Europe :: Wales

Word War Sign-Ups

JayWalker — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:04:16 -0700

Hi Wales NaNoers.

If you'd like to represent Wales in the Word Wars, this is the place to sign up.

To join our merry band, please reply ONCE AND ONCE ONLY to this thread. You will then be added to our team.

Remember - the possible prizes are for the highest proportion of winners from the sign-ups and for the greatest AVERAGE wordcount per person. So we really want people who are going to do 50k words (ESSENTIAL) and preferably a lot more! If you're not sure, I suggest you wait a few days from the start of November, to give you chance to find out what you've let yourself in for!

Let's see if we can win this year. Sign up and add your (HUGE) wordcount to the team.
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2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Word War Banter

JayWalker — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:08:55 -0700

Okay,
This is the thread where we're allowed to spur each other on to ever-greater word counts. We're even allowed to rubbish the opposition - but politely, of course!

We are representing the land of the bards, so we ought to do well. We came second in the UK last year (robbed, robbed!) and I hope we can win this year!

You've only got one week left to exercise your NaNoing muscles, before we're alowed to start typing. Hope those plots are coming on well ;-)
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2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Word War Rules

JayWalker — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:56:57 -0700

Hi All,
Sorry this is late, but here are the rules for Word Wars this year.

We almost won last year (robbed on a technicality ...) so it would be great if we can do even better this year.

Please don't add anything to this thread - there's another one to sign up if you're interested.

__________________________________________________

Rules

Eligibility

You must live within the UK or Ireland, and be relatively close to the city or region you
wish to represent.

Sign-ups

Your ML will provide a "Word War Sign Up” thread on your local forum to track word
count. Participants will post ONCE in the Word War Sign Up thread by 8pm on 10th
November stating that they wish to participate.

The Regional Word War

You must update your word count every two days, on the even numbered days of the
month, by 8pm. If you are unable to update your count, contact your ML.

During the last partial week (26th –– 29th Nov), you must update your word count daily, by 8pm. If this isn't possible, contact your ML immediately.

If you do not update your word count on four consecutive occasions it will be assumed that you have given up and you will be removed from the war (unless you already have more than 50k) If you know that you’re going to be away and won’t be able to update, let your ML know so that we can prevent this.

You must input your final (verified) word count by midnight on 30th November. After
midnight, you will no longer be able to update your count.

Scoring

You may drop out of the Regional Word War at any time up to 8pm on 20th November without affecting your region's count. If you do not drop out by messaging either myself or your ML, you will be in for the remainder of the competition, NO MATTER WHAT!
During the Regional Word War there will be a regularly updated leader board on an external web site. I'll post a link to this board to each competing region as soon as I've confirmed it myself!

Only the official word count from the "Word War Sign Up" threads on the NaNoWriMo web site will be considered when computing the final score.
After midnight on 30th November, I will ask the other MLs from competing regions (or their designated representatives) to verify the figures before declaring a winner.

Results

There will be two prizes:
The city/region with the highest average word count.
The city/region with the highest proportion of winners from the starting participants.
The MLs will compare results, and when all regions agree, the results will be posted on the NaNo boards.

Banter

Participants are encouraged to engage in good natured banter with participants from other regions in the various Word War Banter threads. Banter should remain good natured and within the bounds of good sportsmanship. The use of 'smileys' in messages is actively encouraged.

Our God-like powers

MLs decide what "good sportsmanship" means.
We reserve the right to remove folks from the competition for any violation of the rules and guidelines listed above.

MLs are the final authority in any dispute or question about the rules.

Trophies

To be determined...

Good luck one and all.
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2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Looking back

Brinysea — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:23:52 -0800

Feeling a bit depressed about my lack of progress in the past week, I looked back at my last nano novel from 2006. I was surprised to see that my word count on 19th November 2006 was almost exactly the same as what I have now, and my characters had just met a talking, egg-laying sea-unicorn who was insisting on playing a game of riddles with them. My current X-files-meets-the-three-musketeers-with-ninjas doesn't seem quite so outlandish.

