Post: #126

(10-22-2017 08:48 PM)Space Cowboy Wrote:  I used to journal for a bit but stopped when work got too hectic. I'd like to restart. What do you all write about? Your day? Philosophy? Current events? Fiction?

Right now I'm working on a book based off my travel adventures. I had a life threatening situation during that time and am kind of lucky to be alive in all honesty, so friends that know the details recommended I write a book on it. It's also about dealing with death and grief, my changing view on spirituality, my love of girls from the east, and of course my near death experience.

(10-22-2017 08:06 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  Still been going at it. Just stopped announcing my word counts here because I found another forum with a thread for that specific purpose and it's a lot more active. Any of you guys who jumped back on the challenge last week still going strong?

I haven't written every day but my average has dropped off a bit. I'd say I write about 4-5 days a week and average 2-3k words per day. I give you guys credit for consistently pulling 7k. That shit is hard to do in one sitting without getting burned out lol. I can really only do that on my best days.

Post: #127

yankeetravels Wrote:  I haven't written every day but my average has dropped off a bit. I'd say I write about 4-5 days a week and average 2-3k words per day. I give you guys credit for consistently pulling 7k. That shit is hard to do in one sitting without getting burned out lol. I can really only do that on my best days.

Nah, not doing that consistently. I said in my last post I usually do 3-5k. Sometimes less. Sometimes more.

There are a few things that help me out on days where counts are high. I

Dictating makes it easy to write fast. Dragon Naturally Speaking. I'm still learning how to write by talking, and I'm not always in the mood for it. But it does get the words out fast and it's nice to have a new tool in the repertoire. Plus I've broken my hands a lot of times and spent countless hours typing over the years so in the long run this will probably need to become a go-to.

Taking my notebook into a coffee shop to really focus and put pen to paper. Ironic that I get more words this way too, but it gives me those flow moments. Then I dictate it into the computer later on. Handwriting is actually a nice change on the hands but I do get a little sore. Maybe mostly because the muscles have gone unused a long time in that regard though.

Splitting my writing up into multiple sessions throughout the day. I freelance and work as I want, so my schedule is completely open. So instead of doing one hard session, I wake up, do some writing. Maybe work out and read or watch a movie (I consider it studying story). Write some more. Do what the fuck I want that day. Then maybe write again at night.

Carry a notebook around so anytime I get hit with inspiration I can scrawl something out. Every 200-500 words adds up. If I'm driving I record in my phone instead and type it out later, or transcribe it using Dragon if the audio comes out clear. I need to buy a good recorder.

Switch among projects sometimes to keep from getting burnt. I want to focus on this approach more and more. It helps keep the creative energy going, I find.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #128

4000 words today! Considering I was struggling to get past 2000 per day most times this week, it was a nice improvement today to get on a roll near the end of the chapter.

Post: #129

Wanted to add that the 1,000 words a day challenge is a prime example of goals vs. systems

I've been trying to improve my writing skills, by just writing more and more. At first I counted how many words I wrote and kept track, but now I just do it, because I have systems in place.

The systems are multiple audiences waiting to hear my next word. At any moment I can sit down and publish a piece of content for them. The audiences I have are:

-One Email List
-Two Facebook Groups I Manage
-Three Facebook Groups I'm An Active Member Of
-Two Blogs
-My Facebook Profile

That's a lot! Everyday I try to publish at least 2-3 pieces across these mediums. Even if it's a short 300 word post, it still carries immense value.

I know that in order to stay high in people's minds, and in the Facebook/Google algorithm, you have to publish regularly. This motivates me to stay involved and engaged in my content.

The other key is to focus on not just writing for writing's sake. A copywriting mentor of mine told me to write everyday with the intention to convince people of something.

Before I write, I determine "okay, what do I want to brainwash the reader into thinking while they're reading this post?" This helps keep my topic on point, prevents me from ranting, and adds in a copywriting touch to everything I do.

Post: #130

No doubt some of you guys will be interested in this.

I've been reading a lot lately about applying gamification principles to life and work as a way to get more shit done and enjoy the process more. The things that make video games addicting tap into deep human psychology, and we can draw on the same principles to stick with commitments. While doing some searching around, I came across this cool software program called "Write or Die." Check it out here: https://www.writeordie.com/

You basically set a writing pace, word count, and time you want to write in the program and just start tapping out some words. It depends on which mode you choose, but the basic idea is if you stop writing for a little bit, a loud annoying sound starts going off - great motivation if you take your laptop to a coffee shop or other public location where you'll get dirty looks if your laptop starts blaring at you.

There's an encouraging mode where it'll show you pics of a kitten or something else you choose and make supposedly comforting noises as you pass milestones, but this feature seems a little hokey to me so far - might have to toy with it more.

The "Write or Die" name alludes to a kamikaze mode that will start deleting your vowels if you spend too much time sitting there not writing. I guess in the original version it would delete your entire text if you stalled out too long. That'll keep you moving...

It also has a stats feature that records your word counts, words per minute, etc.

I have only used this twice now, but I see potential in it and am going to continue using it for my writing sessions throughout the day. Not only does it help to keep your fingers moving and not overthinking your work, but I think gamifying the writing process will help a lot for engaging you more in the process, as the rewards of writing are typically so far in the future.

It costs $20, but if you look at the guy's Facebook page, there is a link to a discounted version for $10 that is still valid even though it was from a year ago.

By the way, one issue I see is that the guy doesn't have any activity on his Facebook page for a year or so. For this reason, I wonder if this program will eventually be too outdated, but it's simple enough I can't see it needing a ton of updates, and if you found enough value in it I'm sure something like this wouldn't be too expensive to have programmed.

I'm also thinking of starting a small LINE group if you some of you want to try doing writing sprints together. Writing sprints are basically timed sessions where you write as much as you can, and doing it with other writers and reporting back with word counts can be a good way to stay motivated. Let me know if anyone thinks this would be something they'd like to put together.

Reminder: Next month is National Novel Writing Month. Basically you just commit to busting out a novel in 20 days or something like that (I may be fuzzy on the details as I've never done it). Anyone considering? Here's the link to the official page: https://nanowrimo.org/

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #131

Thought that was this month, the nanowrimo, but I could be wrong. I've signed up for one so I can get some personal work finished.

Post: #132

^ You're right - it's this month. Guess it would be an extra challenge for anyone to jump on this point. Though 50,000 probably still doable if you really kicked it into high gear.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling