Ally Aldridge's Blog

What I’d be reading… (2) What I’d be reading… (3)

NaNo Diary – 8 to 14 Nov 2021

Hello & welcome to the second week of my NaNo Diary, giving insight into my writing life highs and lows. If you didn’t see my project introduction, please check it out here.

Week Goals

I looked at the whole month and identified which days I could write. For this week, I plan to write Monday, and Thursday to Sunday. I plan to take Tuesday & Wednesday off as I’m often tired after a long day of work. By the end of the week I need to have written 22,730 words to be on track.

I finished last week with 4,674 words, putting me behind target by 6,777 words. My daily word count goal was 2,273 words, but to catch up I need to write an extra 6,692 words this week.

6992 words / 5 writing days = 1,398 words

1398 words + 2,273 words = 3,671 words per writing day.

I can tell you now that isn’t going to happen, so I expect to slip further behind. I’ll try to exceed my original goal so I can catch up a little.

Monday, 8th November

Lots of house things to get done today, like contact my car insurance because my husband had a little accident driving my car. There are a ton of birthdays this month, plus Christmas is looming. So we’re trying to figure out how to afford all that on top of all the bills.

Worrying isn’t good for my creativity, but it’s necessary to sort it out. I can’t bury my head in the sand.

Worrying isn’t good for my creativity.
NaNo 2021, day 8

Tuesday, 9th November 2021

Today was my long work day and after spending all day looking at a computer, I wasn’t interested in writing. I did watch more Loche & Key with my husband, we’re now on season two.

All work and no writing, makes no progress.
NaNo 2021, day 9

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Wednesday, 10th November 2021

Another long work day, but today I had a good reason why I hadn’t written. My aunt & uncle are visiting and wanted to take us out for a birthday dinner.

This month is my birthdays, my mum’s birthday, and my aunty’s birthday. It’s also son’s birthday this week but it was his bedtime, and lots of birthdays on my husbands side too.

We went to The Dooley. The service and food was lovely, and my uncle educated me on red wines. I wasn’t home late but with a happy full belly, I went to bed early and fell into a deep content sleep.

I’m supposed to post a NaNo update on Instagram today but I wanted something more positive to share, like better progress.

Too busy to write or post.
NaNo 2021, day 10

Thursday, 11th November 2021

It’s my short work day and I finished feeling rejuvenated. My mum picked me up and we went to a book fair at my daughters nursery. We also got a free book, and a poppy she’s made for Remembrance Day.

I could have written tonight but I wanted to spend the evening with my hubby before his shifts start up again and I barely see him. We watched Loche & Key together.

I could have written but I wanted to spend the evening with my hubby…
NaNo 2021, day 11

Friday, 12th November 2021

My son is off school today. He was up a bit in the night with his cold. He he this ferocious sneeze, and yes, I mean ferocious. It’s so powerful it’s almost a cough, and with Covid starting to increase at his school we decided it was best to keep him off, test him, and get his strength back up.

I caught up with some marketing admin that I needed to do. I sorted out my belated social media post. I might not have made any progress this week, but someone else might be struggling and need to know they are not alone. Yes, I won’t make NaNo but I’m not quitting. Every word matters and next week might be better.

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My son lost another wobbly tooth. I forgot to mention he lost two teeth only the other day. He now has three teeth in an egg cup, waiting for the tooth fairy to visit. Thankfully he’s very understanding that they are short staffed due to the pandemic so she has time to find some money.

I sent off my answer to an author Q&A, which should be scheduled for 20 Nov. I’ll share when it goes live.

I emailed a lady I met from Get Suffolk Reading, a project run by Literacy Trust. I’ve joined the Facebook Group, and I’m looking forward to staying aware of upcoming local bookish events,

I managed to sneak off and leave my husband with my daughter while I did some writing. My son was feeling better so he hung out with me. My husband brought me my dinner so I didn’t have to stop. I wrote 2,442 words. Yay, I have some words!

In the evening I watched Nine Perfect Strangers on my Kindle, and scrolled through YouTube.

My husband needed an early night as he has an early start, so we went to bed. It was just as well because not long after I heard my daughter crying. I got to her room and she breathing strange, wheezing, and swallowing. I got her to speak as I wasn’t she if she was choking. She told me she was fine and wanted to go back to bed. But, she wasn’t fine, I could hear she wasn’t. I was scared and didn’t want to leave her to sleep. I wanted to keep her upright, and listen to her breathing to make sure she was okay. Then she coughed, this odd bark like cough. I googled it and all her symptoms were croup. I got her some water, and prepared for a night on the sofa together. I had to calm her down as her crying made it worse. Once she relaxed, her breathing improved and the coughing stopped. We just cuddled all night .

Every word matters!
NaNo 2021, day 12

Saturday, 13th November 2021

It’s no surprise that I am one tired mummy this morning. If I manage to do anything more than care for my kids, it will be a miracle. It’s no surprise I decided to take it easy. PJ day for the win!

I can’t write tonight because I need to prepare for a very special person’s birthday, my little boy. And, I need an early night.

PJ Day for the win!
NaNo 2021, day 13

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Sunday, 14th November

It’s my son’s birthday 🥳.

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I didn’t think I’d get a chance to write today but my son wanted to spend his Robucks and play on his Kindle. My daughter is still not feeling well so she was super snuggly and wanted to chill whilst watching cartoons. So, I got out my laptop and wrote 2,940 words. I’m so pleased 😃.