I LOVED my first Dewey's 24 hr. Read-a-thon! It was amazing - I'm already looking forward to the next one in April!
Now we're on to plotting and planning for NaNoWriMo...it starts in less than one week!
I'm still trying to decide which of the two stories that has been percolating in my brain for the past few months will be the lucky winner. Honestly, it might just come down to whichever one I feel more like writing about when I wake up on Monday. Yes...Monday...I'll be missing the first day of the competition because of the crazy Halloween celebration stuff that will be going on next weekend!
My best friend hosts a fantastic Halloween party every year, and with the Daylight Savings Time kicking in on the same night, we're going to be adding another hour to the madness! With adult beverages involved, I doubt I will wake up early on NaNo morning, and I'm SURE I won't be bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Oh...and did I mention that my best friend lives in Pennsylvania and I live in Georgia? So...I will be spending the second half of my day in airports and on airplanes. Yeah...I know I could be getting started on my novel while traveling, but honestly - lugging around the laptop is just such a hassle. I'd rather just open a book and read a bit. (Although right at this moment, the idea of reading isn't completely appealing...)
; )
So, I'll just get up on Monday and dive right in. I'll make sure I get at least my two day word total in on Monday, so I don't fall behind.
I'm always open to discussion with other NaNo's, and if you're local - let's talk write-in!!!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I DID IT!!!
I managed to stay up all night, thanks to a pretty scary stream of ingestibles the last 3 hours or so. Between the caffeine, sugar and crunchy snacks, eating kept me awake and reading!
Off to get some sleep!!!
Off to get some sleep!!!
End of Event....
1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Hour 22 - 5am to 6am. I wasn't sure I'd make it at that point...
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
I recommend two that I finished this year - Meeting Mr. Wrong: The Romantic Misadventures of a Southern Belle by Stephanie Snowe and I Was a Teenage Dominatrix by Shawna Kenney. Both were HYSTERICAL and kept me laughing and plowing ahead.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Just let more people know about it! This has been awesome!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
I think everyone was so encouraging - I had numerous contacts from Cheerleaders and other readers.
5. How many books did you read?
6
6. What were the names of the books you read?
Meeting Mr. Wrong: The Romantic Misadventures of a Southern Belle - Stephanie Snowe
Cupid & Diana - Christina Bartolomeo
Night - Elie Weisel
I Was a Teenage Dominatrix - Shawna Kenney
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
Ambulance Girl - Jane Stern
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
Different ones for different reasons! "Night" was just flat out amazing. So dark and harrowing. The first two memoirs (Mr. Wrong & Dominatrix) were funnier than funny.
8. Which did you enjoy least?
Cupid & Diana...not a bad book, just very average.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
I wasn't a Cheerleader this year, but they all did a great job!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
April, you said??? Sounds good to me. I'm there. I'm going to read again.
: )
Hour 22 - 5am to 6am. I wasn't sure I'd make it at that point...
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
I recommend two that I finished this year - Meeting Mr. Wrong: The Romantic Misadventures of a Southern Belle by Stephanie Snowe and I Was a Teenage Dominatrix by Shawna Kenney. Both were HYSTERICAL and kept me laughing and plowing ahead.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Just let more people know about it! This has been awesome!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
I think everyone was so encouraging - I had numerous contacts from Cheerleaders and other readers.
5. How many books did you read?
6
6. What were the names of the books you read?
Meeting Mr. Wrong: The Romantic Misadventures of a Southern Belle - Stephanie Snowe
Cupid & Diana - Christina Bartolomeo
Night - Elie Weisel
I Was a Teenage Dominatrix - Shawna Kenney
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
Ambulance Girl - Jane Stern
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
Different ones for different reasons! "Night" was just flat out amazing. So dark and harrowing. The first two memoirs (Mr. Wrong & Dominatrix) were funnier than funny.
8. Which did you enjoy least?
Cupid & Diana...not a bad book, just very average.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
I wasn't a Cheerleader this year, but they all did a great job!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
April, you said??? Sounds good to me. I'm there. I'm going to read again.
: )
Take a Break Mini-Challenge - Hour 21
The caffeine itself isn't doing the job anymore...to stay awake we've moved on to massive amounts of sugar. I've made a whole package of break & bake cookies at 1:35am. This is all that's left...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Cindy's Mini-Challenge...Favorite Things
Eight things I love....
