Hello ambitious authors, returning novelists and NaNo newbies,
I am very excited about doing NaNoWriMo in 2008 and I hope that you arer excited too. This year, in addition to maintaining the Houston NaNo Info Page, I am also stepping up to the plate to help Melissa in her ML duties for Houston. We're both thrilled with the opportunity to organize Houston's writers into a crack team of word count warriors.
Houston is a big city, fourth largest in the US, and we've had a growing group of writing raconteurs participate in NaNoWriMo each year I've been part of this crazy month. We have active authors in every part of our sprawling city and points beyond; The Woodlands, Kingwood, Baytown, Katy, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Cypress and Richmond are all part of the greater Houston area in terms of NaNoWriMo regional affiliations. That is a huge area to cover with nearly six times more people in it than the entire state of Alaska.
To cover such an immense area with so many scribbling scribes, the Houston region has always had Area Liaisons – people who know the different parts of town and can help organize write-ins. Once again this year we are looking for ALs for the following parts of town:
- Inner Loop Inside, or near to, the 610 loop.
- Northeast 59 N outside the loop including Humble, Kingwood, Atascocita and Porter.
- East 10 E and 225 E outside the loop including Pasadena, Deer Park, Baytown, Channelview and Galena Park.
- Southeast 45 S outside the loop including League City, Friendswood, Webster, southern Pasadena and the Clear Lake area. (This one is taken)
- South 288 S outside the loop including Pearland, Alvin, Angleton, Lake Jackson and Brazoria.
- Southwest 59 S outside the loop including Sugar Land, Missouri City, Rosenberg, and Richmond.
- West 10 W outside the loop including Katy, Cinco Ranch, Bunker Hill and Mission Bend.
- Northwest 290 including Jersey Village, Cypress, Louetta and Satsuma.
- North 45 N outside the loop including Bammel, Spring, Rayford, The Woodlands and Aldine.
Now, some of these areas cover a lot of ground, but don't worry. As an AL you don't have to show up to every write-in. Mainly what you need to do is find places that will be good for writing. The places need to be conducive to writing – usually this means chairs and tables, some sort of refreshments, power (bring a power strip!) and a free WiFi connection is always a plus. The right day of the week is an important aspect in setting up a write in. Last year we had a regular write-in on Thursdays at Coffee Oasis down in Clear Lake; unfortunately that was the night that an ad hoc Irish folk band would practice in the cafe. None of us could focus on our novels while the band was making their cacophony. We had to move our write-ins to another night! An AL's only job is to help people in their area find other writers to write with.
Should you be an AL? We've found that the best ALs have done NaNoWriMo at least once before, participate in the NaNoWriMo forums, go to the write-ins and know a few good writing spots in their area. If you match these criteria please let Melissa or I know and we'll set you up with an area to call your very own.
We've got a little over a month before our flying fingers get cracking on our November Novels. Waiting wordsmiths in our region should be surveying suitable sites for write-ins and pondering plots a plenty.
News on the kick-off meeting will be announced as soon as we find a place to host it.
Thanks!
CHris
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Visit the Houston NaNoWriMo Information Page
Froze to the bone in my igloo home
Counting the days 'til the ice turns green
28,219 / 50,000
Sep 29, 2008 - 19 22
I'm going to up the ante here folks. Anyone who valiantly volunteers to be an AL before the kick-off meeting will receive a free gift bestowing on them a certain power that only a co-ML can grant.
CHris
----------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 - 15 54
I would like to be the SOUTH Area Liason. Or one of them if need be!!
I have successfully completed nano two years running and actually have a small group here in Brazoria county that I gathered last year and we all participated and have since continued with write ins and as support for each other. We were in the paper! :-)
What do I need to do?
Jennie Madsen
0 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 16 30
Okay, I throw my hat in the ring to do the Northwest area. I'll start looking now to find a place as central as I can.
See you all at the kick off.
Take care
----------Ulliowl
" Courage is holding on one second longer"
a Norwegian Proverb
Ulliowl
37,037 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 18 07
I can take the West area.
Stitch
----------Stitch
2006: Murder at the Reunion, Winner
2007: Satori - Winner
2008: Untitled
24,613 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 20 00
AWESOME! Thanks Stitch! Good to see you again this year! I'll be in touch with you!
