2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

continuation of  2009 NANOWRIMO – preparations! 1


Ideas, plans, worries, questions, ramblings etc before we start…

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

some bits of conversation that were happening on the NaNo User names thread:

Sherrie:
Did someone mention a marathon here? Is that just a general plan to write together, or a specific day we all jam out writing?

Ruth:
Sherrie, re the mention of marathon: I see that was me. I was just referring to the race in general, to get 50,000 words in by end October.

NaNo itself has a jam-out writing day, if I remember correctly. Possibly in the third week? They'll let us know, I'm sure.

It's a cool idea for individuals to arrange to write at the same time. An up-Island friend and I used to do that on Sundays (not NaNo, just writing) and that felt very supportive. After, we'd get on the phone and read each other what we'd written.

Helps if people are in the same or near time zone.

Meenakshi:

I have a question; how long in a day do you need to be writing to make the minimum # of words? I'm drawn to this every year for the past three years, I think; and have never signed on because it's such a busy month! [which isn't?]

Nono:
Depending how fast you type. I remember that some days I managed to do it under an hour, but most likely (if you are uninterrupted) you will use 1-1½ hours. Perhaps even 2 hours if you have the time in your hands.
I went nuts during the weekends and could type 13 000 something words, but that consumed my entire day. And left me with a feeling of exhaustion.
This thing is actually doable. One hour a day.

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as for how long you need, I'd say if you can spare it, go for 2 hours. When I'm doing Freefall retreats and need to write 10-12 pages which is about 3 - 5000 words or so (double spaced), I needed to have a 4 hour block of time. The 2 hours will give you some musing time which I find crucial. If you are inside a scene, then much less time is needed, but if not….

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Oh this is very helpful to know about how long this might take.  An hour a day is way doable.  Phew…feeling relief just reading that sentence.  Thanks, Nono!  And thanks Sandra for starting a new thread.  That old one was taking a long time to load.  We're getting closer now, aren't we?   Kathy

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Even two hours is doable, Sandra.  Good…

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Very good!
Preps #1 was too heavy for me to download. I start to have some disturbance with NaNo Names as well.

I have to say that I don't feel the *scary* feeling about this years NaNo. All happy happy happy. And I know that I won't have the issues that occurred last time, huge extra jobs and deadlines and stuff.

xoxoxo

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Here's a little treat to inspire Tom, the kindness of mice if you will.

Maybe, if we all drop a line or two about our plot, then we can find inspirational images to give one another. That should be fun, and give us something to do when we are not in the virtual calorie laden threads of the tree house. We must be hungry for something around here.

So, my plot is about a 30-something girl who can't get none, no matter how hard she tries.

xo
Andrea

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Hey Andrea, thanks! Getting close to kickoff. Yikes. Here we go us us here we go!

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i was thinking that i wasn't so worried about meeting the goal. then i re read the last few lines of my last year NaNo. And I remembered how exhausted i was and how hard it felt to conger even something that resembled a sentence. and then how i felt when i did the word count at the site and it was like 5 words under.

I do have more confidence about the 50,000 though I wonder about what resistance will crop up before me this time? I was completely unaware that things would manifest before my very eyes and consume my time. my valuable writing time no less. At least now i will notice what that is all about and be better prepared to just say font that, i am writing.

I still don't know any details other then Goldilocks and Identity, maybe even the wedding planner from a few assignments back. Maybe they all get mushed up and become the one story… who knows? maybe something else will intervene and take over?

i love love love the picture idea Andrea, found this one called - looking for love

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Azyh, that picture makes me giggle a bit, and sigh… I think I might have called it 'looking for love and making sure it won't find me' or something like that. :)

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Neat plot Andrea!

God I'm excited to see how everyones stories will unfold next month! Aren't we all?

My plot will mainly be The deamon Mastema finally understanding that the -I- caracter is attrected to him so he start's this cat and mouse play. Before they will get it on they end up in a fantasy adventure of some kind… will they ever get into it?

What kind of an adventure? Well, I quess I have to write it to know.

This kind of writing feels really easy so I feel comfy this time. Perhaps I need some challange in this one… oh yes, giving all the sensous details!!! That will be it then. The game is on!

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And maybe the bench lady has a role in there somewhere, sees something, senses something? I don't know why, I keep wanting to bring her into your story—perhaps I identify with her in some way. Would I want to be in a demon story? Um, prolly not.

Sorry, I'll try and concentrate on my own story…

:)

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Thanks Azyh, love the pic. Now, I guess we have to go shopping for pictures of demons, cats and mice for Nono. I shall return. ;)-

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found this for you Andrea!

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and nono… not the greatest but all I could find for now!

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That is a good one, Sandra. I know I'm scared.

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Yay!

I will be trying to get my bench lady into my story. My head has gone nuts of it, it want's to add all kinds of gadgets into my fantasy story. I all the sudden imagined that a spaceship was comming in and interrupting something delicate… ha ha ha, but hell, that would be blasphemy.

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Yeah, the lady gets in! And a spaceship? Excellent—it's fantasy after all, anything goes. Or 'whatever occurs', as the case may be.

Blasphemous or not, I'm looking forward to reading what comes out of all this—something awesome, no doubt.

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and a totally unhelpful one for you Azyh!

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has anyone read Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals? Think of that but set in Ireland.. female protagonist…

Seagull Pie:
non-Irish family living in the middle of nowhere, on the most westernmost part of Donegal, two teenage kids (brother and sister), with their senile grandmother and overworked mother. There's an afghan hound that runs away all the time and a red setter that should be on anti-anxiety medication and a few sheep and poverty stricken ancient farmers for neighbours. The brother is into self-sufficiency (the wind blows so hard nothing grows and if it does the sheep eat it), the girl is into Ancient greek, the mother is a sculptor reduced to making 'Glencolumbkille angels' to sell to tourists. Her brother arrives, the kids' uncle, he's an ex boxing champion and he has his  screechy girlfriend in tow.

??

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Sandra,

I think I will name my November novel, “The Last Invasion.”   It is a… transitional situation… from a virtual hermit's perspective…  of what happens to him and his family when, surprise surprise, the Red Chinese suddenly and completely take over America using very advanced hithertofor hidden technologies.  (Is there such a word as “hithertofor?  Oh well, “artistic” license)  :O) 

Since all communications go down rapidly, my protagonist only has very sketchy information as to what is actually happening and only knows what is going on via a friend with a hidden covert mobile short-wave radio that stays one step ahead of the new authorities. 

