United States :: Michigan :: Flint

[STICKY] Word War Rules

caffeinatedelf — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 16:59:23 -0800

HEY GUESS WHAT! I am giving you all the opportunity to participate in a Word War with all the rest of Michigan! Well, all the rest of the Michigan regions who decide to participate.

We were invited to do this by the Lansing region ML, Alaina (A_Rachelle), whom I happen to think is pretty awesome. SHE got the idea from the Wales, UK region, who have been doing this for at least one year before this one.

The rules are below:

Rules:

Eligibility
You must live within Michigan 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 Alaina (A_Rachelle) or your me (caffeinatedelf), 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 which I will provide you a link to as soon as I have it verified.

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.

Ready to sign up? Go to the Word War Signups thread and do just that!

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS POST WITH QUESTIONS - I will be making a question/answer forum post for that. Thank you!

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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

[STICKY] Regional Emails

caffeinatedelf — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:00:28 -0700

I'm posting all the regional emails I send out, so that in case you didn't get one, you can catch up on relevant information RIGHT HERE. Because I want you to be prepared. :D
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

[STICKY] Writein Schedule!

caffeinatedelf — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:18:39 -0700

Hiya Red Hot Writers!

I have been planning out a lovely schedule for us to meet up and get some writing done, as well as to hang out with each other and get some Nano swag. And also WIN! We want to WIN!

So far, you can either click on the embedded calendar link that's posted at the main page of our regional forum (or just click here: Flint RHW Calendar), or see the handy list below for the dates and times:

October 26th (Sunday) - KICKOFF PARTY! - location TBD
Time: TBD

November 1st (Saturday) - First Day Writein! - VG's Flint Twp. (see below for info/directions)
Time: 5pm-8pm

November 2nd (Sunday) - Writein - Panera Grand Blanc (see below for info/directions)
Time: 6pm-8[m

November 7th (Friday) - Writein - VG's Flint Twp.
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 9th (Sunday) - Writein - Panera GB
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 11th (Tuesday) - Writein - TBD
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 14th (Friday) - Writein - VG's Flint Twp.
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 16th (Sunday) - Writein - Panera GB
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 21st (Friday) - Writein - VG's Flint Twp.
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 23rd (Sunday) - Writein - Panera GB
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 25th (Tuesday before Thanksgiving) - Writein - TBD
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 28th (Friday after Thanksgiving) - Writein - VG's Flint Twp.
Time: 6pm-8pm

November 30th (Sunday) - LAST DAY MARATHON! - Rachael's house (info & directions to come)
Time: 6pm - midnight

---------------------------------------------------
VG's in Flint Twp:
Located in a plaza on the corner of Corunna Road and Linden Road. In the front is a Coffee Beanery, which has a nice sitting area (chairs, tables, power strips) and of course, yummy caffeinated beverages. The wifi here is free! Also, the store itself has a great deli and salad bar, so any eating you need to do while you're there is ridiculously easy and also tasty.

Click for the Google Map!

Panera in Grand Blanc:
Located in a plaza on Saginaw Street south of Hill & Dort Hwy (near the Walmart, Staples, Sam's Club, etc.). The wifi here is free, and the coffees and teas are tasty. There's no obligation to buy anything much to use the seats and wifi, but it's nice to bring a little beverage money if you're not planning to get a snack. There are comfy chairs, laptop tables, long tables with chairs, booths, and so on.

Click for the Google Map!

---------------------------------------------------

The reason I'm not scheduling any writeins at Border's or Barnes & Noble is that their wifi is not free. While I absolutely love being among stacks of books when trying to be creative, I don't think that having to pay for your ability to update your wordcount is worth it.

But! I have no problem with any of you lovely Red Hots meeting up for your own "unofficial" writeins at any locations other than the ones I've picked, because you probably know a few places of your own that are perfect for writing in. Please share them here on the forums, and let us know when you're going to be there, so that some of us can come along too.

LASTLY, I have no location for our kickoff party yet! I need help! There are only a few guidelines:
1. A restaurant would be nice, because eating and socializing are easy to do together.
2. Wireless internet is NOT necessary - the kickoff happens before Nano does, so nobody needs to frantically update a wordcount during the event.
3. Family-friendly locations are the best, since some of us have kids, and most of us are loud all by ourselves in public. Okay, maybe I just mean ME.

Please respond with some suggestions, complaints, rants, or excited happiness! I need your input to make this the best Nano possible! :)

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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Missed everyone again!

