Aug 3, 2010

WRITING UPDATE: 50k/50days

So a couple weeks ago I started the 50K words in 50days challenge. And sadly today I'm throwing in the towel. I can't keep up. Of course, if there is anyone out there still making a valiant attempt at the challenge I encourage you to keep going strong. I think I'm just going to have to face the fact that I can't write without editting. I've been working on the same story for a full year now. I attempted to push myself to pull the words out of my brain much faster then apparently they wanted to come out. So I'm sad to say that I'm ending the challenge (at least for myself) and will be going back to my normal writing pace...where I'm lucky to get 1K-2K words in a week. Sorry guys; perhaps next summer I'll try again.

11 comments:

Miranda Hardy said...

I know how hard it is to keep pace. I got stuck a few days ago with editing my first novel and now I can't seem to motivate myself with either of them.

Nina said...

I know. I fell off when my computer broke down for a week. I ack from got it back from repair, but I still haven't got much further.

But some is better than nothing!

Olivia Carter said...

Oh no! Well, I'm behind a bit from when I was sick but I'm planning on catching up a little bit each night. Sorry it didn't work out for ya but thanks for getting the rest of us up and writing!

Amanda said...

:( Sorry it didn't work, Sarah. But maybe writing slower will help you in the long run. The fast-written ones are much harder to edit...

Swimmer said...

It is really hard to I am doing the same thing but you did better than I did!

Stephanie said...

No need to apologize or feel bad- it may be that this just isn't your writing style, this pace just isn't what's best for your writing or your creativity. There's absolutely no shame in that, everyone works different. I didn't sign up for the challenge because I know 100% I don't work well under that kind of pressure/deadline, and I'd end up panicking and freaking out and wouldn't be able to do it. But live and learn and write on in whatever way works for you. :)

Witless Exposition said...

I think pushing yourself is what's important. Not settling, and trying something new once in a while. I'm lagging behind so far that I'll never get caught up, but I'm still proud of myself because I've written more on my current novel than anything else I've ever written. Finding the small goals is what keeps us going.

Lux Lady... said...

I've considered throwing in the towel too. This challenge is not easy.

Sometimes I wonder whether the hidden goal is not actually to reach the full 50K, rather to get yourself in the habit of writing daily (even if you don't reach 50K after 50 days).

And, since you made it this far, I'd say that's a huge accomplishment. :)

Okie said...

Wow...talk about a breakneck pace. I am also lucky to do 1-2k in a week. Good for you for trying. It'll be good practice for your next try. :)

Amber Lynae said...

Sarah, You know what I have been stuck too. I started the challenge with you but I have only gotten 13000 words. But you know what that is GREAT for me. I'm not completely giving up. I know I won't make the 50K but before this challenge I had a storyline that I had been working on for a year that had barely gotten beyond prewrites. Truthfully I think you and I both got serious about writing around the same time.

For a while I was stuck on learning more about writing. Then, fear held me back. And I want you to know that your Challenge has helped me SO SO much. So thank you. And please please please keep hosting them as often as you feel ready to try again. Because even if you don't succeed every bit further that you get in your story is an accomplishment.

Sending you as much writerly inspiration as I can give.
Keep writing.

sarah darlington said...

Thanks everyone for your motivating words and inspiration. I'm still writing. Just at a much slower pace. I think that I'm going to start Weekly Word Count again. It's something I did a while back and basically I just posted my progress once a week.