USA :: Virginia :: Northern

[Sticky] TGIO Party Time

bookwrm — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:23:47 +0000

And...I will admit, I have absolutely no idea's this year. So...tell me what you'd like to do, and I'll work on planning something :)

Jules
bookwrm

edited...because apparently I left my brain in the jar next to the bed this morning.
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NoVA ML

2009- Witching Time
2008-Phaedra's Light
2007-Dying to be Immortal (never move and try to start a book three days later)
2006-Thistles in Spring (worst title ever)

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

[STICKY] Guidelines for announcing Write-Ins

BeaJay — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:39:10 +0000

To All Y'All,

Over the last few years I have seen posted in another regional forum guidelines for announcing Write-Ins. This is kind of a distillation of that information.

1. Make sure that your SUBJECT line covers the location, time, date/days, and that it is a Write-In.

EXAMPLE:

Saturday Write-Ins at Ballston Mall Food Court from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm

2. Make sure that the content of your message gives the specific location, directions, details, &c about the Write-In.

EXAMPLE:

Hosted by: BeaJay

Located at: The tables next to the escalator directly across from Bloom's Grill on the Mickey Dee's side of the Food Court

What TIme: From approximately 7:30 AM until approximately 3:00 PM each Saturday in November

How to get there:
Drive to Ballston Mall on Wilson Boulevard between Glebe Road and Randolph Street or
ride the Orange Line Metro to the Ballston/MU stop. Get above ground. Go to the corner where the IHOP is located. Head down Stafford Street (South), along side the IHOP parking lot. Continue on to the end. Turn right (West) and go over to Stuart Street. Turn left (South) and proceed to the Mall.

Once in the MALL, proceed down to the lowest possible level (The Food Court). Go over to Mickey Dee's (a.k.a. Mc Donald's). Turn right (North) and proceed past Manch Wok on down to Bloom's Grill. Turn Right (East) and proceed over to the side of the escalator.

We should be right there. If not, sit down and write anyway. You need to increase your word count.

This post is courtesy of BeaJay -- The Wordsmith Wannabe
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BeaJay -- The WordSmith Wannabe
2006 - "The Vision of Second Samuel"
2007 - "Second Samuel's Vision Revealed"
2008 - "Perry Normel fun with Liu Syd Dreaming"
2009 - "Winning by Way of Losing"

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Win a Halo: What's your favorite Nano moment?

jillydreams_jillydoes — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:08:57 +0000

Hi guys!

In honor of today's Donation Marathon, please post your favorite Nano moment so far... Maybe a crazy write-in, the moment you really felt like a novelist, writing a scene that made you cry, getting into a fight with your husband about how he never gets to see you anymore because "all you ever do is Nano" (er.. maybe that one's a little too personal).

The best post (I'm the judge and the criteria for winning is a mystery even to me) will get a $10 donation in their user name. So if you don't already have one, you could win a halo! Post by 9 pm-ish tonight.

I thought this would be a fun way to get excited about Nano's fundraising extravaganza.

Jill

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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Tuesday Write Ins Reston Panera

Kamikaze Mission — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:29:56 +0000

Thought I'd make an official post about this, even though it's on the calendar :)

Tuesday night write ins-

7:30-9:00pm
Panera in Reston Town Center
1825 Discovery St
Reston, VA 20190-5611

Hope to see some of you guys there!
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Alexandria Write-Ins Mon & Tue 11/23-24

catpet — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:21:29 +0000

I'll be writing at Caboose Bakery in Alexandria this week, both Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 23 & 24. Would be great if others showed up! Caboose is in the City of Alexandria, Del Ray area. Free WiFi. Good sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. I'll bring a power strip. 2419 Mount Vernon Ave., cross street Uhler. Look for me with my laptop and a copy of No Plot, No Problem prominently displayed.

Monday: 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. (you're welcome to stay longer, but that's when I have to leave)

Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Let me know if you can come.

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************************************************
Catherine Petrini
Children's and Young Adults' Book Author
blog: http://petrini1.livejournal.com/
e-mail: petrini1@aol.com

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Yay! I got to...

Liadona — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:04:34 +0000

With all the "What's that word?" and "Where do you live again?" posts, I haven't noticed many that celebrate the little/big steps in getting a novel done. So - here we go.

