Hi there!
With November only a few short weeks away it is time to start thinking about Halloween Kick-offs. As our region covers a large territory we are hoping to schedule at least two or three events throughout the region if we can generate enough interest. I am thinking Winchester, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro/Staunton and then maybe one further south in the Lexington area. Of course, if anyone here happens to have a rich uncle with a large hunting lodge complete with Wi-Fi, hot tub, bed and breakfast, I will definitely consider a road trip! Okay I really don't need the Wi-Fi.
Last year several of us met at the iHop in Winchester and are thinking of doing the same again this year. (Unless of course anyone has another idea!) We are always open to exploring new options and venues. The only requirements are coffee, outlets, the ability to start writing at midnight and hang out for at least an hour or longer, and of course, coffee. Pancakes are nice too but not a deal breaker. Tweetywill has generously offered to make arrangements with iHop in Winchester if we decide that is where we want to be at midnight. We just need a Winchester head count so he can give them a heads up!
Please post your ideas and suggestions here and if we need to start individual area threads we'll do it! As soon as we have some set plans they will posted to our calendar.
Happy plotting!
Susan
----------
2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
25,308 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2009 - 14 49
Um... it's funny that you mention rich uncles... My aunt and uncle have just such a retirement house in the mountains near Smith Mountain Lake (a bit of a road trip even from where I am) but they're in Chicago at this time of year. Erm.
The IHOP here in Harrisonburg is very welcoming. I don't think they've seen WriMos before, but in the case of late-night amateur acapella, the manager actually got on the PA to request songs rather than kick us out. I can go talk to them and see about the outlet situation if people like pancakes.
-Kate
----------2006: Minus Ten (FAIL)
2007: Shinyarat (WIN)
2008: The Witch's Daughter (WIN)
2009: As-yet-untitled soon-to-be win!
31,361 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2009 - 15 00
I think any festivities in Harrisonburg would be terrific rather than drive an hour or so each way to Charlottesville or Winchester. If the JMU folks don't mind an elderly professor from Bridgewater joining them I'd be delighted to come to the various affairs. I've though about doing NaNoWriMo several times, but it always seems like there is too much to do. But I did some word counts of the various things I do, blogging, writing emails to students, putting together various summaries, Moodle pages, and so forth and decided NaNoWriMo is probably only about another twenty minutes a day if I can get my head around it.
I write pretty much like I talk, i.e. I compose on the fly, so while I can get a little incoherent it makes writing fairly facile. I'm a member of the local C.S. Lewis Society that meets at the Barnes and Noble in town every second Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and last night we had a meeting on Lewis's childhood authorship of the Boxen stories with his brother Warnie.
At the meeting, Will Vaus, who has written about three or so published books (all non-fiction) mentioned a technique called "snowflake" that WriMos might be interested in. I googled it up when I got home http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php is the link. Will said that it was a really valuable site. He's currently working on a children's book. I've only taken a quick look at it so far, but it does look interesting and promising.
Cheers, Ray
----------"How do I know what I think until I see what I type."
42,004 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2009 - 16 46
I stumbled across the Snowflake method a year or so ago. Same site. I have one WIP where I am on step four of the process. If you are a pre-planner this is certainly worth looking at.
Susan
2006: The Scrapbook
----------2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
42,004 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2009 - 16 52
The IHOP here in Harrisonburg is very welcoming. I don't think they've seen WriMos before, but in the case of late-night amateur acapella, the manager actually got on the PA to request songs rather than kick us out. I can go talk to them and see about the outlet situation if people like pancakes.
-Kate
Hi Kate, my trusty POC! The Winchester Kick-off at iHop was successful last year and it looks as though we will most likely be setting up camp there on Halloween this year as well. Let me know if this is where you decide to meet and I will put it on the calendar as well as any other meetups you schedule. Just as a heads up, I am planning a road trip to Harrisonburg on Saturday the 14th. I have four confirmed, four maybes and hopefully more to come. We can't wait to meet with you and your local/JMU writers. Let's start thinking about where you would like to meet up!
