I am in the Commercial Drive area and could use all the social support I can get for writing.
It would be awesome to hang with anyone who has mornings and mid-days free and maybe provide some encouragement as we work on our novels. Maybe laptops at Cafes?
I am working on a fantasy novel for children ages 11-13ish.
phil@philipstephen.com
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- phil
www.philipstephen.com




43,011 / 50,000
oct. 24, 2009 - 21 31
Hey Phil,
I'll be available most days in November after 2pm. (got a class from 9-2). Let me know if that's not too late in the day.
Sue
42,494 / 50,000
oct. 24, 2009 - 22 02
I'm not actually in East Van, but I'm not too far either, if people are planning some write-ins! But the only weekday I am free in the daytime is Tuesdays after noon...
35,528 / 50,000
oct. 25, 2009 - 10 07
Hey Phil,
I'm self employed so my schedule is flexible and I'm at Main & 2nd so Commercial works for me.
I originally didn't respond to this because I thought I wouldn't be able to commit to a regular group, but now I'm thinking a daytime meet-up would probably work better for me than an evening one.
SO, I'm game.
Did you have cafe in mind? My favorite is on the east side of Commercial @ 4th--I've forgotten the name. Good coffee though, and non franchised.
Let me know,
sz
4,381 / 50,000
oct. 25, 2009 - 11 43
My Tuesdays and Fridays are busy, but other than that I would be up for meeting...
I was thinking of going for early starts - like 10am or so, but 2pm could be good if you have classes. This could be a once a week check in and write-in or we could do it most days depending on what folks like...
How about Monday the 2nd for you folks that have lots of free time?
Cafe Deux Soliels is a good one at 4th and Commercial for sure... they have some great open mic events and poetry slams that are worth checking out.... The End Cafe is pretty close to me too. There is Our Town or the Grind for people who are more Main Street area.
What sort of novels are the folks who have replied so far working on?
----------- phil
www.philipstephen.com
23,020 / 50,000
oct. 25, 2009 - 13 48
For anyone on or near main street, I'm probably going to be spending Monday afternoons (between 1-3ish) writing at this little Italian Cafe near main and 16th called Caffe Rustico. If anyone near that area would like to pop in, let me know and we can coordinate times or something.
35,528 / 50,000
oct. 25, 2009 - 18 34
Actually the cafe I was thinking of is a block or so up from Cafe du Soleil on the same side (I thought it was 4th, but I guess not) Soleil would be good during the day though, lots of space to spread out.
I'm good to meet there or at The End (I think the name's been changed to St. Augustines or something...) on Monday the second if any one else is game.
I was hoping for a 1-3pm kind of slot (I have an appointment at 4), but if the vote goes for a 2pm start I'll just slip out early.
As usual I have no idea whatsoever what I will be writing about--HA!
But if things go the way of past Nano's it will be fairly mainstream and a study of human nature. This year it's feeling like a kind of "what makes good people do bad things" kind of, vague sort of...thing. Not dark though, I've got a pretty good sense of humour.
To the Main Street person I might pop up and join you on future Mondays if that's ok. I can see already that I'm going to be very unorganized for this first week, and hopefully settling down into a pattern for week 2.
24,000 / 50,000
oct. 27, 2009 - 07 29
You're thinking of Prado Suzzah. NGL, that place freaks me out. I can do like... before noon on Thursdays, after oneish on Wednesday and anytime on Fridays. Other then that I'm in class entirely too much, ugh.
----------35,528 / 50,000
oct. 27, 2009 - 10 59
Prado- that's the place. Not a problem about the creepies (though you've got me curious), I'm thinking it's probably too small for more than a collection of 2 anyway.
So we're back to Soleil or The End (or whatever it's called..) There's also of course Waves or Starbucks. I'm starting not to care at this point. Any preferences...anyone?
4,381 / 50,000
oct. 27, 2009 - 22 08
I vote for The End, because it is closer to me.
It sounds like later in the day works for most people, (rather than mornings) so lets say 1-3pm ish, but come early or stay later or whatever you need to do...
Look for the laptop clusters on Monday!
It is my first year... be gentle.
have a good halloween everyone.
Phil
----------- phil
www.philipstephen.com
4,381 / 50,000
oct. 27, 2009 - 22 13
I thought i was decisive but maybe I am not....
I just noticed that aerussell will be at Caffe Rustico and suzzah lives at main and 2nd...
should we just join aerussle at 16th and Main?
where do y'all want to go?
I will go to The End or Caffe Rustico depending on what the next enthusiastic post is on this thread...
Phil
----------- phil
www.philipstephen.com
4,381 / 50,000
oct. 27, 2009 - 22 15
in response to witchling, before noon on Thursday is great for me... not sure about wednesdays or fridays... but some might work...
----------- phil
www.philipstephen.com
43,011 / 50,000
oct. 28, 2009 - 08 15
Someplace relatively close to the skytrain works better for me. But I won't be there til 2:30ish so make my vote count less
If there are more than a few people going it's a good idea to bring a power bar. Most places have few outlets.
4,381 / 50,000
nov. 1, 2009 - 14 02
Due to not too many decisive statements in this thread, I am going to try Cafe Rustica at Main and 16th for my first write in - from 1-3pm.
