Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Who's in for 2008?

StrawPony — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:46:22 -0700

I see people posting as recently as a week ago! So I thought I'd throw this one out. NaNo is still 3 months away, but...hm, what was my but?

When I joined last year I figured that it would be my one and only shot at it. However, the aching temptation is there...it really is, despite my knowledge that I definitely won't have time for it...so tempted...must...listen...to...good...sense...

Enough! Who knows they're in it for this year!?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Melbourne- Unesco City of Literature (the second)

wonderdog — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:42:48 -0700

http://www.theage.com.au/news/editorial/melbourne-city-of-literature-and...

I've trawled the UNESCO site, and I cant see anything there on us. Edinburgh is there, but not us.

but hey! We are the second official City of Literature! I think the nanowrimo world needs to know how cool we are as a city, coz we're lit'rat!
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

So... who kept writing through '08?

ruzkin — Tue, 8 Jul 2008 22:47:35 -0700

Hey yo! Long time no see. Question for all the '07 Nanoers... who hasn't touched a pen since Nov '07, and who has kept the ideas moving?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

NaNo Drinks

Talea — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 00:06:10 -0700

Hi Everyone,

Since there has apparently been enthusiastic LJ communication today, I am making a post for those of us who do not have an LJ account (although perhaps I should look into getting one). Drinks have once again shifted from the Sahara to the Lion over at Melbourne Central for tonight.

Neither venue is perfect - the Sahara has accessability issues, and the Lion is overpriced. If anyone has suggestions for a third venue that we could investigate in the future, feel free to post in this thread. My wish list would include easy access from central public transport, wheelchair access, decent food and decent prices. A venue that under 18s can also safely enjoy would be great. We have a lot of younger writers, and younger writers tend to have anxious parents who think they should make it home in one peice. Suggestions? Comments?

Cath
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Catherine
Co-ML for Melbourne, Australia

Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

free ticket to Melbourne Writers Festival session

treefern — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:28:05 -0700

Hi nano people, I have a ticket for one of the MWF sessions that I won't be able to use, so it's going free to someone who's interested, in exchange for a copy of any notes that you take / get at the session (normal ticket price for this session is $55).

It's for this Saturday, and it's about writing migration stories - I actually thought it would be useful for my next planned scifi novel but unfortunately other things prevent me from attending.

If you are interested please send me a NaNoMail with an email address so that I can email the ticket (you need to be able to print it out).

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New lives for old
Leavings, journeys and arrivals. In this workshop Arnold Zable and Alice Pung analyse the characteristic divisions of the migration story and the different approaches the writer can take towards them. Alice will focus on the arrival stories of immigration, and how migrants adapt to becoming inhabitants of a new country and culture. Arnold will focus on how to recreate, research and write the journey between old world and new, and how to weave the stories into a seamless whole.

New Lives For Old is a seminar/workshop, and is open to writers of all levels of experience.

Date: 23 August 2008

Time: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm

Venue: Immigration Museum.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Melbourne Writers' Group?

Starbuck — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:41:59 -0700

Okay so here was my idea.

Matt send a group message out to all the Facebook NaNoers, (I'm sorry I don't know your username), with a writing thing each week, using IRC where we do writing exercises and such.

I don't come to the NaNo forums out of November or October very often so I don't expect many replies, but maybe some of you are out there? I wanted to get something weekly going, writing exercises etc. At the moment I guess it's all up in the air and maybe others will have suggestions?

Gah I don't know what I'm talking about.

.. Help? :D

Emily
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Incoming Sydney-sider...

AussieFigment — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:43:40 -0800

Hey all...

I have lived in Sydney for the past 9 years... Before that I was a Queenslander, and am set to become a Melbournite!

So... Although I went against you in the Sydney team last NaNo... Would you think of taking on a NaNoer without a region? :P

I would also be interested in writing groups that are taking place and such...

Anyway, please don't hate me cause I came from Sydney, love me cause I can add another 50K! :D

Figgy.
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_______________________________
NaNo 07: A Ghostly Belonging
Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama / Psychological
Deaths: 5 featured, and about 20 in the battle.
Mutants: 90-ish
Status: First Draft, Complete.
Dedicated to Dragon; the best ra

Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Write ins beyond Nano

Scarlett Archer — Thu, 6 Dec 2007 12:36:37 -0800

Ahoy guys

There have been some requests to do a write-in this weekend, and for weekends after. December is a busy time for a lot of us so I'll definitely be at them in January but I'm going to put it out there for who wants to go this Sunday the 9th of December.

