So where does Twitter come in? Well, at some point we’ve all been sucked into the great white void of the blank page or stuck in a scene with nowhere to go. We all want a writing companion, some camaraderie to keep us going. Popping on Twitter for a writing sprint can provide that stimulus.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea or maybe even a Mimosa as we count down the top five reasons to join a Twitter writing sprint.

1) Location, Location, Location

We always hear this in real estate, but it also plays a major role for writers. Either we live in a central writing hub, or we don’t. Writing groups tend to form in larger cities, which can be great if you live there. But even if you live in the city it can be a pain to get there: buses take longer than a car, cars get stuck in traffic, and we all get tired of playing “round and round the block we go, where we’ll park, nobody knows.” A Twitter writing sprint cuts out the location factor. You can participate from wherever you are.

Plus, some days our writing time is limited. We don’t have time to drive 40 minutes to the nearest writers’ corner, write for an hour, and get back home. Online, you can be with others even if you only have ten minutes to write. And since you can do it from where you are, you can get writing immediately.

2) You’re Not Alone

Writing can be lonely. Theoretically, we know there is someone living somewhere in the world writing at the exact same moment we are. They may even be writing a similar story. But because we don’t see them or hear from them, we feel isolated. And sometimes we need to know that there is another person in the thick of it with us. That’s where Twitter Writing Sprints come in. You can log in at the predetermined writing time and know there’s someone there with you.

3) You Control The Interaction, as much or as little as you like

When we meet other writers at a designated location, we tend to chat and catch up. And that’s great. But most of us are introverted, and sometimes we’ve surpassed our social threshold, so chit-chatting is above what we are capable. On Twitter, you control the information. If you’re stuck and want to throw out a question, go for it. If you can’t bear the thought of anything more than, “Hey, I’m here. Working on the confounded scene in Chapter twenty,” you don’t have to contact anyone or participate in anything more.

Your level of interaction is completely under your control.

4) Support

You can get support and get back on track as soon as you need. Need a quick pick-me-up? Shout it out. “I’m stuck and I need a hand!” Need a character name? Ask and someone is likely to pitch out an idea or two.

That type of support leads us to the biggest reason to join a Twitter Writing Sprint…

5) Accountability

The main reason to join a Twitter writing sprint is for the accountability. When you write your goals down or share your goals with others, you’re more apt to fulfill those objectives.

You post your daily goal to the masses and, when you’re done, send out an encouragement to those still writing. Fess up on how well you did or didn’t do. It’s okay–we’re not perfect, we understand that some days will suck, but we also know that some days will rock.

A Twitter writing sprint will help you get more productive writing days in the books, so get out your calendar and make a date to write!

Linda Bernadette Burgess and Diane DeMasi Johnson met while participating in DIYMFA 101. They discovered they shared more than a desire to further their writing skills. They became accountability partners. That partnership grew into a friendship and led to the creation of WeGotThisWriteNow.com. Sprint with Linda and Diane using the hashtag #SprintWithWGT.

The post #5onFri: Five Reasons to Join a Twitter Writing Sprint appeared first on DIY MFA.

May 24 – May 25, 2014

This free event is like a virtual writing retreat and it’s the perfect opportunity to get those words on the page and finish that draft once and for all.

This is how the writing sprint works:

First, head on over to the sign-up page and register with your email. It’s free and don’t worry, we hate SPAM as much as you do so your email will be safe with us. Registering is the most important step because that way you can receive the email updates about the sprint with the link to our Super-Secret Headquarters page. You’ll also get access to all the writing sprint videos and other free goodies. (*Psst* If you’ve participated in a DIY MFA writing sprint in the past, you should be all set and you can skip this step.)

Next, block out some time this coming weekend when you can do some serious writing. You can participate for as long or as little as you like, though we recommend setting aside at least 1-2 hours each day of the retreat for solid writing. During those hours, shut of your phone/internet and find a comfy spot so you can write uninterrupted.

