Hello!

I'm Tim, aka NewMexicoKid, one of the three MLs for the Naperville region along with Sam (samcadams) and Melinda (Willow Sanders). We're volunteers who are here to help you succeed in your NaNoWriMo adventure. Melindais "new" this year, stepping in to take over for Frank(fdahlman), our long-time colleague who is busy with other adventures. I put "new" in quotes because this is actually her fourth year as an ML of this region--she earlier co-ML'd with me in 2006, 2007 and 2008!

Welcome! We have a full slate of events planned for this NaNoWriMo season, starting with four preparatory workshops that I'll post about in a different thread. We will be handing out this year's version of the hipster PDA at the preparatory workshops(many thanks to Sarah (aka anobi) for her wonderful work on those). You can use your hipster PDA to collect the library cards at the many write-ins at this year'sLibrary Crawl (Sarah/sarahk06 is coordinating); the collected cards will be good for raffle chances for prizes at the TGIO.

I typically write fantasy or science fiction (though for NaNo, because of the complexity of SF, I have mostly stuck with fantasy). My novel this fall is currently planned to be a collection of stories from my own life, a memoir that I am really writing for an audience of one, my daughter (books). Every year that passes, I discover that my memory of events is a bit more faded and uncertain, so I am taking this unprecedented genre-changing step in an effort to document what I do remember.

Feel free to post questions in this forum or send NaNoMail to any of us MLs. Welcome! Please use this thread to introduce yourself! What genres do you write? How are you doing in your preparations for this year's NaNo?

Hello

I'm Sam McAdams,(samcadams) and I'm returning for my second year as one of the Naperville region's Municipal Liaisons (ML)along withTim (NewMexicoKid) andMelinda (Willow Sanders). As Tim mentioned, we have a full slate of Nano-prep workshops scheduled for October and Write-ins scheduled nearly every day in November as part of theLibrary Crawl. All oftheregion's2016 NaNo events can be seenonthe NaperWriMo Events page.

This year I will once again be writing more chapters inmy ongoing BarnYard Heroes series about a group of barnyard animals given partially workingsuperpowers by a space alien before his financially troubled company canceled his project. Hilarity ensues.

In theory, I plan to get a majority of my planning done in September, because in theory, I plan to be spending a majority of October watching baseball playoff games. We'll see how both of those theories work out for me.

Ah! Late to the party once again!

Hello everyone! As you've already read from Sam & Tim my name is Melinda - I write under the pen name Willow Sanders (where I have published two contemporary romance novels- and hopefully soon- a romantic suspense). It's been a long while since I've been an ML but you MAY know me under my original SN scrtprncs where I ML'd with Tim for three years a long long time ago.

Theyve taken care of pointing you in all the appropriate directions for all things Naperwrimo SO I guess I'll just introduce myself. :)

This year I plan to write a decidedly chic-lit book. I'm calling it The Devil Wears Prada meets The Help. Which is based on my own experiences working at a trade magazine for four short months (though it seemed like an eternity) last year. Since I'm pretty sure I'm still dramatically scarred from the experience I've decided to use this as a way to exorcise the demons of this experience - in of course an acerbic and entertaining way. The working title at the moment will be Notorious: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword.

I hope to see you out at our planning meetings - as were all working dilligently to present you with some really great, informative and helpful information in the advent of NaNoWriMo.

Hey there! Glad to see everyone back at it again! I personally hope to be more involved this year but I still work at Amazon so things are just starting to get crazy as November starts.

I'm not sure exactly what I will be writing this year but I'm sure it'll be more successful than last year - and that's my overall goal: to be a better writer this November than I was in previous years. If I hit the 50k mark, fantastic! But if not that's okay too. I've taken my NaNo work a little too seriously in the past and I think it made the pleasure of writing morph into work. Not this year! This is a fun month and writing is what I (and we) love to do!!

I know I won't be able to make it to the kick off but you'll see me at write-ins when I can!

Wow, I'm never one of the first people to sign in. ;)

My name is Pen vs. Sword, and i will be finishing a quasi-romance i started last year @ Nanowrimo. Hopefully my guy will rescue the gal and I will attend all of the meetings but, since im working full time this year as well as trying to write, it could get interesting.

I love to write in November, drink copious amounts of hot chocolate, and enjoy the insanity of attempting to write a novella in a month. May we all taste success and hold the trophies aloft with a cheer.

Hi again, guys! I made it to a couple of write-ins last time, and have been sporadically involved with the Writing Journey since, and it's been a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to being involved again. I'm writing sci-fi again this year, but trying my hand at a space opera for once, since it's something I haven't tried before. My main character is an orbital parking enforcement officer with a criminal past, and it takes place in the Alpha Centauri system of stars, so that should be fun. Looking forward to attending at least some of the write-ins!

