Comments on: 500 Words A Day: The Graham Greene Challenge http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:52:07 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: More Proof that Some Advice is Useless to Anyone But Yourself http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-14242 More Proof that Some Advice is Useless to Anyone But Yourself Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:05:40 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-14242 [...] like the Graham Green [500 words method] are proof that most advice about writing is like most advice about marriages – it [...] [...] like the Graham Green [500 words method] are proof that most advice about writing is like most advice about marriages – it [...]

]]> By: Graham Strong http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-5896 Graham Strong Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:19:40 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-5896 @Dianne - Yes, setting aside a particular block of time everyday is really helping me. And although I haven't tried the word count thing, I think the biggest distraction for me would be watching that counter tick up with every word I write. I'd be more worried about that than actually writing. I mean obviously it works for people -- who am I to argue with Graham Greene? -- but personally I love setting the timer and forgetting about it, just typing until the timer goes off... ~Graham @Dianne – Yes, setting aside a particular block of time everyday is really helping me. And although I haven’t tried the word count thing, I think the biggest distraction for me would be watching that counter tick up with every word I write. I’d be more worried about that than actually writing.

I mean obviously it works for people — who am I to argue with Graham Greene? — but personally I love setting the timer and forgetting about it, just typing until the timer goes off…

~Graham

]]> By: Dianne http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-5884 Dianne Sun, 19 Sep 2010 08:59:17 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-5884 Debbie Ohi started a similar movement on her website last year, but with goals of 250, 500 and 1000 words. I tried my hand at the 1k challenge but it fell apart when some personal stuff came up. No matter how much life tries to get in the way, we should be open to the idea of enjoying the creative process because it opens doors to new ideas and mastery of the writing craft. I really dig the idea Graham Strong suggested. It encourages us to set aside time each day to writing, and no matter how much we might think otherwise, we can make room for an hour a day. This time frame also pushes us to set tasks during the timeframe, whether conscious or sub-conscious, something I have learned from using a similar technique of late. As for the 500 word challenge, even a slow typist can write up that much in a little over an hour. For those that haven't tested out the Liberty Hall Writers challenges, there is a weekly 90 minute prompted challenge. I have come up with so many ideas from it over the last two years and highly recommend this an the various other challenges the community over there throws themselves into. Debbie Ohi started a similar movement on her website last year, but with goals of 250, 500 and 1000 words. I tried my hand at the 1k challenge but it fell apart when some personal stuff came up. No matter how much life tries to get in the way, we should be open to the idea of enjoying the creative process because it opens doors to new ideas and mastery of the writing craft.
I really dig the idea Graham Strong suggested. It encourages us to set aside time each day to writing, and no matter how much we might think otherwise, we can make room for an hour a day. This time frame also pushes us to set tasks during the timeframe, whether conscious or sub-conscious, something I have learned from using a similar technique of late.
As for the 500 word challenge, even a slow typist can write up that much in a little over an hour. For those that haven’t tested out the Liberty Hall Writers challenges, there is a weekly 90 minute prompted challenge. I have come up with so many ideas from it over the last two years and highly recommend this an the various other challenges the community over there throws themselves into.

]]> By: Graham Strong http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-5842 Graham Strong Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:53:04 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-5842 Hi Sarah, I know I'm a little late to the party here, but I had to chime in... I just started a similar venture last week, though instead of 500 words per day, I'm writing an hour per day. The result is the same though -- I get x number of words on the page (right now I'm averaging a little under 1,500 words per day) and when the timer goes off, I stop in mid-sentence even and pick up the next day. I'm also blogging about it (www.afewstrongwords.com) for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that it is keeping me disciplined. Suddenly, I have someone to answer to -- my blog -- which so far is enough to keep me on track. And at the end of it all, I'll have a record of the journey to boot. (I'm also hoping readers will get something from it too...) Whatever works to keep us focused, right? ~Graham Hi Sarah,

I know I’m a little late to the party here, but I had to chime in…

I just started a similar venture last week, though instead of 500 words per day, I’m writing an hour per day. The result is the same though — I get x number of words on the page (right now I’m averaging a little under 1,500 words per day) and when the timer goes off, I stop in mid-sentence even and pick up the next day.

I’m also blogging about it (www.afewstrongwords.com) for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that it is keeping me disciplined. Suddenly, I have someone to answer to — my blog — which so far is enough to keep me on track. And at the end of it all, I’ll have a record of the journey to boot.

(I’m also hoping readers will get something from it too…)

Whatever works to keep us focused, right?

~Graham

]]> By: The Graham Greene Challenge | Word Grrls http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-5211 The Graham Greene Challenge | Word Grrls Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:46:33 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-5211 [...] read about the Graham Greene Challenge on Fuel Your Writing. It’s a 500 word challenge, but not just writing 500 words as a short story and then stepping [...] [...] read about the Graham Greene Challenge on Fuel Your Writing. It’s a 500 word challenge, but not just writing 500 words as a short story and then stepping [...]

