Stephanie here! As I mentioned on Tuesday, today we're kicking off a five day word war here on the blog!
This word war is just a friendly competition where we'll see how many words we can write between now and the end of Monday. While some word wars are shorter (fifteen minutes or an hour) and strict, this will instead be a come-and-go, write-when-you-can style of war.
Like I won't be able to write until about 4:00 today, after I've run some errands and picked Roseanna up at the airport for our annual writing retreat. And some of you may have started last night because you're in a different time zone. No problem! This is about helping to encourage each other and trying to stay focused, not about perfection.
Couple of options for how to connect with each other:
1. You can do it in the comments section of the blog. Something as simple as "Just wrote 1,000 words in the last hour!" is fine. There's strength in being able to encourage each other and in knowing that others are hard at work too.
2. If you're wanting to break the time into smaller word wars, you can post that in the comments section too. Like you could arrange a word war from 1:00 to 2:00 or something. You could also do that on Twitter using the hashtag #gtwchat or on the Go Teen Writers Facebook Group (this is a closed group, so if you're not a member yet, apply to join and then shoot me an email telling me so that I can get you approved pronto.)
Happy writing, everyone! Can't wait to join you later this afternoon!
One question Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteSo we write as much as we can and then at the end we'll pull together everything we've written this weekend?
I hope to get some writing done, even though my friend will be staying Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. =P And I'll be sticking to the central timezone in America even if I'm in Indonesia. =)
TW Wright
ravensandwriting.blogspot.com
It's fun to keep track of your daily count too!
DeleteWish I could write some with you now. But even though school's out here, I won't have access to the computer today. I'll have to wait till tomorrow. :( Happy writing, everyone!
ReplyDeletehttp://teensliveforjesus.blogspot.ru
I will join you as often as I can! Thanks so much for hosting this! Maybe I'll be able to finish my first draft this weekend! That would be super cool!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to keep us posted!
DeleteThat's what I'm hoping to do too, Petra! Hopefully we'll both be successful! :)
DeleteThat's my hope as well! Let's do this!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'm so excited for this! My goal is to write 15K, which is more then I've ever written in a week, much less four days. But we'll see. :) Thanks so much for hosting this, Stephanie!
ReplyDelete~Sarah Faulkner
inklinedwriters.blogspot.com
That's a great goal!
DeleteI'm at 2,111 words right now, but hope to get to 3K before the end of tonight! I seem to hit a wall around 2.5K normally, so I'm a little worried.
DeleteThis will be so much fun!
ReplyDeleteAlright- setting the clock for thirty minutes. I'll post my word count then! :)
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOkay- I got 733. Now I'm going to go for ten and see if I can beat that. I seriously doubt it but never try never... get anywhere! :)
Delete*sigh* only 400 for the ten. Well gonna keep trying. *sets clock* Another ten minutes. To beat 400, last score.
DeleteI just wrote 500 words in 20 minutes!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a ton of fun! Thanks for hosting it! :) I'm currently doing Camp NaNoWriMo, so I'm going to use the word war to help me get ahead since I won't be able to make my NaNo word count two days coming up.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be joining after school today! :)
~ Kayla
I started last night at midnight. I hope that's okay. So far, I have 341, but I'm about to go write more. =)
ReplyDeleteWhat counts for this? Like, if I did a character chat to develop my MC's voice, would that count?
ReplyDeleteI'd say anything that is going into or is in a draft of, your book. (or short story, poem, etc.) IMO.
DeleteJust did 2349 in an hour. It's so awesome to be at a part of the story I can just write and don't have to plot out. Makes for much faster writing :)
ReplyDeleteThat is AWESOME. congrats
DeleteThank you :)
DeleteI'm setting my timer for an hour :)
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to write the entire first draft for a 15,000 word story! So far I have written about 1,665 words today, but on a different story that I am working on. Its just a little short story.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm doing Camp NaNoWriMo, this should be great for raising my word count. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, after an hour I have one completed fight scene and 844 words of prose! Very excited for this word war!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone want to do a thirty-minute one word war later today?
If you'd like, I can do it if it's soon.
DeleteWould an hour from now work?
DeleteNo.. I'm sorry. I just found out that I'll be leaving pretty soon. Maybe tomorrow, though?
