HELLO, HOUSTON!!!!!
And WELCOME to the 10th Anniversary of the challenge we call NaNoWriMo!
My name is SweetMelissa - and I am your fearless Captain. This year Houston has a 2nd ML - the tech-whiz who brought us The Houston Information Page last year - ChrisMacG. Please feel free to contact either of us with any questions or great ideas for coordination and working as a team in the great city of Houston. Our Google Map from last year still has all the locations of coffee shops everyone suggested last year but if you have found a new great place to write, PM ChrisMacG and he’ll add it to the site. Please include info on when you’ll be there noveling so others can join you.
I'm so excited about the NaNo season this year!
Here’s an overview of the month of November ~
Kick-Off Event: All the Houston NaNoWriMo participants get together to meet each other, get fun ideas and goodies to help make it though their noveling challenge. We’ve got some great door-prizes too. I’m working on location but this event will take place the weekend of October 25 or 26.
Midnight Write-in: Traditionally there has been a group of hard-core NaNoWriMo’s (and I’ve been there twice) who start noveling at the stroke of midnight on November 1st. This event will take place on the 2nd floor of Katz’s Deli on Westheimer because they never close. There are usually lots of Halloween activities going on the same night and yes, you’re welcome to come in costume.
November 1st Write-in: This year November starts on a Saturday so almost everyone will be able to use the time to write all weekend.. We’re going to divide up into areas of town – There is a huge group of writers in West Houston (Katy, Sugarland, MoCty area); an Inner Loop Group; a Clear Lake / South Houston Group; and a group in North Houston (Humble, Spring, Woodlands area). We’ll be getting together in small groups at branch libraries in your area for all-day write-ins all around Houston. Also, we’re offering a PRIZE for the most words written in 48-hours called the 48-Hour Frenzy! So use that first weekend to get a great head start on your novel!
Half-Way Par-tay: On November 15th we take a break from noveling and get together to have some fun. This event is still being planned so I’ll e-mail everyone with more details on time and place later on.
Turkey Skirmish: This year we’re resurrecting the Turkey Skirmish at my house. We change Black-Friday to Write-Friday the day after Thanksgiving. This is a pot luck write-in. Bring your Thanksgiving leftovers to share with everyone, and your laptop and write all day. This is a good time to catch up if you’ve fallen a little behind during the dreaded Week 3 and bolster your spirits.
TGIO!! Thank God Its Over Party!: This is a party! No more writing! Only Congratulations We Made It! This is a pot-luck party - BYOBeverage and a treat to share, all ages, bring your significant other, parents of Young Writers welcome. We will have a location nailed down for this party before November begins but the date for this event will be Friday December 5th. We’ll give out prizes and folks will have a chance to read a short excerpt of the novel they’ve just written.
Also new this year, if you are a Twitterer, I’ve set up a HoustonWriMos Twitter profile you can follow. If you follow this Tweet you’ll get a new word every day to try to incorporate into your novel as well as occasional encouraging tweets.
Unofficially, I want to have a Got Plot? Brainstorming Session on October 18th to flesh out some of the details of your novel idea or to get noveling ideas. Check the Houston Information page for details on this event as it approaches.
Writing a novel in 30 days can be intimidating but I assure you it can also be done. Come to the events and on-going write-ins, meet other writers in your area. WriMo’s who have done this for several years always have lots of good ideas and suggestions for how to make it through and succeed. This is a fun and busy month. I can’t wait!
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take care
love & e-hugs ~ M
6,029 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 07 32
Hello, fellow Houstonians:
I am new to the organization and have read the "No Plot, No Problem" book and am very eager to start! I am in the Northwest area of Houston (Spring/Woodlands) and would like to meet up with fellow writers. I fall under the category of fulltime real estate agent, part time real estate teacher, fulltime mom, so I have to make the most of my actual writing time and would appreciate any advice from NaNoWriMo participants!
Finally got electricity back on Thursday night..13 days without modern conveniences! I decided I would not have made a good pioneer!
