(I'm working on moving! When I get everything arranged, you'll just be able to go here. It'll definitely be live next year. And then I can share the love! (AKA, the authorship).)
So you're interested in NaNoWriMo. Congratulations! You are a very special person. If you've already checked out the site, good for you. If you've made an account, even better! For those of you who came straight here, I'll give you the basics: 30 Days, 30 Nights, 50,000 Words.
Don't panic. It's not as bad as it sounds. That's not even a full-length novel. It's only a baby one.
So, hundreds of thousands of people, all getting together to attempt to pound out a novel amongst the busy-ness of school, work, nosy relatives, and life in general. Insanity, right? Exactly. But a ton of fun too. But I'm not here to go into depth. If you want to know more about rules and rebels, check out the FAQs. Not only are they very informative, they are highly entertaining.
First, general instructions on how to get hooked up *coughs*, okay, connected with other WriMos. Join the Cleveland group! If you look on my profile, you can see that my home region is "Elsewhere" because home is in the middle of nowhere, but I've also joined the Cleveland region, which is just fine! You're here for November, so get plugged in. There are going to be write-ins throughout November plus a Kick-Off and a TGIO party. You want to come to at least some of them! I'll list them below, and the ML for our region, GeologyGirl should have them posted in the forums soon.
Also, stay active on the forums, make some friends, get a writing buddy, or two! Knowing that people know you're trying to write a novel is a good inspiration to do so! Now, for the first few days in October the site will probably be a bit shaky. This is normal. It happens in November too. :)
If we manage to work up enough participants on campus, I'm hoping to start some weekly write-ins here too, in case some people can't make it to the others. But we have to have some interest, so talk to me! Leave a comment, send me NaNoMail, post on the forums, or send me an e-mail (avanbure09[at]mail.bw.edu). I'll be glad to answer any questions I can.
Happy Writing!
Ley
All these events are at the Cuyahoga County branch libraries. They're all from 2:00-4:00 on Saturdays, so you have no excuse not to come!
Kick-Off
Oct. 24 - Parma Heights
Write-Ins
Nov. 7 - Fairview Park
Nov. 14 - Strongsville
Nov. 21 - Solon
Nov. 28 - Chagrin Falls
Thank Goodness It's Over party (TGIO)
Dec. 5 - North Royalton
Also there are meetings on Thursdays at Panera Bread on I-480 and Tiedeman in Brooklyn from 7:00-9:00/9:30-ish pm.
And best of all, write-ins at the CyberCafe in the Student Union. You'll see me sitting down there with a Novelists at work sign, and my laptop. Tuesdays evenings from 6:00-9:00! Even if you can't stay long, stop by and say high! I'm going to have a posterboard for wordcounts, just because I think that's fun. *grins*
Other BW WriMos:
dreamer freak - Ashley (me!)
dark_anime_real_1 - Katie
Cquinn91
dirkpitt287
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
NaNoWriMo: In the Beginning
Friday, November 13, 2009
Cafeteria Creeper: Episode 2
In the Lang Dining Hall sat five zombies... and one human (Dinner anyone?), discussing strategy for turning certain persons. Methinks we have a traitor among the ranks.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Waiting....
I should be writing. Writing while I'm waiting, yeah? Well, I guess technically I am writing, but writing on What Verina Did, not writing a random, pointless blog post. I'm too distractable currently. I'm in the CyberCafe waiting until 7:00, waiting for Cadence, and the internship fair is goign on. People, booths everywhere. Me, standing out in my green, fuzzy hoodie, my stripped fingerless gloves.
Gosh, I really am in a prose mood. I should just get on with it. I didn't write yesterday! I'm behind! And just think... Seeing my words in print. Ah, now Sloane would get a kick out of that.
He's such a jerk. And I love him anyway. After all, he's straight out of my mind, heart and soul. Just like all the others.
*purple proses splatters the pages... it's sort of like Cat in the Hat, actually*
Even my visuals are purple. Ach....
Maybe I do need a vacation. I do know a friend with a murder on his hands who might need some assistance....
P.S. Crystal, get your butt moving, girly.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Cafeteria Creeper: Episode 1
"I'm a firm believer that the four main food groups are caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and sugar."
Oh the things you hear in the cafeteria... or The Book and Bean in this case.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
First Day of NaNo!
AAIIIEEEE!!! So excited!
Canna tell, eh?
I've almost hit the daily goal, and I'm well over my personal daily goal. booyah. Sloane's already gotten himself into a mess, and he hasn't even hit it yet. He's not gonna know what the heck just ran him over. *grins*
Off to torment not-so-innocent characters!