Also the  “villians”  are unexpectedly “nice” and “understanding”… but under a protocol of stringent orders – read that “merciless.”  They do plan to “re-educate” the surviving population and have many memes and tricks for doing so. No Buddhists here in this group of Chinese.  Real… cadres of control… but… “nice.”   At times they almost seem… human?  “WE ARE ONLY DOING THIS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD.  RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.  WE HAVE THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL AT HEART.”  You know the drill.

“Fascists in the night,

Are so inviting,

Fascists in the night,

Are so exciting,

Fascists in the night,

Make deepest fears… come truuuue.” <– sung to “Strangers in the Night “  :O)

How this family survives physically and emotionally is the challenge.   The Red Chinese have tachnology that can destroy ammunition via properly aimed frequencies and thus there is no armed resistance.  They also have no need for oil since all their vehicles are equipped with splitters to run on water and also magnetic motors which require no fuel at all.

Americans still have their guns, but they are useless. All the ammunition just explodes when the Chinese frequencies are targeted and applied. Resistance seems futile.  The Chinese troops that take over have been highly trained and are very smart and speak perfect english because this has  been longed planned – but nobody knew about it or even suspected it.   The Red Chinese wear light blue uniforms but still the little cap with the big red star.  The trials and deprivation that are incurred kill many people but those who are fortunate enter into a state of cooperation with their friends and neighbors and find some way to survive, although they feel total enslavement rapidly decending. 

When they loose America, they find out how much they really appreciated it – but took it for granted but also how they ignored the warning signs.  It is not only a battle with the physical situation but with despair and depression also.  hummm… we'll see.  How does it end?  I really have no idea at this time nexus but, although things will be changed forever, there are some lessons learned, I think.  =8O[   I may need at least 100 pots of Folger's for this.

Can I pull this off?   I really have no idea, but intend to give it a shot.  It is a speculative futuristic dystopia as seen from my own neighborhood (somewhat disguised, of course ) –and limited knowledge – only the names have been changed to deceive the innocent.  :O[  Gee, I'm already sounding like a national media outlet selling derivitives and pop corn.  I do intend not to become too absurdist in this 50 thousand word tome… but then again, one never knows.  Some humor is definitely required to lighten it up a bit.  No electricity,  no gas, no jobs, no money,  no bank, no store, no school,  no internet, no Walmart, no McDonald's, no communications – what's left?   Sheer guts and a couriostiy as to how this dire situation might turn out  – if it ever does.  Kind of a WHOA NELLIE! shock treatment?  A Spielberg ET extravaganza?  Or a melodramatic tie-me-to-the-railroad tracks?  Hopefully something in between and a bit more… thoughtful.  :O)

Namaste,

Rob

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Cool, all you guys' plots (love your title, Sandra!). I know what I'm gonna write about but not sure if I can really define it, plotwise. Have been doodling titles though, the first one of which was True Colours. Boring, huh? Doodling and doodling. The one I like best so far is Thirteen Coloured's and a Black-and-White (or maybe Sepia). Not sure why 13, not sure of anything—maybe a bunch of short stories… (by the way, not about race).

All I really know for sure is: Come Nov 1, I'm gonna be writin', whatever occurs.

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I THINK I'm going to be writing some historical fiction-type piece about a local town around here called Pequaming that Henry Ford set up.  It's about a school teacher who has two suitors, a Native American guy and a Finnish socialist/communist sort.  This story has been in my head for 20-30 years.  So will probably start with that rough draft-idea and then just get up close & personal with the sensual details and let them open up. 

I am scared about this.  But also very nonchalant and detached.  Simultaneously.  If that makes sense.  Love reading what you guys are thinking about this.

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Centria said: This story has been in my head for 20-30 years.

Isn't this intriguing – those stories that sometimes linger in our heads for years or decades, holding on until they find an opportunity to spring out on to the page? (Or screen :) Here's hoping that NaNo will liberate your story!

Like you, Centria, I am simultaneously scared and nonchalant. And excited and relaxed! Scared because I am often a slow writer, and don't know if I can keep up with the daily writing pace that Nano requires. Nonchalant because my slowness is part of who I am (the turtle being my spirit animal), part of what is, which is all right. Excited because I'm eagerly anticipating the challenge. And relaxed because of the presence of everyone here, and because ultimately this is PLAY.

My book is entitled All the Lurking Mothers of God. It's a semiautobiographical coming-of-age story, and spiritual comedy, about a Catholic girl who has become afraid of the possibility of seeing visions of the Virgin Mary, and the steps she takes in an attempt to prevent this from happening. Thus: a funky kind of parable about the attempt to suppress “miracles,” and how one might arrive at a place that allows them instead.

Cheers and bows to you all,

Mary

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Mary, your title is awesome, and I love your genre classification and description: semiautobiographical coming-of-age story, and spiritual comedy. And how to not suppress miracles, yes, I think I'll have to buy your book when available.

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What? A Finnish socialist/communist? That is just amazing, you got to post some of your writing about him. I will love to read that.

God I'm looking forward to the comming November.

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Thks for the info abt the time. Does seem doable; did y'all use the scrambler or just input the words the way they were written.  You won't believe my name [or rather, I don't]–it just came out

GenieInABottle  [no idea how to link to make buddies]--will go click on yr links on the prev thread, as many as possible before going for the parents' evening.

[Adding in…figured it out. ]

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Oh, Meenakshi, I'm so glad you decided to take the plunge with us! I was on my NaNo site (profile) just a few minutes ago and saw that some GenieInABottle had buddied me. GenieInABottle? I thought. Complete strangers buddying me? Cool! Then I clicked on the link and it was you. Even cooler. I buddied you right back.

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Oh, and I LOVE your name. Always nice to have a genie around…

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I buddied you too Meenakshi!

wow, this year we will be a great bunch of writers!

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lol! How I wish it was a new genie for you, Ruth [she said with a wink] ;p Thanks for buddying me! I'm so glad to have DD for hand-holding sessions.

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For Sandra

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For Azyh

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For Centria

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Oh cool!  I can't believe you posted photos for us, Andrea.  My group notifications  (from DD and other groups) haven't been working for a week or more so it's been a little hard to keep track of what's happening over here.  Hope they get that straightened around before next month…

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For maryw,

It sounds like your story has some similarities to mine.

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Oh no, oh no! This picture is reminding me of an idea I had a long time ago for a story around Mary (Mother)… and now I'm thinking it's gonna want to get written. What to do, what to do?

Maybe I can somehow fit her into my 13 colours?

I'm like Nono, my head is all over the place with ideas for come Nov.

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Thank you, Andrea! These pics are lovely.

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Wow Ruth, 13 colors. Look at all of the stories that are told by these colors.

