Thank you for writing this, Julia. I really resonated with it. I am also such a fan of Jami (in my head we're on a first name basis - ha!); her invitations into #1000wordsofsummer are so warm and welcoming. I'm empowered and inspired by the niche she's carved out for herself. She's also one hell of a writer. But every time #1000wordsofsummer comes around I feel inadequate and overwhelmed by it. I can actually feel my body flood with shame just seeing the hashtag!
Word count doesn't work for me, as a writer who is physically disabled, for many reasons. My energy varies greatly from day to day. I am prone to overuse injuries because of my limb difference. And I have a lot of shame when it comes to not being able to reach nondisabled markers of productivity. Don't get me wrong - I still get a lot done. But it has to be on my own terms.
I appreciated your suggestion for each writer to find what works for them. I think that ultimately working within one's own limitations and needs produces the most favorable results. There are many writers for whom #1000wordsofsummer is the perfect community offering. I wish them luck and many words!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. At your suggestions, I am reading Sarah Fawn Montgomery's book Nerve and there are so many nuggets in there about figuring out what works for your body and honoring that. I totally agree that we each need to find our own limitations as well as preferences. In an ideal world, we'd all hold ourselves to our own standards, not anybody else's. I wish I could remove your shame and everybody else's and mine of course. Till then, we'll keep reminding ourselves and each other that we're enough 💜
Thank you, Julia! I have been a big Nano person so I've been excited to give #1000words a try. Like you, I find word count a more helpful tool for generative writing than for revising. Trying to see if I can do both during these 14 days — 1,000 words of generative writing a day, as an aid to my revision — but we will see! For me, initiatives like this are really all about identity and community, no matter what my actual output is. If 14 days can get me back to feeling like a writer and finding a sense of community with other writers, it's a win!
Love hearing this take on the importance of community and identity! I hope you have a great 14 days, and also a little birdie (named Ralph) told me: YOU ARE A WRITER 💜
I feel called out! Hahaha! I've been pushing and sharing my excitement about this for months. But gosh, it's so interesting reading your thoughts on this kind of challenge, Julia. I'm a huge fan of #1000Words -
1) It's different: I never use word count...the idea of tracking feels novel and fresh. 2) I'm super competitive with myself. I love setting a high goal and smashing it. 3) I don't have enough of a writing community. So getting a chance to write with others, cheer them on, get to know a bit about them and their process is delicious. 4) It's time-limited. That's very motivating to me, especially when it comes to something new/intimidating.
And of course I had to respond after doing my #1000Words! Happy writing however you do it, everyone! And thanks Julia for giving me a chance to think through why I love this. <3
Thank you Julia! That was awesome. I’m a timer person too, mostly because I’m writing longhand and can’t imagine how tedious it would be to count words! But I appreciate all that has been said about listening to and respecting our Selves, then doing what we need, not what others
Ha, I needed this today. I am doing 1000words this time around, but I have always been a spirit of the thing, not a letter of the thing person, and I have been agonizing up until now about whether I’m really going to force myself to write 1000 words a day, and does that really mean I’m going to be out here counting words (I like writing longhand at my kitchen table in the mornings). I spent an embarrassingly long time thinking about the very silly logistics of counting words, and this was my permission slip to, you know, just not.
But I wrote for an hour this morning AND went for a run so I am considering this day a rousing success!
It's so fascinating to me how constraints can become straitjackets--I have totally been there. And SUPER celebrating that you wrote for an hour and went for a run. F--K measurements: that's a stone cold success. And I bet there was joy 😎
Timer or word count it doesn't matter. What matters is a consistent process. Julia, as usual, you are modeling that consistency in what promises to be a messy process regardless of how we all attack it. I love working within constraints, and your process demonstrates exactly why that cauldron of creativity is necessary.
Thank you for sharing! IIRC we met during a #1000wordsofsummer during the pandemic. I love hearing how other writers evolve and change what works for them as their relationships with their writing change!
Yes yes yes!! I did not get 20,000 words out of that endeavor, but I met you and a few others and forged connections with more great writers, and that is a huge win!!
Thank you for writing this, Julia. I really resonated with it. I am also such a fan of Jami (in my head we're on a first name basis - ha!); her invitations into #1000wordsofsummer are so warm and welcoming. I'm empowered and inspired by the niche she's carved out for herself. She's also one hell of a writer. But every time #1000wordsofsummer comes around I feel inadequate and overwhelmed by it. I can actually feel my body flood with shame just seeing the hashtag!
