Are you ready?? Writing/Creativity Sprints FAQ

What’s a writing sprint?

(I learned about writing sprints by following the awesome Jane Espenson on twitter. You should follow her too!)

Sometimes the prospect of sitting down to an entire day of writing (or any creative work) can be daunting—and not particularly productive. With a sprint, the goal is to focus on a project for a short period of time (15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour), tuning out all distraction. Then we break for a few minutes, then we do it again. You can join in on one or all of them. Our first sprint will begin at noon on New Year’s Day.

Do I have to be writing?

No! You can be working on any project you want to commit to in 2014. The idea is to “begin as you mean to go on” (hence #BAYMTOGO): Start the new year with good habits and a commitment to your work.

Where and when?

I plan to announce and time the sprints on twitter because I don’t want to clutter up everyone’s dash on tumblr, but if there are objections, I’m open to announcing on tumblr too. You can just watch my twitter feed or hashtag #BAYMTGO, but it’s kind of more fun to interact and let people know how you’re doing—even if you’re not having the most brilliant day.

What if I can’t join?

Many authors host writing sprints year round.

Why do I need you for this? I barely even know you!

You can definitely sprint on your own, but I find the community aspect keeps me accountable. Kind of like running in a group. Or running from a group. 

How do I prepare?

No prep necessary, but here are a few suggestions:

Download Mac Freedom or a program like it that will allow you to shut down the internet for timed intervals. Seriously. I think it’s free or $5 or something. I would get no work done without it.

Decide what you’ll be working on. If you don’t have a project, but you want to be working on something in the New Year, collect some writing prompts or pick a great Pinterest board or make yourself use the first thing that comes up on your tumblr dash for the basis of a micro story. That way you can be working and generating ideas during the sprint, instead of just thinking about working and generating ideas.

Get your space ready. Do not use your sprints for fiddling with finding the right music or getting a snack! I will come to your house and bring wrath down upon you. Or at least wag my finger sternly.

Commit. Maybe this means telling your family or friends that you’re going to be busy. Maybe it just means telling yourself that THIS is your priority for the next 30 minutes. 

That’s all I’ve got, but maybe others have more thoughts? And if you feel strongly about me timing the sprints on tumblr as well as twitter, lemme know.

SEE YOU ON NEW YEAR’S DAY AT NOON PST!