Hi All!
One of the reasons we Marylanders are so good about writing and finishing our NaNovels is that we have many volunteers to host Write-Ins every year.
What is a "Write-In" you ask?
A Write-In is one of the best tools in your writing kit for getting in massive wordcounts. Essentially, Wrimos (writers) go OUT (not In!) to do writing away from the distractions of hearth and home and family and friends and email and homework and laundry and cooking and . . . you get the idea.
Locations chosen are often coffee shops, cafe areas at bookstores, Panera (free WiFi), libraries, college classrooms or commons, or any place that usually offers beverages of the caffeinated sort, tables, outlets, and doesn't mind groups taking up said space for a few hours at a time.
What happens at a Write-In? Get ready for it... WRITING! The host will have an area marked with a sign so that Wrimos can find each other, and everyone is encouraged to socialize a little but write a lot. Short word wars (timed blocks of some number of minutes where people set a timer and write for all they are worth) often yield amazing results regarding sheer quantity of words written, aside from razor-sharp focus and typos.
So, we are calling for volunteers who want to get out and write, and do so with other like-minded Wrimos. Many of you will talk about this on the various "area" threads that are a fine Maryland tradition.
How do you volunteer to host?
1) Pick a place (think about ease of access, parking, amenities)
2) Pick a date (or dates, like every Wednesday in November, or every other Saturday, or just one day)
3) Pick a time (whatever works for you will most likely work for someone who needs to get out!)
4) Post this information to this thread so one of our MLs can post your Write-In to our calendar
5) Show up!
Also, if you volunteer to host, please:
1) If you think it necessary, check with your location to make sure hosting a group is ok (if it is a retail location, like a Borders Cafe, everyone is encouraged to patronize the place for at least a tea or something so you are not taking table space away from paying customers - I know my Borders LOVES when we come in November!).
2) Have a flyer or table tent showing so other Wrimos can find you, available here:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/1005807
3) If you know how many people are likely to show up (ask in your area thread), MLs may have stickers to send (send us a message and ask), and I know I emailed table tents for people to print last year.
4) Consider bringing a power strip (or asking another attendee if they can).
5) Check to see what events have been scheduled so that you don't schedule your event next door to someone else on the same day and time - do it together! For example, I know mine will be Thursday evenings at Borders in Columbia, so I'd prefer people not also schedule for Borders at the mall in Columbia at the same time on the same day.
Please feel free to ask any questions here. Your MLs host at least one Write-In each, and we look forward to putting even more on the calendar.
Thank you!
Lee, ML
----------
Winner!: 2004 - String Fling, 2005 - Dark Matters, 2006 - Heaven's Homeless, 2007 - Against Nature, 2008 - Crack Bot
MLing for MD since 2004
42,837 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 12 10
C'mon all of you who have said "I think I'll set up a write-in at. . ." This is your place to post that info!
Besides that, Lee and I don't have actual "sticky" powers and must keep bumping our special threads (marked "sticky" just to remind us).
----------Vickie, ML for 270 corridor
gaithersburg_md@nanowrimo.org
Alternate e-mail: vix94@rcn.com
40,210 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 17 38
I'll try to set up a weekly write-in at Bauer Drive Community Center in Rockville. I work there on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm. We have a conference room for people with laptops, and a computer lab for those without. The computers are first-come-first-served and there are only eight or nine of them. I may need to ask my boss about it but I can't imagine he would say no.
----------2008 Winner - Stray Kingdom
2009 - Stray Kingdom 2
108,301 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 17 47
I'm trying to set one up for a weeknight at the Panera on Boston in Baltimore City. I'm thinking Tuesday nights, seven to whenever but that's subject to change if people really can't do it on Tuesdays.
Anyone who's hosted a write in at Panera before, do I need to talk to them there first to confirm its okay to gather there?
----------2008: Winner!
Night Fire, complete at 91,367 words
Resistance, incomplete at 53,760 words
2009 Goal: 150k words, two complete novels
25,489 / 50,000
Okt 3, 2009 - 18 13
Just checking in to let you know I'll be doing at least one write-in at the Frederick Borders this year. I just don't know when yet.
Looking forward to another year!
Linda
----------I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper. – Steve Martin
52,120 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2009 - 10 14
I've hosted at Panera and we did not have to ask - we just showed up, put up a table tent, bought drinks and food, and typed a lot. They usually have a bulletin board where you can post a NNWM flyer (which you can find under the Fun Stuff tab at the top of the site).
Panera has free WiFi at many locations, which is great. They have few outlets, so you'll want to find the table close to one and bring a power strip.
Borders is getting or now has free WiFi too!
