this is so helpful, Kelcey! I've done #1000words a couple times, but this year I'm using it to start a new project and am feeling pretty nervous, so seeing your steps here is really great. (and a great reminder that I have Refuse to be Done, which I'd start reading in the middle of writing a different book, then put aside--so I will get it back out as I start this new thing!)
That’s exciting about your new project! Yes, Refuse to Be Done will be great if you’re starting something new. It’s just such clear distillation of so many things I have learned (and even taught) over the years—and that I need to keep in mind now. Good luck to both of us!
I'm in for 1000 words of summer! Last year I used it to drive my revision forward after a long, long slump. This year I'm a writer in search of a project, hoping to find something to dig into during the two weeks.
This is terrific, thanks. NaNoWriMo was how I got all four of my novels (prose) drafted. I’ve been floundering a bit on my next book and I know I need to do exactly what you recommend. Get a plan and get a fast draft into the world.
Excellent! In Atomic Habits, James Clear actually suggests a timed goal rather than a word count or other metric, so 15 minutes is perfect. Let me know how it goes!
I'm doing #1000words for the first time this year and just stumbled upon this post of yours. Now with your illustrated recommendations I want to do all the challenges and read all the books!
On a side note, I love your image of the red bellied woodpecker. A friend of mine is similarly perplexed by its name and is lobbying hard to have it changed to the scarlet mullet woodpecker. I think it has promise.
So glad to hear this! This is my first time doing 1000 words more publicly. Last year I did it without telling anyone, so I was anxious to be so PUBLIC ("like a frog" to quote Emily Dickinson), even tagging Jami Attenberg! But I don't seem to have jinxed myself yet!
Also: I am never going to use any other name than scarlet mullet woodpeckers again! 😂
Beautiful art, wonderful woodpecker (one flew onto the porch today!!; didn't know they were in this area), and may do the challenge if current burnout allows.
Thank you! A surprise woodpecker visit might be a sign to do the challenge! 😊 (And for what it's worth, my last post was about my own burnout blues. This challenge is helping me get out of it.)
I thought of that; the woodpecker pecks away like a writer banging out words, and I have a tiny plastic Kinder Egg woodpecker pecking on a tree toy on my why is a raven like a writing desk, so—ty, brilliant soul enfleshed—you must be right. It is a sign. To defeat burnout, if c’est possible, going to try the concept of another brilliant soul and writer; Meg Wolitzer said that we must keep our current WIP as close as a mitten pinned to a child. I am now doing this.
Ha! I love that image of the WIP pinned to us like a mitten! And yeah, that damned woodpecker is as tenacious as any of us, might as well be inspired instead of annoyed. Why IS a raven like a writing desk???
Haha, only long-dead Lewis Carroll can say for certain, yet imho a raven 🐦⬛ is like a writing 🖥️desk when it collects shiny things as the writer collects shiny words. That red mitten brilliance is all Meg Wollitzer’s bit-o-genius writerly honey wisdom, though, yes, fab image (and advice for writers). Peace.
Yeah, I think Matt had a regular newsletter and then converted it over to Substack. 1000 words starts today if you want to join along. But doing whatever you want on your own schedule works too!
this is so helpful, Kelcey! I've done #1000words a couple times, but this year I'm using it to start a new project and am feeling pretty nervous, so seeing your steps here is really great. (and a great reminder that I have Refuse to be Done, which I'd start reading in the middle of writing a different book, then put aside--so I will get it back out as I start this new thing!)
That’s exciting about your new project! Yes, Refuse to Be Done will be great if you’re starting something new. It’s just such clear distillation of so many things I have learned (and even taught) over the years—and that I need to keep in mind now. Good luck to both of us!
yes, good luck to us both! we're doing it!
This sounds very motivating! I can't start mine until mid June though. But it's an idea I'll keep in mind.
It’s a fun challenge and easy to start anytime. Good luck if you do!
I'm in for 1000 words of summer! Last year I used it to drive my revision forward after a long, long slump. This year I'm a writer in search of a project, hoping to find something to dig into during the two weeks.
It’s perfect for anything: revising after a slump, finding a new project, blasting a new draft. Let me know what you do!
