No podcast with this post. Don't worry, not skipping this week. :)

I wanted to let you guys know about two cool things I'm involved in. The first is a writing challenge.

In my podcasts the last couple months I mentioned I had participated in a 3 novels in three months challenge with Dean Wesley Smith. I started that challenge to kickstart my writing after a year or so of really poor production. So my goal wasn't really three novels, it was to get back into the habit of writing consistently, and focus on Warfare Qualified, the Icaran Confederation Navy book I've been putzing around on for far too long. I was partially successful in the challenge, in that while I didn't finish the book, I did get more production out of the last few months than I had been previously. Checking in with him on a weekly basis helped that.

But that challenge timeframe is over, and he proposed another one: The Great Challenge. A short story a week for as long as possible, with rewards and incentives if someone reaches 26 weeks and 52 weeks without breaking the streak. Since I like regular accountability, and since I find having a concrete deadline where I have to turn something in and where there are consequences if I don't make it, I've taken him up on that challenge.

Last week was the first week, and I turned in my first story. So it's on. No skipping a week, or the challenge is done.

I know I can do a short story a week, because I've done it three years in a row for the Anthology Workshops, but those were just 6 weeks. A full year is a whole other level - but I know it's totally doable.

So we're off. In addition to sending the stories to Dean I will also report my progress here, and in my podcast, for added accountability.

Should be fun.

The second cool thing I'm participating in is The Infinite Bard.

I am joining a bunch of other writers I know and am friendly with in a mutual promotion. Every two weeks, starting next Wednesday, 1 May, The Infinite Bard will feature a short story from one of the group, free for all to read and share on their respective websites. The purpose is to have fun, but also to spread the word about each others' work to our readers, friends, fans, and the general public so that more people can read and enjoy these writers' great work.

We'll be doing it like we're all sitting around the room, riffing off each others' stories. They will be new stories, not published before, and from the list of writers involved, the stories will be great.

Everyone will showcase at least one story. I've committed to three, as have several others, so this will be going on for a good long time.

So keep your eyes peeled here, and elsewhere on the web, because we'll all be pointing to each others' stories and the Infinite Bard site.

Promises to be a lot of fun.

I hope you'll join us.

Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://www.michaelkingswood.com/2019/04/25/the-great-challenge-and-the-infinite-bard/

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