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Nice, Andrea! A patchwork, my story is, a mosaic. Set in the prairies and who knows where…

Love all your pics here—you've been busy!

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Here's a shrine to inspire me. Ah, Catholicism. What would writers do without it at times?

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I was just thinking if we should start a new thread where we present our plots (very shortly, one sentence even) so we have it more easy to kee track on what is going on with each other.

What do you think? NaNoWriMo Plot Board of 2009 perhaps?

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that's a good idea Nono…

I”ll go do that. It's here. And I also want to stress to those who don't have plots, that's totally fine, in fact true Freefall style, don't plan what you are going to write, just let it arise when you sit down! And if you do have a plot, hold it very very lightly….

I just got this from Chris Baty, you will all have done so. I don't remember it from last year, do you? Would have been good to have the ms printed…

—————————-

Dear NaNoWriMo 2008 Winner,

Last November, you did something amazing. You threw common sense to the wind and bashed out a 50,000 word novel in a month, carving your name into the annals of NaNo history forever.

We hope that you'll be joining us for another month of literary abandon in 2009. For this year's winners, we're excited to announce that CreateSpace.com is once again offering all NaNoWriMo 2009 winners a free proof copy of their winning manuscript. What this means: A free proof copy of your 2009 manuscript in paperback book form. They'll even cover the costs of basic shipping to you. We'll be posting the code for all winners on the “I Wrote A Novel Now What?” page on December 2. In the meantime, you can read more about the offer in the NaNo forums.

———–

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Sandra, that's what I thought too when I read the letter—why didn't I know about this last year? Or maybe I was just so preoccupied with other things that I wasn't paying attention?

Good to know though, for this year.

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Hello Everyone ~ I’ve just read through the thoughts, plots and everything here. I am struck by the diversity while still finding an affinity throughout. I also find here just what I have missed in writing alone - a feeling of shared excitement that runs like a glistening silver thread down through all the posts. It is a live thing. It twists and shimmers and leaves a quickened feeling behind my solarplexis. Isn’t it marvelous that these prosaic black marks on my screen can line up in such a way that they transmit feelings, atmosphere, mood? I am still amazed by it.

In ‘Shakespeare’s Sisters’ (my 2006, 2007 book(s) which I have just put down for a nap) I discuss the identity of  AUDIENCE ~ an entity that exists for the length of a live performance, consisting of many different individuals who come together and form something unique and new; something that is an integral and necessary part of what happens in a darkened theatre. I feel a similar sense here … individuals who remain very individual while at the same time coming together to form a new entity. I guess that is what all groups do, it just feels particularly alive and miraculous to me tonight.

I want to take this opportunity to invite everyone NOT to feel the need to read everything I write. My posts are always so much longer than the norm. Please feel free to scan quickly or skip entirely ~  while I will do my best to reign it in. It is most definitely something I need to learn.

In my first two NaNoWriMo experiences I wrote without any kind of preconceived plot. Right now “Shakespeare’s Sisters” has a lot of words, plenty of action, it just hasn’t consolidated or coalesced into an overall plot. Coalesced.  Isn’t that a great word? “Coalesce: 1. To grow together; fuse. 2. To come together so as to form one whole; unite.” That was what I thought my book was going to do, somehow at some point it was going to all grow together, fuse and a nice strong  plot would pop up.  Possibly in the middle of the night when I wasn’t looking . SLUP! Coalesced! Plot!

This year I begin something new. I haven’t got a title yet, but I have sketched a plot, as well as doing character sketches, though the protagonist is someone I have known for a long time.  The plot, I hope, will be a rubbery sort of thing, able to move, modify, change shape and form. I’m envisioning something like the ring they use for boxing. It is a “containment” of sorts, but if one of the characters pushes on it, it will move out to accommodate them. Of course, NOW I’m seeing visions of the ropes going all the way out and the character boinging back across the ring and sailing out into the audience on the other side. Actually, that wouldn’t surprise me a bit.

I’m not sure how well I will work inside of a “plot sketch.” I am afraid that it will inhibit me, slow me down, make what I do less creative. On the other hand, as a poet, I came many years ago to understand that “form can be freeing.”  Perhaps this will be the same. I’ll come back tomorrow with a brief version. I’ve written one, but looking at how much some of you can convey in just two or three lines, I can see that this needs work before I post it.

Ah! If I can only find a publisher who pays by the word! ;-)

~ Dryad

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so exciting to see you Dryad. That was neat about the identity of the audience. never really thought about it like that.

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Thank you Jenni! I am fascinated by the ‘audience’ as an entity. I began several years ago paying attention to this ‘being’ that is formed from a group of individuals, which really does become a part of every play. I’ve seen an audience embrace the actors, cheer them on - observant to every word, laughing at every funny line - you can almost see the strong, attentive connection going over the footlights. I’ve seen the same play go up the next night to an audience that is cold or hostile. Everything on stage can begin exactly the same, but for some reason there will be no connection established, no relationship built and in the end the entire play turns out differently. I’ve seen the same play 8-10 times during a season and come to the conclusion that the biggest variable in the performance is the audience.

When I was cheerleading, we used to speak of the cheering section or “audience” at a football game as the “12th Man.” Sometimes it seems that way.

You know, I think one of my challenges is going to be NOT writing the other book for an entire month. I’m keeping an notebook on hand for ideas that might turn up, but I’m not going to write. I hope!

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Really interesting reflections about the audience Dryad. I think you have a great thing going on about that. I enjoy reading you as well.

You asked me a guestion on the NaNo Plot board and I didn't want to crowd that thread with my answer so I give it here, hope you don't mind (and no wonder this thing is living its own mysterious life like a squid with hundred tentacles).
My caracter of the old lady has only emerged here on Diving Deeper (as we say, DD) and you can find the good ol lady here for the first time, and here for the second.
Then my demon Mastema comes in to the picture here first and re-written here.

In NaNo I will be writing in Swedish since I know more words with it :) so I can be more nuanced.

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Dryad: I want to take this opportunity to invite everyone NOT to feel the need to read everything I write.

I for one have enjoyed reading what you write. I'm very interested in what you say about “Shakespeare's Sisters” and the concept behind it. I have noticed similar audience effects, although I never thought to write a book about it. I hope your book gets published—I would love to read it.

