Who's interested? I think we did Wednesday nights last year. The rotating location didn't work out too well, so I'm proposing we just stick with one spot. So, here's the thought:
Every Wednesday night, from 7pm-10pm we have a write-in. I think we should pick just one location for all the write-ins this year since last it we had spotty attendance, partially because some places were just too far-flung and unfamiliar (*cough* Jake O'Connor's *cough*). Criteria for a good location: Open at least until 10pm, serves or allows food and drinks, is a good writing environment, and has a wifi connection. This can be a coffee shop, library, restaurant, whatever.
Some possible locations:
-Caribou on Hwy 7 & Hopkins Crossroad... Only open until 9, but it was our best attended write-in last year.
-Barnes & Noble Cafe at either Ridgedale or Eden Prairie Center.
-Smith-Douglas House Dunn Bros. in Eden Prairie (what are their hours?)
-Some fast food places now have free wifi... What about McDonald's on Excelsior & Shady Oak or something?
-Starbucks at Excelsior & Grand or Caribou on Excelsior & Hwy 100 (what are their hours?)
-Ridgedale or Southdale libraries (what are their hours?)
-Are there any good, quiet restaurants with these hours and wifi?
Discuss. I'd like to have a spot where many SW suburbanites would feel okay going to for the whole month... People from outside the area are welcome, too, but I would like the discussion to be dominated by those of us who live around here and want to have a regular write-in.
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http://matthew.kilanowski.us
46,473 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 13 08
Hmm I know there are a few in shakopee. I just dont know which ones....
----------EP library offers free wifi, so does scott county (shakopee) library.
Some fast foods here... I think BK and McDonalds do... they are near...(on martial road or however you spell it)
I'm interested... so count me in for atleast a few of them.
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18,695 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 13 53
Aw no, Wednesdays?! I have church from 6-8pm those days. Mannn.
But, I do kind of like the Starbucks on Minnetonka and HWY 7 in SLP. I went there once to use my laptop, seemed alright. Nice and open.
----------"I'm just a musical prostitute, my dear." -Freddie Mercury
46,473 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2009 - 17 41
well we have to have a date most can agree on.. I know i can never make it on thursday and some tuesdays...
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37,582 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2009 - 07 35
I just threw out Wednesday because I thought that was when we did it last year. Maybe it was Tuesday. I guess my memory isn't all that perfect... And we can do Tuesdays instead if that's what is more popular.
Anyway, do any of the ideas people have tossed out meet the criteria? Has anyone checked the hours/ atmosphere/ tables near outlets in these places?
Just a thought: I do know of a place in Hopkins that would probably let us do a regular write-in, but it would be bring your own food/drink/etc. It's a storage/rehearsal/meeting space for a local drum and bugle corps, and we can chalk it up as a good backup location if we can't think of anywhere else.
----------http://matthew.kilanowski.us
25,160 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2009 - 07 52
Starbucks at Excelsior & Grand or Caribou on Excelsior & Hwy 100 (what are their hours?)
This place would be very convenient for me personally, and I know they're open till 9 pm every day. IIRC, there's plenty of seating as well, although it's not huge or anything. I'd prefer Wednesday, but Tuesday would work too, I guess.
I just kind of jumped in here, didn't I, lol. This is my second year doing NaNo, and I sort of failed miserably at my first attempt, because I was in way over my head. I was thinking that regular write-ins might be just what I needed.
25,646 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2009 - 15 18
Just so you guys know, Southdale library's only open 'til nine at the latest, and that's on Mondays through Thursdays. I know the Barnes & Noble at the Galleria (right near the Southdale Library) is open until ten and has free WiFi, so that's another option if you guys are interested! It also has a Starbucks inside for keeping fueled, though I'm not sure if the hours are the same as the rest of the store. All I know is this would be an EXCELLENT location for me. Bahaha.
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Okt 8, 2009 - 19 48
hmm i cant always make it on tuesdays because of my job. we can always try weekends and Well i have an idea to take a vote each week on what day of the week to meet.... just because in my oppinion schedules verry (SP?)