]]> By: Kate Toon http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4852 Kate Toon Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:03:49 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4852 An excellent idea, totally takes the pressure off. I currently lead a hectic life, with a needy dog, my own business and an over energetic one year old, but even I think I could manage this. Thanks! An excellent idea, totally takes the pressure off. I currently lead a hectic life, with a needy dog, my own business and an over energetic one year old, but even I think I could manage this.
Thanks!

]]> By: Link Bait – Tuesday 20th July 2010 | Inside The Margin http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4789 Link Bait – Tuesday 20th July 2010 | Inside The Margin Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:35:57 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4789 [...] for 500 words a [...] [...] for 500 words a [...]

]]> By: John Ochwat http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4763 John Ochwat Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:13:19 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4763 Happy to lend the stop sign to such a worthy blog post. I've heard the stop mid-sentence advice before, but never tried it. Now that I've read this post, though, I think I Happy to lend the stop sign to such a worthy blog post. I’ve heard the stop mid-sentence advice before, but never tried it. Now that I’ve read this post, though, I think I

]]> By: Su-sieee! Mac http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4700 Su-sieee! Mac Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:17:29 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4700 Hmmm. Why not? Myself, I've always come up with excuses for not working at a novel idea. But, after reading your post, this moment I feel like casting caution to that wind blowing by my window, and doing it. 500 words every day. Here I go. Thank you for sharing. Hmmm. Why not? Myself, I’ve always come up with excuses for not working at a novel idea. But, after reading your post, this moment I feel like casting caution to that wind blowing by my window, and doing it. 500 words every day. Here I go. Thank you for sharing.

]]> By: Deanna Schrayer http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4699 Deanna Schrayer Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:21:03 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4699 I seem to recall Stephen King using this same technique, though I'm not sure where I read that, and I know it was more than 500 words - maybe 1 or 2K. I thought "there's no way I could do that". I'm still doubtful, but the concept makes sense. You'd definitely be more willing to get back to the computer if you already knew you had something to say. Maybe I'll give it a whirl. I seem to recall Stephen King using this same technique, though I’m not sure where I read that, and I know it was more than 500 words – maybe 1 or 2K. I thought “there’s no way I could do that”. I’m still doubtful, but the concept makes sense. You’d definitely be more willing to get back to the computer if you already knew you had something to say. Maybe I’ll give it a whirl.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4687 Jennifer Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:25:02 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4687 My first thought was what if I forget what I want to say. I'm so diligent about writing down ideas as they pop into my head and filing them away for blogs, articles, books etc, where ever I plan to use them. But you're saying that your mind holds the thought and cant wait to get back to it. Kind of like, you want something more when it's taken away so when you force yourself away from completing the thought your mind wants to write even more. Wonderful! Thanks for this tip! My first thought was what if I forget what I want to say. I’m so diligent about writing down ideas as they pop into my head and filing them away for blogs, articles, books etc, where ever I plan to use them.

But you’re saying that your mind holds the thought and cant wait to get back to it. Kind of like, you want something more when it’s taken away so when you force yourself away from completing the thought your mind wants to write even more. Wonderful! Thanks for this tip!

]]> By: Donnie Bell Design http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4685 Donnie Bell Design Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:34:20 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4685 If I had to come close to needing to write 500 words a day, I would give it a shot. It's a novel idea for getting your ideas to flow and then spur them on the next day. If I had to come close to needing to write 500 words a day, I would give it a shot. It’s a novel idea for getting your ideas to flow and then spur them on the next day.

]]> By: Dian Reid http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4662 Dian Reid Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:04:08 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4662 Sounds almost too simple to be true. I've recently forced myself to cut back to 1000ish words per day, and it's been working well. I think I'll try this 500-word on one of my projects this week! Thanks for sharing. Sounds almost too simple to be true. I’ve recently forced myself to cut back to 1000ish words per day, and it’s been working well. I think I’ll try this 500-word on one of my projects this week!

Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Eric http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4658 Eric Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:58:52 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4658 What an intriguing idea. It sounds so simple, yet so inspired. That might be a good way to fit some writing in on all those days when life seems too busy to allow the time. What an intriguing idea. It sounds so simple, yet so inspired. That might be a good way to fit some writing in on all those days when life seems too busy to allow the time.

]]> By: Tweets that mention 500 Words A Day: The Graham Greene Challenge | Fuel Your Writing -- Topsy.com http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/500-words-a-day-the-graham-greene-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4656 Tweets that mention 500 Words A Day: The Graham Greene Challenge | Fuel Your Writing -- Topsy.com Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:42:06 +0000 http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/?p=3797#comment-4656 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Freelance Mentor. Freelance Mentor said: Freelance Advice | 500 Words A Day: The Graham Greene Challenge: If you’re anything like me, so... http://bit.ly/b9S5vB #writing #freelance [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Freelance Mentor. Freelance Mentor said: Freelance Advice | 500 Words A Day: The Graham Greene Challenge: If you’re anything like me, so… http://bit.ly/b9S5vB #writing #freelance [...]

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