Need structure? Want to find camaraderie? Tired of writing in solitude? Join our virtual office space. At TPR someone is always in the cubicle next to you.

Here's how the practice room works:

First of all, EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

At the given date and time (weekly schedule posted below), meet at post 1. It appears 30 minutes in advance of the hour (barring unusual circumstances), giving us a chance to set our goals in the comments. Declare your goal. Work toward furthering your project; word counting, revision, or whatever it needs - you decide.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED! announces our hour. During that time, we write! The rules: no procrastinations. Please feel free to make tea or stand on your head as needed.

When the time is up, Post 3 appears with a chat box and we will get a chance to converse, or you can comment old-style to tell us what you got done! We are dying to know!

Read about a typical first time here. I make the schedule every Sunday. It will remain up in the side bar until I post the next week's schedule (feel free to make requests for particular times in the comments - I take them into serious consideration). All additions will be noted in in the side bar. Come back and check it often. (The schedule times are listed in Eastern Time Zone but the blog posts in Central - Tina's time zone. Our visitors are from all over the map.)

Please email me with questions, comments, or just to introduce yourself! tina dot laurel at gmail dot com

Don't forget to sign the guestbook at the bottom of the page!


Jan 30, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

How'd it go, peeps?! It'll have to be a short chat tonight; I had no idea I'd be so dead.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour goes from 10-11 pm est. Write your lovely heart out! Meet back in post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 10 PM eastern

Who's here with me?! Somebody? Anybody?

Sorry, I'm late. Just got home from work.

Schedule for the week of Sunday, January 30th

HEADS UP! TPR tonight ala JON! so get your writing on! Check the schedule later in the week, as times may be added. Marisa said she may get in on the hosting fun.

Sunday, January 30th

10 pm EST JON!!!!

Monday, January 31st
My kids ARE in school! YAY!
7 am EST
4:15 pm est

Tuesday, February 1st
7 am EST
11 am EST
10 pm EST JON!!!!

Wednesday, February 2nd
7 am EST
1 pm EST

Thursday, February 3rd
7 am EST
8 pm EST Dianne!!!!

Friday, February 4th
7 am EST
11 pm EST

Write, write, write! So that those books can get bigger and better! See you soon! Maybe tonight (if I am up that late).

Jan 27, 2011

Post 3:Reconvention!

Marisa, Amy, Elana, KrysteyBelle, Jon, and Dianne were present. We talked about who preferred drafting vs who preferred revising, and who we used for alpha readers. We discussed "putting our work out there" and the risk of doing so ... and some old TV shows. Yeah, that last was probably off-topic.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

We are unplugged! We'll meet back at 9 pm EST in post 3 for a reconvention chat. If no one is there, the chat will be canceled.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 8 pm eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

Marisa and J came to visit.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 7 am est until 8. Meet you in post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Let me know you are here! Leave a comment.

Jan 25, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

What a great chat!

Kate Scott, Ali Cross, Kelly Polark, Amy McBay, Elana Johnson, Christine Bryant, and me!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 10 pm est until 11. Meet you in post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 10 PM eastern

Welcome, folks, to another edition of Late Night TPR. What will you be working on? Tell us in comments.

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just Marisa and I - she is well again! We discussed balancing pain and pleasure.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour runs from 11 am est until 12 pm. Meet back in post 3 for the chat. Write your heart out!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 11 AM eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in comments.

Post 3: Reconvention!

Got my posts done for the week but not my words for the day.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 7 am est until 8. Meet you in post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Let me know you are here! Leave me a comment.

Jan 24, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

Originally I posted this chat a year ago today. No wonder J could not find it! Just me.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage runs from 8:30 am est - 9:30 am. Meet back at post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 8:30 am eastern

Let me know if you are working with me. The reconvention chat will be canceled if I am on my own.

Jan 23, 2011

Schedule for the Week Of Sunday, January 23rd:

Here's the schedule. Jon's second week of TPR hosting! Dianne is back! Should be a good week despite the fact that the new year is getting a little tarnished. How are you all doing?

Monday, January 24th
My kids are off school again!
8:30 am EST

Tuesday, January 25th
7 am EST
11 am EST
10 pm EST JON!!!!

Wednesday, January 26th
7 am EST
1 pm EST

Thursday, January 27th
7 am EST
8 pm EST Dianne!!!!

