SLO County and surrounding

Hey, California Dreaming! I'm a Cal Poly student, and I live in SLO about a mile or two from the campus. I know there are some others in the area, too, since we've met up some over the past few years. I'd definitely like to get together during November a few times. Maybe for coffee or something, and we can discuss our novels and complain about how slowly we're writing. Or SLOwly (ouch, sorry; I have a thing for really bad puns).

So where in British Columbia did you live before? Not that I know the area very well.

Sounds good. I look forward to it.
Re: British Columbia -- we lived on the east shore of Kootenay Lake in southeastern BC, about an hour above the Idaho border. It was beautiful, but then, nothing beats an ocean view, and the weather we've been having the past few days here!

The weather has been pretty nice, though I wouldn't mind a little cooler. We had a decent breeze today though, so that made up for it somewhat. It's kind of a nice to have some decent heat before winter sets in. I was in Seattle most of the summer, and while it wasn't cold, it usually wasn't this warm.

So, do you know what you're writing for your novel yet, or still thinking about it? I'm bouncing between two or three ideas right now that I didn't go with in previous years, but I don't have anything concrete yet.

I had a couple of different ideas I was plotting out, but began building character outlines, and realized I despised my characters. Good novel, if I only want to get one chapter along before I just up and kill all the characters in one massive accident. Where to go from there? So, I'm scouting for a new idea now.

Hi, just wanted to get a word of introduction out. I work in SLO and live in the South County. Welcome to the area California Dreaming! This is my second year of NaNo and I can't wait. I'm really looking forward to getting started. I'm still playing with ideas but I know they'll come.

Susan

I'm a Santa Maria native, but SLO is actually much easier to drive to than anywhere else. Also, it has the best bookstores for miles... I would love to go to a noveling get-together, if at all possible. Is there any particular coffeeshop known for its kindness to NaNoWriMo?

"My God, it's full of stars!" --Arthur C. Clarke

"Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world." --Neal Stephenson

Hey guys,

I'm a calpoly student as well, returning for another year of writting, and maybe I'll actually finish this year... ;)

Anyway as for coffe shops I've always bee a big fan of Uptown Espresso, which is next to Thai Classic and Firestone's. But we have also just met at the downtown Starbucks, since it's right next to Barnes and Noble.

Anyway, glad to see that we've got people in town again this year.

/Nat

Hey again, Calvin! Glad to see someone from last year!

I'm always a fan of Linnaea's, but any coffee shop is good. Which bookstore were you referring to, Sweetgum? SLO has Phoenix, which is my favorite used bookstore. Every time I go there, I spend too much time browsing and come out with at least one book.

What sorts of genres does everybody write? I'm a science fiction and fantasy person for the most part.

Pretty much ANY bookstore. We've got two pocket-sized chain bookstores in a mall and a hole-in-the-wall New and Used I have yet to check out, and that is it. And it's impossible to walk anywhere in this town--too much sprawl, not enough sidewalks.

This year's project is fantasy centering around a political conspiracy. Generally I like writing fantasy and sci-fi, with liberal doses of humor. Though I enjoy historical fiction, I haven't got the focus and patience to research for it.

"My God, it's full of stars!" --Arthur C. Clarke

"Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world." --Neal Stephenson

You all name the place, and I'll be there! I'm going back and forth between writing general fiction this year (I did historical fiction last year, and it's too easy to get caught up in the research, rather than the story, with only a month to write) and being a NaNo Rebel, and writing memoir. I'm leaning toward the latter now. We'll see.

OHAY.

Morro Bay native here, Cuesta student, and I come into SLO quite a bit. Good to know that I'm not the only person in this county, haha. Any of you end up going to the Cuesta Writer's Convention this year?

If wishes were fishes, I'd slap people with trout more often.

Cuesta Writer's Convention? I don't think I've heard of that before, what is it?

So, since the first of November falls on a Saturday this year, how about we try to meet up then? Any place will do. Or we could try Sunday, so we'd at least have a little written before meeting up. How is that weekend for everyone?

Cuesta Writer's Convention is exactly what it sounds like; a writer's convention held at Cuesta College. It falls in September of every year.

If wishes were fishes, I'd slap people with trout more often.