Susan
2006: The Scrapbook
----------2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
25,308 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 04 58
Of course you're welcome! We have JMU professors too. And it's really true, it is all in getting your head around it. Instead of thinking about what a ridiculously large number of words it is, you look at it and go, "1667 a day? Pfft, I can do that."
I tried the Snowflake method a couple of years ago, but after trying every other outlining method on the boards, I came to the realization that I'm really not a planner :-) But of people who are planners, I've heard good things.
Kickoff pancakes [y/y]?
-Kate
----------2006: Minus Ten (FAIL)
2007: Shinyarat (WIN)
2008: The Witch's Daughter (WIN)
2009: As-yet-untitled soon-to-be win!
25,308 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 05 26
Hi again, Susan! And oh, how exciting! That should be awesome. I'll start thinking about which places would be good.
Harrisonburg! Do we want an IHOP Kickoff? (Of course the answer is yes, but I'd like it very much if you'd RSVP).
-Kate
----------2006: Minus Ten (FAIL)
2007: Shinyarat (WIN)
2008: The Witch's Daughter (WIN)
2009: As-yet-untitled soon-to-be win!
21,934 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 05 27
Someone mentioned to me that we should see if there are any Shenandoah University students around, that they might be able to make arrangements for a student lounge or some such thing!
IHOP was great last year and will be just fine this year too. BUT! I think a potluck "Bring Your Favorite Writing Junk Food" gathering somewhere without the expectation of buying something or tipping the wait-staff would be way better!
So, any SU students out there? Or even at JMU - I could drive that far for a kick-off party!
Whatever happens, I will be somewhere on Halloween night, in my pumpkin t-shirt and horribly bright red Aloha shirt ready to get started...
Hope to see you there! (Wherever 'there' turns out to be!)
----------Tweetywill
The Piker Press
31,361 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 09 37
I'd like a Harrisonburg Kickoff that is in Harrisonburg. We live off Central Ave. on Middlebrook St. and could host a pot-luck on Halloween evening if people would like that. I'm not sure what the timing should be or what people would want to do besides getting NaNoWriMo off and running. We have a large dining room table and a table in the kitchen and we could undoubtedly provide some outlets for laptops etc.
I have not been to a WriMo kickoff so I don't know what to expect. How many people come to these things?
Cheers, Ray
----------"How do I know what I think until I see what I type."
0 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 19 31
Kate-a-tate, you know my feelings on pancakes and noveling, but I will RSVP here just for you: yes, yes, most definitely yes! :D
----------NaNo 07: If You Give a Nerd a Superpower... (unfinished, 10k)
NaNo 08: Mayve & the Mirrorworld (unfinished, 26k)
NaNo 09: Hover Through the Fog & Filthy Air
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Okt 18, 2009 - 06 51
lol, sounds like the manager had a good sense of humor that night!
As for me, I'll be out with the kiddos Halloween (something about trick-or-treating... ;-) ) so I won't be able to make the kickoff anywhere. However, I wouldn't mind doing something else in Harrisonburg, time and babysitter permitting, obviously.
~Jennie
38,401 / 50,000
Okt 18, 2009 - 15 40
I am definitely going to try and make it to the kick off event. Count me in.
----------28,537 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2009 - 12 13
Hey y'all!
I am hoping to make it to the kickoff. I'll have to get a sitter again because hubby is headed out of town for the big relic hunt he goes to twice a year. *sigh* Not sure how far away I'll be able to travel...JMU might be a bit too far for me that night. Anything else should be good!
Just wanted to get this reply out there because I know y'all were wondering about a head count! Gotta run. Have to get something fixed quick for supper and then it is off to football practice! Thank heavens for practices though because it gives me an hour and a half or two hours of thinking about NaNoWriMo!!
See y'all soon!
----------Peace, Love, and Giggles,
Deanna
"In a weak moment, I have written a book..." ~~ Margaret Mitchell
11,011 / 50,000
Okt 21, 2009 - 18 40
I don't think I'll be able to make it to the kick off as I promised my housemates and friends a Halloween party. XD but I would love to make it to some of the other writing endeavors. :D
----------Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original. -C.S Lewis
25,308 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2009 - 10 15
Okay everyone, let's start finalizing headcounts.
