Back in November I successfully completed the National Novel Writing Month challenge. I wrote a 50,002-word (as yet unedited) novel in 1 month. That experience was so stressful such an empowering accomplishment, I decided I can’t wait for next November to sign up for another timed group writing project. A depressing helpful lesson I learned from NaNoWriMo is I am more likely to accomplish personal goals if I’m accountable to other people- even if those other people are virtual strangers online.
A Round of Words in 80 Days will happen 4 times during the year. Round 1 begins January 3 and ends . . 80 days later. (You do the math, I’m more of a word person.)
Each Round has 3 challenges- measure, chunk, and blog. For Round 1, my personal challenges are:
1. Measure- write a draft of a new novel in 80 days.
2. Chunk- write at least 700 words of my new novel per day.
3. Blog- as you see from this post, I already have that part nailed.
Now to sit down and pick up my tools:
Happy New Year, and Happy Writing!
Daily Check-Ins:
Date Words
1-3 715
1-4 712
1-5 765
1-6 808
1-7 897
1-8 768
1-9 752
1-10 775
1-11 845
1-12 875
1-13 793
1-14 727
1-15 710
1-16 773
1-17 704
1-18 784
1-19 704
1-20 743
1-21 765
1-22 748
1-23 762
1-24 713
1-25 737
1-26 715
1-27 736
1-28 760
1-29 745
1-30 767
1-31 778
2-1 727
2-2 738
2-3 780
2-4 707
2-5 707 (again!)
2-6 746
2-7 727
2-8 720
2-9 733
2-10 728
2-11 792
2-12 767
2-13 710
2-14 990
2-15 765
2-16 855
2-17 758
2-18 806
2-19 882
2-20 708
2-21 745
2-22 718
2-23 763
2-24 710
2-25 710 (again!)
2-26 725
2-27 748
2-28 720
3-1 732
3-2 725
3-3 728
3-4 810
3-5 802
3-6 718
3-7 750
3-8 838
3-9 725
3-10 825
3-11 797
3-12 735
3-13 868
3-14 805
3-15 715
3-16 722 (brief novel outline- I do things backwards)
As the draft of my novel is basically done, the remaining word counts will be from “character profile worksheets.” The word counts will include the pre-written questions.
3-17 715
3-18 736
3-19 707
3-20 713
3-21 705
3-22 708
3-23 722 DONE!
Christopher Gronlund
/ January 2, 2011ROW80 sounds cool. I wasn’t familiar with it until you mentioned it. Good luck with all your goals for 2011.
I have some writing to catch up on today, and it’s all the fault of the Three Stooges. My wife saw there was a the Three Stooges marathon on yesterday, and even if we weren’t watching, it was on in the background.
I have a very high tolerance for prolonged Three Stooges, but I think my wife beats me, there. She probably could have watched the entire marathon, instead of the last 8 or 9 hours of it.
CMStewart
/ January 2, 2011Thank you! Good luck with your 2011 goals as well.
I LoveX3 The Three Stooges, and watch the marathon every New Year’s Eve / Day / whenever I can catch it.
M. Howalt
/ January 3, 2011That’s a really nice idea. I think it is helpful to set goals and have an “audience” like that. Good luck!
CMStewart
/ January 3, 2011Thanks, and good luck with your 2011 goals!
I’ve set the bar pretty high for myself this year with ROW80 and several other projects, but I believe my goals are sustainable and realistic.
M. Howalt
/ January 3, 2011Thank you! (I have a few.
)
I think setting the bar high is fine as long as you don’t get completely devastated if you don’t quite manage everything. Sometimes that life thing gets in the way. Anyway, I think ROW80 is a brilliant idea. And I’m guessing you’ll be doing NaNoWriMo again?
CMStewart
/ January 3, 2011Funny thing about NaNo- the writing and winning parts were great, but the getting to and from the TGIO party (the only NaNo party I attended) was a nightmare.