SUP FRIENDS. Remember me? Probably not, because I fell off the face of the planet a few years back and didn't quite get back into NaNo until now. It's still questionable if I'll be finishing this year, as I'm working more than I did before, but I'm gonna get it a valiant effort.

I don't have a title yet, so for now my piece is going to be called Title Forthcoming. Classy, I know. It's going to be a mix between horror and some other real life snapshot things, so we'll see what happens with it. c:

I'm Squiddish. I go by Squid. I work as a barista and a respite care provider and when I'm doing neither of those, I bus tables at a local restaurant in Geneva and work in a residential home in Wheaton. When I'm not doing allthat I like to bake, knit, and write some stories or whatever. Ya know, the 'usual'.

Anyway. HOPEFULLY I'LL SEE YOU AROUND! (I plan on trying to host a few write-in's out towards the Geneva area, so if you're interested let me know.)

Hello!

I'm Kim, and I'm new to the Naperville NaNo group, but have sporadically participated in NaNo since 2008. I have not attended any events yet, but hope to get more involved this year (which is tricky when you work retail in November.) Also, because I work for the Bolingbrook Promenade Barnes & Noble, I have entered our cafe into the directory of friendly places you may come to write. Please come visit and ask for Kim, because I will be happy to serve coffee to my fellow writers :)

I have completed one past NaNo project and have a second waiting for final edits from 2014, but will start a third one this year because...I am apparently a masochist. I write thrillers with female protagonists and a (typically doomed) romantic slant.

Hi everyone!
Karen Bedore back here as "Bedorkable Me."

It's been a while, but I've been focusing on The Bard Trilogy (romance set in early Renaissance Italy)...the NaNo I started in 2014 ended up turning into something amazing, and I am working on the third book right now...

I am also heading up our Creative Writing club at school, and getting the kiddos all set for their NaNos....I promised them I'd do one with them, so I'll have two projects going on simultaneously. What was I thinking!?!?! LOL. You can read the synopsis of this year's NaNo project in my profile if you want...it's going to be a New Adult "clean" romance...still set in Renaissance Italy, because frankly...I'm a bit obsessed with that time period. :)

Looking forward to "talking" with everyone again!

Go Cubbies!

Hey everyone! I've been a bit more scarce lately, but I'm still around.

I'm Kaden (they/them or sie/hir pronouns, please!), and I have No Idea what I'll be writing this year... here's hoping some strong-willed plot bunny shows up this month!

Looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Hi all!
I kinda went MIA during last years NaNo. (Which was my 4th.) I had found out I had some complications with my pregnancy and just kind of lost motivation for anything else.
I'm happy to say things turned out great, my little guy was born 5 weeks early but kicked butt and is now 8 months old. So I'm busy with him and his 6 year old sister. They keep me going, and going and going. :)

I'm still undecided what I'm going to work on this year. It is crazy busy around here right now so I don't know how much I'll be able to commit. Because of that I can't decide if I'm going to try to finish something I've already started or try something new, that will require a ton of plotting. Which I have never done before.

Anyway, I'm hoping to make some planning sessions and write ins. Good luck this year everyone!

Hello. I'm back to write another novel. I'm also prepared to pretend last year never happened and dwell on my 2014 win. I expect to see y'all at some write-ins and the big kickoff on 10/29!

I'm Uniasus (Uni) here, Jenny in real life, and Gwen in the writer world/Twitter. Super excited for this year, cuz I'm gonna act on ideas that've been in my mind for awhile.

Aka I'm gonna 50 shades of my fandoms. Aka, I'm taking popular fandom (coffeshop aus, soulmates, etc) and AUs and filling them with original characters and settings, but stuffing them full of Easter Eggs for those in the know. Hopefully I can get 1.5 stories done (aiming for 30K each). My goal is for someone to pick them up and not realize they're essentially fanfiction XD. And there's totally gonna be a PG-13 and R versions of each story.

Hello, all! Though I haven't writtenanything since April, I really want to get back into the swing of things and try NaNo this year. I can't break my streak! I've got the germ of an idea that has to do with teleportation and how it might affect our society. All I have now is a jumble of ideas and some character sketches, but I hope to spend October doing some serious prep.

Unfortunately, I might not be around for many events this year because it's just too far for me to travel on a weekly basis. But I will be writing (at least, that's the plan) and I hope to keep up with all of you via the interwebs. Happy writing!

