Round 1 Check-in 1/20/19

On Wednesday, I challenged you all to share with us an image, in the form of photo, prose….  music video (the options are only limited by your creativity) of what kind of writer you aspire to be.  There is a madness to my method here (as always).

You need to know your dream to breathe life into it.  The very word aspire implies the act of breathing, the act of living.  To aspire toward a goal (and you know how we’re all about those goals here at the ROW80) is the pinnacle of reaching toward, well, a pinnacle.  (Don’t believe me, check aspire on Dictionary.com.)

I’m still trying to nail down a vision of “Writer Me”.  From our discussion a last Sunday, it seems a lot of us have a similar problem.  Something I’ve tried to consider in my own process is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for writing.  For any creating process really.  I even peeked back at this great post on the Writers in The Storm blog about How to Restore Your Love of Writing (though a lack of joy isn’t an issue at the moment).

Anyway, why not think on these things and give yourself (and the rest of us) a solid example of your dream…  thinking by our Wednesday check-in.  And don’t worry if the dream changes in a few years (weeks, days).  Just as long as you can see it, dream it…  if only for a moment.

For now, let us know how you’re doing.  Here in the comments, on our FB page, or both.

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Problem Solving Inc. by Andrew Mocete

Our very first Throwback Thursday post (#TBT), a new thing started by our FB moderator Shan Jeniah…

The Writing Challenge That Knows You Have A Life

I wish remembered where, but I once read a interview with John Lennon about his song writing process.  What struck me most was he told the interviewer he’ll sometimes stare at his instrument for hours without writing a single note.  The next day might be the same thing and day after that too.  For him, this was being productive because he knew his mind was working things out and eventually the music would come.

For someone highly respected and considered a genius at his craft to have gone through the same aspect of the writing process as I did was huge.

How many times have you stared at a blank page with no idea where the story is supposed to go?  How many times has what you’ve written looked wrong and you knew it needed something more, but didn’t know what?  Well according to John Lennon, this is part of…

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Round 1 Check-in 1/16/19

Sunday ended up being an interesting check-in.  While I hadn’t planned it, the post became more of a discussion piece than an actual check-in, enough so to make me wonder if I shouldn’t bring back one of the original features of the ROW80…  the Sponsor Post.

To be so skilled…. (Ray Massey  via GettyImages)

Well, a bit of warning…  if I do, it won’t be until Round 2.  I personally have all the plates in the air that I can juggle at the moment (and judging by the shards on the floor, a few more than that).  But I’d happily bring back the ROW80 Sponsor program if you all are interested.

Until then, let me know if discussion topics like this appeal to you.  (If you have questions of your own, please feel free to post them here or in our FB group.  You can even tag us in Twitter at the #ROW80 hashtag.)

For my addition to the conversation, I want to add this article on decision-making I saw in the New Yorker.  After reading all of your comments and check-ins, it seems a lot of us struggle with what we mean when we call ourselves Writers.  I mean, it’s easy to say Writer’s Write as Alberta Ross made very clear in her sponsor post of 2013.  Still, we all have a slightly different impression of what else is involved, the image of a writer that we aspire to become (to use the term of the New Yorker article).

So, let me make a small “challenge within our challenge”…

Post an image of the writer you aspire to be

The image can be a picture, a meme, a descriptive passage… Let’s see what we can discover and share about our craft with each other.

Take some time to think about this and see if you can come up with something by next Wednesday.  Until then, let us know how you’re doing toward reaching those goals you set.  As always, post them in the comments or on our Facebook group.

Round 1 Check-in 1/13/19

courtesy Terri Smith ❤ Stormy

We talk a lot about goals here at the ROW80.  The whole concept of A Round of Words in 80 Days is based on them and ways to achieve them.  And, of course, since this being a writing challenge, the general assumption is that you joined the ROW80 because you want to be a writer…  that you might even want to become a published author.

But…  what if this isn’t the case?

What if this had once been a dream of yours and your dreams have changed?  Are you finding the steps along your path don’t match your vision of where you should be in this journey?

Did you maybe wonder if this wasn’t a good thing?  The world beyond our desks and stories (and hopefully in our stories too) changes constantly.  Why shouldn’t we change and move with it, adjusting our stances and positions to remain stable as we follow the trail before us toward that dream we’ve held?  When there’s a fork in the road ahead, do we just stop, do we turn around, or do we look at our options and choose what seems to be the best course and follow it?

Have you ever questioned your determination to be a writer or author?  Has the desire to create worlds and share your stories overruled your doubts or do you still struggle with this?  Has becoming a writer taken a greater or lesser place in your life plan?

Let us know in the comment thread below or on our FB page.  And have a great week! 🙂

Round 1 Wednesday Check-in 1/9/19

Here we are in week two our 32nd Round of Words in 80 Days since Kait Nolan started this writing challenge in 2011.  We’ve gone through a few evolutions since those early days, and who knows?  Perhaps they’re be a few more in store as our community grows and changes.

The publishing world is constantly changing these days.  Why shouldn’t we as well?  For one, I imagine our idea of a book looks a lot less like those in the image above and more like the phone you’re probably reading this post on now.  🙂

One thing that continues to stay the same despite all our changes is the support and commitment to our community the ROW80 provides.  You…  you are what makes the ROW80 such a great group.

Thank You!

By the way, it’s check-in time (again! 😉 ).  How have these past few days gone for you?  Any news, problems, giggles to share?  Let us know in the comments or at our FB page.

For those of us having some trouble getting caught up (don’t know if you can see me raising my hand, but I am), here are a few techniques that may help:  How to Make Up For a Wasted Day at Work.

And for those of us who want a bit more to challenge ourselves, why not check out Flash Fiction Friday, a project started by your fellow ROWer Mike Young.

Check-in Sunday 1/6/19

Just a quick check-in for Sunday…  and a welcome to those ROWers who’ve jumped in to our challenge a bit late.  I

It’s okay.  If you’re thinking of joining us but don’t feel comfortable starting late, don’t…  don’t feel uncomfortable that is.  We’d love to have you.  Just post your goals in the comments of the new check-in (or at the goals post linky), and you’re in.  That’s all there is to it.

Well, that and writing….  This is a writing challenge after all.

And speaking of writing, for those of you who’ve been ROWing all week, how’d you do?  If you were having trouble getting started, did you find yourself procrastinating on key steps, gathering resources, cleaning, catching up with social media?  Don’t despair.  There’s research out there that says procrastinating can be good for your creativity.  You may need to spend some more time contemplating your projects and this procrastination is your brain telling you that.

You can’t procrastinate forever though.  So if you’re just having trouble getting started… maybe some of these ideas will help?

Let us know how you’re doing in the comments or in our Facebook group.

First Check-in 2019

cred: openclipart

Well, technically, we’ve already gone a few strides past the starting gate, but it’s the beginning a of a Round of Words and who needs to rush things? 🙂

It’s only been a few days, and those included a rather big holiday for most people, so it may seem strange to have a check-in already.  But regular check-ins on Wednesdays and Sundays are a part of how we do things here at the ROW80.  Even if you feel like you got almost nothing done, sometimes the act of checking in makes you see the little steps you are taking toward achieving yours goals and dreams.  Sometimes it helps you see where you might be making a misstep.

In the land of the ROW80, Accountability is king.  Kind of like that one-eyed man… 😉

Anyway, before my bad jokes ruin this new year, new round…. leave your check-in in the comments or on our FB page, visit some fellow ROWers, and have a great couple of days.  See you all Sunday!