Time to NaNoWriMo 2022

Where's your word count already, fellow writers!

I've actually got a decent turnout of writers at Bartow Library tonight, which bodes well for the Lakeland group presenting a strong front this year.

In the meantime I gotta start this Sci-Fi fantasy series of a falling stellar empire and a rebellious princess who turns herself into a jaguar lady. GET TO WORK, people!

I Survived the Orlando NaNo Region Write-In

While I'm a Municipal Liaison for the Lakeland/Polk County region, it helps to mingle with the other Regions in the area to maintain good ties, and let fellow writers know that other regions are nearby that may offer the occasional freaky event.

For example, the Orlando group has been doing this 'Round the Disney World Write-In where they go on a Sunday - when it's not as busy - and then commute across the various resorts (the hotels and restaurants are open: the parks themselves are EXPENSIVE) to find places to sit and write and experience the Disney ambiance.

The other Lakeland ML, Michelle, suggested joining in since Orlando is just an hour's drive away, and it'd be fun to see the sights. I was curious how the event would pan out, and one of the things about Write-Ins is that it gets you away from homebound distractions.

So, I went.

You had to park at Disney Springs - the open shopping mall area - because it's FREE, and then boat across the resorts to the Port Orleans / French Quarter stop, where the Write-In starts. I was late getting to the park, and worse I got lost trying to find the boats, so I admit I was a little stressed out by the first stop.

They had 58 (!) people show up for this Write-In!

We then had to take a tour bus across to the Magic Kingdom gateway for the monorail ride to the Polynesian resort. I've been here before...

And those statues are something of a family in-joke. I'll tell more later.

I actually got a lot of writing done here, and there were decent seating places to rest awhile.

The next stop was the Grand Floridian, where they had a Cinderella/Prince Charming procession and dance-off, which was won by Olaf I believe.

This was me by the end of the day. I wasn't able to get any writing done at the Grand Floridian: too noisy, too overwhelming.

And a Grand Finale at the Grand Floridian, as the survivors posed in front a a Gingerbread House before we ate it for nourishment. (I am somewhere in the back, since tall people shouldn't be seen in group photos)

It was a crazy, hectic Write-In. While it was good to get out, and it was great meeting a lot of the Orlando krewe, it was a bit stressful trying to move from one place to another. I've been told this was double their turnout from last year, so it's likely the logistics for this event got overwhelmed. I hope when they plan this for next year, the Orlando MLs do two things: 1) ask a Disney resort (the Polynesian was the best of the three IMHO) if we can rent out a spot (if a shared fee is needed by attendees, make sure it's not costly) for the Write-In or 2) reduce the dependence on the bus services, which caused a long delay for one-half of the group.

I hope everyone who attended got some writing done, and a hearty good luck to everyone doing NaNo!

NaNoWriMo 2017: Write-In at Starbucks

There will be a Write-In for Lakeland NaNo at the Lakeside Village mall location at:

Starbucks, 1314 Town Center Drive S-102, Lakeland, FL 33803

This will be facing Harden Blvd.

Starting at 4:30 or so, it's an open event so you can arrive when you can and leave when you need.

Hope everyone is getting their word counts and staying focused on their next novel of noteworthiness.

Looking at places for NaNo Write-Ins in Lakeland

There's been a suggestion for using the Starbucks at Lakeside Village (just off Harden Blvd). as a possible Write-In locale.

Checking it out now. The best thing is that the big tables in the middle of the bistro have power outlets underneath, meaning people can use laptops and tablets during the Write-Ins.

Now it's a question of figuring out the best evenings to host them.

Prepping for NaNoWriMo 2016

Okay, so National Novel Writing Month is officially every November, which is now NEXT MONTH.

That means a few things:

1) the NaNoWriMo website resets itself.

2) I need to submit a proposed book idea and proposed cover (optional, but fun to have).

3) The Lakeland FL Region will reset, which means I got to start managing the threads and the notes and the Calendar again!

4) I really need to come up with a good book idea this time.

Sigh.

For all the times I've NaNo'ed, I've yet to complete a "finished" work past the 50,000 word count. The remainders that follow in my wake are - upon re-evaluation - a bit messy even before the need for actual revisions to where I'm almost embarrassed by them.

I need to - NEED TO - come up with an idea I know I can follow up to its conclusion. I'd REALLY like to get one of these things honest-to-God done.

So, a quick poll to anybody willing to leave a comment. Should I write:

1) A fiction novel, focusing on the Talents superhero 'verse I've been working on?

2) A non-fiction novel of political ranting - which I kinda do anyway - during what will be the most anxiety-riddled election month in recent memory?

Please let me know what you think.

And get ready to NANO people! Word Sprints start in 27 days!

NaNoWriMo 2015: I Read the News Today Oh Boy

I received awhile back an email from a local city reporter - Nora Nelson - for Lake Wales FL about NaNoWriMo and what write-ins were. So I emailed back some answers and details about NaNo and what to expect.

I don't live in Lake Wales so I don't get the paper, but when I got to Lake Wales Public Library last night to run the Come Write-In event (which is why the reporter was curious), I checked at their information desk for a copy to check. And sweetness, the article was on the front page of the Nov. 11th issue.

Link here.

I am slipping a little on my NaNo word count - I am currently under the daily count graph line - but I plan on catching up with all the other Write-Ins we have across Lakeland and Polk County.

Keep writing, peeps!

NaNoWriMo 2015 Update 11/14/15: Write-In Palooza

We are getting up to the halfway point in the 30-day novel writing effort (November 15 is the hump), and I just want to say at this moment: woot.

I am currently at 24,000-plus words.

My sexy vampire hasn't killed anyone yet, but the night is young.

Meanwhile, the Lakeland region write-ins have been getting decent turnouts at the Books-A-Million store. Pics or it didn't happen! From last week:

And for tonight's turnout:

She's using him as a standing board for her notebook

And everybody is hard at work! Except for the guy taking photos. Whoops... (speed types)

Keep writing! Those exploding penguin plot points don't write themselves!

(missing animated GIF of Monty Python penguins exploding. Damn The Man. You get a YouTube clip instead)

WAIT! THAT'S AN EXPLODING EXISTENTIALIST! NOOOooooooo...

NaNoWriMo 2015 In Effect. Run For Cover, Folks

There are rampaging writers in your neighborhood!

Well, actually, your nearest Panera Bread restaurants.

But it's the thought that counts. :)

Gotten up to over 2500 words today. May get over 3000 by the end of the night.  Nice count.

I will keep tabs on how my progress goes.  Might get something DONE this year.  I mean really done.