United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

The Travelling Marathon of Awesomeness -- Nov. 22

inkwet_image — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 22:15:02 -0800

“What?” you might ask, looking at me oddly, as people sometimes do. “Don't all marathons travel?”
“Well,” I might answer, looking at you snarkily, as I often do—“They don't normally travel when they are writing marathons.”

The Travelling Marathon of Awesomeness will be a 14-hour progressive write-in. On Saturday November 22nd, we will scrawl our way across the Kansas City Metro, writing from one end to the other. The Marathon will begin in Liberty, move to mid-town, and end up in Overland Park. You can come along for the entire marathon, or join at any point.

Travelling Marathon of Awesomeness

Coffee; food; wi-fi; some power outlets.

2:30pm – 6:30pm—Westport Coffee House

not

7:00pm – 12:00am—Daily Dose in Overland Park

Coffee; food; wi-fi; power; alcohol; open til 2:00am.

MAP & DIRECTIONS

This will be an opportunity to catch up if you are behind, to get ahead if you have plans over Thanksgiving, or simply to bask in the awesomeness, if you don’t have a better reason.

RSVPs would be nice, to know how big the group will be. Write on!

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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Welcome to KanMoWriCo! ***Introduce Yourself Here!

poetT — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:17:17 -0700

Welcome to the Kansas-Missouri Writing Collective!

Step on up to the table, fill out a name tag, and tell us about yourself–why you’re here, if you’ve NaNo’d before, genre, whatever you want to share.

(Also, go to this page to make sure your home region is set for "United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City": http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/og/home If there's nothing on that page, you need to go to the My Regions tab to join.)

I’m poetT from Overland Park, KS. This will be my fourth year doing NaNoWriMo, and my third as municipal liaison (ML) here. (ML=local volunteer to guide our KC metropolitan area through the NaNo experience–organizing meetings and write-ins, answering questions, encouraging you--and myself--in the crazy month to come.)

::looks around::
Our other shiny brand-new co-ML should be along here any moment to introduce herself.

Why I love NaNoWriMo:
As of 2005, I had done very little writing, despite my creative-writing degree in college 15 years before. Real life set in. I had no external deadline or goal. I had no one to even talk with about writing. Then--NaNoWriMo came into my life. Deadline? You bet. Writing community? Absolutely, here on the forums and at write-ins. The success of that first year gave me the confidence to keep writing.

That's why I became ML: to continue to help myself and others in this crazy writing life.

How about you?
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poetT / Teri
the ML in the black hat
United States::Missouri::Kansas City metro area

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

November Write-ins for KanMoWriCo

poetT — Sat, 4 Oct 2008 04:45:40 -0700

A write-in gets your writing out–out of the house, out of the same-old surroundings. Even if you’re usually the solitary type, you’d be surprised at how motivating it is to work with other writers, pounding out those words together, knowing that you’re not alone in this crazy run to 50k. Here’s the lineup:

Sundays: 6 pm -10 pm ***BUT NOT NOVEMBER 30***
Roasterie, 6223 Brookside Blvd., Kansas City, MO
Roasterie Cafe
Park in the lot behind or on the street in front. Support the business' tolerance of our 4-hour camp by buying food and drink there.

Thursdays: 6 pm -10 pm
The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO
The Writers Place
Parking on the street but watch the no-parking signs on the sides next to the building, and the fire hydrant. There is a small handcapped-accessible parking area in back. We'll have coffee and tea and a few goodies there, or BYO. Not on Thanksgiving Day.
***BUT YES ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2 PM TO MIDNIGHT***

Nov. 22, 10 am - 12 midnight
Traveling Marathon of Awesomeness
various locations
See details at
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3118866
The Saturday before Thanksgiving, a progressive 14-hour write-in will scrawl its way across Kansas City. The Marathon will start in the Northland for breakfast, jump to midtown for midday, and wrap up late, late at night on the Kansas side of things. You can join inkwet at any location during the day, or drive along for the entire narrative journey. If you fall behind during the month, this will be a great chance to catch up if you’ve fallen behind, or get ahead before Thanksgiving.

All write-in details are posted on our KanMoWriCo Events Calendar
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Hijack! inkwet_image here: Why go to a Write-In, you ask?

WELL... Here's a few reasons to pick from:
Reason #1. The group. It's easier to go on when you have camaraderie, advice, encouragement, empathy, and someone across the table who's doing worse than you are. (You'll know. I headdesk.) In short, misery loves company. Success loves it more.

Reason #2: It's harder to quit after you've shared your commitment with someone else. If you drop out, we'll know you bailed. The world's term for this is Accountability; the NaNoWriMo term is we-will-send-guilt-monkeys-after-you.