Hi, everyone, I'm Elaine Fisher or fishmama. This is my fourth Nano and I am glad to be back. Since last November, I have 2 short stories published in The Writing Journey's anthology, Voices from the Dark, a flash fiction story and a poem in the online anthology, Human, also from this group. Coming out in April, another story and poem in Anthology 12.

I enjoyed writing last year's novel so much, that I am making it into a series, called the Dream Travelers, about two teenage girls exchanging places, one from the present day and the other from the Old West. There is a Middle World--that survives on violent Human dreams--that connects both of the girls' worlds. I'm hoping that Book 2 - Traveling to Crush County will be as much fun to write since I now know all of my characters like family. I hope we all get along!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Kick-off!

YO. I'm Ellie, I'm originally from Los Angeles but am currently a student at Wheaton College - I'm studying lots of things... double major in writing and sociology, minor in psychology, certificate from the gender studies program - I've always dreamed of writing fiction but recently have been captured by new dreams that I'm hoping to weave into writing somehow (new interests involve peace and justice studies, community action, theology, social change).

Not sure how many years I've attempted NaNo, but I only "won" in 2014 with ascience fiction thriller novel I'm still editing and hoping to query eventually. But I got an idea for a YA novel from a dream (who knew this actually ever worked out!?) that I'm wanting to pursue for NaNo this year. I only have a premise, no plot so far. But I'm excited to see where it goes!

I've been on and off involved with NaperWriMo and The Journey - I'm, allegedly, one of the editors of our current anthology of fairy tale and folklore inspired pieces with Awnna, but I've been hiding from my responsibilities. Looking forward to seeing old writing buddies and making new ones this NaNo season!

Hi, my name is Cici Edward and I plan on writing a YA novel this year. I have participated in NaNo for many years now. last year, I was unable to participate in, but I am back this year and ready to write!!

Hi, My name is Tanya! I've been doing nano for 2 years and this MIGHT be my 3rd year.

I say MIGHT because not only do i work 2 part time jobs, but ....*DING DING DING*!!! BABY ON THE WAY <3 <3 <3 (I am due in January!) and not only do i often get stressed from driving to Plano in the morning for one job...but 2-4 times a week i drive AFTERWARD to the fox valley mall area to babysit after school...

but pregnancy stress. I am sure all you moms/moms to be can relate.

Will i have the motivation to write (even if i don't finish) when i have all this going on AND will i WANT to write when my back won't stop aching or my baby girl decides she doesn't want to get off my bladder? I know i WANT to write because i have SO much fun every year attending the kick off's and write-ins...but i can't drink nearly the amount of caffeine i could last year (Thank you, child lol!)....and i just question on whether i'll be able to afford the time needed

no, wait. i can find the time...i have my weekends free and when i don't babysit, i am home by 3/3:30 and don't have to be in bed until 8:30 (i find that with this pregnancy, if i don't go to bed REALLY early, i am a zombie the next day)...so...again...time is not an issue...it's whether i'll feel like writing and WANT to write

I might though...because with child care being WAY to expensive...i won't be working in plano after december and considering how i really don't like my office job anyway...i'll be full of happy hormones knowing that i get to quit soon!

But, i have a few weeks to decide. Maybe i'll start a new story...or perhaps just continue one of the 5 other stories that are still a W.I.P. I know for a fact i probably won't meet the word goal at the end...but for me this year...the point isn't to win...but to get myself writing even if it's only 3 chapters. That's three more chapters that i wouldn't have written otherwise.

EDIT: Looks like i WILL be doing it! One of my good friends just decided to transfer from the dekalb region to our region and having her come to kick offs and write ins and things makes me excited to do this! It's always more fun when you do something with a close friend!

Similar boat!! though, no complications....except for working 2 jobs and dealing with pregnancy ailments...but yeah. Being pregnant during Nano might prove to be challenging....This is my first baby...any suggestions? lol!

Danielle here, aka PeasantQueen. I was really tempted to go back and rewrite any of the other novels I didn't finish in previous years, but decided to go with a new idea. As part of the mindset "strong to start, look a squirrel", I've had some really strong storylines that never got finished. But, that's what the rest of the year is for, or maybe next year's wrimo... This year, I've got a great idea for a horror novel about a bride who didn't get carried over the threshold. I'm hoping it transforms into something really scary and not just a pity party for a couple who has bad luck. Gonna have to watch some old school horror/suspense movies for inspiration when I get stuck. Also picked up story cubes and set up a writing desk in our basement. Scene is set for a creeptacular November. Best of luck to you all! And me.