Thanks for any assistance you can provide,
Joann B
25,381 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 12 47
Hello everyone! This is my second year of NaNoWriMo and I can't wait!!! I live in the Northeast Houston area (Galena Park/Humble) and I'm an ELA teacher at North Shore Senior High School. The students finally return on Monday after our "storm break" and I'm so excited!
This year I'm going to be challenging my Advanced Placement students to complete NaNoWriMo for an automatic 'A' for the grading period. We'll see how many of my kids jump on board!
I'm extremely excited for the write-ins this year. I wasn't able to attend them last year since November is already a ridiculously crazy month, but this year I'm determined to be present. I definitely work better if there's a group around me hard at work.
Hope everyone fared well in the storm and if you haven't gotten electricity back yet, I hope you do soon!
Counting down to November,
T.
35,006 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 13 38
Hi all, I'm Jennifer and this is my second year doing NaNo. I won last year with my Urban Fantasy novel Many Paths Entwined. Yet, I still have to edit it. I'm from Southwest Houston, the Braeswood and Fondren area.
I have no clue what I'm going to write bout this year, but that's what October's for. I welcome all of the newbies to the forum and wish you good luck.
19,279 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 14 07
Hey there Houston,
This is my second year going at it, last year winning with a sci-fi novel still in production. This year it'll be back to my first love of fantasy. I'm over in the Katy/First Colony area of the southwest. I'm a full-time student at HBU, and anyone else attending or will be writing in that area can find me in the library on campus, probably hidden away upstairs with my laptop.
501,021 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 16 36
Welcome all to NaNo X! I am Caeraerie, the one-time Crab that did much last year during the Word War with Maryland. I am proud to say I have seen the error of my ways and have moved to Austin.
And I hope to see some of you in real life sometime this November. I know your names. But I'd like to see some faces.
So I will be trying to make the kick-off party and maybe one or two more events.
24,613 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 18 04
Hi Caeraerie! and Welcome to Texas. I trust you are finding our summers pleasantly warm in comparison to Maryland. ;)
I'll be at the Austin TGIO party at least and look forward to meeting you. We HoustonWriMos LOVE all the Austin Wrimos and consider ourselves a team of sorts.
You, and all the Austin or Galveston WriMos are welcome to any of our events.
20,899 / 50,000
Sep 27, 2008 - 18 19
Hi! I live in the Clear Lake area. We came out of the storm okay except for all the tree parts strewn about and no electricity for a week. Oh--and my first grader's school is just now reopening!
Anyway, I did NaNoWriMo last year and had a great time, and am looking forward to doing it again! I'm not sure I'll be able to make any events, but at the very least it is nice to know there are others nearby.
25,303 / 50,000
Sep 28, 2008 - 08 57
Hello! This is my first NaNo, and I'm really excited. I'm down here in the Clear Lake area, League City specifically. I'm looking forward to going to write-ins and meeting fellow nanoers! I probably won't make it to the Kick-off event, since I'm taking a professional exam that Saturday -- I'm just glad that happens before nano starts so I don't have to worry about studying when I should be writing! (Or vice versa.) Even if I can't go the Kick-off, though, I will definitely go to as many write-ins as I can. I can't wait!
35,062 / 50,000
Sep 28, 2008 - 20 30
Hi all!!!
Diane Taylor here...
I live in Southwest Houston just west of the Alief Community Park behind the Zen Center on Bellaire. This'll be my 5th NanoWrimo. I started in 2003 and have never looked back.
If someone knows where t he Kickoff party is going to be, and if there's a bus route up that direction, I'll sneak on out if I can.
I'm not exactly sure how my storyline is going to go. I have created and disgarded several ideas since the beginning of the year. But I think the movie Eastern Promises gave me a few things to work with... and a small idea that each person in this world has an exact copy of themselves... somewhere. Not related, just identical in every way. And no, not a Doppleganger either.
Though I will sneak a small clue in. There will be shapeshifters in this. But it doesn't have a title yet.
