I’m planning to run a short-term Writing Intensive this fall (specific dates to be determined), and I’d love to get your input on it.
My vision is to create something along the lines of NaNoWriMo but with a smaller group, more support, and direct interaction with a writing coach. The purpose of the Writing Intensive would be to pick one specific project that you’ve been wanting to do a push on and focus on moving it forward significantly for the duration of the Intensive.
Unlike NaNoWriMo, we wouldn’t necessarily have a shared goal (in NaNo, everyone aims to write 50,000 words during the month of November), but rather start off at the beginning with a specific stretch goal that you personally want to meet, and have a structured timeline within which to meet it. We’ll have a collection of support tools to help you get there that may include things like: daily check-ins online, a special chat group for discussion and interaction, writing sprints, frequent teleconferences, and more (I’m refining the specifics about this on the basis of your feedback, hence this post).
I’m currently planning to use the platform I use to run my Called to Write Coaching Circle, but with a different focus (intensely focused on heightened productivity rather than daily writing habit building and ongoing productivity), additional tools, and even story coaching if warranted.
If you’re interested in this and you’d like to give me your input on it, I’d really appreciate it! I’ve set up a survey here.
You’re also more than welcome to leave comments here on the blog.
Hi, Jenna: It’s been perhaps too long since I last said anything–long year: surgery/cancer/and trying to fight my way through that blood-letting called MSC-4. LOL! The eye surgery went great (I no longer need glasses), the cancer has been stopped, and I’m a Master Screenwriter… YEAH! My two cents, if it helps is that too much focus on lists and rules and don’ts does not contribute well to creativity. I’ve written a book and four screenplays and I (yes, that’s me) wouldn’t give you a plug nickel for any of them. My last script, sent out for coverage, came back with a PASS, and I still had to laugh. It’s so full of bugs, there is no way I would want to see that movie produced. I have moved on (already) to a mentorship in NARRATIVE FIRST, which is built around Dramatica theory, and if you would like to know more, let me know. This is not the place to discuss the why’s. I often think of you, wishing you a silent successful story outcome, and somehow, I know that it is a well placed wish. As for me, its like I’ve stepped into a parallel universe, or something… LOL I was getting very discouraged; now I’m so eager to learn, I stay up way to late reading, thinking, pondering, scrambling my brain in new and exciting ways.
Alfred, thanks for the note. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot! Congrats on all the excellent recovery. I like your thoughts about rules and lists and don’ts inhibiting creativity. Good points all around. I’m excited you’ve found a new pathway with the Dramatica theory. I’ll check it out. Happy writing!