July 27, 2011

ROW 80 Check In: Accountability and Advice

Joining the A Round of Words in 80 Days challenge in summer might not be the smartest thing I've ever done. But it is definitely a challenge. Accountability is a major motivator for me. It's always been true: exercise, dieting, and now writing. I like knowing I need to report and people will be stopping by to check in and help me through.

Not just accountability, but advice. I received some great advice from fellow ROW 80 participants about letting the story flow and following it. I'm happy to say for the first time I wrote out of order, and it felt good. A bit naughty even.

My progress:

Sunday, July 24 through Tuesday, July 26
Results: 1,927 words total (averaged 642 a day), posted every day
Reaction: Happy to be writing and trying something different.

New WIP total: 10,036!

I understand ROW 80 continues year-round with small breaks. I just might become a permanent fixture. It feels good to know the next time I struggle I'll have support and some wonderful suggestions from writers who have been there.

A huge thank you!

That being said, my other favorite thing about ROW 80 is reassessing goals. My baby sister, and blog and web designer, is visiting with my adorable niece, Samantha. It's 10:47pm on Wednesday and I haven't written a word on my WIP, but I hope to sneak in some writing while they visit. I have some pivotal scenes floating around my head, and I'm going to do some more non-linear writing!

Looking forward to seeing others' progress. Any stumbling blocks? If so, how did you face them?

8 comments:

Darlene Steelman McGarrity said...

Wow! Way to go on your WIP! I love ROW80 too... it definitely has an accountability factor. I need that sometimes...

Good luck on your upcoming scenes! :)

Darlene

Wendy Jane said...

Glad to hear it is going so well for you. I know what you mean by writing out of order. Sometimes it just needs to be done. I've done it. I cringed while I was doing it, but I think it was worth it in the end. Keep up the good work!

PS, thank you for your comment on my check-in. Much appreciated.

lisa said...

First of all congrats on your progress. I have never heard of Around the Word in 80 days. I'm definitely going to have to check it out! I'm always looking for new ways to keep my blog content interesting and to challenge me to be a better blogger. :)

Tia Bach said...

Thanks for the support everyone. ROW80 gave me motivation and a supportive community, both beautiful things.

Jaleh D said...

I've felt so embarrassed about my lack of goal following the past couple weeks that I haven't kept up with any of my blog reading and commenting, let alone posting. Today, I'm feeling bubbly about my writing, and so I'm be-bopping around the ROW 80 blogs. Good luck! And the accountability is one of the things I like too. Even if I feel bad about being bad.

Deniz Bevan said...

Glad to hear you'll stick with the challenge! And congratulations on your word count! I'm trying to lower mine now that I'm in the editing stage...

Tia Bach said...

Deniz, I love this challenge. I'm considering changing my word count goals to time spent writing goals. So much of the time I'm working on the WIP but not necessarily adding word count, so that has been frustrating. Thanks for stopping by!

Tia Bach said...

Jaleh, I love when I feel bubbly about writing! Hope it translates into a great writing week for you!