Washington County Writers

Hi fredric -

That is partially my bad as well. I've been caught up in school an other ML matters that I haven't had the time to locate an official write-in location for this year yet. Where were people writing last year?

I know two years ago we were getting together at Ava Roasteria in Beaverton. That place actually grew to be almost too popular. It got to the point where it was too crowded to have write-ins there, and attendance dropped significantly.

Four years ago, we were having it the Starbucks at Orenco station. That place was actually just too small, and it closed at 9 which many didn't like.

I'm open for ideas on where to have an official write-in in either Beaverton or Hillsboro. I haven't found a good alternate location yet. Anyone have any input here?

Portland, OR ML
2009 Novel: TBD

I'm out here in Hillsboro, too. There's a handful of us talking on the thread about Possible Coffee Shops for write-ins. Ava Roasteria was suggested, along with a handful of other coffee shops. Does it need to be a coffee shop? Or would someplace where could bring our own do? A church basement? The Community Center by Shute Park? I realize outlets for laptops might be a problem in places like those, though. Even a small fee would be acceptable in lieu of buying overpriced coffee at a Starbucks.

http://fillingspaces.wordpress.com
http://www.ddsyrdal.com

Yes, finding suitable places in Washington County can be challenging -- particularly since Coffee People closed down (the Tanasbourne and Beaverton Town Center locations were quite good for writers). There are some other good places in the area -- like Java Mama (at NW Walker and 185th) and Longbottn (on NW 235th off of Evergreen), but they close mid-afternoon.

I know the Burgerville in Aloha (Tanasbourne area, SW Walker and 185th) has WiFi. I've had a few small meetings there, but have no idea what it would be like for a write-in -- though the staff there is very cool. Java Mama would probably love to have us if folks want to meet there during the day (weekdays or weekends).

Peet's at Streets of Tanasbourne is problematic for seating, ditto for New Seasons at Orenco Station. What about Whole Foods at Streets of Tanasbourne?

With enough notice, we might be able to reserve a conference room at the Hillsboro Main Library. They have strong WiFi throughout the building, and Sesame Doughnuts is going to be opening a kiosk there soon (if they've not done that already).

I'll keep brainstorming....

-- jen

No, it does not need to be a coffee shop. Typically those are the writing locations brought up so that people can buy coffee or snacks throughout the course of the write-in. Also, they typically have a comfortable environment in which to write.

I would have to say that the minimum requirements of a write-in location are outlets and usually WiFi. But the main purpose of a write-in is so NaNo's can get together and encourage one another. It also seems easier to write at a write-in because you can bounce ideas off of others, or if your stuck ask for a recommendation. Though there is a bit of a social atmosphere, it doesn't typically slow down writing. I get most of my writing done at write-ins I dare say. It's just nice to hear the patter of keyboards as others are working on their novels. And creativity seems to come more easily as a group.

Portland, OR ML
2009 Novel: TBD

I don't know if you guys knew but the Starbucks in the Fred meyers thats in the beaverton towns center is open till 11 weekdays and till midnight Fri and Sat. However it gets pretty busy. The bubble bubble Bubble tea place is pretty cool and is also in the towns center. Cedar hills area: NEW SEASONS. I think New seasons has Wifi every time except lunch hours 11AM-1PMish and has a lounge area.

Space invaders are going to be a common theme in my novel.

i work at the Scholls and Allen Burgerville, and can say that the dining room is only open until 10:30pm, and we've been getting slammed pretty late lately (like 8 or 8:30), which means it gets really noisy... not a very good writing atmosphere! great for chit-chat and Pumpkin Shakes, though, LOL! i'm not sure if the same is true for the one on 185th. we also have wifi for free... and our staff is extra cool, because i work there! ;-) (hey, if i don't toot my own horn, who will???)

although i don't have any good suggestions for places, i'm really interested in some kind of write-in in the area... the year i went to regular write-ins is the only year i finished. i really need live people encouragement, and, quite frankly, my family is not helpful in this area... can you imagine, they think i'm nuts?!?!

