United States :: Delaware

Hamilton-Calgary-Delaware FRIENDLY Taunting Thread

Gale M-N — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:18:33 -0700

So, it seems to be agreed that our three regions will once again have a friendly -- but fierce -- competition during NaNo.

Here's the competition widget:

Here are the categories:

Extreme and Awesome Wordiness Award : to the region with the highest average word count per active member.

Delightfully and Deliciously Loquacious Award: to the region with the greatest number of 50K winners per active member.

"All Words Are Good" Award: In the NaNo tradition, every region which participates is a winner. This is not a lame consolation prize, because, ALL WORDS ARE GOOD.

"Certified Taunter" Award: Within each region, the MLs may, at their discretion, make one or more "certified taunter" awards to the member(s) whose taunts were clever, friendly AND literary. The awards could be given at the TGIO party.

An "active member" is a member who is "homed" to the region and who has logged a word count of any size.

This is the thread that, by the magic of the NaNo site, appears in all 3 regions.

This is the thread where we taunt one another. In a FRIENDLY fashion, of course.

Let the taunting commence!
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Gale . . . www.ThornesQuest.com . . . or . . . www.stringingwords.creativemindwebdesign.com

Canada :: Alberta :: Calgary

Daily Writing Prompts

Gale M-N — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:11:30 -0700

For another writing site that I'm involved in, I provide daily writing prompts, and I thought I might post them here as well during November.

The category in November is "Details, People, I Need Details!", and the sub-categories (of which I will provide 3 each day) are:

- Clothing and Footwear
- Weather and Temperature
- Colours and Lights
- Critters
- Minor Characters
- Food, Glorious Food!
- Plants and Foliage

For those not familiar with writing prompts, they are evocative words which any writer can use to write whatever comes to mind. My November prompts are particularly focussed on visual images, and I'm hoping that people will use them to provide the small details that enrich a novel and make descriptions pop.

Here's an example of one of November's writing prompts:

Example wrote:

Clothing/Footwear: a pair of bronzed baby shoes

Critters: a mole scampering across a snowy field

Colours/Lights: the warm candlelight of a menorah

Perhaps only one image would speak to you, so you could incorporate that into your novel. Or, if you're stuck that day, you could have your MC tell a story to someone which involved all 3 images. The prompts are there to spark your thinking and your writing, and you really can use them in whatever way works for you.

Happy planning, everyone! November is nearly upon us! oOOo

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Gale . . . www.ThornesQuest.com . . . or . . . www.stringingwords.creativemindwebdesign.com

United States :: Delaware

Is NaNo's "clock" off by an hour?

TreeLady — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:30:17 -0800

I updated my word count at about 11:15 pm Tuesday night (11th), and then clicked over to my stats graph.
Much to my surprise, I found the updated Nov 11th bar and, next to it, a duplicate bar for the 12th.

I see two explanations for this happening. Either:

1. NaNo's clock may still be in daylight savings time. Since we fell back when we switched to standard time at the beginning of the month that means what -was- midnight became 11 p.m. NaNo's clock treated my 11:13 p.m. update as occurring at 12:13 a.m.

2. The NaNo stats graph adds a bar for the following day some time in the course of the previous evening, and I only just noticed this.

I hope that #2 is the explanation. I'm pretty oblivious and could have missed this. On the other hand, if the NaNo clock happens to be off by an hour, then we might have problems validating our novels on Nov.30 between 10:59 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

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United States :: Delaware

For Newark Write-Ins

akizakura — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 10:29:30 -0800

Hey thanks to those who made the kickoff party yesterday and sorry to those we missed! In the interest of maximizing the amount of folks who can attend write-ins, I want to get a tally of which nights or days work best for a Newark Write-in. If there's an even split, we may have two write-ins. The main consensus yesterday was Saturday, but I remember when we set up the kick-off party I remember hearing some complaints on that day of the week, so for the good of the group, please post your availability for NEWARK WRITE-INS here, please. Right now, it looks like the next one is next Saturday at 2:30 in Panera on Main St.
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United States :: Delaware

Forest brain-storming needed!!!

TreeLady — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:01:30 -0800

My fantasy begins in a medieval-type village and then moves to a very old a (mostly) uninhabited forest for the bulk of the story.
I have finally reached the part in the story in which the setting switches. In the next chapter, the main characters go into the forest looking for an artifact (which actually doesn't exist). They will eventually find some pretty eerie ruins deep in the forest, including some things and people that do exist but they will probably wish didn't..

Okay, now to the problem. As you all know -very- well, we have over half of NaNo before us. I don't think I have enough "foresty" conflicts and adventures in mind to last me until the 30th. Yeah, I can go back and add more village scenes or something but I think I'd be better off coming up with more forest stuff.

Right now, I'm planning:
nasty weather (probably sleet) making travel difficult;
the "guide" actually not knowing where she's going, leading to the group getting lost (plus a huge argument and lots of finger-pointing);
an encounter with "beasties" and/or "brigands".

