Friday, May 29, 2009

Sprinting

Welcome to the first of what will be an ongoing series of posts during the June 50k in 30 days. A group of us will take turn about to keep you motivated to reach your goals throughout the month.

In anticipation of our Monday start I thought I'd get the ball rolling. So onto that motivation....


Feeling motivated yet? Don't worry, if you aren't, I'll leave you with a bit of Hugh, guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing out of anyone.

I'm going to cheat a bit here and copy a post I recently had on my own blog - because from some of the posts that have been floating around I realise some of you are a bit worried how you will meet your goal for the month. And the answer is simple:

Sprinting. Not the kind that involves sweat and pain. The kind that involves you and a bunch of other like-minded writers all writing together at the same time.

When I first heard about sprinting I have to confess I was a little sceptical. How could sprinting be any different from any other time I am writing? How could it possibly help get more words out?

During 2008 NaNoWriMo I joined in, not wanting to disregard it completely. Confession time. I was wrong. I was pushing out numbers in 30 minutes that I had no hope of doing on my own. I am a convert.

So over the past week I have been sprinting. Not as often as I would like, but the few occasions I could spare. And in those few nights of sprinting I managed 30 pages. THIRTY pages. I was stunned when I sat back and counted. Thank you to those wonderful ladies who have been sprinting with me.

Why does it work? Because it's a short burst, separated by chatting with the other sprinters in a chat room. To know others are writing with you, trying their hardest to get as many words out pushes you along. At the end you report back, congratulate or commiserate. Chat about how it is going or ask for help. But above all there is a feeling of companionship, understanding and friendship.

I love Sprinting. I just wish it burnt calories like the other kind.

So join us in the Friday Night Chat Room (found in the RWA chat room - if you don't know how to get there just ask) every night from 7.30pm EST. Or send a post out if you are wanting to sprint at any other time.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited! I wish I could sprint more but I work nights. Good luck to everyone participating :)

Bronwyn.

AJ Blythe said...

Bron, there are always people around to sprint with during the day. If you want to, just send an email out and use the chat room to meet.

LouiseG said...

Love your 'inspiring' pictures!! MMMmmm, maybe I'll just spend the next 30 days looking rather than writing! Must confess i'm a little nervous - I'm a nanowrimo virgin! Be gentle with me!

But looking forward to it. I've tried to meet you all in the sprinting rooms but failed - can you let us know how to do it?? Many thanks, Louise G

Tracey O'Hara said...

Okay - ARE WE READY TO RUMBLE with those words, sentences and paragraphs? YES is say - bring IT on....

Sandie Hudson said...

Great post Anita. Bron I'll be around most days for sprints if you need company.

Lousie we'll be gentle, honest. YAY Tracey, this is going to be great.

Sandie

AJ Blythe said...

Louise, you go to the RWA site and log in. On the left hand menu is the option 'chat room'. Once you select that and enter name etc, you will be in the lobby of the chat room. On the right hand menu is the Friday Night chat room, click on that and you are there.

Diane said...

Pleased to see that we've converted you Anita to fast track writing.

Now, I can't guarantee that's it's always going to happen in the Friday chat room. We could be building a sprinting track. In fact, I've heard a rumour that there might be a temporary sprinting track to test out in the chat area tonight.

Let's sprint!

Mon Wood said...

That Hugh pic did it for me, Anita. End of story. Arms. It's the arms! *drool*

Suzi Love said...

Great bodies...I mean...words...to inspire us! do we get more of those...inspiring words...to stare at every day??? Please?
Sue

AJ Blythe said...

I think we will need regular inspiring Sue, mind you, like Mon, Hugh's arms would be enough lol.

Di, love the idea of a sprinting track!

Nicky Strickland said...

Ditto what Monique said! Sprinting is fantastic to get the juices flowing that's for sure!

AJ Blythe said...

Sandie, great work with those graphs. Thanks for the effort you've put in.

Eleni Konstantine said...

Inspired after your post Anita! I'm sure you gals will help keep me on track.