Tag Archives: writing challenge

Another Writing Challenge (But Cookies!)

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2011-09-01 14.32.13I know you’ve probably been very busy writing–and for those of you who met whatever Nano goal you set down, YAY!–but I’ve got one more writing challenge for you.

First, you’ll have to zip over to The Muffin and read all about The Lost Art of Writing. And then, after you’ve yelled a few choice words at me–I’ll leave that selection up to you–you can get busy writing.

Maybe you’ll write a note to one of your kids, telling them how special he or she is. And your kid will be like, “Well, this is weird. And mushy. And yeah, kinda icky.” Your kid will likely make a big show of not caring one whit. But I promise you that same kid will hold on to that note for the rest of his or her life.

Or maybe you’ll send a letter to a friend this holiday season instead of signing a name on a card. And your friend will be like, “Well, this is awkward. I didn’t even send a card and here I have this lovely letter. Now I’m going to have bake cookies for her.”

Not that you sent the lovely letter just so you could get cookies, but hey. It could happen.

And P.S. I just went to the post office this morning and bought a whole bunch of stamps.

And P.P.S. My favorite cookie is anything with pecans in it.

 

 

A December Writing Challenge You’re Gonna Love

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DSCN8538I’m listening to my friend’s Christmas radio broadcast as I write here and honestly, it’s hard to not bust out into song. In fact, hold on a sec, I’ve got to rock it with Mariah Carey for a minute (hum amongst yourselves…)

Holy holly, that woman can sing. All I want for Christmas is a voice like that! And a book contract. And maybe that library cuff bracelet.

So on to the writing challenge! I promise it’s easy–way easier than say, holiday baking or decorating or wrapping presents. Much easier than wrangling sugar-infused kiddies or miniature dachshunds or the in-laws. And totally easier than actually writing…well, anything.

Just zip over to the Muffin and check out “A Giving Kind of Writing Challenge.” I hope you have fun with it, friends.

And oh! Wait! Maybe you’ll enjoy listening to BillElderRadio’s Christmas Special while you read. (But don’t blame me when it takes you twice as long ’cause you’re stopping to rock out.)

 

 

 

Finding Writing Challenges That Are Challenging

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So, it’s a brand new year and you’re absolutely rarin’ to get to those writing goals! Look at you go!

Except that first, you need to clean up the holiday stuff. And then, you need to get those kidders back to school, and whoops! You’re back at work! And now it’s the end of the first week later and you haven’t exactly written one sparkly word. (Insert wah-wah here.)

Okay, there’s no need for all that head-slapping. You just need a little challenge to get that push in the right direction. Luckily, I’ve found just the thing (or two)!

Thing 1: If you’re a Facebook user, sign on with Sylvia Forbes and her crowd over at the January Writers who’ve pledged to write something every single day in January. I like this challenge for two reasons. One, I spend an awful lot of time over at Facebook…er, marketing myself. So now, when I pop in, I usually see a couple words about the January Writers. Which is a great reminder to me to stop…er, marketing, and get back to writing. I also like the January Writers because Sylvia Forbes is a delightful writer who publishes the Bylines Writers’ Desk Calendar every year. Which happens to be a swell calendar, whether you need inspiration or organization.

Thing 2: Remember all those picture book ideas from the Picture Book Idea Month? Yes, yes, the ones now gathering virtual dust in some forgotten file on your laptop (Or maybe that’s just me). Anyway,  the 12 x 12 x 12 Challenge is a perfect way to take those ideas and get to work on them! After all, you have an entire month to get a picture book idea to a manuscript ready for possible submission. You have inpsiring posts from Julie Hedlund’s guest writers, and you can join in the Facebook group, too, for added support. Plus, you get a swell badge for your blog that folks will see and think, “My, my, isn’t that writer industrious?!”

Start your new year with a challenge that will challenge your writing and you may be surprised where you’ll go! At the very least, you’ll save your poor forehead. (Or maybe that’s just me.)