Monday 14 November 2016

NaNoWriMo and Second Breakfasts...

I didn't want to go to my day job today. Not because I don't enjoy it, but because I had Friday off and. It. Was. Amazing.

I mentioned last week that I booked some time off in November to do some writing specifically for NaNoWriMo, and Friday was one of those days.

I was so happy when I woke up on Friday morning to a clear sunrise - I don't know why, but if it's sunny outside, I feel like anything is possible. Sunshine definitely has a positive effect on my mood.



My first stop of the day was my local Starbucks - I'm aware this isn't exactly supporting small businesses but it had free parking and I knew it would (probably) have decent wifi. I ordered a hot drink and a chocolate swirl to 'keep me going' (I have a confession to make - this was actually my second breakfast of the day, but I felt like I had to order something so I wouldn't feel guilty about being there!)

The breakfast of champions writers! Don't ask what's happening with the cream

I stayed there all morning, before deciding to find somewhere new to have lunch and start my afternoon writing session - not that there was anything wrong with Starbucks, but personally I think it can be quite expensive and I wasn't prepared to pay through the nose just for a sandwich. So I went to the cafe I worked at for a couple of weeks earlier this summer, before I got my marketing job. It was lovely to see everyone again, and the upside of going somewhere I've worked before meant that I knew exactly where the radiators and plug sockets were.

Chicken burger and chips for lunch - fuel for the afternoon!

The only downside was that the wifi didn't appear to be working properly. It wasn't a huge issue, as I was only using it to listen to music and I had music on my phone - but I'm finding more and more that I can only get into a really good writing groove if I plug my headphones in and shut the world out. After a few hours though, it was becoming obvious to me that I wasn't get as much work done. Music plays a huge part in my writing and I felt that because I didn't have the right songs on, I was getting restless and not really concentrating. So I went home early, put the fire on, made cup of tea and finished my writing session at home.


Fell views on the way home - winter is definitely coming


In total, I wrote 10,000 words on Friday. That's a huge achievement considering I hadn't written anything for about a week. I was planning on writing 5,000 words each on Saturday and Sunday too, but on Saturday I had to help out on the family farm for most of the day and Sunday just seemed to pass in a blur. I wrote another 4,000 words altogether, which is still pretty good - I'm well below the official NaNoWriMo word count for this time of the month, but I'm happy. So long as I keep writing every day, I'll get there in the end.


I have another two days booked off right at the end of November and I'm already counting down the days - I had such a good time just being a writer and doing what I love to do, that I can't wait for next time! Next time though, I know to stay somewhere with decent wifi and not switch workspaces halfway through the day - it breaks my concentration too much!

Have you ever taken time off work specifically to write? Do you like to write in cafes or at home? Do you listen to music while you write?

14 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a fantastic writing session! I sometimes write in my local cafe but I always feel I have to leave when I've finished eating and drinking - especially when they clear my plates away!

    I'm part time, so I'm lucky that I don't have to take time off work. I've been writing all day today, then I'm working this evening.

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    1. That's how I normally feel too! That's great! I'd love to work part time and do that too - best of luck with NaNoWriMo :)

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  2. Yum...that looks like the perfect first, second or third breakfast for a writing session :-) Cheers - Ellen

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    1. I'm such a hobbit when it comes to food - I'd love to have a third breakfast! We writers need the fuel for our imagination ;). Thanks for stopping by, Ellen!

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  3. I LOVE it! Way to take the time and make it happen. I never take days just to write, mostly because what would the kids do? (We home school.) But one day. One day I will take an entire work day and just write...when the kids are all moved away. LOL. Who am I kidding? There will be other commitments.

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    1. Thanks, Crystal! Haha! We can keep dreaming ;) - have a great week!

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  4. 10,000 words on Friday? That is amazing!!! Music also plays an important part in my writing process. Whenever I'm writing, I'm listening to music that fits the mood of the scene/story.

    That lunch looks so good. Now I'm hungry. lol

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    1. Thanks, Chrys :)! I also like to choose music that fits with the scene I'm writing :)

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  5. Yikes, I'm so impressed by 10,000 words in one day. I blame the second breakfast. ;)

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    1. Haha, me too, Lynda! All writers should have second breakfasts in my opinion ;)

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  6. 10,000 words in a day is impressive! Continue good luck. And yum on the food.

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    1. Thank you, Shannon! Let's hope I've not peaked too early (a very real possibility)

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  7. Okay, now I'm hungry:) The whipped cream . . . Yummy!

    Congratulations on getting so much writing done. Brilliant! Lately I've been thinking of writing in a coffee shop, but I haven't had the guts to go out and actually do it. I'm a coward, you see. But I also write better when I can shut the world out. I'm really looking out for new music to inspire me. Any suggestions? Wishing you well, Rachel.

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    1. Not gonna lie, it was amazing. Thank you, Murees! Writing in coffee shops definitely has it's benefits (even if it's not great for my bank balance) - I was so self-conscious the first couple of times I did it, but now I just plug in my headphones and ignore everyone ;). Ooh, interesting question! I'll email you some suggestions :)!

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I love chatting and meeting new people :). Thanks for stopping by!

 
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