1. Whiskers on kittens - Yeah, I know Julie Andrews loves them too, but I really do. Even more, I love their tiny sticky-up tails. Kittens are the most perfect babies on earth.
2. Staying up all night reading. And having people say..."That's cool" instead of..."Are you on crack?"
3. Paperbackswap.com...anyone who knows what this is doesn't need any explanation.
4. Shoes. I have over 400 pair. I know - it's a sickness. "Hello. My name is Lauri and I'm a shoe addict." Maybe I should just get a tattered piece of cardboard and stand out on the corner near the mall..."Will work for DSW gift cards."
5. Donuts. Homer Simpson and I are down with this. (We do the fist bump!)
6. Original Mr. Pibb - the best soda EVER. Worth every non-diet calorie I slurp.
7. Wine. Red or white is good. However, friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel. Remember this. The girl drinking the white zinfandel in the bar is a walking roofie magnet.
8. My Mini Cooper - the cutest car I've ever seen. I've posted a picture on my blog for your viewing pleasure. This is Chessi - the chessboard Cooper. I'm such a dweeb I have a personalized license plate with her name on it. People actually walk up to me in parking lots and tell me my car is cool. I love that!
1. Whiskers on kittens - Yeah, I know Julie Andrews loves them too, but I really do. Even more, I love their tiny sticky-up tails. Kittens are the most perfect babies on earth.
2. Staying up all night reading. And having people say..."That's cool" instead of..."Are you on crack?"
3. Paperbackswap.com...anyone who knows what this is doesn't need any explanation.
4. Shoes. I have over 400 pair. I know - it's a sickness. "Hello. My name is Lauri and I'm a shoe addict." Maybe I should just get a tattered piece of cardboard and stand out on the corner near the mall..."Will work for DSW gift cards."
5. Donuts. Homer Simpson and I are down with this. (We do the fist bump!)
6. Original Mr. Pibb - the best soda EVER. Worth every non-diet calorie I slurp.
7. Wine. Red or white is good. However, friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel. Remember this. The girl drinking the white zinfandel in the bar is a walking roofie magnet.
8. My Mini Cooper - the cutest car I've ever seen. I've posted a picture on my blog for your viewing pleasure. This is Chessi - the chessboard Cooper. I'm such a dweeb I have a personalized license plate with her name on it. People actually walk up to me in parking lots and tell me my car is cool. I love that!
To Dewey...
Sometimes people pass from this world without being able to see the vast number of people whose lives they have touched. Even though we haven’t all had the chance to meet her, we thank her for bringing us this chance to do what we love.
Dewey – you have touched us, and we thank you.
Getting Disturbed...
LOL!
The book I finished right before I got in the car to go to dinner had the same basic title as the song on the radio that came on when I started the car!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmux0pTdXhc
Watch "The Night" by Disturbed!
The book I finished right before I got in the car to go to dinner had the same basic title as the song on the radio that came on when I started the car!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmux0pTdXhc
Watch "The Night" by Disturbed!
Mid-Event Survey
1. What are you reading right now?
Reading right now: "I Was A Teenage Dominatrix" by Shawna Kenney
2. How many books have you read so far?
This is my fourth book...three done, almost halfway through this one!
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
HHHmmm...looking forward to most? Either "Ambulance Girl" by Jane Stern or "How to Be a Villain" by Neil Zawacki.
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
Nope - no special arrangements. Saturdays rock!
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Not many interruptions. A couple of phone calls, some dinner. I didn't find dealing with them difficult - I think they actually helped me re-focus.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
Biggest surprise - how many different types of mini-challenges there are! Everyone is so creative!
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
For next year, we need to spread the word more! That's the only thing we can improve upon. It's so much fun!
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
For next year, I need to find more audiobooks.
9. Are you getting tired yet?
Not tired yet. I normally stay up until about 3am on weekends, so I won't struggle until after that!
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
For Readers - pick books that make you laugh. Laughing keeps you involved and alert!
Reading right now: "I Was A Teenage Dominatrix" by Shawna Kenney
2. How many books have you read so far?
This is my fourth book...three done, almost halfway through this one!
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
HHHmmm...looking forward to most? Either "Ambulance Girl" by Jane Stern or "How to Be a Villain" by Neil Zawacki.
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
Nope - no special arrangements. Saturdays rock!
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Not many interruptions. A couple of phone calls, some dinner. I didn't find dealing with them difficult - I think they actually helped me re-focus.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
Biggest surprise - how many different types of mini-challenges there are! Everyone is so creative!