Reason #3. Guidance & Ideas. For those of you who have never done this, those of you who like to talk through your ideas, and those of you who just like to talk, we can have a few minutes of writing-specific discussion. You can bring up issues that have you nervous or excited, or ask for dares if you’re stuck. We may have a separate area/table for talking, to keep from disturbing other writers.

Reason #4. Two words: WORD WARS. Competition is a great motivator. Don't believe me? Well, you've clearly never been Mike-mocked. We’ll organize a round or two for willing participants. (And we might even have prizes. We'll see.)

Reason #5. Wait--you're still not convinced? Tough crowd. Okay, reason number five--lean in closer, so no one hears the secret; I'm not even sure I'm supposed to tell--*whispers* if you come to a write-in, Teri will give you a KanMoWriCo button!

Now back to your regularly scheduled black-hatted posting...
---
Well, inkwet and I both hope to see you there!

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poetT / Teri
the ML in the black hat
United States::Missouri::Kansas City metro area

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

New Novel's Eve Party, Nov. 30, Writers Place

poetT — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:36:40 -0800

Come ring in the new novels with a 10-hour write-in at the Writers Place.

-Work until the very last second to reach for that 50K!
-Even if you think you won't make it to 50K, come do the push beyond--see how far you can get!
-Even if you've already hit your mark by Nov. 30, come out and encourage your fellow wrimos--and see just how far past you can get yourself!
-Can't be there all day? Come and go as you can!

Sunday, November 30, 2 pm to 12 midnight
The Writers Place
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=The+Writers+Place%2C+3607+Pennsylvania+Ave...

That is NOT our usual Sunday location. That is The Writers Place!

Hope to see you all there!

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poetT / Teri
the ML in the black hat
United States::Missouri::Kansas City metro area

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Challenge - Help me honor a true hero

dadgecko — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:47:15 -0800

Bear with me ... as I write this, my brother's body is being shipped back home from Afghanistan. Specialist Jonnie (Jon) Lee Stiles died from wounds he received from an IED yesterday morning, (or yesterday evening local Afghani time). Jon was a true hero.

Less than a month ago, Jon and another soldier from his unit risked their lives by entering a burning vehicle to pull out two of their fellow soldiers. Both men are alive stateside now. Jon suffered smoke inhalation, damagin his vocal chords. He was given the opportunity to recover in Germany. I've been told that that situation almost always returns the soldier stateside. Instead, Jon declined. He stayed with his unit, preferring to serve with them. He died doing exactly what he wanted to do in life. Jon loved the military and his fellow soldiers - he was incredibly proud to serve. This country lost a warrior.

I'm sorry, that was long - off my soap box now. It has been a difficult day and a half, hard on me, my parents, and my family.

But I'm not looking for sympathy ... I want your help to keep my brother's name alive. Here's my challenge: Write Jon into your story.

Before NaNo began this year, I read of a challenge a guy named Tim made to his friends whenever they hit a road block. His solution, insert him into the story. It could be substantial, or it could be something as simple as "and then Tim walked by."

I'm asking you to do the same thing, only this time with my brother's name. Would you help me to honor a true hero - a man who has literally saved the lives of others and served this country proudly - by just mentioning him in your NaNovel this year?

I'm not asking for you to make him your main character, or even a bit player. If you could just mention him, that would help keep his memory alive.

Thank you,
Charles Stiles

Specialist Jon Stiles, 7/6/1970 - 11/13/2008.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Launa (yes, Launa with an n), married November of 2000; his mother and stepfather (Linda and Larry); his father and step-mother (Charles and Cecilia); a younger sister and brother (Natalie Michele and Kenneth Joseph); an older brother and his family, Charles and Laura, (yes, Laura) with two kids: Nathan and Jessica; a step-brother, Larry; a step-sister, Julie ... and numerous extended family and friends - all blessed to know and love him.

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In memory - Jon Stiles - I'll always love you bro.

