Let’s Start a Writing Revolution

Photo courtesy of Kaleidoscope International

 

My writing focus has been misplaced.
Comments, likes and retweets have become my focus, not writing.
I have put off the writing I need to do.

It’s time for things to change.

I’d like to invite you to join me in a writing revolution.

It’s time to write what you REALLY want to write about.

I will be focusing more on fiction than on blogging.
For others it might mean blogging less to just blog better.
Or blogging about different topics you’ve never touched on before.
Or working on ebook, poem or short story.

This writing revolution can look completely different to each person.
I am not saying to abandon your blog.
I don’t want tell you what to do.
It is your decision to make.

I must warn you—this isn’t going to be easy.
The voices in your head will attack.
Challenges will come.

But the good news is this—you won’t be alone.
We are united in this together.

For the entire month of October, I’d like to challenge you to join me in a writing revolution.

I’m calling this movement Writers Unite, where the focus is on the writing you REALLY want to do.

What does this involve?

These 4 steps:

1. I will do the writing I know I should be doing; be it blog posts, essays, a short story, poem, novel or something else.

2. I will write for myself first, not to please anyone else.

3. By the end of October, I will share at least a portion of this writing on my website.

4. I will encourage and support others that are participating by using the hashtag #writersunite as much as possible

 

Will you join the revolution? What is the one thing you would really like to work on?

 

  • Jodi

    I’m in. Need to get my revision done and resubmitted to the editor before she forgets about me or changes her mind.

  • http://www.MariaKeckler.com/ Maria Keckler

    It’s such a thin line, isn’t it — the one that divides the creative writing we are called to do and the writing we do to build the platform so the first can reach an audience. Someone emailed me today in response to my “Fearless Writing” challenge, and now I read this. I like the revolution. You inspire me, Jim :)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Wow, thanks Maria! That is such a compliment. I’m glad to hear it and thank you so much! I’d rather write a piece that I REALLY wanted to write and TRULY connected with one person than to write something kinda bland and have that reach many, many more people.

      • http://www.MariaKeckler.com/ Maria Keckler

        Amen!

  • Mrs. Hill

    What a great challenge! I love it and will definitely share it with our writing group. I’m in!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome! Thanks so much! feel free to email me for more details! jim@unknownjim.com Thanks.

  • http://twitter.com/RoneiHarden Ronei Harden

    Okay. You’ve convinced me to step it up. Since it’s my birthday month, this is going to be my present to myself – actually doing what I love. Thanks for the inspiration. :)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome, I’ll add you to the Facebook group! Thanks Ronei!

  • Josh

    This is great! First time I have read your blog. Love what you are doing.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thanks so much Josh! I really appreciate it. I’d love to get to know you, would you shoot me an email to say hi and if you’d like to learn more about Writers Unite? jim@unknownjim.com. Thanks!!

  • annette skarin

    1…2…3, I’m in, jagged pieces and all. Now what? Write?

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      That’s a HUGE part of it Annette. You can friend me on Facebook and I’ll add you to the Writers Unite group if you’d like. Or you can just support the movement on your blog and on Twitter. http://www.facebook.com/unknownjim/ Thanks!!

  • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

    I’m in!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome Jon, glad to have you!!!

      • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

        Thanks, Jim. For the most part this has been the way I try to write on a daily basis, but I’ve definitely rethought some of my blogging patterns based on this challenge. Glad to be united with other writers who want to produce stuff that matters.

  • http://twitter.com/ellavenezianow Ella Venezia

    This is perfect timing for this declaration! Count me in Jim! BTW it was great to meet you at the Quitter Conference :)

  • http://twitter.com/KTLaBlanc Kirsten

    I love it! I really really need to write more of my WIP. I blog a lot but I get way caught up in the chaos of retweeting & sharing posts. Thanks, Jim!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome!! Thanks for joining in!!! I’ll add you to the FB group okay?

  • http://KatieAxelson.com/ Katie Axelson

    I’m in!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Fantastic!! So glad you are joining in!

  • http://rebootingworship.com/ Jamie Kocur

    We’ve already talked. I’m in. :)

    Been hustling to finish my book lately, and this will give me the extra nudge to keep working.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      You got it! So glad you are moving forward Jamie!

  • http://twitter.com/Sophie_Novak Sophie Novak

    I’m in as well – matches with my intentions perfectly and it’s a plus encouragement knowing more people will be pushing hard. I’ll decide this weekend what I’m going to work on, but most likely it will involve a short story and an outline for a non-fiction project. Thanks Jim!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Sophie, that sounds really good. So glad you are joining in!!

  • http://twitter.com/citrus_sunshine Andrea Ward

    This is my first time here, but I’m excited about this. I’m in. Thanks for the invite Michelle!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Andrea, thanks for stopping by! Thanks for joining in. I really appreciate it!

  • http://twitter.com/elramey debra elramey

    A memoir. Hold me accountable and I’ll do the same for you.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome! Thanks Debra. Sounds great!!