Post your daily/weekly successes here.
All Positive (whine at the end if you must - if something horrible happens do let us know!)
All Positive with a caveat of the line "and in despite all that I was able to still ______________"
How are you rewarding yourself.

I am sure this list will grow as we grow. But it comes from my reaching a goal and not having anyone to dance around a table with - so this will have to do. :-) Mine is next post.

Lisa
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Liadona
aka Liadona Rau (SL)
2007 - yeah, epic fail, not even a title
2008 - "NOLA Bound"
2009 - "Her Sister's Gem
"Prince Griffin and the Dark Forest" (a children's book written in 1 day)

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Manassas Write-Ins on Monday & Tuesday (11/23-11/24)

whatshername — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:22:15 +0000

I need to seriously up my word count (don't judge!) so I'll be at the Panera on Liberia on this Monday (aka tomorrow) and Tuesday. I'd love for any and all compay! I like to sit all the way in the back and I've got a NaNo sticker on my laptop. Hopefully I can find my power strip and bring that with me.

Monday: 9am-12noon

Tuesday: 9am-2pm

I might be going back to Panera both evenings but that's not a 100% yet.

~Natalie
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"I don't own emotion, I rent!"

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Pan Am shopping center (near Vienna metro) meetup?

tiptoe39 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:31:48 +0000

Hey,

I know at least two folks on this forum live near the Vienna metro, so I was wondering if anyone would want to meet at the Starbucks at the Pan Am Shopping Center (Lee & Nutley) and do some chatting/writing/whatever. If you could comment with preferred times/days maybe we could set something up informally. Thoughts?

Jen
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Manassas Sunday at Panera

bookwrm — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:19:41 +0000

Hey all. Anyone planning on coming today...I'm here already. Sitting toward the front in a blue shirt with nano-stickers on my laptop. If you're sitting around on a sunday morning with nothing to do, come write with me for a bit :)

Jules

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NoVA ML

2009- Witching Time
2008-Phaedra's Light
2007-Dying to be Immortal (never move and try to start a book three days later)
2006-Thistles in Spring (worst title ever)

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

New Here- what's a write in? RTC This Tuesday

Wildlilly — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:29:43 +0000

Hi! I'm new... I've never done NaNo before, and I'm just now at 15000 words. I have 8 days to finish... a lot! I'm checking out the forums, and was wondering what a Write In is. What's more, I was wondering if anyone was planning on being at the Reston Town Center Write In on Tuesday? I think I might come by since the BF lives just over at Midtown North.

Thanks!

Joanie
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Shirlington Write Ins

WittyandorIronic — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:43:16 +0000

Hello everyone!

At the kick off several people were interested in having a couple of write-ins in the Shirlington area. I did some research and we have to submit an application to schedule the meeting room at the Library and it is quite large (It would have comfortably fit the group we had at kick off), but available if we want it.

So here are our options:

1) Pick a convenient day and time ~10 of us want to meet up and schedule the room at the Shirlington Library (they can break it into halves which would still be spacious, but nice). This is the only option that will accommodate a large group of people.
Pros:
- Lots of private space to spread out. Very quiet.
Cons:
- We would have to make reservations in advance and it likely wouldn't be worth the hassle if there wasn't at least 10 people.

2) If there are less of us or we want to be more spontaneous, pick a convenient day and time and meet at the library and take over their cushy chairs that have cool pivoting laptop trays. There are 8 at the very front of the library against the windows and 5-10 more scattered throughout the library. There is also an area in back with tables and chairs.
Pros:
- We could meet early for a coffee at Caribou Coffee to get all the novel talk out of our systems, and/or afterwards at any of the local restaurants.
Cons:
- Shirlington Library is apparently a hip place to hang, so it gets busy. We likely wouldn't be able to sit together at first.

3) Meet up at Busboys and Poets right across the street. It looked like they could accommodate 8 (max) of us in the area that has plugins for laptops.
Pros:
- Informal, good food, comfortable area.
Cons:
- Smaller area that wouldn't hold many people. This would most likely be more social than writing, which isn't always a bad thing.

Some general info:
Shirlington Library Meeting Room: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/Libraries/events/LibrariesEventsMe... (last room listed)

Library Hours:
Monday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday & Wednesday: 1:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

So, please reply and let me know:
- if you are interested
- which option you like best (though if we get more than 10 we will likely go with option 1 automatically)
- what days/times work best

I am very flexible (Except Nov 12) and am available any workday after 3pm, and anytime on the weekends.