CraigKennedy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:32:08 -0800

Sorry, guys, we've been preoccupied with our youngest son's health. He had to have hernia surgery in September and has been experiencing some complications with an infection for the last week but we seem to be in the clear now. We follow up with his surgeon on Tuesday so hopefully everything will go well. Since he seems to be feeling better now that he's been on an antibiotic, I'm hoping to meet up on Friday. We'll see how things go. Fell behind a bit on my word count, but trying to do a marathon day today to catch up. Wish me luck!

Craig
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

How's everyone doing?/Tips for making those word quotas

CraigKennedy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:37:56 -0800

Just wondering how everyone was making out on their WC's. I've been having a lot of luck by sitting down and doing mini-word chunk. I just try to sit down and do 200 wds ten different times. It's been working for me and it only takes about 4-5 mins to hit 200 wds. Any other tips out there from people who are struggling to stay on track?
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Lulu?

CraigKennedy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:33:38 -0800

What's the deal with Lulu? i heard they'll print Wrimo's one copy of their novel for free but I can't find anything about it on their website. Anybody know the deal?
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Word War Leader Board

A_Rachelle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:19:28 -0800

To see the latest in the standing on the Word War visit the Leader Board here:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3123438

Also, if you missed the cut-off for sign-ups I've extended it to the 11th at midnight due to the delay in getting this up. Have a great day and Happy Writing!

Alaina aka A_Rachelle
Co-ML Michigan :: Lansing
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Panera Writein -- 11/16

stanmanx — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:00:57 -0800

We're in the back, in case the rest of you are here and not sure where to find us.

It's just now 6 as I write this, so the crushing sense of isolation hasn't set in yet.
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

NOT GOING TO BE AT VG'S WRITEIN :(

caffeinatedelf — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:51:10 -0800

Hey y'all -

I have kids here who aren't entirely behaving themselves today, and I can't bring them along. Which means I can't come to the writein tonight.

HOWEVER!

If you want, I am signed into all my IM accounts, so you can holler at me and maybe even see if we can word war with each other!

Yahoo IM: caffeinatedelf
Google Talk: caffeinatedelf@gmail
AIM: caffeinatedelf78
MSN Messenger: offonatangerine@hotmail.com

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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

I'm Gaining on You...

Shell Lee — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:47:49 -0800

You know who you are...

Really, you do. You are anyone who is ahead of me in word count. I'm catching up, I will catch you soon in words. You better get busy if you want to stay ahead!

12,790 words and counting. I still have more writing to do tonight before crawling into bed at 4am.
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Shell Lee
http://shellsletters.blogspot.com/
"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. - Theodore Roosevelt."

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Tuesday 11/11 Writein

caffeinatedelf — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:47:57 -0800

Can I get a show of hands for who will show up for tomorrow's writein?

Since it's at my house, I need to know whether or not I should, you know, maybe vacuum or something. ;)

Thanks in advance for letting me know!
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Nice to meet everyone

CraigKennedy — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 16:51:37 -0800

I was glad I at least got to see everyone tonight! lol Good to see you Rachael, I was shocked by your baby bump, you're so tiny! but don't worry, you are as beautiful as ever, maybe more so in your current state, especially to your husband!! Congrats again! We're having so much fun with the baby right now it's all worth it. But I'm sure you know that. Hope to see you all at the next write-in and get to sit down and put some words in with you guys.
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Questions and Answers about the Word War

caffeinatedelf — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 17:05:07 -0800

If you've read this post: Word War Rules, and you have questions, please post them here! :)
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Donating to the Wrimo Cause

caffeinatedelf — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 19:22:40 -0800

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Academy...

Oops! Wrong speech!

Actually, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the loveliness that is National Novel Writing Month (including the Young Writer's Program and Script Frenzy) is run entirely on donations. I realize you all know that already, and I promise I'm not writing this to make anyone feel badly. If you are planning on donating a bit of money to them this year, or you already have - thank you! And if you don't have money to donate (like me last year), there are other things you can do.

You can set your browser's search engine to be GoodSearch, which donates a little money EVERY TIME you search for something. You can have people sponsor your writing. You can even have money donated when you sell your stuff on eBay. For more on these, go and read Donating When Broke.

As always, donors or not, you all are the reason NaNoWriMo exists. Writers who love to write and who aren't afraid to be insane for 30 days straight. I love you all, and thank you for letting me ML you this year!
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Pre-writing Habits, Compulsions, and other Time Wasters

GreenMan — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 11:57:03 -0800

Okay, I've made the goal I set for my early afternoon and thought I'd treat myself to a little forum posting.

Last year we had a discussion of all the things our Red Hot Writers do prior to (or instead of) writing. These are those rituals, obsessive behaviors, and all-around time wasters that we so religiously require ourselves to perform before we will set pen to paper or turn on the computer.

