Writing Challenge Update

Hello fellow writers!

I'm popping in to see how everyone is doing with their writing challenge... I'm afraid that I must admit I've lagged behind... in fact, I haven't even started yet. This week has been, shall we say, a tad bit busy. After a fun weekend of working cows (and lying in the mud from a week of rain- which was wonderful, so I'm not complaining), I'm afraid I didn't have much time for writing. However, my goal is to work on it tomorrow.

I've got a lot on my plate, but, as a writer, I'm learning how to manage my time to fit in writing. It seems to me that one will 'never have time' unless they 'make time' for things like this. We have to remember, as aspiring authors (or perhaps already published authors!) that writing isn't just a 'pastime' or 'pleasure'. Well, it is that, in a sense, but it is also a job. When one works, one has to get up in the morning, spend 8 hours a day at the office, and come home. Every. Single. Day. (not including weekends). So, why do I see so many aspiring authors treating their writing like a hobby? If you're going to make this become something, then you have to make it become something. That means that we can't say, while washing dishes or cleaning house, "Oh, I don't have time for this." Nay. We must make the time. Figure out a schedule for yourself. Set aside 30 minutes, or several hours if you so choose, to write. Like the writing challenge, it doesn't have to be just in your growing novel. It could be a letter or a journal entry. It doesn't matter. We simply need to learn to make writing a priority if we want to go anywhere with it. It's as simple as that.

And, with that being all said, then I shall humbly say that I must listen to my own words. Tomorrow I shall begin with my writing challenge. I might be behind from most of you, but that doesn't mean I've missed anything or ruined my writing career.

Even though I'm behind, I'd dearly love to hear how everyone else is doing! Please drop a comment and let me know.

The Days I Feel Like a Failure

Have you ever had a day or two where you really just feel like.... a failure? It's a big word to swallow, and not one that is very fun to say or use. However, it's one I tend to use on myself a lot- especially when it comes to writing.

I know that I'm not a perfect person (nor will I ever be), but there are days when I think I *should* be perfect, and I'm simply not trying *hard enough*.  I wake up in the morning with grand plans of things to do (writing is usually included in them), but by mid afternoon I realize that I've only gotten half the things done on my list, and writing isn't one of them. A good writer is someone who makes themselves write every day, even if just a few words, or simply typing up a long email to an old friend. So, if I didn't do either of those things, then what does that make me? A bad writer?

My answer would be yes. The *real* answer, though, would be 'no'.

I've found, in my years of writing, that writing is really a habit. That's all. Sure, it's a great one to have if you use your writing to Glorify the Lord, but it's a habit nonetheless. It's something that becomes part of you like chewing on your nails when distracted, or twirling the end of your hair while doing homework. It isn't something you think about, really, but simply do.

How do we make habits? It is something that is done with hard work and perseverance. It takes time, and it takes focus. Consider an exercise routine. If you can pass the 3 day mark, it suddenly seems easier to get up in the morning and hit the floor. It isn't as difficult to remember to do it. It isn't as hard to make yourself do it. It suddenly becomes part of the routine, a habit.

I believe it is the same way with writing. It takes hard work, perseverance, and some effort on your part, but in the end, the results will be satisfying. So, here is something I'd like to propose: A Writing Challenge. The good news is that it only last two weeks. The bad news is that it will be hard work, but you'll have to stick to it.

I'll admit that I came up with this myself, and, although I've never proven it to work or not, I have had enough experience with forming habits (good and bad) to know that this sort of method is usually works out. The other good news is that I'll be doing it with you, and posting about it as often as I can remember. :-) The bad news to that is that I often forget to come and blog (as evidenced by my lack of posting here recently). However, I'll do my best.

Now, for the challenge. Like I said, it only lasts two weeks. Remember that, just like exercising or dieting, it's ok to have a 'fudge day' thrown in there. That doesn't mean you've failed. It simply means that you needed a break from it. We all need breaks in anything we do, so don't beat yourself up over it.  I did provide break days after every 3 days, but if your own day gets to be too busy, it's ok. Just try not to make a habit out of 'fudging'... haha, get it? A habit... oh never mind. Anyway, moving on. The goal here is to simply accomplish writing something, anything, every day (except break days). It is simply training oneself to form the habit of writing on a regular basis.  Ok, so here it is: (when I say 'book only' this would be in your manuscript for whatever book you might be working on currently)

Writing Challenge 101:

~Write 200 words (email, letter, journal entry, book, etc)

~Write 300 words (book only)

~Write 400 words (email, letter, journal entry, book, etc)

~Break

~Write 500 words (book only)

~Write 600 words (email, letter, journal entry, book, etc)

~Write 700 words (book only)

Week Two:

~Write 800 words (can be divided between different writing entries-book, journal, etc)

~Write 900 words (book only)

~Write 1000 words (big one, so again divide if need be)

~Break

~Write 1100 words (book only)

~Write 1200 words (book only)

~Write 1300 words (book only)

See? Not too difficult, right? Well, I guess we'll see about that. The nice thing is that if you get a little bit behind, no big deal. If you start late, no big deal, just jump on in! If you get ahead, that's great! All we're working on is simply training the brain to fire those writing neurons. Exercising our writing muscles. So, who'll join me in this challenge? Let us work towards forming this new habit, and not considering ourselves as failures simply because we didn't finish writing that chapter like we wanted to. 

Writing On!