So I wondered, for those who've done this crazy exercise before, how is this year comparing with last time? And does it ever get easier?
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Europe :: Wales

Second Cardiff write-in

Darkelf — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:39:06 -0800

Dear all,

Thanks to all who came to the meet-up at Shot today. I had a great time and my word count is now back on track :D

Apologies to those who wanted to join us after eight but we all ran out of battery around that time and as the upstairs was closed for a private function, there were no plugs for us to feed our laptops. But because we had so much fun, we decided to do the same again next week, so

Wednesday, 19th November, 4pm until 8 (or later), at 'A Shot in the Dark'

The Shot staff have told me that the upstairs will only be available until 7pm. If the downstairs is as busy as it was tonight, we may move to a different venue. If you'd like to come but don't think you'll make it before 7, comment here and I'll send you a private message with my mobile number so you can find out where we are.

Best of luck with the word count!

Dani
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Europe :: Wales

Regional Word War Leader Table Update

Loriba — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 04:46:40 -0800

Hi,

Thought I'd start a new thread for posting when updates have taken place as it's easier to just cross-post across all the participating forums.

The results from the 4th November have been calculated and can be found here:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3095947#comment-3239799

If anyone sees any mistakes (and there were several in the last one) please PM me to let me know. :)
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*Hugs*
Lottie
ML for Europe::England:: Cambridge
http://www.nanowrimo.org/mlcontact
2005: Dreaming of Jack - 83k+; 2006: An Ordinary World - 84k+; 2007: Rising Angels, Falling Apes - 121k; 2008 - White Shadows - ??.

Europe :: Wales

The 100k Thread

JayWalker — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:20:20 -0800

Okay, a few people have mentioned in the poll that they're planning on reaching this level - so here's a place to post your count when you cross the line.

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2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Slump sigh

Dreaming_Novelist — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 01:50:24 -0800

I peaked early, and have only written 142 words in the last 36 hours. I have 4 hours to myself on weekdays, and no excuse to be sitting here procrastinating or feeling sorry for myself. Please drag me kicking and screaming back into nanomode.
Or, reassure me with your own slump!

Paula x
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Europe :: Wales

The Anti-Slump: Have you got your mojo back?

Dreaming_Novelist — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 15:05:52 -0800

After creating the somewhat depressing 'slump' thread; I thought'd I'd create this one to redress the balance.

After a fairly unproductive weekend, writing only around 3000 words in total, I have tonight still managed to reach the 30k goal I set myself to reach before midnight. *Little victory dance*

On top of feeling like I have really conquered my slump demons, my novel is beginning to shift slightly, but I am loving the semi-new direction is it taking.

I want it to be November EVERY month :)

Paula - who definitely has her mojo back!!!

Post your Anti-Slumps here :-D
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Europe :: Wales

The 50k Thread

JayWalker — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 14:24:56 -0800

Exactly what it says on the tin. As soon as you hit the 50k mark, post the fact on this thread so we can all see how many winners we've got in the Wales forum.

C'mon the bards!

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2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Newport Meet-up

JayWalker — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:17:44 -0800

Hi All,

We've been discussing this on another thread, but I thought I'd start a new one to make sure people saw it.

So - Sunday 16th November (the day before my birthday), starting at noon in the John Wallace Linton in Newport.

I always suggest we wear hats for meet-ups, as this helps us find each other in a pub. It's not compulsory, but it means you can easily spot me as I will be wearing a purple hat and I'll look out for anyone else wearing a hat / sporting brightly coloured hair. Being a Wetherspoons, they'll offer food, if anyone wants to get lunch there.

Following the success of doing this at our Cardiff meeting, I suggest we have a little writing competition. If folks are agreeable, I'll ask for a contribution (50p) to a "prize fund", and we all vote for the piece of writing we liked the best. The winner gets a prize (maybe more than one, depends how many enter). I'll supply the prize(s) and prompt - you guys just supply the fund and writing! Of course, like everything else, participation is entirely your choice, but it can be great fun.

