I read a blog post last week on a 30 Day Writing Challenge by Kelly Kingman based off of NaNoWrMo where you write 50,000 words in 30 days on your novel. The author of the article talked of doing this for other areas of writing, too. So I decided to try it. I know, Yoda. No try. Do or don’t do.
That being said, I am modifying it. That is quite ambitious, and the perfectionist in me would probably quit all together if I missed making my goal one day.
The author of the article said that 50,000 words in 30 days would be a year’s worth of blog posts and one 15,000 word ebook. All in 30 days. Who wouldn’t love that?
I also read a post on Jeff Goins, Writer where he talked of exercising your writing muscles in “The Secret to Effortless Writing“. The more we practice the easier it gets and the better we get at it. He also recommended a book, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield that I purchased. Something tells me that it will be a painful month of growing and stretching myself. But I’m inspired and excited to see where it goes!
I am going to be realistic since it is so close to the holidays and set my goal for 500 words a day. I know that is not a lot, but it could amount to 60 pages of my book. And that’s not too shabby. Plus, I am hoping to overshoot that. I just want to leave myself wiggle room on days that are just too crazy to write a lot. It’s more psychological than anything. Inside my real goal is much higher. This just keeps me from giving up. You have to be tricksy with me when trying to get me to do something. I know this about myself and devise my plans accordingly. I have written over 2200 words on my first day. I probably wouldn’t get too used to seeing that number, though. That’s insane. But who knows what I might do if I get used to doing it and make myself do it every day.
One thing she said about this writing is that it is unedited. We’re not proofing it or finding pictures for a blog post. We’re just writing. I just started today and have already failed miserably on that concept. It will take some practice.
I’m excited to be exercising my writing muscles as I work on my book!
I will be doing this challenge along with a few other brave bloggers:
Brina
Ernie
Tammy | Grown Up, Now What
Who wants to join us?
Thanks for reading and for the link! Good luck on your writing journey!
Jeff Goins recently posted..How to Write a Story that Feels Bigger than You
Thanks, Jeff! I’m sure I will be hitting your blog up for encouragement and pep talks over the next 30 days. I can’t wait to start the book you recommended!
I will provide all the encouragement I can for you this month. I will also be doing a modified version of the challenge – only I moved mine into next year. For me it would simply be insane to attempt this during a busy holiday month. I could see it decreasing my enjoyment in the activities I’ve been looking forward to for so long.
Good luck and good writing!!!
Tammy recently posted..Chewable Portions
You know, I’m kind of wishing I had done that, too, now. Yikes. It doesn’t help that the day after I started this I scheduled a few days away with girlfriends at the lake. Thanks for the encouragement!