Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Our Robust Regional Wordcount

SimonBob — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 06:59:16 -0800

Final wordcounts are up, apparently -- we're fourth overall in Canada, behind Toronto, Vancouver, and Edmonton. But we beat all of those suckers in average wordcount! Go team! I'd like to know what they're putting in the water in Emsdale, though. Or maybe JD Salinger moved up there for the peace and quiet.

We also came in just under Hamilton and Thunder Bay for averages, but we knocked 'em out in total. In short, Ottawa has the highest overall placement in both categories combined, which obviously makes us the best dang writers in the nation. Therefore, I suggest each of you should buy a crown and demand fealty from your friends and coworkers immediately! :D
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The Mammon Industry
Smiling and waving and looking so fine / Don't think you knew you were in this song

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Withdrawal

NJC — Fri, 5 Dec 2008 08:02:27 -0800

Is anyone else going through NaNo withdrawal?

I still don't know what to do with my time. My mood has slumped. I just can't seem to get interested in anything else yet. I know this feeling will pass; but I just spent 30 days with some interesting characters (not all of them in my novel) and it is difficult to let go.
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Talent! I need an infusion of talent.

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Local Writing Groups

diurnal_lee — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 21:54:23 -0800

A lot of writing-related groups and events exist here in town to enable your continuing writing habit. If you know of any, please tell us about them here!

I attend these fairly regularly:

Ottawa Slashers - Concerning slash fandom and fanworks. Regular monthly meetings plus spontaneous fannish outings and events. Mostly discussion. Mostly authors, with the odd vidder, zine editor, or artist for variety.
Pens and Paper Writing Group - For any sort of writing. Regular weekly write-ins, 10am to 1pm at Nepean Centrepointe Library. Mostly writing, with some reading aloud and discussion. Mixture of fiction, non-fiction, poetry.
Wrimofusion - For Ottawrimos to keep in touch and keep writing. Quasi-regular write-ins. (That is, the more participants arrange and attend them, the more regular they are.) Mixture of writing and discussion.

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Lee-Anne

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

RSVP for TGIO Party

diurnal_lee — Tue, 2 Dec 2008 04:32:19 -0800

Thursday December 4th, 7pm, Mexicali Rosa's in the Dow's Lake Pavillion, 1001 Queen Elizabeth at Preston

If you're coming, please post here OR email or nanomail me. If you're bringing guests, please mention how many.

If you can't make it but still want to party, check out this thread for alternatives.
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Lee-Anne

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

TGIO party- who can't go thursday?

Pallis — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:50:17 -0800

Okay, from what it seems like, there's still quite a few people that can't make it to the thursday party (myself included).

This is just a head count to see if we have enough people to do another one.
(*NOTE* only post here on whether or not you CAN'T go to thursday's party but could go another time, or if you are going on thursday and want to party twice =P)

So who can't make it thursday and could possibly do it another time? (preferably friday night, saturday morning or saturday afternoon).

I'm still up for a party, how about you?
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http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/1340/beyourselfcopyge9.png

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

TGIO Party

NJC — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:24:39 -0800

Hello Everyone. With just a week to go before the end *sob*, it is time to give thought to the TGIO Party.

Even though it is a fairly significant distance for me (61.7 km – about 47 mins according to Google Maps), I'd be up for Denny's at South Keys. It has ample free parking and is on the Transitway. They also have a wider variety of food than most other restaurants. (That's especially helpful for those with eating restrictions.)

I can be available on weekends. Weekdays evenings are not so good (due to the extended drive) and I work until 6pm.

My preference would be Saturday, December 6 at 5pm at Denny's (South Keys).

Please, everyone, put in your two cents so Lee-Anne will have the information she needs.
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Talent! I need an infusion of talent.

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Dodged a bullet there

Dustinus — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:01:52 -0800

I had been to the write in this afternoon. At the end, I did what I thought was a back up. Apparently, I managed to overwrite all my work in one shot. About 1600 words, gone! O.O (I blame Vista.)

So, after getting some food and relaxing a bit, I sat down and banged out the two scenes and the words "The End" one more time. I lost the Who's on First routine, but that might have had to go anyway. I think I got a few more words with the second time through, too. But, well, the story is finished. I am now going to hold some ice in my hands before I think about what I do next.
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NaNoWriMo 2006: Lethal Ladies (complete!)
NaNoWriMo 2007: Digital Magic (win!)
NaNoWriMo 2008: Crossover
I don't care how low the price is, that's the last time I buy Timothy Leary birdseed
- Gerry Atric; Samurai Pizza Cat episode "How the Chees

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

50K (Again)

NyanNyan — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:26:32 -0800

Grats for finishing Lemming! <3 *throws glitter*
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*Is a Demonic Author that eats NaNoWriM-O's for breakfast*

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Pep Talk

NJC — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:03:36 -0800

Every year I do a little pep talk for people who are not sure they can finish their novels. This year, I'm a little late because, while I have hit 50K, I haven't finished my story yet. So, here goes.

