[Official] Write-In Etiquette

On which note, THANK YOU so much to all of our volunteers for the time spent to help all of us out.

I have no doubt that others are doing great things with their groups as well, but I can mostly speak to the people who have put on the events at the Starbucks next to B&N in Tukwila - its been great so far, doubly so for doing such a nice job with a large bunch of people in not much space.

I seem to have found myself working on a trilogy for my first NaNo. Huh.

2009: Dawn of Steam
Book1: First Light (finished)
Book2: Gods of the Sun (finished)
Book3: House of the Rising Sun (in progress)

I must say I have yet to go to any write-in where I perceived anybody as leading or following. The host should always be there so people have someone to gravitate towards, but aside from rubber duck ownership I'm not sure what a host does once it's been scheduled. Scheduling, finding space and maintaining attendance is hard, so I <3 hosts to bits and pieces. However, hosts aren't leading NaNoWriMo folk any more than MLs are.

My advice to everyone in Seattle is to remember that we're number one because we're cooperative. Write-ins are not workshops or training sessions. Be cool and act as a community. If it's not working out for you start your own instead of being the kid working up a weird power dynamic.

I just want to thank the write-in hosts I've met so far and those who have been kind enough to come to my write-in in Fremont Wednesday. I've have nothing but great experiences at every NaNo write-in I've ever been to.

As for the ones I'm 'hosting/co-hosting' in Fremont, I'm happy to do more if people are bored or want to play word wars or games or whatever. I always bring 'props' if needed and I always put the ducks out! But so far, people seem mostly just to want to tuck in and write their fingers off and not be bothered much. Which is just fine with me since I'm a bit shy anyway!

Having never been to a write-in (tomorrow will be my first), this whole thread is a bit confusing. I wasn't aware there were even any opportunities to be had for people to try to "lead/follow" (/get out of the way). I figured it was a bunch of people coming together, breaking the ice, then writing. And maybe BSing a bit.

What's all this lead/follow/whatever stuff?

I've never been to a 'write-in' either, but I'm considering taking part in one this weekend. From what I've read they sound more like 'meet with a bunch of other writers and write' but I'm also wondering if there's more to these meetings than that...

I joined NaNoWriMo a couple of days ago, so I've got a lot of writing to catch up on, in spite of working full-time (as I'm sure a lot of us are). it sounds like people really enjoy the write-ins, so I think I'll give one a try. :)

I'm assuming we don't have to RSVP, right?

First time participant

2009 :: (Untitled novel)

Up until this past Sunday the 1st, every write-in I'd ever been to was a gabfest. I never got anything written; it was either too noisy or I was one of them gabbing. At the Borders write-in on the 1st that Renda hosted I actually got writing done. So having a definite lead/host is a great idea, it gives the write-in structure. I've been to two this week and got about 1500 handwritten words done, which for me is quite an accomplishment. Mark hosted one and Renda the other and I had a lot of fun at both.

SeattleKos
"The Time Before"
(a spec-fic original)

As I've stated before, there are all types of write-ins. Some have a definite structure, while others are gatherings of writers who are meeting for the sole purpose of fellowship.

When I run the three Southcenter ones, there's a structure. I start with introductions so that every writer can tell us their name, wordcount and what their story is about. This is great for breaking the ice and making sure that everyone is included. After introductions we do "10 minutes on, 10 minutes off" which is where we do a 10 minute sprint, take a 10 minute break. I ask that during the sprint all writers stay quiet to create a productive atmosphere. This structure has worked GREAT for 3 years, and my write-ins always have a lot of repeat attendees and up to 35-40 people.

That's what works for me, but what works for other write-in groups is a laid back and chatty atmosphere. There's no wrong and no right. If someone didn't like my structure they should be able to find a different group, but if someone is looking for more set-aside "time to write" the write-ins I run provide that. My goal is to help as many writers hit 50k as possible, and it would be really hard to do that if I had someone else trying to run things.

While I have never had any problems with anyone trying to "take over", I received an email from a frustrated host asking me to address this issue. As this thread has already addressed, hosts do a lot to get the write-in going, and when someone else tried to run the meeting like they think it should be, move it to another location or strong arm people into doing it "their" way - it can make the host feel really uncomfortable dismiss the work they did to get the group going.

All that I'm asking is that we remember to bring our manners to write-ins. If you try out one that has a leader, please respect that they would like to be at the helm, have fun, get writing done and most of all hit your 50,000 words!

Renda

Renda Dodge
South Seattle Municipal Liaison

@shaunaoconnor

"When I write, I feel like an armless legless man with a crayon in his mouth" -- Kurt Vonnegut

I wasn't able to make my intended write-in yesterday but I dropped by toward the the end. They were writing furiously but took time to say hello! Wonderful, friendly group! I am so exctied for next week when I actually join in! Thank you for the helpful informatio in this thread. It's nice to have a heads up about what may - or may not - happen.

I just want to throw out a Pre-Thank You to all the write-in volunteers and a Thank You for our ML's! I hope your reading went well last night, Renda.

Happy Writing!
Bradetta

I've drugged my inner editor with sleeping pills for the month of November. And you?