Introduce yourself to the region!

Hi, everyone! My name is Mary and I live in the Southwest suburbs, but I trek up to Naperville a lot during November for the great group of NaNo-ers. This will be my fifth year participating in NaNo. I've won every year I've participated, but that doesn't mean the stories were any good. This is only my third year as a part of the NaperWriMo community, but I've found that the write-ins and sense of community really help me. This year, I've been interning in Chicago and this means I have a monthly train pass to the city. Because of this nice little coincidence, I'm going to try to make it to some of the write-ins in the city -- exciting!

My novel this year is about a group of people who have extraordinary abilities and their quest to find out how they got that way. I've been watching a lot of "The X-Files" in the past four months, so that's definitely influencing my novel idea this year. I'm nervous, but also excited -- the usual NaNo emotional cocktail!

Good luck, everyone!

Hi! I'm Louisa and I'm sure eventually I'll get used to the new site layout O_o

I'm from Lisle, but currently at school in Minnesota so mostly I'll just be with you guys in spirit (i.e. not there) during events. Aside from the obvious reading/writing interests, I also knit, play the viola, volunteer extensively at my local humane society, and run. I have a half-marathon this November and will also be working on two research papers in addition to my regular classwork so this should be quite interesting!

This will be my sixth (?) NaNo, I believe. I almost always write Fantasy, sometimes with a little sci-fi mixed in. The one year I tried to do straight contemporary fiction I did not do so great and ended up with a story that I didn't even like very much. I may try that again someday but not this November. I'm still hammering out plot details but I'm sure they'll fall into place (I am often more of a pantser than a plotter...)

I look forward to getting to know you all :) Happy almost-November!

Hello everyone!
I'm Jennifer, and I live waaaaaay far out in Sandwich, IL. I'm actually closer to the DeKalb region, but I don't think that was a region back when I started, so here I am in Naperville.
I've been participating in NaNo since 2005, and I've won every year (twice one year, which I've sworn never to do again), bringing my novel count to 7.
I'm considering sitting this year out, due to some personal issues that have reared their ugly head the last couple months. While my husband is encouraging me to try and bull through everything and participate, I'm not sure I have the focus or drive needed to hit my daily goals.
I can't make it to the kickoff, but hopefully I will see you during some of the write-ins, or at least in the Jabber chat, and hopefully the TGIO party.
If I don't participate, I'll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines. Go team go!

Hiya!

I haven't been around these parts in a few years, but I am excited to be back and SERIOUSLY hoping to squeeze this into my overscheduled life because I heart this place.

In a suprise move-- to myself as much as anyone-- I will be writing YA this year. Who knew that was coming?

I just filled out the author bio thingy on my profile, so I feel a bit odd writing more along the same lines here. But I am delighted to see familiar faces. And wondering whether I can jabber from my ipad. And if can remember what the heck my account for that was back in 2007. *snort*

Hi, I'm Judy from Willowbrook, and this is my first NaNoWriMo attempt. I have no idea what my story is about, but I know the two main characters and several of the minor characters pretty well. They have been living in my head for quite a while, so I'm going to start typing and see what they have to say.

I will rarely be able to get out of the house to join in the meet-ups, as I am a caregiver to a relative, but look forward to hearing all about them.

I'm stockpiling the Halloween candy and coffee, and starting the countdown to Tuesday.

Quote:snort

I coulda sworn I had already replied to this thread . . .

Anyway, I'm Mackenzie, and this is my sixth NaNo, and I live out in Oswego. I finally have a car so I'm hoping to attend at least one NaNo party this year and just hang out and relax. I've broken 50,000 words the last couple of tries and I'm looking forward to three-peating.

This year I've blown up Chicago. XD

I'm Haley. I'm from Warrenville and I go to COD. I've been trying to write a book since I was 14. I have yet to finish one, but I do intend to finish my Breathless 1 book in a few years (or sooner) and maybe try to get published. I really care about this story, and I feel like I can't finish another book before I finish that book. I heard about this Nanowrimo first from the author Julia Karr who wrote XVI after starting it for Nanowrimo. A classmate name Sae mention it again a few days ago and I decided to try it. I'm not sure how it works. I heard that you're only supposed to pick a character and a setting and go from there. That it's not supposed to be based off of a pre-existing story you're working on.
I only write YA paranormal/fantasy/sci-fi w/romance. It's a great, popular genera, and it's all I like to read, so I write it. I've read 115 book so far this year according to my shelfari status. All those book are YA, and I'm intending to read alot this month too (I'm also a book blogger/reveiwer), so I'm not sure how much commitment I can give to this (especially with school work and art projects and job searching....btw: Does anyone know what store are hiring for part time around the area? I'm trying for Meijers and other big stores for seasonal).
Well this intro was overly in dept. lol.
~Haley G
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Hello!