Ah! If I can only find a publisher who pays by the word! ;-)

God, yes! There are such publishers of course (for newspaper and magazine articles mostly, I think)—they pay by the word, but they always reserve the right to take out as many words as suits them. {sigh}

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well, I'm plotless at the moment. I did discover the working title of the story the other day - I was going through some photos, trying to clean up my laptop (backing up everything and making room to write) and found this photo. I did it as part of a game (I guess you'd call it) to make up my own album cover:

1 - Go to “wikipedia.” Hit “random”
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to ”Random quotations”
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.
~

I loved what came up for me then but that was 8 months ago, I had pretty much forgotten about it until I found it again this week. So the title of my story is Birds and Invented Cages… not sure that I will use the yellow crane tower, but who knows, if it comes up it comes up.

I am glad though that I cleaned my laptop up… I have plenty of space now. It felt like cleaning an actual room… feels fresh in here ;-)

xo
la

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la, you are a genius. I LOVE this idea. I”m going to do it right now. for what I don't know..maybe my next life as a moody rocker…

This is what I got:

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very cool Sandra - yes I think in the next life definitely a moody rocker ;-) I wasn't going to do it again, but now I feel compelled to. I am so curious about what will come up! It's wild what came for you. This is why I love this game!

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alright I'm freaked out… this is what I got. did I mention I love this game ahahaha.

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oh, and I forgot to add - I just loved reading about everyone's plot ideas, and the photos that you are adding in are amazing. We haven't even started yet and I am blown away by all of you!!

xo

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How on earth do you keep all of these boards straight and know where to post/read what? I was getting ready to ask where the pictures Rudyan mentioned were, when I realized that they are over here. (I think?) I suppose you know what you are doing from having done it before! I may just be having a scattered moment. Right now I could use something that tells where everything is, but it may just be a case of having to do it for awhile and learn it.
~ Dryad, with leaves falling all around.

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hi Dryad,

yep, it is getting a bit confusing with all the different active threads - hahaha I am having trouble too, trying to keep track of what is being said where. I think the plot thread grew out of this one (Nono's suggestion to have a place just for the brief synopsis for what everyone's writing for NaNo)… and we still have the Harvest thread too… what I usually do is go to the main page - hit 'recent discussions and read from there. I get everyone's posts in my inbox, but I give up trying to follow it that way ;-)

wait until we actually start writing NaNo!

la

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Dryad said: I was getting ready to ask where the pictures Rudyan mentioned were, when I realized that they are over here. (I think?)

Yes, I was referring to the pictures Andrea (and Sandra, and others?) posted throughout this thread, pictures to go with the declared 2009 NaNo plots or titles of various members, also in this thread.

And yes, it can be confusing keeping track of everything, even for those of us who spend so much of our time here. Thanks for putting up with it for now while you get used to it. And please, yes, just ask when you're not sure.

Ruth

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Leigh-Ann, this thing is a bit scary. I got this:

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My 'album' in response to la's suggestion:

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I am confused about the pictures.

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I'm having an intelligence deficit about the photos-  do we include them in the Nano? 

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Hey, if you guys are talking about the most recent 'album' pictures, they actually have nothing to do with NaNo—just a fun thing la thought up. Hmm, didn't occur to me, are we cluttering up this thread? (But then, what's a little more confusion? :)

If you're referring to the earlier pictures posted mostly by Andrea and Sandra, those were in response to plots and titles some of us had declared earlier in this thread. Again, a fun thing ( think), or a visual aid to our individual ideas for what to write for NaNo.

Um… does that help?

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Hey la, what a cool game. I even got a square pic for my album cover! Cha-ching. Yeah, this has nothing to do with Nano but it's a cool game. Maybe one of these days we'll throw a pretend Woodstock with our fake bands!

Here's mine:

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That cover is so YOU Tommie! Good grief. LA:s game is magic.

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Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.   Yup.
Thanks!

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Ok everyone, I'll try to clarify things! I'll see if I can do a thread that navigates what's happening.

But in the meantime, this is what's happening -

1. We have the 2009 Pre NaNo “chat” threads, which is this one, called 2009 NANOWRIMO – preparations! (it's onto page 2 now, page 1 is here). Just for chatting, mostly about how the run up is going for you, ideas etc.

(Yeah it got a bit diverted there with the album covers, such a good diversion, but maybe I'll move this chat over to the latest Writing Under the Harvest Moon thread, which is, for those of you who don't know, October's thread started by our Monthly Moderators, in particular Gabriele, as a thread for the whole of DD, a kind of ongoing chat. Every month we have a new title (chosen by the monthly mods) for that thread. November won't have any monthly mods, just the Long Term Mods.)

2. We have the 2009 NaNo User Names thread. Just to put your user name on and find out who to buddy etc.

3. We have the 2009 NaNo Plot board thread - not so much for chatting on but to post up your plot, plan, outline or whatever you have for your NaNo, even if it's just a title or a faint idea. These ideas are obviously here on this preparations thread too, but the Plot Board is for quick reference.

(All is fairly clear if you just open up the general window for this NaNoWriMo room, the main threads are sticky)

4. There was the initial post I made in the Tree House about NaNo, but it's not really relevant any more.

And other than that, there are the posts from last year, tips etc.

Once we get started it will all get much simpler as there will be only ONE thread posted EVERY DAY to share your day. I might start a new tips day for inspiration, not sure.

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I've just added the album cover game to the Harvest Moon thread, so if anyone else wants to do it go there! I”m about to post my hubby's one, it's hilarious.

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thanks for the clarifications Sandra!

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Thanks for clarifying, Sandra.  I've been so confused with the threads…trying to figure out who is answering where and who is saying what…it's been a bit challenging to keep pace. 

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Two of my characters in THIS YEARS book have a problem with what I call “Tangertizing.” It basically means ‘going off on a tangent.’ Tangertizing gets in the way of doing what you are supposed to be doing. I can’t imagine where THAT idea might have come from. I am going to put my album cover(s) at the other place, but I just had to make a note here.

Quietlaughter, did you invent this? It is wild and magnificent. I can’t believe the things that just come up. I had to do four album covers before I quit. (Have I quit?) May I post my album covers at my Blog? Possibly along with the Rules for Play - giving you credit, of course. A LOT of credit! This isn’t just something fun that makes a lovely artistic piece in the end - it is an exercise in synchronicity. These things are NOT coming together as coincidence. I don’t believe in coincidence anyway and this is an example that is just a little mystic and magic. And FUN!

I seem to have spent all afternoon and evening at it. I had never been in to Flicker before. I had to join and then look at pictures for a while … WOW.

Now, what was I saying about Tangertizing? Katja and Julian, they are the ones who have the problem. Maybe I will go to the Plot thread and just post my long description. I was supposed to be cutting it this afternoon. Hummm.

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LOL Dryad, you are a writer, right?

