Your ChiWriMo Municipal Liaisons

What is a Municipal Liaison (ML)?

According to the official explanation, "Municipal Liaisons are local volunteers who help organize NaNoWriMo groups in their hometowns. Being an ML can be serious work, but it's also a lot of fun. I mean, what could be more rewarding than the undying love, devotion and gratitude of your fellow writers? (Besides finishing a novel in 30 days, of course.)"

So what does that mean exactly? That really didn't tell me a lot.

It means an ML organizes the beginning and ending parties, the official write-in sessions, and any other parties/events/etc. throughout the two competition months as well as garnering local support for the organization in the off months.

And who exactly is this striking gentleman to the left, you ask?

Why it's the Illinois::Chicago::NaNo/ScriptFrenzy ML - TimSimms, otherwise known as Tim Peacock offline. He's the one with the big red Gateway laptop at write in sessions.

How long as he done NaNo and Script Frenzy?

He's participated in NaNo for two years (2006 & 2007) and in Script Frenzy for one (2007). He took over as ML in 2007 when the previous ML had to step down.

In his own words:

Writing is my life. In the words of a movie that shall remain nameless, it's like oxygen. I've written two full length dystopian fiction novels, a host of personal essays, a lot of short fiction, countless rants to newspaper editorial columns, and most recently prose for open mic nights locally. I have a penchant for mochas in terms of coffee, indie coffee shops in terms of favorite places to write, and Lakeview in terms of places to just be.

Ok, I have a question for Tim. How can I contact him?

You can reach Tim via email (ml-tim@chiwrimo.org), the ML Contact Form, or through a private message on the NaNo forums.

So who is this new ML?

That happens to be Michelle, Limmenel over on the NaNo site, former ML for Ottawa, Ontario and Iowa City, IA! 

How long as she done NaNo?

Her first NaNo was back in 2002, and this will be her seventh year, and her fifth as an ML.

In her own words:

I grew up writing silly short stories, bits and pieces of plots, but I was always just a "one day" novelist until I discovered NaNo. I'll write whatever genre catches my attention, from chick-lit to horror to serious literary fiction. My favorite way to write is with a hot drink (I absolutely love Starbucks, I can't help it!) and some good music channeling through my headphones. I'm fairly new to Chicago, but already I can tell that this city is going to inspire some amazing plots!

Ok, I have a question for Michelle. How can I contact her?

You can reach Michelle through email (ml-michelle@chiwrimo.org), the ML Contact Form, or through a private message on the NaNo forums.