For the JMU & Harrisonburg area, I'm counting
schneirj
maggienotmegan
C-Dawz
and myself
Susan, there's another in Winchester, right? Maybe that would be better for tweetywill, capt.flint, and elisgalpal.
While I fully support the idea of not spending money on food unless necessary, I also think it would be nice to start this thing out somewhere, and IHOP is one of the only places that stays open. Maybe starting around 11, talking about our novels and eating, then fingers hit keys at midnight. I'll probably go over there to talk to a manager pretty soon. Or not, if there's only four of us.
Also, starting fairly soon this afternoon, I'm going to be off the radar until late on Sunday. There's this exam...
----------2006: Minus Ten (FAIL)
2007: Shinyarat (WIN)
2008: The Witch's Daughter (WIN)
2009: As-yet-untitled soon-to-be win!
42,004 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2009 - 12 51
Okay, I too am calling “official headcount” for the Winchester/Front Royal/Strasburg area!
I think we have confirmed:
Susieiz
thelonephotographer
wyntermoon
tweetywill
Elisgalpal
JannyLynn
Juiceboxfaerii
Josette Marie
And possibly:
Kaylingrl_1
Capt.flint
If I have included your name and you were wondering how I knew you were coming, well I just know you so well that I decided for you! Anyone from Warrenton want to drive up and meet with us? You are welcome here!
Tweetywill, I think it is looking more and more like the new iHop in Winchester will be the best place to meet as no one else is willing to stay open and tolerate us for that long. Say around 11:00? Coffee, pancakes and then writing at midnight? Are you still open for giving them a call or would you like me to take care of it? I’d be happy to! Just let me know.
Check the regional calendar for finalized Kick-off plans!
Susan
----------2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
31,361 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2009 - 13 50
I'm in for IHOP ... see you all there!
----------Regards, Ray
"How do I know what I think until I see what I type."
31,361 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2009 - 13 52
Oops ... I meant the IHOP in Harrisonburg if there is one there ...
----------"How do I know what I think until I see what I type."
25,308 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2009 - 18 32
Of course there's an IHOP in Harrisonburg! It's on University Blvd right next to the Mariott:
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&...
Wow, that's a url.
----------2006: Minus Ten (FAIL)
2007: Shinyarat (WIN)
2008: The Witch's Daughter (WIN)
2009: As-yet-untitled soon-to-be win!
21,934 / 50,000
Okt 24, 2009 - 13 13
Hey Susie,
Sorry to have been "AWOL" for the last little while - life has been interesting to say the least!
Yes, if you want to give the IHOP a call that would be great.
I highly recommend the new IHOP on Hwy 50 just west of the Medical Center in the WalMart shopping area. The older place has... issues. (I won't go into it here, but last time I was there I saw something crawling up the wall that convinced me to never go there again. Oops, I just went into it didn't I?)
Anyway, I will be there. Thanks for all your hard work. Looking forward to it!
----------Tweetywill
The Piker Press
10,416 / 50,000
Okt 24, 2009 - 15 08
Sat night Oct 24 7:15pm
Hello Waynesboro/Staunton/Fishersville/Augusta County/Afton Nanos;
I am not the POC, but we plan on meeting at
Books-A-Million Waynesboro 2pm Oct 31 for Kickoff.
------------------------------------
Official Head Count So Far
Nonny Mouse POC
WritingScifi
Radcat38
William (maybe)
------------------------------------
Thanks,
WritingScifi
29,600 / 50,000
Okt 24, 2009 - 15 30
I would really like to go to the kick-off event in Winchester, but that mainly depends on whether or not I can get a ride (aka depends on the goodwill of the parents). So, hopefully I will be there, but no guarantees. :D
0 / 50,000
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Also, to those being frugal: if you eat beforehand, you can get a bottomless cup of coffee (or whatever beverage you prefer) and just chill out before starting that novel! Just remember to tip WELL if you take this path. (nag from a former waitress)
~Maggie
----------NaNo 07: If You Give a Nerd a Superpower... (unfinished, 10k)
NaNo 08: Mayve & the Mirrorworld (unfinished, 26k)
NaNo 09: Hover Through the Fog & Filthy Air
0 / 50,000
Okt 25, 2009 - 16 18
It even has a bus stop! But I don't know how to link to that... it's on several routes, anyway, so if you're car-less, check out hdpt.com.
