Mar 10, 2010

50,000 WORDS, 50 DAYS

I've been struggling with my writing so much lately.  It's getting annoying.  It's making me want to give up.  I just can't seem to write anything that pleases me.  I spend all my time rereading and thinking on the same sentenses over and over.  I think I'm putting so much pressure on myself--I can't deliver. 

So here's the plan.  I'm going to drop everything--my wants to be published, my need to be perfect--everything.  I'm just going to spend the next 50 days writing.  My goal will be 1,000 words per day.  NO MORE NO LESS.  I spend too much time staring at a computer screen these days when I should be out living my life.  And no matter how crappy those 1,000 words are I will write the next 1,000--without editing--the next day. 

I'm going to start Friday (March 12th).  Tomorrow I outline (That's it!  Just one day to outline.) and Friday I start.  May 1st (that's day 50) I will have a 50,000 word, finished novel.  And I don't care how crappy it turns out. 

There.  Problem Solved. 
Anyone want to join me?

37 comments:

Nicole Settle said...

Good luck with the goal! I'm working on my WIP and have about 15,000 words but currently it's taking me like 5 minutes to write one sentence. I need to get out of my funk too and stop feeling like every word I write is crap. So power to you!

zz said...

sounds wonderful! GOOD LUCK! You should read no plot no problems (if you haven't already) - it really helps to get over the perfectionism!

Bookish in a Box said...

That's a really impressive goal! It's too intimidating for me, but I'll be supporting you in spirit. My goal (starting last Monday) is to write for at least an hour a day and, preferably, no more b/c then I get caught up editing and don't write.

So you write 50,000 words and I'll write for 50 hours. :-D

Happy writing!

Crystal Cook said...

I have been feeling the exact same way. I'll join you, I like this goal! So we start Friday? You're on.

Unknown said...

Good luck. I'm in your boat, too. Currently working on the novel I started for NaNoWriMo (which is 50k in 30 days) and plan to finish it by April 1st. 30,000 words in 20 days. Frightening goal, but I'm gonna give it a go! Us writers, we are crazy folk, huh?

Amanda said...

Sounds like an excellent plan. I just did that for NaNo in November (only I jumped the gun and wrote 50k in 8 days...). I'm not sure I'm quite up to doing it again, but I'm a bit stalled on my current wip so maybe I will...

Anonymous said...

Want company? I've just finished my scenes and have been in a downdraft mentally. This might be what I need to shake things up. It' might not be a 1,000 on only one story. I do work on multiple ideas. Even if I could get 30,000 on one, wouldn't that be cool!?!

Raine Chasing said...

I wanted to wish you luck on your goal. I'm currently stuck in a scene of my WIP. I only have about 6,000 words so far, but now I can't see a way to go on. I haven't even looked at the MS in about 2 days, so I figure I'll look at it on Saturday and see what my characters have brewed up while I've been away.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I have a blog where I document my progress on my WIP...it's called Creative Moments, at http://laurelrainsnowswonderland.wordpress.com/

I am a follower of J. Kaye's 365 Days, and she mentioned your challenge. I'm thinking I should do this!

I have five published novels, but haven't written anything new since the last one came out in 2008. I have been working here and there on a couple of things. I need a BIG incentive!

Anonymous said...

I'll join you!

1000 words a day doesn't seem like it would be too hard. Plus I've successfully completed NaNoWriMo before. And I'm also stuck on my current WIP & I really need to get into the habit of writing everyday (I've heard it takes 40 days to create a habit, so this works). Not to mention that it would include Spring Break where all I'd have to do is read and write! =]

*goes to plan and prepare* ... maybe I should go do my schoolwork first. XD

Shannon O'Donnell said...

You go, girl! I hope you meet your goal. I just want to finish my ending re-write! :-)

Summer Frey said...

I love writing challenges! I'll definitely be joining you. Now we need a funky widget...

DL Hammons said...

I admire your grit and determination. Myself, I can't abide such a rigid writing schedule. There are days I can churn out almost 10,000 words and I wouldn't want to quash creativity to stay within an artificial limitation.

But I'll gladly become a cheerleader for your goal! :)

Amber Lynae said...

I am definitely in. I need the inspiration to keep moving forward. I over think myself and it holds me back.

Anonymous said...

