Well. It’s that time again. Time for me to kick it into high gear with this writing thing I’m supposed to be doing this year. And, I figure, what better way to do this than with another crazy writing challenge situation:
I came across this yesterday, via my girl Juliana. It’s a 21 day sprint for Buddhist writers.
[insert my crazy mind-reading trick]
I know you’re thinking: “What? Mandy’s not Buddhist.” You are correct. But, I am into yoga – the exercise kind of yoga; and I’m VERY much into writing (songs have words! yay). PLUS, Drew totally thinks it’s a good idea. And, like I said above, it’s all about the challenge.
Write 800 words a day, do yoga 5 days a week, for 21 days.
I’m on it like white on rice.
Because, here’s the deal: If I don’t challenge myself to do something, I’ll never do anything.
Have you ever pushed yourself to achieve a goal? What was it? How’d you do?
Every year in November I write a 50,000 words novel. (And then avoid editing for the rest of the year.)
That’s usually quite a challenge.
NaNoWriMo! I’ve heard of that. There’s also a February Songwriting Challenge: FAWM. But I can’t remember what the A, W, or M stand for. oops.
February Album Writing Month? It’s one of the spin-offs from NaNoWriMo
You have to write 14 songs in 28 days.
Ouch!
February Album Writing Month.
14 Songs in 28 days.
yep!
But, that’s not nearly as crazy as the “Album-A-Day” challenge = write and record an entire album in 24 hours: http://crapart.spacebar.org/aad/
You can listen to mine here: http://virb.com/mandythompson/audio/albums/82732
Oh wow!!
That is awesome, and scary looking.
I listened to your album… some good stuff there.
Thanks!
And, yep, there’s also some *not* good stuff in there!
I ran a 10k (6.2 miles) last week, that was a challenge!
I didn’t do as well as I wanted to, but I CROSSED THE FINISH LINE! Oh yes I did.
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you pushed me to go without coffee for “2 weeks”, was it? i think it was. i decided to go a month. then in went on to 2 months. that was huge for me, beings i am a coffee lover…be it decaf…i still love me some coffee.
so…im considering how i can jump in on this challenge….
I was (and am) proud of you!
i love you.
I posted on my blog last week a few goals I’ve made for the month of June. Not as heavy of a challenge as yours, but challenging, all the same!
Don’t minimize those. A challenge is a challenge. Go for it, Mandie!
This is super cool! I love rules. Seriously. So, are your 800 words strictly for songs, or do your blog post words count?
It doesn’t really matter. I just like to know your rules
1) Morning Pages – free association writing – three pages worth – first thing in the morning
2) Object Writing – the writing comes from a particular word (object) – you write whatever you want – using the 5 senses – ten minutes – first thing in the morning
Since 800 words is more like 5 pages of writing, and takes longer than ten minutes, I’m modifying those two writing.
Maybe some will become a song. Maybe some will turn into a blog post. Maybe some will just sit in my journal. Maybe some I’ll throw away.
The goal is just to write. Write 800 words.
Today’s writing largely revolved around how in the world I’m going to pull this off. And what I’m going to write about. And why I want to do this.
And Jennifer Knapp.
And our house.
Free association, remember?
I like your words Mandy
“If I don’t challenge myself to do something, I ‘ll do nothing”
I’ve done this several times before,and I have a challenge now.
Wish me luck to achieve it
Definitely – all the luck and blessings to you as you take on the challenge.
Thanks for reading more, mmoharram. 
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How’s it going for you so far, Mandy?
The yoga has been amazing for me, even on the days where I “just” do Savasana instead of a full routine.
Also I’ve started revisiting song snippets I wrote (some even years ago) that never got finished and it feels so good.
The yoga? It’s rocking my face off.
The writing is such a challenge – but I’m using the Object Writing ideas or I’m finding songs that I’ve half-written and I’m putting more meat on them.
Or, well, I’m just trying to get 800 words of nothingness down so I can go to bed. Those days aren’t nearly as creatively productive (obviously bc it’s late at night)