DeleteI'd be happy to do one whenever you're available. :)
DeleteI'll probably be able to do it about this time tomorrow, if you can. :)
DeleteI can. You want to do it in the morning or the afternoon (central time, let's say)?
DeleteAh... Morning, about thirty minutes from now, if you're on?
DeleteI just wrote 1,111 words in 1 hour :)
ReplyDeleteSo excited! I think as a total, so far I've written over 2,000 words today, which is way more than usual. It's unusual to get 1k in.
Great job! Sheesh, I'm going to have to kick it into high gear to keep up with ya'll! :D
DeleteGood job!
DeleteAnyone want to have a word war with me? :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to. Will you be available in about half an hour?
DeleteThat sounds good. How long would you like to do it for? A half an hour or so works best for me.
DeleteYeah, a half hour should be perfect. Start at 4:30 central time?
DeleteYup! This shall be fun...
Delete3,2,1...Go!
DeleteI'm starting a few minutes late, but I'm going to go ahead and join in!
DeleteKatheline Hansen
So, how'd you two do? I got 736 words.
DeleteThat's awesome! We were pretty close. I got 668. I feel fairly accomplished with myself. Nice job! :)
DeleteGood job! I got 890 words.
DeleteKatheline Hansen
You too! *high-five*
DeleteWow, Katheline! Great job!
DeleteWow! That's great, considering that you also started a few minutes late. We should do another one of these tomorrow, or later tonight. This was fun :)
Delete*high-fives back*
DeleteNo kidding! Hey, I'm up for it if you are. :) Are you working on a novel?
DeleteYeah, I am :) It's the first time I've ever written anything longer than three pages. So far, it's coming along rather nicely. How about you?
DeleteThanks, guys! *high fives both of you* We should definitely do another one sometime!
DeleteBluebelle, I'm not sure if this was addressed to me, but I'm working on a novel, actually the one I started a couple days ago for Camp NaNo. :D
Kathline Hansen
I think I'll be able to another one tonight. Not sure what my family's schedule is though... I'll check back up on here after dinner and see if we can set up a time.
DeleteI'm happy to have both of you answer. :) That's great, Katie! So you usually write short stories?
Delete*high-fives* Katheline, very cool!
What genre are both of your stories in? I'm writing a fantasy, though not the typical dragons and elves type. :) I'm hoping to finish my rough draft this weekend. I've actually never done word wars before, so I'm pleased to discover how wonderfully motivating they are!
Kathline, that's awesome! What is it about?
DeleteI'll have to check on my family's schedule during dinner. Then I'll be able to set up another time for a word war. :)
That's awesome, Bluebelle!
DeleteI'm writing a Christian sci-fi.
Oh, yes. Word wars are fantastic! =D
Katheline Hansen
Sounds good! I'm looking forward to it! What's your novel about, Katie?
DeleteAlright, I have to go now! Another word war awaits! I'll check back in when I'm finished, though! :D
DeleteKatheline Hansen
Well..... I used to not write, except for the dreaded research papers. But, because of the lack of books to read, I got desperate and decided to write a book for myself. Then I realized how much fun writing could be, and started to become a major hobby in my life :)
DeleteI write fantasy as well. To be more specific, Christian fantasy. I've never done word wars either, but I'll probably be doing a lot this weekend. Hopefully more with you two :)
To be more specific about my novel, it's about two sisters, Enna and Alynn. Their village gets raided, and leaves them stranded in the ominous forest of Calarel. During the raiding, they somehow get separated from their parents, and come across a mysterious stone in the forest. They have to learn to work together and trust the Lord through their adventure :) What's yours about?
DeleteI never liked research papers, but I do enjoy essays on topics that excite me. :D That's so cool! I'm glad you're excited about writing now!
DeleteI'm not actually a big fantasy person. I LOVE LotR and I'll read/watch other fantasies from time to time, but it's not a huge thing for me. But this story really required a different world with different abilities than ours, so, tada, I have a fantasy! Hehe.
Awesome :) I LOVE Lord of the rings also. It's so epic :) How long have you been working on your book?
DeleteDefinitely! Did you read the books first or see the movies? I love both, but I really wish I had read the books first. They make the movies even more epic! I've been working on it for about a year and a half.
DeleteI read the books first. It's almost time to reread them again.....