  • http://twitter.com/KDmae Kelsey Anderson

    Count me in Jim!!! Lets do this!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome!!!! Love it. Let’s roll!!

  • http://bewriting.wordpress.com/ Rachel Kain

    I love this!!!! Y to the E to the S, YES!

  • http://dailygallen.com/ tim gallen

    i’m totally in, jim. and to answer your question: i’ve been meaning to work on my novel in progress as well as a short story.

    • http://randomlychad.com Chad Jones

      Hey, Tim! How’s it going?

      Haven’t heard back from you.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome!!! Sounds great Tim!!

  • http://www.tammyhelfrich.com/ Tammy Helfrich

    I’m in. Love the idea!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thanks Tammy. I really think this can help you focus more on writing your book! That’s the goal!!!!!!

  • http://twitter.com/CRoyseNiles Christine Niles

    Of course I’m in!!! This lines up perfectly with Andi Cumbo’s online classes that are starting this weekend…I’m taking her short story class, and I can’t think of a better alignment!

    I think there are a couple slots left if anyone else wants to join me? She also is offering creative nonfiction and literature discussion classes….http://www.andilit.com/classes-and-tutoring/

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Nice! Dig it Christine! I love Andi Cumbo’s classes, she’s fantastic!!!

    • http://bewriting.wordpress.com/ Rachel Kain

      Christine, I’m taking Andi’s short story class, too!! Nice to meet you in advance! :)

      • http://twitter.com/CRoyseNiles Christine Niles

        WOOHOO! She told me you were in, and I’ve seen your name around. it’ll be great to get to know you!

        • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

          Man, I feel jealous now ya’ll :) haha

  • http://jonfulk.com/ Jon Fulk

    I’m in as well!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome Jon. Can I add you in the FB group too? Thanks!

      • http://jonfulk.com/ Jon Fulk

        please do!

        • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

          Done!!

  • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

    Just FYI to the cool folks who commented (I’ll talk about it more later) but I just started a Facebook group where we can support and encourage each other. Even share some work if you’d like. https://www.facebook.com/groups/WritersUniteGroup/

  • http://denisedilley.blogspot.com/ Denise Dilley

    I’m in, by the way! :)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Love it thanks Denise!!

  • http://denisedilley.blogspot.com/ Denise Dilley

    Thanks for giving us writers an opportunity to focus on what’s really important – writing! I often write what I want and don’t worry about my “niche,” but I would be lying if I didn’t look at the stats and lack of comments and wonder what I’m doing wrong. I so long to build a community. The truth is, GOD is going to build a community, and only if and when He wants to. I just have to show up and write. He’ll do the rest.
    Looking forward to seeing where this revolution takes all of us! :)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      You bet! Me too Denise! Can’t wait!!!!!!

  • Ernie marton

    Im in

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome Ernie. Thanks for joining in!

  • http://twitter.com/BeccaTatum Rebecca Tatum

    Im in! just what i needed. i have scaled back my wasteful “noisy” writing abd its time to move onward!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Fantastic Rebecca. So glad to have you join in!! Any idea what you are going to work on?

  • http://www.thedailyretort.com/ TorConstantino

    This is inspired Jim – I’m in too!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome! Thanks so much Tor. Can’t wait to hear what you are working on!!!

  • http://randomlychad.com Chad Jones

    Bro, you know i’m in.

    In fact, today i posted about zombie cows.

  • http://snapshotofthewhole.wordpress.com/ Pamela Williamson

    I’m in! I’m working on memoir pieces and this challenge will give me the nudge that I need to muddle through the tough parts. I will definitely support and encourage others, just as much as I could use some myself. :)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      That’s awesome Pamela! This is going to be rough. It’s going to be a challenge. But we can nudge each other and move forward together!

  • Michelle Woodman

    Jim, this is *great*! It’s going to be as challenging as all get-out, I’m sure, but I won’t be alone in it! Woo-hoo!

    Now to figure out *what* to write (for it needs to be a wee bit clearer than “fiction”) next month. :-)

  • http://www.ticoandtina.com/ Tico & Tina

    I’ll join! since I was a kid, or maybe teen, I’ve always had in mind that I would write a book/s someday. I’ve always liked writing, but it was never my ambition to BE an author, just something I knew I would do because I had things I wanted to say/felt God had put in my heart. anyway, I finally started my first book on Monday, LOL. I’m guessing it will be quite a long process, and no, I’m not going to seek traditional publication methods. but I have a little time set aside each day to do a bit of work on it and it will be cool to unite with others, so thanks Jim!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Awesome! That’s great!! I love your attitude and approach. Let’s do this together!

  • http://twitter.com/Prathiiiii Prathipa

    sure jim! will definitely join, i would like to call it – Challenge october- Sounds really great to me…ready

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Good deal Prathipa! Glad you are joining us on this adventure!!!!!