Meeting at: Max Brenners in Melbourne Central @ 2pm.

Hope to see a couple of you there.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Max Brenner's Sunday 2nd November

Lauren E. Mitchell — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:46:15 -0800

I propose Brennerage for Sunday 2nd of November, from two o'clock-ish onwards, at Max Brenner's Melbourne Central. This is because I promised myself I could have a waffle with everything, and a milk Italian to drink with it, when I finished writing my novel (not just hitting 50K, finishing the story), and I just did, and if there's anyone who would like to join me, you're more than welcome.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Some final statistics

Talea — Sat, 1 Dec 2007 14:14:41 -0800

No matter how much it can feel like NaNoWriMo will never end in the second week, it does and it has. Some final statistics for you all to consider:

Of the 239 writers who have set their home region to Melbourne and wrote this month, 88 are listed as winners. Congratulations to everyone who now has their shiny purple bar. Unless my maths is failing me, this gives us a victory rate of about 37%. That is huge, and I bet other regions would love to be able to boast such a high percentage.

Overall word count for Melbourne: 6,384,621. This puts us in 21st place. In short, we totally kicked butt this year.

Average word count: 26,713. This puts us in 133rd place. If you made it above this line, you were doing well. If you didn't make this line, consider joining the IRC chat channel next year - nearly everyone who was talking on that is now a winner. Even if you almost make it, you'll still have written more than the average Melbourne writer, which is a huge achievement.

Donations: $585.00. This puts us in 50th place. If you haven't yet donated, and you can afford to, please consider it if you got something out of the month. $10USD is the minimum amount on the Donations page, and every cent counts. I'm not sure if further donations at this point will count towards the scoreboard, but I suspect that they might. It would be a real shame if other regions came along and shoved us further down the rankings.

The next writing challenge organised by the Office of Letters and Light will be Script Frenzy. If you loved the sense of comunity that NaNoWriMo gave to you, but now want to try a script instead of a novel, please join us at http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/ in April. The challenge is to write 100 pages (using the proper script formatting, obviously) in the month. This will equate to about 20,000 words, or 100 minutes of screen/stage time. It's a very different type of challenge, but just as much fun, so I hope to see you there.
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Catherine
Co-ML for Melbourne, Australia

Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

This year's nano taught me

wonderdog — Wed, 5 Dec 2007 17:00:48 -0800

Heya.

Another topic I have pilfered from the general forums. And again, I'm more interested in the opinons of melbourne people, rather than EVERYONE...

So, this year's nano has taught me that:

1. Word wars on IRC are both entertaining and surprisingly productive for me

2. Things that happen around me, not related to writing, do in fact impact on my writing (work stress from redundancies made it hard to come home and write)

3. It wasnt until I started killing people, that things started to race along for me

4. I still have trouble ending a story that I enjoy writing, but I know I must write THE END eventually

5 Its okay to swear in a story.

6 it is still okay to write, just for the sake of writing

What things have you learnt from this year's Nanowrimo?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Melbourne Character Graveyard

wonderdog — Sun, 2 Dec 2007 19:41:49 -0800

Saw this in the Reaching 50 000 thread. Who cares about the rest of Nano. lets talk MELBOURNE! Who did you kill in your novel? (What we need is a gravestone generator, so we can make pics... I will investigate....)

I'd like to bury the twins James and Jeffry, two innocent factory workers who tried to do the right thing, but were shot by my bad guy, twice.

And to Sharon, the student who stood between the bad guy, Chad, his gun, and the MC, Jarred. You should have ducked.

R.I.P.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Now What?

wonderdog — Sun, 2 Dec 2007 16:43:08 -0800

Told Loki yesterday that I woke up Saturday (hungover) thinking- what do I do now? I dont need to madly write and novel in the spare moments, I can... just.. do... um...

So now what for you?

I know I want to finish the novel itself (havent written "The End... with chocolate.), but I want to get it done before Dec 14th, my last day here at work. want to print it off, double-sided, while I can use their awesome laser printers.. and then tkgrrrl is gonna bind it for me. YAY.

And then? Dont know. I mean, creative writing wise. that whole COW thing might be a goer.

