10,000 Words in One Day

There is a monthly challenge over at the Fear of Writing Blog. The challenge is (on the third Wednesday and Saturday of the month) to write 10,000 words in one day. You can sign up for this month on this page.  It's not expected that everyone will reach that goal, or anyone for that matter. That's why it's a challenge. However, you can check in throughout those days on the website and root each other on. There is a strong sense of community there. The few times I've participated, I've cranked out about 3000 words, which is more than I would have any other day. So if you are up for the challenge, please state your intention on this page. Hope to see you there.

Writing Away Mental Illness

Battling OCD and ADD is a long war. You win some, you lose some. But it is a war worth fighting.  There are multiple lines of attack. You can try the medical management defense, which sometimes help. There are also time management strategies for ADD and cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD. But there is another weapon in the arsenal - the written word. After all, the pen IS mightier than the sword. Pun intended. 

The obsessions, although relentless and ravaging at times, can also help me as a writer. In a literal way. A group of obsessive thoughts may go like this: why can’t I see from another person’s perspective (both mentally and physically). Physically seeing something through some else's eyes is an impossibility (for now, at least) however, if I truly want to know something about someone, what better way than to describe them as a character.

I also obsess over occupations. My brain says “Why can’t I be in every occupation known to humankind?” This is an absurd thought, and I know it is not possible. Sure, when we are able to download information into our brains it will make it easier. But, until then, I’ll have to settle for normal research, and to carry that over into my fiction. While writing fiction, I can BE that other person. I can BE in that occupation. I can research to my heart’s content, although it may not satisfy that OCD beast. At least, it may quiet that SOB for a little while.

Sometimes, I think this is my subconscious telling me I need to get to work, already. How do I know this will work? Because it’s a game in my head and I’ve already seen the outcome. No, seriously. I need to get butt in chair and bang at the keyboard. Let it all loose. I think I will surprise myself. Like I said, I am a work in progress. I don’t have all the answers but I do know, writing is a catharsis, a release, if you will. These are not my only reasons for writing; I have many more. But it’s a pretty good motivational tool.

When I sit down to write, I have to force myself to think about one thing at a time, which is difficult to do with ADD. I consider it training time for my brain. It’s the only time when I have to slow my thoughts so that I can make at least SOME kind of sense.

How does writing help you? Do you feel a release of emotion when you write?

What to do before, during and after a Write-In

Yesterday I participated in a 10K "write-in" at Milli Thornton's Fear of Writing Blog. Every Wednesday and Saturday around the third week of every month, she challenges us to work towards a goal of 10K words. The goal is to challenge yourself and to have fun doing it. So far, I've had a positive experience with the way it is organized. I'm not too pleased with all the procrastinating I did, but I managed to write more yesterday than I have the past two weeks. And to the best of my knowledge, anyone is welcome to participate. Just fill in your name (first name is fine) and an email to post comments on how you're doing throughout the day.

What to do before a write-in:

- do research on your WIP one week to two days before the day of the write-in
- prepare quick meals and have them ready to go the day before the write-in
- plan what types of writing you will do (fiction, essay, blog entry, poetry, etc.)
  and make short goals
- get a good night's sleep

What to do during a write-in:

- start out by doing some relaxation techniques, maybe even a little yoga
- eat a well balanced meal and have small snacks available throughout the write-in
- take frequent breaks to stretch your muscles (at least every two hours)
- keep distractions to a minimum (if you have to network online then designate
  certain times to do so, and keep to it)
- stay hydrated


What to do after a write-in:

- realize that nobody is perfect and often times it can be a struggle to
  reach our goals
- analyze the prep work and the write-in itself and determine where you
  could have done better to get closer to your goal
- be good to yourself; you've probably done more work during the write-in than
  you would have otherwise. And at the most fundamental level, that was the goal
- prepare for the next write-in; now go get 'em!



These are just a few of the many things one can do before, during, and after a write-in. Good Luck!