Write-ins in West Chicago/Warrenville/Winfield/Wheaton

As much as I love going to the write-ins at the Caribou in Naperville, it's such a long haul for me to get there and back. I was hoping this year to try to get some more write-ins closer to home, what with gas prices so high, so that I don't have to miss out on all of the camaraderie due to lack of funds. Is there anyone out near West Chicago who would like to plan some recurring write-ins on Sundays and Mondays out this way? I know I can't be the ONLY NaNoer out this way!

I can head to West Chicago instead a few times if you need some company, although I would like to hit up as many of the official write-ins as I can. If the times don't conflict with work or the official write-ins it'd be better (for me at least).

Also does it have to be Sunday or Monday, or would other days also work for you?

Some libraries are hosting their own write-ins (as in the MLs or anyone from the Naperville region didn't arrange them, the libraries connect with the NaNoWriMo Headquarters themselves.)

These include West Chicago, Warrenville, and probably others. If someone from our group agreed to be there, we could post them on our events page as well. I don't want to post something that doesn't have coverage since we're not sure it will be the same as 'our' write-ins. It's tricky figuring out how to encourage lots and lots of write-ins, and how to make sure that people aren't confused. If you were looking for a Sunday Write-in in West Chicago, check out the library.


http://www.westchicago.lib.il.us/media/1350097/29410%20wcpcl_gc_fall_12_nwslttr_web.pdf


Warrenville has a couple:

http://www.warrenville.com/programs/programsadult.htm


One in Bartlett:

http://www.bartlett.lib.il.us/about/newsletter.pdf


It seems to be pretty common, so people should check out their local library.

Thanks, Katherine. That's good to know.

And Brian, Sundays and Mondays are my days off, so it's easier for me to get to things on those days, but I'm free most mornings until at least two. Evenings, sadly, are all full up. :( Although I can make it to things after 7:30, but most coffee shops and such close around 9.

My kids go to school close to there, so I'm always dropping off/picking up during the day. Unfortunately, it doesn't open until 9:30. Boohiss!

Okay! It's official! Sunday evenings at the Caribou in Wheaton, off of Front Street. Join Brian, (CableShaft) Katherine, (Squiddish) and me!

<-< Might help if I put a time. I'll probably be here by about 4 or 5, but feel free to show up whenever. :)

ThePiratess wrote:
<-< Might help if I put a time. I'll probably be here by about 4 or 5, but feel free to show up whenever. :)

Any idea how long you'll stay? I'd like to put an ending time if possible.

I'm putting it into the calendar, as "Join three seasoned NaNo-coffee-shop writers for encouragement and competition."

Should be fun.

Well, we closed down the Caribou last night, so... I'm going to say the official time will be 5-10 pm. XD

Wow, that one is still open until 10, eh?

I like being called seasoned. Makes me sound tasty. ;D

I know! Brian and I were pleasantly surprised last night. :)

*Noms* Mmm, you ARE tasty!

*waves* I'm the librarian running the Warrenville Library write-ins - while I've NaNoed unsuccessfully a couple of times myself, I've never actually *been* to a write-in, so I admit to flailing around a little. There will definitely be coffee, tables, and wi-fi. There will probably be writing prompts, write-or-die challenges, and worksheets.

Pleasure to meet you! I'm Squid. ;D Hopefully this year you'll be able to finish that nano novel! Write-ins are definitely helpful--last year, the only reason I finished my novel was because of write-ins.

I'm not sure I'll make the first of the two, but I'll aim to make the second one! Hope to see you there!

Hey Jen! I've RSVPed to the first write in (we'll see if I peter out again this year), but I will probably be a frequent haunter of the upstairs cubbies. :)

I've been to a handful of write-ins over the years, so I'm happy to help in whatever way you need.

Laura

This may sound like a silly, stupid question, but; just what /is/ a write in, anyway?

Essentially, we all get together (bring your laptop, notebook, typewriter.. you know,w hatever you write with) and we write! There's generally quite a lot of room, so we have tables and chairs and we all sit and type (or scribble) away on our novels. We'll do word wards every so often. (If you've never done a word war, you're given a time limit--say, ten minutes--and you see how many words you can write in that time. Whoever writes the most usually gets a prize if the host of the write in is providing them.)

And that's the basics of a write in. Nothing too fancy. It just provides a change of scenery and hopefully some motivation to write since you're surrounded by people that are ONLY writing. Talking is typically discouraged. We don't like socializing. (I kid... mostly.)

As if you needed any more enticement other than the presence of three seasoned NaNoers at our Sunday night write-ins in Wheaton, I present to you my small but mighty and growing army of origami plot bunnies:



These will be given out as prizes for winning word wars and meeting goals for the day.



So, make sure to stop by the Caribou in Wheaton on Sunday nights from 5-10pm, and maybe you'll get to take one of these cute critters home with you to join your collection!

I'll probably come to the write ins at Wheaton. This is my first attempt at Nanowrimo and I'm super excited. I'll also probably drag along my friend who is doing it for the first time also. See you there!