United States :: California :: Riverside

Welcome, Riverside WriMos!!

kalindria — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:19:16 -0700

Welcome to the regional forum for Riverside writers! Those of you who've participated in NaNo before already know me; I'm your friendly neighborhood Municipal Liaison, Diann, otherwise known as kalindria. Together with Sara, we will be your cheerleaders, organizers, plot idea generators, leaders, followers, and general workhorses. Ask us anything about NaNo - Sara even interned at the Office of Light & Letters and she knows Chris!! We've been through this before and if we don't know the answer, we know where to find it. And we're here to help - so please don't be shy about contacting us.

Writing is a largely solitary endeavor but with NaNo's forums and our region's write-ins and get-togethers, we make it just that much easier to get to know your fellow writers and make writing just a bit more of a group effort. Speaking of write-ins, there will be write-ins in as many areas and parts of our two large counties as we can manage. If you happen to be in one of the less populated portions of the region, feel free to organize a write-in near you. Send me the information (date, time, address, any other crucial details) and we will add it to the regional calendar of events. And speaking on calendars, NaNo is now allowing us to use Google calendars which should make it easier to update the events and keep everyone updated.

We have one of the largest territories in NaNoWriMo. Because we are so geographically diverse, we understand that not everyone will be able to make it to every event . Heck! Sara and I can't make it to every event. We do hope you will make every effort to come to the Kick-Off Party and/or the Thank God It's Over Party (TGIO.) The Kick-Off will be in Temecula at the Grace Mellman Library and the TGIO will be held further north, perhaps in Redlands so everyone has to drive at least once. That's fair, right? Plus during November, we should focus on writing not driving to a write-in.

If you have questions or need information, please feel free to contact either of your friendly MLs. We love questions and helping out. And that's what they pay us for. (OK, they don't really pay us, but you understand what I mean.)

One more thing I would ask, BEFORE creating a new thread, please check to see if one already exists. Every year, we end up with tons of duplicate subject lines and people miss valuable information that could be helpful.

If you'd like to give something back to the wonderful people of the Office of Light & Letters but the economic downturn has been tough on your wallet, here's a suggestion: use Goodsearch as your search engine. When you first visit the site, set up OLL as your beneficiary. Then search the Internet for odorless, colorless, tasteless, fast-acting poisons or the currency of Burkina-Faso and give back at the same time.

Sara and I are thrilled to have you with us and our mission is to write 50,000 words during November while spurring you all to do the same. Welcome and we look forward to meeting each and every one of you!
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Diann

United States :: California :: Riverside

Thank God It's Over Party (TGIO)

kalindria — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 09:36:02 -0800

OK, it's time to start this discussion, I guess. Sara and I have been chatting but we'd like to get your input also. I put a tentative date on the calendar for the TGIO party but it DOES say tentative. Now we know there will always be people who can't attend and that's sad. It's also unavoidable. Our goal is to schedule the party at a time when most people - and both MLs - can attend.

For those who've never been to a TGIO party, we meet at a location, eat, talk about our experiences, and those who wish to read an excerpt from their novel do so. It's casual and fun. Last year, we met at Senor Tom's at Tom's Farms near Corona. Last year's Script Frenzy TGIO was held at Famous Dave's BBQ in Redlands but that place is PACKED all the time... We're thinking that the patio at Senor Tom's worked out well and are leaning toward holding the TGIO there again.

If you have a large home located in the Corona/Norco/Corona Hills/ similar area that can hold 20 or more people and wouldn't mind hosting a bunch of wild and crazy writers for a potluck, let me know please.

Please let me know which dates/times are best for you. If you cannot make any of these dates I won't need your response and I'm sorry.

Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 PM
Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 PM
Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 PM

This is a fun event and we hope everyone can be there!

kali
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Diann

United States :: California :: Riverside

Visiting a middle school in Palm Spring!

kartoshka — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:16:20 -0800

Is anyone interested in visiting a school in Palm Springs where one of our NaNo-ers is leading her students in their own NaNo adventures?

