Disgruntled writers have power

Oh no. There were problems? That's no good. :(
Hope it was a successful writing session in spite of any problems though.

=(

I wasn't able to make it. Perhaps it was a good thing. Sorry there were issues.

Despite the problems with the food and stuff, the writing is still good... I'm at 1,912 words so far. We were just 25 people all at one time and it was a bit much for the staffing they had. They tried, but it just didn't happen as well as it could have. I just put my head down and typed.

2008 - winner Compensating Control
Jim / SynapticJam - Hhhmmm... Tastes just like chicken!

One of the biggest problems I saw, and after talking with one of the wait staff outside before I left for the night (morning, haha), was that Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest times for them, and any place like this would not want a group of 25 people not turning over tables. He said Wednesdays are usually really slow and they love groups like this to fill the place up.
The other thing he said was that because of the proximity to the bars in the area, they have been having a lot of problems with drunks, and the cops have stopped responding promptly to problems. So the managers have been instructed to not let people hang out there. So even though we prearranged with one manager, the others may not be as sympathetic with our needs.
I can understand that, from a business stand point. But it still doesn't explain why they had one cook and one wait person on duty on Halloween night, presumably one of the busiest drunken nights of the year.
And I'm so sorry that Andy and the others at the table did not get service. At all. It kind of ruined my mood. When people at the other tables left and I shut down my computer to move back to the large table in the corner to consolidate, I just didn't have the inspiration to write, like when I came in. The crowd in the restaurant, which almost immediately filled up after we went to one table again, was very distracting to me. And I kept feeling like an intrusion. And I didn't like that some of our group had a bad experience. So I wasn't thrilled. Now I am in a better mood, but I won't go back to Denny's on Lake street.

I would also like to offer our community bike shop as a potential all-nighter location. It has wi-fi and plenty of space to plug in, if you don't mind bikes surrounding you. I'll even throw in a free lesson on how to tune up your bikes for those that are interested while waiting for novel inspiration to strike. It's located on University by Dale, in St. Paul. I can't organize a write-in, or tour but I'm offering to open up the space for late night/all-night group gatherings. Oh and we have a coffee pot for those that would rather have an endless pot going.
There is also a new coffee shop with donuts and rolls in the same building, with wi-fi that would love the business, but their hours are kind of limited to the business day.

I am glad that in spite of overwhelming the staff at Denny's and the problems, most of us there were able to get something done. It's good to hit the Ground running! Here's to a great month of writing and good gatherings!

John

New Story, 2009: "Abandoned Cemetery"
First Story, 2007: "Eternal City"
Two years of recovery seems to be enough,
to make me forget what I went through!

Considering what you heard from the employees, I would think that Denny's is not an appropriate place for us. We are, by our very nature, a difficult group to deal with - even though we do our best to be as nice and accommodating as we can be. But if they frequently experience problems, they are not going to be patient with us.

I know that after my experience, I will not be returning to that Denny's (not that I was a frequent patron there to begin with). None-the-less, I will say that the writing itself was good. The countdown was exciting and I saw many of us rapidly tapping away at our keyboards, or scratching with our pens. We managed to get a lot of words towards our goals.

It's not about the words, it's about the meaning - the words are just there to hold it all together.

2007 - Hands Down - winner
2008 - Natural Spirits - winner
2009 - The Queen's Own - winner

Personally I feel bad being one of the ones that recommended we go there, haha... sorry...

They were great to us last year, but times change and there might be an entirely new staff working there now. :\

"Ach, the muse is a terrible thing to have happen to ye."
-Rob Anybody, "The Wee Free Men" by Terry Pratchett

Don't feel bad! I was at the table that never got any service-- he did take our order about 45 minutes after we got there, but he never brought us any food. and yes, that was annoying, but you really never know how it is going to go at these write-ins, and there are so many variables. You learn as you go--- like maybe this Denny's isn 't the right place for a larger write-in on a Saturday night, but I'd still give it a try for a weeknight.

SynapticJam did everything right and everything that Nano itself recommends in planning a write-in for a group-- he went in and scoped out the place and talked to management... the fact that there was some communication breakdown with Denny's staff was nothing he could control. Hopefully Denny's learned from this experience as well, but you just can't tell. Sometimes managers aren't really that great at managing.

I'm not sorry I went, and the write-in was actually great! I was impressed that Denny's let us set up rows of tables in the front of the restaurant and let us use lots of power strips. There were cords to deal with and they were good about that. There was fabulous writing energy there!

Maybe people who go there for a future write-in, like those late-night gals, can report in on how it is for those this year. I'd be willing to go back sometime.

Theresa, aka Sapphirestar
Twin Cities ML

http://sapphire.albatross.org

2003: Out of Houdini's Trunk
2004: Rita, Not the Hurricane
2005: Days of Confinement
2006: My Name Is Shay
2007: After 50 Years
2008: The Fat Lady Sings

That would be great for the next one. Thanks for the offer. And thanks again for coming out.

Remember, it's when things don't go your way that you truly experience life.

2008 - winner Compensating Control
Jim / SynapticJam - Hhhmmm... Tastes just like chicken!

