Monday, January 13, 2014

Sixty Second Writing Challenge Or Breaking the Fear

I love stretching myself and trying new things even if it's scary. Or maybe I like to take a creative chance when it's fraught with risk and challenge. I'm not sure, but I found this blog called The One-Minute Writer. I said last week that one of my weekly themes would be flash fiction, but because I would have to write seven pieces, that theme would take place at the end of the blogging challenge.

As soon as I saw The One-Minute Writer, I knew this is what I would do instead. The rules are simple. Read the prompt, turn the timer on and write for one minute. I can only type at about 50-55 wpm. That doesn't meet the rules of The Ultimate Blogging Challenge. Each of my blog posts must be at least 100 words. To meet the rules of both, I'll write for one minute and submit that stunning masterpiece (Where's my sarcasm icon when I need it?) to the One-Minute Writer blog. I'll take the beginnings of what I've done for them and bring it to my blog to finish.

This experiment could be a total disaster. I have reservations, of course, like what if I write garbage for a full 60 seconds? People will see it! I'm not going to spend all day cleaning it up to place on my blog, either. The point is to write without censor based on the prompt given. While it feels incredibly scary to put unpolished work out there in the world, it might be sort of freeing. I have this fear that has kept me from publishing my work. Trying to break that fear can't be a bad thing.

If anyone wants to join me, you could link your work here in my blog comments, publish to your blog and mention it here, or any variation that suits you.


See you tomorrow!  

12 comments:

  1. Don't worry about the UBC limit, though - the important thing is writing for yourself. You can use the timer to get you started, mark where the one minute deadline hits, and then just keep going. :) Don't worry about writing garbage. Sometimes we need to clear some cobwebby old thoughts out when we write. Sometimes those raw writing prompts develop into true gems, too!

    I'm part of one that's a little bit longer - Five Minute Fridays. The host gives a one-word topic, and you just write for five minutes with as little forethought or correction.

    I'll join you on this for Mondays. Could be fun!

    Happy blogging,
    Melissa

    http://www.measi.net/measiblog/

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    1. I'll be doing the challenge daily until Sunday, but I'll look for Five Minute Fridays to participate. That sounds very interesting!

      I'm hoping the challenge will clear out the cobwebs and the fear of putting myself out there.

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  2. Hi Missy. What a brilliant idea! Like you, I love challenges, I find I need them to take me out of my comfort zone and try new things. I'm going to take a look at this, so thanks for sharing. Blessings, Andrea

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    1. If you end up doing it with the prompt from One-Minute Writer, feel free to come share on my post or let me know you've done it, and I'll take a look! It would be fun to participate with others.

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  3. That is so neat! We used to do that in school (I majored in Journalism) but we would have to write non-stop for 30 minutes and then share it with a partner! I actually really enjoyed it!

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    1. I would have enjoyed that, too. It must have been nice to receive immediate, honest feedback for improving your writing.

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  4. I like it, sounds like a great exercise. One minute is totally doable. I always worry about grammar, spelling etc. but if I push those aside I think the creative juices would get flowing.

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    1. I'm scared to death, and I've had to kill my inner editor. She's dead. I hope I can revive her later for editing. Even if you do it for yourself and don't publish, it'll be a nice exercise in pushing aside all the worries.

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  5. This sounds fun! I would like to join, but due to other time constraints I will have to pass for now. Maybe in the future...it really does sound exciting and scary.

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    1. Did the first prompt this morning. It went better than I expected. Maybe it was an easy one, or I hadn't had enough coffee, so I wasn't awake and aware enough to be frightened! It's been around for years, so it'll continue.

      Take a chance on it when you can! It really is kind of fun.

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  6. I truly commend writers! I think I would run out of words to say and hit a writers block! I love the fact you have joined something like this. Don't give up--it can really display your wonderful writing ability! keep pushing!

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    1. Thanks, Alicia. You're always so encouraging, and I appreciate it!

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