Hello everyone!

Today we are at day 7 of Nanowrimo and… (gasp) almost 1/4 of the way through! Are you taking part in Nanowrimo? If so, how has the first week been?

I am proud to say that I’m surviving! Hurrah!!!!

This past week has been a rollercoaster for me, physically, mentally and emotionally. I haven’t written so many words each day consistently while still working. Also, being a creature of habit, it was difficult for me to adjust my schedule around Nanowrimo and other changes happening in my life. (If only the rest of life would pause for a moment during Nano! hahaha….)

However, overall I am enjoying the Nanowrimo experience. And since this is the first week, I am still figuring out what works and what doesn’t! Today I want to share with you guys my overall progress and my experience with my first write-in!

My Progress

I’m proud to announce that, as of Wednesday November 7, 6:30AM Pacific Time, I am at 15519 words!!!! 

Which is CRAZY haha. I swear I haven’t written so quickly in such a short period of time during the usual work week. Prior to starting Nanowrimo, I was doubtful that I could even do the 1667 words a day, nevermind anything extra. However I was positively surprised by how smoothly the writing progress went.

Here’s my graph!! (As you can see I am super proud of myself :’) )

What’s working

• MY OUTLINE has saved me so many times in moments of doubt!!!! When I am barely awake during my morning pre-work writing session and after a long day at work, I like to look at my list of scenes and know EXACTLY what I am going to write next.*
• Cutting back on reading and blogging time. However much I love these activities, if I want to fit Nanowrimo in my daily schedule, something has to go!
• Getting involved with the community! I love having writing buddies. Being able to see everyone’s progress, seeing that others are working hard, motivates me to continue writing as well. I’ve also been tweeting!
• Going to write-ins! More on that!
• My journal! I love using a weekly calendar to track the tasks that I have to do, and to track my progress as well.

*That being said, I am a plantser (= pantser+planner) at heart and my typing fingers follow my heart and my heart doesn’t always follow my brain SO I’ve been taking some liberties in the plot haha…

What’s not working (?)

• Writing in the mornings….. This week I’ve been testing out how I do with writing in the mornings. I like that I am able to get a head start so that there isn’t as much to write after work. However, I am not sure if morning writing is for me!

My Write-In Experience!

So this past Sunday was my first ever time participating in a Nanowrimo write-in (eeek!) By the way, for those who aren’t familiar with write-ins, they are local meet-ups where Nanowrimo writers get together (usually in a cafe or in a library) to tackle our WIPs together.

I was definitely nervous going to my first write-in. First, I was going to meet new people (which in itself makes me a bit nervous haha)! Second, I was going to write in a public place with a group of other writers, and I haven’t had this experience before. And thirdly, I didn’t know if it would be a productive writing session or if I would be distracted. However, I am always trying to challenge myself by doing new and different things, so off to a write-in I go!

Turned out that I didn’t need to worry at all. The group that I met on Sunday was friendly. We were all focused on getting some serious writing done that it was silent for 99% of the time. It took me a bit to get settled and into the mindset of writing in the presence of people I didn’t know well, but once I was there, I was on a roll! I was able to finish 2.2k in a 2.5 hour stretch which is great pace for me! Being surrounded by other writers, hearing the keyboard clicking and pen scratching really motivated me to keep writing. 

Since then I’ve been to one other write-in on Monday morning prior to work, and I am going to one more tonight. I think write-ins will be a thing for me throughout this month. Overall, I loved the experience and would absolutely recommend it for anyone who is curious about attending a write-in!

Are you doing Nanowrimo this year? How is Nanowrimo going? What is working and what isn’t? Are you a morning writer? Have you been (or planning to go) to a Nanowrimo write-in?

Also! I’ll be continuing these check-in style posts every Wednesday. Let me know what you want to see more of! (Snippets/updates about my WIP? Self-care tips? Pep talks? Or just general sharing? :D)

Last but not least! Follow me on Twitter and let’s be writing buddies!