Ley
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A Good Day
Sure, classes have been fine. Work went well. That's not it.
I finally did it. I've been intending to for the past, oh, two, three weeks. Took me long enough. Call it the devil on my shoulder trying to talk me out of it.
I finally donated to RadioU and NaNoWriMo like I've been meaning to. The Keepers of my Sanity, via God.
So. It's a good day.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Frozen Grapefruit and Other Surprising Things
Yes, my grapefruit was frozen yesterday morning. That's what I get for putting it in the fridge. It was much less messy than usual, however, so the next grapefruit went in there too. Frozen grapefruit and squishy popsicles.... Our fridge just can't seem to make up its mind. (And Mom, they are very good, by the way.)
NaNoWriMo, as I'm sure you all know, just by way of connection to me, is just around the corner. Six days, in fact! Yes, I'm counting. I'll be home on the first day of NaNo, so I'm warning you in advance. Don't expect much out of me on Sunday. If I can get a headstart, well, I'll take it. I figure, with the Saturday write-ins, and my own BW write-ins on Tuesday nights, I'll be able to get five hours a week of writing. If I can manage 1,000 words an hour, that's 20k right there. Only 10,000 more to stick into other cracks and crannies over the rest of the month. Doesn't sound half bad that way, huh?
NaNo is on the mind. I have to do a ten minute presentation in German class, and yes, in German, on any topic of my choice. Guess. Yup, National Novel Writing Month. I had way to much fun playing with Power Point. (Imagine: "Ooh, colors!")
I am also going to make a posterboard for everybody's wordcounts. With stickers! Everybody loves stickers. My project tomorrow. In between homework, that is.
I got an 86% on my German midterms (surprising things, I said, didn't I?), which made me quite glad, though it may have dropped my grade down to a B+. I do what I can. :)
Christine gave me stickers. Hehe.
I've been playing DragonFable again recently. It's very addictive. I think I be in luv. It will make a great procrastination tool for NaNoWriMo. Especially with WiFi everywhere!
Off again. I shall try to post soon.
Love, Ashley
Monday, October 19, 2009
!
I was stunned today as I left history class. We finally received our third essays back, a book essay on Innocent Traitor, which unfortunately, I did not finish. Good book though. The essay, totally winged in the forty minutes we had. I got lucky with the topic. Apparently I also picked the less popular one, good move, I guess.
I came out of there with 40 points out of 40. And I didn't even get the bonus questions right. A perfect essay. Gott sei Dank.
This will never happen again. Yeesh.
Friday, October 09, 2009
*Sniffle*
I just about had a breakdown of major proportions.
But, yeah, it's all good now. *sighs*
I had a paper due today, worth 30% of my grade, and I hadn't had an opportunity to work on it until today after classes. (I'm not a bad student, really...) Anyway, I'm like okay, I have until midnight, I'm cool. Until I get the notice that the blackboard, where I have to turn in my paper, is going down at 10:00 tonight for repairs. Grrr...
But I got my paper done. Not quite as long as it should be, 1450 instead of 1800, but I think it's good. And this professor likes my writing. Okay, I might make this. And I got done on time. Bonus, right?
So, I'm re-reading it one last time, word-padding here and there (practice for November... and maybe tomorrow), and pushing the time just a little. But I save it, pull up the site, upload the file, and hit submit... And the internet goes down. Suddenly the tears that have been threatening are about to shower. No freakin' way!
But it's all good. I sent it, I'm alright. I gonna crash now, and try to get over this miserable cold. Cool?
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Randomness!
"If you rip, tear, shred, bend, fold, deface, disfigure, smear, smudge, throw, drop, or in any other manner damage, mistreat, or show lack of respect towards this book, the consequences will be as awful as it is within my power to make them."
I saw that and just had to post it, because it describes my attitide near on perfectly. *grins*
Sunday, October 04, 2009
I've Just Fallen in Love....
....With white chocolate and coconut. Ehehehehe. *grins*
Aren't you jealous?
Almost....
Almost.... what, I'm not sure. But almost. Yes, I can feel it in my gut. Or is that the entire package of ramen noodles I just ate? *puzzles briefly* Either way, it's almost... something.
In more definitive news, I finally finished my production review and turned it in. That means I just have to do German homework and write a rough draft of my English paper. Easy... sure.
In more pleasant news, I actually went to church this morning! Cadence picked me up, and we went to Grace, the CMA church. The worship was good, the sermon was fine. And I went to Cadence's house for a while after, which was just as good for my soul as church was.