DeleteWow! How many words do you have? Good for you, for staying committed for such a long time.
I have to go eat dinner.... *sigh* But I'll be back afterwards. (Hopefully :)
I'm back! That sounds really interesting Katie!
DeleteA year and half, Bluebell!? That's crazy! Great job sticking to it!
I haven't seen or read Lord of the Rings. :P
Alright, well, I have to go now. Hopefully, I'll be back later tonight, though.
Katheline Hansen
Well, good for you! :) I know what you mean - I want to reread them soon, too.
DeleteThanks! It was an off and on commitment for a while, but the last six months or so has been much better. :) I've got about 100,000 words on it.
Yes, hopefully. ;)
I'm back :) would it work for all of you to do one at 6:30?
DeleteKatie, I just wanted to let you know that your story sounds really awesome! I really like Christian fantasy. Have you read the bitter kingdom series?
DeleteKatie, I'd be up for one at 6:30!
DeleteIsabela, I've read the Bitter Kingdom! The first book was really good. The second was good, too, but the third book kind of disappointed me, though.
Katheline Hansen
As in 2 minutes from now? How long of one?
Delete20 minutes?
DeleteKatheline Hansen
Okay, I'm starting :)
DeleteI know what you mean Katheline! I liked all of them, but the first two were my favorites. Also, I think a Christian sci-fi book is a great idea. I love sci-fi, and that's not a combination that you see a lot. Good luck with your word war!
Delete528 words! That's a lot better than what I was expecting. Dialogue is always easy for me. :)
DeleteGreat job, Katie! I got 647 words.
DeleteThanks, Isabela!
Katheline Hansen
Here's my synopsis for my story in case you are interested. I still want to somehow incorporate God in it, but it's a rough draft.
DeleteVillages are getting raided in the kingdom of Calarel.
People are losing their homes and loved ones. All Alynn wants is her family to stay as it is, safe and content, with no raiders. Everything is going perfectly fine until one day her worst nightmares come true.
Raiders attack Alynn’s village, leaving nothing but a few stray animals. In the midst of confusion, Alynn loses her parents and is left alone with her sister Enna in the ominous forest of Calarel. Their food supply is growing scarce, and the sudden disappearance of their parents leaves them scared and distressed.
Join Alynn and her sister Enna in a story of adventure, courage, love, and suspense; along with a tale of seven ancient stones, a disturbing family secret, and a race for power between good and evil.
Nice job, Katheline! You're such a fast writer, how do you do it? :)
DeleteIf you're up for it (and anyone else who wants to join) would another one at 7:15 work? My dad asked me to do some quick chores, but I'll be done by then.
*sigh* Okay, I missed the fact that it was supposed to be twenty minutes. :D But I wrote 836 words in 30. :)
DeleteSounds like an interesting story, Katie! I'm not exactly sure who the villain is, though? The raiders?
Katie, I'd love to join a word war at 7:15!
DeleteHaha, nice job anyway :)
DeleteWell, yes, they are the villain in some sense. You don't really get to know until a couple chapters into the story. (I should've specified that) The villainess is the one of the people overseeing the raider's actions. Thanks for commenting on that :)
Katie, that sounds really, really interesting!
DeleteI'll join the word war at 7:15!
Hmm... How do I write so fast? Don't ask me. Please. Lol. I really don't know. XD
Katheline Hansen
Isabela, for twenty minutes? Half an hour?
DeleteAlso, there's a Christian Sci-Fi series by J. Grace Pennington. It's a series of 18, but she's only come out with the first two. I really like them :) (I read a lot of different kinds of Christian fiction... :)
Katheline, THANK YOU SO MUCH! :) It's very encouraging :)
DeleteOkay. Hehe :)
Half an hour would be perfect, Katie. Also, I'll have to check those books out :)
DeleteSounds good! :)
DeleteNo problem, Katie! :D
DeleteI'll have to check those books out too. Thanks for sharing them!
Alright, 1 minute till the word war!
Katheline Hansen
Have fun with the word war, ya'll!
DeleteKatie, ah, I see. That sounds good! I just wanted to make sure you had a definite villain. :)
I got about 900 words. How'd y'all do?
DeleteKatheline Hansen
Final count: 799. Narrowly missed 800. Oh man. :) How did the rest of you do?