Today is November 27. That leaves 4 days (and two of them are on a weekend) of writing time.

Assuming you have managed to get to 30K and you're wondering how to write 20K in four days, let's break it down into manageable pieces.

That is 5K per day.

If you type 10 words per minute, that's a total of 34 hours or 9 hours per day.

If you type 20 words per minute, that's a total of 17 hours or 5 hours per day.

If you type 30 words per minute, that's a total of 12 hours or 3 hours per day.

If you type 40 words per minute, that's a total of 9 hours or 3 hours per day.

If you type 50 words per minute, that's a total of 7 hours or 2 hours per day.

If you type 60 words per minute, that's a total of 6 hours or 2 hours per day.

Considering that the average person types between 40 and 60 words per minute, 6 to 9 hours is all that would be required over four days.

Come on. You can do it. Just turn off all the distractions around you (including your inner editor) and just sit your butt in the chair and write. Don't look at what you've written. Just get those words down. Don't worry that what you're writing is not ready for publication. Hemingway (I think) said that all first drafts are crap. He was right. Even some of his published stuff is crap too, so don't let that stop you.

*cheers*

On your mark. Get set. Write.
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Talent! I need an infusion of talent.

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Lee-Anne

Siobhann — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:52:55 -0800

Before the end of the month crashes down on us, and I forget...

THANK YOU!

For all the work and time you have put into organizing and being present at all of the write-ins you put together for us. It has helped a great deal, and I seriously doubt I would have made it to 50k this year if it wasn't for the write-ins ;)

Thanks :D

/ends Thank you speech. No need to Thank God, Lee-Anne is more than enough ;)
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Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Validation

Siobhann — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:29:05 -0800

Can you still add to your word count after you validate?
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Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Me and NaNoWriMo on Radio-Canada

Tournevis — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:22:51 -0800

I have the pleasure of being a regular columnist on the national radio show Macadam Tribus, on the Première Chaîne/Radio-Canada. The show runs from 20h to 23h on Fridays and Saturdays, and I do a 12 to 15 minute segment every 6 weeks.

On November 21st, I will be talking about NaNo, not only my participation, but the entire phenomenon, its history and Letters and Light. I don't know which hour I'll be on, though I'm usually the last segment before the 21h news.

In Ottawa, you can catch the show on 90,7 FM, or streaming on the Radio-Canada website. The next Monday, you can usually download an mp3 file of the show from their RSS feed.
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Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Anyone from Carleton University?

memorexia — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:50:03 -0800

I started late this year but I do intend on catching up :D
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2006 - Reflection
2007 - Lost and Found

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

We're Baaaack! (Introductions)

Elysia19 — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:23:48 -0700

Hello Ottawa-ians!

I noticed that there were no posts in our forum, which was extremely depressing. So...I made one!!

So I guess this would be the place to introduce yourself! Since we are going to be working together...Anyways, I'll start.

My name is Elysia, I'm 17 years old and I am in grade 12 at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville. I live to write, and er...yes. I participated and won NaNo 07 and Screnzy 08. I'm in the air cadets and I work at Tim Hortons. (boo.)

Anyways...Okay...I'm really boring. But hey, what about you guys??
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______________________________
NaNoWriMo 08 - Of Nightmares and Fairy Tales - Won!
Script Frenzy 08 - The Dreamweaver - Won!
NaNoWriMo 07 - The Four Horsemen - Won!

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Am I the lowest?

oosiesoosie — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:42:15 -0800

I'll admit it. I couldn't figure out the Ottawa graph thingy. I looked at it but couldn't figure out where to go to sign up. I'm really NOT a computer idiot. I swear.

Anyways......

I was just currious. With all the winners so far...am I actually the lowest for the region? Am I bringing you all down? LOL
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Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

your former ML... IN TROUBLE!

Limmenel — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:34:25 -0800

Okay guys, this isn't cool. Lee-Anne, Kay, all you Wrimos from last year, I'm looking at you!

You guys remember how last year Ottawa challenged Naperville to a write-off? And Ottawa LOST?

Well, Naperville is about an hour outside of Chicago, where I'm currently MLing. And we're currently at a state-wide write-in. And the Naperville MLs (including the infamous NewMexicoKid) have cornered me and demanded that I sing a song, as was decreed the Punishment For Losing last year!

