Writers in the Storm is having its annual “Writing Event” on Friday, April 13.
Write Up A Storm is a one-day sprint-writing bash on Facebook, designed to motivate and sustain your writing throughout the day. Even if that day job impinges on your time, you can participate before work, during lunch and after hours. We’ll be here. Writing. Piling up word count. Supporting each other, from 6 a.m. EDT to 1 a.m. EDT. This is your chance to push toward completing your WIP for summer contests, pitches, and submissions.
The four of us will be monitoring and encouraging—and writing—throughout the day, although there will be some "unsupervised" blocks. Laura Drake will begin the day, followed by a three-hour non-assigned stint, then Julie Glover takes over and hands the reins to Jenny Hansen. After a three-hour non-assigned break, Fae Rowen will lead the final challenge into the night.
Beware those non-assigned time slots. Any or all of us may be checking in to see who's writing and comment or share what we're working on.
We’ll be writing all day and keeping track of word count totals from you, our fabulous readers. You can post your word count in a comment on Facebook during the day, and we’ll add it to the tally. You can post every hour if you want to and encourage others–or challenge them. Hmm, is this a WITS Throwdown in the making? We’re hoping that the combined word count will add up to a novella. Actually I’m hoping for a full-length book, but I'm a notorious optimist!
Here’s a short list of simple things you can do to prepare for Write Up A Storm:
- If you’re a plotter, work on that outline for your new idea. You don’t have to finish the outline, but have enough to get you through three (or six) chapters.
- If you’re a pantser, work your process so you’ve got the beginning of your story solidly ready to put words on the page.
- Know your characters–their motivation, their character arcs, what they want more than anything else in the world.
- Know what keeps your characters from getting what they want, whether it’s another person, lack of something, like education, or maybe something from their past.
- Read. When writers stop reading, they stop writing. So read to fill your writer well. Read like a reader and enjoy yourself.
- Mark the date on your calendar. Set an alarm on your phone.
- Commit to a definite number of minutes–even if it’s only ten–of solid writing time. Or commit to a word count for the day.
- Complete any research necessary to write the section you plan to work on.
- Contact other writer friends to participate for support. They will thank you on Saturday, April 14, when they look at what they’ve accomplished.
- Finish routine chores like the laundry and grocery shopping during the week.
- Pre-cook meals for the day.
Are you willing to commit to writing on Friday, April 13? Are you willing to share your word count? How about sharing a tip to help all of us get ready?
ABOUT FAE

When she’s not hanging out at Writers in the Storm, you can visit Fae at http://faerowen.com or www.facebook.com/fae.rowen.
Can't wait, Fae! And get ready people - you know I'm the cheerleader in the bunch - I'm going to fling inspiration like confetti!
Someday I'm going to get you to put on that cheerleader outfit, although you sure don't need one to do the great job you do and keeping up all on track, Laura!
Way to turn a bad luck day into a great day! I'll be working on a WIP rather than starting a new one.
That's perfect, Gini! You're going to be surprised at the word count you rack up. I'll be looking for you.
Love to do this but Friday is a work day so feel like I’d lag way behind everyone. Probably won’t be able to start until 4.
No problem, jtailele. That's why Write Up A Storm goes through 1 a.m. EDT. You'll be able to fall into bed and sleep in on Saturday. We'll save a space at Writer's Row for you!
Let the challenge begin!
Oh, Debbie, do I hear a little word count throwdown between A & M and Roll Tide? Can't wait!
Boom! You're on, southern girl!
Oh, this is going to be good. I can't wait...
OMG....
Laura is indeed a fabulous cheerleader, but I was a drum major in high school. Should I bring my whistle to keep us all in line? 😉
Actually, I'll be using what I call "my drum major voice" (it's really loud) to cheer y'all on! See you mid-morning on the 13th, everyone!
Another fun fact from you, Julie! I've got the stern teacher voice (won't need that) but I do have the theater project-to-the-back-row voice from the old performance days. I can sing show tunes during the day. ..or not...
WHY have I never heard you sing???
And Julie, I've always wanted to know...what does a drum major do? Are those the gals that march in front of the band with batons?
The link "We'll be here" in the article takes me to the April 20, 2015 event, not the April 13, 2018 event. I'm interested!!!
Don't worry about the link, wryter. All you have to do is show up. We'll save a place at the computer desk for you!
Love it! 🙂
sounds like fun (?) well, sounds like a good way to get stuff written. Will you be sending out the link that morning?
You bet we will, Maggie. Probably before then if one of the more tech savvy of us gets on it. (I tried; not successful.) And this is a great day to get anything written, from lots of word count to refining and editing. Everything goes in "the count."
Three months ago I wrote the first chapter of my book, I just can't get motivated to write the next chapter, and so on. This event will be the push I need.
We'll be honored to provide encouragement and accountability via word count for you, mydanube. Two more chapters and you'll be ready to enter most contests!
This is exactly what I need.
denise
Right time, right place, Denise. Yay!
This sounds like a super shortened version of NaNoWriMo? May I join in? I'll have my wife prepare the IV for coffee injections. Arizona is not on daylight savings time you know. We only have one doctor appointment that day (cardiologist Nuclear stress test) from 1430 to 1700 hrs. on that Friday. I seldom use my FB account, but for this, I'll make an exception.
You got it, Sam. We'll be writing for seventeen hours, so daylight saving or no, you're welcome to join us anytime during your day. We're honored to be the exception to the use of your FB account!
Even though I have to go out of town for a bit, 1 1/2 hours each way to my destination, I'm going to try this.
Hi Tina! Like I told Sam, you're welcome to spend whatever part of your day with us. It's a great way to make that push to finish contest entries and projects for summer pitching.
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This sounds like fun and just the kick to shatter this spring malaise. Count me in.
Yes, Kimberly! "Shatter this spring malaise." Awesome idea. See you on the thirteenth!
Looks like fun! Count me in. Do I need to register anywhere?
We often have an event that people can go to, but I think we're going to do it right on the Facebook page this time.
This is serious: I had to go to my tech and get him to show me how to sign up for FB. I'm glad I started early. Lesson 2: Now, how do I find Writers in the Storm on FB?
You just click this link right here: https://www.facebook.com/WritersInTheStorm/. 🙂
I'll be there for at least part of the day!
Yay, Barb!!!
I'm committed! And I plan to run a rip-roaring fun set of sprints!!
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