Word count doesn't work for me, as a writer who is physically disabled, for many reasons. My energy varies greatly from day to day. I am prone to overuse injuries because of my limb difference. And I have a lot of shame when it comes to not being able to reach nondisabled markers of productivity. Don't get me wrong - I still get a lot done. But it has to be on my own terms.
I appreciated your suggestion for each writer to find what works for them. I think that ultimately working within one's own limitations and needs produces the most favorable results. There are many writers for whom #1000wordsofsummer is the perfect community offering. I wish them luck and many words!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. At your suggestions, I am reading Sarah Fawn Montgomery's book Nerve and there are so many nuggets in there about figuring out what works for your body and honoring that. I totally agree that we each need to find our own limitations as well as preferences. In an ideal world, we'd all hold ourselves to our own standards, not anybody else's. I wish I could remove your shame and everybody else's and mine of course. Till then, we'll keep reminding ourselves and each other that we're enough 💜
I am so glad you're reading NERVE! I think you'll love it. I hope we can have the chance to discuss it.
I definitely love it, as my highlights throughout demonstrate! Can't wait to discuss :)
Thank you, Julia! I have been a big Nano person so I've been excited to give #1000words a try. Like you, I find word count a more helpful tool for generative writing than for revising. Trying to see if I can do both during these 14 days — 1,000 words of generative writing a day, as an aid to my revision — but we will see! For me, initiatives like this are really all about identity and community, no matter what my actual output is. If 14 days can get me back to feeling like a writer and finding a sense of community with other writers, it's a win!
Love hearing this take on the importance of community and identity! I hope you have a great 14 days, and also a little birdie (named Ralph) told me: YOU ARE A WRITER 💜
SO agree re: community piece, Susan!
I feel called out! Hahaha! I've been pushing and sharing my excitement about this for months. But gosh, it's so interesting reading your thoughts on this kind of challenge, Julia. I'm a huge fan of #1000Words -
1) It's different: I never use word count...the idea of tracking feels novel and fresh. 2) I'm super competitive with myself. I love setting a high goal and smashing it. 3) I don't have enough of a writing community. So getting a chance to write with others, cheer them on, get to know a bit about them and their process is delicious. 4) It's time-limited. That's very motivating to me, especially when it comes to something new/intimidating.
And of course I had to respond after doing my #1000Words! Happy writing however you do it, everyone! And thanks Julia for giving me a chance to think through why I love this. <3
I love all the awareness of your writing needs and desires--so great that you know what motivates you! I hope you have the bestest #1000words :)
Thanks, Julia ! And I no you’re not there anymore, but I shared this piece on insta. 💗
Well thank you very much for taking the time to share my words!!
Thank you Julia! That was awesome. I’m a timer person too, mostly because I’m writing longhand and can’t imagine how tedious it would be to count words! But I appreciate all that has been said about listening to and respecting our Selves, then doing what we need, not what others
Ha, I needed this today. I am doing 1000words this time around, but I have always been a spirit of the thing, not a letter of the thing person, and I have been agonizing up until now about whether I’m really going to force myself to write 1000 words a day, and does that really mean I’m going to be out here counting words (I like writing longhand at my kitchen table in the mornings). I spent an embarrassingly long time thinking about the very silly logistics of counting words, and this was my permission slip to, you know, just not.
But I wrote for an hour this morning AND went for a run so I am considering this day a rousing success!
It's so fascinating to me how constraints can become straitjackets--I have totally been there. And SUPER celebrating that you wrote for an hour and went for a run. F--K measurements: that's a stone cold success. And I bet there was joy 😎
Timer or word count it doesn't matter. What matters is a consistent process. Julia, as usual, you are modeling that consistency in what promises to be a messy process regardless of how we all attack it. I love working within constraints, and your process demonstrates exactly why that cauldron of creativity is necessary.
Great piece!
Needed to read this. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing! IIRC we met during a #1000wordsofsummer during the pandemic. I love hearing how other writers evolve and change what works for them as their relationships with their writing change!
Yes yes yes!! I did not get 20,000 words out of that endeavor, but I met you and a few others and forged connections with more great writers, and that is a huge win!!
Turns out the real treasure was the friends we made along the way 🤣
I really appreciate this perspective and insight into your approach! Thank you for sharing.