Friday, January 28th
7 am EST
1 pm EST

Jan 19, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

Krystey, Marisa, Amy and myself. Krystey proposed we do some chat sessions in our characters. Her example was that Cassie Clare answered questions as if she were her characters on twitter yesterday. This could be an exercise for gchat after we get a chance to read each others books.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour runs from 1pm est until 2. Meet back at post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 1 pm eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in comments.

(I am picking up my MIL from the airport. It shouldn't be an issue but just in case I am not here to send us off, know I will be here soon to write my guts out with you all.)

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just Marisa and I. We talked her revision and then I made her hands blister. :( Thanks for visiting, dear.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 7 - 8 am est. Meet back in post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Let me know if you are here. Leave me a comment.

Jan 18, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

So, do tell! What happened?


A chat box will be here the first 1/2 hour after our unplug. Please sign up (I think you  will have to begin an account with Chatroll but it only takes second). After our chat I will remove the chat box and post the highlights. For posterity's sake. If all else fails, please post your report in the comments. If there is something I can fix I will do it as quick as I can. And if you just prefer to do it the old school way, in  comments, that is fine too.


I cannot get the chat box to work :(

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 10 pm  - 11 pm est. Meet back in post 3 for the chat.


Good luck!!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 10 PM eastern

What will you be working on? Tell me in comments.


Sorry, I posted so LATE! -Jon

Post 3: Reconvention!

Lots of mooping. But Krystey brought her smiling face and this: http://www.cafepress.com/+rainbow_poop_jr_ringer_tshirt,363096302

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 11 am  - 12 pm est. Meet back in post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 11 AM eastern

What will you be working on? Tell me in comments.

Post 3: Reconvention!

Whoops forgot to come back. Sorry J!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 7 - 8 est. GET TO WORK! Meet back at post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Let me know you are unplugging with me. Leave a comment!

Jan 16, 2011

Schedule for the Week Of Sunday, January 16th:

HERE'S THE SCHEDULE! We have a holiday Monday and the kids have a special snow day on Thursday so I that's a few less TPR's for me, but the inimitable Jon has come on board and has a few evenings. Those evening ones are always a giggle fest! Hope I can try them out - although generally I can't think straight by that time of day! But for some folks that time is much better - go try it out.

Monday, January 17th
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
8:30 am EST

Tuesday, January 11th
7 am EST
11 am EST
10 pm EST JON!!!!

Wednesday, January 12th
7 am EST
1 pm EST

Thursday, January 13th
7 am EST
10 pm EST JON!!!!

Friday, January 14th
7 am EST
1 pm EST

Jan 14, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

Amy, Heather and I. Good writing session and a chat about critting, buying houses, FF and Ponyo. Check out the link to Amy's badges on the link page.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 1pm -2 pm eastern. YOU SHOULD BE WRITING RIGHT NOW! Meet back at post 3 for the chat!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 1 pm eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments.

Post 3: Reconvention!

Me (Marisa) and Krystey! We talked about BBQ!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

This is a HALF HOUR unplug!! Meet you pack at post 3 at 9:30 am EST!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 9 am EST

What will you be working on?

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just me! But you may not have known I was coming. I forgot to sign in.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour goes from 7 - 8 am. Meet in post 3 for the chat after.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Are you here with me? Let me know in comments.

Jan 13, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just Amy and I this afternoon! She made badges, I mooped.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Meet you back at Post 3 in one hour!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 4:30 pm (est)

What will you be working on today?

Post 3: Reconvention!

Tina, me (Marisa), Amy, and Krystey! We talked twitter, girl's nights, the rockin' awesome writer's retreat we will one day have, goals, and snotty kid's noses!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Write your little heart out and we'll meet up in Post 3 at 12 pm EST!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 11 am (est)

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

J showed up but I was late. Off to start my kiddos day.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour goes from 7 - 8 am. Meet in post 3 for the chat after.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Are you here with me? Let me know in comments.

Jan 12, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

So, do tell! What happened?
THE CHAT BOX DID NOT WORK!!!!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 1 pm EST until 2 pm EST. Meet back in post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 1 pm eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments.

Post 3: Reconvention!

