#WIP500
500 Words Per Day | 365 Days | 182.5K Words
#WIP500 – Starting 01 January 2013
Join Now!
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT #WIP500:
This SOB took off like no one’s business with 2012′s inaugural outing, so here are some things you should know:
- Once you signup, you’ll be emailed a link. This is your #WIP500 lifeline. Bookmark it and use it to update your count as you go (like NaNoWriMo).
- Any problems, questions, concerns? Please just email me, or ask it via Twitter hashtag.
We are writers.
Yet each day, we allow a dozen or more distractions (from bonafides like family and work, to internet rabbit holes) to take us away from our goals. Having participated in NaNoWriMo 2011, I came away from the experience understanding the importance of support from fellow writers on the same quest.
I didn’t go it alone. I had friends reaching for the same accomplishment right beside me. We talked, we laughed, we commiserated, we cheered.
And most unbelievably, I crossed the finish line for the first time.
Carpe Verba – Seize the Words
Much like NaNoWriMo (though with no budget to speak of), #WIP500 is here to connect writers on a simple quest. Consider it your 2012 writing resolution.
Commit yourself to 500 words per day on any work(s) in progress. Do 500 words on 1 story. Do 100 words on 5 stories. Just follow your muse or cattle prod or whatever gets you writing and go with it.
If you saw the math at the top of the page, you know that in 365 days you could write 182.5K words. Imagine how many stories you could tell.
Which words should you count?
- Direct work on any new or in-progress piece (length does not matter, but it should be a work forwarding your goals as a writer).
- Indirect work (such as a flash fiction prompt that segues nicely into something you’re working on).
- Promotional work for those finished pieces (interviews, guest blog posts, blurbs, etc).
- Editing (new words). You do not need to reduce your count for words you cut (you did write them… they just didn’t make the final product).
Please do not include everyday blogs (unless your goal is to be a really prolific blogger). This is the honor system, though. No one is going to check over your work to make sure you really have 500 words. The words you count should be the ones you genuinely believe further your writing goals.
Here’s what you can to do:
- Follow the progress of fellow #WIP500 members on Twitter.
- Snag the #WIP500 badge for your site/blog.
- Invite others to join the quest.
I say ‘can’ because it’s all optional. If you want to lurk in the dark corners rather than announce your participation, that works. As long as you’re writing.
I hope you’ll join me for this journey…
122 Responses to #WIP500
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This is such a great idea, Cara! And 500 words a day is entirely doable!
So completely excited. I half thought you all would think I was out of my gourd for trying this. So glad to see people signing up already!
this is the coolest idea, Cara. THANK YOU for setting all this up!
You have my sword. Er, signature. Something.
Welcome aboard, Dan. Let’s prove old adage about the mighty pen in 2012.
Like I said on Twitter, Cara, I’ll be following along in spirit if nothing else. My own 500 words a day routine/challenge includes my blogging and notes I send to critique partners. So, it doesn’t quite meet the standards you’re setting out. I’ve also got a goal of 250,000 words of new fiction, though, for 2012. So I’ll be right there with you all in lots of ways and I plan to follow the hashtag closely!
Holy jeez, Michael. If your goal is 250K of new fiction, I’m pretty sure you’re meeting my standards, lol.
Whoohoo, I’m #12
Thanks for joining us, Scott!
I’m in. My goal is to get two books published in 2012. I’m about 50K into the first. I may not need 185K words, but it’ll be close.
This sounds pretty close to the goals I already have set for myself but some added accountability never hurt anyone!
Wow! Super excited about this
I think I might cheat a little (I know, I’m awful!)
But, same concept: 500 words per day
Meaning – January is 15,500 for the month. I really like using http://writetrack.davidsgale.com – it helped me a LOT with NaNo. Because some days, I can sit down and write 2-4k in a day. Other days, I can barely make 200. It’s just because of work and roommates (and husband, and cats, and family, and next year’s honeymoon etc).
I will try to do 500 a day, but I will at LEAST do 500 on AVERAGE a day. (Here is my cheating!!)
Aiming for 500 a day, but will be happy as long as I keep my average per day up
^_^
That’s perfectly acceptable. I have no doubt I will be the same way. Having a bad day won’t set anyone back so far they can’t come back.
This is a great idea! I will be writing with you for sure
Completely awesome! I’m in!
Too awesome, Cara. Great idea. I’m in!
Welcome Lillie, Breeana, and Anna! So glad to have you all here.
Okay, I’m in. I have been fighting writer’s block for nearly six years, so maybe this will help!
Welcome, James! I certainly hope this project helps you bust through the block.
I want to join but the linky thingy isn’t working for me, I’ll try again later, but I’m SO in!
Check the top right corner now. If the linky list is still being problematic, just submit your link here and I’ll add it when linky works.