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Rob just posted this on the 2008 Tips and Suggestions thread, I thought it better to be here as others might have the same question:

Thank you Sandra for all your comments and help here.   I have decided to participate in the NaNoWriMo and have already sigend up there, ready to go.   I certainly never tried this before but I have something in mind which just came to me today and I should be able to get 50,000 words out of it with some coherency.   That remains to be seen.  Anyhow, it is a challenge which i must take.   I will start exacty on Nov. 1 with whatever comes out.  Who knows, the story may go in an entirely different direction than I now suppose.   That would be perfectly all right wth me.  I feel like doing this because I have been getting so much firing up lately and feel that I do have something to say and a story to tell in 50.000+ words.  I have never attempted to write this way before.  I always want to perfect one paragraph before I go to the next and do need the practice of letting go of that and tell the whoe story as it comes out ( at least for the NaNoWriMo.) 

Sandra, let me ask you a question.  Will there be any interaction between us over there or will be communicating right here, or both.   Either way is fine with me because I will be focused on getting the writing done and out anyway without much other time.  

I like the idea of a deadline and have never written to that end.    Yet.   I am really excited about this and can hardly wait to see what emerges from all of us.  

Namaste,

Rob

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Rob,
 last year we hardly interacted there at all. ('there' being on the Nano site). Some emails were sent I think, and we mostly used the NaNo site to keep track of how everyone was doing, as you can input your daily word count and that little bar keeps moving right… I did check out the forums and I think we could have had 'our own' but it amounted to one long thread, which didn't feel right. Here I make a new thread for each day of the month, and we just shared here. It felt cosy and supportive. And if people want to interact there of course that's fine, there's a lot of info and chatting happening. It's too much for me, I like it simple !

Don't forget once you've signed up on the NaNo site to give us your user name on this thread looks like you already did! xo

Love,
Sandra

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Hi, all. I'm adopting Indigo Roo as my official Gaia name and getting ready to plunge into NaNoWriMo along the all of you.

My book title is “The Champion of Glory”.  If you had the chance to save someone you loved, even if that meant going against everything you believed in, and even though that person would never love you back, would you do it?  Originally, I saw this as one book, told near the end of the story, but have since changed my mind and am starting properly at the beginning.

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Hi Indigo! Welcome aboard :-) Once you've signed up on the Nanowrimo site - don't forget to link your name to this board 2009 DD Nanowrimo user names
 that way we can buddy you :-)  Your book title and synopsis sound very interesting! it's a tough question… will be a great dive in I think :-)

xo
Leigh-Anne

ps. Sorry! missed your name on the other board - I'm a doughnut ! Thanks Ruth! xo

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la, Indigo added her name there last week already, check here.

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oh and I am an even bigger doughnut - I already added you as a buddy Indigo! hahaha stupid me.

xo

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It was getting a bit hard to keep track of, so I took it upon myself just now to do an Updated List of NaNo Usernames (I'm sure Gabriele won't mind). If anyone here hasn't shared their NaNo name yet and would like to, please add it on that thread, with a link to your NaNo profile page.

21 of us now, and what, 6 days to zero? November One, here we come!

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awesome - thanks so much for doing that… we have a big group this year! it's so great :-)

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thanks so much ruth! isn't that about the number we started with last time? (and in the end about 15 hung through?)
xo

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Yes, for some reason I'm thinking it was 23. Anyway, somewhere in the lower 20's. With 15 or so making it through, as you say.

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Hi Everyone!
I've been a shy member of Gaia for a while now but haven't posted anything - then Sandra sent me the link to NaNo and I thought I'd give it a try.  I'm one of those writers  who has no idea what I'm going to write - I'll sit down on November 1 and just write what comes.  I love reading about everyone's plots and ideas for characters - I wish I had something banging around in my brain - I guess I just have to trust that whatever shows up in my head is what I'm meant to write.  I'm a bit nervous, a bit excited and occasionally asking myself “What the heck am I thinking?” 

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Hi Poetjo,

Welcome, so glad you decided to join us! Will you share your NaNo user name with us on the NaNo user name thread? That'll make it easy for us to add you to our buddy lists…

Ruth

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Hi all NaNoWriMo Brave Souls!
I've joined, got my name on the useraname list and now… finally! I have a subject for my novel.  I say 'subject' and not really 'plot' because I, well, I don't believe my first novel 'should' have one.  I'm aiming to write a story (based on fact) about how a farmgirl from rural NB, Canada, ends up in Australia with her newly-found soulmate and has an adventure-filled seven years over there.  It starts with one poem that she wrote, and that he reads.
I've already started it so I'll have a few thousand words to add first up, then I'll proceed from there. Hope that's ok…?  This story was never written as a story, officially, but rather as a synopsis of a relationship, and it has never been published.  Being her with you and joining the NaNoWriMo this year is giving me the incentive to do this. I've been wanting to, oh, for about five years!
'Bout time!
:)
Thanks for being here, Gaians!

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wildwood-planet-lady – in theory you should start your NaNo 'count' with whatever you start with on November 1st. Last year I had about 2 thousand words of a piece that I carried on from for NaNo, but I didn't include it in my daily word count. Of course in the end it's up to you, but you might find yourself feeling prouder of yourself if you just start afresh, not with the story, but with the daily word count.

Sounds like a great story you have there! My last Nano was based on fact too. One thing I found was that when I let myself fictionalise I found it much more interesting to write. I think this is a good tip for all of us using autobiography, to write it as fiction, to climb into the scenes and feel them completely fresh, not trying to stick to what you think 'really' happened. In the end the emotional truth will always come through. Have a read of my Notes along the way Memoir vs Fiction.

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I meant… Being here with you…

And I think I missed something along the thread. What's this about having a “buddy” list?

Do we all join up together as buddies and if yes, how do I do this?
Thanks!!!

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Ok, ok, I got it now! I went to the NaNoWriMo site and added everyone as a buddy who had already added me.  Found a title for my book, too..

From Daydreams To Australia

Genre is Adventure for now, but it may turn into Romance real soon.
Ok, enough for now.
WPL

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I could not find you wildwood-planet-lady. I am not sure why.
I will try again

jensiper

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Jenni, when you click on wildwood-planet-lady's name on the updated user name list (scroll down to the end) here you are linked directly to her profile page on NaNo and you can buddy her there. Same with everyone else who is on that list!

:)

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Countdown to NaNoWriMo starting shot: 4 days!

Today I have taken the time to add everybody to my buddy list who signed on since last week Thursday. We are a really big group now!

My preparations seem to be mostly about preparing the inner space. Reading Brenda Ueland's If You Want To Write, doing intuitive collages and only very little writing (except for here! ;) and reading very good and inspiring literature. Just finished 'Lolita' by Nobokov and started 'Run' by Ann Patchett. Totally different in style and language but wonderful writers each in their own way.