Visited by Jon, Krystey, Heather, and Me (Marisa) - we talked about swagbucks and blog re-designs.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Meet you back in a HALF HOUR (9:30 am EST) for a chat in post 3!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 9 am EST

This will be a HALF HOUR unplug! What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments!

Don't forget to come back and chat at 9:30 am EST!

Post 3: Reconvention!

Heather and I - she from an igloo, me from my boring house.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour goes from 7 - 8 am. Meet in post 3 for the chat after.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Are you here with me? Let me know in comments.

Jan 11, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

Tina, Marisa, Krystey and Jon - talked about polar bears, revising, and drafts.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

And we're off! See you in post 3 at 5:30 pm EST (I hope!)

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 4:30 pm (est)

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

Tina, Marisa, Amy, Krystey, and Dena today! (but chatted at different times!)

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage is from 11 am -12 pm EST. Meet back at post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 11 AM eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just me. But Marisa came by to visit!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour goes from 7 - 8 am. Meet in post 3 for the chat after.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Are you here with me? Let me know in comments.

Jan 10, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

Krystey, Marisa, Amy and myself. Benedryl, skiing, and how many books can a lazy person write? Also, color pencil and crack similarities. Epiphany showers.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour goes from 4:30 - 5:30 EST. Meet in post 3 for the chat after.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 4:30 pm eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in comments.

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just me (Marisa) today! But I got my blog post done, so hurray.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Meet you back at 9:30 am EST in post 3!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 9 am EST

This will be a HALF HOUR unplug!! We will reconvene at 9:30 am EST for a chat in post 3!

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just me. But I got the am posts all set. Now to wake the kids.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour goes from 7 - 8 am. Meet in post 3 for the chat after.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Are you here with me? Let me know in comments.

Jan 9, 2011

Schedule for the Week Of Sunday, January 9th:

Yay! So excited to see how the writing goes this week. (Krystey, 2 - 4 seems to be hard for me. Do the 1pm's get a little closer? Marisa, do you want to try your half hours this week? Does anyone else have a request?)

Monday, January 10th
7 am EST
9am EST (half-hour unplug!) - Marisa
4:30 pm EST

Tuesday, January 11th
7 am EST
11 am EST
4:30 pm EST - Marisa

Wednesday, January 12th
7 am EST
9am EST (half-hour unplug!) - Marisa
1 pm EST

Thursday, January 13th
7 am EST
11 am EST - Marisa
4:30 pm EST - Marisa
8 pm EST Dianne!

Friday, January 14th
7 am EST
9 am EST (half-hour unplug!) - Marisa
1 pm EST

Jan 7, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just me (Marisa) and I got nothing done... but I'm off to get something done now, so that's something!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Meeting back in post three for a reconvention chat at 5:30 pm EST!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 4:30 pm (est)

What will you be working on today? Tell us in the comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

Krystey, Amy, Marisa, and myself (Tina) - we talked of the epiphany shower and Marisa coined: A shower full of epiphany. Like a pocket full of rye. Heather stopped by and we talked of Rome and cats and shared the gnocci.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage is from 11 am est until 12 pm est. Meet back at post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 11 AM eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in comments.

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just me! Off to finish my words.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage goes from 7 EST until 8 EST. Meet you back at post 3 for a chat. Write like the wind!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Tell me if you are here with me!

Jan 6, 2011

Post 3:Reconvention!

Present: Dianne (host!), Marisa, Krystey, Jon, and Amy. We discussed the progress we made tonight, talked about the controversial changes to Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, and then compared the size of our hometowns.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

We are unplugged! We'll meet back at 9 pm EST in post 3 for a reconvention chat. If no one is there, the chat will be canceled.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 8 pm eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

So, do tell! What happened?


A chat box will be here the first 1/2 hour after our unplug. Please sign up (I think you will have to begin an account with Chatroll but it only takes a second). After our chat I will remove the chat box and post the highlights. For posterity's sake. If all else fails, please post your report in the comments. If there is something I can fix I will do it as quick as I can. And if you just prefer to do it the old school way, in comments, that is fine too.







Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

WRITE YOUR LITTLE HEARTS OUT!

And we can chat about it in post 3 at 5:30 pm EST!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 4:30 pm (est)

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments!!

Post 3: Reconvention!

An unplanned unplug seemed to be just what we needed this early afternoon.

