Monday, January 7, 2013

Why don't we give this a try?

Just when I said I wasn't going to declare any kind of writing goal on my blog I found something that's really got me inspired.

Not sure if any of you have heard of NaNoWriMo before? It's a writing challenge that comes about in November where writers all buckle down and try to write a novel in a month.  Some are successful, some are not.  I almost tried to do NaNoWriMo once, but things got in the way.  What I didn't like about the challenge is it didn't help me to make writing a daily habit - which is what I wanted (and still want) most.

And then, I swear in some sort of kismet way, last week I stumbled across A Round of Words in 80 Days.  It's like this writing challenge was made just for me! If you read my last blog post, it speaks to all the reasons why I didn't set a big sweeping writing goal for myself this year.

With this writing challenge you set a writing goal of your choosing and must try to keep it up for 80 days.  BUT....the challenge encourages you to set a small writing goal — one that is easily attainable for you and will get you in the habit of writing. Also, you don't have to stick to the same goal throughout the 80 days.  If things in your life change, if for some reason you need to adjust your commitment — you can adjust.  As it says on the A Round of Words blog — this is the writing challenge that knows you have a life!  I love that! Especially because I often forget (or try to ignore) that part when I'm setting my goals.

The other part I love is that you check in for the writing challenge twice a week by posting on your on blog — so this also encourages more blogging.  Seriously, I truly feel this challenge was made for me (even though this isn't the challenges first year).  Also, A Round the Word in 80 days does this challenge four times a year.  So cool.

So here I go.  Here's my small writing challenge — I truly hope it sticks!

I pledge to write AT LEAST 1,000 words a day, five days a week. I don't know if this sounds like a small number or a big number to others but I can write more than that in a small stretch usually — but what I really want here is to get in the habit of writing most days.  Does this mean I stop writing when I reach 1,000 words?  No. But if I can get in this habit of writing AT LEAST this, five days a week.  I'm gold.

I'm pretty busy with other things in January and February, so I hope to actually increase my word count in March for the last stretch.  I will also have to take a slight break in February because I have to do some travelling but what's important is right now and right now my goal is 1,000 words a day, five days a week.  I'll be checking in with updates on my blog Wednesday's and Sundays.

Here goes! 

8 comments:

  1. Welcome to ROW80! You will find that they are a fantastic group. Best of luck with your goals this year. You are correct, getting into the habit is the most important part.

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    1. Thanks very much! I appreciate your encouragement and the challenge has made me very excited to get started today (after I'm done with work assignments!).

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  2. Sounds like you're off to a great start! The flexibility of ROW80 is what drew me to it, too. Have fun!

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    1. Thanks Nicole! Hope this keeps me motivated! And good luck with your goals as well!

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  3. all the best with your goals - it is a great group and very supportive if life slaps out at you, your goals sound do-able -we are here to cheer you along:)

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    1. Thanks Alberta! I appreciate it! Already this encouragement feels great!

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  4. Welcome to ROW80 and yes, yes, yes on your 1,000 words. I have the same goal...for me, "usable" words.

    I look forward to seeing how you rise to the challenge (and the challenge rises to you!)

    I used to live in Los Angeles - Hollywood at one time and Mid Wilshire another time. I live in Bakersfield now... oh, um... lucky... me.

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    1. Thanks Julie! Going well so far here on day two (lol), we'll see how this keeps rolling!

      I live in Studio City — LA is quite a different city than Toronto and there's things I love and don't love about it but over all I'm enjoying the experience of being here.

      Good luck with your 1,000 words goal as well!

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