Lee
----------Winner!: 2004 - String Fling, 2005 - Dark Matters, 2006 - Heaven's Homeless, 2007 - Against Nature, 2008 - Crack Bot
MLing for MD since 2004
108,301 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2009 - 15 53
Lee, can you add to the calendar, write-in from 7-10 pm (I still have to verify what time Panera closes, since their hours don't seem to be available online), at the Panera on Boston Street in Baltimore City? Hosted by myself (Heather).
Thanks!
----------2008: Winner!
Night Fire, complete at 91,367 words
Resistance, incomplete at 53,760 words
2009 Goal: 150k words, two complete novels
52,120 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2009 - 18 10
Heather,
What day did you want?
Also, I'm pretty sure they close at 9pm - just call and double check! I did find this:
Canton store
----------3600 Boston Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21224
(410) 522-2940 | phone
Winner!: 2004 - String Fling, 2005 - Dark Matters, 2006 - Heaven's Homeless, 2007 - Against Nature, 2008 - Crack Bot
MLing for MD since 2004
108,301 / 50,000
Okt 4, 2009 - 18 40
Wednesdays... sorry, thought I put that in. *rolls eyes*
Yeah, I'm going to try to stop by there tomorrow for breakfast so I'll try to check then. You can put nine for the ending time.
----------2008: Winner!
Night Fire, complete at 91,367 words
Resistance, incomplete at 53,760 words
2009 Goal: 150k words, two complete novels
53,817 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2009 - 06 30
I have to figure out a day/time, but would anyone be interested in a write-in in/near Downtown Silver Spring? I'm thinking Panera would be good, or maybe Caribou, which is even closer to the metro.
----------"All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct."
Carl Sagan
42,755 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2009 - 10 51
I'd definitely try to show up! Downtown SS is basically my backyard so I'd go!
----------52,120 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2009 - 15 59
Your best bet to find out who is interested is to discuss potential write-ins in your location thread, then once you have decided on the details you post them here and Vickie will add them to the calendar.
I'd move your post to that thread, but we sadly don't have that kind of forum moderation power. And that area is popular, so I'm sure people will be into that write-in, and thanks for being willing to host!
Now go talk amongst yourselves, and come back with all the info!
Lee
----------Winner!: 2004 - String Fling, 2005 - Dark Matters, 2006 - Heaven's Homeless, 2007 - Against Nature, 2008 - Crack Bot
MLing for MD since 2004
45,322 / 50,000
Okt 6, 2009 - 06 53
Anyone interested in Bel Air, at Panera Bread at the Festival in Bel Air? My schedule is pretty flexible, so if anyone in the area is interested, give me times that's good for you and I can talk to the store and put in for my time off at work :) I was hoping at least once a week.
0 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 11 22
There's a cafe right near me I think I might take advantage of this year because I don't think I'll be able to make it up to any/many of the "big" write-ins.
I want to check with them that it'd be okay, first.
----------50,009 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 12 31
I will probably be attending the one at Borders in columbia. Do you expect a lot of people?
----------I'm fearing November with the excitement of a virgin...weeeee
Jeannette
108,301 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 14 52
Lee may have her sign-in sheets and be able to tell you for sure but I recall usually around ten or so people each time, maybe more once or twice.
Heather
----------2008: Winner!
Night Fire, complete at 91,367 words
Resistance, incomplete at 53,760 words
2009 Goal: 150k words, two complete novels
42,837 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 17 52
I need to repeat Lee's request from earlier in this thread: post in individual area threads to discuss times and places and once you've figured it out, post here. If there are too many posts to wade through, we may miss some of the info that should be added to the calendar.
----------Vickie, ML for 270 corridor
gaithersburg_md@nanowrimo.org
Alternate e-mail: vix94@rcn.com
5,270 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 22 24
I was actually considering hosting a write-in or two there as well, but if you can manage once a week, that's even better! I'd definitely go, if I could manage it. Any time during the weekend is good for me, as is Monday. I wouldn't be able to manage Tuesday-Friday, unfortunately, since I'm home without a ride and need to take care of my aunt. ----------
NaNoWriMo's resident Arthurian freak. <3
Sir Mordred was framed! Spread the word!
2008 -- The King's Raven. (Failed.)
2009 -- Storm-Wanderer.
25,489 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2009 - 04 50
OK - I have my dates!
Lunch time writing Fridays in November from 12 noon - 1 pm at Mamma Lucias (mammaluciarestaurants.com, 1700 Kingfisher Dr # 13, Frederick, MD 21701-4770) - Please RSVP so I know for how many people to get a table. Also, I am fairly certain that there's no outlets available here, so if you don't have a good battery on your laptop you might want pen & paper.
Sunday, November 8th from 12 - 4 at the Frederick Borders on 355.
Looking forward to seeing folks!
