Friday, June 27, 2008

The Final Countdown

Don't look at that countdown widget on the left hand side. It's scary! It looks like something you have to diffuse before the time runs out.

50ks challengers, you are nearly there! Whether that means you are nearly at the 50k mark or at the end of June with words written that you did not have at the beginning, the challenge is almost complete.

But if you are lagging behind or just running ahead, there are still three days to go! Including two weekend days. This is a godsend for those of us with the 9 to 5 day job, maybe not such a godsend for those who have to entertain the kids.

So let's recap on who has crossed the line already:

Felicity
Rhian
Sandie
Natalie
Diane
Helen
Suz
Shona


And Nicki just made it to the 50ks mark. Way to go Nicki!

We're here at the 50k mark, yelling and cheering and stamping our feet, encouraging the rest to join us! C'mon girls - a few final sprints and you'll be over that line.

This has been an amazing month for a lot of writers as they discover what it takes: the plotting, the planning, the pantsing, the sprinting. How it's okay to let the inner critic go and just write, and that sometimes your characters just don't feel like playing.

Sometimes its not just the characters who make the writing difficult and who present you with obstacles in the way. Suddenly friends are popping around - you haven't seen them for months, but suddenly there they are, husbands are yacking in your ear more than usual (and more than necessary), kids are getting sick - and even you are getting sick, teachers tell you that you don't know how to write, your boss tells you that your writing is a little saucy (LOL) and your teenager chucks a wobbly.

There's a reason that this happens: at the beginning of the month, we made a commitment to this crazy challenge. Not only did we make a commitment to write 50ks in 30 days, we made a commitment to ourselves as writers, we made a commitment to our muse and we made a commitment to each other. So then up popped the obstacles to test our commitment. And yet, we kept writing! Despite the pressure, despite the tantrums, despite the ridicule, we kept writing! And even if we don't individually make it to the 50ks, we are all winners because of that! (Including the writers who have faced up to the possibility of not making it to the finish line!)

We used to have cross countries at our school, because my school was on a farm and it would be a 5 kilometre run. I always finished the course. Usually the whole school had packed up and gone home by the time me and my mates crossed the finish line, but I still did the whole distance. (walking!). Maybe one of the things you learned during this challenge is that you'd rather walk than run. And that is a perfectly fine thing to know about your writing methods. It's got to be what works for you.

So even if you make your 50ks mid June, end of June, end of July or by Christmas, you've made it! You've tested your writing mettle, you've risen to the challenge, you've showed up at the keyboard every day, you are a winner and more importantly, you are a writer. And in great company.'

And I hope that this fine company of writers is going to continue past June into July for editing or writing, and beyond...

Leave a comment and tell us how you're doing...

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Popping in quickly to cheer everyone on. I'm wearing my big boots for some butt kicking, cause ladies I'm behind you all! I'm on my second lap of the 50k, currently I'm at 86,724 and I'm aiming for 100,000 by Monday night. That pounding you all hear isn't your heartbeats, it's me running behind with the steelcap boots on. Come on ladies, get those fingers sprinting, that's not a mirage in the distance, it's the finish line!
RC

Unknown said...

Hi Diane,
I'm on 38,000 with 3 days to go and I'm going to do it! Just reading your comment gave me a second wind...so it'll be a busy weekend coming up...good luck to every one still hanging in by the skin of their teeth and I agree - we've all won something this month regardless of the word count
Lynn

Diane said...

Ooh, I'm scared.

Owwwwww!

RC, don't kick so hard.

Anonymous said...

I think I'll have to settle for 23000 words. Sorry guys, life took over. I won't get any done this weekend, so that will have to remain my count for the month.

Thanks Diane, Rhian and Sandie for doing the blog and the updates and much of the flag waving, cheering and butt kicking.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and will certainly do it all again (well, the writing part, not the chaos of the month!).

Thanks,
Cath Evans

Natalie Hatch said...

I am cleaning my house.. doing a big declutter and it's great... my bedroom had soo much stuff chucked out I can see the floor!! I cleaned the pantry, now hubbys cleaning the kitchen for me... wooo hooo. See I told him, let me write and then you'll see an amazing improvement in life after I've hit the mark...
Okay enough gloating, I have a house to clean.
Congratulations to everyone who took part, it's been great getting to know everyone and to feel like part of a community of people who understand that washing dishes and communicating without a quick morsel in your mouth is secondary to the keyboard.
See you are my people!!!!

Sandie Hudson said...

Hey Nat, when you’re finished your place you want to come and do mine?

I'm posting my total now than on Monday or Tuesday I’ll post what I have finished up with for the month. I was hoping for 80k but that’s not going to happen. Anyway total to date; 69,065 words. I’m pleased with what I have achieved so far and have plenty to keep me busy through July with editing.

Okay girls keep those fingers on the keyboard and butts in seats, there are still two days to go. The final sprint home can at time seem like the longest but when you get there it’s the sweetest.

Hugs
Sandie

Unknown said...

I'm at 45,392. I think I can see you all up ahead at the finish line. Or maybe that's the circus come to town :-). Anyways, I'll be there on Monday night!

Cris Hickey.

Amanda said...

