Another writing challenge

~ Cat Wild

Ooo, look! A writing challenge! Can I keep it?! Can I? Can I? Pleeeeeeease?!!!

Writing challenges. They’re like pretty, shiny objects that I just have to have. Or a furry little kitty cat that I want to curl up with and cuddle. I will hug it and squeeze it and call it George.

But it never lasts. If it even begins. Because of life circumstances, which I won’t bore you with now, I’ve gotten out of having any sort of writing habit. Forget about a consistent one, I’m not even what you could call sporadic in my writing. I mean, when did I last write something on this blog? I’m not looking, but I’m guessing it’s been at least a year.

Currently, I’m one of those really sad creatures who thinks about writing. Who wants to write. But doesn’t actually, you know, write anything.

But that needs to change. I will make it change. And part of that process will include this challenge. I participated in ROW80 years ago. I think possibly it was the first or second round that Kait ever presented. And the aspect I liked best about it was the objective of having measurable goals.

I’m not an every day kinda gal. Between kids, husband, and ongoing health problems, I get overwhelmed thinking I have to do something every single day. Even if it’s something I want to do. So a challenge where I get to choose my own goal(s) and participate with friendly, non-judgemental folks is a challenge I find incredibly appealing.

I need something to help hold me accountable to my desire to write. Because I don’t have the self-discipline (yet) to get off my butt and do it just because I really, really want to.

So here are my measurable goals:

  1. To write one short story every two weeks.
  2. To read two short stories every week.
  3. To submit something for publication three times once a month.

I wanted to make it write one story a week, but I could feel the overwhelm setting in just thinking about it in the abstract. So I figured I would keep it manageable. And I’ve already made three submissions this month, so that seemed like a doable number.

I’m excited about starting this challenge (late), and getting to know some other writers who might be in a similar boat as me. Or at the very least, sailing on the same lake.

Happy writing!

11 thoughts on “Another writing challenge”

  1. Hi Cat and welcome to ROW80!

    ROW80 does leave room for real life while helping getting things done. I’m a first-timer so what I can confirm so far is that everyone is really friendly and it helps reading about others’ successes and difficulties. As you said, we’re on the same lake; and waving at one another feels good. =)

    Best of luck with your goals.

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  2. Welcome to RoW80!! It really is a great community of supportive people. I’ve been doing it a few years now, and I know I’ve gotten more accomplished than I would otherwise.
    Good luck with your goals!

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  3. Welcome! So glad you found ROW80 (again). Looks like you realize you need to start slow with those goals, you can always add to your list. A lot of time I post a bonus goal, something extra I hadn’t planned on doing, and that always gets me pretty excited. Can’t wait to read all about your journey.

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  4. Great to meet you Cat! Good luck with your goals. I agree that one short story a week is a lot of pressure on yourself.

    Have a great week and I will look forward to your posts 🙂

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  6. Welcome back to ROW80! The flexibility and customization is what I love about it, and why it works for me, along with the friendly support. You have some aggressive goals, but they sound very doable for you. I have no doubt you can meet them. Good luck, and have a great week!

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    1. Thanks so much! Yes, the flexibility is a definite draw. And I’m already getting lots of friendly support, which is excellent. Best wishes to you on your goals, too.

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