I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Writers are not created equal, that a few are unfairly endowed by their Creator with talent that runs from their earlobes to their toe hair while the rest of us must learn how to successfully charm our muse into cooperation or beat our muse into submission, but that we all have certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, the Liberty to Write, and the pursuit of Publication. To secure these rights, A Round of Words in 80 Days was instituted (by Kait Nolan) among Writers, deriving their powers from the consent of over the protests of their families, friends, co-workers, and their eighth grade English teacher who said they wouldn’t know where to put a comma if it slapped them silly. Yada, yada, yada . . . I therefore declare my interdependence.
A Round of Words in 80 Days is “the writing challenge that knows you have a life.” I love it because I can set my goals according to what’s currently happening in my own world; each round is long enough to get something done but short enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel; and it has fabulous people involved! But even if it was fun, it wouldn’t be worth it if I didn’t see progress.
What I have learned in my several rounds of participation is that I like stating my goals to others, reading what other writers are aiming to achieve, participating in #ROW80 and #teamsprinty word sprints, checking in to post my progress and read others’ progress, and generally doing this writing thing with others. I get more done when I set goals and have accountability to others. And I’m happy to be there for the other participants too. I appreciate the interdependence.
You see, it doesn’t take long to figure out that if you want to be a successful writer, you won’t do it alone. Along the way, you will need others to edit and critique your work, to assist you in making important contacts, to promote you and your books, to buy your books, and (hello, family!) to put up with you and your whining about this character and that one as you try to craft a whole book out of the jumble of words spinning in your head.
So why not get the benefit of interdependence now? Why not fully enjoy the support and–okay, I’ll say it–love you get in the writer community? If you have not participated in ROW80 and are interested, go for it! You have nothing to lose. You have plenty to gain. Give it a go and see where it takes you!
And now for the declaration of my goals for Round 3, which begins tomorrow, July 2. I am keeping it short and sweet this go-round, because summer sanity hangs by a thread when school is out.
- Edit 50 pages per week of my young adult contemporary novel, SHARING HUNTER MILLS.
- Send one agent query per week for SHARING HUNTER MILLS.
- Finish reading Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers.
- Exercise twice a week.
- Check in with ROW80 participants according to my role as a sponsor for Round 3.
That’s it. I am subscribing to Robert Browning’s statement of “Less is more.”
Have you participated in ROW80 before? Are you in this round? If not, are you interested? I’m happy to provide more information if you have questions.
I’m in, I’m in!! Cute declaration which gently prods me to get my goals written as well. Look forward to making progress and supporting fellow writers.
Thanks, Jolyse! Progress & supporting others–those are great goals right there too!
Good luck with your ROW80 challenge. I just finished the fast draft session, so I’m sorting out what that created and I’ll probably do a 2nd fast draft when I have smoothed out the plot problems. Oh, and sorted out the commas!
Cheers
Ah, you Fast Drafters. I am trying not to be envious of your fabulous progress and two-week party. Enjoy the edits, Nigel. Thanks!
I’m in, too! Fast Draft starts for me this Saturday.
Wow! Have fun with that. It sounds awesome, John.
Woot for ROW80!
Good luck!
Short and sweet list, yet lots to accomplish! I like it
Thanks, Juliana! Short & sweet is great. (Especially since I’m 5’3″-ish.)
I’m in! Your goals are smart and simple. I think mine might be overreaching, but we’ll see. After all, ROW80 gives us freedom to change goals that aren’t working. Good luck with yours!
Thanks, Jennette. I think it’s fine to reach over what you might be able to do. Pushing yourself a little is good. Have a great ROW80!
I love that you added your exercise in there! This is my first ROW80, very excited to be a part of it and love reading thoughts on it form you veterans!
Welcome to ROW80, Shelley! So glad to have you. You’ll see several ROWers with exercise or other health goals because for a lot of us how our bodies feel affect how well our brains work with writing. Have a great round!
There is a lot of power to that list, Julie. I like the idea if editing a certain number of pages a week. I think I might start keeping track of how many pages I’m getting too. It lends to the feeling of editing with an end in mind, I like it. It’s going to be a great round, I’m excited.
I’m empowered? Awesome, SJ!
Enjoy the editing! (Or at least the results of the editing.)
Simple goals are also effective goals, nicely done Julie. Love the declaration, may have to print that out and put it on my writer’s board (yes, I have one for those times I want to bang my head on the desk more than normal). Have an excellent week
Wow, I am so honored that you would consider printing my declaration. Thanks, Gene! Have a wonderful round!
Good luck with your goals, Julie! I’m a bit behind on my own creative writing, due to my full-time job in social media + becoming an “insta-mom.”
Cheers!
Yes, I saw your recent vlog, M.E.! What a whirlwind it seems you’re in. Thanks so much!
LOL, Julie! Love the declaration – it’s perfect. Lovely set of goals for this round. They’re challenging but still seem attainable. Good luck with everything, especially hanging on to that summer sanity
“Perfect”–That may be a stretch, but thanks. LOL. I do hope to challenge myself and see some real progress, while keeping it simple this summer.
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