The Night of Writing Dangerously

Oh my.

I knew it was going to be good, but it was dangerously good. Photos to follow next week, when I am home again.

First off, shout-out to my ladies from table Rock and Roll Space Patrol - and Lieutenant Nog, our blue wind-up mascot, a quick little dance for you!

For the uninitiated: our table was the best. We did a very silly little dance every time someone at our table reached a milestone, with the help of The Nog. Apparently wind-up toys produce a sound which reaches to the edges of even a ballroom, so everyone knew something was happening, even though they might just think it was a bunch of crazy ladies waving their arms around.

Sarah Mackey, the event planner, did an amazing job and I am thrilled that I was able to enjoy the fruits of her efforts. The ballroom was beautiful, and at 15 floors up it had a very nice view of the city - for the brief moments when we were able to take our minds off our novels and our rather fabulously turned out co-attendees. The Film Noir theme was much in evidence, with loads of ladies with lovely black hats and gents with fedoras and steampunk-esque pipes. I can't wait to see how some of the author photos, taken by the witty and wonderful Ken, turned out - I'm definitely anticipating my own with the Huge Pencil! ("Great, now wield it! Attack!" says Ken, before clicking a few shots.)

Chris Baty, our fearless leader, said a few words throughout the evening, as well as floating around looking dapper in his top hat. He told us about going to visit one of the Young Writers Program (YWP) classrooms, in which 10-year-olds were preparing to write a novel in a month, and asked the kids how they had felt when the teacher told them the plan. One student's words summed up what most of them had to say: "At first I thought it was a lot of words. Then I got excited."

Isn't that how NaNoWriMo works for all of us?

He also came and sat at our table for a few minutes and we all squeed with fangirly delight. He danced with us and Lieutenant Nog as well.

The word sprints were daunting, but oh-so-much fun. The latest winner wound up wearing a felt flowerpot hat each time, which was awesome. I chatted with Ryan from Edmonton, who won one of the word sprints with something over 1600 words in 25 minutes - BY HAND. The man has a necklace made of the pens he's killed so far this month: I think this is the fourth year he's written his novel by hand. However, he was also fundraiser supreme #2, which means he won a laptop, so next year he will be going digital. Congratulations Ryan!

So many other wonderful things packed into that singular evening: caffeinated mints and marshmallows; overwhelmingly packed candy buffet (thank you Cybele!); tote bags!; trains disappearing into the shadows; the ringing of cowbells (and the running up to the stage of poor Sarah); The Viking Hat; milk and cookies; Cosmonoveltons; Bentley and Mercedes both at my table (not kidding - and Mercedes' dad's name is Harley); the man with the toothbrush sticking out his ear (I haven't seen the new HP but apparently it's referenced in the film); meeting Christina and Jonny, a long-distance couple planning to get married, who met through NaNoWriMo (awww)...