Ask a NaNoWriMo ML: Tips for attending a write-in, spotting other writers & more

As we’ve discussed, write-ins are local events that are great for both getting some extra writing done and making friends with other writers. (See: How to organize your own write-in event for NaNoWriMo)

Once a write-in is on the schedule, though, participants may be wondering what to expect if they attend one of these events. Here’s a few things it might be helpful to know before attending a write-in. (I’m going to try to cover a variety of questions I’ve been asked on this topic all in one post.)

• Make sure you bring whatever you’re writing your novel with. Notebook and pen? Laptop? Tablet? While some places (usually libraries) may have computers available for your use, your best bet is to bring whatever you’re writing your novel on along with you. After all, you’ll be doing a lot of writing at this events (hence the name, write-in) so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the tools you need.
• Propose word sprints and wars for an extra productive word count boost. If the write-in is hosted by your ML, then s/he will likely run word sprints and word wars for you. But if the event has a more informal host, such as a library or another participant, it’ll be up to the assembled writers to do sprints and wars themselves. Usually a simple, “You guys want to sprint for 15 minutes starting at 1?” is enough to get things going but keep in mind that some people don’t like to sprint so don’t force anyone who just wants to write at their own pace.
• Consider the venue and plan accordingly. A library may let you bring your travel mug of coffee in but a coffee shop may not (especially if it’s from their competitor). That one library may be OK with your bringing food in but the other one across town isn’t. Do yourself a favor and check for the answers to questions like this before you go. The best source of info will usually be the write-in host. This may be your ML, another participant (whose name will usually be on the event listing so you can easily NaNoMail them), or sometimes the venue itself. In most cases, you won’t have to do more than just quickly check the write-in info on the calendar or the venue website for your answer.
• Be aware of current events like weather, power outages, etc. Let’s say there was, oh I don’t know, a massive hurricane in your area recently. You’d want to know that ahead of time because places like coffee shops and libraries would likely be more crowded than usual with displaced residents taking advantage of their power or wifi or may not have power or wifi themselves. The snow storm may not be bad by you, but the town where the write-in is may be getting hammered. Not sure if an event’s been cancelled? Contact the host of the event. This is usually as simple as double checking the website of the venue.
• Locate the other writers and introduce yourself before you start writing. Look, I understand that many of us writer types are introverts and some are downright shy. But the other people at the write-in have no idea that you’re one of them unless you walk over and introduce yourself. I get so many emails from participants that read like, “I showed up at the write-in but I wasn’t sure who was from NaNoWriMo so I waited ten minutes and went home again.” That’s just silly. In the same vein, if you’re already part of the write-in group and you notice someone looking lost or confused, go ahead and ask them if they are a NaNoWriMo person or wave them over. They’ll be very grateful!
• Know how to spot your fellow writers. Sometimes the person hosting the write-in has a poster up or a table sign which makes it really easy. Sometimes they don’t. If there’s no signage, your next thing is to look for NaNoWriMo or Script Frenzy stickers on the back of laptops or notebooks. NaNoWriMo shirts or mugs are another good way to spot your fellow Wrimos. Even without a single bit of NaNo gear, you can usually tell the Wrimos by a quick glance at their screens. If you see a group where most are on a screen of text or the NaNoWriMo website and not Facebook or surfing the web, you’ve found your people. Lastly, you’ll make it even easier for yourself if you walk in with NaNo stickers on your laptop or sporting some NaNo gear. Then, even if you walk right past the others without realizing it,  the likelihood is that they’ll spot you first and wave you over.
• If you’re the first person to show up or you feel like you’re the only person there, don’t run away. You’d think I wouldn’t have to even say this one but I credit this to that whole introvert thing I mentioned before. If you arrive at a write-in, even if you think you’re late and the event should well be in swing by now, and no one else seems to be there, don’t immediately run away. (You would be amazed at how often this apparently happens from the messages I get.) Firstly, this is almost always a case of the situation above where you simply need to identify yourself to the others and it will just take a few moments for you to realize where they are. Secondly, even if you are 100% sure that you’re the only person there, still sit down and start writing. Someone has to be first. If every person who comes in first runs away because they don’t want to be the only person there, no one would ever attend any event anywhere. Some of my most productive writing has been at write-ins where I was alone for an hour or so waiting for the others to arrive.

Keep in mind, all NaNoWriMo events are run by volunteers and the venues are donating their space so, even if things don’t go exactly how you want them to be, cut everyone a little slack. If you aren’t pleased with how a single write-in goes, that doesn’t mean the next one will be just like that. Every venue and host does things a little bit differently so no two write-ins will ever be the same. And if you really want to make sure a write-in goes 100% how you picture it, just host one yourself.

Whew! Hopefully that covers most of your big questions about attending a write-in but, please, feel free to ask any additional questions below and I’ll answer them as best as I can.