~Maggie
----------NaNo 07: If You Give a Nerd a Superpower... (unfinished, 10k)
NaNo 08: Mayve & the Mirrorworld (unfinished, 26k)
NaNo 09: Hover Through the Fog & Filthy Air
14,272 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2009 - 02 49
This is a tentative yes for Ihop in winc. on the 31st. My daughter (wolfchick) and I will try to come. Possibly my wife as well.
42,004 / 50,000
Okt 27, 2009 - 04 26
Sorry to have been "AWOL" for the last little while - life has been interesting to say the least!
Yes, if you want to give the IHOP a call that would be great.
I highly recommend the new IHOP on Hwy 50 just west of the Medical Center in the WalMart shopping area.
Sorry I have been AWOL as well. Went down to Busch Gardens for the weekend for the annual Howl 'n Scream. Fantastic! Anyway, yes, we will make the arrangements! Look for finalized plans on the board shortly!
Susan
----------2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
42,004 / 50,000
Okt 27, 2009 - 04 25
Hello Waynesboro/Staunton/Fishersville/Augusta County/Afton Nanos;
I am not the POC, but we plan on meeting at
Books-A-Million Waynesboro 2pm Oct 31 for Kickoff.i
Waynesboro Area Kickoff has been added to the calendar! I set the times from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Let me know if you need me to make any changes.
Susan
----------2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
42,004 / 50,000
Okt 27, 2009 - 04 30
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&...
Wow, that's a url.
Hi arowsforpens! Let me know your final kickoff event details when you have them and I will add the event to the calendar! Thanks for your hard work!
Susan
----------2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed
35,044 / 50,000
Okt 27, 2009 - 06 06
Hey Susan,
Sorry that I haven't posted yet. I, too, have been AWOL for some time, due to other things.
Yes, we DO have a kickoff planned for this Saturday, the 31st, for the Waynesboro/Staunton/Fishersville area, thanks to two faithful Nano-ers in our group, radcat and writingscifi. Thanks, you two, for keeping things together while I've been away!
You already know the time and place: BAM at 2 PM, and will probably last until 4.
I have a list of former participants from this area, and I will be sending them a message to see if they would like to join us this year.
As for whether or not I will be making it to the kickoff there or anywhere else, that's debatable. I am fighting with a cold at the moment -- actually my entire family is fighting illness -- and I don't want to risk giving this to anyone else. So if I'm not better, I won't be at the kickoff.
But we will plan write-ins, and let you know dates and times for those.
On to November! Talk to you soon!
Michelle
25,308 / 50,000
Okt 27, 2009 - 17 52
Hey Susie!
Sorry for going AWOL for longer than expected. The exam kicked my butt three ways to Tuesday. ... Notwithstanding that today is Tuesday. Whatever.
Let's say Harrisonburg's kickoff will be 11 PM, at the IHOP here:
109 University Blvd
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
We can go... till, what? 1:00? I'll probably be sleepy by then but people can stay as late as they like. I'm calling the IHOP tomorrow to confirm/give them the heads-up.
----------2006: Minus Ten (FAIL)
2007: Shinyarat (WIN)
2008: The Witch's Daughter (WIN)
2009: As-yet-untitled soon-to-be win!
42,004 / 50,000
Okt 28, 2009 - 07 47
Harrison/JMU Kickoff is posted to the calendar!
Winchester Area Kickoff is posted to the calendar!
----------2006: The Scrapbook
2007: Leaving Lucy
2008: Monarch
2009: Unnamed