United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Thank Goodness It's Over Party

midwinter — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:09:49 -0800

Some folks are wondering if there will be a party of not, and I can assure you there will never be a NaNoWriMo without a TGIO Party.

It's just that planning a party while writing a novel and holding down a full-time job take a little longer than it should. So, many details are still TBA, but there WILL be a party.

What's better for you guys - weeknights or weekends? I'm thinking Saturday the 6th is the most likely candidate for a party, but it seems sooooo far off from November 30th. I'd love to dive right into party mode on December 1st - anyone else?
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Municipal Liaison for Tucson, AZ - on call 24/7 during November
~~~~~ Winner 2002 * 2003 * 2004 * 2005 * 2006 * 2007~~~~~

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

I Failed - Sorry!!

kittyler — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:31:55 -0800

Guys, I didn't finish! I feel awful, and I wanted to confess to you all. I'm so sorry!! I just didn't pace myself well enough. I want to try again next year, I think. I'm not giving up on my novel, either. I made a new goal for finishing, and I've asked my students to bother me about it, and they are. Congratulations to all of you who finished, though. I definitely have a lot of respect for all of you. You are my heroes! Maybe I'll actually meet those of you who do it next year if I'm still here. Take care!
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Tucson region word count

kcriggs — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:13:55 -0800

How is the Tucson region doing relative to the rest of the state in word count? I saw something early on about it but can't remember where.
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

I made it!

joshuadpeterson — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:54:45 -0800

I made it this year!

Tomorrow starts the process of editing, and in the midst of all that I'll be moving. I'll have the rewrite finished by the end of December, and hopefully start sending out query letters by mid-January.

I plan on starting my next novel in January, also. I have two ideas in mind for it, but I'm unsure which one I'll probably end up using, or if I'll have an entirely different idea by the time January rolls around.

This has been an amazing journey, and I hope to see everyone at next years NaNoWriMo. I'm sorry I was unable to attend this year, but being caught up with work and losing my apartment, I'm kind of up the creek without a paddle. ^_^

Love,
Joshua Peterson
Author & NaNoWriMo Winner.
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~ JOSHUA D. PETERSON ~

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Back up your novels!

midwinter — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:59:51 -0800

To those writing on computers and other electronic devices - If you haven't already, please take a minute to back up your work. Copy it to a flash drive, burn a copy on a CD, print out a hard copy, or email the files to yourself. Heck, pick three ways and cover yourself that way. We're coming up on the halfway point very quickly (some folks are even blazing towards 50k this week!), and 25,000+ words is a terrible bit of storytelling to lose! Nothing can shatter a great day of writing like a computer glitch and lost words. Please, please, please back up your work.

To those writing by hand - You're not as prone to data loss, but a backup is never a bad idea. Shoot some photocopies of your work-in-progress, or transcribe some to a computer file. Get creative and make sure your words will survive a spilled cup of coffee, or being left behind on the bus. Whatever it takes, make sure you're copied somehow.

Which reminds me...I haven't saved a backup copy in 4 days. Eeeep. Running off to copy like a madwoman now...
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Municipal Liaison for Tucson, AZ - on call 24/7 during November
~~~~~ Winner 2002 * 2003 * 2004 * 2005 * 2006 * 2007~~~~~

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

GOALS!

midwinter — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:13:56 -0800

Hello everyone - how's the writing going? I'm off to an unusually good start this year and am hoping to keep the momentum going now that the workweek's over.
Since we're coming up on a weekend, and most people have the day off of work (school too?) for Veteran's Day, I thought this would be a good time to set some goals and cash in on the group energy to meet them.

My goal:
Write 4,000+ words every day from Saturday to Tuesday. That's 16,000 new words starting tomorrow.

How I plan to get there:
Multiple writing sessions per day. Write-in on Sunday @ Cafe Diva. Lots of caffeine and leftover Halloween Candy

Sticky issues:
My muse is fading, and my inner editor keep pointing out plot inconsistencies. "He's a skeptic -why is he blindly going along with all this magical nonsense?" "She's a student - how is she able to skip two weeks of class w/ no repercussions?" "How did that pallet of artifacts make it past customs?"
I'm trying to forge ahead blindly and work out the issues later, but it's getting harder to gloss over some mistakes.