I'd like to go either Monday or Wednesday morning, this week or next. I don't have a ride, and would also love to share this experience with another NaNoer. I could totally pitch in for gas or snacks for the road!!

Private-message me ASAP if you're interested!
SA

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United States :: California :: Riverside

Riverside write-ins

kingzgurl — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:47:06 -0700

Hey guys, sorry for being so late with getting this posted.

Schedule for Riverside (city) write-ins is:

Wednesday, October 30th, 8-10pm, Coffee Depot (Riverside Plaza) <<-- BRAINSTORMING for those of us who didn't realize that November is only 5 days away *grins*
Wednesday, Nov 5th, 8-10pm, Coffee Depot (Riverside Plaza)
Wednesday, Nov 12th, 8-10pm, Coffee Depot (Riverside Plaza)
Wednesday, Nov 19th, 8-10pm, Coffee Depot (Riverside Plaza)
Wednesday, Nov 26th, 8-10pm, Coffee Depot (Riverside Plaza)
(maybe) Sunday, Nov 30th (if people still haven't finished and want to pull a writing marathon)

There is free wi-fi available.
Expected group: kingzgurl, vandonovan, NYCalls0909, puckoverdrive, PhotoJ, karen77 (???), and YOU!!

I'll can't wait to see everyone there!!

Crys
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United States :: California :: Riverside

C'mon you guys! Get those word counts up!

Deidra — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 17:58:58 -0800

Okay so as I'm procrastinating on getting up my own word count I'm cheering on the rest of the Riverside Wrimos.
We're in 113 place right now. Let's get up into the top 100!

Happy Writing you guys! =D
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United States :: California :: Riverside

One of the pep talkers is from Riverside

jayfarer — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 01:55:29 -0800

Gayle Brandeis is doing a pep talk for us later!

I laughed out loud in disbelief when I saw this. She's a professor of Creative Writing at UC Riverside and I've had her for a class or two. I failed NaNoWriMo last year while I was in her class! What are the odds.
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Write-Ins

Cooper3 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:10:39 -0700

Last year, I scheduled two write-ins at the Borders bookstore in Rancho Cucamonga at Victoria Gardens. I can do it again, but as of my schedule today, I can only set up one every Wednesday for the next four weeks and the 11th with no school and all. If this works, let me know and I will inform about adding a weekend to it.
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Hesperia and Apple Valley write-ins

jcomer2001 — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 22:34:36 -0800

Hey all,

Hesperia Library has a write in at 6 pm on Tuesday, sponsored by ME!
(I'm Jim. Hi!)

Apple Valley has one on Thursday nights, at 5:30, at One of Life's Perks on Hwy 18, sponsored by a local WriMo!

Come on by and let's novel!

Jim
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Temecula Write-In

kalindria — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:01:20 -0700

Our first Temecula write-in will be on November 1st from 1 PM to 3 PM. Free wi-fi.
It's a Grind
33215 State Highway 79 (also known as Temecula Parkway)
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 303-0053‎

Come on over and get a great start on your novel!
Host: Diann
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Diann

United States :: California :: Riverside

Pomona Valley Write-Ins, at CK Cafe, Nov. 15 - 16th

Writerfangirl — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:50:08 -0800

Lots and lots of writing to be had in the Pomona Valley for the next three weekends! This is the first time we're going to try two write-ins over this weekend. One will be today and the next will be tomorrow. Both will be at 2PM, at CK Cafe, in Claremont.

Here are the directions of how to get there:

CK Cafe is really a hole-in-the-wall. CK Cafe is at 109 Yale Avenue. You'll want to park on Yale then walk toward the Heroes Bar and Grill. You turn before you get to Heroes. You'll find yourself in a little alley that leads into a parking lot. To your lefth you will see a patio. There's a door on the patio that leads into CK Cafe. It might be hard to find, but it is worth it. The place has great atmosphere and wonderful coffee and tea. And: free wi-fi!