These are all great ideas. One I just found today is Java Nation, in the old location of Coffee People in Beaverton.

The Starbucks at Fred Meyers does get very busy in my experience, and their chairs are not what I'd call comfortable. Don't know if this is the same with other Starbucks though.

Don't forget about World Cup/Powells over at Cedar Hills! I'm not sure how plentiful outlets might be, but there's free WiFi available. I've worked from both Powells and the Barking Frog food court before.

-- jen

I am in the Beaverton area and would be interested in a meet and greet. This one saturday of the portland meet and greet I have to work so I will miss that one. I would be interested if there is something around here though.

I'm also in Beaverton/Aloha area and since i have a car and licence this year I'd like to go to one of the write ins.

My NaNoNovel: Readers Help me Write!
~~~

I'm in the Tualatin area. Is there ever stuff over here? It sounds like most of you are in the Beaverton/Hillsboro area. I can definitely do that on a weekend but not during the week. Is there anyone in the Tigard/Sherwood/Tualatin area wanting to do something?

how late are these places open? are they good for a midnight write-in? because, living by Scholls and Allen, going clear out to NE is waaaaay too big of a drive for me, especially since i hate night-driving (all headlights look like they're on bright, grrr to getting older!). i'd love love love to get something set up in the Tigard/Beaverton area... there are Shari's all over, if any of the above places are not open late enough.

Shari's would be nice since they're cheap.

My NaNoNovel: Readers Help me Write!
~~~

If we are looking into mainland beaverton why not try the Bubble tea place in the Town Center.
It has WiFi and is in a central location.
The only other place I can think of with loads of space that is easy to find would be the Beaverton City Library, during the week they stay open to Nine and if you talked to the librarian they might let us have one of the meeting rooms or even the Giant Auditorium downstairs(love that place)
I personaly live out on the far side of everything, I can make it to Tualitin, Tigard, or Beaverton proper easiest.

The World Cup and Powell over at Cedar Hills close at 10 p.m. (9 on Sundays, I believe), so no good for a midnight write-in. I'm not sure how late the doors remain open to the general mall -- which contains the Barking Frog -- though I've walked through there as late as 11 or midnight.

At that hour, however, the only thing open are the restrooms. ;)

-- jen

Is NaNo non-profit? Hillsboro Main Library lets non-profits have the meeting rooms for free. I just love that library :)

If we have a group of daytime mommy writers we could do Me Too or Out of This World. But I am a swine flu nutter at the moment, so maybe not.

I'd vote for picking a day (Mondays maybe so we can commiserate or brag on our weekend writing abilities) and then moving locales as needed. We can start at Starbucks and then if we pack the place do New Seasons and then of we stuff that...do that kind of thing.We could even have word wars in the library.

Jenna Bayley-Burke
http://www.jennabayleyburke.com
2004 - JUST ONE SPARK
2005 - FOR KICKS
2006 - HER CINDERELLA COMPLEX
2007 - SHE'S DEAD I SAID
2008 - THE MOMMIES
2009 - SHATTERED EXPECTATIONS

*deleted for triple posting*

Jenna Bayley-Burke
http://www.jennabayleyburke.com
2004 - JUST ONE SPARK
2005 - FOR KICKS
2006 - HER CINDERELLA COMPLEX
2007 - SHE'S DEAD I SAID
2008 - THE MOMMIES
2009 - SHATTERED EXPECTATIONS

*deleted for double posting*

Jenna Bayley-Burke
http://www.jennabayleyburke.com
2004 - JUST ONE SPARK
2005 - FOR KICKS
2006 - HER CINDERELLA COMPLEX
2007 - SHE'S DEAD I SAID
2008 - THE MOMMIES
2009 - SHATTERED EXPECTATIONS

Word wars?
Whats that?

Word wars are a great tool for getting you writing quickly. You choose a set period of time, say 10 or 15 minutes, and start writing at the same moment. Folks do this on line with people from all over by saying they'll start writing at, for example, half past the hour, what ever your hour is. When your time is up, you compare word quantities. I found this extremely motivating, just to have other people trying to crank out as many words as possible at the same time.