Oh I must say I feel a little flat at not coming close to the 50 000 - however, I have to remind myself that this is my first go and I will reach 25 000 by tomorrow night!!!

That is just amazing for me... I never knew I could and so look forward to steaming ahead to finish my MS in July as the month is much calmer on the commitment front than June!! AND hopefully all the angels will not pick up any winter lurgies!!

Well done all the ladies who have achieved, and what a lovely post Diane!!

I can't even say what this fabulous bunch have done for me this month in terms of motivation and support! It has just been so fabulous.. I feel a bit teary! I think it is the fact that this challenge is what has spurred my on to my path of achieving a long held dream (which has now hit the ground running into reality!)... I am really so excited!

I wake up everyday with that buzz in my tummy - the one that is excitement plus knowing I am on my way to something big!!! AND it is all thanks to all of you!! (Oh and a bit of typing from me!!!)... :-)

I am so pleased that you will all be continuing on past this point... I look forward to hearing everyone's achievements - what ever they may be!!

Amanda

Amanda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amanda said...

That was me deleting... I posted twice! Amanda

Gail Symmonds said...

Hi everyone

I passed the 50k zone yesterday. I celebrated last night with friends and a nice red!! I kept checking my word counter every paragraph until it finally read 50,054 - yay!! Good luck everyone with the last two days. 1k or 50k - it doesn't matter. Giving it a go was half the challenge.

Good luck

Gail :)

Nicole Flockton said...

Hey All

I'm going to check in with my figure. Not sure if I'm going to be able to do anymore writing for the month. Got a new computer yesterday so last night was spent setting it up. Well hubby set it up for me.

Today is football day so I don't think I'll get much done. Going to try and get a few more words done tomorrow.

But I'm so pleased with my achievement so at the moment my total stands at 50,550.

Nicki

Suzanne Brandyn Author said...

Congratulations all. A challenge so very well worth the effort.

Suz :)

Rachael Blair said...

Congratulations to everyone who's passed the 50k mark - I can't even keep up! What an inspiring bunch.

Like Amanda, I'm disappointed not to have made it, but I've hit the 25ks this week so that's better than nothing. The month was kinda strange for me - lots of doubt about my writing and started writing two stories when I was so certain I was gonna make the 50ks with one book.

However, I'm starting the editing month a few days earlier as my newest decision is to go back and rework one of my first categories into a single title. LOTS of work but I do love this story!

Thanks Sandie, RC and DIane for keeping such a FABULOUS blog!! You guys rock (the table).

Anonymous said...

OMG I can't believe I have done it!!!!! 50, 298 words and still going. (and I've also learnt how to post comments onto the website. I'm so good I can even post them twice) Thank you all for your support and tips during the most amazing experience - i really had no idea what i was doing when I started. At least now I have an idea as well as 50,000 words. Looking forward to the month of editing and hoping to catch up with some of you at the conference in August.

Tannia said...

Congratulations to everyone who made it to 50K - see you in November when I WILL make the total.

However, I also want to congratulate everyone who stayed the distance. This is the first time I have done so and I've written more in one month than I ever have, so 'Yay me' too.

Finally, well done to everyone who even tried to complete this challenge. With jobs, families, other commitments it's not easy - we're all champions in my view.

Fran/Tannia with 16053 brand new words to my name.

Unknown said...

Congrats everyone. 28,593 dont think I'm going to make it, but proud of what i have achieved. thanks everyone
kez

Anonymous said...

Oh My God, I am done, finished, all over red rover. Drum roll please, with a grand total of 50,357 I'm done.
A big thanks to every one that has visited my blog and anyone that has had some kind words to say to me in encouragement, it’s all helped me keep motivated. I’m kind of surprised that I did finish, cause really I always had some doubt whether I could. I’m glad that I’ve proved to myself that it is possible.
Also congrats to everyone that has finished and those that will finish. Also well done to those that gave it a go. It doesn’t matter that you didn’t reach the goal, cause you did get down words, and no matter how long it takes- every word that is written gets you closer to were you want to be.
I’m going to put my story away for the next month. During July I’m going to spend the next two weeks catching up on everyone and everything I’ve been neglecting, this includes all those books that I’ve put to one side.
I’m not going to disappear completely, I’ll pop back in and see what everyone is up to.
Thanks ladies you are all inspirational.

Eleni Konstantine said...

Well congrats to everyone for sticking with the challenge. Life did get in the way with me but I've done a big push in the last couple of days. I'm still of the marke and hope to do more tomorrow. Right down to the wire eh?! Reminds me of uni assignments! LOL! Anyhow, I'm currently at 40,353. Fingers crossed for more words. :)

Lisa66 said...

I'm at 33,500 so I won't make the 50k, but I am 3/4 of the way through the novel I started on day one of the challenge. Yay!!!

Well done to everyone who has participated. It's been great.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the blog. It's been fun reading the posts and checking everyone's progress.

Will check in tomorrow night with my final total.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, and congratulations for all word counts big and small.

I'm at 24,272 words, so the halfway mark is well within reach for tomorrow's final count.

It's been a great experience, and I aim to keep it going throughout July with a personal 50k challenge. If I can continue the word flow, I will hopefully complete the novel I began this month here with you all.

Cheers and good luck with all your writing endeavours,

Ligia Pelosi