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

30k Shout Out

inkwet_image — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:48:04 -0800

Running at a steady pace, today is the day to hit 30k! Who's there? I think we might have one or two around here... ;)

Do you know your thirty-thousandth word?
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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

I went to _______ write-in and I _____________

poetT — Mon, 6 Oct 2008 04:31:07 -0700

I went to the 10/06 write-in at the Writers Place and I

-worked in very comfortable surroundings at our newest digs, with 6 other KanMoWriMos
-worked on a story to send out somewhere before the end of October
-tried brainstorming, way too outloud, including a rather unfortunate reference to (no wait, it was Mike's fault) infant
mortality which led to (somebody else's)
-haiku about dead babies (but kudos to those who run on their behalf)

Other items of note:
-two generous wrimos kept us fueled with snacks both salty and sweet--Thanks! mo and inkwet; In November, we should set a schedule and put out the donation jar for our causes
-a suggested write-in soundtrack of atonement soundtrack, zombee, werewolves of london, love me dead, and (alas, and blast you, Dr Demento) dead puppies aren't much fun
-finding out what's on one ML's future criminal record
-sympathy abounded in the face of a perpetually booting and rebooting machine, on the torture rack of windows updates
-it can be both annoying and amusing to withhold caffeine from a minor
-words, words, words were written
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poetT / Teri
the ML in the black hat
United States::Missouri::Kansas City metro area

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Random Thoughts

Surlaw The Mai — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:48:55 -0700

Sure, they may just cloud the brain, but they may inspire another writer, so feel free to spill them all here:

I'll start with three:

* how come when I sneeze really hard my arm goes numb?
* why are half the stoplights in my town sideways, and the other half are not?
* who would win in a fight between General Grievous and T1000?

Enyoy. ~_~
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DIG£ST FOR FR£AKS 小林丸

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Who can bullseye womp rats in their T-16 **KC Challenge

mike oleary — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:38:20 -0700

Time to get cocky, kid.

Anyone out there have so much more testosterone than they need?

Anyone sure that they are going to hit 50K?

Anyone want to ignite their lightsaber and say that they will definitely hit 60K? 80K?

Any friendly match-ups? A pod race to 50K - the prize being your freedom (but not your mom's)?

-Darth Mike

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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

So-Far-Behind-It-Rocks Shout Out

inkwet_image — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 06:38:21 -0800

It’s day 7. On day 7, we’re supposed to be on 11,669 words.

Ha. Hahaha. Haha.
*sigh*

If, like me, you’re already halfway behind…

It’s actually okay. There is time for a glorious comeback. In fact, if you were starting today, you could still make it to 50k, writing just 4 paragraphs more than normal each day. You can do this, and it will be all the more awesome.

If you are behind, never give up—never surrender! Just keep writing. Just make it to the weekend. Don’t fall farther behind, and we can own the weekend. Set aside a few hours each day then, come to the write-in, do whatever you need to do, and you can definitely still catch up.

Now, if someone is reading this, and thinking, Well, mathematically, I could catch up, but

hem

So far behind that it's awesome... Who’s with me?

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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Give a 8 word description of your Novel... without the letter "E"

Surlaw The Mai — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:34:34 -0700

"A man killed, family cannot grasp it's truth."

Hmmmm, maybe harder then I thought... and yes, I am counting "it's" as 1 word. ~_~
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DIG£ST FOR FR£AKS 小林丸

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Killing the perfectionist within

Breezyday — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 04:36:39 -0800

Anyone having a problem restraining your inner perfectionist? You know, that little voice inside that says "that last paragraph stinks... you aren't going to leave it like that are you?" or "go back and fix those misspellings now... you absolutely cannot leave them there." Well, mine really is kicking into overdrive. So, I thought I'd start a thread with suggestions to drown out the inner magpie...

-sing "falalalalalalalalalala" until it can't think anymore (the kids think I'm singing Christmas carols)
-take a chocolate break (that seems to work for almost everything, except my diet ;0)
-hit return on the computer several times until the area under dispute scrolls off the screen.

Anyone else have suggestions? I don't even want to go back an read what I wrote last night... good thing this is all about quantity and not quality.

B
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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

1:00 A.M. Words ~ and their possible definitions.

ZenFajita — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:50:40 -0800

Hey, writers,

~ we've all done it, right? In striving to make WC (sweet, precious wordcount) for the day, we've stayed up too long at the computer. When drool isn't an issue, haven't you woken up at some point and glowered down at the computer, trying to figure out the meaning of this new word your fingers found whilst falling asleep?

So I thought to start a thread commemorating these words. Include your new 1:00 A.M. word and/or your possible/plausible definitions to other folks' words. Nope, you can't define your own (except in the privacy of your own home).

Here, I'll start us off with one that -- like Chrysaor from Medusa -- sprang out of my (sleeping) head.

Sevalgo

Can't wait to see yours!

Zen
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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Good Idea / Bad Idea

inkwet_image — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:42:34 -0800

The good idea / bad idea construction has so much comic potential, and I very much enjoy hearing your thoughts... So, I think we need our own good idea / bad idea list.