I've eliminated some of them but I find that one persists: I like a clean house and or work area. Fortunately for my word count, I've gotten it down to simply a neat house (no clutter near where I'm working at the very least but I prefer dishes washed, counter cleared, room picked up, etc.) but have retained the vacuumed carpet aspect. I don't vacuum a ridiculous amount -- I just like to know that the dog hair and dirt he's dragged in is gone and the carpet has that "just vacuumed" look -- you know: where the vacuum has pulled up some of the yard so you can see where you've vacuumed. Like last night -- when I got home I vacuumed in anticipation of writing last night and this morning before the girls upstairs got up. (No, nothing like that: I live on the bottom floor of a two-apartment house with some twenty-somethings above me who stay up really late and sleep in until around noon. It's great since I've become a morning writer and with them unconscious until afternoon, it feels like a quiet morning for a long time. Did I mention I nicknamed one of them "Stomper'? Guess how she earned that moniker.)

(D'ja notice how I like parenthetical statements?)

Anyway -- what do you do before, during, instead of writing? And the tough one: Why?
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Word War Signups

caffeinatedelf — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 17:07:23 -0800

Those of you wishing to take part in the Michigan Word War (see this post here for details: Word War Rules), please post here. Post ONCE AND ONLY ONCE! Any other Word War related questions or comments can be directed to the Question and Answer thread.

Thank you!
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Nobody at Write-In?

CraigKennedy — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 19:05:31 -0800

I went to VG's tonight at 6 and again at 6:45 - where was everybody? I went to the Coffee Beanery, did I miss you guys? When is the next one? I need encouragement!!!!!! lol
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Introductions!

caffeinatedelf — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 18:56:55 -0700

Hi, everyone! My "real" name is Rachael (haha), and this will be my fourth year attempting to write a novel in thirty days. This is my second year as an ML (I'm sure you all remember our awesome former ML, Cylithria (a.k.a. eensybeensyspider), who has ABSCONDED to Tennessee and left us all behind, not that I'm bitter or anything!), but this is
my first year doing it alone.

(Speaking of doing this alone, if any of you feels that you have the time and the inclination to co-ML with me, PM me and I can let you know how to get in touch with Lindsey Grant, the ML coordinator.)

I keep myself rather overly busy being a web designer, a homeschooling mom of a 9, 7, and 3 year old, a pregnant woman who always needs more brownies (due in January!), and also sometimes I try and sleep a little. You know, here and there. Right now we are moving from Mount Morris to Grand Blanc, and I am currently sitting at my desk in the middle of several piles of boxes. The kids are eating in one of their bedrooms because the kitchen table is covered in other miscellaneous
boxes and small collections of things that I've not yet figured out how to organize.

The good news for you is this - my house is big enough (and equipped with wireless internets AND a coffeepot or two) that I'll be able to host a few write-ins there, and I'll be closer to several good areas for other meetups and write-ins. So, hooray all around!

I have won Nano only one year so far, and that was two years ago. I am really hoping to win this year, but I still have NO idea what I am writing about. I'm hoping that after the dust settles from the move, my brain will let me in on what it's been thinking up.
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Where are the words hiding?

Shell Lee — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 23:57:23 -0800

As of the time of this post, I am at 7,161 words. Looking at the minimum words per day needed to reach 50,000 by the 30th, I seem to be getting further and further behind and just cannot catch up.

I have my story figured out in my head, I have character profiles, my characters have their own unique personalities (that keep yelling at me when i try to make them do something that doesn't fit their style), I even have a pretty crude map drawn up of the realm. But the words seem to disappear in the time it takes to get from my brain to my fingertips.

So where are all the words hiding? Did someone steal them? Did they go on vacation?

Are they maybe lost in my body and down near my toes instead of up by my fingers?

I wonder... can I type with my feet...
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Shell Lee
http://shellsletters.blogspot.com/
"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. - Theodore Roosevelt."

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Writing Buddies Invitation

GreenMan — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 06:12:01 -0800

It was great to (sort of) meet my co-Red Hot Writers last evening. Our end of the table was having a serious and intense discussion of the complexities of the narrative structure of one of the masterworks of 20th century American film while the other end watched videos and ragged on George Lucas. But no finger-pointing, please.

Oh, back to the point of this post. If you would like others in our group to sign you up as a writing buddy, please answer here with an affirmative. I invite everyone -- even the people who were disinclined or lamely "unable" to attend last night's Write-in -- to add me as a Writing Buddy and watch how my masterful and profusely torrential word count far outstrips yours. (Caveat: at least until I find something better to do and give up. Until then I will arrogantly taunt you a second time!)

So go ahead, add GreenMan to your writing buddies. I'll watch for your posts.