I mapped out my route online and took a bus / subway into Boston. I even had the location programmed into my Blackberry. I ended up walking up and down an actual highway, wondering why my Blackberry kept telling me my TGIO party was in the middle of a river at the side of a residential neighborhood. When I finally figured that out, I wondered why the subway let me off so far away from where I needed to be. I finally got back on the subway and got off at the right stop. Then more walking up and down the street of the party location. I made it to the last hour of the party through sheer grit-filled determination. Then trying to find my way back to the subway was another hour of confusion and frustration. I’ve been to Boston by myself plenty of times, and have gotten very lost on almost all of those trips, mostly because I have dyscalculia.
I know the TGIO party is 100% optional, and has nothing to do with participating in NaNo, but I still need time to separate the bad party trip from the good NaNo experience. I guess I’m weird that way.
M. Howalt
/ January 10, 2011I can see why that would affect your whole experience with NaNo. But I hope you’ll be able to put it behind you and enjoy the writing part again.
)
(I have a protagonist here who used to live in Boston. Maybe he could give you a hand.
CMStewart
/ January 10, 2011As long as your protagonist fits in my back pocket, he’s more than welcome to escort me on my next Boston outing. lol
M. Howalt
/ January 11, 2011Unfortunately he doesn’t. But he would be a dashing companion.
Nicole
/ January 5, 2011I hear you on the accountability bit… And it sounds like you have some very good goals! Great going so far!
CMStewart
/ January 5, 2011Thank you! With ROW80 and my other writing projects this year, I’m writing more now than ever. It’s great.
Stacey Wallace Benefiel
/ January 9, 2011Congratulations on meeting your goal every day! Best of luck in week 2!
CMStewart
/ January 9, 2011Thank you! The butt-in-chair method is working very well for me so far.
Claire Farrell
/ January 10, 2011NaNoWriMo made a similar impact on me which is why I jumped on the idea of ROW80 – a lot less stress but still the fun and accountability thrown in.
Well done on your first successful week, here’s to many more.
CMStewart
/ January 10, 2011Thank you! Gotta love these group writing challenges . . even though (now that I look around at what others are doing) I’m probably not “updating” in the spirit of the challenge. But all I really want to share is my daily word count. I’ll share the rest in the form of my completed, printed novel.
Lauralynn Elliott
/ January 12, 2011It sounds like you’re right on track. Way to go!
CMStewart
/ January 12, 2011Thank you! Accountability.
365andMe
/ January 12, 2011All I can say is ditto on all of the above. NaNoWriMo was an empowering accomplishment for me as well and I think it was mostly do to online friends. Here’s to a great year with ROW80!
CMStewart
/ January 13, 2011Yes, this particular writing challenge seems to be very community-oriented. Thanks and good luck with ROW80!
catewrites
/ January 12, 2011Congrats on your achievements. That accountability thing is so key, isn’t it? I know it helps me. And the thing I really like about the ROW80 challenge is that you set your own goals.
Anyway, keep up the good work!
CMStewart
/ January 13, 2011Thank you! Yes, accountability is my magic elixir. That and coffee. Best of luck with ROW80!
Tanja
/ January 13, 2011You are steady as a rock!
CMStewart
/ January 13, 2011Wow, thanks! You’re the first person to ever tell me that. lol
Claire Farrell
/ January 19, 2011Still going strong, I see. Great job!
CMStewart
/ January 19, 2011Thanks! I’m quite surprised and pleased by my momentum.
Stila Webb
/ January 19, 2011You are doing very well. I’m not cranking out nearly that many words a day…time to buckle down and go to it. ^_^
CMStewart
/ January 19, 2011Thanks! I’m not allowed to go to bed at the end of the day until I crank out my words. And I need sleep, so it works out.
Robin
/ January 19, 2011Welcome to the row80 club. It’s been immensely helpful. The accountability thing is a good thing for me. Good luck with your new novel.