----------I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper. – Steve Martin
44,663 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2009 - 13 26
Hello! I'll be hosting write-ins on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 at the Laurel Panera Bread at the Corridor Marketplace between 198 and 295. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend!
-Leah
----------2005: Everything Under the Sun (Win!)
2006: Cons and Consequence (Fail!)
2007: Bitter Sky (Utter Fail!!!)
2008: The Patchwork Princess (Win!)
22,781 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2009 - 18 47
Last year I went to a write-in at a Ukazoo Books in Towson, near Towson Town Center. The store employees were awesome, and who can bear to not write when surrounded by books and free coffee and tea? They were on Sunday afternoons, which I'm still game for, and I'm willing to host if no one else has volunteered yet!
----------Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~E.L. Doctorow
Help NaNoWriMo win $10,000!
42,837 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2009 - 04 30
I think that all of the firm days/times/places have now been added to the calendar. If I've missed any previously posted, let me know.
And keep 'em coming!
----------Vickie, ML for 270 corridor
gaithersburg_md@nanowrimo.org
Alternate e-mail: vix94@rcn.com
40,430 / 50,000
Okt 11, 2009 - 13 47
St Mary's County
California Panera Bread
----------6:30PM till close
Tuesdays in November. (Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24)
Gilroy
2009 - Great Divide
2008 - Deify the Sword - WINNER!
2007 - The Misplaced Prince - WINNER!
2006 - Ghost Train - WINNER!
2005 - Blood Bond - Winner!
52,120 / 50,000
Okt 14, 2009 - 18 25
Bump for more write-ins!
Lee
----------Winner!: 2004 - String Fling, 2005 - Dark Matters, 2006 - Heaven's Homeless, 2007 - Against Nature, 2008 - Crack Bot
MLing for MD since 2004
39,422 / 50,000
Okt 16, 2009 - 09 12
I'll "host" a write-in Tuesdays at the Panera in Bowie Town Center, from 8 PM - whenever they kick us out. If anyone wants to "co-host" with me, that'd be great -- from time to time, my job will keep me obscenely late, and I never know until the day of when that's going to happen. X3;;
42,837 / 50,000
Okt 17, 2009 - 08 30
All added to this point.
----------Vickie, ML for 270 corridor
gaithersburg_md@nanowrimo.org
Alternate e-mail: vix94@rcn.com
46,586 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2009 - 13 47
I'll host a write in on Saturdays from 1-til in the Barnes and Noble cafe in the Annapolis Harbor Center in Parole (With the exception of the 1st saturday, the 7th - I have obligations that day.)
Can't wait!
EDIT: Adding Sundays, same place, the 1st and the 8th, from 1:30 - 4.
----------"My doctor says that I have a malformed public duty gland and a natural deficiency in moral fiber and I am therefore excused from saving universes."
_______________________________
2007: LONGA VIA - 50,057
2008: Tattoos and Dandelions - 51,252
2009:
34,007 / 50,000
Okt 19, 2009 - 07 32
I think we have enough approval to make this official ...
I'd like to schedule a write-in on Tuesdays at 7 in the Starbucks on Rte. 1 in College Park. We start this Tuesday (20 Oct.)!
----------Check out my NaNo blog!
46,586 / 50,000
Okt 21, 2009 - 12 33
Can't wait!
EDIT: Adding Sundays, same place, the 1st and the 8th, from 1:30 - 4.
Just making sure you guys caught this Edit, don't know if I added after updates or not.
"My doctor says that I have a malformed public duty gland and a natural deficiency in moral fiber and I am therefore excused from saving universes."
----------_______________________________
2007: LONGA VIA - 50, 057
2008: Tattoos and Dandelions - 51,252
"My doctor says that I have a malformed public duty gland and a natural deficiency in moral fiber and I am therefore excused from saving universes."
_______________________________
2007: LONGA VIA - 50,057
2008: Tattoos and Dandelions - 51,252
2009:
37,600 / 50,000
Okt 24, 2009 - 09 41
I'd like to host write-ins on Thursdays from 7-9:30p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Johns Hopkins in Baltimore City (33rd and St. Paul St.)
42,327 / 50,000
Okt 24, 2009 - 17 20
We will be having weekly lunchtime write-ins in downtown Hagerstown at Skyline Coffee on Public Square. Every Thursday except Thanksgiving, 11:45a-1:15p.
Also: Saturday 11/7 at the Hagerstown Borders from 7-11p
& Saturday 11/21 at Port City Java on Potomac Ave in Hagerstown from 6:30-8p.
There may also be a Thursday evening write-in, probably at Panera in Hagerstown. Still working that out in our local thread.
----------What is this force that makes of me its slave
To write and thus to offer up my soul?
It is a sweet confession that I crave,
Through words I strive to make my spirit whole.
Yet inspiration comes in darker dreams
And absolution craves the touch of ligh