----------take care
love & e-hugs ~ M
24,613 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 20 01
EXCELLENT! Welcome Ulliowl. We appreciate this! I'll be in touch with you!
----------take care
love & e-hugs ~ M
24,613 / 50,000
Okt 2, 2008 - 20 03
ABISMOM04! So GREAT to see you again online. I know you held it all together for Brazoria County last year and did an awesome job. I hope you can make it to the kick off. Please let me know, I know it's a long drive but I'll be able to give you some NaNo swag to distribute to your area. I'll be in touch with you!
----------take care
love & e-hugs ~ M
6,471 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 04 11
Just to be insane...
Do you want me to take the kids? ;) j/k
I have students that I worked with last year asking me if I'm doing it again...
0 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 05 57
I should be able ot make the kick off party this year.
Last year I still had a "baby' at home so it was harder - but not this year!!!
I'm recruiting some teenagers to participate and hope to bring them with me.
53,679 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 06 51
I'll do it for the North area.
I'm a kid with a laptop, I know a lot of wifi hotspots and good writing places - ones I've used for both NaNo and other writings.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
24,613 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 07 54
Thank you so much, Elephande! This is so great! I'll be in touch with you regarding herding the North Area folks together!
----------I appreciate it!
take care
love & e-hugs ~ M
6,029 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 08 47
Hi, fellow writers:
I fall into the North Houston area, Spring/Woodlands area and this is my first year. Don't know what to expect but it sure is exciting! Would like to know where this group will be writing so I can join in! Joann B
53,679 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 08 49
I'm currently compiling a list of good spots that fall in our area. It should be posted in a separate topic in a few days.
Welcome aboard, Joann!
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
24,613 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 09 15
Hey Elephande ~
----------Please be sure to send a PM to Chrismacg with locations for writing spots so he can put them on the map on the Houston Information Page!
Thanks!
take care
love & e-hugs ~ M
53,679 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 09 39
Will do.
----------------
"Matt, I think Jeremy'll be joining us."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I told Erica that if she was dating someone, we'd make room for them on the trip...Damn it, stop laughing!"
"Sorry, Jeff, but that's funny."
Jeff Jackson and Matt Koric,
30,632 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 10 54
If all the AL does is find places and set dates, and tries to attend as many as possible, I'd volunteer for the Heights area if there is not already one.
24,613 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 12 40
AWESOME! Much appreciated telephonesnow! This, of course, means you get the Inner Loop Group! I sometimes make it to an Inner Loop write-in or two throughout the month. The Heights Library has a free, reservable back room and they have free wi-fi. In fact, the Inner Loop has some of the best places to write.
----------I appreciate it! I'll be in touch with you.
take care
love & e-hugs ~ M
15,000 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2008 - 20 37
I would love to help out in my area but dont know to much besides Baytown and Pasadena on the East side.
28,219 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2008 - 08 36
All,
Four furious days into October and almost all the Houston AL slots have been fabulously filled! This is awesome news!
Here's an updated list:
There is only one area left in the entire region that needs an AL. If you're out on 59 North and know some great spots for write-ins, please volunteer!
Also, thanks to SamanthaJo08 and Lumos-Aeternum for volunteering for the Northwest and Southwest areas respectivly.
I will be gathering your special powers together and give them to you at the kick-off meeting. All ALs should PM me with their email addresses so we can keep in contact with you.
CHris
----------Visit the Houston NaNoWriMo Information Page
Froze to the bone in my igloo home
Counting the days 'til the ice turns green
28,219 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2008 - 08 37
That's fine SamanthaJo. Write-ins in those two areas will help a lot for east side authors! Thanks for volunteering.
----------Visit the Houston NaNoWriMo Information Page
Froze to the bone in my igloo home
Counting the days 'til the ice turns green
38,157 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2008 - 06 39
Glad I checked this thread...I didn't know I had volunteered... :)
I guess it was setting up a thread about the SW write-ins...but, I am up for the job! (especially if I am granted special powers!)
So, hello other areas! Hope you all have a good group this year!
----------2008 - In Whose Hands
2007 - His Shrouded Soul (Winner!)
2006 - The Last of the Romanata (Winner!)