USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Concession...Of Sorts

GaryF — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:55:41 +0000

I don't know if any of you knew, but my father-in-law passed away in October. Though I was emotionally exhausted, I wasn't going to let that keep me from taking part in NaNoWriMo. Forge on, writers write, and all that crap.

A good plan. A noble plan. This was going to be book 2 in my new series and all that. I figured I could kick out 50,000 words, no problem.

Then my stepmother passed away on Sunday. I'm not so sure I can finish this. There's a week left and I'm around 15,000 words. I'm trying to write today, but I'm so distracted that even though I know what I want to say, it's not coming out right.

I wanted to be a beacon of sorts. Oh, I've done this before and I can cheer the rest of you on and we can watch our word counts ascend. Someone even said I would inspire them as they tried keeping up with me. I think he's almost done.

This is like my Kobiyashi Maru (if anyone gets the reference) and I can't change the rules so that I'll win. I don't like losing, especially a writerly event like this, but this year I may not be able to get to that 50,000 word count.

Wednesday's the wake and Friday's the funeral with Thanksgiving stuck in the middle (there's irony, huh?).

I've got some days and maybe I can wangle my way through this. I'd hoped to write something coherent (this is book 2, after all, and I wanted it to be quality over quantity), but I'm not sure, if I want to get to 50,000, this is going to be possible. So who knows. Some incoherent speed writing and maybe I'll make it!

To the rest of you, stop reading and get a'writin!

Peace,
Gary . . .

Good luck!

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Institutional Memory...Work is torture (Out now from Medallion Press)

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Does it count as winning if there are fifty thousand words and no story?

Darkfrog — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:17:39 +0000

That's pretty much it. Last year, my question was "Does it count as winning if there are fifty thousand words and the story isn't finished?" This year it's "What if there are fifty thousand words and no story?"

Don't get me wrong, it's not "banana" over and over again, but the characters aren't doing a thing. If I were really writing this novel, almost all of the stuff I've done this month would be scrapped as draft notes.
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Fear my powers of procrastination!

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

headslamms

Ambrele — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:22:38 +0000

Who here had over twenty head slams to the desk or keyboard in one day? I've had twenty and I think I brain dead
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Living life on the edge until however I trip and fall off the dead then I go splat on the big pointy rocks below!

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

my book is ...not what i intended.

_Lissa_ — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:16:51 +0000

just got in from a night out, and re-reading my story in bits and pieces and it has become...WILD. seriously. a lot going on, and MUCH darker then i had originally planned. i have a whole set of characters that i wasn't planning on (but they are the MOST fun to write).

it's way too many twists and turns and big gaps and things that make no sense. i'm DREADING when it's time to edit. i feel like i have pages and pages of mess.

it's so crazy! lol! i just can't wait to hit 50k and take a break!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Nano '07 - Participant
Nano '08 - Won!
Nano '09 - crossing my fingers!

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Friday night, November 20th, Borders Rt 23 in Riverdale Write-In

cdmlind — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:08:02 +0000

Cross over children. All are welcome. All welcome. Go into the Cafe. There is peace and serenity in the Cafe......

First person to answer with the name of the movie that I've shamelessly butchered a quote from wins a hot-chocolate (or coffee or tea, whatever) at this Friday's write-in!

We've had 2 good write-ins there so far, c'mon out for the third (possibly my last, what with the holidays coming up).

Special guest appearance by the ghost of Marcel Marceau. You've enjoyed not hearing him for all these years, now come out for the chance to not see him as well!

See you on Friday--
cdmlind, 10th degree master in the art of literary hackery
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USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Days Behind... Should I be worried and can I do to recover?

PaulCox — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:41:08 +0000

The beginning of this month has been so hectic with so many other things going on and I have found myself 4 days behind, though I try to write everyday. Should I be scared about a non-completion, or can I bounce back from this deficit?

On the same note, how does everyone write around a filled-to-the-brim schedule? I try to sacrifice sleep, but words that manage to leak out are barely coherent dribble.
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Paul Justin Cox III
NaNoWriMo n00b
http://twitter.com/paulcox

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Snazzy Locals on Twitter?

hillarydepiano — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:45:01 +0000

If you are on twitter, please throw your ID up here so we can find each other for meet-ups, etc

http://twitter.com/HillaryDePiano
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NaNoWriMo along with me here!
www.HillaryDePiano.com for books, blog and more

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

North Jersey's NaNo Teens

Zazu — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:58:34 +0000

Hey everyone! I just thought that it would be kind of cool to have a discussion for those of us who haven't yet turned 20. Each age group has their own specific set of things that conflict with NaNo and since technically we're the youngest age group (I think), I thought maybe this would be useful! I'm 17 and from Bergen County and currently dealing with college applications up the wazoo :). How about you guys?
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USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

forge ahead or pause and reflect?

yazzz — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:11:29 +0000

I've been writing writing writing (still behind the goal, but that's not what I'm writing about...).

