o you have some writing that you keep meaning to finish? It could be a novel or that all important thesis… We have the challenge for you! Join the
This is a challenge set up with a friend on twitter (@davidmanly) and we’re looking support and fellow writers.
The rules are simple:
- Write at least 30,000 words. This can be a novel, thesis or other writing – please define at start.
- We have one month to do it (Feb. 16 to Mar. 16)
- After the month, we’ll edit each other’s work if requested. We might even look into sharing beyond the group and/or publishing
- EVERYONE is welcome
- To monitor progress, please follow us on twitter (@davidmanly or @genegeek) or look for our hashtag: #TheEWA
We started the idea after I completed the NaNoWriMo challenge where you write 50,000 words in November. I did my 50,000 words but the novel was…crap. I’ll use this time to try again and hopefully salvage some of the initial work.
I enjoyed the NaNoWriMo challenge because it got me into the habit of writing every day. My blog posts went up but when I got away from this practice, all writing suffered.
Any Prizes?
You’ll notice that we have picked the timing to be between Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. You can recover from Valentine’s – whether it is romantic or bitter for you – and more importantly, we can celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day. Green Beer for the finishers!
If we get enough people, we’ll also design a badge for your blog or wall so you can marvel at your great accomplishment.
What are we writing?
David’s novel starts with a lab accident and looks fascinating (read more). My novel is based on my youthful indiscretions during my world wide travels – but may introduce more science characters.
Please join us!
mcshanahan says
Great idea – I’m in! I have multiple things to work on though rather than one big project. That okay?
Catherine Anderson says
I think that’s fine. It’s just a way to get all that writing done (and I haven’t forgotten about our project).
mark says
Hey, I’m in although, whether I have 30000 words left to write or whether I can release just parts of my thesis is another thing. Who wants to read methods?! If theres a need you can have a S3.0 tshirt for a mini prize 🙂
Catherine Anderson says
You don’t have to show us the work unless you want to. This is an honour-based system. if you don’t have 30,000 words left, you could try for about 1,000 words per day until you are done -and then start any edits needed?
T-shirts are a good idea – maybe a prize at the half-way point for encouragement!
Emily Willingham says
I’m going to give this a try, but I’m going to need you to come up with a way to add one hour to the day. Can you do that?
Seriously, I’m going to try it. This one’s a novel in progress, which happens to be called The Lab Rats. Original, I know. I’m going to post at my old WordPress site, I think. Looks like fun! I wish us all luck.
Catherine Anderson says
I’d also love an extra hour to the day – maybe even 3 hours! Let me know if you figure it out.
I look forward to reading LabRats or at least your progress. I think I’ll set up a wiki-page where we can all put our information (including sites beyond the wiki for monitoring) – I’ll let you know!
mark says
The book I wanted to write has just been published by Alok Jha: http://bit.ly/fuKtvI …welll the stem cell chapter at least.
Catherine Anderson says
You might have a unique take on the info… I say go for it!
Joseph Hewitt says
I’m in. I’ll be working on the script for a graphic novel, “The Major Arcane of Darcy Generic”. 30,000 words should be enough script for around 150 pages of comics.
Catherine Anderson says
That all sounds great! You can join discussions at the wiki: http://bit.ly/hfdm06
There is a follow-up post too: http://bit.ly/e4laU9