Come write at Locus for NaNoWriMo on Sundays in November!

Beth Green events, Locus Workspace, NaNoWriMo, productivity, Writing , ,

By Beth Green

“Um, why?”

That’s the question I hear most frequently about NaNoWriMo, the month-long challenge to write a novel in a month.
The implication is: Why try to write a whole novel in a month? Aren’t novels, you know, hard?

The question is usually accompanied by a blank, blinking stare as the other person wonders, belatedly, what kind of madness they’ve run across.

But that’s okay because National Novel Writing Month is one of these challenges that is, by design, a little extreme.
Like an all-weekend coding challenge, a vertical terrain race though mud, a bid to cook the world’s largest omelet, a challenge to drink a beer at the closest hospoda to each of Prague’s metro stations—NaNoWriMo is meant to help you push your own boundaries. Find your extreme, and hit it.

NaNoWriMo is here! I'll be hosting Write-ins (with official swag, yeah!) in Prague at Locus Workspace. Please join if…

Geplaatst door Beth Green Writes op Donderdag 1 november 2018

NaNoWriMo presumes that every one of us—and yes, gentle reader, that means you too!—possesses the tools we need to write a novel in the 30 days from November first to 30th. For the purpose of the challenge, a novel is defined as 50,000 words, an average of 1,667 per day.

That’s the why of NaNoWriMo, at least for me. It’s a place to believe in yourself, to believe you can reach that distant target and show it who is boss. (You’re the boss, if I’m not making myself clear).

If you’ve been to Locus on Saturdays, you might have heard the pleasant tap-tap-tap of the keyboards of the Prague Writers Group at their usual critique-free write ins. (They write from 9 to 5 with a break for lunch; all are welcome). And in November, thanks to Will Bennis’ continued support of our challenge and our big, wordy dreams, we’ll also be adding to our word courts on Sundays (in the big conference room, from 9 to 5, MeetUp links below). Locus Workspace is an official NaNoWriMo Come Write In location for the 2019 challenge.

Join us in November and find out your reason why!

About NaNoWriMo

Started by a group of friends in San Francisco in 1999, NaNoWriMo now has more than 400,000 participants each year. Each November the main 50,000-word-goal challenge is held, and smaller challenges take place throughout the year. All challenges are free to join. Sign up at nanowrimo.org.

About the Locus Write Ins

When: Every Sunday (Nov. 3, 10, 17, and 24) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Where: Locus big meeting room

Cost: Free

Organizers: Beth Green, Sonya Lano, Sarah Shaw

Planning to come? Let us know on MeetUp:

Locus’s Guide to Prague’s Christmas Markets

Community Manager community, events, Prague , , ,

Christmas Markets in Prague 2019 - Best Time

On Sunday, December 1st, Locus is organizing a get together to explore the Christmas Markets of Prague (learn more and register to attend).

That seems like a perfect reason to write a blog post about Prague’s amazing Christmas Markets!

Do you want to visit them? Here are a couple of reasons why your answer should be YES.

There is no doubt that Prague is one of the most beautiful European destinations all year round, the Christmas period is no exception. Winter brings some magic into the city when everything is covered with lights, (ideally) snow and the aroma of the Czech Christmas treats makes it the perfect magical wintertime location. The famous Prague’s Christmas Market is the best place to go to experience the atmosphere, hang out with friends and family or do some last-minute gift shopping for the loved ones. It doesn’t matter if you’re a tourist or if you’re already established in Prague; the Christmas Market is a popular place for both visitors and locals and is definitely a MUST DO activity if you are in town. After the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the markets will be open until the 6th of January, which gives you plenty of time to visit. If you’re still in doubt or would like to know what’s in it for you, here are some reasons and tips on why you should visit Prague’s Christmas Markets this year.

  1. Best place indeed

The Christmas Market in Prague has been voted among Europe’s top 10. Despite a drop in its rating, Prague’s Christmas Market is still beating Europe’s most popular travel destinations such as London or Paris. The medieval atmosphere and familiar feel are the elements that bring people in. Nothing seems to be better than getting cozy in the old streets of the beautiful city.

  1. Go local

Tourism in Prague is massive, and Christmas time is no exception. People from all over the world come here to experience the city and markets, so it can get crowded. No worries! There are plenty of smaller, local Christmas markets where you can treat yourself and experience the amazing atmosphere to the fullest. You can find those at Náměstí Míru or Tylovo náměstí close to I.P. Pavlova Metro stop). Also, just around the corner from Locus Workspace, you will find the market at náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad where you can experience the cool, hip vibe of the Vinohrady neighborhood.