That's my summary. Post yours and let's help keep each other on track!
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Municipal Liaison for Tucson, AZ - on call 24/7 during November
~~~~~ Winner 2002 * 2003 * 2004 * 2005 * 2006 * 2007~~~~~

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Does your Novel take place in tucson?

eee — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:43:25 -0800

In a word, mine dosen't.

it's in some mythological place where people have lawns instead of piles of river rocks, and the inhabitants of the suburbs don't find scorpions in thier bathrooms.

not that i don't like Tucson, it's just that my characters don't like Tucson.
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

So What Is Your Life Like With NaNo

Spiritwhiteeagle — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 08:16:24 -0800

Day before yesterday which would be Sunday, we heard that my father inlaw had passed away suddenly of a heart attack. That night I had a radio show to do and went on to do it. Earlier in the evening I was hungry so I called Applebees carside to order something. My radio show went smooth, my grief had abated and things seemed okay. After my show I hit the keyboard again and managed to write a couple thousand words.

About midnight I became violently ill, food poisoning! It managed to kick my butt all day Monday and I was in bed sick, not able to do anything at all.

Well I am dedicated if nothing else, I am determined to not let anything stand in the way of finishing this year. Today I started the day with a nice hot bath, and tested actually doing some easy normal things like turn on my computer, check my email, check myspace for messges, then landed here on NaNo. My world at the moment is still pretty rocky but like I said I am determined. I am going to write today!

I wanted to do this thread, because we all have a life besides writing in this challenge and life goes on regardless, it doesn't stop just because we are doing this. So what is your life like, what daily things do you have to deal with in the midst of writing?

A normal day of writing for me, starts with meditation. Meditation centers me and I am able to hit the keyboard ready and able to write for hours. Well that is a normal day, I haven't had a normal day since NaNo started but then we are only four days into it so I have time to get into my normal routine.

So come and share what your days are like. What hurdles do you have to jump to make it to the keyboard everyday?
I think it is important to share our lives, during the NaNo process we all have something in common...50000 words to write in one month.

How do you manage, school, work, the kids, the dogs and cats, life, everyday duties and still ink out time to write?

No matter what seems to come up in my life I manage to write, I might be set off a day here or a day there, but I get right back on that horse and get to it when I am able again.

NaNo has helped me to be a writer, full time writer, the first NaNo I finished gave me the confidence I needed to be the writer I have always been. I wanted to share today because I feel that it is important to urge one another on. Life happens and we all lead busy full lives these days. But for the month of November life takes on a whole new form for us as we push other things aside or rearrange them to write our daily quota of words.

Best of luck to all you beautiful Tucson NaNo writers...keep it up, don't let anything stop you...It is well worth the journey...

Peace and love
Red Heart

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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Any other first timers out there?

gnuhaus — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:53:18 -0800

Wondering how other first time NaNos (WriMos?) are doing?

Me, I'm just about caught up after being away this weekend. I actually do the majority of my writing on the bus to and from work. Somehow it works for me. It probably helps that I've had the idea for this story bouncing around in my head for a couple years. It started from a dream I had about my best friend from elementary school. I first envisioned it as a screenplay, so the novel is very dialog based. I'm sure most of it is pure drivel, but the story is flowing, and I've taken the "no editing" suggestions to heart.

Having never done this before, I've been amazed at how the story is unfolding in front of me. I'll write something into the story, and later it comes back to me and I use it as a plot device. New characters pop up and grab a story arc and run with it. Somehow I've managed to reign them all in and still have a plan to tie them all together by 50,000 words.

