This morning, I kept the Internet off so that it wouldn’t disturb me as I wrote. Then I turned it on despite knowing what I’d find. The usual tweets about writing, books, plumbing, birthdays, etc. are interspersed with serious and worrying tweets about things that are going on not a million miles from here. Facebook is just the same.
I can never get my head round this. I can’t concentrate on the usual everyday discussions when I know what else is happening. I’ll probably turn the Internet off again soon. When the background music gets too loud, it’s better to work without it.
Before I turn it off, I want to say something about NaNoWriMo write-ins, of which there have been two so far in Jerusalem.
The first was held in a central café. About eleven people attended, although three of those sat in a different part of the café and didn’t find the others until they left! It wasn’t particularly comfortable balancing our laptops on the little tables, there were not enough electric sockets and we were bothered by cigarette smoke that wafted in from outside. But it was great to meet other writers, discuss our novel-writing progress and write together.
For the second write-in, I invited participants to my house. Only three others came, but again we had a very rewarding time, writing much more than we would have done alone.
I would definitely recommend this activity to anyone who is wondering about joining a write-in. Writing is often a lonely activity. Sometimes that’s good, other times it’s good to get together.
Miriam Drori, Author 
10 replies on “Write-in”
As someone who spends six hours every day writing alone in my rural splendor and isolation – I can really see the attraction here. I wish I could find a few more writers near me. Mostly dairy farmers! This looks like fun and a great stimulation for the imagination.
I don’t think you need your imagination stimulated any more, David. It works very well on its own!
Yes, it was fun. One simply has to concentrate when three others are seriously writing next and opposite you. I feel the same about the internet. I did turn it on and was helplessly clicking away for hours, feeling sad for what is going on and bad for not being able to do anything about it.
Looking forward to meeting up again next week. 🙂
I love the idea of write-ins. May try it some time.
Hope you’re keeping safe at this worrying time.
Make write-ins, not war? Thanks, Ros 🙂
I’ve read where most writers really made a great deal of progress in their word count participating in write ins. For some reason, it acts as a great inspiration to see others clicking away on their keyboards. Hope you continue to make great strides with your NaNo project.
Thanks, Angela. I’m falling behind, but writing every day.
Oh how fun. *Waves at all the Jerusalem writers! How are ya and have fun writing!
We are! Thanks, Michael 🙂