  1. #yummy

Treats are an inseparable part of the ‘Christmas Market’ experience. If you stroll around, you will find plenty of traditional gingerbread, mulled wine (svařák), spit-roasted ham, sausages, eggnog, Trdlo (“traditional” Czech dessert that appeared on the Czech scene in the early 2000s) and all kinds of Christmas cookies. If you’re living in the Czech Republic, you know that traditional Czech cuisine is far from vegetarian/vegan-friendly. Lucky for you, there will be healthy alternatives to traditional local holiday favorites and many food stalls will be serving healthy fare. So, go find your favorite and, “Dobrou chuť!”

  1. What else is going on?

There’s definitely more to Prague’s Christmas Markets than just eating (although we love that). Rich cultural programs will be accompanying the visitors with performances from both local and international artists, children’s workshops and plays for both children and adults. The stalls will be selling different Czech products which might make the perfect present for your loved ones. Look for some Christmas ornaments, wooden toys, glassware, scented candles, jewelry and gingerbread products.

  1. Time to talk

What about some chatting over mulled wine? Christmas is one of those times when nobody wants to be alone and there is a need to have good company. We’ve got you covered. As noted at the start of this blog, on Sunday, December 1st, Locus Workspace will host a get-together Meetup event for everyone who wants to have a walk around the Christmas Markets in Prague, have some goodies and spend time with individuals from all over the world. Let’s share each other’s stories and learn how Christmas is celebrated in your country. We meet at 3 PM at the Statue of Saint Wenceslas. Are we going to see you there?

Member Profile Pauline Menage

Community Manager freelance, Locus Workspace, members, profile

Check out Pauline’s website: http://paulinemenage.com

Where are you from?
I am from France.
What’s a fun or interesting fact about where you’re from?
I lived in Bordeaux for the last few years and it was a 30-minute drive to the beach, so I would take strolls on the beach frequently. 

What do you do?
I am a software engineer, a freelancer who creates websites for clients, and a trainer who mentors and teaches students on-site or remotely in software. I help these students learn the technique of coding or how to create websites; usually, these students are enrolled in a 6-month course.

What are you currently working on that you’re most excited about?

This week, October 9, I am working on a 4-day boot camp for students in Asia, specifically India, the Philippines, and Singapore; I’m excited to work outside of France. I am also currently creating a website for townhall, or city hall, in France by creating a directory to assist the elderly to locate a nurse that is closest to them.

Why did you choose to work from Prague?

I did not choose Prague for a particular reason, I just wanted to move away from France. I had heard Prague was an amazing place, so I decided to have a trial period of 3 months and decided to stay.

Why did you choose to work from a coworking space?

I chose a coworking space to meet new people because I was alone in a new city. I wanted to make friends and it’s also a better work environment than sitting in my room because I feel more productive while watching other’s work rather than being tempted to watch a tv show instead.

Why did you choose Locus in particular?

When I was looking online for a coworking space, reviews said that Locus was the best for a small cozy workspace. I decided to get a membership at Locus on the first day because other people invited me to lunch with them and I decided Locus was the place for me.

What describes the kind of location-independent work you do?
I am a stable freelancer. Which means that I have a business that can be done from my laptop in any locations and that I am based out of Prague with annual work trips that last two months maximum.  
Before you joined a coworking space, what were the biggest challenges of doing that kind of work?

Actually, I was still working on-site before I joined Locus so I did not have many challenges. Locus is my first remote location and it’s great.

What is the main benefit you’ve gotten working from Locus (not already mentioned above)?

Making friends has been working out, it’s a big benefit, for me, when working at a coworking space. Another benefit is being able to network with other members at Locus. For example, I had some problems with a project and a fellow Locus member helped me, they were able to freelance with me for this project. It was a challenge for me because I don’t want to bother people, so when I needed help and had to ask, it was amazing being able to ask for help and get it. It helped me get over the freelancer stereotype of being completely independent and have the ability to ask for help when I need it,

What’s the best thing about living and working in Prague from the perspective of being a location-independent professional?

The city is beautiful, it is nice to be able to take a break and walk around the city. For me, that is super important when looking for a spot to work. I also like that there are so many technical events about coding through Meetup. I was able to see interesting conferences and network with like-minded professionals, in this sense, the community is very active.

Any other interesting projects you’re working on that you haven’t mentioned already?

I will be going to Cape Town for 8 weeks. The company I will be joining is called Hacker Paradise. Hacker Paradise organizes trips for remote workers. The trips usually last anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks and can be in any city in the world. The goal of Hacker Paradise is to prepare everything, so they put together accommodation and reserve a coworking space, a sim card and build a community. By being part of this experience, I can work on personal projects but also build a community through events and side trips. On this specific trip, one of the side trips that we will be doing as a community is a safari, which will be fun. The main concept of this organization is for freelancers and the like to be able to work and travel at the same time while not feeling alone, by having a group of people to join you. 

