United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

After Party

Jamwes — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:06:54 -0800

I thought I would start up an after party thread so that it did not get lost in the other messages.

Who would like to attend a after party and when?

My first vote would be for Nov 30. We could have a get together at a coffee shop or something. Although, that is a Sunday and I don't know how late people would want to stay out (and some may be scurrying to finish)

The next friday or saturday would sound interesting as well. Then there would be plenty of time. This is my first year doing NaNo so I don't really know what to expect for an after party. Anyone have any ideas of what to do and where?
----------
----------
"You can't edit a blank page." -First heard from PolarBear60
"A gat in the hand is worth the world by it's tail." -Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Winner! And boy does it feel good...

Lil_lizardbrick — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:04:11 -0800

WOOT!
Fifty thousand words.
Seventy-five pages of questionable attempts at prose, character development and plot line.
One very proud individual that will now make this insane, mind-bending contest a tradition for as long as I have breath in my body. This is by far and away one of the most entertaining quixotic quests I have ever attempted. What a ride! I can't wait for you all to join me on the other side of the fifty-thousand word mark!
Good luck one and all - tis the eleventh hour where all things are possible. Go novelers go!
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

ERG!!!

Jamwes — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:53:10 -0800

Well, my computer died today. I think it was my hard drive, it has been going for a bit. I'm just glad that I had the foresight to save my novel to my thumbstick, so I have not lost any work from the past month. The only regret that I have is that I did not get a chance to finish my last chapter, or make it to Starbucks, today because I've been fighting with my computer.

Oh well. Don't mind me. I just felt like I had to vent a little amoungst people that would understand my pain.
----------
----------
"You can't edit a blank page." -First heard from PolarBear60
"A gat in the hand is worth the world by it's tail." -Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Script Frenzy, anyone?

banion5 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:36:08 -0800

So...what's the deal with Script Frenzy? Has anyone done it and gone on to shoot or perform the script they wrote? That's more my focus than novels, and I'm definitely interested. Any word from filmmakers in Wisconsin?
Peaces,
Dan
----------
Peaces,
Dan
[A D&A Sample]

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Another Thought --

dale-harriet — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:03:41 -0800

I'd be interested in knowing what SORT of story ya'll are writing -- just sort of...you know, *genre* more or less. I've asked Tracey and JamWes -- just idle curiosity on my part.

Mine? Well - It's a fantasy fairy-tale-oid sort of thing. Because I write (hopefully decent) children's short stories, this seems to be a children's short story -- being stretched on a rack WAY beyond where the screaming starts - and it has a cat and a sheep. (I figured out a big problem that would've made the whole thing easier but of course it's too late now: there are no BEARS.)
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Yes, We Did!

EllenRulseh — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:18:05 -0800

Yes, we did complete a "NaNoWriMo" beginning of a novel.

Yes, we did!

Yes, we did!
----------
Completes in the moment and doesn't carry any incompletions either from moment to moment or day to day.
From Definition of a Samurai

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Available to read?

Ashley_Lauren — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:49:24 -0800

Normally I don't post my novels up, but I've had some friends keeping up lately, and it's really kind of fun - and motivating - to know someone is reading along and waiting for you to continue.

Anyone else have their novels available?

www.savetheday08.wordpress.com
----------
I want to live in a world where crowds of people on the street spontaneously move in choerographed dance an a moment's notice...

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Week Four Write-Ins

Jamwes — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:59:57 -0800

Where are people going to be this week? As of right now, I'm not sure where and when I'll be out. Although, I do think I'll try to make it to State Street Starbucks tonight.

Monday 24: State Street Starbucks after 5:30
Tuesday 25: Misty Mountain Games after 6:30 (I won't be writing, but I'll be there. Webtroll is usually there writing.)
Wednesday 26: Driving down to Iowa
Thursday 27: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Friday 28: State Street Starbucks. If I have off from work I'll be there all day, otherwise after 5:30. Also, this place is practally empty on friday nights. All the college kids are out getting drunk, I assume. This week I would think it would be even deader because all the kids would be going home for Thanksgiving.
Saturday 29: State Street Starbucks, afternoon/evening
Sunday 30: Do we have a final Write-In planned?
----------
----------
"You can't edit a blank page." -First heard from PolarBear60
"A gat in the hand is worth the world by it's tail." -Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Happy Thanksgiving, Fellow Cheesehead NaNos!

dale-harriet — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:26:58 -0800

I hope you all are surrounded by people you like best and have before you an exceptional meal. See, I'm old, so I tend to go all over maudln on holidays...but I'm acutely aware of a lot of stuff that I have to be grateful for. There were years when I had less than I do now, and there are a LOT of people who have more than I, but I'm warm and dry and well-fed, and guys? There are a powerful lot of places in the world (and not a few in this country) where the people cannot say the same.

