During November, writers are out in full force. Between official write-ins and free time to write, it’s likely that coffee houses and bookstores are home to “WriMos” every day.
Whether you decide to go to any of Orlando’s write-ins or just go somewhere and write on your own, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you set up your laptop (or open your notebook) and boost your word count.
Be aware of the crowd. Lots of writers like to watch people, so they’re happy when they go somewhere to write that’s full of people. But if you’re writing at a restaurant or coffee house, be aware of how crowded it is. While you’re writing you’re at a table, and there may be people waiting for a table so they can eat.
You don’t have to necessarily rush yourself, but if it seems to be getting more crowded (during meal rushes, for example), you may want to go somewhere else to write. You can avoid this by writing at restaurants during off-peak hours.
Be a patron. If you’re writing at a coffee house or restaurant, it’s courtesy to purchase something while you’re there. You don’t have to order a full meal or continue to add to your order the whole time you’re there (although I’m sure they would appreciate if you did!), but you should at least get a drink and/or a snack to show that you’re not just taking up space, and that you appreciate the restaurant letting you scribble frantically in the establishment.
You don’t want restaurants to think you’re taking advantage of them when you go there to write. You want to make a good impression for yourself, as well as for any other writers who might want to go there.
Be organized. If you decide to meet up with other writers at a particular establishment, you should touch base with the manager of the restaurant well ahead of time. Usually there’s no problem (you may need to make a reservation to make sure you have seats together), but it’s proper etiquette to ask if it’s all right that a group of writers comes in and writes for a while. You should also make sure it’s okay that you use outlets at the restaurant (and perhaps ask for a table near outlets).
Usually there’s not a problem, and restaurants are happy for the business, but it’s still polite to make arrangements ahead of time. You never know if another group is being expected at the same time on that day, and you want to make sure there’s room (and service) for your group.
Be productive! Once everything is organized and you’re actually at the restaurant or bookstore and writing, don’t forget to write! Don’t let the new environment or fellow writers or delicious food keep you from your original goal! Writers can sometimes be easily distracted, and a change of environment is a breeding-ground for procrastination.
One way you can help stay focused is to set specific writing goals for your time away from your usual writing space. Knowing you need to write, say, 1,000 words while you’re at Barnes & Noble, for example, may help you stay motivated.
Enjoy the change of scenery!
Happy scribbling!
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