How are folks stories coming so far?
phil
----------- phil
www.philipstephen.com
24,000 / 50,000
nov. 2, 2009 - 10 07
I will try to make it out there. I can't make any promises on account of my being a flake. But hopefully!
----------4,381 / 50,000
nov. 2, 2009 - 13 51
Ah well... I am here writing alone in any case. Aruessel did not show up.
Maybe I should have gone to The End, but here I am now.
There must be a better way to organize these things.
I may have time on Thursday for some writing.
Mornings are best for me... but it is hard to find folks that do not have other jobs in the AM.
If folks want faster communication, feel free to e-mail me: phil@philipstephen.com
Be well.
Phil
----------- phil
www.philipstephen.com
14,052 / 50,000
nov. 2, 2009 - 15 45
Hey guys, the End doesn't exist anymore. It's now St. Augustine's (a bar), and has been for like a year. Or, am I mistaken... ?
I'm at Commercial & 5th. Interested in meeting up tonight.
JJ Bean (@ 6th) is good, so is Turks (across from Grandview Park). Cafe Amici is open until 10, and has a students lounge.
Cafe Deux Soleils (which is a different coffee shop that Cafe Du Soleil, note) is busy with a poetry slam tonight - not a good location.
Would people be interested in Cafe Amici (@Kitchener), and Turks as a back-up? I would be up for a writing party at 6:30, for a few hours.
37,404 / 50,000
nov. 2, 2009 - 16 44
I live right in between Cambie and Main, but can make it over to Commercial easy. If people plan something I am free most days by around 5pm. I work until 4 and then the ride home.
14,052 / 50,000
nov. 2, 2009 - 17 25
aithnea,
Can you make tonight at 6:30, at Cafe Amici (Commercial and Kitchener)?
45,548 / 50,000
nov. 2, 2009 - 21 16
Yes, The End has undergone its sixth transition since I moved to the area and is now a bar. A great place to get a beer - and they have the best beer selection at this end of Commercial - and write but not a great place to get a coffee. I think there are still lots of outlets available from the days when it was a cafe.
43,011 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 09 02
Today is Tuesday - Nov 3rd - Is anyone doing a day write-in near the Broadway Sktrain?
I'm available any time after noon but need an hours notice to get there.
Cheers - Sue
4,381 / 50,000
nov. 3, 2009 - 12 11
witching and I are going to grab some thursday morning writing at what was once The End... as long as it is open.
I forget what time we said. was it 9? is it even open then?
Folks are welcome to join.
Phil
----------- phil
www.philipstephen.com
24,000 / 50,000
nov. 4, 2009 - 15 52
Given that I'm fairly sure that The End is now, in fact a bar, why don't we move up a few blocks and hit the JJ Bean on Commercial? Nine still works for me.
----------58,061 / 50,000
nov. 4, 2009 - 15 58
It's basically the same as it always was. Just a better food menu.
50,258 / 50,000
nov. 4, 2009 - 22 46
I came home via Broadway station so I checked in at the end and the Ozzie-accented host there told me they open at 11:30 on weekdays.
I love JJ and am cool with that idea. But we could also do Café Deux Soleils if the group is going to be bigger than a few people. They have more room and longer tables.
35,528 / 50,000
nov. 4, 2009 - 23 25
Hey East Van,
I popped in for a while at the beginning of this thread then disappeared--sorry about that. I actually unsubscribed from the forums for a while because I was getting too distracted. As you can see by my word count I just ended up finding other things to distract me!
I'd love to be able to promise that I can make the Commercial Drive write ins, but I need to be brutally honest with myself about how lazy I am. I am lazy, lazy, lazy. So lazy that the best I can say is that I'll be hanging out in my hood at Our Town (Kingsway & Broadway) most afternoons at around 1pm for an hour or 2. So if anyone's in the neighbourhood let me know and we can arrange to meet.
ps: I've never actually been to Our Town, but I hear the coffee's good. If it sucks or is too busy I'll send out an update.
Best of luck everyone!
24,000 / 50,000
nov. 5, 2009 - 00 00
Okay, I know this is late but I will, will, will, be at the JJ on the Drive for nine-ish tomorrow morning. I'll probably be there until eleven thirty.
Come visit me.
----------50,258 / 50,000
nov. 5, 2009 - 07 45
Hi Witchling,
I'll be there too. See you soon.
Sarah
43,011 / 50,000
nov. 5, 2009 - 08 20
my lazy butt is out of bed, catching the bus in a few will be a bit late so save me a chair
37,404 / 50,000
nov. 6, 2009 - 06 45
@mcdaldno had I actually thought to check this thread on that day I likely would of been able. Sorry about that.
24,000 / 50,000
nov. 6, 2009 - 16 52
Hey! I'm gonna do something tomorrow on the Drive. And by "do something" I mean have a wee little write in. I'll be at the JJ Bean on Commercial Drive at 11 tomorrow. Tomorrow being Saturday.
That's 11 am to at least 2 pm, Saturday 07 at JJ Bean on Commercial Drive. MAP! It's pretty easy to get to though, from the Broadway and Commercial skytrain just walk up Commercial Drive towards the mountains.
Who's in?
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