Lissie: yrots rouy fo trats eht ekil I
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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Word War Banter

caffeinatedelf — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 17:11:07 -0800

Here is where we encourage each other, by doing whatever in our wordly power we can to (NICELY!) motivate our fellow warriors toward the goal!

This is a light-hearted thread, so silly jabs, poking, and a bit of friendly name-calling is just fine. However, as I already said, please be NICE, or I will have to put my foot down. And you don't want me to do that!

I recommend copious use of smileys, and the careful following of Nano's forum rules.
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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Anyone use The Artist's Way? Other writing books that you like?

GreenMan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:25:13 -0700

I just finished The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I followed the twelve-week course (not quite as strictly during the second half as the first) and really found it helpful/inspiring. I write Morning Pages (if you read the book, you'll know what I mean -- I can discuss further if anyone is interested) but will suspend doing them for NaNo -- going to use that time writing a novel!

Any other books or sources you find helpful? I've been at this awhile and have a read a quite a few books -- though only a handful stick in my memory as being helpful. Writing Down The Bones; Bird By Bird; Writing (by Stephen King); Writing Past Dark (very obscure); etc.

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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Midnight Writers Unite!

GreenMan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:08:22 -0700

I plan on enthusiastically starting my novel at 12:01 Friday night/Saturday morning. My goal is at least 500 words for that first entry (for you math afficionados that is a full 1% of the total for the month.) Maybe more if the mood strikes me and I've had enough caffeine to keep me awake (I'm a chai drinker).

Anyone else?

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United States :: Michigan :: Flint

Kickoff Party = PIZZA + Wrimos = AWESOME.

caffeinatedelf — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:05:49 -0700

To those of you who braved the cold October evening yesterday (alright, it wasn't really that chilly out) to come to my house for the Kickoff Party, THANK YOU! It was fantastic to see you, and I am really looking forward to getting started writing on Saturday!

To those of you who couldn't make it - not to worry! I still have plenty of swag packets (including a very handy booklet that helps you plan and keep track of your novel-in-progress), which I will be bringing to every single writein until everyone has one.

I was asked if we were doing a midnight start (technically, you can start at 12:01am Saturday) this year, and while I sadly cannot schedule one to attend myself, any of you are welcome to email me about a location for one and I will gladly post it on the schedule! And if there are multiple midnight writeins going on at the same time? The more the merrier, I say!

Sometime this week, the look of the regional forum here will be a bit different - I will be able to embed the calendar here instead of using a link for you to follow, and it will be pretty and awesome. Just so you know.

Plan on, fair Red Hots! See you all very soon!

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ML for Michigan::Flint, the amazing Red Hot Writers
2008 Novel: Rainbow's Beginning, complete rewrite of my '07 disaster
blog: antithete.com
IM: caffeinatedelf (Yahoo and GTalk)

United States :: Michigan :: Flint

The Sad Goodbye

eensybeensyspider — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:12:18 -0700

wow - how do I even say this....... wow

Howdy Ho Red Hots - tis I, the eensybeensyspider, Cylithria, aka crazy but now your ex-ML. *sob*
Yeah, in case you haven't heard yet, I am no longer living in Michigan. Right now as I type, I sit in the birth place of Rock and Roll, Memphis, Tennessee.

I'm sporting my blue suede shoes. (The ones I bought @ a Kmart in Clio over 3 years ago just because they were on sale!) Who knew those shoes would be so handy now? Beale Street - yep did it. Graceland, yep spent Dead Elvis Week there. Sun Studios, Concerts (Sarie and I went to see Augustana down on Beale just this week) and oh so much about this wondrous place - but it lacks one thing - All of you.

I remember when I named the Michigan::Flint Region "Red Hot Writers". I still have my red hot writer chili pepper pin. I remember watching each of you succeed. I remember my Co-ML the caffienatedelf - Rach. I remember you all!!

For as much as I miss each of you and being part of Michigan::Flint, it's time for me to move on. I'm now Co-ML for Tennessee::Memphis. I know, I know, poor Memphis hahahahahhahahahahha

So this is my goodbye post as your ML. My Time with The Red Hot Writers were some of my best NaNoWriMo years. (Can you believe this is my ninth year doing NaNo???? O_O) You guys rock, and sure I'll miss you all - but..... life does go on.

As such, I leave you with this parting thought:

I'm *SO* kicking your Red Hot Tails with my Blue Suede Shoes in word count this year.

w00t and Goodbye

The Blue Suede Shoed Spider
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eensybeensyspider aka Cylithria
Co-ML: Tennessee::Memphis
Moderator @ Military Lounge
Twinkies, Spam(the meat) and Coffee = The Perfect Novel: "Blue Suede Dude"