I notice how part of me is paying attention to the way the stories are told, how characters are introduced, background information is embedded in the narration. I pay attention to what touches me and why and ponder the deeper levels of what the stories are about… all those things that are important to me, in reading as much as in writing.

Time is flying!

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Gabriele,  I think some of us are getting really excited now!  Just reading your words led me to think about the many different ways we're preparing for this.  I am doing the opposite of you in some ways.   Have been blogging, blogging, blogging, letting every little thought come to the surface.  Trying to let those thoughts come to the surface now so they won't need to interfere with the deeper work of the writing in November, the intimacy of it.

Have not really been thinking about the writing process at all.  Only a sense of wanting to get really deep into the “skin” of the experience, to become so intimate with the novel that everything sinks really really deep during November.

Interesting that we all have different ways of preparing for this.  It's so exciting!  And still a little nerve-wracking, probably for us first-timers.  We nano-virgins.

Four days! 

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I wish… you all great joy and fun in this… 
I have had a hard time visiting here because I want to do this
and really can't if I want to stay sane and finish my class.
Reading your excitement is nearly too much for me to bear.
how pathetic is that??? 
I will enter periodically and cheer you all on..  I'm so excited for all
of you… I loved it last year it was so wondrous. I learned so much
about myself and a bit more about all of  you.  
I love you all..
jeanne/breath

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Jeanne, will you be around on Diving Deeper and maybe do some NaNo unrelated (or related but not signed up) writing every now and again?

I will do another Tree House thread for November, since I'm a Monthly Moderator for another month. I hope to have some company on the non-NaNo threads of Diving Deeper.

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LOL – I like Centria's term: “Nano-virgins.”  :)

I really haven't been doing any preparing just yet – but I do plan on using a good part of Friday and some of Saturday cleaning my office / writing space. It's a bit cluttered at the moment.

I also have a copy of Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones somewhere in the depths of my disheveled book stacks …. might take a little walk through that.

Grateful for the energy I'm feeling here – !

Nano-Virgin-Mary  :)

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Mary.. yes, my plan too, to clean up my office and desk. That will be my main preparation. Sunday is a bit weird for me as a friend has a big opening of a mural she's been painting, and I'll have to go to that..

I also wanted to let everyone know that I'll probably try to post each NaNo day threads (DAY ONE etc) on the day before (well, my day before) because I think Sydney is eleven hours ahead of Ireland and last time poor Azhy had to wait.

Another lovely writing book is Anne Lamott's ”Bird by Bird”. It's been a while since I read it but I know I loved it when I did. I'm not into most writing books, at least the ones that tell you 'how' to write, but this one doesn't do that. She's such an amazing woman too. Have a read of the speech she gave to Berkeley Graduation students.

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Nano-Virgin-Mary? Love it!

Writing Down the Bones is one of my favourite books…

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Centria, me too, I loved 'NaNo-Virgins'! What does that make us two-timers?

My excitement feels more like the anticipation of something inescapable. Like giving birth for the second time (which I never did). You remember last time, though the memory of the pain of the process is only vague (otherwise there probably wouldn't be much children born - or books written - anymore! ;) but what you do remember is that once it started there is no way out but through!

Too bad the expression 'birthers' has already been taken by another breed of lunatics… ideas, anyone?

Mary, yeah, cleaning the desk space definitely is an important part of the preparation! As for the rest, I'm sure somewhere inside there is some preparation going on without needing any doing. The moment you signed up was the moment it started.

This year I'll probably write in our kitchen instead of at my desk. Somehow I've come to like sitting there, looking out the kitchen window into the backyard trees. I got a bit tired of my desk space, but I'll prepare it anyway, just in case. I'll use my dear dinosaur Toshiba as my kitchen typewriter, I love the way the keys feel. It doesn't do internet anymore, it's too old, which is a HUGE plus!  :)

Three days to go, everybody!

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Thank you, Sandra, for your comments. I need all the help I can get. I wish I could sit and read, or even clear some space on my desk - there isn't much of that to clear; it's such a small space!  I work full-time and when I get home at night I am so tired, all I want to do is sleep.  I intend on writing in the morning, getting up an hour earlier than my usual 7am, to write my nanowrimo words-a-day.

You're right about starting fresh on day 1… might just do that.
And I will try to look at the story afresh, too, as if I am writing the adventures or “seeing” them for the first time.  Fictionalising - here I come!

I have a few hours each day at work where I can just sit and relax (I'm a senior home care worker) so I might just 'bring writing to work' each day and try to hand-write my story that way. I so wish I had a notebook/laptop to take with me but alas, I only have my big PC on my small desk.

Ok, off to write an article on herbs ~ I'll come back and see you tonight.
Cheers - have a great (pre-writing) day!
WPL
PS - and off to read Notes.. from you, Sandra. Thanks!

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wildwood-planet-lady – some people feel that hand writing is better than typing creative work. The only thing is it means you having to do 'extra' work transcribing. But I think handwriting tends to encourage less editing, which is a GOOD thing!

Gabriele… kitchen writing sounds lovely! I think a view is mandatory for writing.

everyone:
In case my mention of it gets lost up there, note that I'll be posting the NaNo day threads each night, Ireland time, the day before, so we cover all our international time zones. Hmm, does that make sense? What I mean is that you'll see DAY ONE go up what looks like the day before if you are in the States, the night before if you are in Europe, but the 'right' day if you are in OZ.

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more help for us pre Nano… funny blog…
How to write badly well

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

That's excellent!  Mind if I poach the link? 

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blab blob blub raah raah raah
omygod omygod omygod
nano nano mork n mindy
shut the font up nono

hoist sails, clean desk, make coffee
and perhaps… go to bed when all mushy in head
okay

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

shut the font up, nono…how funny!

Anyone else getting tired of waiting?  wait, wait, wait!  Countdown:  three, two, one…start writing!

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me… tired of waiting, tired of everything … why can't it be 11:59pm on Saturday night and I am full of Halloween candy enjoying a terrific sugar buzz????

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Oh la, are you really going to start writing at 12:00?  I will be sleeping sleeping sleeping…until morning…and (gulp) am sitting here with about ten first sentences dangling in my head.  Which sentence will win out?  Which one will be the first?  And god knows, what will we think on Sunday night when we've written our 1,500-2,000 words?  Will we be gagging?  Will we be pleased?  And really it doesn't matter because we'll be getting up Monday morning and writing down the words again…and the next day…and the next day… and the….

