I’d never heard of BIW until last week when I learned that two online friends had participated in this community set up for writers to state their writing goals and report daily on their progress. I can imagine it’s a powerful aid to developing a writing discipline, a great incentive to set up monthly writing “retreats,” and a way to produce a solid word count over the course of a week.
Since the process sounds a lot like a mini version of November’s well-known NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I decided to investigate further. I gathered my BIW information at the Book-in-a-Week website.
“BIW writers are connected through an online community through LMS Learning Management System — or Moodle. The main purpose of the group is to write, but we also exchange information, publishing news and kudos. Anything writing related.”
A one-time non-refundable payment of $3.00 is charged for new members to enter the group. Additional donations are accepted for those who wish to support this community.
The group’s motto is BIC HOK TAM (Butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly).
There’s a Book-in-a-Week blog to explore, an excellent list of recommended reading and other resources at the website, and more. Check out both sites and see what you think.
The August week starts today and finishes on the 16th, so consider looking into this community and signing up in advance for the September (Sept. 13-20) session. All of the information is at the Join BIW page.
Some of the members who currently use the BIW community are listed on the website’s member site page. Elsa Neal, a contributor to The Blood-Red Pencil, is listed there. Mystery writer Ann Parker, author of the Leadville historical series, is a BIW member as well.
This group is for those writing new material, not for those focused on revisions. When I’m ready to start a new project, I plan to join BIW and see if it helps me keep BIC HOK TAM.
Has anyone here tried BIW? If so, did it help you?
You’ll have to let us know how it turns out. My writing style just won’t let me ‘free write’ that way. And normally, I’m well into a manuscript when these challenges/projects hit, and I can’t see stopping them to create what I fear will be a huge mess requiring massive rewrites. I’m SO not a plotter. But I have heard good things about these, so I’ll be waiting to hear.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Sounds fun. I’ve done the month long nanowrimo three times, maybe I’ll check this out too.
Thanks!
Sounds interesting. I might try it too, when I finish the revisions.
How was your writing progress over the weekend?
Ann
I know someone who signs her emails with that quote. I thought she was just being clever. So, for my busy schedule, this sounds much more doable than the NaNoWrtMonth.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
With a motto like that, it’s got to be a fun group. I haven’t heard of it before but I do plan it check into it.
No I’d never heard of it, so can’t share any experiences. Sounds pretty cool, though – thanks for the heads-up.
I participate in a BIAW about twice a year, as well as the NaNoWriMo, in November. The BIAW’s as generally to kick start me when I have gotten into a routine and have slowed my pace and the NaNo is my spring break of fun after a year of working steady!!
Jacqui Jacoby
http://www.JacquiJacoby.com
Twitter: JaxJacoby
http://jaxsmovielist.blogspot.com
Good almost noon, everyone. I haven’t been over here because I’ve been busily visiting your blogs instead.
As a binge writer, I’m not even sure I can change my ways to handle BIW or NaNoWriMo, but it’s probably a good idea to give one or the other (or even both) a shot at least once. I’ll decide soon.
I’ve never heard of them but will check them out. I have a couple new ventures on the back burner I need to write.
Stephen Tremp
Sounds like fun – thanks for the info 🙂
I’ve never heard of it but I want to check it out. Currently I’m in the revision process so I’m not looking to join yet but I should soon.
CD
I have seen it written on other blogs but didn’t know what they were writing about, hope you get the help you need,
Yvonne,
I’ve never heard of it either, but you can bet I’m signing up for September!
What a great motivation, thanks so much!!
I also just signed up for NaNoWriMo’s website..how exciting 🙂
I’m struggling with my motivation, so maybe these will help get the ball rolling again.
Patricia – Thanks for the helpful information about BIW. I’d not heard of it before, but it sounds like a very useful group, and very mutually supportive.
Never heard of it!