Mongrelvw [Chuck Schultz] returning for a ninth year. November is my favorite month of the year altho I write year round including a twice weekly blog for Gear Technology magazine. I have been able to complete my book each year and often continue using the characters developed in other non-NaNoWriMo projects. For you first time participants I recommend doing backstories on all your characters before starting your project November 1st. You can work your way through any writer's block that develops during the month more easily if you are better acquainted with your "actors." It is also fun to look at the major plot points planned for the story from a different perspective. For example, a first person narrative by the side kick can give you something to think about when doing an "omniscient observer" take in the real book.

Hey there all!

Teresa D'Aversa aka Tree @ Home reporting for our yearly rendezvous. This'll be my 10th year attempting the gamut that is NaNo and I'm hoping to make it a successful one. It's sure to be a good time!

Heyyyy, Plano is out my way! Do you live out this way, too? I'm from Sugar Grove, and would happily host a few write-in's out at our library or in the Yorkville area if that's convenient for anyone! ;)

I work in plano at the menards DC...(only until end of december...thank GOD)...i live a few blocks from Aurora University....so driving to plano/yorkville is something i am familiar with ....but my friend who is going to join the naper region...lives in plano....<3

This is my 7th NaNo. Last year was the first year I ever "won." So it can be done. My novel this year is a slice of life story taking place between the 1990's to today. The story board workshop showed me how I have to make my main character more interesting.

I usually host at least one write in at the Corner House coffee place on St. Charles in Lombard. When I get my schedule I'll post on the region's calendar.

Hi, my NaNo name is AnnaVanEast,
and I am happy to see to many familiar faces but also new writers :-) This is my fourth year with NaNoWriMo and I am getting excited. My family brainstormed with me two weeks ago and that gave me an idea for a sequel (or a series) to the YA novel i wrote last year but I don't know if I can pull through because of time issues this year. We will see ...
Looking forward to writing wild ...

if any write-ins (aside from the all day) provide an electric kettle with hot water....i just bought a HUGE tin of river song tea. If we drink it, can we write under the pen name of Melody Malone?

Hi Nanoers! :)

I'm trying to keep my streak going afterwinning the past two years. I've moved a bit south to Wheaton so I'm hoping to attend more of the write-ins this year. They were a huge help two years ago when I was getting things figured out, but after I found my rhythm, it made more sense to write at home instead of spending 1.5 to 2 hours (round trip) in the car. Precious November writing time!

Either way, this board and the graph are great sources of encouragement and I'm looking forward to another successful year.

This year I am writing a YA sci-fi adventure. So far I've got a decent working synopsis and will be working over the next couple weeks to break it down into scenes so I know what I need to do on Nov 1st.

Happy Writing!

Lisa

I'm Sue. I think last year was the first time I went to regional events, i.e., a few write-ins. Had fun with that and will be going to more this year. This time I am being a Nano rebel. Specifically, I'm planning to move forward with the traditional mystery novel that I started last year in which two women withvery different personalities team up to solve a murder. (Don't worry, I'll only count NEW words.) Also I want to work on a nonfiction piece called Reflections in Nature. Nano gets me writing, and I'd like to make some progress on that series of reflections also, which iswhy I'm doing both.

Hi my name is Zaic or ZRealONeil. I've just moved back to Aurora after living in Scotland and Spain the last four years, but I now finally have time to read and write for pleasure. Only discovered Nanowrimo this summer and decided to give it a try this year. Currently working a nordic noir inspired story about two neighbouring but very different towns.

Hi all,

Greg here, back for another challenge. While I've written the last few of my works using a dedicated outline, this time I'm going to fly by the seat of my pants! I can't wait!

Hi, everyone!

A little late here, but I'm Mary Fran, and this is my fourth year doing NaNo. Writing a contemporary romance set in Chicago (for the most part), and super excited for November to come!

Hello,

I'm Molly. I joined the Naperville Writing Journey in January. This year for NaNoWriMo I'm writing the second half of my novel from last year, which ended at 50,000 words almost directly at the midpoint of the story. I primarily write in the fantasy genre, though I appreciate works of science fiction, too. I wrote my first short story this year for the Journey's anthology 12.

I'm a novice writer looking to learn as much as I can about the craft, and hopefully reach the word goal again this November. I'm a bit introverted, but I have appreciated meeting other writers and listening to / talking about writing.

My name is Anna. I'm a member of the Writing Journey, and this year will be my second time doing NaNo.

Last yearwas a great learning experience for me, and though I was able to get to 50k, this yearI'm scrapping everything from last year and will be rewriting it. My project is a fantasy and I intend it to be the first in a trilogy. I've changed most of my characters' names and personalities, and changed some things about the world (though a lot of that is the same, at least). The plot I've (somewhat) planned is drastically different than what I'd attempted last year as well. I'm really hoping I can get a workable first draft this time! I still have a lot of holes in my current plan, but I'm kind of looking forward to figuring some things out as I go. I love my characters, and I'm excited to write their story!

