USA :: Connecticut :: North

A Long December

NyKitty — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:26:13 +0000

A long December, and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last

For those of you who are too young, that's how the Counting Crows put it. How I'm putting it is:

We know what to do with December, but what do we want to do with the other 11 months?

I've been travelling for a while, so I'm just getting around to asking, but you all tell me. Want to meet up online? In person? Not at all?

We all have novels to finish/revise/start, so what's better than some syngery to kick the year off right?
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Where I'll be writing

NyKitty — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:02:15 +0000

Come the start of the month, we'll all need to be putting in a lot of writing hours. One of the best ways to combat burnout is to make sure we don't log those hours alone.

This thread is for everyone to post where they'll be writing, on which day, and for what time. For example:

Hey all, I'll be writing at Javapalooza Middletown on Nov. 2, from about 10 AM on...

(I have no idea if that's true, but it's porbably still quite likely)

No need to go throwing things out here until the 1st, but I thought I might as well just it ready to go!
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Papyrus & Quills [local]

BreezyShrugged — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:28:28 +0000

Sup Papyrus & Quills. I decided to make a local forum in our region. :-)

For those of you not in the know, Papyrus & Quills is Manchester High School's writing club. We specialize in being epic, but it's no big deal ;)

Peace and love, P&Q.

-Breezy
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"I hate myself. Touching is my favorite form of personal expression."
- Danny Dalton ("The Big Idea", Nano 2009)

USA :: Connecticut :: North

The Unofficial "Yes, I made it!" or "Crap I'm not gonna make it!" thread

wjhammon — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:28:39 +0000

Anyone who hit the goal, or is resigned to their fate of not making it, brag or lick wounds here.
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Do I count as northern Connecticut?

icy.starr — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:23:28 +0000

I live in Meriden, which seems to be in the center of everything. I joined North CT as a region because I think it's closest to Meriden. Is there a different region I should be in?
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

The Official 2nd Half E-mail!

NyKitty — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:02:31 +0000

[NaNoWriMo - CT North] Second half fun! NoWD Planning! The TGIO!

If that 25K mark just whizzed past your ear and the path to the Purple bar of NaNoWriMo victory is unfurled under your feet - Congratulations to you! You are more than halfway to being a winner!

If that sound was actually your head hitting the desk, or worse, your keyboard/laptop/pencil colliding with the wall, floor, or other hard-sided object - we need to have a chat.

It’s HALF way. That means you have just the same amount of time to develop your main character’s secret fascination with model trains, your plot in actually just a protracted metaphor for Spring thaw and your plot begins on the very next page OR simply that the ninjas have not appeared yet.

In the spirit of words, wordcounts, and Nano Sister- and Brotherhood, here are the second half events to get you out and writing, mingling, and eating refined sugars with your fellow writers!

11/18- Flatbread Canton, 7p
110 Albany Tpke # 914
Canton, CT 06019-2551
(860) 693-3314

11/21- Peaberry’s café, 1p
712 Hopmeadow St
Simsbury, CT 06070
(860) 658-2930

11/24- Barnes&Noble, 6p
40 S Main St (Blueback Square)
West Hartford, CT 06107-2406
(860) 236-9900

11/28- Panera Bread, 1p
1214 Farmington Ave
Bristol, CT 06010-4714
(860) 585-2501

11/29- Borders, 11a
just before the Buckland Hills mall
Manchester CT

11/30- Javapalooza, Any time!
330 Main St
Middletown, CT 06457-3310
(860) 346-5282
(Parking is around the corner in a public lot, though it is only free for two hours)

THE NIGHT OF WRITING DANGEROUSLY!
This is the first year CT North has tried to organize for NoWD, and we have not got a second to delay!
Please respond to the questions below, and prepare to hear back as soon as the votes are in!
1 - are you available on 11/21-11/22?
2 - would you stay out late to write?
3 - would you stay out ALL NIGHT to write?
4 - would you be willing to chip in small sum to those who might open a venue for us?
5 - would you be willing to chip in a small sum to send back to the OLL? (NoWD is a fundraiser)
6 - would you like to do all of this in costume? In fancy dress? In the theme of the year (Noir)?
7 -would you rather do something else all together? Do share!

If the location was in Hartford, would that change any of these answers?

(You do not know how hard it was not to lapse into Seuss-ian verse.)

THE TGIO!

The Thank God/Goodness/Gosh It’s Over Party will be held at Cosi West Hartford, 12/2, 7pm. Please give a shout if you plan to attend, because I’m hoping we can make them give us the back room. There will be great celebrations and feasting!

Questions, comments, concerns, and most importantly, NoWD responses appreciated!
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Katherine Bloodsaw's Resume

golfgal08 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:23:39 +0000

So I thought it might be fun to make this its own thread. From what I've gathered, it's become "tradition" in the CT North region to include a character named Katherine Bloodsaw in the least "bloodsaw" type capacity. A bit like the Traveling Shovel of Death or Just Add Ninjas, but our own regional variation.

So--how are you including Katherine Bloodsaw in your novel?

