[Previous entry: "Well, Damn!!!"] [Next entry: "Baby, it's cold outside"]

12/28/2005: "Are You Ready For the Challenge?"

It's almost January, which is when the Uber Challenge swings into gear. I've gotten several emails asking what the Challenge is, so here's the recap:

Each year for several years, I've been choosing one subject that I need to work on regarding my writing. One year it was dialogue, another was metaphor and simile. What I did was choose my topic, then dig into every resource I could find about that subject. So I'd goggle the topic and order books and articles, I'd go to workshops if I could, and basically focus on improving that one skill. I didn't limit myself to how-to books for romance writers. I read everything I could, and experimented with different approaches and exercises. Each year I've learned a tremendous amount, and I think my writing has improved as a result.

This year, I thought it would be very cool if a whole group of us did the Challenge, with each of us choosing our own subject, of course. I'm doing something a little differently - my 2006 Challenge is writing discipline. You can choose a specific goal, say completing and submitting your novel, or perhaps writing first person books. There are so many things to learn, to improve upon, that the choices are unlimited.

The group is here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uber_challenge/
It doesn't matter where you are in your career. We can all learn something and share with each other. There's a database started that lists great resources books. Don't be afraid to add yours. There are no assignments, no deadlines. Just learning in an atmosphere of friendly encouragement.

I hope you all join, and I'd love it if you got the word out on your blogs and web pages. The more folks we have, the better the experience for all of us.

To help, here are some of the challenges you could tackle:

Point of View
Dialogue
Narrative
Humor
Suspense
Action
Grammar
Metaphor and Simile
Exposition
Pacing
Great Endings
Great Beginnings
Synopses


I'll bet you can think of more.

Again, here's the link: Uber-Challenge

Replies: 7 Comments

on Wednesday, December 28th, Jordan said

Gosh, I could work on every single one of these things listed. Of course, you'd have to add description to that lot too.

on Thursday, December 29th, Jo said

You and me both, Jordan. That's why this job is so great. There's always more to learn. It's gonna be a great year!

on Friday, December 30th, Danica said

Jo, it's so funny that you talk about this (and Jordan brings it up in her blog too), I remember you being in a chat years ago where you talked about this principle. I've never been disciplined about following it and I've decided that this is the year I'm going to do it.

My task: Learning to self edit

on Friday, December 30th, Jo said

That's wonderful, Danica. There's so much to know about self editing. What's so great about everyone picking different challenges is that we'll all learn a bunch of stuff. I'll see you there.

on Friday, December 30th, Diana said

I'm tackling discipline, too. I have one book due alreadyt his year and if I want to get back under contract, I must write another. That would definitely be upping my production level.

on Saturday, December 31st, Ter Matthies said

Here by way of paperbackwriter's blog.

Out of my respect for language, I feel the need to comment:

If you're referencing the German word über, when there's an inability to use diacritical marks, this word should be spelled (as German speakers do): ueber.

on Saturday, December 31st, Jo said

Diana - there are several of us doing the discipline thing, which is great. I'm looking forward to seeing our progress.

And thanks, Ter. We figured out a way to put in the diacritical marks, at least on this page.