NaNo Diary – 15 to 21 Nov 2021
Hello & welcome to the third 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 GoalsI looked at the whole month and identified which days I could write. For this week, I plan to write Monday, and Thursday, Saturday, & Sunday. I plan to take Tuesday & Wednesday off as I’m often tired after a long day of work, and I have evening plans on Friday. By the end of the week I need to have written 31,822 words to be on track.
I finished last week with 10,056 words, putting me behind target by 12,674 words. My daily word count goal was 2,273 words, but to catch up I need it to be 3,946 words.
I’ve accepted I’m very likely to not make that word count goal. So, I will simply aim to write on my writing days and see how many words I can write.
Monday, 15 November
I had a busy day with my daughter. It was lovely. We made smoothies, painted a massive cardboard box, played shops, etc. She has a lot of energy despite not feeling well.
Tomorrow’s childcare is all messed up. I thought about driving even though I’m supposed to be resting my broken ankle. My ankle is feeling tons better otherwise I wouldn’t even think it, but people around me said no.
I went with my mum to collect my son from school. It was a chance to practice walking to and from the school. I said I was fine but my mum insisted I do it with help, incase two kids are too much to handle on my own. It all went fine, tomorrow I will get dropped off by mum with both kids, then taken home by a friend.
After school my “mum’s chat” Whatsapp group reported there is a Covid case in the other class and they need to do PCR tests. Later, I got ParentMail to say there are cases in the school and now my son must do daily LFTs. My son tested negative.
Worrying about the children and Covid was a big distraction. Zero words.
NaNo 2021, day 15
Tuesday, 16th November 2021
I decided to keep my daughter off nursery. My friend that would bring me home didn’t have the right car seat. I then arranged for my mum to drop my son off to my friend & she walked him in with her daughter. For first thing in the morning, this was a lot of problem solving, worrying, and phone calls.
I had to work a little with my daughter which ups the difficulty level. My mum was racing back and forth from hospital & doctor appointments, to help when she could, and to pick Noah up. My mother-in-law was travelling home from a funeral. I made it through the day but was shattered and ordered a takeaway
After work I saw I had ParentMail. Covid is now in my son’s class and he needs to do a PCR. I didn’t realise until he was in bed so this is a job for tomorrow.
Having an early night. Zero words.
NaNo 2021, day 16
Wednesday, 17th November 2021
This morning was better. My daughter is off nursery again. My mum took my son to school. My mother-in-law came over to help earlier than usual as I had meetings. It was my mother-in-laws late mum’s birthday, so she wanted to get some flowers to put at her grave. She left after lunch to do this but would get Noah from school. My mum called to say the hospital had gone quicker than expected and asked if I needed Noah collecting, but it was Aria I needed help with. My mum had her lunch and was over to help, which made work easier.
Today went much better and I cooked dinner. One of my son’s best friends had Covid and was upset, so they had a video call and all they did was laugh together for a good thirty minutes.
My son still has no symptoms and is negative. But, due to the cases we had to do his PCR test. I’m so proud of how good he is being about all these different Covid tests. We registered it online, and boxed it up ready to post tomorrow morning.
Another early night. NaNo-What? Zero words.
NaNo 2021, day 17
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Thursday, 18th November 2021
My husband had a day off today, so care of the kids is covered, and he dropped off the PCR test. Work flew by.
I could have written tonight. I should have written tonight. But, my hubby and I hung out together, and then it felt too late. So, I finished watching the last episode of Nine Perfect Strangers.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda! Zero words.
NaNo 2021, day 18
Friday, 19th November 2021
I promised I wouldn’t put pressure on myself to write, but the week is whizzing by and I really need to make some progress. Even one word would be better than nothing!
I have my laptop nearby so if my daughter gets sucked into YouTube, I may be able to sneak in some words.
My plan worked! I wrote 1,854 words!
This evening we took the kids to Helmingham Hall. It was a magical winter wonderland walk around the estate, and warm mulled wine at the end. The kids loved the lights and being out late, and we’re good about going to bed.
I could have done some writing tonight but I also needed to work on my social media posts. As, I had some words already, I enjoyed making a video of our happy day out.
My plan worked! 1,854 words
NaNo 2021, day 19
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Saturday, 20th November 2021
Eugh, I have woken up with a runny nose. With my daughter coughing in my face and wiping snot everywhere, I knew this was inevitable. I’m working hard to recover quick and will still try to write today. Plus, my hubby has also woke up unwell, but he has fan flu.
A nice surprise this afternoon was to see my author interview posted on Helen Garraway’s blog.
Author Interview – Ally AldridgeMy hubby and I got blankets and watched Arcane on Netflix, and drank tea. My son’s PCR result came back negative. I think this is just a bad cold, but I will be having an early night.
I knew this was inevitable. Zero words!
NaNo 2021, day 20
Sunday, 21st November
Surprisingly, I slept well last night. I’m feeling better today, but my nose is bunged up. I need to be better by tomorrow as I’m meeting one of my son’s teacher’s tomorrow.
Testing is negative and it does feel like just a cold. I won’t be writing today. My body is telling me to prioritise my health. Today, I will mostly be watching Arcane with my hubby, and cuddling my kids.
Health before words.
NaNo 2021, day 21
NB: I may not do a week 4 Diary and instead post an overall evaluation of how the challenge went.
NB: Also, 24 Nov is when my contract with the previous website provider ends, and I’m still nervous whether the transfer worker or not.
The Soul SeriesDiscover more about the Soul Heart series:
About Ocean Heart (book 1), available in eBook, paperback, and in all good bookshops and libraries.
About Sky Heart (book 2), currently in Beta, and then lots of editing rounds involving my editor.
About New Moon (prequel), currently first draft being written for the NaNoWriMo challenge.
[Kofi]
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