I drove by on my way to SLO, and saw from the sign at the road that it was on, and was sorry I'd missed it. What's it like? Good? Valuable? If so, I'd like to make sure I attend next year.

Hi all - it's the person who's been too busy to get to meet ups - every single year she's participated. Sadly, I'll probably miss them all again this year, too, though I'll certainly make an effort. Glad to see familiar faces, and welcome to the central coast, California Dreaming (love the name - The Mamas And The Papas are one of my favorite groups).

Can I make a request for Saturday? Some people (e.g., me) might have family functions to attend, or maybe church.

"My God, it's full of stars!" --Arthur C. Clarke

"Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world." --Neal Stephenson

OK guys, are we going to try to get together pre-Nov. 1? Anyone want to suggest somewhere for this Saturday morning as a launch meeting?

Sorry, but I'll probably be sitting this Saturday out. This is likely to be a busy weekend for me.

For next Saturday though, I'll suggest Linnaea's on Garden St in downtown SLO. It's a nice, local, kind of quirky coffee place. Though I'm definitely open to other options as well.

Can't make it either--too tired, too sick, and too busy. I'll second the suggestion for Linnaea's, if no one else minds, because it seems to be the popular choice.

This might seem a bit silly, but I've never done the meet-up thing before--should we agree on something to bring or wear so that we don't accidentally pester some poor stockbroker enjoying a latte? Or is the likelihood of meeting another person armed with laptop/writing implements at the chosen coffee place sufficiently low enough not to matter?

"My God, it's full of stars!" --Arthur C. Clarke

"Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world." --Neal Stephenson

Hey, I'm new; another Cuesta student (Didn't go to this writer's conference, but I attended the one a year ago, which was pretty cool). I second Linaea's

I can't make it this weekend, But I'd be down for something Nov 1st or 2nd. As long as it's downtown and they serve coffe, I should be able to make it.

/Nat

Hey, Syri! Good to see you again!

For what to wear, in previous years, whoever shows up first usually just sets up a small NaNo sign at their table. I'll also be wearing last year's shirt, so if you have NaNoWriMo shirts, that'd be awesome.

Hi! I'm a Cuesta student too. November 1 is in a few days. Anybody want to make a decision about where/when a meeting could take place?

If no one objects, I think we're figuring on Linnaea's... but WHEN is still a good question. What's a good time frame?

"My God, it's full of stars!" --Arthur C. Clarke

"Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world." --Neal Stephenson

Double post...

Hey! I'm a freshman at Cal Poly SLO and this is my second year doing Nano. (I hope this year's far more successful... o.o)

Because I'm in marching band, Saturday's a bad idea.... Football game and such....

Would November 2 be a better idea for everyone? (I mean, if you guys decide on November 1, it wouldn't really matter... I'll try and make the next get-togethers! :D )

Welcome to Cal Poly, goofanader!

I think we were planning on Saturday since some people have church/family stuff/other on Sunday to go to. Is there any time on Saturday that you'd be free, or is the game and game-related stuff going to take up the whole day?

And on the subject of times, I'm thinking sometime in the not too early morning. Maybe 10 am? Or we could do more like 12 and have lunch (Linnaea's does have a limited food selection, though I've never had anything but coffee there).

10-ish sounds good--early start, but gives people time to wake up and be civil without eating up a useful chunk of the day. But later's okay if there are scheduling conflicts. Any objections, suggestions, or questions?

"My God, it's full of stars!" --Arthur C. Clarke

"Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world." --Neal Stephenson

Well, it's a bit late, but let's plan on 10 am at Linnaea's since I saw no objections. See you all there!

Where was everyone today? 'Twas very lonely in Linnaea's today; Sweetgum was the only one who showed up.

So how are novels going? I've yet to start mine, partly because I just got home a bit ago, and partly because I'm playing with the yWriter program Sweetgum told me about. I think I'll leave off the program, eat some lunch, make some coffee, and finally (maybe) get to work.

So for next week, let's begin planning a bit earlier. How is Saturday for people? Doesn't have to be Linnaea's, if someone has a place they prefer or that is closer to them. Doesn't have to be coffee either. If anyone is interested in meeting for lunch, I recommend Big Sky Cafe in SLO. It's a pretty unique restaurant with items you won't find many other places. And their sweet potato fries are awesome.