In... other (I tried, I really did.) news, yesterday when I was working (unsuccessfully) on the production review, I did manage to write 500 words on something fun. I'm not sure if that qualifies as strictly good, since it was a form of procrastination at the time, but still. It made me happy. (See the sentence! -->)
Speaking of procrastination....
Friday, October 02, 2009
Long Time, No Write!
Oops! I've been so busy this week, I'm afraid this just got ignored. Today, as you might know, is the 2nd day of October. I'm already a day behind!
It's NaNoWriMo Recruitment Month! YaY! I'm going to be hanging flyers everywhere, and coordinating all sorts of fun things if I can find the time amongst the homework. First project: Write a sticky post for this blog. I'm going to leave my blog address on the posters, just so people can get more info about NaNoWriMo here on campus. Community is what this is all about!
Wow, I'm kinda brain numb just now.
Ooh! I'm playing in a skit at Oktober Fest tonight with Katie, and I play a little girl Heidi. So I get to bring Zee with me. I'm happy. Now I just have to try to find some cutesy clothes to wear. o.O Yeah, lots of luck with that one. Zee will be glad to get out and about though. :)
Off to work on my intro post before history. I think we get our essays back today! *gulps*
Love, Ashley
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Ach!
Roommates? It's the people next door I want to strangle.... I have never heard people who are so loud all the time as these girls. They're utterly, and completely annoying. And somebody always has their boyfriend over. If I turned down my music, I could hear every word they say. Why do you think I play it in the first place?
Grrrr......
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer!
Yeah, I know, twice in one night, but you have to watch. And I mean everyone!
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
Cadence
So today was a busy day. School til 3:00. Back to the dorm to unpack my bag and get my homework sorted. Over to the library to print off a history assignment. A mile walk to the picnic, where I walked some more with Katie, Tim and Elwin. Awww. So cute, he is. (Elwin, that is. *grins*) Supper, talk with Herr Hollender and Tim and Katie. Tim is seriously nice. Some more talk after supper, including Melissa. Herr Hollender tried to shove leftovers on us. Failed. :)
Then the walk to The Book and Bean around six-ish. As soon as I walk in I meet eyes with an older lady, salt and pepper hair. "Ashley?" And such began a beautiful relationship. *smiles* Seriously, we talked for 3 hours. When have you known me to do that? We talked about everything, writing, NaNo, relationships. Everything. Oh my gosh, she has [editted due to sensitivity of content] completed novels. She writes constantly. It amazes me.
After a drink at Book and Bean, which she kindly paid for with a gift card she's had for nearly two years! LOL Then we went for a rather long and enjoyable walk. We went to both of the rose gardens in Berea, and wandered over the sidewalks at Coe Lake. Last week was Art... something. Anyway, there were chalk drawings all over the place, and some of them were really good. There was one of Jack Skelton! Hehe.
Over all we just had a wonderful time. We have a lot in common and she's a really strong Christian. I'm so glad she e-mailed me that day. :D Another of those God-arranged events. There's been a lot of those lately. Or maybe I'm just noticing them more.
And thank God for happy pills. *laughs*
Oh, as a P.S., I got a 88 on my first paper! So happy! Thank God. *giggles*
Okay, I'm a little high still. I get that way when I've had a really good happening. Though I've stopped shaking anyway.
*is singing Family Force 5*
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Siebold!
I went to the library today, which is of course exciting in and of itself, but I went specifically to pick up a book I had on hold: Mercy Thompson: Homecoming, which is the sequel to the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. An amazing series in my opinion. Anyway, I was very excited because I got to see Siebold Adelbertsmiter for the first time. :)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Notebook Junkie
I just bought a $5.00 notebook at the bookstore. I think I'm in love.
It's adorable! With little swirlies and turtles in blue. And it's made out of banana paper. Go green? (Eat a chimney, save a tree!) And it's got a folder pocket in it and everything!
And why did I spend money when I still have to perfectly good notebooks back at the dorm? Because of NaNoWriMo of course!
I can't use just any plain old notebook for NaNo! (I am way too excited about this.) I'm going to plot and plan (evil plots, evil plans), and write up some descriptions (*gulp*), and even paste in some pictures! The pictures are my goal for the weekend. I'm so bad at envisioning characters that I've decided I need some help.
Oh, and I might want to come up with names for more than two of my characters. Heh. Hehe. Yeah.
Only two more days til I meet Cadence. 'Tis am very 'cited. Yuppers.
Love!
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