Please post a message if you're likely to join us - just to convince me I won't be sat in a pub on my own!

Look forward to seeing you there.

Original thread : http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3019788

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2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Aberystwyth meet up/write-in!

Nazdaq — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 13:41:32 -0800

OK so when do people have time off lectures/essays etc? I do not have lectures as such (though I am notetaking) I know there are reading weeks for various departments....film and TV is this week 10th-14th Nov. When are the other departments? Can people do this week? I am in fresh ground tomorrow evening if anyone wants to pop in then, from 7-10pm. Otherwise we will have to think of another time to do it.

Reply with when you are available and what venue you would prefer! :)
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~Nazdaq

Europe :: Wales

Motivation Help

Kaymera — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:56:51 -0800

Asking for help here cause I've actually met a few of you:

I didn't write anything yesterday (long story, our house was burgled. I haven't lost anything irreplacable/expensive but the Police were here and I was a bit freaked out) and I'm this close to throwing in the towel. I feel like I should be concentrating on my uni work instead.

Please talk me back into this. I don't want to give up.

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Europe :: Wales

Poll: What's Your Target?

JayWalker — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:52:37 -0800

VOTE="What's your target?".
Question: How many words are you aiming for?

This is an AutoPoll. To participate, include one of the following options in your post:

VOTE="200,000 My fingers are on fire this year"
VOTE="150,000 I'm on a roll"
VOTE="100,000 You gotta aim high"
VOTE="75,000 I like to leave a safe margin"
VOTE="50,000 I'm gonna win this thing"
VOTE="30,000 Look, that's 1,000 a day!"
VOTE="25,000 I do have a life, you know"
VOTE="10,000 It's more than I've ever written before"
VOTE="I'm meant to be counting my words????"

Be sure to keep your answers in the exact format VOTE="your answer" with no extra spaces and with VOTE capitalized.

----------
2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Anyone here Swansea based?

MrWall — Tue, 7 Oct 2008 09:41:25 -0700

Just wondering. Not sure about meet ups and all (not agianst it either mind) but thought it would be interesting to see if anyone was from the same neck of the woods as me!
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Europe :: Wales

hello from montgomeryshire

mathsteacher — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:34:44 -0800

I don't know if there's anyone out there from this part of Wales, but hello to everyone anyway.

I've not tried this before. My daughter who lives in the Netherlands is a first-timer this year as well.

You all seem very optimistic about word counts; I'm aiming for 20,000 words as a minimum; I have a nasty suspicious feeling my story really won't stretch any more thinly than that!

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Europe :: Wales

First Cardiff write-in

Darkelf — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 02:21:28 -0800

As there seems to be quite a bit of interest in a write-in, I thought I'd start a thread to actually organise one. Here's my suggestion:

Wednesday, 12th of November

4pm till late

at Shot in the Dark or Milgi's

My personal preference would be for Shot but I'm happy with Milgi's as well. For people who know the place better than me, how well-equipped are they plug-wise? Shot definitely has a number of plugs upstairs so we could as least take turns at "feeding" our laptop batteries.

Both places have a good selection of coffee/tea/hot chocolate and booze (caffeine, sugar and alcohol, what more do you need?!) and tasty food.

Drop in whenever you like, I'm planning to hang around until at least 8pm or so and both places are open until at least 11ish.

Thoughts? Opinions? Alternative suggestions?
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Europe :: Wales

North West Wales

dancybold — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:04:27 -0700

Hi, I'm in Bangor , Gwynedd, and I was wondering if there was anyone else round here doing this year's Nano?

James.
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Europe :: Wales

San Diego California Nano-er needs help--Cathedrals in Wales?