You can check out their website here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/ck-cafe-claremont

All are welcome and invited, even if you do not reside in the Pomona Valley area.
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icon by lyn_thorne @ livejournal.com

United States :: California :: Riverside

GoodSearch

TSEdiot — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:22:47 -0700

There is a note about this on the page about donating when broke, but I wanted to let everyone here know about the partnership with goodsearch.com

When you go to the website and put in Office of Letters and Light as your charity, every search you do will donate $.01 to NaNoWriMo and ScriptFrenzy. Think about how many searches you do a day - 10? 20? I probably do about 50, which means in a month I can earn the OLL $15. You can even install goodsearch to most browsers and search from the bar. Awesome, right?

Need to do some research? Use goodsearch for all of your research queries this month. Then you're researching for your novel *and* paying for the ability to do this next year. Sweet!

Even if you just switch for November, it'll make a big difference to the event!

Happy Novelling!
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========================
TSEdiot
anaheim_ca(at)nanowrimo(dot)org
tsediot(at)gmail(dot)com
North Orange County ML
Proud H.A.C.K. since 2007

United States :: California :: San Diego

Regional Word Counts

kalindria — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 18:59:33 -0800

At today's write-in, I was asked how we stack up against other regions. You asked for it. We're at 114th place right now. Now that's not too shabby, but between you and me, I know we can do much better than that. Here's the link to the chart (you can do Control F and type in Riverside to find us) but now that you know where we are, let's work hard and get closer to the top. I know it's not fair that Seattle is always rainy and there's nothing else to do but write, but we can sacrifice and at least get in the top 20 or perhaps 50, right? Right??

http://graphing.teiru.net/2008/regions/

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Diann

United States :: California :: Riverside

Claremont-Pomona-Uplands write in anyone?

lhoopes — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 11:39:13 -0800

Hi Wrimos,

I am willing to put together a write in in the Claremont-Pomona-Upland area if people are interested. It might be at a nice coffee shop in the Upland train station if they're OK with that. They've let my writers' group have writing parties there before.

cheers,
lhoopes aka Manic Professor
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Manic Professor

United States :: California :: Riverside

Redlands!

kartoshka — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:13:46 -0700

Hey, all!

I'm a co-ML with Kalindria, and I live in REDLANDS! Last year, we had write-ins at Stell's once a week. Is anyone totally pumped to do this again? I would be so down. I'm a needy, car-less ML, but in return for rides would be willing to pitch in for that extra shot of espresso or hop over to Stater Brothers to get group snack like Goldfish, Oreos.

Let me know!
SA (Kartoshka)
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Plot? What's that? Share yours if you have one.

3AM — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 11:44:19 -0800

So who has a plot this year? This is my first time attempting Nano, and I had no plot to start with. I just sat down at my PC and stared typing a scene with a fat guy in a subway station. Pretty soon he'd been propositioned by a beautiful woman, hit by a car, passed out, mugged, healed by a mysteriously creepy guy, and arrested for the murder of a man he's never met. All in the first chapter.

Now I'm finding myself actually coming up with some pretty cool twists and ideas to expand the story. I'm also surprised that 1667 words a day is not as difficult as I originally thought.

So...anybody else want to share any of their plot?
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Im new to writing

wcharlson — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 15:09:31 -0800

how many words is considered a page, in Microsoft works, or office or any kind of program for that matter. Because if you use different size type obviously the a page is more or lesser then the actual document page. Could someone clarify me on that?
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Veterans Day Write ins?

Cooper3 — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 08:49:24 -0800

Anyone wanna set up one? I have no school on that day.
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Beaumont?

davidsdoll101 — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 12:36:13 -0800

Hey is there anyone in Beaumont/Banning/San Jac/Hemet who wants to organize some kind of write-in?
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Calendar

rhammond2k — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:22:05 -0700

I'm having trouble viewing anything on the Calendar. it just comes up blank for me? Is there anything scheduled in Riverside?
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Different Character Viewpoints

Cooper3 — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 12:32:56 -0800

Recently I finished the Artemis Fowl series (great story by the way) that focused on different characters in a third person point-of-view between chapters.