So, creative writing wise. Post-nano.. what are your plans?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Back for 2008?

Lauren E. Mitchell — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:57:54 -0800

So, as November 2007 draws to a close, I'm wondering who's planning on being back for next year.

For my part, I'm glad that next year, November 1st is a Saturday. I like to get a good head start on day one and starting on a Thursday really threw me this year. I've got three potential novel ideas -- one Feldaine book, one Melbourne Magic book, and one other book which is kind of about politics and drugs and power struggles, but is set in the future. I've been trying to write it for about ten years and think I need the NaNo kick to get it going.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Writing "The End" for the First Time Ever!!!

1863 — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:12:34 -0800

For the first ever time doing Nano, I actually COMPLETED my story! I've "finished" the 50k every single time, but the stories have always been incomplete, unfinished. This year, I actually have a completed novel!

ps. My real wordcount is finally up.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

It's my End of NaNo Party and I'll write if I want to.

Cheryl Rosbak — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:59:03 -0800

When: Friday, November 30, 7pm
Where: 27 Egginton St, Brunswick West
How to get there: Via 55 tram, 508 bus, 503 bus, or Brunswick station if you feel like walking
Why: Why not?

Yes, Orbifold and I are hosting the Thank God It's (nearly) Over Party this year, at our lovely little house in the middle of nowhere.

Bring your laptop if you're still writing (god knows I am), and any alcohol you may wish to consume. Want to bring food and other drink? That would be wonderful. Non-NaNoing significant others are also welcome.

Dramatic readings will be held, so bring your laptop or a print out of your NaNovel.

Requisite map:
View Larger Map
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Failed Miserably

lyrical_liar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:21:35 -0800

Who else is, like me, at the end of the month with not even 10,000 words to show for it? i cam into the month fairly strong. Had my plos perfectly outlined and everything. Then when i actually started to write it all went down hill. Within 200 words a new character walked into the scene as my FMC's boyfriend, the setting had changed and so had most of the plot. So i was stuck. Plotting while writing doesnt work for me. Clearly.

So who else, like me failed miserably... but had fun doing it?
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the angels have the phone box

Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

My NaNo T-shirt.

LolitaJayneScarlet — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:31:40 -0800

I painted a t-shirt with one of the suggestions for NaNo badges.
Take a look?
lol.
xxLolita
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blog
The Zyeniche Curse | nano07
Shadow of Doubt | nano06
wips :
From the Ashes - The Unbound Truth || Keeper of Souls || Void Dreams

Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

With one hour and fifty three minutes to go...

JadeAngel262 — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:08:49 -0800

I finally made it!!

And I know there are ten thousand threads just like this one, but I had to post something to see myself in purple...

WooooHoooo!!!
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Dance like nobody's watching
Love like you've never been hurt
Sing like nobody's listening
Live like it's heaven on earth - Mark Twain

Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Alexandra Write-In

Stray_89 — Sun, 4 Nov 2007 23:06:35 -0800

So guys, here we are, for a town of only 2500, we sure do have a lot of Wrimos! How many are we, 6? I totally think that we need to have a write-in, not sure at this stage who should host it, but we shall discuss it here. This thread should also be a place to find each other as the whole author search isnt up and all.

Happy Writing folks

-XOXO

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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

I'm so embarrassed!

LolitaJayneScarlet — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:16:25 -0800

It was late!
I was tired!
I went to validate my novel!
I freaked cos it took me to the winners page and I knew that wasn't right.
I was only at about 44k
*headdesk*
I had double-posted my story and had 88k
Even now though that I've taken it all off, it still says I've won.
How embarrassing.
And Un-inspiring.
:/
I guess it's as 1863 said to me: now I have to win!
lol.
I'll be back later.
Work and all that :/
I'm so tired - these cafinated drinks do nothing for me but put me to sleep!
I hope for 50k today... I might not war at all until later tonight. Just write and write prior...
sound like a plan?
xxLola
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blog
The Zyeniche Curse | nano07
Shadow of Doubt | nano06
wips :
From the Ashes - The Unbound Truth || Keeper of Souls || Void Dreams

Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Wank word bingo

wonderdog — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:57:23 -0800

I did this in the IRC a few nights back. used a word, went DING, and confused people. So, I thought I might explain it, and then, you get to play it, with passages from your now completed novels :)

So, wank word bingo originated from those catchy phrases you hear managment use, which mean nothing- 'going forward'
""Provide maximum availability of departmental user data" - Making sure people can get their stuff."

