Wednesday Write-Ins at Aroma Cafe in San Rafael

Yay! I'll do my best to find my way there as often as I can :)

Gia Manry
Editor-in-Chief, Anime Vice
http://animevice.com

Hey, Swaziloo!

Good to have you back this year. I'm pretty sure we wrote together at a Starbucks a few years ago.

I suspect there are quite a few writers in Marin who would love more write-in action, and I wish I could be helpful in that area. But when I signed on to be ML this year, I suggested to NaNo Central that perhaps the reason the Marin-Sonoma region has had such a hard time getting and keeping ML's is that the area is too large. It stretches from Saualito in the south, to Cloverdale in the north, and from the town of Sonoma out to the coast. Personally, I found the prospect of overseeing that much activity overwhelming. I told them I could see myself ML-ing one county, but not both. There is just not enough of me to go around. There are probably braver and stronger souls who can do that, but not me. This breaks my heart as I have met some mighty fine writers from Marin that deserve more than that.

My second suggestion to NaNo central was to try splitting the region into two separate ones. While this would separate the region, it may have an unexpected, and very welcome consequence. If Marin becomes its own region, then I'm guessing someone will feel more comfortable at the idea of stepping forward to fill the ML shoes. I think it will be much easier, and much less work, to focus in on one county and encourage participation there.

And, here's the thing. All of us can select both regions to participate in if we choose to, however only one region can be selected as the "home" region.

Having said that, I'm still not sure where it's been left. While I thought the region was already split, it's still listed as Marin-Sonoma. I'd encourage you, or anyone else in Marin who is interested, to contact HQ and see about becoming an ML for Marin.

I would love to come down to Aroma Cafe one Wednesday to write with all of you. My Borders write-ins in Santa Rosa are on the same night, so I'll have to see about abandoning my post (so to speak) for an evening.

Here's to crossing the finish line with 50,000!

Debbie aka Boo Boo
ML for Sonoma County
Winner--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Also Ran--2003

Hi guys! I think I can make most of the Aroma write-ins on Wednesday nights although I might not get there until 7:30 or 8:00. Looking forward to seeing everyone again and to starting a new story... And finishing this time ;-)

Leslie

Hello. This is my first year doing this. I'm a little skeptical about doing a write-in. When I was in school, I never had any interest in studying with others. And the idea of writing with others seems even more pointless. I am wondering if anyone can offer insights to me regarding how these write-ins can benefit an individual's writing process. In the No Plot No Problem book he mentions something about write-ins bringing out competitiveness in each writer, but that doesn't resonate with me. And I don't think they would bring out a sense of community in me, either. It's possible that write-ins simply aren't for me, but I figured I'd write this post and see if anyone might be able to enlighten me as to the value of them. Obviously I can simply try one and see how it goes, but I'm also interested in hearing others' reasons for finding inspiration in write-ins. Thanks.

I didn't attend any write-ins during my first NaNoWriMo year either, and for many of the same reasons you list. Interestingly enough, it is also the only year I did not hit 50K. My second year, I attended the kickoff event (tiny gathering of maybe eight of us at Borders Books in Santa Rosa), and somehow I got hooked right then and there.

I like write-ins because I like being with a group of other writers who are also doing NaNoWriMo. There's an energy that feels great to me and a sense of community that is wonderful. And it's not distracting, which was one of my concerns. During a two-hour write-in, there are a few minutes here and there of talk, but mostly it's fingers to the keyboard. On the practical side, there is someone to watch my stuff if I want to wander off into the bookstore portion, or hit the bathroom. Also, somewhere in the website it states that Wrimos who attend write-ins are, as a group, more likely to cross the finish line. Whether that's true or not, I find that the encouragement we give each other to keep going when, as the saying goes, the going gets tough, is truly priceless. And as for competition, while some people like to have "word wars," I'm not into that. Except...as another interesting aside, last year when I learned that Odin was about 3,000 words ahead of me, I suddenly got inspired to work even harder to catch up. I can't really call it a competitive motivation, although I suppose on some level it was. I just didn't want to be left in the dust!

That said, you are correct that the only way you will know if write-ins are for you is to attend one...or more than one. Each location, each group of people carries its own energy.

It looks like the Aroma Cafe Wednesday evening write-in is the only one currently scheduled in Marin. We'll be having write-ins at Peets, Petaluma (east side of town). The schedule will be posted toward the end of the week. And I'm guessing as more Marin Wrimos sign up and sign in, others will be scheduled also.

Whether you attend a write-in or not, I wish you the best for your first year taking the plunge. It is an amazing experience.