I happen to wonder if there are stories, books, or series that focus on that type of viewpoint, but in a "First" person point of view.

I know that the Animorph series did it with each different book on one character, but has anybody ran into this type of viewpoint before? Tell me your feelings about this type of storytelling and the different benefits and limitations.
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Getting to Know You

kalindria — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:29:06 -0700

Since we'll all be churning through our 50K masterpieces together in November, we might as well get to know one another. If you feel so inclined, please answer the following questions. Feel free to add your own if you like!

What's your name:
What's the origin of your NaNo name?
Have you done NaNo before? If yes, how many times? And how many times did you win?
What genre are you writing this year?
Who's your favorite author (just one please - I know it's tough to pick)?
What's your favorite genre to read?
What's the name of your main character this year?
What's something we wouldn't guess about you just by looking?
What food or beverage will you count on to get your through November?
Anything else you'd like to share?

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Diann

United States :: California :: Riverside

Weekly Redlands Write-Ins!

kartoshka — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:24:27 -0700

PSA:

Every week in November, starting this coming Monday, there will be two weekly write-ins in Redlands at Stell's (1580 Barton Rd, Redlands). They will be:

Monday mornings 10-1ish
Wednesday evenings 7-10ish

I will be "hosting" the Wednesday night write-ins, and will try to stop by Monday mornings but no promises (I'm in college; sometimes, there are classes)-- several local WriMos have expressed interest in having morning write-ins, so I'm sure there'll be some people there to greet you.

If anyone wants to hold any other events in this general area, please post them here, and let me know if you want me to send out a group email.

Thanks guys, and GOOD LUCK! WOOOOO!!!
SA

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United States :: California :: Riverside

Any Mountain NaNos?

ngrae — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:36:36 -0700

I am once again writing from Lake Arrowhead. I'll see if I can get to Stell's at least once, but it's a haul from here. It's not the going down, but the coming back up that's a bitch, 'specially if it's foggy.

So, once again, (she asks, hoping against hope), are there any writers on the mountain?
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If you have a problem in the third act, the real problem is in the first act.--Billy Wilder

United States :: California :: Riverside

I'm...So...Bored!

Cooper3 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:30:36 -0700

So here's the thing.

Today I managed to complete everything for Nano: chapter plot lines, sketches and diagrams of my Terrans, character names, and my 6 year old iBook prepped and ready. Of course, I got all of this done in two hours, from six to seven in the morning. So I spent the rest of the day playing Fable 2, doing laundry, clean dishes, and pack to drive up to my parents place for the weekend just to watch the place. Happy Halloween to me!!!

I got there, unpacked, and did nothing in the kitchen for three hours in the afternoon. Then I decided to "massacre" a pumpkin and boiled it into a pumpkin pulp, the stuff you find in canned pumpkin from the grocery store. It came out lighter than expected, but I guess they added sweet potatoes to give it the deep color. Took me three hours, but it was worth the labor. Now I have to figure out what to do with this, either use it in a recently discovered pumpkin chili recipe, some form of breakfast dish, addition to a snack or meal, or as usual, a pumpkin-apple pie.

It's around 9:30 and now sitting in my upstairs room watching The Da Vinci Code with my two cats (my little demons) anticipating the midnight strike to write until morning.

Anybody have any past, or present, stories of Pre-Nano anguish?
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United States :: California :: Riverside

Book universe question

Cooper3 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:00:33 -0700

Recently, I made a post on the forums asking people about my book idea. You can read the post here:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/node/3015108

I did get some good responses from others and their thoughts on my universe. So I'm gonna make another post on this forum for one question:

What would you do if you had 6 hours of humanity left in your life?

Post your thoughts. Thanks.
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