Congratulations to first Write-In winners


Thanks to everyone who came to our first Write-In at the Coffeehouse in Uptown Normal.

Congratulations to the first Write-In winners:

First two people to reach 1000 words during Write-In

BradZB

Snark.Gallant

First two people to incorporate the phrase ‘conventional wisdom.’

SandyR

Barbara

Next two Write-Ins

This Wednesday at Panera in Normal (next to Border’s) on Veteran’s Parkway from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Next Saturday at Fusion Brew on Main St. in Normal from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Writing challenge: Grand prairie


Last year, we challenged Bloomington-Normal Wrimo writers to include a scene or a section in their novels about ‘cornfields.’ This year, the challenge is ‘grand prairie’ or ‘great prairie’ and to include a section or scene in your novel about a ‘grand prairie.’

To make this a little different than the shorter Write-in challenges, to get a prize for achieving this challenge you will need to write a sustained section of at least 350 to 500 words that incorporates some aspect of a ‘grand prairie.’

When you have accomplished this goal, you will need to come to a Write-in and show this portion of your novel to the Municipal Liaison. Then, you will receive a prize.

Good luck!

First Write-In
Sunday, Nov. 1 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Coffeehouse & Deli in uptown Normal on Beaufort
Prizes!  Stickers!  Writing challenges!
Look for NaNoWriMo signs on big tables in back.
Buy a cup of coffee…support the places we meet.
For all events in November, go to the Bloomington-Normal region’s Google Calendar

First Write-In

Sunday, Nov. 1 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Coffeehouse & Deli in uptown Normal on Beaufort

Prizes!  Stickers!  Writing challenges!

Look for NaNoWriMo signs on big tables in back.

Buy a cup of coffee…support the places we meet.

For all events in November, go to the Bloomington-Normal region’s Google Calendar

Great pumpkin weather this weekend!  We’re up to 114 writers in the Bloomington-Normal region!  Fabulous!
Are you creating a timeline?  Perhaps doing some character sketches?  Doing some planning ahead helps in November.

Great pumpkin weather this weekend!  We’re up to 114 writers in the Bloomington-Normal region!  Fabulous!

Are you creating a timeline?  Perhaps doing some character sketches?  Doing some planning ahead helps in November.

Check out these links


We went over some of these links at the Info Meeting.  Maybe something will inspire you:

At the Info Meeting, I handed out this Novel writing workbook of 26 pages of ideas, worksheets & inspiration. http://www.silveragebooks.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mag/ns/ns_2007.htm

Thirteen Writing Prompts from McSweeney’s. Maybe a little off the wall, but something to get you going when you get stuck: http://nienkehinton.blogspot.com/2006/10/nanowrimo-tools-tips.html

NaNoWriMo writing tips. http://nienkehinton.blogspot.com/2006/10/nanowrimo-tools-tips.html

At the Info Meeting, we discussed the helpfulness of Excel worksheets that people have created to track their success in NaNoWriMo. here are a few of those.

Denver NaNo writing tips, including Excel worksheets and plot helps. http://dennanos.org/?page_id=69

Ireland’s NaNo resources, including an Excel report card. http://writers.sharp-words.co.uk/resources/nanowrimo-resources

Naperville’s Useful references for writers. http://naperwrimo.org/wiki/index.php?title=Useful_references_for_writers

From the Editor Unleashed Blog: Writing with the Bulls http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/

2008: These writers made it to 50,000 words!


Auri_Mynonys

bdobyns

bradzb

falineelode

felixemery

feloniousfeline

fidelis

grouchmuffin

Jadeblue

Laury

lord gallant

Mayemmistrees

melenke

MurphyChacho

Pagan451

shadowbinx85

Sweetjami

WVHillbilly59

That’s a 26 percent completion rate for our region!

All together everyone (all 70 of us) write 648,000 words collectively!

Useful References for Writers


A very long list of links to resources for writers that’s been compiled by the writers of the Naperville NaNoWriMo and their group that meets throughout the year: West Suburban Writers. Some links still work, others do not. But lots of places for ideas. Check it out!

McSweeney's ideas


Some of material that I handed out at the first Write-In can be found at this page on the McSweeney’s website.