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46,473 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2009 - 19 48
hmm i cant always make it on tuesdays because of my job. we can always try weekends and Well i have an idea to take a vote each week on what day of the week to meet.... just because in my oppinion schedules verry (SP?)
----------http://dragcave.net/user/Lera
http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1891&AID=777&PID=1053...
37,582 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2009 - 10 42
Looking things over, it seems that Barnes & Noble would be a good place to write. It has coffee, we can always find an outlet and bring a power strip to share, there's wifi, and it's open until 11pm.
It seems that it doesn't matter if we do it Tuesday or Wednesday since somebody's bound to not be able to make it...
----------http://matthew.kilanowski.us
18,695 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2009 - 12 14
That's true. I still say Tuesday's- Wednesday's I absolutely can't make it, and and Tuesday's it's inconvenient, but I'd probably still go.
----------"I'm just a musical prostitute, my dear." -Freddie Mercury
25,160 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2009 - 12 58
So Barnes & Noble at the Galleria on Tuesdays or Wednesdays? What time are we likely to meet? 7-10 or so?
I guess that would work although Tuesday would be really inconvenient for me. Wednesday would be better.
0 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2009 - 16 52
I think the Dunn Bros location in Eden Prairie would be nice-very cozy. Old house. Blah,blah,blah. I'm flexible re: dates and times but will want to meet earlier than later. I'm a teacher-wake up early. Let's all stay in the loop. This is a ridiculous undertaking, but I'm looking forward to it....
46,473 / 50,000
Okt 11, 2009 - 10 09
How about we do every other week like one week its a wed. the other week its a tuesday?
or we can do it every day.? because i dont think everyone would come anyways..
What about lions Tap in EP?
----------Anyone knows if any of the subways in EP have wifi?
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25,646 / 50,000
Okt 11, 2009 - 18 33
Ooh, LK - I like the idea of rotating days per week. My schedule at work changes each week, but the chances of me working both Tuesday AND Wednesday in one week are slim to none. That way we can make sure that as many people are able to attend as possible. Also, we can rotate locations by week too. It seems like a lot of people are rooting for Eden Prairie, so what if we tried something like this:
Tuesdays: Dunn Bros. Eden Prairie from 7 - 10 PM
Wednesdays: Barnes & Noble Edina Galleria from 7 - 10 PM
Would that work? I think meeting in places with access to coffee is a great idea. The other advantage of being at Barnes & Noble is they have TONS of resources for helping you continue writing. Which sorta goes without saying, but it definitely makes a difference, I think.
I'm pretty sure there's a power strip or so around my house. Anything else you can think it would help to bring?
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Okt 11, 2009 - 20 16
I like the idea of 2 locations. I live in Eden Prairie so the Dunn Bros. there would be very convenient for me. As far as the suggestion of a fast food restaurant, they wouldn't be as conducive to writing, for me anyway. Would prefer to stick with a bookstore or coffee shop.
----------"The genius is the one who plays most like himself." --Thelonius Monk
37,582 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 05 02
How's this... Tuesday AND Wednesday each week. Make it simple for people to remember, and they can go to the one that's closer or on their day off. And if anyone is die-hard enough they can go to both each week.
Tuesday in EP
----------Wednesday in Edina.
http://matthew.kilanowski.us
0 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 06 34
CallipygianKing, I like your idea of both nights, that way if you can't make one night, maybe you can make the other. Also, if you feel like you're 'getting behind' one week, maybe 2 nights would be a nice option to have.
----------"The genius is the one who plays most like himself." --Thelonius Monk
25,160 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 09 12
I just want to throw in my vote for two days at two different locations. They're pretty much no way I could make Tue in EP, but Wed at B&N/Galleria works for me....and I like the idea of making at least one write-in this year.
I'll bring a power strip too.
46,473 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 09 17
How about wed. in EP? because I have most of my work on Tuesday...
----------http://dragcave.net/user/Lera
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46,473 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 09 17
How about wed. in EP? because I have most of my work on Tuesday...
----------http://dragcave.net/user/Lera
http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1891&AID=777&PID=1053...
37,582 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 09 50
Fine by me. Shall we make this all official, then?