If you're not familiar with the construct, here is a friend's example from our college days:

Good idea:

Bad idea: Studying quietly at your desk in your dorm room while a handyman installs a heater in the hall against the wall of your room, all the while singing loudly: "Billie Jean is Not My Lover."

You know, after that we always did call that heater Billie Jean.

***
My first contribution to the list:

Good idea:

Bad idea: Having fun on the forums when you're supposed to be catching up.

...oh wait...
***

Care to contribute?
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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Calling all lurkers...

Breezyday — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:56:02 -0800

Ok, this is for all of you who lurk on these boards but don't post. You know who you are.... How about coming out of the shadows for a shout out? While you're at it, how about adding your total to the KC graph? I'd like to see how we are doing in comparison to other areas of the country. 'Course we all know we rock!!

Come out, come out wherever you are?

B
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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

It's O'clock. Do you know who your Main Character is?

poetT — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:25:13 -0700

Describe your main character. Any quirks? Lovable or not so lovable faults? Weird motivations? Tell us! And what did you do to come up with that description?
---
My answer?
I will. Really. That is, as soon as I figure out who he or she is, and we have a good long drink together.

How about you?

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poetT / Teri
the ML in the black hat
United States::Missouri::Kansas City metro area

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

What's Your Marathon? (Or 25K Before Bed)

ladychaos — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:54:12 -0800

It's 12:52 AM. I refuse to go to bed until I reach 25000. Just hit a little over 20000 tonight.

Anyone else up for a late night marathon?
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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

I know what's missing this year!

jmedward — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:40:18 -0800

Last year, I owed some of my success in obtaining my first green bar to a few very energetic new-comers to NaNoWriMo who spent the month herding their 50,000 words toward the finish line. The back and forth taunting provided some welcome entertainment when things weren't necessarily going the greatest with the novel-in-progress out on the prairie, and some amazing word count progress in a short time period by someone late to the game was very inspiring. So, thank you to indie, otw, and yasabitake... yasaibataki... y. I owe you all at least one or two out of fifty thousand.

However, that was last year. So, indieanajess, I'm calling you out. Here ends the cowboy / old west references.

Trying to stay ahead of a Mazda on the great cattle drive of '07 was no easy task, so it was no suprise this year when I learned that a certain little import came standard with a space-flight package. Looking at the posted word counts, I've got a jump on you this year, so I'll square things up a bit. The Vegas line is your word count plus 10k. I'll reach 50k before your 40k... and/or 60k before you finish. I think I'll get that far before I write "The End". After all, I drank the kool-aid in the JFTFS thread. It was purple.

Hand-writing is no excuse... I finished all 50k last year without typing a single word on my novel - two spiral notebooks and a handful of napkins. It made it easier to burn in December. Although I might have fun this year torching the lap top... stupid "F" key. So stretch those fingers, sharpen those pencils, and write, write, write. I'll see you in the KC Challenge thread.
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Adjectives on the typewriter
He moves his words like a prize fighter
The frenzied pace of the mind inside the cell
-Cake

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Local Dares Thread

inkwet_image — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 22:01:16 -0800

Take a penny / Leave a penny
Dares: Ideas left for use in others' NaNovels, preferably strange, clever, and/or crazy. Note: the 'best' (or perhaps worst) dares tend to develop cult followings.

Share your dares! Leave ideas or elements that you think others should use in their stories--sensible is fine, but crazy is better. For example, “a gun-toting granny” or "a talking moth." Some regions even have a group dare, something that all regional participants are encouraged / jokingly ‘required’ to use in their stories (I covet—that sounds hilarious).

If you are feeling stuck, come and find a crazy idea, and use it in your story regardless of whether or not it makes sense—that isn’t the point! This is the fun stuff. For example: “Granny! What’re you doing? Put away that shotgun!” or "Then, as he looked more closely at the lavender--grey--winged insect, he realized that its feathered antenna were twitching in time with a tiny voice, muttering about the meaning of life, the universe, and everything." What you find here should help you hit wordcount—but it will definitely help you enjoy this.

Here is my [first] contribution:
_ a stray cat
_ an obsessive relationship with coffee
_ Joe the Plumber
_ a talking moth [please?]
_ a landslide
_or_
_ a ninja [a real ninja, not just a plot ninja] (acceptable: any other martial arts practitioner)

…aaaaand…

I double dog dare you to include my personal favorite:
The Traveling Shovel of Death(TM)

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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Cultivation of Motivation

Meowtima — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:29:35 -0800

Ladies and gentlemen,

Tonight marks the end of the second week,
Some word counts are good; but others are looking bleak!
So here is a little rhyme I've fabricated,
To help some of you get motivated!