... GUYS, there's no way I'm singing anything alone. Is there an Ottawa write-in today? Anyone want to call me and sing with me on the phone so I don't have to suffer SHAME and HUMILIATION alone?

(help meeeeee!)
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Michelle
ML for Chicago, IL
ml-michelle@chiwrimo.org

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Saturday At Home Write-In

Kathryn in Canada — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:54:48 -0800

I desperately need to get focused on this and there is no Marathon of Doom today so I'm going to have to pull up socks (or at least my chair) and get going on this with just myself to motivate me. I'd put it off until tomorrow and go to a write in then except, I'm busy all day. My husband is being great. I'm shut up in the living room for now (it is warm in the sunshine here) and he's handling the phones and door bell. And he'll take me out for dinner at the pub tonight if I make my goal.

Anyone else in the same boat that needs encouragement is welcome to post here today.

On my first word war, I got 701 words.

My goal for the day is 12500. That will get me caught up. I haven't been caught up since November 1.

....Kathryn

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Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

scoreboard - where we sit

lemming — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:01:26 -0800

I checked the scoreboard today and our region, as of 3 pm on Friday the 21st, sits in 29th place over all. But we still have the highest per author word count of anyone above us, at 27 +++. And we are right on Edmonton's heels.

As an aside for those who like the nifty graph that NewMexicoKid did for us some of the history is that we had a word war against his region Napperville, last year. we lost *woe is us* but it was a tight race.

As of the same time mentioned above we are a million and a half words ahead of Napperville.
Yeah us and keep it up everybody !!!!!
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I am not writing (...) to please critics. Writing is itself one of the experiments of truth. - Gandhi

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Kanata/Stittsville Write In (Take 2) - Because the last one Rocked!

Elysia19 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:05:17 -0800

Hey Guys!

There was talk of having another one of these next week, since the last one was a lot of fun.

So, next sunday, same time, same place?
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______________________________
NaNoWriMo 08 - Of Nightmares and Fairy Tales - Won!
Script Frenzy 08 - The Dreamweaver - Won!
NaNoWriMo 07 - The Four Horsemen - Won!

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Marathon of DOOM Results

wolfraven80 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:44:05 -0800

So while we were ~~procrastinating~~ writing at the write-in of DOOM, some of us decided it would cool to see how many words were collectively amassed. So if you guys attended, post your results here!

I attended for six hours and managed some 8300 words and am now officially caught up. Yay! Incidentally, half of those words were the results of four word words– always the most productive part of a write-in. ;D

Erika
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2005: The Chosen-- Winner
2006: In this Together -- Winner
2007: Crack(ed) -- Winner
2008: (or How Weird Al Yankovic Saved My Nano) -- Winner!
Dares taken: 16
Dares completed: 16/16

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

A wordcount graph for Ottawa...!

NewMexicoKid — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:28:56 -0800

With many thanks to Lee-Anne for her wonderful hospitality when I was in Ottawa last January, here is a wordcount graph for Ottawa (even though you've never sent us the recording from last year's word war with Naperville):

To be added to this chart (and click through it to go to the page with all of the stats), make sure you have an intro post in your introductions thread.

--Tim

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Tim Yao aka NewMexicoKid
co-ML, Illinois::Naperville
Fog Readability Analysis
Writing resources

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Algonquin College anyone?

Kendra — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:03:22 -0800

I saw that someone had put up a question about Carleton, and I think that's a great idea. I'm taking a Library tech course here at the Woodroffe campus. Anyone else around?
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I am a panther. There will be blood.

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Falling behind

Codez — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 18:00:07 -0800

Stuff comes up and makes you fall behind. It's just something bound to happen. How do you guys recover from a big drop in where you're supposed to be? Just dedicated a day to write a hell of a lot or change your daily goals?

4000 behind seems like quite a bit...
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Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Kanata/stittsville meet up?

ben4585 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:10:02 -0700

Hey all new to this and was wondering if anyone from kanata/stittsville or the area would like to meet up and discuss thing?
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Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa

Marathon of DOOM, headcount

lemming — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:33:32 -0800

The Marathon of Doom is tomorrow 9am till they kick us out if I remember correctly.
Coming out for even a bit of the day can help with your word count, so who's in?

Lets get an idea of how many we're expecting.

I'm planning to attend probably 11 - 9 ish

How about everyone else?
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I am not writing (...) to please critics. Writing is itself one of the experiments of truth. - Gandhi

Canada :: Ontario :: Ottawa