Heck, I'm thrilled to have written over 30,000 words. I don't think I've ever committed that many words to one story.

Before doing this I could never understand how someone could write a novel. How do they keep the story straight in their heads before getting it down on paper/word processor? Now I know - it's more like being the first person to read the novel. I am still motivated to write because I want to see what is going to happen next to my characters, even though I know how everything ends up, it's interesting to see the unexpected twists and turns they take on the way.

So, to all the other first timers, I raise a cup to toast you, no matter how far you are on the journey.

And to all who have done this before, feel free to share about your first time, and give us any tips you have to making it to 50,000 words.
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

So What Is Planned?

Spiritwhiteeagle — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:23:37 -0800

Are we going to have an after NaNo party this year?
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

paranoid newbie wordcount question

kcriggs — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:59:03 -0800

Does anybody have a feel for how MS Word's word count stacks up against NaNoWriMo's? I'm having paranoid thoughts that Word double counts the words and when I upload it for the first time, I'll find I only have half what I thought I did. If there's some big discrepancy, I'll like to know sooner rather than later. And if I'm being paranoid, just tell me that too. :)
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

An Invite to Listen

Spiritwhiteeagle — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:14:38 -0800

Wanted to invite you to my show Sunday Night November 16th, where I will be speaking on a few different topics. I also will be doing a first healing on the show. Explaining the process of emotional healing and how to let go of what is hurting the depth of you. I think you will find this not only interesting but vital in a lesson on healing. I will also be speaking of abuse and how this requires the first healing. I will be taking you on a shaman journey, the steps of a first healing where you will learn to talk to the spirit of another. This is one of the kinds of shaman healings I do personally. We will be discussing childhood traumas and the effects of soul loss caused by childhood trauma and how it effects you as an adult and can block you from living your true purpose and in love and peace. I will also be sharing on the importance of speaking your truth and celebrating your individuality. I will also be sharing a message regarding space station Earth that I received this past week. In weeks to come I will be sharing experiences regarding the paranormal, demons, werewolves and vampires all of which I have encountered on my journey. I will also be sharing some of the gifts I have, that I have kept secret till now. So please join me on this special soul night. Yes I am still writing too, behind a little on my personal goal but this show it important and have had to prepare better for it...Peace and Love my dear friends....

Click on the link to take you there

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Red-Heart
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Kid friendly place to Write?

Kontessa — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 14:10:04 -0800

I need to take a trip to Tucson, about an hour from me and I wanted to stop some place with the kids where I will also have time to work on my story. Any idea? We went last week and ended up in McDonalds! Needless to say I did not get all that much done there!
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

About that movie tomorrow...

midwinter — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:55:24 -0800

I've just been informed by the library that the group before us might not clear out til 3:15 or so which means we won't have enough time to watch all of Stranger Than Fiction.

GRR. (A similar bump occured last year - midwinter is not amused).

So...I'll bring some -shorter- movies along, in case anyone wants to watch anything else, or we can take our chances w/ Stranger than Fiction.

If nothing else, we can sit around, blab about our novels and stir up all sorts of mid-month inspiration. Feel free to bring snacks or drinks - the more the merrier!

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Municipal Liaison for Tucson, AZ - on call 24/7 during November
~~~~~ Winner 2002 * 2003 * 2004 * 2005 * 2006 * 2007~~~~~

