Inspired by NaNoWriMo, the annual book writing challenge that takes place in November across the globe for novelists to write 50,000 words, the PYP 30-day book writing challenge helps you write the first draft of your book. The difference? This challenge is self-paced. The word count is slightly lower to set a more attainable writing goal and it’s focused on non-fiction writing.
30,000 words might sound like a lot. Impossible even. It’s not! Think of it this way: 30,000 words in 30 days comes out to just 1,000 words per day. And with a community of writers to commiserate (and share successes) within Facebook, it will feel even more possible!
When writing a book, it can be immeasurably helpful to have someone else impose some structure on your writing routine.
If you sign up for the 30-day book writing challenge, you will finally have a foolproof way to get your manuscript written. Just write 1,000 words a day. Once you’ve finished your words for the day, check them off your list , and don’t think about writing again until the next day.
You know when people say that writing is a solitary, even perhaps lonely, experience? Sure, it can be that way. But when you join our writing challenge, you uncover the power of shared experience and community motivation.
When you’re feeling writer procrastination creeping up, or are experiencing full-on writer’s block, you can fall on us and your fellow book-writing participants for moral support, words of encouragement, and inspiration.
Writing can be tough, and we know this firsthand as published authors. So, how do you trick your brain into writing? Especially when you have to write every day, a lot, even when you don’t want to?
We’ll send you 30 daily writing tips directly to your inbox to help you get through the month of writing. From how to write a shitty first draft, to how to craft the most productive writing routine, you’ll have everything you’ll need to be successful.
It might seem too good to be true at this moment, but if you stay committed to this challenge, you will end up with the first draft of your manuscript by the end. Can you imagine what that might feel like? To have a completed first draft right there in front of you?
First, meet Jenn, Founder of Publish Your Purpose, and get a feel for this challenge.
This tip is so fundamentally important that we needed to share it. The whole premise of our 30-Day Book Writing challenge centers around the idea of just getting the book written. And if you’re going to write an entire manuscript first draft in 30 days, you need to get used to the idea that it’s probably going to be pretty… shitty.
But that’s the point! You can’t craft a bestseller from thin air, you need a shitty first draft first. You need the clay, you need something to work with. During this month, you will learn how to write something, and then leave it alone! Leave it alone until you are done with your first draft and can begin to edit it.
One of the best ways to build a writing habit is to craft a perfect writing routine (that you stick to)! You can experiment with different setups, but a few ideas include:
You get the idea. Writing can be really fun, and by creating a special environment for the activity, you will find that it’s easier to get the words flowing and hit your word count for the day.
Part of motivating yourself throughout the month is keeping track of your incredible progress. We can anticipate that there may be some days where you just can’t get the words to happen, but there will be other days where you can’t stop writing. By keeping track of the word count of your manuscript, you can celebrate the successes along your journey. And have something concrete to tell people when they ask the dreaded question, “So, how’s that book coming along?”
If you’re already on board for the 30-day challenge and want to plan for what comes after you’re done with your 30,000-word manuscript… here’s your answer.
Publish Your Purpose is a hybrid publisher of non-fiction books. Our authors are thought leaders, experts in their fields, and visionaries paving the way to social change—from food security to anti-racism.