I need more! Would anyone be interested in helping me brainstorm more things that can be found in a huge forest? Feel free to be off-the-wall! On the other hand, if someone suggests an airport I may just have to smack them around some. ;-)

Thanks!
SherryT

United States :: Delaware

Day 10's question

katpetal — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:42:00 -0800

Hey there everybody!
Sorry about missing a question yesterday - I was out of town for the weekend.
But here is today's question - which relates to the last question:

What time of year does your story start in?
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United States :: Delaware

Wimington Write-In

katpetal — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 09:07:07 -0800

We will be having our first write-in of the season in Wilmington this year. I hope you call can make it.

Where: Panera Bread on 202 Brandywine Town Center
Date: Wednesday November 5, 2008
Time: 6pm - ?

Hope to see you all there.
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United States :: Delaware

No Plot, No Problem - Katie and Amber!

Adrian — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 20:19:45 -0800

Ladies,

I still have the book and I'm going to be out of town this weekend. How do you want to do this?
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United States :: Delaware

WR WriMos Write In

jmreinbold — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 11:06:40 -0800

Hey, Written Remains WriMos

Would you like to plan a "write in" for us? Any suggestions for a good spot and preferred days and times? Let's see if we can do at least one, maybe even two for this year's NaNo.

Tell me your ideas!

Joanne
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United States :: Delaware

Day 11's Question

katpetal — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:57 -0800

So I also am moderating a LiveJournal NaNo community and this morning when I got up, one of the other writers had posed this question and I liked it so much I'm using it as today's question here.

What's the smartest thing you've done for your novel and yourself this NaNo?

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United States :: Delaware

Where in Delaware?

akizakura — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 16:24:49 -0700

Hey WriMos! Hope everyone's getting revved up for November! I wanted to check in and see where in Delaware everyone is from this year. Katie'll be popping in a little later to get more info for planning meetings so I figured it'd be good to see where everyone is hailing from. To get the ball rolling, I'm in Newark.
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United States :: Delaware

Day 8's question

katpetal — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 07:10:44 -0800

Hi there folks! It's that time again, and today's question comes courtesy of my husband (tyramon).

How much til will have passed in your story when it is finished?

Happy Writing!!
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United States :: Delaware

Day Three's Question - synopsis

katpetal — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 07:18:01 -0800

Alright, so now you've told us how you write, and where your story takes place, AND what the genre is. Today's question is:

Share a brief synopsis of your story, please.

Here's mine:

Generations ago, the magic of the world was burned out, none left. Most of mages died when it happened, and it is believe that any babies that die at brith would have grown to be mages - but there was no magic to sustain them. In this world where magic no longer exists, a young boy discovers it within himself quite by accident. He must learn why he has it, and how to wield it as he learns who he is and what it is his destiny to do.

Good luck to all of you, please keep the writing going you're doing great!

(and PLEASE answer the other questions too, thanks!)
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United States :: Delaware

Day One's Question: How do you write?

katpetal — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 06:49:27 -0800

So I'm sitting here (on my bed all propped up thanks to my wonderful husband who takes great care of me when I'm hurt) trying NOT to write anymore in my story tonight. And I find myself looking at LJ, and attempting to look at our regional lounge here. I can't help but wonder about things, so I will pose this one question to all of you - be warned that I'll pose more throughout the month - I cannot promise one every day, but I will try.

How do you write? To clarify that, I don't really mean pen & paper vs computer. I mean, do you have to have a certain ambiance? Music? Tv? silence? people around? Everything just so?

And on that same idea, is there something that will prevent you from writing?

Me, personally, I have to have sound. Doesn't really matter what kind, but I cannot stand to write in silence. I prefer to be sitting up in a chair - but since that doesn't agree with my back very much right now, I'm working around that.

And what distracts me most from writing is my cats - if they want attention, or just want to sit against me and purr I find it very hard to write - like my mind empties of everything except 'awww kitteh lovies yay!' hehe.

What about you? share please???
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United States :: Delaware

Day Two's question: Genre and world

katpetal — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 08:12:00 -0800

Howdy there folks.
Today's question is a little more simple then yesterday's question - perhaps. But please feel free to elaborate in anyway you need to. Here is today's question:

What is your story's genre? Also does your story take place on Earth/in this world, or somewhere else?

Mine this year is Fantasy and takes place in the world I created for NaNo 07.
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United States :: Delaware

Day 4's question

katpetal — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 08:25:27 -0800

Good morning!

I hope that you are enjoying your stories so far, but if you aren't I understand - mine right now is coming out like molasses. I know the story, I have the plot, and I know where I want it to go - it just doesn't seem to want me to write it.

Today's question is pretty straight-forward (or is it?), although I know a few of us are struggling with this one.

What is your title?

Good luck and happy writing to all of you!
(and can I count all of my nano & lj posts in my wordcount??)