I threatened to flll my plate and go to my writing room today - but the husband ...let's see, how can I put this? The idea was not well-met. (OK, he threatened to call the whole thing off and order pizza. I didn't mention that to my children, who might have thought that wounded like a good idea.) So if I write at all today, it'll be before anyone comes over.

But *I* am the Grandma, and my grandsons tell me their friends' grandmas aren't like me. Haven't decided if that's an insult or a compliment, but anyway, as Upholder of the Family Traditions I have certain obligations. (I don't delude myself - the minute I croak probably half of my cherished traditons will be thrown out with a great rolling of eyes and sighs of relief.)

So.....I hope your Thanksgivings are a little oasis of just exactly what you like very best, and remember - when everyone's gone home, or when you've gone home with your cottage cheese containers full of leftovers you can put on your jammies and crank out a few hundred words to soothe your conscience. We're in the home stretch! :o)

dale-harriet
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Wiki Word Count

Jamwes — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:36:26 -0800

I was amused when I found out that there was a wiki entry for "word count." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_count According to the entry, a standard is 250 words per page in a book. Therefore, our 50,000 word novels are 200 pages.
----------
----------
"You can't edit a blank page." -First heard from PolarBear60
"A gat in the hand is worth the world by it's tail." -Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Sci Fi / Fantasy (etc?) Writing Group

canyonpachyderm — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:26:36 -0800

Hi Nanoers,

While I'm not doing nano this year due to a very busy November, I would like to see if anyone would be interested in forming a writing critique group with an emphasis on fantasy, science fiction, and horror.

If you're looking for a real chance to get your writing critiqued by others, please let me know and I'll set up a meeting in one of Madison's fine coffee shops or bookstores - after November, of course.

And if there's an existing group out there, let us know!
----------
"The river turns on itself / The tree retreats into its own shadow." - T. Roethke

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Japan to Madison: Is there a Mad-City film connection?

banion5 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:04:06 -0800

Hello nano friends,
I'm a bit misaligned in the Madison group because I haven't been a Wisconsin resident for about eight years, but when my latest contract in Osaka, Japan, ends in March, I'll be heading to the wonderful city of Madison once again. I wish I'd been able to take part in the group sessions, but we'll make it up next year.

My question has to do with the film scene in Madison. I'm usually writing screenplays rather than novels, so this is a bit out of my water (as the final product will doubtlessly confirm), but is there a film group in town? What kind of film department does the university have? Basically, I'm looking to get together with people on both sides of the camera, and while I like writing myself into my scripts, I really just want to make films.

Any thoughts, advice, contacts or offers are gratefully accepted, and thank you for your consideration.
Peaces,
Dan Olson

PS - If anyone knows Will Temby, tell him to call a brother ;)
----------
Peaces,
Dan
[A D&A Sample]

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

I have a problem and am hoping someone can help me

BoCPerkins — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:20:26 -0800

Life seems determined to hit me with everything in the book this month. First, parts of my left hand and arm started going numb and I need tests ran on it to see why. When the numbness took out two of my fingers, I finally broke down and bought a voice recognition program that I couldn't really afford.

Then last night, I lost my place to live. Oh, I get to stay here no longer than November 25th but now, I have to locate someplace either to stay until I can raise enough money to rent an apartment, or locate someplace that will let me stay and make payments until I have enough money to finish paying it off. (How long that takes depends upon how much I have to put out in rent and utilities in the meantime.) Being on SSDI does not make this easy. I am hoping that one of you might know of a place where I can find a place to stay. I do not have much of my SSDI left for November and even though the generous hearts have deemed I can stay I would rather not. I can pay up to 550 a month if that includes utilities otherwise it will be somewhere between 350 - 400 if I have to pay utilities on top of it.

I am quiet (well except for my keyboard noise.) I walk quietly, talk quietly when I talk at all and prefer the quiet for the most part. If I want noise I generally put on my headphones and play sounds or music on my laptop. I spend almost all day on my computer since becoming disabled and writing has become an important part of my life.

Please if anyone can help me, I would appreciate it greatly. I cannot reward you but you will have my gratitude.

I know this is not the right place for this but I am desperate.

