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Monday, October 15, 2007

70 Days of Sweat Writing Challenge

I've signed up for the 70 Days of Sweat Writing Challenge. I considered signing up for NaNoWriMo, but for my purposes the 70 days is better.

Why? For several reasons:

1. I just finished my w.i.p. (which isn't in progress any more) and it is easy to get caught in the WAIT mode. Wait for a response, wait to see what people say, wait until I feel ready for another project, wait until...you get the idea.

2. This new project has been rattling around in my head, screaming to get out for years. Others have muscled in before it. It's time.

3. 70 Days is longer than NaNoWriMo. This time around, I need the extra days. (Maybe NaNoWriMo next year?)

4. 70 Days has "wriggle room," 23 days off. Since it's the holidays, I need the days off.

5. It's wonderful, and works for me, to have a goal to push against.

Have you ever taken on a writing challenge like either one of these? Either a formal one, or an informal one? Did it work for you?

What do you think of these challenges? Good idea? Bad idea?

3 comments:

Kathy McIntosh said...

I think challenges such as these are one of the many benefits of the internet, creating communities.
And members of communities help each other. What better way than this supportive challenge?

At least I hope it's supportive, since I signed up, too. Sven at 70 Days of Sweat does look a tad intimidating, so I'm glad he only knows my virtual address!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on finishing your w.i.p., Conda! That must feel great...

I hadn't heard of the 70 day challenge, so followed your link. I think these challenges are a great idea for many people. Especially when we work alone - it would be nice to know there's someone else out there urging you on, and aiming for the same goals.

They don't work for me, because I tend to chafe under a group's expectations. But that's the rebel in me. This way I'm only letting myself down if I don't make my daily word count - and I'm a much tougher taskmaster than anyone else could be!

Good luck with the 70 days!!

Conda Douglas said...

Thanks, Beth, for the congratulations. Yes, it feels great, but also...a touch of "oh, no, there goes my (latest) baby!" Maybe that's another reason I wait, a touch of empty-nester going on...

And Kathy, I'm intimidated (what a great word) too, but excited!