Take breaks throughout the day and visit our Super-Secret Headquarters page for motivating videos and updates. Also, you can check in via Twitter by using the #DIYMFA hash tag. Join the conversation by posting your progress and encouraging other writer-sprinters with their goals.

Are you in?

The DIY MFA team and I hope you’ll join us for this free event. We’ve got over 200 writers from around the globe already signed up, but as always the more the merrier! In terms of writing style, genre and goals, these writer-sprinters run the gamut but we all have one thing in common: we’re all serious about our writing. This weekend it’s time to band together via this virtual retreat, and write write write! After all, there’s nothing like some good, solid social accountability to get us motivated.

We all have that story we’ve been dreaming about, but sometimes we over-think things and waste too much time “testing the waters.” Instead, I’d like to challenge you to jump in with both feet and just write. Take a chance on yourself and block out some time for this writing sprint. You’ll be amazed at what you can do!

Remember: it doesn’t have to be a ton of time–an hour or two each day is a good place to start–but it’s important that you carve out that time and defend it with your life. Giving up a few hours of your weekend is nothing compared to how great it will feel when you finish that story. Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to write that story, because believe me, there will never be a “perfect time.” Take that leap of faith and start writing now.

Trust that once you start writing, the story will come and the words will flow. Remember: no one’s going to write that story for you. It’s up to you to make it happen and this Weekend Writing Sprint is the best place to start. Are you ready? Get set… Go!

The post DIY MFA Weekend Writing Sprint — May 2014 appeared first on DIY MFA.

What impressed me most about the writing sprint was the dedication and diversity of the writers who participated. Some worked on short fiction, others on book-length projects. Some joined in for an hour or two, others camped out for the entire weekend. These amazing writers all had something in common: they’re seriously motivated and they got those words on the page.

This sprint was so much fun, it had me wondering why we don’t do these more often. So I’ve decided we need to do these once every month or so. My goal is to keep this awesome momentum going and also help writers (like you!) connect with other like-minded people and build an online support network. So save the date for our next Weekend Writing Sprint.

May 24-25, 2014
To get updates, sign up here.

Yes, it’s a holiday weekend in the USA, which is all the more reason to carve out an hour or two for your writing. We’re also going to try something a little different with the Grand Finale next time around, so stay tuned for that.

Awesome Writing Spaces

One of my favorite parts of the writing sprint this time around was that writers shared pictures of their writing spaces. Personally, I LOVE seeing how other writers do their best work. Even if their style is totally different from mine, I find it fascinating to learn about other writers’ creative processes. From libraries to comfy nooks, each writer in the sprint had a unique writing set-up. Here are a few workspace pictures from the writing sprint Twitter conversation. (I’ve included links to their Twitter profiles so we can all show these fabulous writers some love and follow them.)

@s_lovett started the trend by posting to Twitter with a picture of her writing set-up at a library.
Soon after other writers joined in and shared their own workspace pics.

@KimAlaine11 did the sprint from the table in this bright, colorful nook.

@LynnBlackmar worked from this desk, which reminds me a lot of my own writing space.

And @catherinekietsu worked in this comfy, cozy chair. Loved the knick-knacks on the shelf!

Productivity Practices

As for me, I had grand plans of heading to my office and working at this space, but who was I kidding? I spent most of the weekend writing away from my mini-laptop on my bed with papers scattered everywhere and kitties snuggled up by my side. Perhaps not the most productive set-up but considering I’m now in my third trimester of baby-baking, it was nice to put my feed up for a few hours and write.

What I realized during this sprint was how important it is for writers to build habits and routines that work for them. All too often we’re bombarded with advice that ultimately squelches our creativity and engulfs us with guilt.

Here are a few gems I’ve been told in years past:

• “Get up at 4am and write before going to work.”
• “You must write 1000 words per day or you’re not really a writer.”
• “Write from a computer that has no internet or you’ll be tempted to check email all day.

Baloney. It doesn’t matter what your routine is, what matters is that it works. Don’t try to fit yourself into someone else’s idea of a good writing practice, experiment and figure out what works for you. Writing practices are as diverse as the number of writers in the world. It’s just a matter of finding a routine and set of habits that fits your personal style.