I know this is not the time to edit, but what exactly does that mean, or is there a guideline on this at all? Other than possible rereading the preceding paragraph when I begin to write to figure out where i was when I last stopped, I am not going back at all. This will no doubt lead to the need to edit once December comes, as some things probably won't make sense as my story is developing and I have a bad memory, some little details may no longer be accurate to the story.

Is there a guideline on this? What do you do? :)
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USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Heya Everyone. Clifton here.

Crash_Override — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:39:34 +0000

Hey everyone, this is my first year writing with NaNo and I was just wondering if there were any get togethers or anything like that for this region.
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USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

i must drag myself out to one of these write ins!

_Lissa_ — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:48:10 +0000

i muuuuust. i want to make it to at least ONE write in, and the TGIO party.

that is all .

:)
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~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Nano '07 - Participant
Nano '08 - Won!
Nano '09 - crossing my fingers!

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Philcon

GaryF — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:12:40 +0000

For any science fiction, fantasy, or horror writers, there's a convention next weekend called Philcon, taking place in Cherry Hill, NJ. Here's the link:

http://2009.philcon.org/

It's not as big as a World Con, but it attracts a good number of people. The main guests this year are Catherine Asaro, Cory Doctorow, and L.A. Banks.

Gary . . .

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Institutional Memory...Work is torture (Out now from Medallion Press)

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

November 13-15...Mid Month Gathering

GaryF — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:28:55 +0000

We were talking last night about getting together mid-month as a check in to see how folks are doing. I thought I'd throw this out now so we can start planning. How's Sunday afternoon for people? We can start as a write-in and move on to chatting about how the novel's going. Perhaps the Tick Tock diner?

Any ideas are welcome.

Happy Writin's!
Gary . . .
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Institutional Memory...Work is torture (Out now from Medallion Press)

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Sunday, November 15 at the Tick Tock Diner...1pm

GaryF — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:47:03 +0000

Here's the mid-month (mid-month already?) plans. Those who can, let's meet at the Tick Tock diner in Clifton on Route 3 West, around 1pm. For those who want to do a write-in, feel free to bring your laptops. I can't promise power sources, so charge those batteries! or you can go old school and bring paper and pen. But who wants to retype all those words, right?

We'll also do lunch and chat about our mid-month progress, how we're feeling, what's been the fun parts, what's been the not-so-fun parts, and genreally try to help those far behind. Like me..

We can stay as long as we want, until management kicks us out!

Let me know who can make it, so I have some idea when I call the diner on Sunday.Also, if later works better, we can move it up to 2 if folks would rather do later.

Gary . . .
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Institutional Memory...Work is torture (Out now from Medallion Press)

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Friday night, Borders Rt 23 in Riverdale......

cdmlind — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:02:49 +0000

Hi everyone,
It was great meeting some of you at Borders last Friday night. It looks like there will be at least a few of us getting together there again this coming Friday night to further the noble attempt at wearing out the keyboards on our laptops. Anybody else up for a night of literary abandon, hot chocolate and the company of other future celebrated authors?
(P.S. Hot chocolate optional, you can drink whatever you like)
(P.P.S. You don't actually have to drink anything, perhaps you'd just like a cookie)
(P.P.P.S. Although, if you're going to have a cookie, you really might as well get some hot chocolate to go with it. Just sayin'....).
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USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

who are my fellow late night writers tonight?

_Lissa_ — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:19:38 +0000

am i the only one still up? i need to sleep, since our school is open tomorrow and i have to teach :( but ever the insomniac, i am up and writing very slowly.

anyone else?
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~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Nano '07 - Participant
Nano '08 - Won!
Nano '09 - crossing my fingers!

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Dares? Writing Prompts?

JanisStarr — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:50:01 +0000

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to see how everyone is doing with the writing and would like to know if anyone tried any of the dares yet that were posted on the homepage. If so, how did they work? Which one did you try and where did it take your novel? Do you plan on using any of the other dares? Use this forum to tell about the dares and feel free to add some of your own new dares!