CMStewart
/ January 19, 2011Thank you! Glad to be a member.
Good luck in your ROW80 project as well.
Sonia
/ January 20, 2011Look at you go with those daily totals!
Keep up the great work
CMStewart
/ January 20, 2011Thanks! Yes I’m feeling very productive.
laurelrainsnow
/ January 20, 2011Congrats on your progress. This is my first visit here; I’ve written down your link so I can return regularly.
CMStewart
/ January 20, 2011Thanks, I’m flattered!
projectfraeya
/ January 23, 2011Well done, looks like your doing really well.
CMStewart
/ January 23, 2011Thanks for the compliment!
Cathryn Louis
/ January 23, 2011Wow – you’re very consistent. Lookin’ good!
CMStewart
/ January 23, 2011Thanks, I’m optimistic about keeping this up!
Katherine
/ January 23, 2011Nice work!
Question: Do you keep pretty close track of your word count as you write and stop at around the 700 mark or do you have a chunk of time set aside and 700-800 words fits nicely in it?
(Just nosily curious. That string of word counts is a beautiful thing.)
CMStewart
/ January 23, 2011Thank you for the compliments!
I more or less keep track of my word count as I go, but I don’t look at it every 5 minutes. The way I have Office Word set up, 700 words is almost 2 pages, so when I near the 2 page mark, I finish the draft of the scene. If I’m just under 700 words, I scroll through and add relevant detail until I’m over 700.
Susan Bischoff
/ January 23, 2011Still going strong. Great job!
CMStewart
/ January 23, 2011Thanks!
A new level of discipline for me. lol
Stacey Wallace Benefiel
/ January 23, 2011You’re doing great! 700 seems to be the magic number for you and it is working beautifully. Good luck this week.
CMStewart
/ January 23, 2011Thank you. Yes, I’m very happy it’s working for me so far. “One day at a time” is what’s keeping me going.
andrewmocete
/ January 26, 2011Look at you go! Maybe this challenge is too easy for you. LOL
CMStewart
/ January 26, 2011Too easy? I’ll try to remember that the next time I’m sitting in front of my computer at 2 in the morning, trying to squeeze the last dozen words out of my brain (the day isn’t over until I go to bed). lol
Cathryn Louis
/ January 30, 2011Looks like you’re keeping up with your word count. Good progress.
CMStewart
/ January 30, 2011Thanks! I think 700 is my magic number.
alberta ross
/ January 30, 2011doing well – I haven’t done the maths – not good at it I am sure someone has
CMStewart
/ January 30, 2011Thanks! Haven’t done the math either, I’m more of a word person. lol
Jason Anderson
/ January 30, 2011Good to see you’re keeping up your wordcount goals! I’ve been terrible at that.
CMStewart
/ January 30, 2011Thank you! That’s the beauty of this challenge- you can adjust your goals if you want.
Best of luck!
Kim Knox
/ February 2, 2011Brilliant progress!
It’s great to see how consistent you’ve been in your goal over the month
CMStewart
/ February 2, 2011Thank you!
I’m finally finding discipline with these writing challenges. But being snowed in helps. lol
Stacey Wallace Benefiel
/ February 6, 2011You’re doing so great! I’m impressed that you’re keeping the word count up. Keep on truckin’.
CMStewart
/ February 6, 2011Thanks!
Self-discipline is a good thing, I’ve decided. lol
Craig Hansen
/ February 8, 2011Very extensive tracking! I’m nowhere near as detailed, so I’m impressed! Well done and keep at it.
CMStewart
/ February 8, 2011Thank you! Seeing my steady progress motivates me.
Best of luck to you.
One Purple Squirrel
/ February 9, 2011Whoa. This is a different way of checking-in. Awesome way to see that you are definitely meeting your 700+ words a day. Congratulations!
CMStewart
/ February 9, 2011Thank you!