Gear Up for Our Next Sprint

Want to give your writing a serious push? Sign up for email updates for the next writing sprint. (Note: this is a different list than the regular newsletter list.) When you sign up you’ll get a link to the super-secret headquarters page. We’ll be leaving the videos from the sprint up for another week (until April 23) so you can get a sneak peek before the next sprint.

BONUS! Since we had a bit of a technical glitch during the Grand Finale, I went ahead and recorded the presentation again and that will be available at the writing sprint headquarters for a limited time as well. Remember to save the date for the next sprint: May 24-25. Hope to see you there!

The post April Weekend Writing Sprint Recap appeared first on DIY MFA.

Apparently, some people think it strange to spend one’s time this way. The staff got used to us; I guess they liked that we were friendly and also constantly ordering coffee. But the other guests? We got so many weird looks we put up a sign that said, “Don’t feed the writers.”

That got us more weird looks.

But writing friends are strange. Unless you’ve got a co-writer, writing buddies are more like a support group than colleagues. You can’t really help each other; I mean, let’s be honest. Only you can write your book. When you’re faced with the blank screen, having a person beside you facing a blank screen, too, doesn’t take the pain or terror away.

But throughout history, writers have done well by banding together. The American ex-pat community brought together Hemingway and Virginia Wolfe. A writing retreat gave us Frankenstein. Tolkien and Lewis meeting in a pub gave Tolkien the courage to show people Lord of theRings. Also, have you noticed how many writers marry each other? Stephen King met his wife in a writing class.

So why the phenomenon? And what does it mean? Here are a few reasons why we need writing community. And a few ways to find it.

1) Writing is hard

We band together for a lot of reasons, but the main one is that writing is just so darn hard. When a hero goes on a difficult journey, he almost always has buddies. Because journeys are hard, too. And friends don’t just make it easier; they make it better. Even if you know you’ll have to slay the dragon alone, you want support in as many ways as you can get it first.

2) Iron Sharpens Iron

It’s cliche because it’s true. Whether it’s just sitting down and writing words together, keeping each other accountable, or reading each other’s work, having other writers on your team will improve your craft. Having trouble focusing? Grab a buddy and agree to do a writing sprint. You can do this over email, Twitter or Facebook–or in a cafe if you’re working together. Set the timer for thirty minutes. Then check in with each other afterword.

The same concept can be applied on a more broad level. Every time I make a list of goals and deadlines, I email it to my friends. They do the same with me. Knowing you’re accountable to someone else can keep you on task. And it helps to have that outside perspective. Sometimes, if I send a list of goals, my friends will tell me I’m over-shooting. “You always take longer than this, Bess. Don’t set yourself up for failure.” Point taken.

And then, of course, there’s the actual writing. It’s all well and good to have your mom read your work, but she’s going to love it. So is your significant other or your best friend. And if they don’t love it, they probably aren’t going to tell you. Or they won’t know how to tell you. Writers are in the trenches, too. They can be honest in a way our friends and family can’t. And they can probably give better advice on how to fix what’s wrong. And the act of editing is itself instructional. You can learn a lot by reading other people’s work.

3) They’re Not That Hard to Find

There are many wonderful things about living in the age of the internet, even if it can be hella distracting! One of them is that it’s just not that hard to find people anymore. There are so many ways to connect with other writers online as well as in person. Conferences are a place to start. So is Twitter, or Facebook. There are writing hashtags, writing classes, writing Google+ groups.

But it can also be hard to just jump in. That’s where DIY MFA comes in. This weekend, April 5-6, we will be hosting our second writing sprint. It’s great way to meet other writers as well as meet your goals, and all from the comfort of your home computer or favorite local writing spot. If you haven’t signed up, you can do so right here!

Bess Cozby writes epic stories in expansive worlds from her tiny apartment in New York City. By day, she’s an Editor at Tor Books, and Web Editor for DIY MFA. Her work is represented by Brooks Sherman of the Bent Agency. Tweet her at @besscozby, contact her at bess@diymfa.com, or visit her website at www.besscozby.com.

