but any other night works for me.
-Dan
----------39,249 / 50,000
oct. 4, 2009 - 11 58
Please remember when you schedule something to let your MLs know. We'll add it to the events calendar and try to draw in some more locals for you. :-)
Cheers,
----------Travis
Travis (tkphotog)
Official Photographer and Control Freak
Municipal Liaison (with Anna/QueenOfTheUniverse)
NaNoWriMo :: Boston / NaNoBoston
31,695 / 50,000
oct. 5, 2009 - 09 55
I live in the area and would be interested. I don't know what my schedule will look like for November (I teach some nights and weekends, but the days and times vary), but I'll check back in as the time gets nearer.
Patricia
----------The good ended happily and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means - Oscar Wilde
2009: Swan's Wing
37,211 / 50,000
oct. 6, 2009 - 08 04
Excellent, and welcome!
22,892 / 50,000
oct. 8, 2009 - 16 01
I'm game.
I live just outside of Inman on Beacon St. November is committed to write-ins and what not so lets make it happen.
I vote for the Thirsty Scholar since I can see it from my window. :)
37,211 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 06 36
Welcome! I'm definitely up for a Thirsty Scholar write-in, as I live next door (almost). And, to be all inclusive and all, I also want to try to set up write-ins in locations like Bloc 11, the Sherman, Darwin Ltd., the Biscuit, and 1369. Luckily, in this area, we have lots of options.
10,714 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2009 - 10 07
I'd love to come, too. I'm halfway between Darwin's and the Biscuit, and I also hear that the new beautiful library is opening in a few weeks, so that could be fun to check out.
22,892 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2009 - 04 53
I'm down for all of it. I work a 9-5er in the city, so nights/weekends are good for me. I'm also packing a 6 outlet power strip that has a 15 ft cord on it, so we should be able to navigate the most finicky of powering situations.
17,163 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2009 - 14 00
I can make it to that area pretty easily, so I'd be all for some informal write-ins around there. There's a sandwich place in Inman that might be a good spot, but I can't think of the name for the life of me. I think it's at the corner of... Cambridge and Prospect? Also, S&S would be a good spot - there's lots of space, good food, and as long as they're not super busy, they generally leave you alone if you want to hang out for a while. There's also the Valente Branch of the Cambridge Public Library (on Cambridge Street) - that might be good for an evening early week write-in, as they're open til 8pm Mon - Wed. Not sure what the space is like, though, as I've only passed it, but never been in.
37,211 / 50,000
oct. 26, 2009 - 21 49
So November is almost upon us, which means trying to nail down times and places for our Write-Ins. I'm avoiding Tuesdays for now in the hope that Vivienne (irascible) can get us access to Hub Comics (see http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3299916 for more details); if that works out, we have a nice chunk of the calendar covered.
That said, how do folks feel about the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 4th? We could do Bloc 11 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm if we want a Union Square experience, or if we want something more Inman-y, we can do Darwin's Ltd. (the Cambridge St. location) in the same time frame (both places close at 9 pm).
Saturday the 7th, I'm planning on being at The Sherman Cafe around 9 am for a couple of hours. They've just finished adding a market to the cafe, so I'll be checking that out as well.
I'm not sure what the Thirsty Scholar is like on weeknights (sad, I know), but I might give it a try on a Wednesday night that first week. I believe they open at 11 am, so if weeknights are too crowded, I might try a Saturday afternoon in week two.
Jose, master of the Dark Carnival, at least until my characters take it over...
11,775 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 09 14
I'd be interested, as long as it's super casual and chill, which has been a bit hard to find in the past few years, as group write-ins go. If there's a bell, I'm not coming.
37,211 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 09 42
I assure you, I don't even *own* a bell. Last year, it was a handful of people at most, typing quietly, occasionally chatting about our characters, but mostly sipping drinks and munching on sandwiches and, well, writing.
31,695 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 09 47
Jose,
I would be interested in tomorrow night. Let us know where you will be - either Inman or Union Square works for me as both are within a mile of my apartment.
And I promise not to bring any bells.
Patricia
----------The good ended happily and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means - Oscar Wilde
2009: Swan's Wing
37,211 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 10 05
Alright, let's do Bloc 11, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm (they close at 9pm). Mine is the gray Dell laptop with the OASIS Member sticker in purple and orange (yeah, I know). I'll try to have my little postcard stand with a NaNoWriMo Rockstar postcard on it as well. I've got a four-outlet power strip I'll try to bring by as well. See you there.
Jose
11,775 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 11 58
@Patricia: awesomesauce.
@Jose: I'll be there unless something crazy comes up.
w00t,
Andrea
34,037 / 50,000
nov. 4, 2009 - 13 26
I'm thinking of going to Bloc 11 tonight - is there parking nearby?
----------2006: Twelve Dancing Princesses in Medieval Russia
2007: Rupenzal during the Great Depression
2008: True Thomas in late Victorian New York
2009: Snow White... IN SPACE! (I swear I'll make it work!)
37,211 / 50,000
nov. 4, 2009 - 14 19
There's street parking, I believe, and possibly at the nearby bank lot, but I'm unfamiliar with its rules/operation in the evening. People I know have parked there before on a Saturday for a Jazz concert, so it may be possible. I wish I could be more helpful...
