Started by author Jami Attenberg in 2018, this writing challenge is focused on writing 1,000 words every day for two weeks. So, if you’ve been sitting on a writing project for a while or don’t know where to dive into writing, this 1,000 words a day challenge is going to be a great fit for you. You can complete this writing challenge at any point on your own, but if you’re looking for a community of writers all focused on the same challenge, Jami Attenberg’s real-time challenge starts May 31, 2021, and ends June 13. Sign up for Craft Talk, and join 13,000 other subscribers who are all aiming to complete the same challenge — 14,000 words in 14 days.
What Can I Get Out of a Writing Challenge?
A good writing challenge can be the motivation you need to push you through a writing lull. It can spark your imagination to a point where the words pour out faster than you can type. Having a plan you can actually follow through on is the difference between talking about writing a book and finishing your book.
A writing challenge can:
1. Create a sense of urgency.
There’s nothing like setting a deadline to make you feel like you’re already behind. Participating in a writing challenge that has a specified start and end date is a great way to create a sense of urgency that you can’t ignore. Deciding to join a writing challenge is similar to signing up to run a 5k — making the commitment is the hardest part. But once your foot is at the start line, your adrenaline is pumping, excitement is coursing through your body, and you’re ready to sprint as soon as the whistle blows.
2. Force you to plan to write.
Joining a writing challenge is a great way to force you to plan writing into your schedule. For instance, with this 1,000 words a day writing challenge, you already know that every day from May 31 to June 13, you have to write 1,000 words a day if you want to win the challenge. That means you have to sit down with your calendar and figure out where, when, and how you’re going to write 1,000 words each of those days.
3. Guide you in creating a writing routine.
Writing is half developing a routine that works for you and a half actually about writing. The most diligent writers are able to stay on task because they have created a writing routine that not only works for them and their personal work habits, but it’s also something they thoroughly look forward to completing every day. Use the 14 days of this writing challenge to home in on what you like and don’t like about a writing routine, and use the trial and error of these two weeks to manufacture a writing routine that you love and look forward to.
4. Help you find your writing rhythm.
Much like developing a writing routine, finding your writing rhythm is also important. Use the challenge to decide if you prefer writing in the stillness of the morning or if you like a bustling coffee shop around lunchtime. Do you prefer to take your time with two, 500-word writing blocks each day to hit your 1,000 words or do you like to sit down once and write until you’ve hit 1,000 words? Your writing rhythm can be anything you’d like it to be — it just must feel like a comfortable pace for you.
5. Encourage you to set boundaries.
Writing 1,000 words in a day shouldn’t take you five hours to complete, but if you find yourself struggling to get to 1,000 words in less than two hours, examine what roadblocks might be hindering you from feeling successful with the challenge each day. Set up healthy boundaries to prevent those roadblocks. For instance, if you find yourself checking your phone several times while you wanted to write, set a boundary by leaving your phone in another room on silent or by putting your phone in the “do not disturb” mode, so texts, phone calls, and other notifications don’t ring through until you’re ready for them.
6. Spark new inspiration.
Sometimes, all it takes is a new approach to a task to spark inspiration. If you’ve found yourself feeling uninspired or like you’re lacking creativity, taking a new approach, such as a writing challenge, can give you the boost you need to get your feet under you again.
7. Teach you accountability.
There’s no point in deciding to start a writing challenge if you have no plans of participating and finishing the challenge, right? This two-week challenge is a great way to teach yourself accountability when it comes to your writing. Mention the 1,000 words a day challenge to a friend or family member and ask him or her to check in on you the next 14 days to see how your writing is progressing. You’ll want to be able to tell your accountability partner about your progress, which means you’ll stay accountable.
8. Foster a personal writing community.
When you just start out on your writing journey, the road can feel a little lonely until you make other writing friends. Joining a writing challenge is a great way to meet new people who are also interested in writing, which in turn will help you build your own personal writing community. That group of people will become sounding boards for you and can help you brainstorm when you’ve written yourself into a corner and simply provide support and friendship.
Are you going to participate in the 1,000 words a day challenge? Catch up on some of our other writing tips!
