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Monday, July 13, 2015

Last day of the July word war!

Stephanie here. In just a few hours, I'm setting off for the airport with a completed first draft checked off my to-do list!


After a summer of very little writing time, it was a relief to get into my story and find that I still loved it and that I still knew how to put words on a page. I wrote 33,614 words between Thursday and Sunday and will return home a very happy writer.

Roseanna had some record breaking days during our time at the cabin. Yesterday she was charging toward the finish line too and wrote 18,700 words to hit the end. It was pretty epic.


We celebrated our finished manuscripts with delicious ice cream and sleep:


Today is the last day of the word war, and I wish you all a very happy writing day!

Also, tomorrow The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet will be available for FREE in the Kindle store. If you haven't already downloaded the ebook, tomorrow will be a great time to do so.









What it is: A word war is when you and another writer (or in this case, lots of other writers!) compete to see who can write the most words in a designated period of time. 

This word war began Wednesday and will end today. It's a come-and-go, write-when-you-can style of war, so it's never too late to join!

The goal is to buckle down and focus on our manuscripts whenever we can, make good use of our writing time, and encourage each other as we do. Hopefully you'll be meeting new writers and deepening friendships as the war goes on!

Here's how you can connect with each other:


1. In the comments section of the blog. Something as simple as "Just wrote 1,000 words in the last hour!" is fine. Or you can challenge each other to word wars. There is strength in being able to encourage each other and in knowing that others are hard at work too.

2. On Twitter, using the hashtag #GTWwordwar, or on the Go Teen Writers Community Facebook Group. (This is a closed group, so if you're not a member, you can apply to join by clicking here. You'll also need to email the moderators: goteenwriterscommunity(at)gmail.com.)

Good luck today!

154 comments:

  1. 18,700 words! That is pretty awesome!
    Imagine if it would be possible to write that many words every day... a novel in 5 days. That would be sweet... and completely exhausting. I'll stick with a couple thousand words.

    I wrote some insignificant small amount of words yesterday. I hit that terrible thing called a middle and proceeded to get entirely stuck in it. Maybe I'll break 20k this afternoon, maybe not.

    Good luck, everyone! Today's our last chance to hit those big word war word counts!

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  2. Yay! Here is goes! So excited to war again!

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  3. Hoping to war later! Until then, good luck, guys!

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  4. WOW. 18,700 words! The most I've ever written in a day is a little over 2k. Maybe I'll break that record today...

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  5. Yay!! I'm so glad I'm back for at least the last day of the word war! :) I'll be on in a little bit.

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  6. AHHHH The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet! Free! I've been wanting to read it for ages, but haven't been able to get it.
    Also, congrats on both of your amazing wordcounts! That's awesome.
    I, sadly, haven't been doing half as well . . . I did manage 1161 words last night, bringing my WW total to 4473, but even so, that's low. :P (I blame the fact that I have family visiting.)

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  7. 18,700 words makes my head spin, but congratulations! Maybe my writer best friend and I need to go on a writing retreat sometime when we aren't broke college kids. Lol.
    Yesterday was the first day I was able to get any writing done on my novel because spent the last half of last week plotting (I listed just about every scene and then wrote out why it was necessary)! However, I managed to write 2,859 words. That's a pretty big number in light of my typical 250 (which is just sad, I know). Either way, I'm excited. :)

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  8. Whoa, you wrote 33,614 words in 5 days?! Congratulations Mrs. Morrill!
    In total, I got 2,756 words yesterday. Hoping to top that amount today :-). ~Savannah

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  9. I'm just amazed over here that it's, like, even possible to write that much in such a short time. o.O

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  10. Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Maybe :05 to :20 would work better since it's already started. :)

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    3. I've got 137 words. The last sentence was: "I can't do it again, Mom" I was beginning a new chapter and I had trouble kickstarting it, thus the tiny word count. :)

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    4. I got 843, last sentence: She bit her lip as she tried looking closer but not getting closer.

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    5. I accidently ended early. Whoops. Just noticed that. :)

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    6. I actually need to go. :-( Sorry, but I will be on later!

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  11. Replies
    1. I don't know if you're still hear, but i'll war with you. I only have around an hour and want to do s much as possible. I'm going to try :10 to :25.

      ~K.A.C.

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    2. Well, i'm pretty sure i warred with myself, but its still words on a page, so its worth it. I got 417 words.