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
For next year, we need to spread the word more! That's the only thing we can improve upon. It's so much fun!
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
For next year, I need to find more audiobooks.
9. Are you getting tired yet?
Not tired yet. I normally stay up until about 3am on weekends, so I won't struggle until after that!
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
For Readers - pick books that make you laugh. Laughing keeps you involved and alert!
Eating...nom, nom, nom...
Beth Fish Reads "Eat to Read" Mini-challenge entry:
Have already consumed some lemon muffin top cookies, cranberry orange muffin top cookies, a bowl of frosted flakes with banana, and two glasses of sun tea. Oh...and a leftover piece of pizza I stuck in the microwave. Ugh. Don't do that. It's floppy and gross.
For tonight - the big snack is microwave popcorn. You eat it in little pieces, it's not ooey-gooey to get on your books while you read, and crunches to keep you awake. And it's not very fattening, either! Also have some pretzels, more of the above cookies, brownies with peanut butter chips and chocolate peanut butter rice krispies treats. And there's always cheese and crackers. Or I can raid my supply of late night Doritos...Taco flavor. The only problem is...once I open that bag - it's gone. That's a lot of calories at one time!
Beth Fish Reads "Eat to Read" Mini-challenge entry:
Have already consumed some lemon muffin top cookies, cranberry orange muffin top cookies, a bowl of frosted flakes with banana, and two glasses of sun tea. Oh...and a leftover piece of pizza I stuck in the microwave. Ugh. Don't do that. It's floppy and gross.
For tonight - the big snack is microwave popcorn. You eat it in little pieces, it's not ooey-gooey to get on your books while you read, and crunches to keep you awake. And it's not very fattening, either! Also have some pretzels, more of the above cookies, brownies with peanut butter chips and chocolate peanut butter rice krispies treats. And there's always cheese and crackers. Or I can raid my supply of late night Doritos...Taco flavor. The only problem is...once I open that bag - it's gone. That's a lot of calories at one time!
Mini Challenge...OOOOO...
Kind of like the litte green alien people in the skill crane from Toy Story....
Right now I am reading from my living room - on the brand new sofa delivered last Tuesday. I'll move to the recliner for the next book...
Three facts about me:
1. I've NEVER gotten up early on a Saturday to read before.
2. I read much faster with a cat on my lap.
3. My cat has abandoned me for the waterbed in the office, so I decided to take a break from reading!
; )
I have about 24 choices on my TBR.
My goal is to finish at least four. I've never read more than four books in one day, although this is the first time I've ever really tried to do that.
I've never done this before, so I have no brilliant words of wisdom for anyone except..."Have Fun!"
Kind of like the litte green alien people in the skill crane from Toy Story....
Right now I am reading from my living room - on the brand new sofa delivered last Tuesday. I'll move to the recliner for the next book...
Three facts about me:
1. I've NEVER gotten up early on a Saturday to read before.
2. I read much faster with a cat on my lap.
3. My cat has abandoned me for the waterbed in the office, so I decided to take a break from reading!
; )
I have about 24 choices on my TBR.
My goal is to finish at least four. I've never read more than four books in one day, although this is the first time I've ever really tried to do that.
I've never done this before, so I have no brilliant words of wisdom for anyone except..."Have Fun!"
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Okay...so I couldn't wait to come back on the 24th. It's the 22nd, and I'd like to welcome my good friend Christa to the event!
I talked to her about it last night and she's all in!
I'm browsing through some of my TBR piles...I have the one of books to be read on paperbackswap.com's GAMES board...so I'll be hitting those this weekend. I also have a few oldies but goodies from the TBR I'm using for D.G.'s Out with the Old challenge!
Then there's some that I pulled out of the stacks and stacks and stacks of books piled around my house because they're...short!!!
I'm also moving some ideas around in my head for the National Novel Writers Month challenge...right around the corner! Let's see if I can have another winning year!
I talked to her about it last night and she's all in!
I'm browsing through some of my TBR piles...I have the one of books to be read on paperbackswap.com's GAMES board...so I'll be hitting those this weekend. I also have a few oldies but goodies from the TBR I'm using for D.G.'s Out with the Old challenge!
Then there's some that I pulled out of the stacks and stacks and stacks of books piled around my house because they're...short!!!
I'm also moving some ideas around in my head for the National Novel Writers Month challenge...right around the corner! Let's see if I can have another winning year!
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