What is a fun fact about you?
One fun fact, or weird fact, about me is that I used to snail race as a child.

Intern Profile: Rebecca Cerka

Community Manager Community Managers, Locus Workspace, profile , ,

Hello Everyone! My name is Rebecca; however, you are more than welcome to call me Becca. I have been living and attending university in Prague for a little over a year now and I am loving every minute of it. Some of my hobbies would include rock climbing, camping and café visits.

Hometown: Bellingham, WA, USA

Fun fact about hometown: Bellingham has its own city flag that represents the Bellingham Bay, Mt. Baker and the people who live there.

Occupation: Intern @ Locus Workspace/Student

Field of study: International Relations and Diplomacy

Why did you decide to study International Relations and Diplomacy?
After graduating from Western Washington University, I decided to continue my studies and earn a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. What better way to understand International Relations than traveling all over the world and understanding the plethora of other cultures? I decided to study this particular area because when I start my career, I want everyone from every background to feel welcome and comfortable while working in a collaborative environment. There is still a lot of misunderstanding and discrimination in the world, my goal is to change the misconceptions and allow growth and positivism.

Did you already have an idea of what a coworking space was before you joined Locus?
I did not know that much about coworking spaces before I joined Locus. However, now that I have tried it, I do not know if I could ever go back to using a regular office!

Why did you decide to be an intern at Locus?
I decided to work at Locus because it embodies that type of work I would like to be involved in for the rest of my life. I love to work with people and getting to learn new skills is just a bonus opportunity. By working at Locus, I will have the pleasure of getting to know new people and hopefully help them achieve some of their goals.

What are some of your goals for this internship?
Some of the goals I have set for myself during this internship is to meet as many people as possible from a variety of different backgrounds. Another goal of mine is to gain further knowledge in the world of event planning and to help everyone network while building friendships in the process.

What kind of responsibilities do you have as a community manager?
My main responsibilities as a community manager will be to update the community, members and the public, on social media sites regarding Locus events that are happening; events that give everyone the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals while having a fun time. The last key responsibility as a community manager is making sure everyone I encounter is having a great experience and that they have everything they need in order to succeed.

Intern Profile: Petra Skubanová

Community Manager Community Managers, Locus Workspace, profile , ,

My name is Petra and I am in the last semester of my studies. Internship is the last step in order to finish my bachelor’s degree and I chose beautiful city of Prague and Locus Workspace for these months which I believe will be full of learning and fun!

 

Hometown: Prešov, Slovakia.

Fun fact about hometown: In nearby Opal Mines (which are declared to be the oldest in the world), the biggest opal stone in the world was found.

Occupation: Intern @ Locus Workspace/Student

Field of study: Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management

 

 

Why did you decide to study hospitality, tourism and event management?
I wasn’t really sure about what I want to study until I actually started university. I chose my program especially, because I knew that it would give me the opportunity to travel and work abroad which has always been my dream. I’ve always liked to learn languages and wanted to be closer to people from other countries so I can get to know different cultures.

Did you already have an idea of what a coworking space was before you joined Locus?
Kind of. I was traveling to Bali couple of years ago and visited a coworking space there where my friend was doing her internship.  I thought immediately that it would be a cool place to work, among different people and to get knowledge from different areas that are useful for my study. I think the concept of a coworking space is a great idea and a perfect solution for modern nomads and freelancers.

Why did you decide to be an intern at Locus?
I was mostly attracted to range of things I would be responsible for, which is perfect for my studies as it is composed of different subjects. Plus, after visiting a coworking space before, I wanted to work somewhere with more cozy and friendly atmosphere rather than a big corporation as it fits my personality better. I had a good feeling about Locus and I thought it would be right place for me. And I wasn’t wrong! Also, I wanted to try living in Prague and get to know the city better.

What are some of your goals for this internship?
I intend to learn about the job and duties of a community manager regarding managing the coworking space. Also, I would like to organize some events for both members and public and learn how such events are organized. Some of my personal goals are to develop relationship with the members, create nice environment for them and get to know new, interesting people. I expect the internship to be a good professional and personal experience that I will later use in my occupation.

What kind of responsibilities do you have as a community manager?
Working as community manager, the crucial task is to be friendly with members, get to know them and make them feel good in the space so they can focus on their work. As Locus is about community, the duty of a community manager is also to take care of events organization together with number of daily management tasks.