      ~K.A.C

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  12. I'm here if anyone's around to war. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't stick around for long, but I'm up to a war :). Does :05 - :15 work? ~Savannah

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    2. So sorry, I got sidetracked. If you're still here I'll gladly do one with you. :)

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    3. Alright :). :15-:25? ~Savannah

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    4. Finished with 257 words, and my last sentence was: Maybe the queen’s defense would be less powerful once she began the spell. With that hope in mind, Roxanne leaned against the cold cave wall to wait in silence.
      It was fun warring with you, but I've got to go :). ~Savannah

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    5. I got 301 words. My last (unfinished) sentence was: Pounding down the

      See you! Thanks for the war. :)

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  13. Replies
    1. I'm up for one, though I don't know how long I can stick around :). ~Savannah

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    2. sorry, i had to go for a bit. If your still here im up for one:)

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    3. Wish I could war with you, but I've got school to do. Hopefully I'll be on later tonight :). ~Savannah

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    4. No problem:) good luck with school!

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    5. If you're still here, we can war? I'd be willing to start at :35 and go to :50 if you want.

      ~K.A.C.

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    6. i wrote 267 words. last sentence: From the look in her eyes we both knew it was too late.

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  14. AHHH! Congratulations to all of you! Your word counts are SERIOUSLY impressive. I'm so happy for you and can't wait to read your stories! :)

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  15. AHHH! Congratulations to all of you! Your word counts are SERIOUSLY impressive. I'm so happy for you and can't wait to read your stories! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. 500 words written, y'all. That's...not so much, but I wrote over five and a half thousand words, so that's cool. It's the end of the day here, so thanks for the wars :p.

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  17. Replies
    1. 275 words. last sentence: I wept until I slipped into unconsciousness from sheer exhaustion.

      Delete
    2. 150 (I got a little indecisive . . .) last line: But tonight I have to break those bonds, step out of the darkness, fight for everyone I love.

      Want to do another from :20-:30?

      Delete
    3. Ellie, if it is okay with you, I'd love to join in right now!

      Delete
    4. Thanks! I wrote 340 words. My last sentence is: "While the risk of a student getting kidnapped is extremely low, we want to make sure we stay safe.”

      Delete
    5. 178 words. last sentence: I roll over to the other side of my bed and try to fall back into the blissful ignorance of my dreams.

      Delete
    6. 245 words. Last sentence(s): "How did you—“ Nick looked like I’d punched him in the stomach. “Since when can you control it?”

      I can do one more from :35-:45, if you guys can.

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    7. Okay, maybe not. Dinner's ready and I have to go. Can war later--thanks for the wars, guys!

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    8. Bye, Ellie! Megan, are you free to do another?

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    9. Sorry I didn't respond, but yes!

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    10. 382. Last sentence: The food I sacrificed so that she will be okay during this long journey across borders.

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    11. 193 words. last sentence:When I walked into the living room I almost cried.

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    12. Nice job! I like your last sentence:) I have to go now but hopefully i will be back on later tonight. Keep on writing!

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  18. I'm barely catching the tail end of the Word Wars, it seems... But is anyone on here who would like to war?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you are still around I would like to!

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    2. I am still around! How long would you like to war for?

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    3. Anyone still around for a war?

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    4. Hey, Athelas! I just got here and am ready to war. :)

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    5. Aye, Ashley, we're still here!

      Hello, Linnea! :D How has the writing been since the last war?

      How does ten minutes sound for a war, everyone?

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    6. *Linea. Sorry, my keys stick.

      That sounds great, Laurel!

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    7. Pretty good, thanks. I'm getting the beginning going on a first draft at the moment.

      Ten minutes sounds good with me!

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    8. oops sorry, :00 to :10 works great!

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    9. Ashley, I think we are going for ten starting at :00.

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    10. oh, ignore my comment then :) having to refresh the page does make for some miscommunication

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    11. :00 to :10 works for me as well. Good luck, everyone! May the muse be with you. :)

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    12. I wrote 473 words. My last sentence is: I went to her for everything and she came to me.

      Delete
    13. I got 311. Last sentence: The papers lay atop the top of the mantle, fluttering gently in some breeze that I could not feel.

      Delete
    14. 214. Incomplete last sentence: The headlights cut through the downpour as best they can, but I still

      Delete
    15. I love everyone's last sentences! Great job!

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    16. Well done, everyone! :) Anyone up for another ten minutes at :15?

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    17. I have to go, but thanks for warring with me!

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    18. my last sentences: "I want to fight."
      another war, anyone?

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    19. 206 this time. Last sentence: By the time I pull into the hospital parking lot, it's two o'clock.

      Delete
    20. 419 LS: "Somehow, I know, I'm never going to hear this again."

      Delete
    21. I got 257... :/ This has not been a fast Camp for me. Last sentence: arshall played across the room, quietly, pitching up his voice or lowering it for the different toys.

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    22. Do y'all want to do another, maybe at :32, since it's so close to :30 already?