Leora

Yeah Word Wars are fun! You can all chip a few quarters to the winner for a free coffee or something.

I am down in the Tigard area and will spend most of my time at the Tigard Library, but would love to meet up with local folk and do some writing. Unfortunately, I haven't lived in the area long enough to have a good sense of places to write.

"...Writing is Survival." - Ray Bradbury
Portland.readinglocal.com
www.portlandfiction.net

I used to spend my late evening hours at Border's and Barnes and Nobel. They both have coffee and food, wifi and usually comfy chairs. I'm very surprised all you writers in the Beaverton-ish area haven't suggested it, yet! Both are usually open till 10-11pm weeknights and later on weekends. Why not there?
Border's is practically walking distance from my home..

any takers?
They threw Harry Potter and Twilight parties, I'm sure this would be fine.
No money to have to rent anything just come as you are and write!
Do NOT bring money or credit cards, though. (Unless you need enough to get a bite to eat or some coffee)
*Giggle* too tempting

I plan on hanging out at the Cedar Borders. There's already a writing group that meets on Wednesday's at 7, and they just eliminated T-mobile and installed Verizon Wireless free WIFI. I've sorta been talking to one of the shift managers about making the place NaNoWriMo friendly by advertising extended hours...if it can be done. His name is John B. if anyone can speak to him also - I've been ill this past week and unable to follow up. I'm speaking about the Cedar Hills Mall Borders at Cedar Mills and Jenkins, across the street from the Dollar Store and Rite Aid. Are we on the same page?

Email me if we can make a coordinated plan. I still have to do a Halloween Fortune Teller thing for the kids first.....

Felicia

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Dyche83"
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 9:22 PM
To:
Subject: [National Novel Writing Month] [United States :: Oregon :: Portland] Washington County Writers

> comment 'RE: Washington County Writers' by Dyche83
>
> I used to spend my late evening hours at Border's and Barnes and Nobel.
> They both have coffee and food, wifi and usually comfy chairs. I'm very
> surprised all you writers in the Beaverton-ish area haven't suggested
> it, yet! Both are usually open till 10-11pm weeknights and later on
> weekends. Why not there?
> Border's is practically walking distance from my home..
>
>
> any takers?
> They threw Harry Potter and Twilight parties, I'm sure this would be
> fine.
> No money to have to rent anything just come as you are and write!
> Do NOT bring money or credit cards, though. (Unless you need enough to
> get a bite to eat or some coffee)
> *Giggle* too tempting

Hello there. I'm from Hillsboro. Just getting around to setting my region. I will be at the Hillsboro Library on Nov. 1 at the book sale. Want to meet and write for a time?

Please please please have one close to Hillsboro on a day that's not Sunday! Pretty please?

I'm in Beaverton, and would much prefer something closer to home over having to get into Portland proper... I try to avoid it where possible ;)

so, i tried 2 places today to write... i started out at the Washington Square food court. i forgot they installed those obnoxious and loud video screens, and had a hard time concentrating. plus, there is no where, at least that i could see, to plug in, so i would be limited to how long i could sit and write-- not just by power, but by powerful noise!

so, next plan was to go to the Beaverton library, where i knew there was silence enough. i figured, eh, who needs the wifi noisier places provide? well, low and behold i come to find out that the library has free wifi! and i only ever came here to check out books, what was i thinking??? and you don't need to have a library card to log in... they have the daily usernames and passwords sitting on the tables.

wow. who knew you could learn something new at the library?

anyhow, no more procrastination! i'm off to finish my last 300 words for today's goal :-)

I think most of the local public libraries have free wifi. I know Hillsboro Main and Cedar Mill do, because I used to go there when I lived with my parents and we were just barely too rural to get DSL. Their networks are just not password protected.

I would be in for a Write in. I'm in Aloha, so I can meet somehwere in Beaverton or Hillsboro. Saturday's would be best. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if any are happening this Saturday.

I'd like to meet up sometime soon, I'd love to meet some of my fellow NaNoers.

My NaNoNovel: Readers Help me Write!
~~~