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will have some teen girls doing a sleep over on halloween, so the staying up late is not out of the realms of possibilities.

i remember doing that last year and it was a wash of overwhelming amazing words that carried me through a manic moment of 'Nanovirgin' bliss. the kinda bliss that washed out and left me in shock. i cried. i slept. i did it again. only i over thought it and kept over thinking it.

this year i will be doing my best to leave the thinking to October and December. November isn't for thinking  - its for writing, and i have been getting ready.

the girls room is cleaned out spring style. and i have most of the christmas stuff sorted out and ready for decemberness. i have my mini lap top and will be walking every where with it and typing on it when i have a moment (any moment) because as la said last year, 'just write'

this november is for 'just writing'
(oh and its when the applications open for submissions to the national script workshop ~ my script for my play will be sent in and out of all of australia they pick 6 scripts to work with, even if we don't get into that one, i will still have NIDA and other workshops to choose from next year)

so all in all the universe is waiting for us to be open channels of the sacred akashic records that will flow through us all, flooding our blank pages with stories that want to be told. just let us breathe and stay in the sacred space as silent witnesses to the marvels that pass our fingers. and like the ever flowing waters so too will the words flow

i am winding up
i am breathing
i am listening

the slow slow details are etching into every moment
i see the white spec on the concrete edge of the platform
move in the breeze like a good bye wave,
holding on it looked so fragile amidst the black ruff moldy drop
would the train take it into the windy wake?
would it flag the eye of another passenger?
was it just for me, just today?
a holy flag slipped passed my eye as a glimpse and a loving wink

*sigh* is it November yet?

wonder if goldilocks was the blonde step daughter of the wicked wolf?? *giggles*

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I'll be crossing thumbs for that script workshop, Azyh!

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Catching up because it's been a few days and I've missed a lot!

I have a very vague idea for my NaNo subject…I think I will try to find a title today. I've decided I won't plan a plot, since I'm horrible at plots. I'm reading everyone's descriptions which are so specific and detailed, and I feel like I don't know enough about anything! I have no idea how I will anchor the meaning of the novel into a place or time that makes sense. Not that I have to, I suppose…it just brings up the feeling that everyone else is writing a “real” novel while I am clueless.

Also, this made me smile: 

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

awesome album cover, Deleen!

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I don't seem to be in too much of a hurry… just poodling along here. as for writing at midnight, hahhahhahah, Never. I'll be having pancakes and coffee on Sunday, either before or after a writing session, and just see how it goes. I love the face the blank page aspect of freefall, it means I don't have to think about anything at all right now, or then either actually. I'm certainly not thinking ;-) not about NaNo, anyway. Certainly no plots or lines or whatever. phew. I do enough thinking already it's probably why I took to this method like a duck to water.

Deleen, reading you, what came to me ( about anchoring into place or time) was the freefall precept: give all the sensual details. That always works, in the moment of writing. The 'place' and time will naturally arise, I'm sure. It's the same as Brenda Ueland's 'microscopic truthfullness'. If I feel lost when I'm writing, I slow down and start to describe what's in my mind's eye, the fabric of the curtains, the texture of the air, etc….that always seems to ground me (and the writing). And forget about writing a real novel :-)) I'm certainly not. We are simply writing quantity, badly. That's the main thing about Nano: Be Bad. Be prolific. Nothing else. The rest takes care of itself.


xoxo

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Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will tip toe, early in the morning, make some breakfast and then cuppa coffee, so NOTHING will interrupt my first plunge into the nano land.
Tomorrow Sandra has put up the first “DAY ONE” thread and we all say Hi! We all say various things of what we are doing, but I'm most certain we all are writing something. And I will try to write just around 2000 words, I will try to reign myself and not take a rubber burning start.
Tomorrow I will hug you all and hug myself.
Tomorrow is the day my demon has awaited for a long time now. He has some hunting to do tomorrow.

Today - some slight preps, change of tires (we don't celebrate Halloween). Today I will speak with family and friends so they let me alone from tomorrow. Today is the last day of a long wait.

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Today

Today I have bought a wireless keyboard and mouse for my desk notebook. Now I have keyboard and monitor in a convenient position, no additional wires on my completely cleaned and cleared desk (the rest of my room is still a mess, gonna get to that later!) and I feel like it has been Christmas today because I got some new toys to play with. It's almost ridiculous how much I enjoy having new electronic stuff.

:)

Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning I may or may not start writing in the kitchen while I have my first cup of tea. If I don't wake up early enough or the disturbance through family life is too much I'll start on Monday. Which is what I did last year. Five days a week, 2380 words a day, weekends as and if possible.

I don't feel prepared at all. I have a possible title for my story, 'Bird Steps', and a possible main character, a singer. There is some background material I could use from my ballroom band singing years, but that's all I got. Plus whatever has been going on inside while I was busy with all but somehow actively prepare… so I suppose it's going to be pretty much Back to Basics (Whatever occurs) for my on my first day of writing.

- Write whatever occurs, absolutely anything.
- Do NOT edit as you write. Not at all.
- Give all the sensuous details.
- Go where there is energy (where you feel a strong pull, or what feels going
  'fearward' - write the thing you don't want to write).

Why have I waited for NaNo getting back into writing? I haven't the slightest idea. But there is something utterly supportive about a group writing event. The support is immense. So much easier to get my energy focussed.

I would love to see those join in in their own way who cannot commit to the 50.000 words. We don't know yet how much any of us will really write. It really is more about being part of the group and do whatever is possible and have the experience then 'getting there'.

Countdown is going on zero. One more  night.

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Hey Gabriele, so glad to see you here. I know what you mean about the support one get from writing with a group. Bird by bird, here we go, and thanks for the reminder on the basics, that's way important.

xoxo!

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I had an idea, after reading Gilly on the user names thread (she's unable to participate)… what about for those who are not able to commit to the full-on NaNo, eg you Jeanne, set yourself a smaller goal? Whatever feels manageable, from 100 words a day up? or say, 10,000 words for the month (I guess that's about 300 words a day), ???

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Thanks Sandra & Nono 
A good Suggestion.  I had thought of it. I'll see what I can do over the month, though will do it at home as no pressure, or will do some of the exercises on DD.
Will follow nano posts to see  how everyone is doing :)
Gilly…
Gilly :)

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I've cleaned my desk, vacuumed my office… made things nice, put a flower by my buddha.. I'm ready.

Well, I think I am.