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    23. Oh, I have to go to dinner. Thanks for letting me war with you!

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    24. eep, I'm late, sorry... how about :35 to :45?

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    25. Thanks for the word wars, Linea! Have a good dinner!

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    26. Anyone still here? I'd love to war.

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    27. If you're still here, I could do one right now, and then I can keep going but not until after :30 or so.

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    28. You want to go from :00 to :10?

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    29. Sorry I didn't write back, but yes!

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    30. I got 200. Last sentence: "If you're sure."

      I have to go for a bit now, but I'll be back in twenty minutes, if you're still around then!

      Delete
    31. I got 239 words. Still trying to figure some stuff out, plus I got interrupted. My last sentence was: Picking their way through these buildings was like wandering through an endless maze at a carnival-- only there their lives were not being threatened.

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    32. I might be. We'll see. :) Good job!

      Delete
  19. "Hopefully you'll be meeting new writers and deepening friendships as the war goes on!"

    I love the irony in that sentence. ;P

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  20. I'm back. Anyone for warring?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm still here. You want to go :40 to :50?

      Delete
    2. 219 words this time. Last (unfinished) sentence: Peering down, he saw Skylar in the middle of them,

      Delete
    3. I got 295. Last sentence: I told her it was nothing, but inside, the ghosts’ voices grew louder.

      Want to do another?

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    4. I'd love to join if you guys are doing another one. -Miriam

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    5. Sure. Then I think I'll take a break.

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    6. Okay, sounds good. -Miriam

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    7. I got 228 words, with my last sentence being: "I'd feel like he betrayed me," I said. "Not that I ever really trusted him anyway, but still." -Miriam

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    8. 253 words. I once again didn't finish my last sentence: The man was at the end of the alley, standing alone

      I'm going to go for now. I may check back a bit later. It was fun warring with you! :)

      Delete
    9. I got 307. Last sentence: "Right, like I'm going to believe that."

      Delete
    10. Nice job, guys!

      Thanks for the wars, Emily! :-)

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    11. Miriam, you want to go again?

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    12. Sure, Ellie! :25-35 sound good? -Miriam

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    13. I got 336 words that time. My last sentence was: "He didn't get away with it," Annie pointed out. -Miriam

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    14. I got 280, ending with: I took another step back, then another—and then there was no more ground to give. The earth gave way beneath my feet, and I fell down, down into endless darkness.

      Delete
    15. Good job! I have to go now, but it was fun warring with you. -Miriam

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    16. You want to go for one last one from :45-:55?

      Delete
    17. Stupid slow commenting . . . okay, good night! Thanks for the wars!

      Delete
    18. Actually, I may have time for one more. Okay, I can do :45-:55 -Miriam

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    19. 288 words for me that time. My last sentence was: "Hey, sarcasm's Frankie's thing. You stick to being Fire Boy." Douglas grinned at me, obviously way too pleased with himself. -Miriam

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    20. Managed 224 this time, ending with:

      “Most of the time. Like ninety-nine point nine nine percent.”
      “What about that point oh-one?”
      “That’s accounting for when you’re sleeping.”

      (I have weird characters.)


      Delete
    21. Thanks for the wars! Night!

      Delete
    22. Good job, Ellie! Good night! -Miriam

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  21. Well, looks like I'm done for the night, and today's total was 3,244. Which means that, since today is the final day of the Word War ... my WW total is 21,394 :). ~Savannah

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  22. Ending for the night with 1701 words. My total for the war has climbed to 7261 words, despite writer's block, plot-related struggles, and having no idea where I'm going. Thanks for all the wars, everyone! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Is anyone still up for a last war?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you still there, Athelas?

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    2. I'm sorry, I didn't see this in time... What about :36 to :46?

      Delete
    3. I got 368. How did you do?

      Last sentence: My gloves dulled the sound of my knuckles striking wood.

      Delete
    4. 378 words. My last sentence is: "She would survive."

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    5. Well done! Would you like to do another one?

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    6. Close one. Do you want to go again from :55 to :05?

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    7. I got 472. Last sentence: They liked him—but especially my family liked him.

      Delete
    8. 439 this time. Last sentences: Seeing the blood on her hands and her stunned expression, he clapped her on the back. "You'll get a placement in no time."
      472? Nicely done!

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    9. Well done! I like your sentence. Are you looking to do any more wars?

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    10. No, I should get some sleep. Thank you so much for the wars! I've gotten more done in past two days than I usually do in a week.

      Delete
    11. Ah, sleep is important. xP Thank you for warring with me!

      Delete
  24. It's pretty late, but anyone up for a war? - Jess

    ReplyDelete

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