This is terrific, thanks. NaNoWriMo was how I got all four of my novels (prose) drafted. I’ve been floundering a bit on my next book and I know I need to do exactly what you recommend. Get a plan and get a fast draft into the world.
Yes, do it!!!! That’s awesome about NaNoWriMo! Here’s an abridged summertime version!
I’m doing something like this in my own writing practice but for the month of June :) 15 minutes of writing a day is the goal!
Excellent! In Atomic Habits, James Clear actually suggests a timed goal rather than a word count or other metric, so 15 minutes is perfect. Let me know how it goes!
Hi Kelcey! I had no idea you were doing 1000 words as well! See you at Beach Week I think? I hope? :)
OMG, Lee! How fun to hear from you here! Yes to 1000 words, and double yes to Beach Week! xoxo
Yay! See you in July!
xoxo
I'm doing #1000words for the first time this year and just stumbled upon this post of yours. Now with your illustrated recommendations I want to do all the challenges and read all the books!
On a side note, I love your image of the red bellied woodpecker. A friend of mine is similarly perplexed by its name and is lobbying hard to have it changed to the scarlet mullet woodpecker. I think it has promise.
So glad to hear this! This is my first time doing 1000 words more publicly. Last year I did it without telling anyone, so I was anxious to be so PUBLIC ("like a frog" to quote Emily Dickinson), even tagging Jami Attenberg! But I don't seem to have jinxed myself yet!
Also: I am never going to use any other name than scarlet mullet woodpeckers again! 😂
So helpful and love the visuals! Thank you!
Great to hear! thank you!
Beautiful art, wonderful woodpecker (one flew onto the porch today!!; didn't know they were in this area), and may do the challenge if current burnout allows.
Thank you! A surprise woodpecker visit might be a sign to do the challenge! 😊 (And for what it's worth, my last post was about my own burnout blues. This challenge is helping me get out of it.)
I thought of that; the woodpecker pecks away like a writer banging out words, and I have a tiny plastic Kinder Egg woodpecker pecking on a tree toy on my why is a raven like a writing desk, so—ty, brilliant soul enfleshed—you must be right. It is a sign. To defeat burnout, if c’est possible, going to try the concept of another brilliant soul and writer; Meg Wolitzer said that we must keep our current WIP as close as a mitten pinned to a child. I am now doing this.
Ha! I love that image of the WIP pinned to us like a mitten! And yeah, that damned woodpecker is as tenacious as any of us, might as well be inspired instead of annoyed. Why IS a raven like a writing desk???
Haha, only long-dead Lewis Carroll can say for certain, yet imho a raven 🐦⬛ is like a writing 🖥️desk when it collects shiny things as the writer collects shiny words. That red mitten brilliance is all Meg Wollitzer’s bit-o-genius writerly honey wisdom, though, yes, fab image (and advice for writers). Peace.
Ah, haha, I missed the allusion, but google has caught me up! I like the comparable collections of shiny things and words, tho!
Ah, ty,, words as shiny imminently collectible things is the best of both the writerly and raven worlds.
Loved this! Loved your content and presentation! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Cheryl!
I love Matt Bell's book! I didn't know he had a Substack. I guess I should have figured, as everyone has a Substack now, but thanks for that heads up.
I have no idea if I'll do the 1000 words of summer. I know, it's June, so I should probably decide. But really, it might be a day-by-day thing for me.
Yeah, I think Matt had a regular newsletter and then converted it over to Substack. 1000 words starts today if you want to join along. But doing whatever you want on your own schedule works too!
Whoooo good luck Kelcey! I hope you’ll share a recap of how it went with us 💛
Thanks, Carolyn! You know I will! :)
Will be writing with you! And got several helpful questions to ask my characters from this post. Thank you. :)
Great! And glad the post was helpful. More good ideas in the Refuse to Be Done book!
That challenge is really cool! Good Luck and Happy June and Happy Summer Month!
Thanks so much, Miya!
YAY DO IT Kelcey!
Thank you, Tom!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Good for you Kelcey! Definitely reminds me of SMART Goals. I know you can and will achieve your goal!!!
Yes! I thought of you! 😁😎❤️