Me, I've made Ms. Bloodsaw into a sixth-year Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts who also happens to be the Quidditch announcer.
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-- Sol :-)
www.fanfiction.net/~sailorsol
2009-- Foundations (won!!)
2004-- Tough Times Don't Last (lost, <10%)

USA :: Connecticut :: North

Happy thanksgiving!

NyKitty — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:23:30 +0000

Hope everyone will have a safe and awesome thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for a lot of things - great nanos in my region, characters who finally figured out how to repel a pirate attack, and of course, coffee.

I'll be back in NYC for a few hours and then in the CT-N =) Have a great holiday!
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Is anyone avalible for a Thanksgiving morning write-in

JPauline — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:35:22 +0000

I was wondering if anyone wanted to get together thursday morning anywhere in the canton/avon/simsbury area, or anywhere near there. If anyone is interested let me know, along with ideas of where you would like to meet up.

JPauline
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

The 1st Ever Official CT:N Night of Writing Dangerously EVENT!

NyKitty — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:25:02 +0000

Nov. 22nd is the Night of Writing Dangerously, and just what do we want to do about that? Good 24-hour locations are few and far between, but we could always do something else in the spirit.

Nice dinner with fancy outfits? Costumes? All-day-write?

NoWD is a fundraiser event, so I'd love to do something that might provide a nice mail-away to the Office of Light and Letters folks. Writer-love Bake Sale?

Give me your ideas - nothing too out there to be considered! (It's an all-ages forum folks, keep that in mind!)
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Words, lines, and passages you like

liadan_celt — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:35:55 +0000

It's that time of the month -- that time where you start thinking, "Only about ten of those words are any good! Oh well, time to write another 1,667 more!" But you've got those ten or so words, the words that you're going to build the re-write on in December (or later, or never).

So let's share: What word, line, passage, chapter title, name, etc. are you proud of writing this month?

Mine are the line:

"I turned you into an allegory, and I'm sorry."

And the chapter title:

In Which Two Older Brothers Meet. One Glows.

(One brother glows because, while spies can retire, exposure to biochemical agents is forever.)
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Sarah
Current NaNo: Anna & James (2009)
Wins: The Angel's Wife (2007) | The Guardian's Guide (2008)
Losses: Untitled (2004) | Arrangements (2005)

USA :: Connecticut :: North

Twitter

PoMoGolightly — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:20:06 +0000

So...anyone on Twitter? I go through phases when I'm on a lot there. If you're on Twitter, I'd love to follow you...I'm there as PoMoGolightly. Unless you prefer to read about what's doing in my freshman comp classes, in which case look for ProfessorBeverly!

What's your user name?
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Be regular in your daily life like a bourgeois, so that you may be violent and original in your work. --Gustave Flaubert

USA :: Connecticut :: North

Peaberry's in Simsbury on Friday

PoMoGolightly — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:59:38 +0000

I'm going to head out on Friday for a morning writing session at Peaberry's...probably at about 10 or so. Is anyone interested in joining me?
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Be regular in your daily life like a bourgeois, so that you may be violent and original in your work. --Gustave Flaubert

USA :: Connecticut :: North

A Night of Writing Dangerously 11/22

Kate_Rothwell — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:08:51 +0000

I don't know if it's an official NaNo event, but Helder's arranged something for NOVEMBER 22. (I do know he's an official nano writer--he has the mug to prove it)

We've been going there on Mondays and it's a good spot. Elizabeth, Paloma's owner, is very pro writer. It's a cute little coffee shop and there are plenty of outlets. (She even turns the music up or down if we ask her.)

Here's what Helder wrote:

We're reaching the home stretch, NaNo's! Here's an opportunity to catch up on the word count with a whole night to write! And COFFEE! The great Virginia, owner of La Paloma Sabanera, is allowing us to use the coffeehouse to meet up and write in our own Night of Writing Dangerously.

Bring snacks, and if you need a meal, Red Rock Tavern is just down the block with great bar food (burgers, chicken tenders, curly fries, etc.)

Join us at

La Paloma SAbenera

405 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

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Kate/Summer
http://katerothwell.blogspot.com

USA :: Connecticut :: North

Mark Twain details!

ChrissyMarie — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:16:22 +0000

The Mark Twain write-in has been approved! It's going to be on Sunday, November 15 at 1 pm in the cafe area of the visitors' center.

I don't yet know if we'll be charged for admittance to the visitors' center. I'm going to guess not, but just to be on the safe side, please bring $6 for admission just in case, and if not, then bonus! :)

If I can get at least 10 people to commit to being there (not including me) then I can get a discount on house tours, which are normally $14. Also nextdoor is Harriet Beecher Stowe's house, another very important author of the time.

Please RSVP to chrissyml@comcast.net if you're interested. Thanks!
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An author values a compliment even when it comes from a source of doubtful competency.
- Mark Twain in Eruption

USA :: Connecticut :: North

2nd half schedule!

NyKitty — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:43:32 +0000

We are fast approaching the mid-way point!

If you're ahead, we're reaching the point of smug smiles and victory laps. If you are behind - like I am - it can be daunting.

