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I've joined a writing challenge where I write 30k in 30 days. Before I've joined NaNoWriMo. Along with the 70 days of Sweat. They've worked for me to a certain extent. I usually finished whatever ms I wanted to complete, but never make my word count. I'm just starting to think I'm succint when it comes to stories.
But that's not the point. I want to know why they work for me and why for others it just seems like a waste of time. I know plenty of people thrive off of competition and seeing if they can make it to the finish line or THE END of their ms is enough to light a fire under their butt. Or how meeting a certain word count a day can stiffle a writer's creativity.
So, I want to know do writing challenges work for you? And if not, why?
Melissa Blue
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http://www.melissablue.net
Reasons
This is an excellent subject for a blog!
One reason challenges are good for us is that they give us a deadline. In the real world of publishing, deadlines are what keep us all in business. Without them, newspapers and magazines would shut down, bookstores would have many unhappy customers, and more people would turn to film & television (which also have deadlines).
School may be why some of us balk at deadlines. If we hated having to have an assignment in by Friday at the latest, it can leave a lasting impression on our subconscious that deadlines are bad. If we discover that attitude lurking in our brains, we have to overcome it, by force if necessary.
Writing challenges don't aways work for me, but most of the time they do, especially the shorter ones. I can't say that what I've written in them is always wonderful, but I'm still learning and polishing my craft. On the whole, I'd suggest to anyone who has had trouble with them in the past to re-examine their schoolyears, to see if they had a bad attitude about turning in homework. If so, and they're willing to make a conscious effort to overcome it, writing challenges can become a useful tool for them, too!
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Yes, writing challenges work!
Hey Melissa - Yes, writing challenges work - for me anyway.
I'd been lagging in completing An Oulaw For The Lady - a ms I need to pitch at the ACFW conf in Minn in 2 wks. (2 weeks - yikes!)
So, when Dee started a forum for Book in a Weekend, I used that to work on Outlaw. Because it was a challenge with other writers, my dh said he'd take care of the kids and meals so that I could hide out in our RV to write. The only stipulation was that if I was in the house, I was 'Mom' - as long as I was in the RV, I was 'Anita Mae, writer'. If you read my blog posts, you can see I spent most of my time in the RV.
And did it work? Yes - without the distractions of family, TV and internet, Outlaw grew from 38% completion to 70% by Monday night.
Yes, I could've done it on my own, but along with the forum comes the other big factor:
- the accountability of having to 'report' in each night and tell your peers what you accomplished on that day.
You see, I like to brag about what I've done - but I can't brag unless I do it. And normally, other than a blog post that's in view one day and gone the next, we really don't have a chance to brag.
That's why I like the challenges. You sign up, you do it, you brag about it.
And the encouragement you receive back is the impetus to do it again.
A writer's world is lonely enough...why write with someone?
www.anitamaedraper.blogspot.com
www.newsfromthepews.blogspot.com
Hope
You know, you may be on to something. I hated deadlines in school, but if I knew I had to get something done by such-n-such date I'd get it done. *Even if it was doing it the night before* I never did well with self-afflicted deadlines. I do find now that I finish way ahead of what "due" date.
Very good point, Hope.
Melissa Blue
How Much You Want to Bet?
See Megan Run
http://www.melissablue.net
Anita
Bragging is why I became a writer. :)
The support your husband showed can be commended. Plus, it's something about putting on the writer hat for everyone to see that they start to take you seriously.
Second, being accountable is one of the main reason why I have a love/hate relationship with challenges. I've since learned not to feel bad if I don't get any writing done, because knowing me I'll make up for it in spades.
Lastly, good luck on getting your ms ready.
Melissa Blue
How Much You Want to Bet?
See Megan Run
http://www.melissablue.net