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KHM's avatar

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!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

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!

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Nancy Reddy's avatar

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!)

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

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!

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Nancy Reddy's avatar

yes, good luck to us both! we're doing it!

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Jana's avatar

Good luck with the 1000-word challenge! I love how you've planned it out 😂🍀

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Jana! 🤞❤️

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Elizabeth Trembley's avatar

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.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Yes, do it!!!! That’s awesome about NaNoWriMo! Here’s an abridged summertime version!

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

SYSTEMS! I need this right now.

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Sara Barry's avatar

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.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

It’s perfect for anything: revising after a slump, finding a new project, blasting a new draft. Let me know what you do!

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Haley Weaver's avatar

I cant wait to hear how this goes (and see what you make!)

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Haley! 🤞❤️

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Teresa Wong's avatar

I'm going to try it this year, but I'll also be travelling for work, so we'll see how that goes. I tell myself that 2–4 thumbnail pages is about the equivalent of 1,000 words. Although a single picture can be worth a thousand words too, right? lol

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Ooh that’s tricky with traveling, but maybe less tricky than home-with-kids-ing? But yes, I’d say anywhere from 1 picture to 2-4 thumbnail pages counts! Good luck!

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Maddy Buck's avatar

Exciting! Way to go doing another challenge! This one looks like it will cause less burnout than the 100 day project. Two weeks is a nice amount of time.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Ugh I'm still mad at myself for not making it all the way through the 100-day project...

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Maddy Buck's avatar

How far did you get? When I did it, I lost count…and energy…but I think it’s still worthwhile even if you don’t get to 100

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I made it through much of April, so it was almost 60 days! And yes it was totally worth it. I just hate when I say I’ll do something and don’t do it :)

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Maddy Buck's avatar

I get that!

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Emily Kaminsky's avatar

Love it! I hope to do writing as well these upcoming two weeks! Now that you've said your gonna do it, do you think that helps? I find it does.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Emily! But actually, saying I’m going to do it (publicly) is terrifying! I worry I put too much pressure on myself! We shall see!

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Myq Kaplan's avatar

dear kelcey,

this sounds great!

i use 750words.com daily and love it, so i'll aim to do 250 extra words each day in june and join the #1000words team!

thanks for sharing!

love,

myq

PS this message is 50 words! just imagine this 20ish times and we're at 1000 today!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Oh I’ve never tried 750words! I wonder what would happen if I tracked my time and progress like that? It seems helpful, informative, statistical…but also somewhat scary to actually find out how I work!

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Myq Kaplan's avatar

haha that's funny!

let me know what you decide if you want to!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I don’t know…I looked again and I’m still afraid!

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Myq Kaplan's avatar

i hear you!

whatever works for you, go for it!

one thing i'll share that i like about 750words.com is that they offer a word map, an alphabetical listing of all the words that appear each day, with the more used ones appearing larger and then less used ones appearing smaller. that aspect won't come through here, but just for fun, here's my word map from today (they end up seeming like little poems; i've actually set them to music at times):

am day

fudge fun

get go good here like

love me my now nudge

thank up

want

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Steve Bauman's avatar

You rock! Good luck with the challenge!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks so much, Steve!

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Gary Ervick's avatar

Good for you Kelcey! Definitely reminds me of SMART Goals. I know you can and will achieve your goal!!!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Yes! I thought of you! 😁😎❤️

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Tom Hart's avatar

YAY DO IT Kelcey!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thank you, Tom!!! ❤️❤️❤️

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Miya Ashra's avatar

That challenge is really cool! Good Luck and Happy June and Happy Summer Month!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks so much, Miya!

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Bailey Reutzel's avatar

Will be writing with you! And got several helpful questions to ask my characters from this post. Thank you. :)

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Great! And glad the post was helpful. More good ideas in the Refuse to Be Done book!

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