Yeah, somebody has to do it my way, may as well be me. lol
deniz
/ February 13, 2011What a neat idea, keeping your progress organised on one page! Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished
CMStewart
/ February 13, 2011Thank you!
The 1-page approach is what works for me.
Claire Farrell
/ February 16, 2011I love seeing your progress, you’re still doing so well! I wish I could be as dependable on the daily writing goals.
CMStewart
/ February 16, 2011Thank you for checking up on me!
There have been a few nights I felt like putting off, but then I would have dates missing in my above list. Can’t have that. lol
Craig Hansen
/ February 17, 2011Solid update. Thanks!
CMStewart
/ February 17, 2011You’re welcome!
Katy Bennett
/ February 20, 2011Ooh, nice steady progress and you haven’t missed a day. That takes discipline. Congrats.
CMStewart
/ February 20, 2011Thank you!
I’m a freight train.
laurelrainsnow
/ February 20, 2011It’s looking good! My WIP for Row 80 is also the one I started during NaNoWriMo, which is why my word count is now impressive…more so than my daily progress!
Here’s my ROW 80
CMStewart
/ February 20, 2011Thanks!
Good idea about combining NaNoWriMo with ROW80. You’ll have one epic novel when all is said and done.
Sharon
/ February 20, 2011Wow, you’re rockin’ the writing this week. Nice job! All your little strikeouts in your post cracked me up. I can’t do NaNo myself; working full-time, with a family and a baby granddaughter living with me–they would all ferociously rebel if I checked out for a month to write, and I’d go bonkers from the pressure. LOL
CMStewart
/ February 20, 2011Thank you!
I can’t imagine doing a writing challenge and doing all the other stuff you mentioned at the same time. Heck, I can’t imagine doing all that stuff even without a writing challenge. lol
andrewmocete
/ February 20, 2011You are a shoe in for most consistent ROW80er. Very inspiring.
CMStewart
/ February 20, 2011lol Thanks!
Thing is, I have a telecommuting job and my only dependents are my kitties. So I’d venture to say I have more time and less distractions than most of the other writers I’ve read about in this challenge.
Cathryn Louis
/ February 27, 2011Great job on being consistent. Looks like you’ll be exactly where you want to be when we’re done.
CMStewart
/ February 27, 2011Thanks!
Knowing this leg of the challenge is more than half-way over helps keep me on-track.
andrewmocete
/ March 2, 2011Nice. That’s all I got to say. Keep it up.
CMStewart
/ March 2, 2011Thank you!
I will.
Sharon
/ March 6, 2011Looks like you’ve churned out some good word counts this week. Good job!
CMStewart
/ March 7, 2011Thank you for saying so!
alberta ross
/ March 6, 2011well done – good word counts
CMStewart
/ March 7, 2011Thanks, I appreciate that!
laurelrainsnow
/ March 20, 2011Good job! I kind of do the same thing with the outline…I have a tentative one in the beginning, which I flesh out later.
Hang in there…and I, too, do better during a challenge, even though it may not look like it…I totally “blew” the part about writing everyday, but then I usually make up for it later.
CMStewart
/ March 20, 2011Thank you!
Yes, I do much better with fellow online writers looking over my shoulder. In my writing, I’ve gone from 8% disciplined to 98% disciplined.
LOVE THAT. And thank you for looking over my shoulder. 
Katherine Nabity
/ March 24, 2011*high five from far away*
Well done!
CMStewart
/ March 24, 2011Thank you!
*high five back*
Claire Farrell
/ March 24, 2011Congratulations on all your hard work! I hope we see you in round two.
You did really well and it was encouraging for me to see your regular word count updates. And well done on finishing that first draft!
CMStewart
/ March 24, 2011Thank you! I’m glad my word counts weren’t a total bore. lol And you definitely will see me in the next round!
Cathryn Louis
/ March 25, 2011Congrats! Hope you’re doing the next round.
CMStewart
/ March 25, 2011Thanks! I’ll be there.