October 15, 2007
Sven II - The New Beginning
Okay, kids! Start your engines!
We’re off once more to test our mettle with the new 70 Days of Sweat Challenge.
It’s all about goal setting, showing up, putting the writing at the top of the list, and learning about how we work.
Here are my goals:
Finish my current WIP - 40,000
Finish my next book - 65,000
Total words = 110,000
I’m tired already. :)
During that time, I’m going to plot group, plotting the next book, plus a general outline of a new 3 book series, going to a conference in St. Louis, having a mostly stay-at-home holiday season, and doing my damndest to take some breaks where I get completely away from the work. I’m okay with working 7 days a week, but not for several months at a time. Truthfully, I end up taking days off anyway, but usually as a result of burnout, when it’s the least practical. Making myself sick doesn’t support my goals.
I’m also doing some other goal setting tasks. I used to believe that I shouldn’t try to do everything at once. That one new habit at a time was the way to go. But current research is suggesting that tackling several new habits at once is more likely to work. So, I’m incorporating:
walking 3 times per week, 1/2 hour each time
writing down my daily meals, word pages and exercise in my journal
quitting smoking (again)
Strangely, I’m completely optimistic about all of it. Mostly because of something I learned in the last challenge - for me, everything depends on how I begin the day. If I start out on task, I tend to complete my goals. If I give myself an inch, I blow it all off.
It’s up to me, then, to start off each day with determination and commitment. To not sleep in too late. (8 am is the goal) To make my coffee, take my pills, read my email, then write 5 pages. After that, I can have breakfast and do online things, like blog posting, surfing, etc.
The rest of the day is planned out pretty well, with another 5 pages in the mix.
So what about you? Have you set your word count goals? Are they unique to you, not just what other people are doing? Are you committed to your success? A recommendation here - make your goal achievable. Committing to selling a book isn’t productive because that’s not in your control. Committing to finish your book is achievable and measurable, something only you can do. Are you going to journal your progress? Writing it down seems to be one of the keys to establishing new habits.
Also, for those of you who participated in the last challenge, you’ll notice we have a number of new sponsors this time. Take advantage of that by checking out their blogs, in addition to checking into the Sven site. And use your fellow Challengers. By supporting them you’re supporting your own goals.
Let’s make this a challenge like no other. Look forward to the day you can say you committed, you kept your word, you kicked ass!
Be sure and visit the rest of the Sven sponsors blogs! Alison Kent, HelenKay Dimon, Larissa Ione, Stephanie Tyler, Shiloh Walker, Lauren Dane, Diana Peterfreund, Jaci Burton, and Portia Da Costa.
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Hi Jo! I’m aiming for 1,000 a day. Want to get the first draft of a 25k novella done by the end of Oct (got 10k done now). Then let it sit and start back on my romsus novel. And do lots of gardening. And reading. I’m happy when I let myself do those as well.
October 15th, 2007 at 12:59 am[…] I’ve put a link to this article here […]
October 15th, 2007 at 3:04 amLike Keziah, I’m doing 1,000 words a day on my WIP in order to finish the book. I also have to revise a manuscript and write a proposal due December 15th.
And naturally, I’m having computer problems! Sigh.
I’ll do it, though. I made it through basic training and childbirth, dammit, so this should be easy! *g*
October 15th, 2007 at 5:34 amI’m shooting for 1K a day, too, but edits just arrived on my first contracted novel, so this week will be crazy. I get up at 5:00 a.m. to get as close to 1K done before work. Only 600 this morning, so I’ll be making up 400 words somewhere tonight after the monsters go to bed and in between revisions!!
October 15th, 2007 at 5:39 amI’m shooting for 1,750 words a day on my romantic suspense four days a week and working on revisions on my category the other three days. I know that division will shift back and forth during the challenge, but that’s the idea.
Why do I not feel ready for this?
October 15th, 2007 at 6:11 amHi Jo
October 15th, 2007 at 8:05 amMy aim is 1,200 a day. I have two WIP, plus I’m looking to start and finish a third novel through November for NaNoWriMo.
Thanks for the visit
Regards
Sandie
Go, Keziah, go! We can do this. We WILL do this!
Larissa, hugs on the computer issues and the heavy schedule. Remember when we dreamed of being published? How it was all going to be roses and lollipops? Yeah, me too.
Joely, whoo hoo on the first contracted novel! If that isn’t inspiration, I don’t know what is. You rock!
Caro, you’re totally ready. How will you know? When you finish your 1750. :) I know you can do it!
Sandie, 1200 a day is a fantastic goal. Which so much wonderful support, it’s going to be the hardest, best goal you ever accomplished!
October 15th, 2007 at 8:20 amTruly awesome goals.
I’m tired already just looking at yours, lol!!
October 15th, 2007 at 9:57 amBut, I’ve set my goal of 1700 words a day… I don’t think I’ll add the excercise in there-too much. But you are an inspiration and I look forward to seeing you reach it…you can do it with a great attitude like you have.
Hi Jo!
What a brillant post, and so inspirational. :) I think you’re so spot on starting in on your goals early in the day. I find that if I get stuck in early, I’m more likely to succeed. But if I’m self indulgent and allow myself to start putzing around, I can end up frittering away an entire day! And then I feel terrible…
My goal is 1000 words per day, which I think works for me and will give me a good big chunk of my WIP done by the end of the challenge. Also I hope to edit an already written novella in that time too.
Good luck with your goals, Jo! I know you can achieve them!
Love
WendyPortia
October 15th, 2007 at 10:04 amAnd we’re off!!!
Your post got me excited to write. I just love this Challenge. There’s something about the group dynamic, about us cheering each other on, that makes the accomplishments extra sweet (or should I say sweat?).
Good luck to all the participants!
October 15th, 2007 at 10:55 amHi All!
This is my first 70 days of sweat challenge. I’m shooting for getting the bare minimum - that’s 750 words, right? I’ve been in such a slump lately and will be happy to get anything out of my head and on the computer. I think this is just the kick in the butt I needed to get my writing goals back on track!
Good luck everybody!
tammy
October 15th, 2007 at 1:19 pmThanks, Valerie! 1700 words per day is fantastic. I bet you’re already off to a blazing start!
Hi WendyPortia! Thanks for stopping by, and for the encouraging words. It’s true, isn’t it? Frittering, sadly, is my default, so I must make the effort to jump in and go at the writing with glee. Yes, I said glee! Attitude is critical, at least for me. Your goals sound perfect. :)
HelenKay, you’re so right. It’s sooo much easier to do this with a whole gang of like-minded folks. Each one inspires and helps keep me on track.
Tammy - you’re in for a treat. Don’t think of it as bare minimum. Think of it as that which is going to blow the lid off your productivity! Good luck to you, and let us know how you’re doing.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:35 pmGreat words of wisdom. This is my second time through with Sven. I think this time I’ll shoot for 1k. I haven’t put too much thought into it yet, but I work best under pressure.
October 15th, 2007 at 5:46 pmI put down 1K a day and so far I got zip. I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought trying this during a move would be a good idea. :/
October 15th, 2007 at 6:20 pmRenee - I think 1k is a great way to get into a habit of writing daily. I’m re-training myself to write without the pressure. It’s not easy! Good luck. :)
Jordan, I don’t know what you were thinking, either. Oh, wait. Deadlines. :)
October 16th, 2007 at 4:33 am