How does the challenge work?

Amanda raised an excellent question in the comments of the last post. How does the challenge work? Here's how I'm thinking it works. First let me say this; THERE ARE NO PRIZES!!
Well it's not that there are no prizes it's just that there are no prizes. (well now doesn't that sound like all brain cells are firing?) Anyway, the only prize at the end of this challenge is self satisfaction. Nothing better than proving something to yourself, who cares what anyone else thinks! This is about you are your writing, no one elses. The idea is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. From June 1st you park your butt in the 'hot seat', (this is the name for the chair I sit in) and you make the effort to write at every available moment. Yes, to get the 50k done you need to do 1,666.6666666....... Okay so we'll say 1,667 words a day. You do NOT have to do the 5ok! If you're new to writing or you have a life, then 50k may not be a good number for you. Change the number. We're NOT going to get the whip out if you don't do the 50, well, not unless you're in to that, we're going to be keen to see you reach your goal. As someone that had life throw a curve ball at her during last years Nano I know that sometimes we just can't do what we set out to do. But that doesn't mean that because we didn't cross the finish line we failed. The only way to fail is to not try. This blog and the Google group are designed for support, cheer leading and understanding. We're all at different stages of our writing so there is always someone who's been where you are, who's able to offer advice, a shoulder to cry on or a gawd damn good time to relieve the stress.
I made a comment on Amanda's blog the other day about the most vital ingredient of a great book, without it, you could be a skilled writer and write a good book but with it...
Passion!
You need passion for your work, for it to come alive and breath the writer needs to be passionate about the characters, about the story, about wanting to share the story.
Writing is a serious business. It's hard. At times it sucks. And that's where the support of your fellow writers comes in. They know how you feel; they've felt it. They know how hard it is to pick yourself up off the floor and keep going; they've done it. With this blog and the group we hope to build a network of writers that will help in your journey to become published.
I know I've digressed form the original point of this post but hey, what can I say; I'm a writer!
Even though the aim of the challenge is to do 50k it's not the point of the challenge. The point is to write; write consistently. And if that means your own personal goal is 100 words a day giving you 3,000 words, or 500 w giving you 15,000 w, or 1,667 w giving you 50,010 w at the end, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you set your challenge and you went for it. Who cares if you get there other than you? But remember, it's not about winning it's about making the effort and pursuing your dream. Some dreams come quicker than others but all dreams are worth going for.
I know, I'm hopless at staying on track, but I think I've answered the question if not feel free to leave a question in the comments.
'See' ya soon.
Rachel C