Welcome! - Introduce yourself :)

Ok... I'm a retired person with a wide variety of interests. As for NaNo... I have started this several times... maybe this time will not be interrupted by life's crazy events! Maybe I'll find my True Calling.

We'll see...

Jeff.

see me at http://www.facebook.com/jeffimig or http://nocomputers.blogspot.com

Hello Jeff!

I am also going to try and not let life get in the way! With two jobs and a four year old, it should be an interesting ride!

We'll keep you going this year, no worries!

~Nicole~

Nano2008 - Empty Eyes (68 K)
Nano2009 - Loss is a Four Letter Word

Hallooo Peoria! Hey Nicole, congrats on your swanky new title. I'm sure you'll do a great job.

I'm Angela & this is my 6th NaNo. Last year was my first win. I am so excited to get started this year! About me, well, I'm 33, from Canton & in my NaNo off season I write superheroes on an online forum RPG. So far in NaNo I've tried historical fantasy, fanfiction & modern fantasy. This year, I'm thinking of another modern fantasy, or maybe trying some scifi.

I'm online a fair bit & am always up for new writing buddies if anybody's in the market.

Hey, Nicole & Cheri, are we getting another city region to wordwar against this year?

"What I need is a strong drink & a peer group!" - Ford Prefect

aim - lumatam, ym - lollypop1407
http://fast-paced-fiction.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/Lollypop1407

Actually we have two regions this year! We will be warring with Gainesville again, and have now added Fredricton Canada to our list :) We have a lot of cool events planned this year. Cheri has the google calendar almost completed, and will be posting it soon.

We will be having our usual Saturday write-ins from 10-2 which I will be hosting this year. If you want details on the place, feel free to nanomail me.

Welcome back!

~Nicole~

Nano2008 - Empty Eyes (68 K)
Nano2009 - Loss is a Four Letter Word

Hi! I'm Zurizip. This is my sixth year writing, and I'm really excited to be in Peoria for it again, I loved the write ins so much. I'll probably have to finagle my work schedule since right now I'm doing evenings, and I write better in the evenings. Sigh. Anyway! Super excited to do this again and yet have no notion of what I'm writing. There's a good possibility of continuing on great multiple reality saga, but will have to talk to writing partner about that.

Ok, enough rambling, bai!

Morgan is a real flesh and blood person with boobs. Can't forget the boobs.
Bad voice in my head, Yugure mentally chastised himself. - Haylen

Hi everyone! My first name is Aquilla but I go by Lynn. I am 39 and determined that this year I will finish a novel. I am going to be writing a nonfiction novel based on the murder of my grandmother and her friend in 1975. She was killed by my uncle who was dating my mothers little sister. he was my dads little brother. It gets better. He claims voodoo, sex and alcohol and when all was said and done he was given 12 months in a insane assylum and that was it. It is called AND STILL HE'S FREE. This novel is based on the court transcripts and this has torn three families apart.

Anyway, I hope to make friends with all of you and hope that we all finish our goal this year. :)

Lynn

Hi Lynn and Zurizip!

Lynn...it's nice to hear from you again! Looking forward to another excellent nano! Sending *waves of encouragment* your way. You will cross the finish line this year :)

Zurizip, I hope to see you at the Saturday write in's this year, we can always use more people! I will be hosting them for the first time, so go easy!!

We also have some other fun events in the works, one of them being an all night lock in (all of the details are yet to be worked out...) As well as a meet and greet, online kick off party, and of course the TGIO party at the end. I'm hoping to have the TGIO party at the Firehouse (a bar and grill on Galena road where I work weekends as a waitress/bartender). I might even be able to get a DJ for free if we bring in enough people (or I can convince him to give me the childhood friend/employee discount!!) We will see how that goes.

~Nicole~

Nano2008 - Empty Eyes (68 K)
Nano2009 - Loss is a Four Letter Word

Oh...and Lynn, your novel sounds amazing! I also might be basing mine on personal events as well. Not sure if it will fall into the genre of "creative non fiction" or not. Time will tell if I change things enough to make the "people" unrecognizable!! I would love to read excerpts of it when nano is all over with (or sooner, if you don't mind your work in progress being read!)

~Nicole~

Nano2008 - Empty Eyes (68 K)
Nano2009 - Loss is a Four Letter Word

Nicole,
That would be great! I would love someone to give me their thoughts on it. I don't have anyone that has offered so if your up to it, I would love your thoughts of it as it is written. I can take criticism well. It is personal for me and I want this published to show what jealousy and evil can do to tear families apart. This means a lot to me and no my family is not happy with this but I finally got the courage to say I am doing it for my grandmother's memory. I would love to send you sections at a time if you are up to it. Let me know. I know that we will all be busy in November but even after if you would like to go over it I would be thrilled. Thanks.

Lynn

Lynn,

I would be more then happy to do that! We'll have to see how things go in November...it might have to be afterwards considering I am co-MLing, writing my own novel, working two jobs, and taking care of a 4 year old and household! It is going to be hectic that is for sure! But I am up to the challenge. If they are small sections at a time, I can probably work them in, but might want to wait to give anything overly detailed.

I will be changing the names in my piece, but anyone who knows me will probably have some inkling that it is partly auto-biographical! The only thing that I worry about is that there will most likely be some sensitive subjects about me and my husband in there, and I'm sure he will want to read it. I will have to think twice about that!

~Nicole~

Nano2008 - Empty Eyes (68 K)
Nano2009 - Loss is a Four Letter Word

Hi, I'm Anne, best friend of Zurizip. Some of you may remember me from the one or two times I stopped by Apple's when Zuri was there. Well, a Psychology assignment gave me an idea for a Nano project, so here I am. This is actually my first Nano...I held out for 5 years before succumbing to the virus! Damn you, Zuri.... :P

Hey, all! I'm Alana. This is my first year throwing my hat into the ring....and I'm going to do my very best. I'm encouraged by reading a few of your bios; I have two kids, work 3rd shift, and don't have a ridiculous amount of free time. But I think this might just be what I need to light the fire under my arse. I've been procrastinating as far as the writing thing goes for way too long, and Illinois Novembers ARE far too nasty for much else...Not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I'm tossing around a few ideas, mostly revolving around some sort of apocalyptic fallout, but that's subject to change too. Good thing I have a couple weeks to get organized, I guess. Glad to be here!!

Hello, everyone. I'm pleased to see so many people from our area enthusiastic and participating this year.

My name is Cara. I participated in earlier years' NaNoWriMos, but never won any. For some reason, I kept having a go at the same story, rewriting it--or rather, trying to--each year, differently. It's an important story to me I've been toying with and developing for several years, but it finally ocurred to me this year that such a precious project should probably not be approached in such a rushed way. I dropped out of NaNo for the last two or three years, due to a bit of depression and the loss of any drive to write or create. But I've made some great improvements in my life and am craving to join in the fun again this year, and with (for once) an entirely fresh idea, this time a science fiction.

I look forward to any meetings or get-togethers that can be had, if I have the time to join. If anyone here needs anyone to speak with, or any form of encouragement, please don't hesitate to nano-mail me. Happy 2009 and good luck! It will be an amazing November.

Hi from the Arkansas Ozarks! At least that is where I am right at this moment. I'm attending the Ozark Creative Writers conference. I'll be back in P-Town next week, and hopefully much less busy!!

I'm Cheri, also know as grouchmuffin, grouchie, mama, hat lady, hey you, etc...etc... If you've been to any local events in the past few years, we've more than likely met.

We are planning a fantabulous NaNoWriMo 2009 with our sister cities, Fredericton, New Brunswick and Gainesville, FL. I'd also like to introduce you all to my fabulous co-ML, Nicole. She caught the NaNo fever big-time last year, and was a great asset in our word wars against Gainesville...and she also wrote over 68,000 words last November. =)

I am trying 2 new things this year with my novel. #1--outlining. It was out of necessity, because I generally fly by the seat of my pants every November--having the entire story basically written in my head beforehand so I can mind dump for 30 days. This novel required some world building though--and consistent world building because I intend to write a trilogy. #2--this will be a young adult fantasy. I cut my reading teeth on fantasy and sci-fi, so it only seems fitting that I would eventually want to write one (or three in this case).

When I'm not writing, I'm a data geek for a weekly paycheck. I build databases, add data to them & analyze them. And, I'm also a psycho-legal consultant...which will cut into my November a little bit this year, as we have a big gig in Indiana mid-month. So, while I would LOVELOVELOVE to take my book to a cool 90,000 words, I'm only holding myself to the 50k this year.

Look for more information about our Meet & Greet, write-in schedule & party dates in the next week or so. I look forward to writing with you all this year & helping to make it a happy, successful month for everyone! =)

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Cheri in Peoria
2004-2008 winner

You know, I die a little inside every time November rolls around because my college town is extremely small and I can count the number of people I know here doing NaNo on one hand. Last year my write-ins were at the local Panera with a 14-year-old. We stuck it out together, the two of us...but I miss the big vibrant group in Peoria!

I'll be in town this weekend, but other than that I'll be there the week of Thanksgiving. I hope I can make it to a write-in and meet you all again.

Anyway, my name is Sarah and I am totally pants-ing it this year!!

Hi all,

My name is Debbi and I am on the other side of the river from most of you--in the Morton area.

i have considered doing this for several years, but this is the first time I have had the opportunity. I have one book out, released last year, and i am nealry finished with another. I am excited to start from scratch, and honestly dont' know what i will be writing...yet :^)

I am intrigued by the 'write-ins' --where are they usually held?

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Debbi

Hi Debbi!!

Both Cheri and I are on the other side of the river :) so no worries there! Most likely the bulk of the write ins (the Saturday ones) will be held at Kade's on War Memorial. However...I would be more then open to organizing some on the east side of the river! One place that is a good thought is the Panera in East Peoria. I live pretty close to Morton, so if you ever want to have an impromptu gathering I would be more then happy to come! The Saturday write ins will be from 10:00 to 2:00. They are informal, and very fun! You typically get a lot of work done, especially during our 1 hour word wars with our sister regions!!

I look forward to seeing you at the events!

~Nicole~

Nano2008 - Empty Eyes (68 K)
Nano2009 - Loss is a Four Letter Word

Hello Peorian's

It's Kelly just popping in to say Hi. For those of you who've been around awhile, you'll remember me as the former ML for the region. Now I'm happy writing away in the Ozarks of south central MO.

I have my novel all outlined (yep, I'm one of THOSE people hehe) and ready to go.

I tell myself THIS IS THE YEAR!
So here's to all of us!

Creative Blessings - Rain
~Don't get it right--Get it Written! ~
bog--> http://cauldroncafe.blogspot.com
twitter--> http://www.twitter.com/mynanofriends

Hello everybody,

My name is George, and this will be my first year of participating in NaNoWriMo. I have absolutely no idea what I will be writing about, other than I am sure it will be poorly written and an embarrassment. That being said, I am looking forward to the challenge, and am looking forward to throwing myself into this during November.

Take care,
George

Hey there, everyone.

I'm Mike, and this is either my third or fourth year participating (I can't remember for some reason). Haven't reached the 50,000 word goal before, although my closest was about 33,000 words. I hope I can get there this year without falling behind on my college studies.

If there were write-ins at the place that was formerly Kade's Monday nights, I'll most likely attend those. Otherwise, my schedule doesn't allow for much leeway.

Topic-wise, I don't know what to do this year. Maybe something about mind reading or fantasy or whatnot.

-Mike S.

For my other works, please see www.webook.com/member/Iroken.
Also view http://iroken.deviantart.com.

Mike,

You are more then welcome to organize informal/impromptu write ins on Monday's if those are the only day you are free :) I am sure I can use the extra writing time! Spread the word on the forums and see what kind of response you get. I will be posting a thread shortly about holding impromptu write-ins sometime in the near future.

Welcome aboard! And I hope we can help you reach the finish line!

~Nicole~

Nano2008 - Empty Eyes (68 K)
Nano2009 - Loss is a Four Letter Word

Hi, I'm Caitlin, and this is my first year doing NaNoWriMo =) I've heard of it before but never had the courage to try it, but here I am! I'm actually in Rock Island IL right now, because I'm in college (I'm still not used to being 18) but I'm originally from Chillicothe so I thought I'd join this group.

Anyway, I've been writing since I was 11, but not well or often, so I thought this will be just the thing to give me some practice and get me ready. I have an idea and a little bit of a plot...but not much. I've had this idea for a while and I really like it, so I thought it would be better to attempt to write it here than let it go to waste.

That said, idk if I will be able to come to any write-ins...actually, if there are any between the 4th and the 14th I might be able to make them =)

CRUNCH went the dead leaf
under my foot. Satisfied,
I kept on walking.

Hi Caitlin!

I'll hook you up with a Quad Cities thread too--there will be write-ins a little closer to where you currently are. We'll have our calendar posted soon. Sorry for the delay. We just got a major event ironed out TODAY, and I just got a calendar YESTERDAY, so I'm a little behind schedule, but we'll be on task shortly!

Actually, I am a big doofus and forgot how to link to another thread, so here are the Rock Island details from Wrimo paulferg2: "As for write-ins, some of us will be working Wednesday nights, 6:30-10pm at Cool Beanz coffee shop in Rock Island (30th Street and 14th Avenue). Anyone who wants to come is welcome."

Hope that helps, and yes, there will be events in Peoria between the 4th & 14th!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Cheri in Peoria
2004-2008 winner

thank you so much! I looked for a quad cities region and coudln't find it.

Cool Beanz is like two blocks away from my dorm! thank you so much!!

CRUNCH went the dead leaf
under my foot. Satisfied,
I kept on walking.

Hello All,
My name is Beth and this is my first year for NaNo. I read about it about 3 years ago, but couldn't get on the server to get logged in at start time. This year I signed up earlier. I'm about 45 min. from Peoria, but I joined all the ones within an hour drive. I'm not so sure exatcly what I'm writing about, but the line "crazy old cat lady" keeps popping up in strange places....Do you think it's a sign?
Hope to put it to the metal and crank out 50,000 misspelled, dangling participal words!
My Motto NaNoWriMo, You're Mine in '09!
Beth

Hello!

My name is Crystal. I'm 38 and live in Peoria. I've been writing since I was in grade school but mostly poetry. I've had this character and snippets of a book bouncing around in my head for what seems forever so I thought I'd try this and see what happens.

Hi everyone.

My name's Myriah. I discovered nanowrimo last year, unfortunately it was also within the very last week of November:(

I'm looking forward to trying my hand at writing a novel in a month as I never actually manage to get past a chapter without getting annoyed and starting over. I figure if I can do this though, writing will get much much easier.

I'm currently staying in Creve Couer so hopefully I will be in town on days when writing events are being held since gas money is pretty tight here, but I work in Chillicothe and have family in the Heights, so I'm usually in town 4-5 days a week.

Hi all. Brian from Small Town, IL. (45 min. from P-town) I found out about WriMo's earlier this year and thought it sounded cool. Actually forgot about this until I surfed over it googling something else!

I've always enjoyed books of a sci-fi / fantasy nature, and played a little Dungeons & Dragons in my youth. Not hardcore like some of them, but a little. I've also been playing it online this past year. That genre has always had my interest. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed all (but one) of Dan Brown's books, and have read a couple of others of that ilk.

About 5 or 6 years ago I had some ideas of creating my own story. Now whether it belongs in a novel state, be it adult or teen fiction, or it's better suited as a campaign for gaming, I'm not sure. And I probably will never be until I try inking it. It has required me to do much world construction, and that really is the fun part. Most of that is finished, plus a couple of significant plot lines, but the rest has yet to come. English was never my favorite subject in school, but I did have an active imagination. I fear the wording and sentence structure will be all wrong, but that's not the point of this, is it? I've even considered keeping it to myself as just an ongoing bedtime story for the kids, but it's not complete enough to even do that yet. I would think of something, jot it down, and then not do anything with it. Maybe this will kick-start it.

I'm in a quandry as to go with this idea or something completely different just to see how I do. I've been laid off for 6 months and keep thinking "this is the perfect time to start doing something like this. Especially if it's good enough to turn into an income." Ha! LOL!

So there's my $.02. Hope everyone does well in achieving their goals!

Hi, Kelly! Hi, All!

I did about 4 pages in 2007 before I ran out of inspiration. I've been blogging for the last two years, so I think my writer glands are working a bit. We'll take a crack at some Urban Fantasy: I've got the floor plan for a house; I know a coven of some kind meets there. I don't know any witch who could actually afford to own such a house, so I have had to create some back story. Right now I've got a protagonist with some family and a long-term goal (which she will not meet in this book). Now I just need to add some coven members with problems she CAN solve, and voila! How hard can it be? --Don't answer that.

Hey everyone-

I'm Bex! I found out about NaNo WriMo from a friend just a few days ago and was so inspired that I joined! Although, being a senior in high school I don't know how much time I'll have to write, but it sounds fun all the same! I hope I can go to some of the Write-ins and meet a few of you!
Hmm, hobbies hobbies... aside from writing, I like to read and draw and listen to/play music. Basically I like to be creative- or as most of my friends say, "Artsey Fartsey".
I do my best thinking at night while listening to Wicked the Musical, or some other type of soundtrack, and my writing style can only be described as "Mind Puke"- Yeah gross analogy I know, bear with me- as I only give myself a rough outline (on good days xD) and then just start my hand going. And then there it is- Mind puke.

Normally I just write short stories, so 50,000 words is going to be a bit of a challenge... here's hoping I defy gravity =)

Bex

I fell through the cracks of a wardrobe door into the land of Oz, where I promptly lost myself in the candy cane forest looking for Excalibur- that legendary vorpal blade- so that I could slay Voldemort...