Bo
----------
Peace, Joy and Love
Bo Perkins

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

The Light at the End.....

dale-harriet — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:42:34 -0800

When I put in my new total (preparatory to starting to write again) I noticed that there isn't much space left at the end of that blue tube. And it occurs to me that it probably is time to start at least PLANNING to figure out an ending. Not to soon to do that. I feel compelled to have *something* after which I can write "....and they lived happily ever after." Or - alternatively, "....after polishing off the last of the hairless, screaming two-legs, the dragon belched an enormous, sulferous, burp, rolled over and fell asleep."

I'm thinking about heading down to SSS which, I admit, is pretty conducive to pounding out words (kudos to JamWes, who is marching along brilliantly - and who got me back on task when I was caught.....you know....Cute Overload....

I was told that if I even consider taking my Thanksgiving plate into the writing room, the Boss is going to bag the whole thing and just order a pizza.

(Yes, I must tell myself, that IS a *bad* plan!) There are grandchildren, and traditions - all that "over the river" stuff.

Anyway! We pretty much are heading into the endgame, and I think i t would be fun to have a Final Write-In ---or at least a celebratory thing for as many of us as can get together to attaches faces to names, or connect names to shared agonies, that sort of thing.

Oh - Chris, thanks for the Write-In table topper, and Bex, thanks for MAKING the Write-In table toppers. Makes it feel official. I may copy mine and stick it to the back of the laptop, too.

Now then...back to work.
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

This is so hard, she exclaimed.

patedwards — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 09:38:04 -0800

This is one of the harder things I've ever done. and I've jumped out of a perfectly good airplane. I'm used to editing and I can't edit and get done on time. I'm a little behind, but I guess I'm proud I'm on day three and have 4K words done. of course, there's no discernable plot or any worthwhile theme. but dern it! there's words on the page!

Pat
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Week THREE? Oh yeah, now we need Write-Ins

dale-harriet — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:11:19 -0800

Folks,

Our Noble Leader (Chris) says it's a good idea at this point to try to get together for moral support. So here's where I am, &c:

Today (November 17, Monday) I'm going to Barnes & Noble West; I'll be there before noon and I think I'm going to try to find a table with a plug in the cafe. I have to scout to see if there are plugs elsewhere because I'd LOVE to sit in one of those squishy chairs and work.

I'm also going to try to find the program director (I know her slightly; she's a knitter) and find out if we can schedule anything there for week four (which has Thanksgiving in it - how do I explain to my family that i have to eat in my writing room but I love 'em anyway?)

This IS my first NaNo and I'm having an awfully good time - or alternately a goodly awful time. So far I"m keeping up, but I may be fudging, and I'll ask someone some time. "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission".

See, I have this nasty little priest, and he keeps standing up, raising his arms over his head and spewing crapola for *pages*. I've cut him out once; I'm about to cut him out again. Is this editing? (DON"T ANSWER, I don't want to know yet).

And ML-types, are there plans for a Something Huge on the 30th? It's a Sunday, I'd love to have an OUT WITH A BANG gathering or wossname.

Hope y'all are having as much fun (and less agony) than I am....

Oh, I'm wearing a long black dress with red floweroids on it, I have a silvery Dell and....I'll try to write "NaNo" or "WriMo" on a 4/6 card and put it on my laptop. Also.............I'm 4'11", female (oh yeah, I said "dress") and I'm 65.

I don't look 65. I prolly look about 72. Long brownish hair caught up in barrette. Granny glasses on beaded cord around neck. (All legit, I AM a granny. Nevermind.)
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

The Wall

Jamwes — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:51:05 -0800

Yesterday I completely and utterly hit the wall. It came out of nowhere. I was sprinting down the path to success, then I rounded a corner and BOOM there it was. A big brick wall towered in front of me. I knew where I was and where I was going, but I just couldn’t get the lead out.

I ended up taking yesterday off from writing and thought long and hard about my upcoming chapter. By the end of the evening I came up with a plan of action so now I know exactly where my character is going. Hopefully I’ll be able to hammer out that chapter tonight.

How about the rest of you guys? Have you hit they wall yet? How did you overcome it? Did you just sit there and keep writing? Did you take a break and come back refreshed?

