I interrupt this Week of NICENESS to post about a writing challenge I am joining: Round of Words in 80 days. Margo Berendsen inspired me, and the challenge lines up nicely with writing that I want to do anyway. Here are my measurable goals:
#1 Finish the rough draft of my Sekrit Middle Grade Fantasy novel by June 14th.
And….that’s it.
Since ROW80 is all about setting achievable goals and sustainable writing, I’ll not be jumping off a bridge if I don’t type THE END before June 14th. However, I know I can knock out 50k of words in a month (done that). I know I can finish a middle grade novel in under 60k of words (done that too). So, for me, this is an achievable goal. Plus the rough draft doesn’t have to be purty, it just has to be words on a page.
I’m still plotting and researching and am committed to working that thoroughly before drafting. However, at some point the plotting must stop! And drafting must commence! The June 14th deadline is an awesome writerly workshop called Write-by-the-Lake that I will be attending, and I want a complete draft in hand when I walk in the door.
Wish me luck! And here’s a whole bunch of other writers in ROW80, if you’d like to join us!
Great stuff adn good luck! Let us know how you go with it.
Susan, thank you for sharing this. I think it's the motivation I've been looking for. I'm joining. Maybe we could stay in touch throughout the process, post together maybe every two weeks or something on progress, what we've learned, etc… Let me know if you're interested. Best of luck, although you already RAWK so you don't need it.
Oh wow, what a fantastic goal! I'm sure you'll attain it – good luck:)
If I could just, like, borrow a few words? 5000, say? I'm not greedy, really, and you'll barely miss them…
@DU Thanks! I will definitely post on progress – that's part of the challenge, I believe.
@Sherie Great idea! Let's do it!
@Lindsay Thanks! 🙂
@Bryan I would gladly lend you some words, but next to yours, mine would stick out like a goth queen at a wedding. But I will send you good writerly karma…
I would love to finish my re-write by June. But I can't set hard deadlines like that because then I would freak out.
@Matthew I know what you mean! We have to respect our own processes, and know ourselves. Good luck with the re-write!
Wishing you truckloads of good luck, Susan!!!! 🙂
Ooh! This is cool! I'll have to start off after Baby No. 3 arrives. Don't dare make any new goals until she gets here!
@Shannon Thanks!!
@Becky Baby No. 3 turns everything upside down – at least that was true for our house! Best of luck with everything – baby and writing!
That sounds like a great idea, and something I really need to do! I'm just not smart enough to figure out how to sign up for it. Maybe I'll just set some similar goals for myself.
Yay, you! That sounds like a good goal and one worth reaching. I think I'd best do the same.
@Melissa Setting goals for yourself is great! If you want some accountability and encouragement, Sheri and I will be checking back in a couple weeks – feel free to join us!
@Tricia Good luck with yours!
I'm doing ROW80 too! 🙂 Good luck with your goal. Mine is the same – to finish the first draft of my WIP by the end of the round. I'll be rooting for you!
oooh! great goal! get to worksy! 🙂
Good luck! I can't wait to hear more about Sekrit! So fun.
@Ghenet Yay for ROW80! Check back on 4/20, we'll be doing a check-in post! Good luck with your goals!
@aspiring Yes, ma'am!
@Leisha I'm having crazy amounts of fun with it – this is SO why I write. 🙂
oh I'm so glad you are participating! The more people I know, the more "real" it becomes to me, like "these folks are taking this seriously, I need to get serious too!"