Thanks!

Lauran
(Wittyandorironic)
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W a/o I

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Places in Reston to write

eeegi — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:36:43 +0000

OK guys, I need some help.

I'm visiting my family in Reston from the 20th-29th and as much as I love them I know I won't get much writing done at their houses. I haven't lived in Reston for 6 years and while I know some places I used to hang out still exist, quite a few (especially in Town Center, damn that thing grew) places have left and a whole lot more has been built since then. I like the coffee house feel but I don't want snooty waiters staring at me for staying in one place for 3 hours and only buying one drink. Any suggestions?
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2009: That's Where You'll Find Me (working title)

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

A shout-out to homeschooled NOVA-ers!

Minastauriel — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:16:53 +0000

Hey, just checking to see if there are any other homeschooled residents of Northern VA out there that are doing NaNo this year. This is my first year (I'm in 10th grade) and I love the idea of NaNo. I know we already have a "teen writers" topic, but I was just wondering if the homeschoolers could drop a note here...that would be cool. I live in the obscure town of Lovettsville, so I can't get to any Tysons Corner or McLean or Alexandria write-ins or anything. Sad. I used to live in Sterling, though, so I know the area really well.

Anywho, I'd love to hook up with you guys! Leave a note.

~Minastauriel
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Saturday Write-Ins at Ballston Common Mall in The Food COurt from approx 7:30 AM until 3:00 PM

BeaJay — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:07:33 +0000

To All Y'All,

I am announcing the Third Annual Ballston Mall Food Court Write-Ins sponsored by the quickly becoming Infamous BEAJAY -- The Wordsmith Wannabe.

These Write-Ins will be held every Saturday during the month of November in the Food Court of the Ballston Common Mall at the tables sandwiched in between the escalator and Bloom's Grill on the Mickey Dee's side of the Court.

I plan on being there every Saturday in November from approximately 7:30 - 8:00 AM until about 3:00 PM.

To get there go to Ballston Common Mall either by car (on Wilson Boulevard between Randolph Street and Glebe Road), bus (WMATA 22[A,B,&c] line, ART 42 line, WMATA 1[A,B,&c] line), or Metro Rail (Orange Line to the Ballston/MU Metro Stop).

There is a parking garage accessible from both the Randolph Street and the Glebe Road sides of the Mall. Parking costs $1.00 for all day.

If you take the Metro to the Ballston/MU stop, go above ground. Head over to the corner where the IHOP Restaurant is located. Proceed South down Stafford Street, along side the IHOP parking lot. At the end of Stafford Street turn right (West) and go over to Stuart Street. Then turn left (South) on Stuart Street and proceed straight to the Mall.

Once inside the Mall, go to the lowest possible level (The Food Court). Go over to Mickey Dee's (a.k.a. Mc Donald's) and turn right. Proceed down past The Manchu Wok to Bloom's Grill. Turn right, again, and proceed over to the side of the escalator.
We should be right there. If not, sit down and write anyway. You need to increase your word count.

The first year I hosted these Write-Ins, it was, for the most part, me writing my novel by myself. Last year we had about five to ten people per Saturday helping each other to write fantastic tales of great people doing magnificent things. This year we need you to help us do even better. Please, come and bring your family and friends. All Y'All are welcome.

BeaJay -- The Wordsmith Wannabe
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BeaJay -- The WordSmith Wannabe
2006 - "The Vision of Second Samuel"
2007 - "Second Samuel's Vision Revealed"
2008 - "Perry Normel fun with Liu Syd Dreaming"
2009 - "Winning by Way of Losing"

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Sunday Nov 22 Crystal City Write In at Cosi?

ZenithOvershone — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:09:56 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Is anyone interested in another Crystal City Cosi write in this weekend? I can go from 11 to 1, but everyone is welcome to stay longer if they wish.

Kali
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Another new excerpt! This one is about faeries.

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Write-In Clarendon 11-20

Sara-Laine — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:10:51 +0000

I am going to be at the Barnes and Noble in Clarendon http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2068 tonight at around 7pm. Sorry for the short notice, but I havent been able to make a write in yet, and I figured I would give hosting my own a try. This place is perfect for those of you (like me) reliant on public transportation since its a couple of blocks from the Clarendon Metro (Orange Line) but it also has a parking deck, and parking should be 1$ with validation.

