Last October, I spent some time in the woods and finished writing the first draft of my book. There was no Internet, so I had left myself some blanks and notes to fill in, and I was picking up where I had left off writing two years earlier.
This weekend I finally sat down to read what I wrote.
The result? The blanks are filled in, the transition is smoothed out and I officially have a first draft of my manuscript completed.
Does it still need editing? Absolutely. A lot of it.
Are there plot holes? A few. Nothing I can’t overcome.
And now I at least have something complete that I can now work on and make better.
And the journey this weekend brought me right back to the woods and the journey I went on to complete this, a story I’ve started documenting on Bluesky and will add to over the next few days.
I spent five days completely alone, only seeing my hosts once for five minutes to exchange the batteries needed to keep the laptop charged.
I came back with not only a manuscript, but changed as well, reminded of what my priorities should be in life after letting work take over to much of me, once again.
Here are my Bluesky posts that share that story.
In October I disappeared into the woods for 5 days to finish writing my book. No internet, no distractions, no running water… just quiet time for myself after a hectic month at work.
I’m editing today and reflecting on my time in the woods and I think it’s a story I’m now ready to tell.
🧵 #LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I hadn’t written a word in nearly two years. I was determined to finish it.
After traveling for work nearly all of September, I had told everyone this was what I was doing immediately afterwards, promising anyone who asked I’d come home with a finished manuscript.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Found this great cabin in the “off the grid” section of Air BnB for $75 a night.
I’d booked it in July and had been obsessing over the listing regularly, dreaming about the solitude this place promised.
Spoiler alert: it absolutely delivered. 😁
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
What set this place apart for me was the creek and hiking trails and also the full-size propane fridge and freezer. I’m used to camping for 4-5 days, but didn’t want to have to worry about cooler management.
Slower paced, intentional cooking was also on my wish list for the trip.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Slowing everything right down was a part of the plan, but as it turned out, I also brought 𝘸𝘢𝘺 too much stuff with me. 😁
Two and a half hours to unpack!
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I’d brought up all my tailgating stuff in preparation for having to cook all my meals outdoors.
Next time I go to this cabin for a writing retreat, and there absolutely will be a next time, all of this stuff is staying home! 🤣
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Officially unpacked and ready to begin the journey.
No electrical outlets, the owners had three big batteries I could use for my laptop and I had a camp battery as well. My only real concern was that the laptop would be charged long enough for me to finish the book!
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
And here’s where our story starts.
I’ll be adding to this thread over the coming days with more pics, videos and stories of my time out there.
And the #?
Life is good in the woods.
For now, time to get back to editing the manuscript I finished while I was there.
Happy Sunday, Bluesky.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
The first night I had a fire and only wrote one chapter of the five I had planned before realizing that, if I was actually going to finish this thing, I needed to plot out the whole rest of the book.
I wanted to be inspired by the woods but the sheer math of words and hours wa daunting.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The first night was dark, one of the darkest I’ve had in a long time.
Fortunately, there’s always a dawn on the other side and I woke up inspired.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
That first full day I finished plotting out the rest of the book and wrote several chapters.
Now I had a roadmap. Now I could budget my time better.
I even solved a plothole I didn’t even know I had and as I wrote into the night and relaxed by the fire, a calm excitement washed over me.
#LIGITE
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
By the next morning, I’d found my rhythm.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
After knocking out some chapters to start the day, I did end up deciding to take advantage of the balmy October weather and check out some of the trails.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I decided to clamber down and follow the creek to see how far along it I could walk.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
One of the moments I was hoping for in leaving the cabin: an increased feeling of solitude, an appreciation for fully having left the real world behind.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I knew in this moment I was going to be coming home with much more than a completed manuscript.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
And as much work as I had ahead of me, it was not lost on me that you always have to find time for play.
I felt like a kid again.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A few photos from my walk before returning to the cabin to crack back at it.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Nothing like getting excited to make an amazing meal at the end of a long day of writing.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Going all day without talking to anyone, not even myself, not hearing my own voice out loud or anyone else’s, did drive me a bit bananas.
When I took breaks I found having my phone with me and documenting even the smallest moments of my experience helped restore some sanity.
#LlGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Suddenly I wasn’t alone, there was a “home viewer” to consider.
I had no plans for these videos, this was basically me coping with loneliness, the little me reflecting back in the rectangular shiny box I held in my hand was my Wilson.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I’ll spare you my attempt at food vlogging… horrible camera angle, terrible lighting and just four and a half minutes of the worst food network show you’ve ever seen.
The pics are only slightly better, but they’ll have to do to close off this mini chapter.
The food was excellent though. 😁
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
10:00 am on Sunday morning, day four, over 15 000 words written and clock ticking to write another 20k.
25 hours left in this journey before leaving on Monday.
Rainy day ahead, so no outdoor distraction was likely, but I was feeling nervous.
I was not sure I could pull it off.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 16, 2025 at 8:37 PM
3:30 pm Sunday.
Last day.
Physical toll starting to set in.
Decision time.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 16, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Feeling good about the decision, and to have also had some human contact (and swapped out spare batteries for the laptop!)
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 16, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Absolute downpour.
Still gorgeous.
I am of these woods now.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 16, 2025 at 8:37 PM
And as the book built towards the climactic battle between good and evil, the storm raged on outside.
Thunder, lightning, darkness… the atmosphere in the tiny cabin absolutely inspired the end of the book.
If this experience hadn’t been worth it yet, this was an epic payoff.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 16, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Monday – 12:19 pm.
What a storm the night before!
My last day… for real this time!
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The stats on a successful morning of writing – the end is in sight!
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Sometimes I think I filmed just to hear myself talk.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I still dream of this spot to this day.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
And… 3:30 pm, Monday, October 7th…
The first draft is finished.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Time to relax with a walk in the woods and reflect.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I will never forget how this walk made me feel and what I was taking away from this experience 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 I was still experiencing it.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Now, how about that drink?
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This feeling, this video, this moment… this will live with me for a long time.
You want to see what pure joy looks like?
This is it.
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
5:24 am, Tuesday, October 8th.
Time to head back into the city and into the office.
Back to regular life.
Leaving the woods behind and hoping I’d tell the story behind the story one day.
And, well, here we are.
Thanks for reading along. 💙🙏
#LIGITW
— Lee Zanello (@lima-zulu.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
And there we have it… when I was out in the woods, I didn’t have a Bluesky account… didn’t even know what Bluesky was, and had no idea what I’d do with all the pics and videos, but this past week it’s been fun reliving my adventure in the woods in pseudo-real time with these day-by-day recaps.
It’s now Friday, it’s been a crazy week at work, and time to head back into another weekend of editing.
Thanks for reading and I’ll keep updating the One Word blog as this manuscript moves forward!
Life is good in the woods, but it’s not too shabby here at home either.