I'm thrilled to see some familiar faces/names here, and just as excited to see some new ones! Welcome and welcome back to all! (^_^)

I've been writing creatively under the name Kiela Starcatcher for some time now, leaving my real name free for my academic and scholarly publications. I'm actually getting ready to submit an article query to History Magazine for publication consideration.

Life has afforded me quite an adventure since 2015's wrap-up party. I'm working a steady, full time job that will grow MUCH busier as the holidays approach, I'm close to finishing a master's degree in history and culture that I hadn't even started yet during last year's NaNo, I'm studying for my big GRE exam, and preparing for my Ph.D. program application deadline in December!

With all that going on, I've had to make some tough decisions about how I use the limited amount of time I have available to me.To that end, I've reluctantly decided not to participate in NaNo this year.As much as I want another WIN t-shirt and swag, I'm not going to begin something I don't feel confident about finishing. I'm not happy about it, but I think it's for the best. I really enjoy writing, and I don't want it to be a source of stress. I can still write when I do have time, but for now my plans for the future have to come first. And as long as I'm not out in the Amazon conducting fieldwork or something, I'll be back next year!

I'll definitely be cheering everyone on from the sidelines, and I can't wait to see all your successes!May all your creative endeavors flow smoothly and without hesitation! (^_^)

Happy writing!

"If you want something badly enough, nothing can stand in your way for long." ~Kiela Starcatcher

PS - Bolingbrook's Fountaindale Public Library had one or two Camp NaNo events this past year that I wasn't aware of until it was all over. It sounded like they were testing the waters for interest. Has anyone here reached out to them to coordinate something bigger? They have a wonderful quiet room for writing, and I wish they'd been participating in our library crawl last year!

PPS - oops! It's been so long since last NaNo, I forgot how to properly post on the forums! Apologies for setting this up as a reply. I can't delete it and try again! haha

Hey, Kiela,

Fountaindale is taking part in our Library Crawl and they have some other NaNo events as well:

Resources available: Wi-fi, Power outlets, Outside food and drink permitted, Food and/or drink available for purchase, Space is accessible (no stairs, wide doorways and aisles, etc.), Free parking, Accessible by transit

Extra details: NaNoWriMo Meetups

• Get Ready: Thursday, September 22 , 7:00 p.m.
• Pre-Launch: Thursday, October 27, 6:00 p.m.
• Come Write-in: Sunday, November 6, 2:00 p.m.
• Mid-month Check-in: Tuesday, November 15, 7:00 p.m.
• Come Write-in: Saturday, November 19, 2:00 p.m.
• Wrap-up: Tuesday, December 6, 7:00 p.m.

Their events are all on our regional calendar.

--Tim

Hey Squid :) Good to see you're back this year, even though you sound crazy busy with work. I'm apparently hosting several write-ins this year, but I'll try to make it out to one or two of yours as well.

I'm Brian, and this will be my 10th go at this.I tend to alternate years between rewritesand new manuscripts lately, and I did a rewrite last year, so that means a brand new manuscript this year!

Planning to write a sequel to Clamshell Brainjelly, my most polished (but still unfinished) novel, and also my most silliest. I really enjoy writing in that world, so the words should come pretty quickly this year, I hope.

I gave my first Nanowrimo presentation on October 22, and it seemed to go well. I'll be hosting 5 write-ins next month (a few at College of Dupage, one at Nichols Library), so you can come say hi if you like :)

I'm a software developer by trade, and have worked on several video games in the past.

In the last three years I developed a love of modern board games, though, and I've started designing board games like crazy and networking with the industry. Hopefully one or two of my designs will get published in the next couple of years. I'm always happy to find new people willing to playtest my games as well :)

Hi,

I'm back for my 11th Nano. I can hardly believe I've been at it this long! I started in 2006 when my daughter challenged me to write one of the sci fi novels I kept saying I was going to write. I'd planned on writing three or four novella's this year as back story to my series...BUT...my other daughter feels I'm keeping her in suspense over my series and wants me to continue. So I'm torn. I think I may write one novella and return to my series. Either way I'm looking forward to another month of literary abandon and little to no family life.

Dave

AKA TRRDEDEAN

I'm new to Naperville, and haven't been able to participate in NaNo for many years now, and wasn't successful the first time I tried it. This year, I have an idea that has been poking at me to be written for a while. It's basically taking a flash fic and filling it out into a book. Nothing like taking 500 words and turning it into 50,000.