1,250 / 50,000
Sep 29, 2008 - 08 40
Also in Clear Lake area... well, not really... but accepting that for Na No purposes that's as close as I'm going to get... and pretty cool with that even. Last year my business was just getting up and running so I never managed to get involved although I was around last year. This year I'm up for anything.
3,334 / 50,000
Sep 29, 2008 - 10 42
Hidey-Ho, Neighbors! This is my 3rd year of NaNoWriMo. I've completed novels both of my previous years, and used NaNoFiMo to get the novels up to 80-120,000 words.
I live in the Museum District, with my companion of 10 years, my "boomerang" daughter, and my companion's daughter.
My genre is Science Fiction, but this year, by special request, I'm stepping off my 'comfort zone' and working on a project that I hope will be both fun and a great learning experience. It is a Space Opera -- lots of drama, fast spaceships, space pirates, gratuitous violence, and even some gratuitous...ummm... well... ummm... S*X. (Now I have never written that style of stuff before, so this is going to be -reallllly- interesting). The new novel will be published under a Nom de Plume - Calla Firestorm. I hope that, if this works out, this style of novel will be a 'break' I'll take from my more philosophical/xenosociological stuff every couple of years... just about in time for my main characters (Wyoming Deel and Aurora Roads) to get into more trouble, eh?
Anyway, glad to be aboard for another year!
Storm
35,062 / 50,000
Sep 29, 2008 - 14 54
If you need help with writing gratuitous S*X scenes, Stormweaver, I'm willing to help. *chuckling* I write paranormal romances for a living, so adding that aspect can get interesting at times. So, if you or anyone else here needs help with that part of the storyline, just ask. *evil grin*
Did you guys know that Tigers are susceptable to catnip?? Imagine what it does to a Shapeshifting Tiger!!!!
28,219 / 50,000
Sep 29, 2008 - 19 36
I have to say that this is something I did know. I'd also like to say that the pockets on a pair of Levi's are not very good at stopping tiger claws.
Visit the Houston NaNoWriMo Information Page
Froze to the bone in my igloo home
Counting the days 'til the ice turns green
0 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 16 21
Hi all,
I'm Virginia(aka Ulliowl). This is my 2nd year of trying to do this. Last year I started late and got lost about mid month so I never finished. This year I hope to do much better and at least get to the 50,000th word. I hope to see you all at the kick-off party on Oct 25.
28,429 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 16 31
Hi everyone,
I'm Tambra and live in Pasadena.
Will anyone be going to the Panera Bread on Fairmont? That's the closest location for me. I'd love to meet some of you.
Diane, I also write paranormal romance-sensual and erotic.
I'm happy to help, too!
Best,
Tambra
55,122 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 17 34
Hi, everyone! I'm in the Spring Branch area. This is my third year doing Nano. This year my goal is to write more than the 80,000 I hit last year, and actually get to "The End" by the end of the month. Right now I'm writing like crazy to finish last year's Nano novel before November. Last year I finished the previous year's Nano on Oct. 30. So with any luck, at the end of this Nov. I'll have three finished novels and can spend some serious time editing.
I'm looking forward to getting together at the Kick-Off and other events. It looks like we've got a lot of great events planned for this year. See you there!
37,037 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 18 05
Hi, I'm here for my third year. I'm hoping to get a bit more planning done this year than I have in the past so that things will go easier. I've completed 50,000 words on both my tries but the stories themselves are still unfinished.
Diane, I live just a bit farther west than you. If you need a ride to the Kick-Off party, maybe I can give you one. We'll have to see where and when it is.
Stitch
35,062 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 18 09
I'll be at the Kickoff party! Thank the powers that be that the Bus runs right past there. :D Now to scrounge up for the bus ride.
I'll see everyone on the 25th!
39,107 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 19 22
Hello all. I'm driftsmoke. This is my first year to do NaNoWriMo, I don't really know what to expect, so I'm sorry if I come off as weird. I live in the *far* north suburbs of Houston. I don't promise to make any gatherings, but I will try to be online a good bit.
