(aka: what to do after StoryADay May)

The StoryADay Challenge is hard because it’s a LOT of writing, and because you had to sacrifice activities—and perhaps sleep—to make time for it.

But StoryADay is great because you know exactly what is expected of you every day: 

• show up, 
• do the best you can with the assignment, 
• move on with your life satisfied that you’ve shown up for your creativity today.

When the challenge month is over, I always hear from people that they experience a little letdown. They’re not writing as much. They lack motivation. They don’t know quite what to do first.

Of course, there is no ‘right’ way to be a writer, but I’ve put together a kind of follow-on curriculum for you, to help you structure the next few weeks, before all the momentum from StoryADay May drains away.

Post-Challenge Momentum Plan

Week 1: Capture what you wrote

• Use this worksheet to capture the names of your stories, what inspired them, where you wrote or stored them
• Overall, what worked in your stories? What was most fun?
• Pick 2 stories to rework and refine.
• Journal prompt: what did I learn about myself and my writing practice, during the challenge? What can I take forward? What can I let go?

Week 2: Position the Big Rocks

• Pick one of the stories to begin editing, based on your enthusiasm levels, the complexity of the edits you think it needs, and how much time you have available.
• Begin revising with the plot: do the events follow logically from the choices your characters make? If not, a, did you make a choice to write something experimental or b, what plot events could change or move to make them more logical?
• If you get stuck or discouraged, switch to the other story.
• Revision help: Listen to the 7 Revision Myths You Should Ignore podcast episode, and bookmark the checklist on that page!

Week 3: Character Development

• Assignment: Review the Creating Compelling Characters article and see where you can strengthen you characters.
• Focus on revising dialogue and inner/outer conflict to illustrate your character’s desires.
• Writing prompt: rewrite one key scene (hint: not the opening) to find your character’s most authentic voice and attitude.

Week 4:  Finalize A Draft

• Read over all your notes and take a deep breath
• Schedule a writing sprint or two to work through one of the stories until it is as complete as you can make it, for now.
• Optional, consider who you could send it to, for feedback
• Non-optional: Celebrate! Do a dance, give yourself a gold star, pump the air, or take some time off to play with your pets. Seriously. Making it fun is what makes you want to come back!

Bookmark this checklist so you can come back to it! And why not share with a friend?

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