Tina, Heather, Jon, Amy, Krystey, Kelly and myself (Marisa) were present!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Meet you back in Post 3 at 1pm EST!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 12 pm (est)

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

Just me(Tina)! Back to my words!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Tell me if you are here with me!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Tell me if you are here with me!

Jan 5, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

A full house! Present - me (Marisa), Tina, Jon, Krystey, and Amy!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Meet you at 5:30 pm EST in Post 3 for a chat!!

Post 1: Unpluggage begins at 4:30 pm (est)

What will you be working on today? Tell us in the comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

So, do tell! What happened?


A chat box will  be here the first 1/2 hour after our unplug. Please sign up (I think you  will have to begin an account with Chatroll but it only takes a  second). After our chat I will remove the chat box and post the  highlights. For posterity's sake. If all else fails, please post your  report in the comments. If there is something I can fix I will do it as  quick as I can. And if you just prefer to do it the old school way, in  comments, that is fine too.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 11 - 12pm est. Meet back at post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 11 AM eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

Nobody signed in and I have more work to do. Off I go!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage goes from 7 EST until 8 EST. Meet you back at post 3 for a chat. Write like the wind!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Tell me if you are here with me!

Jan 4, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

So, do tell! What happened?


A chat box will  be here the first 1/2 hour after our unplug. Please sign up (I think you  will have to begin an account with Chatroll but it only takes a  second). After our chat I will remove the chat box and post the  highlights. For posterity's sake. If all else fails, please post your  report in the comments. If there is something I can fix I will do it as  quick as I can. And if you just prefer to do it the old school way, in  comments, that is fine too.

Totally fun chat. Amy, Dena, Marisa and myself!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 11 AM eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in comments.

Post 3: Reconvention!

So, do tell! What happened?


A chat box will  be here the first 1/2 hour after our unplug. Please sign up (I think you  will have to begin an account with Chatroll but it only takes a  second). After our chat I will remove the chat box and post the  highlights. For posterity's sake. If all else fails, please post your  report in the comments. If there is something I can fix I will do it as  quick as I can. And if you just prefer to do it the old school way, in  comments, that is fine too.

Just me. Marisa must have slept in. :) I got my daily writing done.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage goes from 7 EST until 8 EST. Meet you back at post 3 for a chat. Write like the wind!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

Tell me if you are here with me!

Jan 3, 2011

Post 3: Reconvention!

So, do tell! What happened?


A chat box will  be here the first 1/2 hour after our unplug. Please sign up (I think you  will have to begin an account with Chatroll but it only takes a  second). After our chat I will remove the chat box and post the  highlights. For posterity's sake. If all else fails, please post your  report in the comments. If there is something I can fix I will do it as  quick as I can. And if you just prefer to do it the old school way, in  comments, that is fine too.

The chat: Marisa, Krystey, Amy and I. We compared notes on times for best TPR. Marisa will host some half hour ones and Krystey shared a query link. See the link page.

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage hour is from 4:15 pm est until 5:15 pm. Meet back in post 3 for the chat.

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 4:15 pm eastern

What will you be working on? Tell us in the comments!

Post 3: Reconvention!

So, do tell! What happened?


A chat box will  be here the first 1/2 hour after our unplug. Please sign up (I think you  will have to begin an account with Chatroll but it only takes a  second). After our chat I will remove the chat box and post the  highlights. For posterity's sake. If all else fails, please post your  report in the comments. If there is something I can fix I will do it as  quick as I can. And if you just prefer to do it the old school way, in  comments, that is fine too.

First day of the first week of a new year. Went just fine. Chatted alone as expected but got posts set for the week!

Post 2: WE ARE UNPLUGGED!

Unpluggage goes from 7 EST until 8 EST. Meet you back at post 3 for a chat. Write like the wind!

Post 1: Unpluggage Begins 7:00 am eastern

What will you work on? Sign up below so I know you will chat with me.

Jan 2, 2011

Schedule for the Week Of Sunday, January 2nd:

I've missed you all and I can't wait to write.

Monday, January 2nd
7 am EST
4:15 pm EST

Tuesday, January 3rd
7 am EST
11 am EST

Wednesday, January 4th
7 am EST
11 am EST

Thursday, January 5th
7 am EST
8 pm EST Dianne!

Friday, January 6th
7 am EST
11 am EST