About my writing: I completed my first full length novel 6/07, and I've written two other novels and a handful of short stories since then. Both novels are Urban Fantasy. The shorts stories range from crime to horror to romance. I am currently plotting a Paranormal Suspense novel dealing with apparitions. I'm always on the lookout for new ideas, though. I'd really like to write about shape shifters again. I'd also like to try an out and out romance. Or a mystery. Hey! Maybe I write can a shape shifter romantic mystery. Ooooh! Let's face it. I don't know what I want to do. :D
Anyway, good to meet everyone. I have a twitter account, too. My username is the same as it is here.
38,157 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 21 08
Hello everyone! Welcome newbies...a shout out to the people who have been here before...
I'm back for my third Nano...I won both of the last two years but have not finished my novels. I got a little irritated with both of them. I have high hopes for this next one. I really enjoy the general idea...we'll see!
I'm out in the SW area of Houston...for those nearby. Last year I met up with some at the Coffee Groundz in SL, but that has since closed...If there is still some interest out here for meet-ups, let me know!
35,062 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 23 43
I'm out in the SW area of Houston...for those nearby. Last year I met up with some at the Coffee Groundz in SL, but that has since closed...If there is still some interest out here for meet-ups, let me know!
How Far Southwest, Lumos? near Kirkwood and Bellaire.... actually I'm just west of Kirkwood.. across the Alief Community Park.
Pssst!! Don't Scream... it's only a Nightmare!
2003 - Shadow Demon Won.
2004 - Dracul Diamond Lost
2005 - Jade Kitsune Lost
2006 - Beltane Fire Won
2007 - Hellfire - Working on it.
6,471 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 04 09
I'm finally here...
;)
Let's see...I'm the one that can't write a "normal" novel...But I write anyway!!!
Last year I wanted to burn my whole 50,000 words! (Probably because I tried to write something a little more mainstream).
But I'm probably back to insanity this year, it works so much better!!!
I'm in Webster/Clear Lake/Friendswood (depending upon your point of view)
38,157 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 05 52
Let me clarify...way SW...as in Sugar Land... :)
0 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 06 09
Hello, I live between the Bltway and 610 bordered by 288 and S. Post Oak. I've been involved with NanoWrimo for now 2 years but last year was the first year I won!!! I confess I haven't begun to edit last years words...
However this year I'm more focused and determined to not stop after Nov.
WOW!!! I did'nt know there was all this EXTRA fun involved. I look forward to attending some of the meet up and meeting some fello writers...
37,200 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 07 59
Well here I am for a third year of insanity from the north part of Houston (The Woodlands). I hope to finish my trioligy this year, need to read last years to find out what I had, and find the info on the characters.Hope everyone survived all right thought Ike.
53,679 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 08 14
Year three for me. Finished my duology last year, and getting those characters, plus a few more, back for something a little different.
I'm located off FM 1488, roughly between Conroe, Magnolia, and The Woodlands, and am out and about writing quite a lot.
20,327 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2008 - 08 29
Year 5 for me. And I'm dedicated to winning this year. Yes, I'm very stubborn and persistant, and apparently, a little bit insane. All good traits for NaNoWriMo. :)
I live in Brazoria County and am actually going to do my best to make it to the kick-off party this year and maybe that thing at Katz's.
Good luck to all my fellow Wrimos.
Megan
38,083 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2008 - 11 33
I'm back for my fifth year! Haven't a clue as to what I'll write though.
A big HI to all the veterans and welcome to the insanity to all you Newbies.
4,063 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2008 - 12 49
Welcome everyone, This is year two for me, I didn't finish last year, kinda dissapointing, but I am determined to make it this year. I am in Tomball, and don't plan on doing any write-ins as I don't have a laptop, and might be doing a lot of my novel from work, and home.
9,496 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2008 - 19 06
Hi everyone!
This is my first year with NaNo and I am very, very excited to be a part of this group! I live in Missouri City (off HWY 6, near Sugar Land) and will definitely meet up with my fellow SW NaNos.