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United States :: Delaware

Day 5's question: Main Character

katpetal — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 07:15:18 -0800

Good morning everyone! I hope that all of you had a nice night of sleep, and are enjoying the festivities of writing. Here is today's question:

Who is/are your Main Charater(s)? Tell us anything you want to about him/her/them.

I have 2, Cristof and Zindra. Cris is 11 and Zindra is 13 right now, though by the end of the book they will be older. They don't get along very well - and they all live at Orphan's Keep. Cris is discovering magic, but doesn't recognize it as magic quite yet because there was supposed to be none left in the world. Zindra is about to discover that trying to change a society overnight is all but impossible, and will be made even harder when Cris comes of age, especially if he has come into his magic by then as well.
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United States :: Delaware

Day 6's Question

katpetal — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 06:43:51 -0800

Hi everybody! I hope your word counts are soaring to the stars here. Keep up the good work!

Here is your question for today:
Share the first sentence of your story.
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United States :: Delaware

Day 7's question

katpetal — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:53:52 -0800

Yep - its time for another daily question, and here it is:

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

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United States :: Delaware

Calling all Sussex County WriMos

katpetal — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 07:26:47 -0700

Hi there!

While Delaware is a small state, to us its a large enough region. Lets get any and all wrimos from Sussex county to checkin here, so you can find other crazy writer cats near you.

Please feel free to plan your own write-ins, if you won't be able to make it to the ones in Newark/Wilmington, which I would not expect you to do (its a long drive and gas is too expensive) although you are certainly welcome if you do want to come. Post dates and times and I'll make sure they get on the Regional Calenders.
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United States :: Delaware

Calling all Kent County WriMos

katpetal — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 07:28:00 -0700

Hi there!

While Delaware is a small state, to us its a large enough region. Lets get any and all wrimos from Kent county to checkin here, so you can find other crazy writer cats near you.

Please feel free to plan your own write-ins, if you won't be able to make it to the ones in Newark/Wilmington - which you are of course welcome to come too, but may be a bit outta the way for you all. Post dates and times and I'll make sure they get on the Regional Calenders.

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United States :: Delaware

Introduction time

katpetal — Sat, 4 Oct 2008 09:19:32 -0700

Hi everybody! I think its time to introduce ourselves. Just a little intro to help us get to know all the other people who are just as crazy as we are.

I'm Katie, and I'm one of the MLs for this year. I'm 29 (no really!) and live in Newark with my husband and 3 cats (Zei, Gypsy, and Nyx). This is my second year doing NaNo and my second year as an ML. Last year, I decided to do this, and then Amber (our other ML) asked me to assist her in MLing - since we had a class together and it was easy to talk about things before and after class. Last year, I wrote a fantasy story about a Ruler who had everything and managed to lose the most precious thing without realizing it. This year, I have a vague idea of what I'm going to write - but nothing really concrete yet. Time to start brainstorming, character creating, and outlining. Yikes!

<3
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United States :: Delaware

Day One

katpetal — Sat, 1 Nov 2008 17:44:34 -0700

Congrats to all of you - we've made it to Day One. And Welcome to the insanity! Its good to have friends along for the ride.

Yes, the site is slow today - hopefully that will calm down after a few days and make this forum more accessible. In the meantime, we are also available on livejournal at the de_writers community. Feel free to come join us there. I will try to remember to post updates there as well.

For now, the word count updater on the top of the page does not work - instead go to the My NaNoWriMo page, and click edit novel info and update you word count there. And be sure that you are affiliated with Delaware while you're at it.

Happy writing to you all, may your muses bless you (at times you're ready & able to write of course!)
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United States :: Delaware

Kick-off & Online Chat

katpetal — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:50:16 -0700

Howdy folks!

Tomorrow, November 1, we will be having our Kick-off party. For tomorrow begins the horror (I mean wonder) that is NaNoWriMo! So come on out and join us at the University of Delaware's Trabant Student Center from 2:30 - 6:30 (ish). And if you can't make it to that, we will also be online at http://chatnano.net/tempchats/delaware.html for chatting and writing assistance after 6.

Hope to see you all there!
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United States :: Delaware

Kick-off Party

katpetal — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 16:34:40 -0700

Don't worry - I'll repost this again closer to the actual date. But now you can see that you're happy MLs are actually doing something!

We have planned to have the kick-off in Newark at the University of Delaware's Trabant Food Court. This will be 11/1 (Saturday) at 230pm. Fun and games to be had by all, prizes to be had by ME... no wait, not by me but by others. So come on out and join us. What better way to start off a month of heavy writing then by hanging out with other people just as crazy as you?

And afterwards, for those that can't join us or for those that don't want the party to end, we'll be having an all-night write-in online - most likely on AIM chat, but we can certainly do a chat on yahoo or somesuch if its better for others (please chime in with suggestions!). Fun, madness, and lack of sleep - what could be better?
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