----------
----------
"You can't edit a blank page." -First heard from PolarBear60
"A gat in the hand is worth the world by it's tail." -Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Upcoming Write Ins?

webtroll — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:02:13 -0800

Anyone thinking of a write in coming up in the next week? I am pushing through a lag from this past weekend in Texas so I need to get away from the distractions of the house.
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Write or Die

Teresa C — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:00:57 -0800

Someone just showed me this website. It's a free widget that counts your words, watches your clock, and prods you if you stop writing. It's hilarious, and very useful.

http://lab.drwicked.com/writeordie.html

From their web page:

"The idea is to instill in the would-be writer with a fear of not writing. We do this by employing principles taught in Introduction to Psychology. Anyone remember Operant Conditioning and Negative Reinforcement?

Negative Reinforcement "strengthens a behavior because a negative condition is stopped or avoided as a consequence of the behavior."
Consequences:

* Gentle Mode: A certain amount of time after you stop writing, a box will pop up, gently reminding you to continue writing.
* Normal Mode: If you persistently avoid writing, you will be played a most unpleasant sound. The sound will stop if and only if you continue to write.
* Kamikaze Mode: Keep Writing or Your Work Will Unwrite Itself

These consequences will persist until your preset conditions have been met (that is, your time is up or you've written you wordcount goal or both)

This text box is not a word processor, it is not for editing, the way to save is to select all of the text, copy and paste into your own text editor. The idea is to separate the writing process and the editing process as much as possible.

This is aimed at anyone who wants to get writing done. It requires only that you recognize your own tendency towards self-sabotage and be willing to do something about it. If you're sick of saccharine writing advice that no one could honestly follow and you want a real method to getting work done.

* Works great for real deadlines too!"
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

I love this!

Juanita Rojas — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:01:08 -0800

So I am writing along and my characters are pretty stodgy. Then, suddenly, one of them wakes up in a room in a motel shaped like a cowboy boot near Gallup, New Mexico wearing red silk jammies and with a real personality that I'm not so sure I had much to do with. Eek! Is this why Stephen King can crank out 10,000 words an hour? It's sort of like letting your fingers do the thinking. Back to work!
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Did you see that?

dale-harriet — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:31:02 -0800

The offer of we can get a free copy of our MSS in paperback form, &c? I have to back and reread it, but that really sounds like a hoot. Anyway, I think that sounds pretty neat (and for that matter, it looks like a not-bad self-publishing deal, which will warrant further exploration later).

dale-harriet
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Write-Ins

Tziporah — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 07:31:44 -0800

I will be at Escape on Willy Street (just east of Patterson Street) at 2:00 pm today, Sunday. I will be in a nanowrimo t-shirt. I may have a laptop or I may have a notebook. I will definitely have a cup of caffeinated coffee.
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Write-in today, Sunday morning 11-9 at Starbucks

justjulie — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 20:38:34 -0800

I really enjoyed meeting five fellow writers at Starbucks this morning! But I only wrote about 500 words while we were there. So as much as I enjoyed the company, I doubt I will be able to afford the time to do it again. Probably a good thing, since, if I only finished 500 words, I was probably distracting the rest from getting anything done either! Sorry. I was just excited about meeting you all. Best of luck.
----------
Your life is a tower you build a special way,
Only twenty-four bricks can be added each day.

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

SF writers: When you get done with NaNoWriMo

fibitz — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 17:04:59 -0800

Information and guidelines for the second annual OddContest: http://www.oddcon.com/contest.html
Sponsored by OdysseyCon, right here in Madison!

Printable flyer: http://www.oddcon.com/09OddContest.pdf

Changes for 2009:

Joe Haldeman is this year's judge.

E-mail entries only.

Due to confusion on the part of certain entrants, we have added definitions: http://www.oddcon.com/define.html

The winning stories from last year: http://www.oddcon.com/stories.html

Questions?

F.J. Bergmann
608-635-3966
demiurge@fibitz.com
----------

United States :: Wisconsin :: Madison

Is this NORMAL?

dale-harriet — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 01:14:05 -0800

Just had a Crisis (please note, it's just after 3:AM). I had dozed off on the couch, woke up, decided to write some more....and WHAMMO! I had a *revelation*. An INSPIRATION! An Epiphany! Well...ok, just a Good Idea. Changes everything - now, I know we're not supposed to edit, &c, but what I"m going to do is drag my characters back to square one and make a few changes -- and try to catch back up to the 5,001 word count required for Day # 3. OY VEY!

I absolutely HAVE to catch up before Wednesday: we're leaving for a ten-hour drive to Ontario, and I mean to plug Daisy (my laptop) into the converter and type all the way there and back. As we'll be in the 18th century for the weekend, I may have to sneak out and get back to the car if the opportunity arises........

Also, if the new plan doesn't pan out pretty fast, I'll go back to the original idea. I think it sucks being me.......
----------