I'm Adam from Bloomingdale. This is my first time with NaNoWriMo - I almost went for it last year but backed out at the last minute (and am plenty nervous this time 'round too). But, I've tried writing a version of my book three times now, once getting more than 100 pages in before stopping.. so I know this is something I really need to do. Just hope I can barrel forward and win! It's putting aside the "make everything perfect and sensible NOW" mentality that will be tough.

Hi! I'm Sarah (sari_anne). This will be my fourth attempt; my first and only win was in '09. I have no idea what I'll be writing this year. I threw my initial idea out the window on the drive home from the kick-off party today. Lots of fun meeting people there, and I hope to see some of you at future events. Also, that sausage-pasta-veggie soup was super delicious, whoever made that...

I typically write pretty straightforward literary fiction, but I think it'd be fun to try a bit of paranormal or maybe mystery...gaaahhh...good thing I have all weekend to just let the inspiration flow, right?

I live in Aurora and in the past have done a lot of writing at Four Beans coffeehouse, Graham's, and the Caribou on Randall, so if anyone would like to meet up at any of those places, let me know! I have a weird work schedule, so my writing times tend to be all over the place. I have an adorable and needy dog that is very jealous of my laptop, so I will definitely have to leave home to be productive for long stretches.

Hello everyone! I'm Steve, and I discovered something deep and meaningful in NanoWriMo 2010. I found that I am a slow, methodical writer, and when I try for speed, I suck worse than a drooling infant.

This is truly a crucial self-revelation. It's right up there with finding out that, although my hands are like two catcher's mitts and my musical ear is made of a tin pie pan, I can strum an electric guitar to Bob Marley's "Jammin'" and the neighbors don't call the cops.

So, I encourage everyone to enter NanoWriMo with the zeal of a longshoreman hitting the seaport with a fistful of cash and a lump in his jeans. You will uncover something about yourself from the endeavor. Hopefully your "something" is more successful than my "something".

The Forum for Naperville is an absolute motivator for all forms of written art. Katherine, Dean and, especially, Tim, work like one-armed TSA agents to make Naperville the pinnacle of Nanowrimo elegance. I, like the other 1400+ Naperville area members, am here to bask in the glow of the fine spirit and helpful nature of my fellow MLs and writers.

I may come and cajole a couple of you at a write-in or something. I appreciate Naperville WriMo.

Sincerely, Steve from Geneva, IL Cheers to all.

Hi, I'm David from the Joliet/Crest Hill region of sunny Illinois although I am a Brit with one of those Harry Potter accents! This is my second attempt with my previous effort not last more than three days. As a Mr Mom life get's out of control taking care of the angelic little darlings we call kids.... (deleted expletive). This year I plan to finish and beat my arch nemesis Maria in California!!! Mwaha ha

Good luck folks and I'd love to here from any writers in my area who would like to meet up and talk writing!

David

Hi, my name is Julie. I'm the author of Venomoid (Magnus Books 2013), which was also last year's NaNo.

I hear my mother was a gerbil and my father smelt of elderberries, but I keep writing anyway.

I'm kind of quirky and I order my programming and art team around for a living. I also have twenty three pythons split between two residences.

Yes. I'm kind of weird.

Hello everyone! I'm Rachel, and this is my second NaNo, though I've *almost* participated every year for four or five years prior to my first real attempt last year. Anyhow, I'm from Aurora. Due to a rather crowded schedule, I don't know if I'll attend any of the write-ins--last year, they always seemed to be scheduled at my workplace (the Eola library) during the times I was working, which was not helpful. In other unnecessary news, this will be my first year using a program developed for noveling (Yarny), rather than the ubiquitous Microsoft Word. This will hopefully make it feel less like work or school or something.

Speaking of school (and work), I also teach homeschooled students, and a number of my students will hopefully be participated in the YWP of NaNoWriMo. Extra credit all around! And it's something I don't actually have to grade or even read--how absolutely lovely!