2008 - winner Compensating Control
Jim / SynapticJam - Hhhmmm... Tastes just like chicken!

When we went last year, it was usually on a weeknight I think.. and I don't think there was ever more than six of us. So it's totally different circumstances. And I feel bad for y'all cause bad restaurant service is probably my biggest pet peeve EVER, but I agree with Jim.. "When things don't go your way you truly experience life."

..still though. i don't care how busy you are, what you're used to serving, there are still ways to provide good service and bad service is INEXCUSABLE. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

we had fabulous service at IHOP last night if you ask me!

so what you're saying is.. .I should've been there!

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

yeah! Go go gadget vulva!

haha I know it is bad form to post a reply with just "hahahahahah" but, all the same, hahahahahah

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

http://matthew.kilanowski.us

Well, I was just thinking ... should we keep Denny's on the All-Night Write-In schedule? I hate to mess with Callipygian King's event, but i also don't want a bad Denny's experience to keep us away. It's true that Nov. 14/15 isn't a holiday, but it is a Saturday.

So, I'll throw out two ideas.

1. Speak to or email Bob Quigley at the Lake St. Denny's and tell him that we are coming -- AGAIN -- if they are ok with it, after explaining that kickoff night was a little sketchy.

2. There are two diners open late on Friday-Saturday in St. Paul: The Neighborhood Cafe, next to O'Gara's on Snelling and Selby. Open until 3 a.m., I think. I've never been there late, but I suspect, since it's next to a bar and right by St. Thomas and Macalester that it gets really crowded when the bars close (O'gara's closes at 2).
The other diner is the Uptowner, on Grand Ave. and Lexington, also very small, but not right by any popular bars. Also open Friday and Saturday until around 3 a.m.

Wait, here's a third idea: Some of us could just go to Perkin after Merlins, some could go to Denny's or wherever ... make the midnight to 4 a.m. the "your choice" destination. We'd be all spread out, but butwe'd be back together at Nina's. (I have never made it to Nina's after Perkins ... I'm old, remember?)

I'm just tossing out ideas, but because this is NOT MY EVENT, but arranged by our incomparable pal Callpygian (after all these years you'd think i could spell it), and it has been an overwhelming success both times and will only get better. He will make the final call.

Just put one word after another.

There was a suggestion of adding IHOP as one of the late night destinations but the only problem with that would be if people don't want to drive that far and then back to Ninas. I still think splitting up that long stretch after Merlin's and before Nina's might be better than 6 hours at the same place.

Your bike shop sounds like an intriguing option! If you do organize a middle-of-the-night write-in there, I may come. I could use some pointers about bike maintenance, and it shouldn't be necessary to have a source of food at every write-in.

That said, I think it's a bit late to change the schedule of the 28-hour tour. And I'm guessing Denny's won't be so busy on the early 15th as it was on Halloween. And even if it is, that just means it's the dangerous part of the tour--watch out! ~B)

2003--Eva and the Killjoys
2004--Edge Friends
2005--The Autobiography of Peter Mint
2006--House of Harpers
2007--Halloween Happiness
2008--What Is Best?
2009--The Kaliko Shelf

I only suggested Denny's because LAST year was AWESOME there. And, not everyone can do Merlins, and Perkins didn NOT have plug-ins in April. Someone thought they put in a plug-in their again. So, who knows. I don't care.

However, according to the other thread, Callypigian king was going to keep Denny's in for this year. It is really truly sad that Denny's screwed up. There is at least 1 nanoer who refuses to give anyone a second chance. And, I doubt that at the 28 hour write-in its going to be much better. Why? It will still be a Saturday. However, if they are NOT going to staff the joint then they might as well shut their doors.

I'll still be doing Denny's instead of Merlins. But, I don't mind if people decide on another place, for after Merlins. Denny's SOLE purpose was to give people for sure outlets And accomodate those who can't do Merlins. Some people just want outlets. Also, no place really likes people there longer than 4 hours unless they are a coffee shop.

too bad so sad. Denny's lost several customers. ;(

IHOP to Nina's:

Actually, that is NOT the far of a drive and I do not mind making it. If people wanted to just go from Merlin's to Perkins. I'm fine with it. The real drive is from Perkins to IHOP. LOL

One just goes the other way on 494 to get to St. Paul. I'd have to check with Sister for the exact route. I also don't mind doing IHOP instead of Denny's, while everyone else is at Merlin's. However, the tour is set so this will be kept in mind for next year. :D

I still want to go to Lake Street Denny's. Last year was too awesome to not go. I really can't find myself caring much that some people got bad service once on an overly busy night where the place was understaffed.

No power in the 'verse can stop me

I also want to go there. Tomorrow/Friday maybe? I don't know if I could get over there with much time to spare tonight

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

we are at bakers square tonight! why aren't you here?

oops!@

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

cause i am silly! i don't know where it is and it seems waaay far!! i coulda had free pieee

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

It's 5 minutes from Denny's woman!!!

2239 Ford Pkwy, St Paul

It's on, now!

it is very very very very close....mapquest is easy to usse you know.

....

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

shoot.

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

what time do they close!!

here your poems still warm me when memory drains

??