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Teens

cheermeon — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:08:14 -0700

I just wanted to see how many Tucsonan teens are doing this.
EASTSIDE,
Ash
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~Ashley~ I dropped out

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

U of A Write in?

catheryn_crocker — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:04:31 -0800

Hey, anyone want to do our own spiffy write in the weekend before thanksgiving weekend? That's the 21st-23rd. I think maybe Saturday would be cool. I know it's a Saturday spent writing, but we don't have as much time as we did, you know, November first. And I know I could use with some serious pressure. I've been stuck at 25,000 ish words for four days now. Blarg! Help! Anyway, just shoot me a nanomail and we'll chat. If you live on the campus or near it, or want to make the trip, please let me know!!!
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And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.
-Sylvia Plath

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Tomorrow, Tuesday 11th of November.......

kkylie — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:22:17 -0800

Unofficial write-in at the IHOP on Oracle and Limberlost. 3pm. Hope some of you can make it! There till be me and two other girls.

Happy writing,

Genna aKa Kkylie
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Congratulations to Clint Bowyer and Johnny Benson on their championships!!!!!!!
Go Carl!! You get out there and win that Cup Championship!
Add me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrazyNaNoAuthor

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Wednesday, Nov 12

T.H. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:48:33 -0800

Hope you all have a blast tonight at the write in! I'm hoping to come tonight, but it's looking like I have a cold, bleh.

If I come down with a sudden case of the cure, or it turns out to be allergies, I'll be there. Otherwise, I'll wish you all well from afar and see you next week!

Shauna
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T.H.

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Anywhere near the University

etheridge — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 22:24:58 -0700

Hey, how many people in the Tucson region are reasonably close to the University of Arizona campus?

I'm new to the Tucson area and most (ok, all) of your directions confuse me. How many of us are in the vicinity of UA.

*raises hand*

*waits . . .*
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

November Birthdays!

tenshiken — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:22:19 -0700

I think it's been suggested to me by ThorinLight that I start this thread (remember, passive voice = more words ;)), but I haven't remembered until today, possibly because I've always heralded Halloween as the week's marker before my own birthday.

So who else is a NaNo baby? Sound off!

My birthday is November 7, and I'm sooo happy it didn't land on election day this year. (And a leap year will make it miss in 2012! Score!)
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2003 - The Long Road | 2004 - The Circle of Many Faces | 2006 - Searching for Sunset | 2007 - Souls in the City | 2008 - The Murmuring Mirrors

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Anybody a little more south in say, Sahuarita?

hangthesilver — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:49:10 -0800

Hey! This is my first time participating because I always thought.. well I can write a novel on my own but all the excitement from others seriously excites me so this year I'm pretty excited to be participating. :)

So my question, is there anybody a little bit south of Tucson, in say, Sahuarita or Green Valley, or heck, even in Rio Rico or Nogales? I live in Sahuarita and though I commute north to go to school and work, it might be nice to have some friends going through the trenches with me down where I live. Maybe we can organize this Write-In thing I keep hearing so much about. :)
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~What's left to catch but the fear of letting go?~

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

OH MY GOD, There's Two of THEM!!!

ThorinLight — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 11:28:12 -0800

So, yesterday, in my Nano despair, I came really close to setting "The Quest for the Shiny Thing" aside and starting completely over. But I stopped, took a deep breath, and took some time to reassess my plot. Now I'm okay with it and I want to keep going with it. Unfortunately, there's another story that is pushing its way into my brain. It's promising to be more dynamic, less hassle, more flexible than Shiny Thing. It's promising that it will be more shiny than Shiny Thing... so now I find myself with two nanos! This has never happened before!
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___________________________________
*Co-ML for Tucson, AZ*
You see these? You see these words? These are REVLON words!

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

The "Our ML is the best ML of them all!" Thread!

KatharaSophia — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 23:00:42 -0800

Seeing as it is the wee hours left in ML Appreciation day, I'm starting this thread to tell syrinxkat (sorry about the spelling) how awesome she is!
Syrinxkat is the most awesome ML ever! :)
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United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Kitt Peak info?

strangertides — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:38:26 -0700

Hey folks,

I'm not in Arizona, I'm in Florida, but my novel this year calls for a few scenes set at the observatory at Kitt Peak, and I was wondering if you guys could tell me anything about the place. I know it's a little far from Tucson, but I thought I'd ask - have any of you been there? Do locals ever go there, or just tourists, or just astronomers?

From the web I can get a lot of basic info about the telescopes, the history of the facility, etc., but I'm looking for local flavor, so anything that comes to mind about the area would be great - the roads, the housing, the people, wild animals: just anything that I probably wouldn't know unless I lived there.

I don't want to take valuable time away from anyone's outlining, research or actual writing, so just respond if you have a chance - no pressure, okay?

Thanks!
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Chris
..............
Surge of energy, spark of inspiration.

United States :: Arizona :: Tucson

Northwest Write-in

sunlitnini — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 06:49:27 -0800

Hi everybody! I see that there is a write-in scheduled at Cutter's Point on Thornydale next Friday evening. I'm excited because this is close to me and I think I'll be able to make it. Anyone else planning on going?
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