Hope to see you there, I will be the one with the tiny laptop, wearing a ridiculous (for the season) yellow sundress. Because Nano is preventing me from doing laundry I am cycling through spring clothes

Sara
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Saxby's-Friday night

bookwrm — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:09:33 +0000

Figured a dedicated post for this wouldn't be bad.

I'm here :) I know Kristin isn't going to make it tonight, but anyone else who'd like to keep me company...
I'm sitting in a booth at the front with all the nano-stickers on my laptop.

Jules
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NoVA ML

2009- Witching Time
2008-Phaedra's Light
2007-Dying to be Immortal (never move and try to start a book three days later)
2006-Thistles in Spring (worst title ever)

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

falls church?

un_oiseau — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:05:48 +0000

is there a falls church write in? solidarity, people!!!
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Night-owl write-ins?

Jaradel — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:54:25 +0000

I would love to come to a write-in, but I have a few obstacles: I work full-time (so daytime write-ins are out), and I have small children (so early evening write-ins are out). I might be able to make a Saturday or Sunday afternoon write-in, but only if my husband can stay at home with the kids (I don't want to bring them with me, because then I might as well stay at home). I was wondering how long Panera Bread stays open. I tried to find the hours of operation on their website, but no luck. If they do stay open past 9, would anyone in the Western Fairfax/Eastern Loudoun/Western Prince William area be interested in doing a late-night write-in, even if it's just an hour or an hour and a half?
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

A reading and pronounciation question

ZenithOvershone — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:22:44 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I have a tiny question that I would like everyone's opinion on. My main character is named Adrianna, but her nickname is 'Dri (pronounced Dree, rhymes with Brie). I pulled out Dri from the middle of her name, but if you read this would you make the connection that it is pronounced Dree, or would you think it is pronounced Dry?

I don't care for her to be thought of as Dry and would consider re-nicknaming her Anna, Na, Ri... something like that.

Thanks!

Kali
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Another new excerpt! This one is about faeries.

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

And then, just as I was about to give up...

Liadona — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:07:51 +0000

New finish this sentence for us looking for new inspiration. Just in time for the downhill swing.

This can be story related or something that happened outside of the writing world entirely. So here we go!

Mine's the next email.

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Liadona
aka Liadona Rau (SL)
2007 - yeah, epic fail, not even a title
2008 - "NOLA Bound"
2009 - "Her Sister's Gem
"Prince Griffin and the Dark Forest" (a children's book written in 1 day)

USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Teen/YA NaNo-ers

laci — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:39:56 +0000

Hey, guys! I know that NaNoWriMo is something that people of all ages participate in, and I completely admire and respect everyone who participate in the great race to 50k. I know that everyone faces their own challenges to complete their novel, but I think it's really awesome for young writers to do it, too.

:D If anyone wants to introduce themselves or try to organize a special just for teens write-in or anything, maybe you'd want to take some time to get to know some fellow teen NaNo participants.

I myself am 15 and this is my second year doing NaNo. I didn't finish last year because my old laptop died right in the middle of the month. :[

Anyone else who is trying to do this I really wish luck to! Another thing I learned was that everyone here is really nice, so don't be afraid to ask questions. ^_^ Have fun, guys.
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Donation Derby!!!!

fremount — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:36:59 +0000

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/contest/donation_derby

Well y'all, in total donations we're ranked 11th, but if you take into account the number of people we have in our region, it averages out to $1.75 per person!

C'mon!!! If every one of us donated only $10 we could raise nearly $12,000 for the Young Writers Program!

Let's do it! Let's win the derby! Let's see HALOS!!!!!
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

Good writing spots in Alexandria?

blithespirited1 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:17:17 +0000

I've already found all the good writing spots in my home in Alexandria, but my novel, laptop and I are ready to get out of the house and bank a bunch of words before Thanksgiving. Tryptophan - enemy of November novelists everywhere.

Any suggestions for good spots to write in the evenings of Alexandria and/or other bold and fearless folks with powerstrips looking for the same?
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USA :: Virginia :: Northern

You know you need a break from writing when...

ZenithOvershone — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:32:44 +0000

You can no longer remember how to spell the word "rock."
You can no longer focus on the far side of the room.
You haven't eaten since the night before and only notice because someone points out that your stomach is rumbling.

Any more?
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Another new excerpt! This one is about faeries.