So, for synergy, good vibes, and novel-love, we need to pick out our second half locales.

Which of the ones we've already met at were faves? What spots haven't we hit yet that are Must-Visits? Share some spots and keep those inboxes ready, and the forums checked for the second half of the month!

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USA :: Connecticut :: North

halfway there

Kakki — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:32:43 +0000

Woo Hoo!! I am halfway to finished! It sure helps to like what you're writing!

I have to work at my new job all day Saturday (the nerve) so I got my writing time in today in between laundry and bill paying. Doesn't the world realize that bills should wait until AFTER Nov. 30th? But Noooo!

I am afraid that my number count is going to suffer in the next half. I will need
a booster shot from all of you come Sunday at the Twain-In. Looking forward to it! See you there!

Kakki
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Young Writers?

Lixie13 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:18:42 +0000

I'm just curious to see if there are any high school or college Wrimos in this region!

I'm a senior in high school (this is my second year doing Nanowrimo), and of course I feel ridiculously childish compared to everyone else.
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Simsbury Starbucks?

Balaurul — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:53:02 +0000

I'm wondering if anyone wants to meet up to write at Simsbury Starbucks some time in the afternoons/evenings - I'm always in there after school, and it's usually quite cozy and semi-quiet in the evening. (I'm referring to the Simsbury Centre Starbucks, to clarify, not the not-as-cozy one on Route 44).

I'll be there tomorrow at 8:00, anyway. 930 Hopmeadow Street's the address. Post here or stop by if you'd like to join me!
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2007: View From The Sky
2008: The Mockers
2009: Grey

USA :: Connecticut :: North

Couldn't Find the Starbucks, but I DID find the Panera Bread :)

cerrenes — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:20:49 +0000

My apologies. I cannot figure out which Starbucks you guys are in, if it's the one in the mall or the one down the street. Instead of wasting more precious writing time, I've ordered myself a tea and I've sat down to indulge back in my writing as I'm pitifully behind at this point. Please let me know if you guys are in the barnes and nobles or down the street. If it's B&N, it's pretty simple to move myself.

This adventure has just further illustrated that I shouldn't drive in the state of Connecticut. I always get lost. >_>
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Nano '07 - Miele (won)
Nano '08 - Mad World/Working Title (Won)
Nano '09 - Untitled (hopefully another win)

USA :: Connecticut :: North

where are you writing west of the river

Kate_Rothwell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:37:22 +0000

The meet-ups that are in Hartford and west of the city!
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Kate/Summer
http://katerothwell.blogspot.com

USA :: Connecticut :: North

Thanks Kat our ML

Kakki — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:13:53 +0000

Today is the day to recognize our ML! I just want to say
KAT IS THE BEST. Thanks for all you do to keep us on
track and to always encourage us.
Kakki
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

The official Katherine Bloodsaw Fan Club - CT North - Meet up thread!

NyKitty — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:42:17 +0000

Pre Nano Meetups:
10/25 - 6P Barnes and Noble Manchester CT
Come on and talk about what we do and don't know about our novels for Nov. 1!

10/29 - 6P Barnes and Noble Canton CT// Flatbread Canton CT (Just a few doors down)
Plotting, planning and pizza! The 3 Ps!

**KICK OFF PARTY:**
10/31 - 7P Cosi West Hartford CT
Costume always appreciated, as are friends, family, strangers, stragglers, evil minions and all other sorts!

Write ins:

Meet ups:

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USA :: Connecticut :: North

Classic Word-count boosting tools

NyKitty — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:07:18 +0000

A thread inspired by The Shovel of Death thread.

(For more on The Shovel of Death... http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3266137 )

There is of course, our Region's Patron Saint of NaNo Wordfiller, the highly esteemed Katherine Bloodsaw.
"Why I'm Katherine Bloodsaw and I'm (insert warm and fuzzy career choice)."
"Bloodsaw? Really? and you're a (insert profession)"
etc etc etc.

There is also the classic holdover from my NYC days, The Man Who Says Dorf.
"Main Character entered the elevator, in a rush to begin their hunt for the McGuffin. "can I press a floor for you?" he asked the oddly silent man.
"Dorf," the man said cheerfully.
"Four?"
"Dorf." He insisted, and MC stared a moment before hitting the button for the ground floor.
"So you're... foreign?"
"Dorf. Dorf dorf, dorf?"
etc etc etc

The McGuffin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGuffin

Death, or Smut - the two biggest word-count boosters. Your characters are fully engaged in a full sensory experience that obviously needs to be described in painstaking, genre-appropriate detail.

Ninjas, also known as "Just Add Ninjas" - do as the name suggests. Ninjas will either guide the plot into a fun and interesting new dimension, or they can be a random stormcloud in an otherwise ninja-free novel.

The dream sequence - anything and everything could happen, and it's so much fun, it could *become* your novel.
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USA :: Connecticut :: North

I gotta ask . . .

janebh — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:52:03 +0000

Who's Katherine Bloodsaw? With a name like that, you can bet I will be a fan :)
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