This last weekend I worked on my novel marathon style. Saturday I managed to participate in the annual Norman Holiday Parade, dressing up as a special forces scout trooper and marching with my JediOKC friends. At 1:00pm, after downing a gluten free lunch at Texadelphia, it was off to the laptop for a non-stop writing binge.
Saturday I lay on my bed propped up with pillows and cranked out 3200 words in about four hours. I stopped to eat, then cranked out another 2000 words before my eyes became so weary that the screen looked like a massive blur.
On Sunday, I managed to clean the chimney and devote time to God before hammering away at the keys. By the end of the day I had successfully written an astounding 8200 words. This is a personal record for me, and if there is any question about entering NaNoWriMo next year, that question has been answered.
I achieved this by doing a few ritualistic things:
1. Regular Breaks – When I would finish a chapter, I would walk away from the laptop and go get something to drink, nibble on a snack or take care of my “area”. Our house is divided into “areas” for chores. My area or rather areas are the bathrooms and the utility room. Sometimes I would put up my clothes after Kristie washed them or see what the kids were doing.
2. iTunes Radio – I found some really cool ambient music on iTunes. Namely “GotRadio – The Big Score“, “Maschinengeist.org” and “MOVING THROUGH SPACE“. This music is devoid of voices and is nothing but a constant stream of random techno/classical that keeps me focused on my work.
3. A Great Family – I could not have done this without the loving support of my family. My kids know that “Daddy’s writing” and Kristie, my awesome wife, knows that my deadline is looming and it is very important to me that I devote as much time to the book as possible at the moment. She knows she’ll have me back after the 21st, and then it will be Christmas break, the novel will be done, and I can relax a little bit until…I start the next one <grin>.
Writing Is Hard Work 
I love the graphic! That hasn’t applied to me since high school, but someday it will again. Good for you!
Great weekend!
Armand