I submit the word 'benevolent':

"But, benevolently, rather than be consumed by Six Ten, it was allowed to become a member state. So, it was independent, just well behaved. It was common practice at state dinners to remind the Haven Star representative of history."

DING

The words 'plethora' and 'detritus' are like, excellent examples of WWB words.

So, what submissions do you have from your books to add?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

I Make Icon

Lauren E. Mitchell — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:23:27 -0800

You can has book icon. Is gift. You can has custom book icon! You ask, I make.

Okay, lolcat gives me a headache, but you get the idea.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

Reward and Recognition

wonderdog — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:23:25 -0700

Saw this in another thread. Thought I'd ask the locals.

What are you going to do to reward yourself?

Incremental for word counts? The FINAL reward?

Last year I got myself a Beaine Bear for every 10 000 words. ANd since there were 7 I wanted,... heh..

I think I might do the same this year. ANd perhaps an excercise bike as a FINAL reward! YES! Congratulations! here is a torture device!

Ah ha...

Perhaps a different kind of cookie each week?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Melbourne

OMG I made it!!! Okay, must share, freakin hell I graduated!!

Agent Manchester — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:35:49 -0800

Hi Guys!!

I'm just like completely over the moon that I'm done! NaNoWriMo Year 1 and I made it! Wohoo!!! And thus I just wanted to share with anyone wanting to read, my last few paragraphs that ended my 2007 entry, ~ In A Heartbeat ~

Part Three: Remembrance

They stood under the shade of a tall Willow tree. Five still figures holing hands, each forming a fifth of a circle around several bunches of flowers and a handful of photos. A light breeze stirred the dangling foliage of the tree, creating like a shimmering curtain around them, blocking out the rest of the park.

It had been one week since the famed London Underground Bombings. One week since any of them had seen Millie; the last was Max assuring her he’d see her after work that evening. But it was never to be. Attempts at tracking down the young Australian had come up with nothing, she was presumed dead still buried down in one of the tunnels.

The news had come as a devastating blow to Jack and to Lucy, who had shared the past six months of their lives with her. In their heart of hearts they’d hoped and preyed and waited that she would walk through the door of their home any moment that fated day, but she never came. Never again would her smile greet them in the morning. They left the jar of vegemite on the dining table as a standing reminder of the dear friend they had lost.

Sarah had spent the night in a local pub out Brent Cross way trying to drown herself in drink to make the sorrow and loss easier to handle. It was a call from Max two days later that woke her from her unconscious-like state and made her realise that this wasn’t a path she needed to be walking down. Consequently, she had called her family, right where she knew they would be. In The Dream House. Tears had come from both ends of the phone line, her children longed to have her home and as part of the agreement to return to North Carolina, Richard had agreed to go and see someone about his anger management.

For Max, he seemed lost. Knowing his final words to the love of his life were that of kindness went no where close to being enough to console him over his loss. The past week had seen him cry and laugh and scream and hurt. On this day, a mere seven after seeing Millie for the last time, he came to meet with the people who were a part of her life here in her home away from home.

The youngest of the five, Cassie stood numbly looking at the ground. Lanie had received several calls during that past week. This was never supposed to happen to her, she was never supposed to feel this much pain. She was never supposed to experience loss so close to her. Both of her parents had spoken to her, asking her to come home. But for Cassie that was out of the question. Despite the hurt and the terror which had rocked her world one sunny July morning, London had become home. Here, like every one else, she would in time heal and move on with life.

As the clock ticked closer to 8:50am, they prepared to stand with arms at their sides, heads tilted for the two minutes of silence which was to mark the time of the first explosion. They let go of hands, closed their eyes and waited. And as they did so, a bizarre thing happened.

Like a blanket had been thrown over the city, everything stopped. In a place where there was always something happening, always trains and buses and people and animals, silence settled. It was an eerie silence where literally nothing had a place to be heard. It was as if London itself had ceased to live.

And in that heartbeat of silence, Jack knew there really was, only One London.

Wohooooo!!! Going to print my certificate now and taking it home to put on my wall!! Wohoo!!!
*runs away into the distance clicking her heals together and jumping for joy*

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