I was musing about 'fears' today. Wondering if we put out our fears about NaNo it might help. I think I'm mostly worried I wont have enough to write about. Given I have a 'set' area of subject matter. I've been prodding my mother and brother for their memories about the time period, but for the most part it's not been that helpful. My mother has used my suggestion to tell me (not for the first time) how awful I was at that age…

Anyway, I'll just have to climb in, be there now and see what happens.

Get ready for DAY ONE. it's starting tonight, well my tonight as it will be Azyh's morning.  I'll unsticky this thread and we can concentrate all nano related chat there.

hugs all
S.

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I have been eating very simply and healthy today, raw foods, lightly steamed veggies, some roasted squash soup and perhaps a little vegetable stir-fry for dinner.   Also meditating and connecting deep within.

Fears coming up…for me, mostly confusion about whether to follow my original story-line (that has been here since age 30) or to abandon it for another one where there might be more energy.  Nono reminded me to follow the energy…

However, I can't find another story line with more energy so will either a) just start writing and see what happens or b) start writing loosely following original idea and see if it wants to develop.

Sandra, your flower by your Buddha sounds lovely.  Gabrielle, how fun that you have some new electronic toys!  Imagining you writing in the kitchen with your first cup of tea. 

I will probably have tea with Barry first, maybe eat some breakfast, check email and then settle down to write about 9 or 10.   Unless I wake up sleepless at 6 a.m. and then may just start then.

Good luck, everyone!  Kathy

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Oh, this new keyboard is SO much fun, Kathy! I might be tempted to write more then I thought at my desk after all… but those kitchen table sessions are very precious, so it'll probably be kitchen writing first thing in the morning and at my desk later in the day… for conneting here anyway, because my kitchen keyboard can't do internet, it's way too slow.

Have a great start, Kathy and everybody else who starts tonight or tomorrow morning! May the font be with us!

:)

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Gabriele
Ain't nutin like a  good kitchen combined with a new keyboard.  That's where it really happens.  Unfortunately, my puter is one o dem old clunkers that you have to kick the tires to get  started.  Too many wires to move to the groove.  Besides, she has her own perch and likes it. 

Buenas scribbelitos a todos, y a todos, buenas noches.  Buenas dias tambien.  (I didn't notice that the sun was already up.)  And yes… may the Font be with you!  (The Page Number too)

Rob

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Kathy. I think your best bet is to 'just start'. Let the muse decide what wants to be written tomorrow morning :-)) Sometimes she knows best…

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

The elf is about to decend my chimney.  His large eyed assitants have already been milling about the room.  Grandpa MUSE is amuzing, abusing and sometimes confusing.   Colonel Fung Shui  is baying, another day without paying. 

I am posed, poised and not annoyed.  All those remembrances flooding the void.  I wasn't dead the last time I checked.  That face in the mirror–a year round Holloween.  Not so mean, but frost is on the pumpkin.  I'm somewhat of a country bumpkin.  The thumpers are all athumpin.    Hot blood is apumpin'.  NaNoWriMo nano neeno nano.  (Sounds like speakin' with other tongues.) 

The mysterious mystical cumulus of mythical mysticism is vacuum pumping the conscious unconsiousness.  Plenty of coffee.  Tobacco to roll.  No doze arose in flatberry.  Heaven a scrool.  Such a hideous roll.  It takes its toll.  Even if you are a mole.   Living in a hole. 

The four hosrewomen of the cracker ritz  are crossing the river stix with ostrich plumes, bringing unlimited mangos for all.  Other than that, a normal day.  Another day of no pay, no say, no way and no stay but… let us not forget… play.   What you are seeing is an illusion–a programmed delusion–come out of seclusion and experience transmigratory fusion.  

And, not only that, don't forget your cat.  She knows where its at.  Even though she's quite fat.  Flys like a bat.  Don't spend all day trying to keep her out of the frat vat. 

And so, why do cats sniff each others ass?  Very polite they are and alway put out their cigar.  Why? Why?  Because they know how to check up on each others health, state of mind, happiness and do so from behind.  Concerned care.  What else is in your mind?   Them fuzzies gnose they are right.  Even when in fright.  Or especially in delight.  Day… or night.   Makes no difference. but the inference is that you're somewhat mammilian too and what is known is always new.  So don't get chewing gum on your shoe.  And, if you moo.  Please do not sue and you might want to say “boo!” because if you catch the flue you can always say… “away I flew.”  Feverish OBEs are where you are.  Don't get stuck in tar-baby tar.  Do not put demons in your jar, for this is going way too far.  You have to wish upon a star in order to stay up to par and not break down in your Indian car.  Good luck to all you beauties and I know that some of you are cuties with a few possible fruities, all complete nutcases who know how to entone vases.  Experts at running bases where the beamships fly. 

Now, I'm not suggesting a lengthy trip nor a load of scallions on a ship nor a pit-bull friend to share a nip, but I am suggesting to get a handle on your channel and not wear flannel because it might ignite.   Get your cells into unpoisoned well.  It may look like hell but that's a hard sell.  Please don't yell.  But, you can tell that all the masks just fell, revealing who and what you are.  For you will find, within you mind, something kind, something fine and that's what you are going to write about.   Good luck!  And, don't take this personally… but I love you.

Namaste,

Rob

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Yo Rob, you freakin' rap like an elf!

Namaste,
from Fruitie

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

dem elves dem elves, just can't put 'em on de shelves.

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Last but not least?  I'm here, I'm here!  My hubby bought me a laptop so I could still participate even though I can't be climbing up and down the stairs to the computer.  Scarlet Parker - round two!  have no idea what I'm going to write about but I am pumped!  xo

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

ayla!!! yay yay yay yay. Give that hubby a smooch for me. And you too.
xo

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Oh yay, Scarlet Parker is back!

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

OK you gang of contenders.  My clock says 12:34 A.M.  And that means… NaNoWriMo has begun!  Ladies and Gentlemn, start your engines!  Type till you take flight!  (Then you'll have to use hand writing)  So, have a beer.  Relax.  Get some sleep.  Laugh.  Sing.  Cry.  Wring yer hands.  Sleep till noon.  And then….  Or…. the alternative is to do like I'm going to do and stay up for 36 hours furiously pounding away!  (But of course I'm retired and don't have to go to work tomorrow)
lucky elf! <==  that's extra low frequency.  :O)

Rob

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Dearest Auntie Em;
I hate you, hate Kansas, and I'm taking the dog.
 Dorothy.
P.S.  I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done.
I'll be in NanoLand killing the wicked which.

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

Aiiieeeeeee!!!!

NaNo's still a half hour away for me (here on the U.S. west coast) !

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: 2009 NANOWRIMO -- preparations! 2

All right! We are on our way….
this is SO exciting!
Good Writing, everyone!