Marking that Calendar!!

Now that we're down to a mere 25 days until the Big Write, I had to take some steps at home to remind my family of what is about to transpire. I think in the past three years' worth of Nano, it's been pretty transparent to them what is going on, however, I do still require them to buy into this whole concept so that they aren't obstacles in my path as I type along to my 50,000-word goal.

There are simple rules:

1. If I have my headphones on and I'm sitting in front of the computer, I'm invisible. This means, unless the house is on fire or someone has lost a limb, I'm NOT TO BE DISTURBED.

2. I have voice mail and I'm not afraid to use it. I don't answer any phones while I'm writing.

3. I get first dibs on any coffee that comes out of the coffee maker, no matter what time of day it is.

4. Do not move my stuff. I don't care if there is a five-foot-high stack of books and loose papers on the end of the dining room table next to my laptop, even if I'm not there, don't touch it. These are my research materials and I have them exactly how I want them. Don't mess with my system.

5. I do not fix breakfasts or lunches during Nano. You're on your own. If you can't make your own toast or peanut butter sammich, it's not my problem.

6. No complaining about my 5-minute dinner meals. I don't care if you're tired of crockpot pork chops or microwaved chicken fingers. I'm eating it, so you're eating it.

7. No "mommy emergencies" can occur in the month of November. Don't split your pants and expect me to stitch them up, don't ask me to get a splinter out of your palm, and I'm not doing doll surgery. If it's something mommy has to do, it will have to wait until December 1st. No exceptions.

8. If y'all get on my nerves, I reserve the right to go to the Library, Bread Co, or Barnes and Noble to type for as many hours as I want!

Now, to be fair, I'm a fast typist. I can produce considerable output in just an hour or two, and I'm good at writing in small snatches. But ideally I like to devote 3 hours a day to my writing during Nano. This doesn't mean I'm banging on the keyboard the entire 3 hours, sometimes that time is spent reading, researching online, or going back over what I've typed and making some changes. Nano is about the process, not just the output. Just because it looks like I'm at a stopping point, don't be fooled, I'm not!

Any questions? :)