Write Ins

Hey there - I'd go to Panera Bread on Thursdays, though I work in Easthampton till 5:30 so I'm not sure when I'd make it there.

Mondays work for me... Thursdays are more spotty as some I can't make.... but I should be able to be at Panera for Mondays all the way through november.

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Hallo
I don't have a car, so outside greenfield is outside my limits, but I plan on doing some writing at the greenfield co-op, after work on some days, so from 3:30-on... Have no idea what my schedule will be like. Theydo have a conference room with power outlets (no wifi unfortunately) which is free to sign up for. Not sure if that strikes anyone's fancy butid be happy to make arrangements if it does.
-John

Skruffs, what about Bart's? They have wifi. Anyone else around Greenfield?

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I spend my weekends in Erving, and may be up for write-ins at Barts on Saturday mornings or Sundays.

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I work at the Wal*Mart next to that at night, so I can just show up early for the write-in and go to work from there. Count me in.

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It is entirely possible that your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

Anyone up for write-ins at Esselon in Hadley? Early mornings and weekday evenings are good times to get tables with outlets, and WiFi is always strong. Food is reasonable, though off-meal times are best for writing anyway, and the coffee is very good (so I hear, I don't drink coffee). There is a big round table we can snag.

I'm proposing this Wednesday evening at 7:00 for a starter. We'll see how that goes, and schedule more if it works!

Cheers,
VV

I can probably stop by for a few minutes tomorrow - I have an appointment in Amherst at 5:45. But I can't stay long.

Hadley's pretty far for me. Anyone here want to meet up at Panera in West Springfield or Starbucks in Westfield for a write-in? Maybe on a weekend afternoon?

Christine, I would probably be able to make it to something in either Westfield or W. Springfield since I live in Agawam.

Ack... double post.

Write-in tonight! Panera Bread, 6:30pm. I'll be in the back room, with a plastic viking hat that I may or may not be wearing, depending on my mood at the moment. I have a power strip with me (and a brand new AC adapter since mine decided Sunday morning it would turn into a fire hazard).

My plan is to write at least another 2000 words tonight. Word wars will be needed. And coffee. Plenty of that.

See some of you there!

I'll see you there. I might arrive a little early to see if I can scrounge a table near the outlets.

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Yup. I'm in the Turners Falls/Greenfield area. I work in Amherst days.
I'm not quite sure yet that I'm ready to join a write-in, though. I have a writing buddy though, that's
very helpful.

I just noticed your word count. That's absurd.

We're at Panera Bread in Hadley in the area toward the back. Look for a viking hat and a big guy in a Nanowrimo hoodie.

Hope to see some folks here!

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I spaced on the write in. you guys going to be there awhile?

I expect we'll be here until close, that's usually around 9, I think.

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I'll have to hit up the next one. I'd only get there in time for a half hour of writing if they close that early.

I know that it's very short notice, but if anyone is in the W. Springfield area, I will be at Panera tomorrow from about 1pm - whenever the heck I leave.

Is the write-in quiet? A social? How did folks enjoy the write-in, and did it help you?

Jean
49
Turners Falls
first Nano.

I have NO idea what I'm writing. I just write it. And it does often sound like a narration, and a bunch of backstory, instead of a good novel. But I've made my word count for day 1 and 2.

Am using No Plot No Problem, but did not do ANY planning before hand.

Is the write-in quiet? A social?

A little of both, off and on. What I like about the write-ins is that everyone goes to be productive, but also to share ideas and frustrations with other writers. It's a good time to get inspired by other people's motivation, or to bounce ideas off other people. New NaNo'ers have a chance to ask questions of the more experienced writers, and veteran writers can share their expertise, and vent about second-week slump or how their spouse is getting antsy about not seeing them around anymore.

Also, word wars. I wrote about 1800 words last night and over 1400 of them were written during two 20 minute word wars.

My favorite part may have been having an excuse to wear my viking hat in public. :)

I didn't make it to Panera's yesterday (obviously), as I wasn't feeling 100% (but that didn't stop me from writing more than 4,000 words yesterday). Today will be the last day of my "run," since I will then start my 4-day work-week.

kondwiramor and I attended the kick-off/write-in in Shelburne Falls this past Sunday (we missed you, lil_brown_bat!). We plan to meet at Mocha Maya's in SF for at least the next two Sundays for write-ins, about 1-5 pm (they close at 5). Anyone is welcome to join us!!!

Whoa!!! What's this about word wars at the write-ins? A 2 mnute competition? do tell! I wanna hear about that.

Does anyone go to Panera on the weekends? I work until 5pm during the week so it will depend on how busy the day was that will decide if I go on Mon/Tues. If not there on the weekends, I want to find someplace else. I live in Erving just down the street from the Northfield town line. I work in Greenfield during the week and I've seen a few people write in here they're in the same area.

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NaNoWriMo 2009 - Destiny of the Seasons - WINNER! (and still going!)

I spent most of Sunday at Panera, and plan on spending a lot of time there on weekends this month. I live in Shrewsbury, but my parents live in Erving, and I often visit them for the weekend. Panera in Hadley or Barts in Greenfield are likely to be my weekend writing spots of choice.

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Actually, it's 20 minutes (or whatever agreed upon period of time). Someone sets a timer (I think you can do this on a laptop, but I've never been the timekeeper, so never tried to figure it out) and calls "go!" and everyone participating writes until the timer goes off. Then everyone counts all the words they've written during that period of time, and the winner is the one with the most words. Word wars are good for upping the quantity of words, but not for quality of writing. At least, that's the way it works for me. :-)

I actually have the opposite experience - my inner editor doesn't get time to pipe up once I really get going, so I'm often surprised at what I write. Sometimes exactly the unexpected plot twist I needed happens during those 20 minutes, or the turn of phrase that inspires a scene it didn't even occur to me to write before that.

If anyone went to the W. Springfield Panera this afternoon, I apologize for not being there. I just found out that I was exposed to the swine flu several days ago and, being a responsible adult, I decided it would be best not to sit around for several hours in a place full of people and food.

I had planned on going to Panera last night but unfortunately I had a headache all night and am still dealing with it. I did write a bit when it calmed down a little, and I did a little before I left for work this morning. I'm surprising myself with how fast my count is going up!

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NaNoWriMo 2009 - Destiny of the Seasons - WINNER! (and still going!)

Let's organize this all you Western MA writers. If you are interested in meeting for a Write-in, put the day of the week and date and where you would like to meet. Then we can confirm whether we can meet. Go for Write-in! Claire