“I Brake for Squirrels” (and 10K Day nuts)

WELCOME TO ALL those plucky writers who are participating today!

This is the place to post your check-ins.

To learn more about this event, check the special 10K Day section (see blog menu above). If you develop a case of writer’s block—or you need some extra ideas on what to write—you’ll find plenty of inspiring resources in the Write NOW! section.

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE REGULAR BREAKS!

You’ll regret it later (when you’re feeling fried) if you don’t take regular breaks. Even if you’re on fire with your writing, take your scheduled breaks.

Every two hours is recommended. Breaks are also for posting check-ins.

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST FOR YOUR CHECK-INS?

Comment moderation will be turned off for the day so your posts should appear right away. If you don’t see yours, try refreshing your screen.

Keep check-ins fairly brief:

1. You can mention your word count if you want to. If you’d rather not, please provide a general comment about your progress thus far.

2. You can also describe what you’re working on.

3. Feel free to mention how you’re feeling and how the day is going for you.

4. It’s always fun to hear what people are drinking, snacking on or listening to.

5. Check-ins only. Please DO NOT post your writing! (The comment section will become unwieldy if writers try to post stories/chapters from their novel.)

DON’T FORGET TO log out of forums, Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.

Go gettum, Tigers! – Milli

The purpose of a 10K Day is to try to write 10,000 words. The spirit of a 10K Day is to liberate myself and celebrate my creativity.

THIS DAY IS for you, so do what works for you. But these are the rules that have proven to produce the best results:

1. No editing or rewriting.

2. No looking back over what you’ve written during the 10K Day.

3. No rummaging—either in notebooks or in your computer files—for writing you did some other time.

4. No research. Make it up.

5. Don’t fuss about the rules of writing. Just write.

6. Don’t fuss with structure. You can format, add chapter headings (or whatever) some other time.

7. No struggling. (“Allow yourself to be crappy.” — J.R. Turner)

8. Take a 15-minute break every two hours. Use this break to refresh your body, brain and spirit.

9. Report to your writing companions during your break. These “check-ins” should be kept brief.

10. No agonizing over your word count. Yes, the goal is 10,000 words, but not at the cost of your peace of mind. This is not a competition—not even with yourself! Have fun instead.

Adapted from 10K in a Day by J.R. Turner

* WHERE TO POST YOUR CHECK-INS *

A special blog post for check-ins is created for each individual event. You can see an example of that here (scroll to the bottom of the following article to see the check-ins):

10K Day: Live While It’s Happening!

To get an idea of the wide range of results (and how the important thing is the spirit of the day, not the actual word count) go here:

June 18’s 10K Day Beat All Records for Massive Writing Fun!

If you have any questions, my email address can be located by clicking on my Blogger profile (right column, under my photo).

10K Day: Recommended Preparations

10K Day: Survival Tips, Productivity Tricks

More . . .

How to Cheat on a 10K Day

Results of My First Ever 10K Day