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12/02/2005: "The Uber-Challenge Reminder and Request"

A reminder to those of you who are interested in joining me on a year of discovery: Starting Jan 1, I'll be hosting a group that will explore the idea of choosing one thing, writing related, to focus on for 2006. We'll share our research, our experiments, our triumphs and transformations.

This approach is something I've done for about 5 years now. I pick one topic - one year it was description, one was dialogue, one was metaphor and simile, one was pacing - you get the idea - and I read everything I can about it, try different techniques and I try to give myself some measurable goals so that I don't let myself settle for less then my best. I've never done it with other people, but I think it could make the process even more exciting and fulfilling.

This year I'm working on a different kind of goal - discipline. I need to re-think my work habits and make serious changes. I've not been very successful at this, mostly because I've approached the subject so haphazardly, so I figure it's a perfect challenge.

So, think about what it is that you'd like to improve with your writing and/or your habits. I'll be making the official pitch on Dec 12th at RTB, and the group will go live Jan 1. It's not about pressure, it's about succeeding in a way that can transform the way you write.

Check out Jordan's blog (because she's who reminded me to make this post) and then tune into RTB on the 9th. It'll be fun and informative.

And before I forget - I'm trying to come up with a catchy title for this thing. I've always called it the Uber-Challenge, but that's because I haven't come up with anything better. Suggestions, anyone???

Replies: 9 Comments

on Friday, December 2nd, chris said

No suggestions for a name, Jo, but for discipline, I highly suggest you take Margie Lawson's online class in Defeating Self-Defeating behaviors. It's wonderful. I kow I saw an announcement that she'll be doing one in January though Writer U. You can link to it through margielawson.com. I took it this year and found it immensely helpful.

on Friday, December 2nd, Jordan said

The Write Way, The Way of the Writer, Write to Learn, Getting it Write. I'm out of ideas.

on Saturday, December 3rd, Alison said

Discipline for me, as well as tightening my prose. On my August book, my edits were copious, cutting out what my editor thought redundant and padding. I purposefully thought about that while writing my November novella - and nary an edit.

Thing is, writing that November way seemed so unnatural to me. So stark and . . . wrong. I don't know if it is just that I have to work this way with this editor, or if I'd improve overall by focusing on this.

on Saturday, December 3rd, Sunny Lyn said

Harnessing The Habit?

Whatever you call it, I'm there. Sounds great.

on Saturday, December 3rd, Caro said

Sounds like a great idea, Jo, and I think I'd definitely like to participate. I've already been doing some goal setting for next year because I'm planning to make my writing -- and selling said writing -- my primary focus. It'd definitely be easier to do this if I'm part of a group.

on Saturday, December 3rd, Jo said

Chris - I'm ashamed to admit I took the class. Worked great for about a week, when I stopped doing it. I'll be pulling out my notes again.

The names are all fun, but I've decided to go with the Uber-Challenge. We'll know what I mean, right?

And I agree - doing this with support is a lot better than doing it solo. I'm looking forward to it!

on Sunday, December 4th, BJ said

Hey Jolie--BJ here! Can you check if I sent my message to you at the right addy?

on Sunday, December 4th, Sue (Liepitz) Phillips said

Hi Jolie,
I am a virgin at blogging, so I surfed to learn more today, and found yours. I am very interested in this new challenge about discipline in the coming year. How savvy does a person need to be to participate in this project? -Sue

on Monday, December 5th, Jo said

Hi Sue,

You can be at any stage in your writing, and choose any challenge that you wish. It's all about moving to the next level, whatever that is. So jump in.