Jose
37,211 / 50,000
nov. 9, 2009 - 08 19
Here's what's on tap for the week in the Inman/Union Squares areas:
Hub Comics Tuesdays: according to Irascible (Vivienne) over on this thread, it's very informal. Just show up when you want, and likewise, leave when you want. I'm aiming to be here tomorrow. It's just a few steps from Bloc 11. And speaking of which:
Bloc 11 Wednesday: Patricia said she would be here Wednesday evening; I will try to join her depending on when I get out of work in Billerica. Although no time was mentioned, it makes sense to me to have this on the calendar, so I'm arbitrarily saying the Write-In is from 6:30 to 8:30. There's lots of room here: tables, outlets, and non-free wifi. Parking is metered street (and there is side street resident parking, if you have the relevant sticker).
Saturday afternoon, I want to show Inman Square some love. I'm going to try the Thirsty Scholar. I'm thinking 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm to avoid any lunch crowd, while leaving open the possibility of a late lunch (or, for me, late breakfast). I have never tried noveling here, so I don't know how friendly they are toward such pursuits (but they're called the Thirsty Scholar; surely they'd be cool with?!), or what the outlet situation might be. If the Thirsty Scholar doesn't look promising, I might try moving down to the S&S Deli or the Darwin Ltd. sandwich place, so definitely let me know if you're thinking of attending on Saturday so I can wait for you if I decide the Thirsty Scholar won't work. Exploration! It's what's for breakfast.
Jose
31,695 / 50,000
nov. 11, 2009 - 09 46
I'm probably going to make it to Bloc 11 by 5:30 tonight (Wednesday, 11/11). I'll be writing in a notebook (the paper kind) and may have Plotinus (the plot polar bear) out on the table to keep me company. Happy to see whoever makes it there.
Patricia
----------The good ended happily and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means - Oscar Wilde
2009: Swan's Wing
37,211 / 50,000
nov. 11, 2009 - 09 50
I'm going to try to be there, but work (in Billerica) needs me to go to our Somerville datacenter after work ("Hey, you live in Somerville, and so do some of our servers! Wanna do some afterhours work?" No, not really...), so I may have to take a Bloc 11 raincheck until next week.
14,025 / 50,000
nov. 11, 2009 - 16 46
Hey Jose, I wrote with you last year. I'm hoping to attend at least one write-in this year, but I'm off to a slow start-- haven't started writing until today. But I figure if I crank out 2K every day and catch up on the weekends & Thanksgiving, I may just make it. Now if only my story were that ambitious! I like the idea of the Thirsty Scholar write in. I may show up earlier. Let me know if you're still up for that or if you've decided to move it elsewhere. I know Jesse at Hub, and I can see if he wouldn't mind us writing there on a Saturday. Let me know.
--ovo/Yves
37,211 / 50,000
nov. 12, 2009 - 10 04
Hi Yves,
It's great to hear from you again. I'm still planning on being at the Thirsty Scholar on Saturday. If you get there before me and decide it's unsuitable, try to let me know (leave a message with them? Maybe that's not a good idea...). I'm not *too* concerned on its suitability; I want to be prepared just in case, and only because I've never tried writing there. The guys at Hub are great; they've been very welcoming on Tuesday nights.
Also, don't forget that there's a Write-In tonight at the Central Square Au Bon Pain (down the street from 1369, I believe); it might help you bang out a few more words. I'm planning to be there as well.
Jose
14,025 / 50,000
nov. 12, 2009 - 13 22
Jose,
I can't make the write-in tonight as I work in Marlborough now and I wouldn't be able to get to Central until 8. But I think I'll go to the Barnes & Noble write-in at the Pru tomorrow and most likely make the Thirsty Scholar Sat. I'll post if there are any changes.
--Y
22,892 / 50,000
nov. 14, 2009 - 19 13
Jose! Thanks for setting up these satellite write-ins. Very awesome.
Also, I haven't noticed that this website alerts anyone clearly when they receive nanomail. So, Jose, consider this your alert.
37,211 / 50,000
nov. 17, 2009 - 15 14
I'm making a note here: the Thirsty Scholar Write-In was a huge success this past weekend; I had a great time hanging out and exchanging writing tips/stories with everyone. I unfortunately can't make it this coming weekend, as I have an unexpected funeral to attend in Philly, but I hope that some of you do head out there; the space is great, and with the right extension cord/power strip, the lack of outlets is easily solved. If you do have firm plans to be there or elsewhere in the Inman Square or Union Square areas, send Travis an e-mail so he can add it to the calendar. I hope to be back in town for the Sunday afternoon write-in in Somerville, but that's highly optimistic/unlikely.
I believe Patricia is still planning on being at Bloc 11 on Wednesday. I hope to make that, but I may be running around trying to get various things together for a formal-wear-trip down south.
14,025 / 50,000
nov. 17, 2009 - 15 28
Sorry to hear that, Jose. My condolences. I hope you are able to finish your novel, if that is still an important goal, due to the circumstances. If anyone plans on meeting up anywhere in Inman before the end of the month, please also post to this forum topic.
31,695 / 50,000
nov. 17, 2009 - 19 45
I'm also sorry to hear that, Jose. My condolences.
Yes, I am planning to be at Bloc 11 tomorrow night (11/18), probably arriving between 5:30 and 6. I'll send Travis a note.
----------The good ended happily and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means - Oscar Wilde
2009: Swan's Wing