Also, has anyone found any good writing prompts that helped them? Feel free to share!

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USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Lynda Barry's inspiration email..

_Lissa_ — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:09:15 +0000

had me wondering; does anyone here write their novel using pen and paper?

i would love to try it, but i am highly intimidated to even try writing SOME of my novel the 'old fashioned' way. i'm so used to writing on a computer, it seems so weird to write it on paper. besides, on the practical side, my hand cramps up!

maybe if i attend one of the write-ins, i'll bring a notebook instead of my laptop...
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~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Nano '07 - Participant
Nano '08 - Won!
Nano '09 - crossing my fingers!

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

I made us a Facebook Page...

_Lissa_ — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:10:08 +0000

I know Gary has been saying that anyone who wanted to get involved should do so, so I saw that central nj has a facebook page . So i made one for us!

please join the group!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=171460706032&v=wall

i'll leave it up even after nanowrimo 2009 is over, so we have some place to go next year and the next and the next....

i'll put up the kick off party (once i figure out if any decisions were made???), as well as write ins, thank god its over party, etc etc.

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~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Nano '07 - Participant
Nano '08 - Won!
Nano '09 - crossing my fingers!

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

How's everyone doing?

GaryF — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:50:18 +0000

So a check in, for those who'd like to check in. How's the novel writing going? Are you finding time o write? Any obstacles you'd like to share? Perhaps someone hs overcome them and can help, or not and can commiserate.

I'm at a stunning 5,600 words due to other events taking me away from writing. By the 15th I hope to be at 10k. I've no worries. Other years I've been in the same place and usually pick it up toward the end of the month.

I've already started twice and (against what I've told folks not to do), I've been doing tiny edits (a paragraph here and there) as I go.

At least I like the story so far, even if I have no idea where it's going.

All right. Back to the writing!

Happy Writin's!
Gary . . .

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Institutional Memory...Work is torture (Out now from Medallion Press)

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Write-in TODAY, Sunday, at Panera's on 23 South in Riverdale

pidgy-widge — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:52:09 +0000

COME OUT AND WRITE.
I'll be there on my laptop from 11 until 1.
I'm hoping to get my word count about 15k as I head into the new week.
By the way, this Panera's is in the same little strip mall as Capezio's.
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USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Bergen County Write-in Saturday

Suelder — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:03:02 +0000

On Saturday, November 7th, I will be at the Panera on Route Four in Paramus, the Kohl's plaza on the west-bound side. Across from the Bergen Mall.

I will be there around 10 am and will stay until about 12:30 pm (I've got some food shopping to do), but you're welcome to arrive earlier and stay later.

I've spoken with the manager of panera - they've got plenty of outlets and free wifi and they've got good coffee. The community room in the back is booked from 10 - 12, but there's an area right next to it that's quiet and that we can use.

I'll be there, with some plot-assist handouts and hope to see you there.

Suelder
short, middleaged with brown hair and black-framed rectangular eyeglasses
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Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the cha

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

NaNo Puns and Gags. Let's all lighten the mood.

Darkfrog — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:24:16 +0000

Long or short, post your NaNo puns, gags and brainspew here. (Lord knows that after all this writing, the mental word processor can get a bit clogged.)

I'll start: "Thirty Days of Write."
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Fear my powers of procrastination!

USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Friday Night Write In - Riverdale NJ Borders at 8PM

desertroot — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:44:49 +0000

Hi All,

I plan on sitting my butt down at the Riverdale NJ Borders bookstore at 8PM tonight (11/6) and writing till closing time (11PM). Feel free to join me for moral support. Let's commiserate together over a cup of coffee or tea and let our fingers fly!

The store is on Route 23N, right after the I-287 interchange in Riverdale, NJ. I will be there around 8PM typing away on my green Alphasmart Neo in the back by the tables.

I'm friendly and don't bite, much. =)

Regards,
Tom

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USA :: New Jersey :: Northeast

Sunday write-in at Panera, Route 23 South in Wayne? Anyone up for it?

pidgy-widge — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:24:00 +0000

I am having a blast so far, and would love to meet for a giant cup o joe and a few hours of writing around a table with other scraggly writers at the Panera on Route 23 south in Wayne area. Anyone up for it? Come on! I am thinking early, like 8-10 am. Moral support + caffeine + scraggly writers = fun times and an abundance of crappy first drafts!
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