Your word counts are lacking
Because you are slacking
And if you don't realize the potential you're packing
Then you're due for some old fashioned smacking!

Do not waste another day
If you're stuck well try another way
As a last resort you can always kill a rat
Its sacrifice will make your word count phat!

Some people are able to exceed
The word count they really need
And if a noob like me can still succeed

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to lay down the beat, bust some rhymes, and help your fellow KanMoWriCos finish on time!
Then you can too, guaranteed
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Where will NaNoWriMo take us?

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

For those of you only going for the mere 50K...

Breezyday — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:06:33 -0800

There has been a wave of neon green bars to hit the forum. Congratulations to all of you who have passed the 50,000 mark a mere 2 weeks into the month.

Sigh.

Anyone else having trouble just getting the bare minimum? You're not alone. For some reason I haven't quite hit my stride this year. (last year I was ahead at this point) Maybe it is due to an overload of kid activities, leaving you too tired to write. Maybe it's a viral illness that has you in it's grasp (thanks son!). Maybe it's the double edged sword of caffeine... too little you sleep, too much you can't think straight or stay planted in your seat at the computer. Whatever it is, know that you aren't alone....

Still, all of us blue bar people can band together. (go team!!) We can limp across the finish line together, realizing that the harder the race the sweeter the victory. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Go blue!!! Anyone with me??? Anyone???

B
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United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

KanMoWriCollective Graph--POST HERE

poetT — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 19:54:02 -0800

Please reply to this post if you want to be included in the following graph:

Graph

Then you can see how you compare to your neighbor wrimos. Click on this graphic to get more info (and on that next, page, click on the graph to see a larger version).

And if you want to see a somewhat more detailed regions chart than the Word Count Scoreboard, go here:
http://graphing.teiru.net/2008/regions/

Thanks to NewMexicoKid, co-ML, Illinois::Naperville
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poetT / Teri
the ML in the black hat
United States::Missouri::Kansas City metro area

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Two, Four, Six, Eight – Why Do We Affiliate (and make KC our Home Region)?

poetT — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:23:17 -0700

During November, it's fun to compare KanMoWriCo’s progress against all the regions in the world, both in word count and donations. Please show your KanMo pride by making sure your successes are included in our regional total. Only homed participant numbers are included in the totals for word count and donation on the Word Count Scoreboard.To do this, you need to affiliate with Kansas City AND set Kansas City as your Home Region. It's a relatively painless process:

1. *If you’re not affiliated with Kansas City:
Go to My NaNoWriMo, click My Regions. On the Regions tab, locate Kansas City, and click Join. Then click Join again.
*If you are already affiliated:
Do not pass Go. Proceed directly to the Home Region tab.
2. On the Home Region tab, click the circle beside United States::Missouri::Kansas City, and click the Set Home Region button.

That’s all there is to it! If you’d like more in-depth instructions, presented in a highly entertaining manner by wrimo tweetywill (you’ll laugh! you’ll cry! you’ll affiliate!), see these instructions:
http://www.geocities.com/tweetywill/rpg101208.html

Come on home!
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poetT / Teri
the ML in the black hat
United States::Missouri::Kansas City metro area

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Teenzania: the thread for teens

Scorpionicus Clariano — Sat, 4 Oct 2008 16:40:58 -0700

Allo.

This is the teen thread, (in case you didn't notice.) Us teens can come here for encouragement, for reprimandment, for ideas; to encourage, reprimand, and share ideas (concurrent or consecutive); to moan about word count, to gloat about word count; to give, recieve, or steal someone else's advice; discuss plot, characters, setting, genre; and chat about all sorts of things, as the need arises.

So. Post here, so I don't feel all alone in Teenzania. It's a jungle out there.

Scorpio (for short)
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Scorpio

United States :: Missouri :: Kansas City

Ideas and Influences

Surlaw The Mai — Sun, 5 Oct 2008 19:02:48 -0700

What has helped influence your story this year?

I clearly have 5 major things that have happened to me in the last year that I will draw influence from.

1. Heath Ledger as The Joker: an amazing performance, I hope to capture his evil and dark comedy in my character.
2. Bought a house, this is a cavalcade of experiences and funny stories.
3. General George Patton Jr. I've been reading about him in WWII and want to add a war element into my story.
4. Wife entering menopause, ...not sure what to clarify here. (and I DO love her completely, don't get the wrong idea :) )
5. Yellow Jackets, I got stung by a YJ, the first time I've been stung in my 27 years alive and it hurt worse then anything ever.

So, what else is going to influence anyone's great novel this year?
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DIG£ST FOR FR£AKS 小林丸