Hi,

My name is Brian. This will be my 4th NaNoWriMo. Last year was my first victory, and I am looking for another onethis November.For my 2016 NaNoWriMo project, I am still deciding between a couple of ideas I am developing.

Good luck to everyone!

Hi Everyone,

I'm AuntieMimiBooks or Auntie Mimi here, aka Mary-Lynette elsewhere. This is my second Nano. I came to one write-in last year rather late in the month and found it great. I was sort of out of the loop, not realizing how great they are until I did one. (Naperville Municipal Bld all-day event). I'll be hosting some write-ins: one at Plainfield Public Library, two at COD Library.

This year's goal is to finish my story, Sylvia's Search. I need about 30K to get to 90K. Since last year's Nano, I participated in several meetings of the NaperWrimo Critique Path with Catherine B; extremely helpful. Thanks, Catherine!!

Outside of writing, I teach French and Spanish. My pastime is driving a race car with my husband.

Thanks, Chuck. That's a great idea. I just wish I'd read it before today =}

Mary-Lynette

Hi, I'm Melanie. This is my 13th NaNoWriMo and, hopefully, 13th win. Last year, WriMo was my catharsis after a year of grief, and I ended up writing 329,409 words and breaking 1 million words for my WriMo lifetime. I'm not even trying to top myself with that one!

This is my 3rd year here in the Naperville region, though I keep my old region -- Augusta, GA -- designated as my home region.My schedule as a SAHM to two boys, one autistic, doesn't allow me to attend many (if any) write-ins locally, so I'm not considered a familiar face around here. I do write year-round, but I always devote November to a first draft andend up running on caffeine, wine, ibuprofen, and popcorn -- not necessarily in that order. This year, I'll be on the start of a supernatural/fantasy series that has been rattling around in my head for a bit over a decade.

I'm Jenette.

I'm writing a modern-day romance, with a political backdrop. (Because if you can't fall in love with politics IRL, maybe you can in a trashy romance novel...Making housewives hot forcivic engagement!)

My mom said it sounded like the sort of thing she'd totally pay to read. Which was terrifying.

I need to make a friend, because I want that badge, dammit. But I don't want to be the creepy person who friends random people. If you're a random person, consider my awkward request to be your personal invitation.

Hello, all! I'm Jen, and I am apparently doing NaNo this year after all. (I was convinced I wasn't. And two days ago a series of ideas collided and said, "We need to be a NaNo novel," so here we go.)

This'll be my fifth year in the NaperWrimo group, although I've been MIA for the past year or so, now that I work most Saturdays. I'll try to make as many write-ins as I can, though; sometimes I think write-ins are the only thing that keep me going.

Good luck to everyone, and I hope to see you around this month!

Hi everyone!

I've been hemming and hawing about whether to dive in to NaNo again or not. The first year I tried it I didn't get very far -- a couple thousand words at best. Last year I got my 50,000 words, most of which were written over Thanksgiving weekend in a fit of leftover turkey and wine -- yikes! I think if I can figure out how to manage my time better I might just finish with a first draft I actually like! So, here I go -- Hope to finally meet some of you and give back much of the support I've received inconspicuously all this time!

Molly

Hi all, treg back for year 11. As in the past, I will lurk in the forums and probably not make it to any write-ins or events due to weird work schedules. Not sure how well I'll be able to do this year, since I had a rough time last year, but

I wish you all the best. Hope everyone meets their personal goals and has a great time doing it.

I may be late to the party, but at least I'm here! I'm Sarah J, aka Anobi, aka IcicleFerret. I was supposed to serve as an unofficial 4th ML this year but plans fell through as my own personal life kind of took a nose dive, so I'm kind of glad the ML-ship was scrapped. It gives me more time to focus on fixing my current financial situation.

This year I plan to go back to my first love genre, Science Fiction. I'm writing a story that is in a not-too-subtle way trying to roast the "everybody wins" mentality while making individual exceptionalism a great thing. There will be tears, there will be abandoned plots, and there may even be celebrity guest stars from other Sci-Fi works. Most importantly, I will be pantsing most of this novel unless I stop playing Fallout 4 long enough to write up some story cards.

Hello! My name's Mackenzie, or rebel_cheese. I took last year off from NaNo, but now I'm returning this year.

Usually I write adult or YA, but this year I'm actually writing an middle grade idea. I've long wanted to write in the setting of a sky city on Venus, but never had a workable plot for it until now. Naturally, it involves 12-year-olds as the main characters so I'm writing MG all of a sudden. It's not something I have much experience in, so I've been devouring middle grade books at my local library to try to learn as much about the genre as I possibly can.