Melissa437 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:34:15 -0800

Hello fellow NaNo-ers. I hope that your writing is going well. My plot has travelled to Wales for
some bones to be dug up underneath a cathedral there. Any suggestions on a cathedral or
photos of one so that my description isn't completely "lame?" Also suggested sites are most
welcome. How's the weather there?
It is sunny today in San Diego California and I'm ready to face up to my 1700 words for today.
Cheers and happy writing, despite the "second week" blues.

I will be querying again soon about earlier times in Wales....some of my characters have a history
there, so they tell me.......

Best ,
Melissa437
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Europe :: Wales

So...How's it going?

Kaymera — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 04:21:05 -0800

Dare I ask? It's day four and I'm stuck mid-scene so I just thought I'd ask how everyone was doing. Anyone had any major plot/character changes, yet? And how goes the word-count? Are we all still in week one happiness or has anyone dipped to the dread week two slump already?

Personally, yesterday was rubbish. I hated everything I wrote and getting the words out was next to impossible. Today, though, I seem to be back on track. Still not as good as day two which was my highlight. My characters are behaving for the most part, which I appreciate.
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Europe :: Wales

Aberystwyth University

LadyPenelope — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:20:45 -0700

Anyone else NaNoing at Aber Uni? I'm a fresher and slightly terrified by the idea of NaNo and my first semester at university happening at the same time. I must be crazy. I feel sorry for my flatmates.

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http://ladypenelopesmagicalmysterytour.blogspot.com/

Europe :: Wales

South East Wales, Anyone?

JayWalker — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 16:07:24 -0700

Just out of interest, is there anyone else who's based on the South-East of our fair land? I live in Chepstow, perilously close to the border with England - just wondered if there were any more NaNo-ers in range.

As ML, I organise the meet-ups in Cardiff - but that doesn't stop me getting together with anyone who lives more locally. It's always great to meet more mad people who think it's a good idea to spend a whole month typing!!

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2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

A huge thank you to our ML; Jay Walker

Dreaming_Novelist — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 14:23:41 -0800

Your dedication to nanowrimo is inspiring, as is your word count!
Happy ML Appreciation Day :)

Paula x
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Europe :: Wales

Newport Write-In : Venue Suggestions

Dreaming_Novelist — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 10:56:47 -0800

Hey guys,

For those of us who live nearer to Newport than Cardiff, I thought a Newport based write-in might be a good idea? That's not to say we couldn't attend both, of course. That would be doubly productive!

So, I was wondering if anyone had any venue suggestions. Preferably somewhere that wouldn't mind being descended upon by a group of crazy nanoers in full word-counting mode.

Also, is there a particular time preference for people? Obviously it's a little difficult as some of us have children, and some of us have jobs, and some of us have both! Would a weekend be preferable, or a weekday? Etc, etc.

Feel free to leave any time/date/venue suggestions here

Paula - who really should be writing right about now. . .
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Europe :: Wales

November Birthdays?

JayWalker — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 14:10:44 -0800

I've noticed a few comments in our forum about people whose birthdays fall into the wonderful month of NaNoWriMo. So, if you have a birthday this month, please copy this list and add your own date.

13th BrinySea
17th JayWalker

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2007 The Second Time: The First Year - 195,966
2006 The Second Time - 145,943
2005 In the Middle - 51,998
2004 Ape-x - 52,288

Europe :: Wales

Europe :: Wales

Word War Sign-Ups

Word War Banter

Word War Rules

Looking back

Second Cardiff write-in

Regional Word War Leader Table Update

The 100k Thread

Slump *sigh*

The Anti-Slump: Have you got your mojo back?

The 50k Thread

Newport Meet-up

Aberystwyth meet up/write-in!

Motivation Help

Poll: What's Your Target?

Anyone here Swansea based?

hello from montgomeryshire

First Cardiff write-in

North West Wales

San Diego California Nano-er needs help--Cathedrals in Wales?

So...How's it going?

Aberystwyth University

South East Wales, Anyone?

A huge thank you to our ML; Jay Walker

Newport Write-In : Venue Suggestions

November Birthdays?

Slump sigh