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Brilliant. So glad I saw this on Twitter.
I want the Santas, Trees and Snow! Cutest thing I’ve seen all season!
LOL. This plug in has a lot of fun little options. Snow, rain, Santas…
Add me to the list, Cara! As Allisyn said, a little extra accountability never hurts! I was also a “winner” in NaNo 2011 and I guesstimate at least 30K more needed to finish that novel. With 2 other WIPs, I need all the accountability I can find to get my butt in gear! Thanks for a great idea
You’re added, Candice. Thanks so much for joining and congrats on NaNo.
Well I’m in! Deep intake of breath…looking forward to January 1 more than I usually do!
Welcome, JT! Glad to have you with us.
This is an amazing idea. I am so in. I did the math, and 183k is the projected total wordcount for the remaining Zombie Bedtime Stories!
I’m #44!! It’s a great idea and I’m totally looking forward to it! I’m going to think of this like a New Year’s resolution I WANT to keep! Thanks Cara!
THANK YOU! I finished NaNo early but I’m not done with my book and have only written another 3,000 words since Nov. I realized it’s the accountability, the community of people that know I’m writing, who I can say “Look how much I got done” to that I need. WIP500 is exactly what I need.
Cara, do I need to have a blog to participate. I tried to join using my name and twitter link – http://twitter.com/Computilizer
That’s okay Cara,
I created a blog (Love Psalms) and I am now #46, and committed to the journey. One great benefit is that my family will finally get, via the blog, the daily scriptural insight that I have promised but not delivered on for years. And, equally important, I will be accountable to a writing regimen that will develop the fundamental skill of my passion – discipline to write,
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this community.
Welcome, Robert. Glad to have you with us.
After a few months in the doldrums I need a kick in the pants to get me moving again. Sounds good to me.
So nice to have you here, Rosie. Hope this project can help kick start your writing.
What a great idea. Thank you so much for hosting this, it’ll definitely keep me on track this year
You’re welcome, Danielle! Welcome and I’m *really* looking forward to officially starting.
I’m #54 and excited to join! Cara, thank you so much!
You’re welcome, Scott. So glad you joined us. I’m having so much fun, it doesn’t quite seem like a heap of work yet, lol.
I’m In! #56, Hope you’ll have some time during January to participate in the #nightgale blog challenge! Here’s to 2012
Fabulous idea, and so very do-able! I’ve signed up (I may have actually done so twice, because oops! Sorry about that) and my number is 57 (and possibly 58…)
Thanks so much for rounding us all up for this. Can’t wait for January now.
I’m #58!! This is a year of resolutions for me, high on the list is dedicating more time to my writing. I know I can do 500 a day!
I’m in! Can’t wait!!
Hey, found this thru a friend and just had to sign up. It fits perfectly with another blog challenge I’m starting in January called #Writemotivation – and I think combining the two will be very helpful.
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This is a great idea! I’d love to do this! although I write daily, or at least weekly, this is a good kick in the pants and helping hand to keep us all going! Good luck and sign me up!
You are signed up, Theresa. Welcome!
Count me in!!
good luck everyone! this task seems like a lot more than i am willing to take on but it should be fun for those of you willing to commit.
Oh, hell. Why not?
Wow! This is great! Thank you for putting it together! I’m super excited for Jan 1st!
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Okay, I’m on board. Let’s go!
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Fantastic idea! Thanks for heading it up, and all your efforts to make it happen!
I found this through Rachel Peterson on Google+ I am absolutely thrilled to get involved in this. One of the great motivators with NaNo was the support, ideas and chat from fellow NaNo-ers. I am definitely in. Happy New year every one looking forward to this challenge in 2012.
I’m in! #92 is me. =) Off to coerce, um, I mean, recruit fellow Nanoers to join us!
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Wrote 700 words this morning, before 9 AM. Despite being up till 1:30 AM. Go me.
I just discovered this from Google+. So glad I did, especially on Jan.1!! I’m definitely in. Love 500 words, so doable.
Also, I offer daily writing prompts for FREE at http://coolbluesouls.com. The #WIP500 group might find them useful. We’ve been doing them since July 2011.
Thanks for creating a great challenge and building a writing community.
(Another) Cara
I’m in. I did 733 on day one.
Hi Cara,
I’ve seen links to this post on a couple of blogs and am intrigued – I *think* this is a writing goal I *may* be able to commit to (I’m that confident!). Off to follow your blog
.
Okay, here we go!
I don’t have a blog, but I’m in for the word count. Sounds like a blast – thanks for organizing this.
)
I meant
.
You can use a Twitter or FB account, if you have one. I know not everyone has a blog or site.
Love the realistic word goal, count me in!
