NaNoWriMo 2011

If it is November it must be time to write a book. National Novel Writing Month has commenced and I have dived into the crazy pool of writing.
 

This attempt will be a challenge for many reasons. Unlike previous efforts, I have no plot or plan. Where before there might have been a map of an outline and character sketches and research, now there is nothing but imagination and a fierce desire to write.
 

I have also sundered easy connection to the internet. This will limit distractions and provide some focus for the work ahead. It may also limit connecting with fellow mad writers. I shall do my best to support you all in our common goal. 50,000 words in 30 days.
 

So, enough blogging. Onward and upward!
 

tags:

Occupy Boston Library, Dewey Square, Boston MA

Occupy Boston is a very organized endeavor. There are tents for information, medical care, media relations, and cooking. The newest edition is space for their library.
 

Occupy Boston Library - exterior

No card is required to borrow books. No catalog, no fees, just the honor system and an inquisitive mind.

 

Occupy Boston Library - rules

There is a 'rack' for newspapers. Other current news that is available are hard copies of the minutes of the General Assembly meetings (which can also be found on the Occupy Boston Wiki pages.

 

Occupy Boston Library - news

And of course, it wouldn't be a library without 'stacks'.

 

Occupy Boston Library - Stacks 1

Note the plentiful titles by Noam Chomsky.

 

Occupy Boston Library - Chomsky Books

The library welcomes donations of books, particularly those focused on philosophy and politics. I would guess that these very serious and committed folks might also enjoy a few genre fiction titles. Even anarcho-libertarian freedom fighters need a break sometimes.

 

While the tents are physically occupying a public space, what has been created is a functioning community, not only in Boston but across the country and the world. I look forward to returning to Dewey Square and the Occupy Boston Library. Next time I'll bring some donations.

 

Photos by kiwitayro.

102 Places To Meet Your Thousand Best Friends

I've been doing some reading about online marketing. For an author to manage their own social presence would seem to require about 37 hours a day. Given the advice to be everywhere using every media for everyone, it just isn't possible. Writers have to pick their markets carefully. But which ones?
 

Over on the Boston.com site I happened to click on the "Share this" link for an article. In the box that came up on screen, the usual suspects were sorted at the top: Facebook, Twitter, Digg, and so on. Below that all the social network options were sorted alphabetically. 102 options for connecting to your 1000 best friends.
 

There's Connotea, a "Free online reference management for all researchers, clinicians and scientists". Probably not for me. How about Edmodo, "Secure social learning network for teachers and students"? Closer, but no.
 

Wandering into other languages, there is Fresqui for sharing stories in Spanish, or NUjij for all your Dutch news.

 

And if you don't want to spend the next one to seven hours looking at neat digital flip-book style animations, then DO NOT go to the Flipnote Hatena site.
 

Where I have signed up is goodreads, a place to track, review, and comment upon books. You can click here to see my recent updates. The site seems to have a lot of good features for published writers. I hope to be taking advantage of those sometime soon.
 

Syndicate content