Still No NaNo

I miss the camaraderie of NaNoWriMo, but I’m lucky to live in a community with many dedicated writers who get together year-round to support and encourage one another. And we do focus a little extra in November, still. It’s a habit, now, and a good one! So we’re doing an informal, flexible Novel November, and I’m testing that flexibility by working on short stories, instead.

Specifically, I’m editing a new collection of older short stories. Many have previously been published, some have never been seen before. I recently finished another A5 notebook of stories and had the immense satisfaction of starting a new one. I really enjoyed that topic of discussion on recent episodes of The Pen Addict podcast. Is it more satisfying to finish a notebook, a bottle of ink, or a pen cartridge? What’s more exciting to start new? For me, it’s definitely notebooks. It means I’ve been productive. And, even more excitingly, it’s time to assemble a new manuscript for submission, and eventually, a new book release.

All of that is delightful. But here’s my problem. That work is digital work. On a screen and keyboard. Ugh! I usually view November as some quality time with my pens and paper, and I’m going to miss that this year. Normally, this is the post where I’d show you what pen, notebook, and ink I’ll be using for a new piece of writing! I have nothing to show right now. And my next project after this one is also typing up a manuscript I’ve already hand-written.

I do have a short story to write before February, though, so there will be some inky time. And I have a lovely pile of stationery to review over the next few months. I’m far from deprived! But I’ve stepped out of my traditional routine.

Are any of you writing this month? Please tell me what you’re using and what you’re working on!

Stationery for a Writing Weekend

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

My writing projects have a habit of scattering themselves across multiple notebooks. A novella-in-progress in one notebook, short stories in another, a novel in a different notebook, brainstorming in yet another, etc. Compartmentalizing the projects has its advantages. Portability isn't one of them.

On a daily basis, I only carry the commonplace book. All my thoughts, ideas, or story bits go in there, and then that writing gets transferred to its project the next time I'm working on it. The rest of the writing ecosystem stays on my desk.

If I'm focusing on one specific project, I'll bring the brainstorm book and that project's notebook. That works well for an afternoon of writing at a coffee shop or a writing group after work. But what about a longer writing retreat?

I'm spending a long weekend in Madison this week with one of my writing friends. It's likely I'll finish my current short story writing, and I need to work on my novella, and I want to work on my novel, but I also need to work on a project that has already entered the digital realm, and before you know it, I'm packing more for a long weekend than I would for a weeklong vacation. My system that works perfectly for daily use is not perfect for longer outings. When I write at the lake, I do bring it all, because I anticipate significant progress on everything. This weekend won't just be for writing. There will also be knitting and outings involved, so it doesn't make sense to relocate my entire office.

Someone who doesn't know me very well might say that the obvious solution is to just go fully digital with my writing, but I would much rather carry my analog writing around on a pack mule than draft my stories on a screen. So we can rule that out.

Another option is to just bring the brainstorm book as if it were an afternoon out, and do all the work in there, transferring it like usual (though in much higher volume). And that's likely what I'll do. But it does raise the question: why don't I always only have one notebook, then? Why compartmentalize at all?

I suppose the answer is because I like to keep each project organized. Those full notebooks get shelved in my own personal archive, and it's nice to be able to find the original drafts of each piece.

I'll try bringing a lighter load this trip. It's possible we'll spend as much time catching up as we do writing, anyway! But I'm curious about your solutions for writing on the go. If you're going away and plan to write at least 5-10 thousand words across multiple projects in that time, what's your preferred kit?

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Writing Around the Block

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

Last weekend I made another escape to the lake to write. It was less of a writing retreat this year, and more of a writing battle. I've been fighting my way through some gnarly writer's block for a while now, but the deadlines can only be pushed so far before they break, and some of my projects are testing the strength of those limits.

There was very little handwriting this time. Most of my projects are in the digital phase of their existence. My ideal time at the lake is spent with no screens at all, just me, my pen and paper, and the sound of the waves. This time it was the clack of the keyboard as I frantically typed out and added scenes to an existing project.

I still brought my notebook, though. Just in case. This time, my travel companions were my Pebble Stationery Co. notebook in the Hobonichi Tragen case and the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0 Guilloche I just reviewed last week. While I didn't really get the chance to use them this time, it was a comfort just having them there, just in case inspiration struck and a new story demanded to be written, deadlines be damned.

That didn't happen, though, and that hasn't happened in a long time.

I've gone through these droughts before, and there will be others in the future. Every time, the way out remains the same: momentum begets momentum. Writing begets writing. The best way to bring on a hearty rainfall is to water your lawn.

So, through my block, I wrote about 13,000 words that weekend. I didn't feel inspired, I wasn't "in the flow," and it felt more like wringing water from a stone than spinning straw into gold. But words were made. Not enough of them--I still missed my deadline--but it was progress, and I hope that progress will beget progress.

Now I'm packing my bags for a trip to a writing conference. I'm packing my pen and my notebook and some optimism, and hoping to soak in some inspiration. What's great about the tools we use is that they can always be with us, ready when we are, or when we're not.

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!