There's a new challenge on the block people! After NaNoWriMo, also known as National Novel Writing Month, has dominated the writing world for years, the 85k Writing Challenge is now on the scene and offers a new approach to writing.

Here's an excerpt from the website:

The 85K Writing Challenge began as a small Facebook group, running our first 85K during the first 90 days of 2016. Our goal was simple. Write 85,000 words in 90 days; January through March.

Writing 85,000 words in 90 days requires a commitment to write about 1,000 words (four typed pages), every day, for three months. Of course, many days, writers will write more than 1,000 words, setting themselves solidly on track to complete the challenge in the time allotted. Busy life? Can’t write every day? The 90-day time frame gives writers plenty of time to catch up when distractions and other commitments interrupt. And it helps that April is the first of three 30-Day Finish months, dedicated to finishing tasks and laying the groundwork for the next production cycle. Therefore, if you need a little extra time beyond the 90-Day Write cycle (Jan-Mar) then use the 30-Day Finish cycle in April to finish up before editing begins on May 1.

This year-at-glance calendar explains everything:

So you see the appeal? Instead of a caffeine-fueled binge in which words on the page is the only thing that matters, the 85k Writing Challenge presents a less stressful way to accomplish a whole book, rather than a wordy, chaotic excerpt that's doomed never to be finished.

I first learned about this challenge from the Virginia Romance Writers and have decided to join in on the fun, as a new way to keep creating new content, while editing and re-editing the same book. The editing process is no joke, and while the deadline to get my book to the editor takes priority, the path towards success is not paved with just one book. I have to keep writing, not just to keep my mind off the delirium of editing, but because I am the only person who can write my stories. I've thought through three new concepts in the past week, and need to outline them for further projects. I'm excited about all of them and can't wait to tackle them next.

Currently, I am using the 85k Writing Challenge to work on the sequel to The Secret About Time, which is my first book that will be coming out this summer!!!!

I'm ecstatic, terrified, but most of all I can't wait for you to read it. Right now, I'm on track to have the sequel finished this spring so that the story can continue as soon as possible. Once this book is finished, I'll be able to start on my new series, which will be a contemporary romance set with at least three books.

I've learned having new goals to focus on makes productive use of excess energy that has the potential to metastasize into worry and doubt. By choosing to look ahead and focus on how I can move forward, I no longer have the time to dwell on what ifs, missed opportunities, or past failings. So what does all of this mean? For me, it feels like the side hustle is growing into a career. I got plans people.

Onward to buy business cards!

Kathryn