Debbie aka Boo Boo
ML for Sonoma County
Winner--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Also Ran--2003

Debbie, thank you so much for your reply! I haven't yet decided if I'm gonna give a write-in a go, but your response will definitely factor into my decision.

And I hope more and more Marin residents participate in NaNoWriMo!!!

Amy

Glad it helped. Enjoy the madness! Only two days and a bunch of hours left...

Debbie aka Boo Boo
ML for Sonoma County
Winner--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Also Ran--2003

So who's planning to be at the Aroma tomorrow evening? Can we get a little tentative role call? :)

Gia Manry
Editor-in-Chief, Anime Vice
http://animevice.com

Hi, still debating as to whether or not I am brave enough to make it to aromas. Really I have no excuse 'cause I am only two blocks away. But if I grow some cohunes I will try to make it around 7. Is there a way that I will know where the group is or should I just look for a bunch of laptop toting wrmo types? See you all there... maybe :)

Hi, This is my first year and I think that I will try and make it Wednesday night. I live in Sausalito so it's not too far. I have no idea what this all means but it won't hurt for me to come check it out. So far so good with the word count. It has been an interesting experience for me to write so poorly. A friend called it a 'radical free write' which really helped me to loosen up and go with the flow With poor writing comes more words so I figure it's a winning situation. Here's to a productive November!

Hi Yakera,

I love that! Radical free-write. That's exactly what it is, too.

If I can find someone to take my shift at my Wednesday evening Borders Santa Rosa write-ins in the coming weeks, I might be able to toddle down the freeway--instead of up like I do now--and meet with you all.

Have a great time.

Debbie aka Boo Boo
ML for Sonoma County
Winner--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Also Ran--2003

Hi Gia, I'm hoping to make it this evening to Aroma, depending on how late I need to work :)

- Erika

Hi guys, good to see you, though briefly. I confess that I was happy that I didn't stop for small talk. I got to the cafe at 6:30 pm and stayed for 2 hours. I couldn't be more delighted when I got home and had another 2,000 words Yay I'm a happy camper. Good luck and happy sentences to you all over the coming week.

Oh look, everyone who came to the write-in last night is now caught-up to (in my case) or way ahead of (I'm looking at you yakera, ebjune, and chelliebouch) today's word count goal.

It was awesome to get to meet a few new Marin Wrimos! It was even better to share some writing stories and insight and knock out a few thousand words. We'll be there again next Wednesday from around 6:30 to 10:00pm. Please come out and write with us!

For those of you who have never attended a write-in: they're ultra-casual events where we chat a little, then write a bunch. It's a nice separation from the internet, the family, the distractions of life for a couple/few hours of dedicated writing time. It's hard to describe the writing boost you get when surrounded by other Wrimos. Try one out and watch your word count soar!

2009: Sleepwalking
6-year, 5-win veteran. Details

It is amazing what happens at a write-in, isn't it!

I'm glad to hear it went well.

Debbie aka Boo Boo
ML for Sonoma County
Winner--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Also Ran--2003

Hi guys, I went to Starbucks this am at 7:30, I know, insane, to meet with another "nano" (what are we called? besides nuts) and wrote for 90 minutes so not sure that I'll make it tonight. Too bad, the food looks really good and I had planned to treat myself to dinner there. If I don't feel too tired I will try and stop in for at least an hour. if not, know that I am rooting for us all. We can do this, wait a minute, we are doing it! YES WE CAN ( Think I may have heard that before :-) For sure I'll be there next week. Happy sentences and diabolically frivolous paragraphs.

I got my laptop ready and my NANOWRIMO hoodie on for Aroma cafe tonight. I should be there around 6:30 depending on how friendly GGT is with traffic. I have a plug strip and extension, but there wasn't any trouble grabbing tables right next to power last week.

And I need a little catchup too =)

Hope to see some of you tonight - even for just an hour if you can (yakera.)

2009: Sleepwalking
6-year, 5-win veteran. Details

Thanks, swaziloo, I'll be there this evening :)

Sorry guys. I was exhausted. I sat here looking at the clock, wanting to come, but without so much as the energy to get in my car. Next week I'll make sure that I don't do the 7:30 am write- in so that I can sleep later and show up at the Aroma. I know for sure that you guys will have had a productive get together, spurring each other on with that awesome creative energy. I hope that I have the opportunity to read some excerpts. Please post some. It'll be fun!

I'll be there around 7:30. I am looking forward to good drinks, good company and maybe even a little plot advice. See you guys there.

Any one going tonight?

This nano stuff has my writing abilities disintegrating!!! I meant anyone :-) I'm becoming confused, too many words- too little time :-) Still huffing and puffing.