Do you guys want to feel better? A lot better? Do you want to have a good laugh? I started writing a young readers' novel for my daughter about 4 years ago, with original material I first put on paper almost 20 years ago. That gave me my first 1,200 words. Now how do you think I feel when in the last month I have come up with another 1,200 keepers? I can't even think 1,000 good words a day, not to mention write them down. Am I retarded? Maybe. But I know that one day I will finish this book and it will become a classic. I only want to write one really good book (a book that a whole bunch of people would like to read and talk about for a very long time) and I gather I have another good 20 years ahead of me to do it. I piled up another 20 great words today that I have been thinking about for a whole week. Things are sure to start picking up.

Donna (Bites) said...

Good luck! Maybe you should try NaNo in November!

sarah darlington said...

About NaNo..I've thought about it. The last two Novembers wanted to but it's never been the right timing for me. Now is.

Crystal, J. Kaye, Amber, Summer, Stevie (Did I miss anyone?)--Yay! I'm so excited to have people doing this with me.

Anonymous said...

Sarah, I totally agree. The timing is right here. PLUS, this is 1,000 words a day. There is a big difference between 50 days and 30 days. For me, it would be a huge struggle to do this in a month.

Robin M said...

Great timing. I'm in a slump right now and trying to finish my Nano novel as well. Guess I need the oomph of a challenge to get me going. I'll join you.

Anonymous said...

I'll join in I've had trouble with my writing too.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I just officially posted my 1000 words for today!

Abby Annis said...

I have those times, too, where I feel like everything I write is crap. I think that's a great goal to just write for 50 days without stressing about it. Good luck!

I have something for you on my blog. :)

Ambrosia @ The Purple Booker said...

Fantastic Challenge.... Can I ask...would pen pal letters count in this word count? hehehe.. I would love to take part but I spend a good hunk O time letter writing these days :)

Christine Danek said...

Great challenge! Good luck with your goal. I'm revising now:)

Anonymous said...

I'm here to cheer you on! You can get your 1,000 done today. I am sure of it!

sarah darlington said...

Thanks J. Kaye. I need to stop blogging. I'm at 250 now.

Hannah said...

I would love to join you...but I'm trying something new. I keep starting and getting stuck. I have to keep my outlining process going. I will keep a word count for all of my writing exercises/short stories/chapters though. Maybe I'll hit 50,000 in 50 days! Even if only half goes to the novel, that's still a ton of writing.

I will add the photo to my blog!

Cheryn said...

I have been inspired by this post and comments and would love to join in on the fun. The problem is that I don't know what step A is. I've never written fiction but my interest has been piqued recently. Any words of advice?
Good luck ladies...what a great support team we make. No pressure, just create from within.

sarah darlington said...

Cheryn--In my Wannbe Writer's Post I tried to make this week's topic be helpful to you. And to everyone else trying to start a novel.

Swimmer said...

Hey this is an amazing post and idea. I am not going to join you because I am very busy now but I think that I will have a varition of it. Look out for my post setting my goals i WILL MAKE SURE TO CREDIT YOU!!!

Anonymous said...

awesome!!! I'm joining you, too!

Serafina said...

Wow, that's a really great idea (and it's inspiring to see so much enthusiasm). I wish I had more time right now....I'd join in. But seriously, GOOD LUCK....stick with it. =)

Wings said...

i am sooo doing this!!!

i have had the same problem!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah, I'll be joining up with you tomorrow—day after the green wears off. I take that to be day seven, which means over the next week or so, I'll be attempting to write a near 2,000 a day to play catch up. One thing I have to admit was I "cheated" myself at one point and included future blog posts in my daily word count. I stopped that some months ago—even before the newly vamped blog was put up! Lesson learned: word count only applies to my manuscript.

Add me to your roll call!

What about editing; has anyone come up with an idea about whether or not to apply it towards the word count?

Sandra Stiles said...

I know I am getting a late start but I have got to get back into the writing habit. Besides I have Spring Break starting in a week so I can really hit it hard. Count me in please. I just found this on J. Kaye's blog. I will give an account of myself tomorrow.

Sandra Stiles said...

I know I am getting a late start but I have got to get back into the writing habit. Besides I have Spring Break starting in a week so I can really hit it hard. Count me in please. I just found this on J. Kaye's blog. I will give an account of myself tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

This was a great idea!! I'm just focusing on getting out a few hundred a day now, but as soon as I have the hang of it, I'm SO trying 50,000 in 50!!