DeleteNice job, Katheline! How's your novel coming along?
DeleteOh great. After the word war I looked outside to be greeted by another two inches of snow piling up on our lawn. Yay! *Sarcasm*
DeleteI got about 600. Good Job everyone!
DeleteNice job, Isabela!
DeleteGreat job, guys!
DeleteKatie, I'm just in the beginning, about 5,000 words in. I just started it for Camp NaNo this month. How's yours coming along (and I am really sorry if you've already answered this)?
Katheline Hansen
Katheline, It's going really well! (I don't believe you've asked that :) I'm 20,800 words in. I'm super excited about that. When is our next word war going to be?
DeleteThat's good!
DeleteUm, I should probably go study for a test I have tomorrow, but I might be back in a little while (hopefully)!
Katheline Hansen
Wow Katie! I'm only about 13,000 words into mine. Nice job!
DeleteYeah, I have some history homework. I'll check back in a half an hour or so. Maybe later. Thanks for being such awesome word war opponents! :)
DeleteThat's still awesome, Isabela! It also depends on when you started yours :) *Virtual high five*
DeleteThanks, Katie!
DeleteIsabela and Katheline, who is the Bitter Kingdom series written by?
DeleteRae Carson. :)
DeleteKatheline Hansen
Think we can squeeze in one more word war tonight? Or should we call it quits?
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ReplyDeleteWould anybody like to have a word war?
ReplyDeleteI can't right now, but I would love to another time. I'm fairly certain that I can do one later tonight, otherwise I'll be able to do one tomorrow.
DeleteI'm up for a word war! Do you want to do one starting at :15 for 15 minutes?
DeleteKatheline Hansen
Sounds great, Katheline!
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DeleteI got 531 words. How'd you do? :)
DeleteKatheline Hansen
Nice job! I got 278. :)
DeleteJust wrote 2,021 words in my Camp NaNo novel in little under an hour! :D
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
DeleteThat's fantastic, Kayla!
DeleteGreat job! :D
DeleteKatheline Hansen
Wow, that's amazing!
DeleteUmm....So, I have requested to join the facebook page on FB, but I don't know how to send you an email. I looked on the main page and I found a Twitter page, and you Author Site, but no email address.
ReplyDeleteAlso, since we are on topic, and I am so new to this writing thing, what exactly is a word war? Is it similar to a timed argument, or something like that?
DeleteA word war is a competition to see who can write the most words in a set period of time. Sometimes people word war for hours. Sometimes for fifteen minutes. This time we're doing it for a long weekend.
DeleteAnd you can e-mail Stephanie by clicking the "email us a question" button on the left side of the blog, near the top. It takes you to a form. You fill that out and it will send an e-mail to Stephanie. :)
Happy writing!
~Sarah Faulkner
inklinedwriters.blogspot.com
Whoops, sorry! Stephanie(at)StephanieMorrillBooks.com
DeleteI'm at 608 today! Hopefully I will be able to write more. :)
ReplyDeleteHP
Everyone is doing so well! Great job ya'll. :)
ReplyDeleteHP
Wooot! Just broke 800 words. :D
ReplyDeleteOoh. Cool. I'll have to get myself in gear. I've got a lot of words to write this weekend. So far I'm staying on track in this Camp Nano. But I wanna get ahead.
ReplyDeleteYay! A total count of 2,491 words. That's the most I've ever written one day thanks to the word wars! Congratulations on all the other writers who have written a lot today. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI'm about to set myself for thirty minutes. Anyone else up and about? :)
ReplyDeleteIf you're on still, I'll do a thirty-minute word war with you/
Delete382 words in thirty minutes, which for me is good. :)
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ReplyDeleteHi! I just started a blog, and my friend suggested that I look at this site. So I did. I noticed there was a "word war". I am curious of how "you win a word war". Do you just type as much as you can on your blog or on a site, and then report back how many words we've typed? Thanks for taking the time to read this!
ReplyDeleteHello, Adele! Realistically, everyone benefits from a word war, not just the "winner." But yes, the goal is to write as many words as possible. Most of us worked on our novels, but you can work on blog posts, short stories, essays, etc. Really anything that requires words. :)
DeleteThis Word War is over, but they're extremely motivating, and I hope you get the opportunity to participate in one in the future!