The post Why We Need Writing Buddies appeared first on DIY MFA.

One of the best ways to get your writing back on track, or give yourself that extra boost and meet the next big challenge is to set aside a chunk of time, gather a few supportive friends, and knuckle down and get to work. But it can be hard to find that time or get to that place, be it a retreat, a conference or even a class.  We’re writers, but we’re also family members, friends, community-members and employees. Here at DIY MFA, we know how you feel. We’re writers, too. And busy, too. And in need of a boost, too. 

This is why we’ve created the DIY MFA Weekend Writing Sprint, a FREE event to help writers around the world get those words on the page and finally write that story they’ve been dreaming of. It’s a virtual writing retreat that you can attend in your pajamas, or in-between soccer games. The point is, it’s about fitting your writing into your life.

Join us on April 5-6, 2014 for this weekend-long writing sprint. To get started, sign up right here. You’ll get tons of inspiration to keep you motivated as you write. You’ll also be able to connect with other writers doing the retreat for lots of social accountability, and all from the comfort of your home computer or favorite local writing spot. Finally, the weekend ends with our grand finale: a free one-hour online workshop on Sunday night!

Ready to join the challenge? Sign up by clicking the button below:

Ready to jump in, stay accountable and get writing? Sign up right here! Be sure to Tweet to fellow sprinters using the #diymfa hashtag, and don’t forget to join us on Sunday night for a FREE writing workshop. Meet new friends and meet your writing goals. We’ll see you on April 5th!

Click the button above to register for the writing sprint.
Remember it’s fun and it’s FREE!

The post Announcing the Second DIY MFA Weekend Writing Sprint! appeared first on DIY MFA.

Full disclosure: I’ve never actually done NaNoWriMo, at least in a way that would qualify me according to the official rules. (I write predominantly non-fiction these days, plus the writing I do is not something begun fresh for the month of November, That’s two rules broken right there). Still, I love, Love, LOVE everything that NaNo stands for, especially the way that it motivates writers to hammer out those words and get their books done.

Even though I’ve yet to participate officially in NaNoWriMo, I love the way this challenge motivates me to write more and I always try to find ways building some of that NaNo spirit into my November. Whether you go NaNo to the core, or create your own interpretation of the challenge, let’s unite this November in a common goal: to write our hearts out and get those words on the page.

To celebrate this writing season, DIY MFA is hosting a FREE Weekend Writing Sprint the weekend of November 16-17. It’s like a virtual writing retreat, one that you can participate in from the comfort of your home computer or your favorite local writing spot. Read on to learn more or head on over to our sign-up page to join.

It’s easy to join!

Click the “join” button and sign up with your email. We’ll email you the link and password to the super-secret Writing Writing Sprint page. Then the weekend of November 16-17, visit that page throughout the day for new videos, writing tips and inspiration. Finally, on Sunday, November 17 at 8pm ET, we’ll be hosting a FREE DIY MFA online workshop exclusively for writers doing the weekend sprint. We’ll be sending all event details via email so sign up to get the inside scoop.

The DIY MFA Weekend Writing Sprint is open to all writers. Remember, while this event can be just the boost you need to get through a NaNoWriMo slump, you don’t have to be in NaNo to participate. As long as you’re writing something, you can be part of the fun.

Drop in at a Local Meet-Up.

I’m hosting a NYC meet-up for the Weekend Writing Sprint and if you’re in the New York area, I’d love to see you there. We’re meeting at the Lincoln Center Atrium from 10am-4pmET on Saturday, November 16. Bring your laptop or a notebook and join us for some productive writing time.

Interested in hosting a Weekend Writing Sprint meet-up in your area? Email me (Gabriela) at gabriela[at]DIYMFA[dot]com and I’ll help you set things up.

Excited yet? Join now!

The post Announcing the DIY MFA Weekend Writing Sprint! appeared first on DIY MFA.