Every year in January, many of us make resolutions and, for those of us who are bloggers and/or writers, some of those resolutions usually involve our writing. In the past, I've made resolutions to grow my blog, write more often, write less often, and get myself on a writing schedule. Too often, I have failed miserably. At the core of all the resolutions, however, is a desire to be a better writer; to continue to improve my skills and grow my audience.
Personally, one way I try to improve my writing is by using writing prompts. Writing prompts get my wheels turning and help me get out of situations when I am stuck in a cycle of writer's block. They are also a great way to challenge yourself to think outside the box and discover new ways to convey old ideas. I love the Tuesday Ten linkup I co-host and I really enjoy the Finish the Sentence Friday linkup as well. It is always amazing to see bloggers take the same prompt and go in so many different directions.
This fall, I had an idea for a new blog linkup, but found that a lot of bloggers are "linkup-ed" out, myself included. We do not have room in our schedules to add another weekly "obligation." Many of those same bloggers, however, also want to continue to hone their skills and find new audiences for their writing. So, I decided that instead of another long-term linkup, I was going to turn my idea into a short-term blog challenge at the beginning of 2015 in hopes of kick-starting my writing and building some new blogging relationships. Sound interesting? Keep reading!
Many times, all it takes is a single word to evoke powerful emotions or spark precious memories. Starting with just one word gives your writing a direction in which to focus without too many limitations. What would you write based solely on the word lost? Based on the word offensive, or wonderful, or truth? Can you see all the different paths a writer could take? Can you imagine the possibilities?
Step 1: Each Friday for 8 weeks beginning in January (Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20), you will receive 3 different single word writing prompts via email. (CLICK HERE to subscribe to the email list. This is NOT a subscription to blog posts from my blog.) Prompts will also be posted in the One Word Challenge Facebook Group and on my Golden Spoons Facebook page.
Step 2: Choose ONE of the 3 prompts and write a post inspired by the word you have chosen. (Bonus points if you use all 3 words in your post!)
Step 3: Link up and connect! The linkup for this challenge will go live on my blog at 6:00am EST the Wednesday after prompts are shared (Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25). The linkup will remain open until 9:00pm on Thursdays. Add your post and connect with others by reading, commenting, and sharing. Tweet posts using #1Word!
Step 4: Keep writing!! After the challenge is completed, my entire list of 100 single word prompts will be shared with everyone who has subscribed or joined the Facebook group AND linked up a post at least 2 out of the 8 weeks.
Simple, right? Get the prompts on Friday, take 5 days to write, link up on Wednesday! Wash, rinse, repeat for 8 weeks.
Are you up for the challenge??
The first set of prompts will be emailed/posted on January 2nd, so sign up today!!
17 comments:
I love that you did go ahead with this and so going to check it out now further 😉
Thanks Janine! Would love to have you join me!
I love the idea. I've never written from one word prompts - I'm looking forward to challenging myself! I don't usually post on Wednesdays, so I may post mine on Tuesday and then link up on Wednesday.
Would love to have you join and post whenever it works for you. I tried to give some flexibility so everyone could made it fit their schedule. :-)
Sounds cool! I'm signing up!
It's very cool. I feel like blogging has seemed stale to so many people lately. It doesn't to me but I have that fear of being the only one still blogging one day.
I like fresh ideas to keep us inspired.
I think we all need new ideas from time to time - to improve our skills, reinvigorate our creativity, and just keep things new. I am in awe of the way you post so beautifully so often and never seem to run out of ideas!
On it!
Yes!
So can I challenge myself to use those three words in my regularly scheduled post for Wednesday? Or does it have to be a post completely inspired by those three words?
Yay!!
Glad to have you!
Whatever you wish! The idea is for ti to be inspired by one of those three words - but you can use it anyway you choose. :-)
I like it Lisa!
Signed up and psyched!
I'm not sure how my schedule will work out with everything going on, but I signed up anyway. At least then I have the option. :)
Going to try my best to do every week for 8 weeks.
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