I'm still fretting over the first chapter, which doesn't have the action kick in until the very end. How I wish I could just get off the ball running, but such a unique setting requires some establishment of both characters and setting. Once the ball does get rolling, it is a chase plot, so ideally there will be a lot of action, exploration, and tension throughout.

Hi everyone! Liz, aka Silira here! This is my 6th year and I am really looking forward to writing this year! It's the first time I've started the month with a well-detailed out plot, so hopefully this goes well. (I have a couple of spare ideas floating around in the background in case it doesn't!) I'm writing a modern magic fantasy story this year; it should be fun!

I don't get around to a lot of the events in this area, but hope to attend more this year. So far, life keeps getting in the way though.

EYYYYY

Joe's Back!

Not sure I'm gonna be a contenda this year, word count wise, but I'm pretty happy that I managed to throw together a plot for a story in a little under a week. Consider that I spent ONE YEAR planning my last Nano (wow, was it that long ago?)

I'm going to be bouncing around all over this year, potentially editing some old stories, finishing out manuscripts, and hopefully having some fun writing some actual sci-fi science fiction, rather than my usual fantasy/scifi admixture.

Oh man, writing/editing another project for work, so we'll see if I can even come up with a cover image this year.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

Back for my eleventh year in Nanowrimo. My first eight-book series was about a group of time travelers, and now I'm ready to write the third book in a series about a group of space travelers. The last two books were called Century Day and Century War; I think this one will be called Century Empire. The setting is a generation ship on an eight-hundred-year journey, and each book takes place a hundred years after the previous one. In real life I'm Mike, a retired teacher in Bolingbrook.

Okay. I'm taking the leap.

I'm Lisa, aka TogetherAgain. If you see me at write-ins, I'm the crazy one writing by hand. (I then go home and type it into my computer with some minor editing, but only editing that maintains or adds to my word count!)

I thought I wasn't going to have time to even attempt to do NaNo this year. I've done it in previous years while working part-time, but this year I have a part-time job AND I'm working on my master's degree in elementary education. Then I realized one of my three classes was only half a term, so it's already over, and the other two classes will end before November ends, and honestly I tend to do most of my writing in the tail end of the month anyway. (Or should I say the "tale" end?) So I've spent some time the last few weeks debating whether or not to do NaNoWriMo and what in the world to write (because I usually start planning by August at the latest!) and then I found myself staring at my dry-erase board and noticed a note I'd written to myself over a year ago: "Next NaNoWriMo: humanize Incognito!" Incognito is an unfinished fanfiction I wrote years ago that I think still has some good potential if I convert it from fanfiction to original characters. I'll have to tweak the plot some, but having a lot of the story laid out already means I haven't REALLY missed out on my 3+ months of plotting and world building.

So... Sure, why not. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, right?

Hello NaperWriMo, I'm Rebekkah, or RLShepherd. This will be my fifth Nano and hopefully my fourth win. I may appear at some write ins but this will be the first year that I'm working through nano with no extended time off which will definitely increase the difficulty of showing up in person.

I'm excited to say that as of one hour ago I actually figured out my plot for this year! WOO! I was terribly nervous that I had no plot whatsoever and a very loose character idea that I hadn't been able to fully form. As a Planner that worried me but I'm very excited and glad I gave myself time to let the inspiration come to me. This year I will be returning to the world I created for my 2014 novel Lethe although this story is "completely" separate. It will not follow my characters from Lethe but will instead follow a group of mid twenty something witches who o from their normal lives of running a modern day magic supply and service shop to tracking down an evil witch trying to elevate their power to become a higher being. I feel a bit weird because my main character has the same first name as a side character in Lethe but I feel like it should be fine since those two will likely never cross paths. Besides surely its not terribly strange that two people in the same world would share a name I say to myself. Hopefully everything will work out and feel free to add me as a buddy I tend to be very consistent when it comes to word count throughout the month.

Hi all!

I'm Maggie, librarian at the Glenside Public Library District in Glendale Heights, IL. Last year was our first year participating in Come Write In events, and though I'm not a writer at the moment, I'm excited to be supporting writers through our library and it was super fun getting to know some of you last year.

Hope to see you this year! Break a leg.

Maggie

Hello! I'm Stephanie and this will be Nano number six for me! I write young adult books but this time I'm writing a contemporary romance as part of a TOP SECRET group project with my critique group! We've done a lot of planning already, but I haven't done much of my own planning where I write out specifics of my character. I meant to do that stuff but, ya know. It's October 31. What can you do.

I've never made it to a write in but I just might this year; my Romance Writers Chapter (Windy City--woot woot!) hosted Tim last year at one of our meetings. We also have a Facebook Word War group with dozens of RWA chapters competing against each other from all over the country. So much support I love it.