Wow, this is a fantastic idea, with a great, realistic daily word count goal. Should even be doable on a weekend. I’m so in! So in, in fact, that I’m going to get my 500 words for today in right now!
a friend posted about this on facebook. *this* is the challenge I need. I hit 50k on NaNoWriMo and was at a high tension point of my story, but since it was The Last Day and I was freaked about not “winning” I validated as soon as I cleared 50k and have never gone back to it!!! My poor character is still sitting in her high tension place in life and I have done NOTHING to free her!!! I have been trying to figure out since Dec 2 how to make myself keep writing so I can finish her story. Or the story I started last year when I lost my job. Or the Camp NaNo story that is half finished, but won July! Or the half dozen other stories floating around in my mind! Yay for Carpe Verba!!!
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I must be missing something because I cannot get my info (word count) added… suggestions?
There’s a widget in the top right corner that says ‘Daily Word Count.’
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8917 words on the Divine Blood Setting – RP supplement write-ups and short story
3305 words on the Bystander Setting – started chapter 1 of sequel, public character profile
728 words – reviews on Korean TV dramas
2300 words – blogging on social/history topic: Faith
2393 words – blogging on Transformation as a story theme and why I like it
Total words to date: 17,643
3,783 for the year so far.
I am thinking that I’m going to have some writing goals met this year, thanks to finding #wip500. I found this through Heather’s blog (www.writing-dragon.blogspot.com) and I’m totally up for it! Once a week may be all I’m able to update, but I’ll do my best.
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I’ve been trying for the last few days find what my ‘number’ is so that I could add my word count. However, I’ve been unsuccessful. Suggestions?
Hey, Huushiita,
Your link number is 134. The information is on the Participants page (though you’re hidden at the moment).
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I can’t seem to find how to get my link number. Love what you are doing here. I just started using #wordmongering this week and my numbers have shop way up. I did 3530 today/Thursday and have been averaging about 2000 a day the rest of the week.
Thanks for all that you do!
Peace,
Morgan
Hi Morgan,
Your link # is 157 and you’ll show on the list for tonight’s update. Thanks for joining us!
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I don’t know what my number is! Can someone help me out?
Yep, that would be me. You’re going to be 160.
Thank you!
Heya Cara, I’ve tried to sign up; but it keeps giving me an error notice: ‘There was an error verifying your details.’ -am I doing something wrong or missed something out (though it is the usual details I use)?
Try refreshing or email direct to wip500 at caramichaels dot com.
Right, it’s sorted now.
I wanted to give a direct link to the blog; but I found out it’s best to link to the home page (some people have problems accessing the home page due to the graphics; they’ve reported that their pc’s have crashed because of it. I trying to sort it out; but in the meantime I thought a direct link to the blog page would be effective…hmmm not so it seems; oh well…).
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New here!
I’m so excited to join in. I really need this!
And I’m guessing I’ll get my participant number once you manually add me in? I couldn’t find the “participants” page. Sorry.
Welcome, Adriana! Your link # is 165 and you’ll be in the next update. Mouse over the #WIP500 at the top and you should see the drop down with the participants’ page.
Yay! Thanks, Cara!
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A fellow blogger directed me to this site and I SO need this – I’m only a newbie in the blogosphere. My blog is about keeping motivated to write and this is a wonderful writing tool. Am joining the list!
Welcome, Virgnia! Your link # is 171 for word count reporting. I hope #WIP500 helps you achieve your writing goals.
Laird Sapir’s blog sent me here, and I’m glad it did! I love this kind of goal-oriented camaraderie. Let the 500 begin! Thanks for the great idea, Cara!
Welcome, Anne! So glad you found us. Your link # for sending in word counts is 173.
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I only just found about #WIP500 and I think it’s a great idea! I am a Nanowrimer who misses the momentum of Nano the rest of the year. I used the join#WIP500 tool but I didn’t get a link number. Could you send it to me please? Also, writing a blog entry about this now, which you’ll be able to find at http://kimtalksbooks.com.
Kim,
Anytime is a good time to join. We have a great crew of dedicated writers and supporters. Thanks for joining us and best of luck to you in achieving your goals!
Just signed up. I’m a little late getting in, but need the kick in the butt.
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The new year (2013) starts for me tomorrow (Jan. 7) since it’s the first Monday of the year & the kids are back to school, thereby putting me back on a “regular” (non-vacation) work schedule. So yeah, I’m ready for this. I just resolved to write at least 300 words per day but 500 is much “more gooder” (heh) so I’ma take that badge & stick on my bloggy-blog. Will be doing weekly updates on Wednesdays & you’ll probably see this site mentioned there as part of what’s keeping me on track. Thanks for putting this together — some of us need accountability & this will really help fit that bill!
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