Winning NaNoWriMo at Third Place Books

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I'll admit it - sometimes, when I'm alone, I delight in calling myself a writer. It makes me giggle in joy, the visualization of my name on covers lining the "New Arrivals" shelf at the Barnes and Noble or whatever's hot  when it comes to book-buying. Of course, this little dream of mine led to signing up for a creative endeavor that has changed who I am entirely: National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. Sponsored by the Office of Letters and Light, NaNoWriMo is held thrice a year - one "main" event and two camp-themed sub events. As of yet, I have participated in - and won - three of them, one main and two camps.
In November, I stumbled upon this wonderful book store connected to a mall complete with a food court and RiteAid - Third Place Books on Lake City Way. There in it was a group of writers who all met one another through this program. I soon joined in and was accepted right away. Since then, I've met them every other Sunday for a good time and a lot of writing.
What I love about the TPB on Lake City is the crowd it attracts. On any busy summer Sunday, the farmers' market will be up in the parking lot, locking the writers and other heat-vulnerable beings inside the store. People playing cards, Scrabble, and tabletop RPGs will take the tables around our normal spot while one of the group comes in early to save the spot. Outlets line the walls near delicious-smelling restaurants - there's always something for everyone. Whether it's chicken soup, nachos, sushi, or even frozen yogurt, I've found absolutely bliss in having nights at Third Place. Children often come through for books or get-togethers, and the table occasionally gets to snicker at whichever munchkins have taken over the giant chess set. Every so often, we find a lost sci-fi writer who sits down and talks over their plot until their particular writer group finds them. All in all, I found TPB to be just the right place for me.
Then there was the time that the power went out. It was November 2012 on a very dark and stormy evening. In a flicker, the lights went out. The group of writers, working by screen brightness, didn't notice for at least ten seconds before the strobes above began flashing. After migrating under the awning and writing in the shade, I had to call it quits for the night.
Whether you're a writer, reader, foodie, person-watcher, or anything else of the sort, Third Place Books will prove its worth as a prime hangout spot.

...oh, you wanted a snippet of the novel? Is that why you came?

"“Eli,” Elias opened his eyes to see a lock of Cole's growing hair in his face. Cole pushed it back. “Elias, up.” Elias staggered to sit up, groaning and rubbing the crud from his eyes.
“Wh-what?” Elias mumbled, not excited to be up so early.
“It's Matt,” he whispered, “You've got to see this.” Ollie and Bennett were sitting on their knees around Matthias' mattress. Zinnia stood in the corner, watching. Elias locked eyes with her first. She raised her eyebrows, a dash of yellow reflecting off of her green pupils. Elias turned immediately. Romy sat on her own bed, flipping through a book. It had been hand-bound, just like Jocelyn's.
“Well,” Romy mumbled, writing a note in the book with a lit penlight, “Rumors seem to be true.” Elias stuck his head right over Ollie's and took a long look at Matthias. He was breathing through his mouth, sweat dripping down his forehead. Saya appeared at the entrance to the room, holding a rag soaked in cold water and wrapped around an ice cube. Elias placed it on Matthias' forehead. Matthias' eyes snapped open immediately.
“What?” he stammered, “That-that's cold.” Elias sighed.
“It is, isn't it?” he said regretfully, “It'll bring down your fever.” Matthias nodded a little and stared at the ceiling. A murky gray covered his eyes, almost like a film from Elias' angle. He looked to Romy, waving his hand over his eyes. She nodded, closing her eyes for a moment, then placing her index finger on her lips. Elias nodded. Bennett tapped Elias and mimicked the gesture.
“They were blue,” he said, kneeling closer to Elias, “Like an indigo.” Bennett's voice was raspy and filled with tears and cracks in his tone. Elias nodded and hugged his knees, shifting to sit on his rear. Ollie sat back on a mattress, rubbing his eyes.
“Headache?” Brandt asked, “Me, too.” Saya sat next to Brandt, looking towards him with a rare pang of fear in her gaze. Elias kept a straight face. "

Leap, by Ruby Maxwell (Pages 76/77)