Hi. My name is Tim, I am a Civil Engineer by day and a father to an eighth grade boy and triplet fourth grade girls by day and night.

I'm back for another NaNo full of the usual unrealistic expectations. This will be the year I turn the time I carve out of my schedule in November for writing into a year long writing habit and actually seriously edit and finish one of my Nano drafts. This year I will wrestle a few write-ins and even the TGIO party into the tangle of family and work obligations. Except this really will be the year (hey if the Cubs can win the Pennant... maybe even the World Series, then anything is possible).

Best of Luck to everyone with all their writing goals and dreams!

Doing a quick introduction here. I'm John. I fix problems and make people cry. I am a horrible writer but love every minute of it. I look forward to seeing you all around at various write ins.

Kat's Meow and I are co-writing a book this year. We are each writing a novels worth of lovin and smashing it together as we go.

Feel free to drop me a line if you wan't some truthful feedback about anything.

I hope you make it out to some of the Plainfield write ins that I am hosting :)

Hey guys!

Eva Praycler is a group of two people, actually, and both of us are on the younger side of nano.

We go by J & G (our first initials) and we're both 16. This is our first actual nano, but we won Camp Nanowrimo in July earlier this year, so we're not completely new to the idea.

I (G) go to NNHS and J is homeschooled, but somehow we managed to meet and become best friends.

We're excited to write this November (and maybe attend a write-in, albeit we may be the youngest there).

Happy writing!

Hi,

I'm Chloe. I was part of the Naperville region way back in 2011 and 2012, but I only went to one Nano prep workshop and no write-ins, so ya'll probably don't remember me. I've been at college out of state for three years and am finally back home in Illinois now that I've graduated. I'm gonna try to win Nano this year...I haven't won since 2012. We'll see how that goes.

Hi Writers. I'm not super chatty in here, but I'm working on my first 'book 2' ever. No, book one is not revised, but it will be eventually. I may have some unanticipated travel this year during NaNo, so now I'm thinking I need to cram like crazy this week! Let the fun begin :)

Hello! My name is Laura, I'm in my mid-twenties, and I'm living temporarily in the Naperville area. I've known about Nanowrimo for many years now but this is my first time participating! I've written as a hobby ever since I was a little kid, but in the past few years I've decided to pursue a literary career in some field. I'm not sure what that will look like yet but I figure that it's about time I finally get something down on paper! I have a husband and a dog who require equal amounts of affection,I collect books, cosplay, and I'm into just about anything that you'll find at your average comic con!

My book this year is a blend of adventure and magical realism. Can't wait to connect with some of you guys! I will definitely need the support!!

Hello! I'm Dan and my pen name is John Ryder. (You can probably tell how old I am by "pen name", prior to typewriters and computers, though I am not ancient.) Most of my life I dreamed of being a writer. Finally realized this would only happen if I actually sat down and Did some writing. Years ago I heard about NaNoWriMo. Sounded like it was worth a try and would help encourage and motive me. Very nice to be invited to this group. I'm looking forward to the adventure.

Great to see you again!

Greetings WriMos!

I'm back after a break in 2015. Feeling kinda rusty but so so glad for the opportunity to get back into novelizing with all of you! I write contemporary chick-lit, usually with a supernatural element. This year I hope to write the 4th installment of my series called Windy City Witches. Although my main character says she's considering a move to Seattle. Thanks, Stella, for that complication! Protagonists! You can't live with 'em....

I plan to be at several write-ins over the first couple weeks. Hope to see you all there!

Great - I'd be interested in coming to the Corner House in Lombard!

Hey, Ada! I've missed you and the lovely write-ins at your place! c: Good luck this year!

Hi, my name is MsCynthia,

I'm 66 years old, and I'm writing a religious course book to train prophets. I am a prophet myself, and seek out prophets, that the Lord has called to prepare them for the Second Coming of Christ.I has been a long arduous path.I've been studying, and preparing for 30 years. So now, it's time to launch. Glory. But it's difficult.

Hey y'all, Me- n- Jesus back again. Being a rebel this year, working on several projects, short stories, mostly, all of which have the potential to get long. GO CUBS!!!! WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!!!!!

I'm Paula and I'm back! Although getting a late start this year.

My novel is called "I'll do that when the Cubs Win the World Series" although I'll likely shorten the to "When the Cubs Win the World Series".

It's about a guy (Chris) who has a friend (Natalie) who recorded every time he said he'd do something when the Cubs win the World Series since Kindergarten and is now holding him to do everything he said.

I may have been inspired by current events... But also need all the suggestions for what Chris will have to do now that the Cubs have won the World Series!