As far as plot summer goes, I do sort of have a plot. I'm being a moderate out-of-copyright infringer, as I'm going to loosely base my novel on Jules Verne's Michael Strogoff, though with a shiny, new post-apocalyptic and/or dystopian setting. That will hopefully take care of my perennial "how the heck do I end this blasted thing" dilemma, which has been the bane of my creative existence. I honestly can say that I've never actually ended any fiction in my life (not counting school-assigned short stories under 5,000 words), so this could be a major accomplishment. We'll just have to wait and see . . .

Hello! My name is Lisa. Or TogetherAgain. Or "hey you." Whatever you want to call me.

I live in Gurnee, and I have to say, the kick off event yesterday was DEFINITELY worth the hour drive, so I guess I'll be coming in for some write-ins, too. I recently graduated from ISU with a degree in English, which means I don't have a job and I'm living with Mom and Dad. I figured this was the perfect year to try NaNoWriMo. I've heard about it for years, but I could never remember which month it was, and then when I figured out it was November I couldn't believe anyone who was in college would attempt it because November is a month of death by deadlines. No such excuse this year.

Perhaps I sound naive, but my main concern for this, my first NaNoWriMo, is not being able to reach 50,000 words. Partly because of the unemployment thing, but also because I've probably written about that much in a month with Muppet fanfiction. (I am obsessed with the Muppets. New movie coming to theaters November 23. I don't expect to write much that day. I will be spending most of it in the theater.) I'm more concerned about being able to write 50,000 words OF THE SAME STORY. I'm not usually very good at staying focus--BUNNY!

*cough* Erm... I was saying. I have my story pretty well plotted out, along with the kingdom it takes place in and the four surrounding kingdoms. Usually, that's what slows down my writing--I need to know EVERY possible detail just to figure out an entirely unimportant character's name, and I can't write one sentence more until I have named that entirely unimportant character. So I did all of that ahead of time--or at least, I HOPE I've covered all of it. I now know the name of the wife of the crown prince of the kingdom to the west, so... Hopefully that's it.

And now, I'm just excited to start writing! Is it November yet? Is it? Is it? Huh? Is it?

I'm Maryellen who signed up as Bessie Spot who is really my dog. Pleaee don't bark at me. I want to be a writer. this seems like fun so I'm here.

Hello again, again!
Glad to be back and writing again this year. Hopefully I can make it to some of the write ins.
Will take all the support I can get to work it this year. Working on suspense thriller which is new to me.

Tricia

Hi,

I'm Cindy and this is my first attempt at Nanowrimo. My friends have done this for several years and I'm excited about doing this. I've written books before but never actually put a real time line on them. Since it's around Christmas I've decided to get in the spirit and try another Christmas story. As a panster though we will never know where my characters are going to take me. Hope they take me on fun month long journey. I can't wait to start writing especially since a part of the story is chomping at the bit to get writing.

Happy writing everyone,

Cindy

Buongiorno! (Just thought I'd be different)

No, I'm not Italian but I feel as if I should be. I'm Coleen (couldn't get any less Italian, huh?) and this is my second year. I surprised the heck out of myself (and isn't that a nice thing to do!) by completing almost 52,000 words last year. I now am the proud owner of one proof copy of a glossy paperback with my name on it. Talk about a life-changing experience!!

Since I've just returned from an amazing three week trip to Europe, I've decided to use my travels to write in a completely new genre this year. Last year's book was about a year in the life of a family whose oldest daughter is battling an eating disorder. As you can imagine, it wasn't the happiest experience writing it, re-reading it or editing it so this year I'm doing something fun. I'm going to try to write a Chick-Lit novel about a groomless bride going on a three month honeymoon alone. I have never tried to write anything remotely like this, so it should be fun (and, who knows, maybe even marketable).

I want to thank Tim, Katherine and Dave for all the hard work they do to support all of us who attempt this insane challenge. You're the best! And good luck to all the newbies. If a life-long procrastinator like me can do this, ANYBODY can! Hang in there, keep writing even when you don't have a single idea in your head, and magic can happen!

Hello! I'm Care Morency and this is my second NaNoWriMo. Last year, I did not meet the goal, but did get a great start on a teen paranormal novel that I did finish over the summer. I am currently shopping it to agents, so fingers crossed!

This year my novel will be for adults. I am "pantsing" it this year, which is a new strategy for me, as I normally plan my novels.

Good luck to everyone!