write ins?

for me, writing needs to be solitary, its a process best done while doing other things and getting up, walking around, snacking, chasing the dog or cats, ...you get the picture. i was thinking that perhaps going to one of the write-ins or kick-offs could be a way to network or socialize, pick up a few email contacts, and then crawl back into my hole to write. you know, for moral support later on when we are smack dab in week 2.5 and frantically wading through pages of inane dialogue and are thinking of giving up.
=)

It can depend on the writer. Some prefer being alone to write. My first year of Nano, I tried that method but it didn't work for me. These last two years I resolved to only write at write-ins. I personally tend to be more productive at write-ins than I could be at home for many reasons. When I am surrounded by other writers, I feel pressured to stay focused on my writing and not get distracted by all the other things that pull on my attention (papers to be graded, house that needs cleaning, that new book, a tv show, cooking, etc.). Additionally, I'm less likely to go online and check e-mail or surf randomly if I'm surrounded by peers who can see my screen and know that I'm off topic. Being a competitive person, I also push myself harder when I'm surrounded by other writers, especially when we do a timed write.

As I said, it depends on the individual. You're welcome to check out some of the write-ins and see if it works for you. A side benefit of all the write-ins I attended last year is the group of writers I've continued to meet with and receive support from.

Writing for me is usually a solitary activity as well. However, it also happens to be a very SLOW activity. In November, I need to focus more on speed than on the quality of what I'm writing. I went to quite a few of the write-ins last year and found that writing with others who were furiously typing away helped keep me going at a faster pace than usual. I think the write-ins are what allowed me to get to the 50K mark last year! So I'd encourage people to at least try one or two write-ins and see what you think.

As a bonus, I also met some great people at the write-ins last year and we've kept in contact since then.

welll.....certainly no one is forcing you to go. but i found, doing nanowrimo last year, that the buzzing productivity of other people intent on the same goal was a very motivating energy. lots of times people turn on their earbuds, or move away from the group to get it done. but people aren't really socializing once the groove gets going. just having folks around is one of the reasons why i think this somewhat absurd goal is reachable.

The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers.

--James Baldwin

Writing at write-ins can be... weird... in an interesting way. I'm also pretty solitary, but I've attended a few write-ins. They're "weird" because they're different from other social situations. No one will think you're rude if you ignore them for long stretches of time. Generally, it seemed people would talk for a few minutes, getting acquainted, then someone would say "okay, I'm going to write now", put on their headphones, and suddenly EVERYONE would be typing away for 10, 15, 20 minutes. Then someone would need coffee, and maybe a third of the people would take a 10 minute break, then on go the headphones again. It's amazing how UN-distracting it is. It's like taking test in school. You concentrate on your own test paper, while everyone else is working on theirs. That's exactly how it goes. Except that you can take breaks and chit-chat, but EVERYONE there has a goal of 50k words. So everyone understands if you don't want to talk to them much. But generally, you'll want to introduce yourself, commiserate about writing for a few minutes, and say goodbye when you leave.

the idea of the write-ins is not social, but supportive. being around other people who are also committed to writing, as opposed to non-writers who would talk endlessly at/with you about your writing, or what they would write if they would write. most of the people in our lives are not committed to writing, and most unfortuantely are committed to allowing us to write either.

at a write-n, i'm as committed to you writing as i am to my writing. it is amazing what that feels like, how it gets you moivng, keepings you moving, allows you to flounder and get back on track.

writing is soltary, but it can also be alienating, and this is an attmept to cut alienation and isolation.

you still have the choice to work or not, but it IS easier to work when there are others around you also working. and making new contacts, who you can talk to after you write is great. try them out. you can always decide not to go ever again.

I write on my own most of the time. But the write-ins are great for motivation because having all these other people writing right next to you reminds you that you're not alone in the insanity of it all. :)
Usually there's settling-in chat and then things get down to business. Yeah, there's probably a few more breaks than when you write alone, but for me there's also some peer pressure to keep my procrastination to a minimum when I'm with a group.

I signed up again, didn't I?