"Official" weekly SW 'Burbs Write-ins:
-Every Tuesday, from 7pm-10pm at the Galleria Barnes & Noble
-Every Wednesday, from 7pm-10pm at the Eden Prairie Dunn Brothers
Before we have one of our MLs post these on the official calendar, just one question: I'm assuming that by "EP Dunn Bros." we mean the Smith-Douglas House on Eden Prairie Road, yes? It's the old Victorian-turned-coffee-shop where Eden Prairie's original downtown was. This needs to be clarified since there are at least two Dunn Bros. in EP that I'm aware of.
The basic rules:
----------1. We have two nights a week in two locations because we're a big area with a bunch of indecisive people. Deal with it. ;)
2. Assume that you'll be the only one to remember a power strip and bring one.
3. Assume that you'll be the only person, period. As much as we all have the best intentions, quite often we'll find some excuse to not go. And if you're the lone writer in the corner of the cafe, well, it's not because we hate you. Just enjoy the quiet time to yourself and up that word count.
4. Bring some sort of NaNoWriMo sign, like "Write-In Here" or "Novels in Progress" so we can identify you. If I'm there, I'll bring my picture of Bronson Pinchot that reads "50,000 Words or Burst".
http://matthew.kilanowski.us
25,160 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 11 38
Yes, let's make it official, if only because we'll never be able to decide on a time or location if this goes on any longer! ;)
I look forward to the Bronson Pinchot picture, lol.
23,069 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 18 05
I went to a write-in at the EP Dunn Brothers twice last year, and it went well. They have wifi and outlets. But I think that they might close at 9.
Otherwise I'm happy with the options.
----------You fail only if you stop writing - Ray Bradbury
NaNoWriMo 2008: The Heir of Atlantis: WIN!
NaNoWriMo 2009: Cinderella: Vampire Slayer
37,582 / 50,000
Okt 12, 2009 - 19 02
The Smith-Douglas House Dunn Brothers is open until 10pm. So, we'll make it official, then.
Here's the address:
----------8107 Eden Prairie Rd
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
http://matthew.kilanowski.us
880 / 50,000
Okt 13, 2009 - 12 35
Thank you, thank you, thank you for making it Wednesdays in EP!!! I cannot get out to Edina on Tuesdays, just no way.
I will see you all there. I'm super excited!
----------2009: No Title Yet
2008: Took A Break
2007: Deadkeepers (36,000+)
2006: Untitled (4,500)
25,646 / 50,000
Okt 13, 2009 - 20 09
So there are gonna be two weekly write-ins, one in Edina and one in EP? That works PERFECTLY. I'm super excited to see you guys! <333
----------18,695 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2009 - 15 45
Ohh my gosh. Dunn Bros is like, my saving grace. I love them. So, even though Tuesdays would be better, I will definitely be going to a Wednesday one. Is it okay if I come late? I have church until 7:30 on Wednesdays.
I have a feeling I'm going to be the only person under 20 at these.
----------"I'm just a musical prostitute, my dear." -Freddie Mercury
37,582 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2009 - 18 27
I have a feeling I'm going to be the only person under 20 at these.
Show up late, show up early, leave early, stay late...
We're flexible. As long as we get to say "hi".
----------http://matthew.kilanowski.us
46,473 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2009 - 19 50
IDK I think we could add in more write ins if we know what days people are available?
----------http://dragcave.net/user/Lera
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25,646 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2009 - 21 25
No worries, Cassie! I'm seventeen. <3
Just a heads up - I'm gonna be doing everything I can to get to Barnes & Noble on the third, but it's my brother's birthday, so I'm not completely sure if it'll happen or not. I feel sort of bad, because I was the one to suggest that location in the first place. But I can say there's a pretty good chance I'll at least be there for a little bit. And I definitely plan on bringing a sign and a power strip just in case. <3
Ooh, what if they don't have any available outlets? Maybe I should bring an extension cord just in case the only one is like, way back somewhere or something. Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I might call them sometime in the near future and ask about it, or even just pop in and check the situation out. I'll keep y'all updated and whatnot. 8]
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