Two years ago I discovered an amazing little writing community. These crazy gals were writing for 31 straight days – the entire month of October. They were writing about big topics and little topics, creative topics and serious topics. WHAT they were writing didn’t matter as long as they WROTE THE WORDS.
I figured I’d try it. Why not, right? I’d pick a topic and run with it and see if I could actually complete the challenge – by far the most words in a row I’d ever presented on this blog.
In 2013 I wrote a series called “31 Days of Community” and through it, I realized I had this deep and abiding love for life lived with others – a surprise to this introvert, but a realization that shaped what and how I wrote for the rest of that year.
In 2014 I wrote a series called “31 Days of Encouraging Conversations” based around the free printable prayer cards I offer to my email subscribers. I was an over-achiever, y’all – there were videos with other people and all kinds of things. It was so much fun, though, because it felt like I was hosting a dinner party & introducing old friends to new friends, all of whom have a huge heart for encouragement.
I don’t know yet what I’ll be writing about this year. But I should probably figure it out, because I’m going to have even more work to do this year. Several months ago a dear friend emailed and asked if I would take something off her plate. After hosting the challenge for six years, she wanted to say “no” to make room for some other projects she wanted to pursue, and wondered if I would say “yes.”
Nester has gifted me the honor of managing the Write 31 Days community. And I said “yes,” because words are my happy place, and this challenge has changed how I write. So, just like last year, if you want to join a crazy group of writers who commit to publishing content every day for 31 days in the month of October, you can sign up here to make sure you don’t miss any announcements.
We’ll hang out on Facebook in the meantime, and every Wednesday in September you can join me live for a Periscope (@crystalstine) where we’ll do 31 Days Q&A, tips & encouragement leading up to October 1st when the linky goes live.
And in November, if you want, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know to turn your 31 Days content into an eBook that you can offer on Amazon, or gift to your email subscribers.
What Nester has created is beautiful and simple and fun and I have no intention of changing what she’s started. It’s a privilege to be trusted with it, and I do very much hope you’ll join me this year!
I’m confused, since I checked out the 31 days site but am not seeing the linkup yet, or where the linkup is going ot open on Oct 1. I see it was published last year in early September, but the 2015 one hasn’t been published yet?
I joined the FB group so hopefully there I’ll be okay.
Hi! So glad you’re going to join. When you go to the homepage of Write31Days.com you’ll see several categories – on October 1st at 8am EST you’ll simply click on one of those categories that best fits your series & add your link to the linky that will appear there. The linky is always open Oct 1 – Oct 5. If you want to test linking up, just click on the “practice linky” button in the sidebar of the write31days.com page 🙂 Hope that helps!
Having done your Creative Basics series, I know you’re an awesome hostess! Looking forward to this!
Congratulations !! I know you will do a great job! I’ve never done the 31 Days before, but I am hoping to this year. For now, I’m just trying to figure out how to fit writing into my new normal. Although I have blogged for a while I still have not found my ‘niche’ I still just write about things that going on in my life. Maybe I’ll just do 31 days in the life of Amy 🙂 but that would bore the few that read 🙂
I am excited to give this a shot! And turning it into an eBook…this may be the push I need. 🙂
Yay! Last year I did a fun series on 1970s pop music and discovered I could have written a whole year on the topic and never run out of material. I’m still debating about participating this year but if I do, I’m sure it will be something light and fun. Maybe 1980s pop music. 😉 So glad to see a familiar face at the helm of this very special project!
I’m especially looking forward to your periscope talks. Last year I fell onto the 31Days and this year it will be much more intentional. Looking forward to i!
Crystal, I’m so excited that you’ll be hosting 31 days this year! You are going to do such a fantastic job, and I can’t wait for your periscopes full of wisdom and laughter! (Seriously–your scope on Friday had me laughing out loud!)
I’m so excited to do this! I’ve always wanted to, and last year was my first. I can’t wait to learn how to turn my 31 day series into a book. If I gift it to my email subscribers, though, do I still keep the posts on my blog? Thank you for hosting this! You are amazing!
I would keep them on your blog, since your ebook gift could be given out a year from now and those wouldn’t necessarily be blog posts they’d ever go find on their own 🙂 You could also add new content to your ebook, reformat the posts, add new images, etc. to make it all fresh – plus there is a bonus in having all the info in one place for your reader so they don’t have to click back through 31 blog posts!
This sounds like fun! The part of me that’s curious about meeting other people who blog and learning tips on how to do it better is REALLY wanting to give this a try. The part of me who’s wrangling a teething munchkin is not sure I could do 31 days straight. When is the cut-off for signing up?
That teething munchkin stage gal – sending you all the coffee & chocolate! The link-up will stay open Oct 1 – 5 and writing ahead is not only totally allowed but SUPER encouraged (and these don’t have to be 800+ word chapters, be creative & do what works for you!)
All the coffee & chocolate are appreciated!!! 🙂 Thanks, Crystal! <3
Crystal, you will do an amazing job of managing this – everything you do, you do well. Ecclesiastes 9.10
aw thank you!
I am still tempted to think I am to old to do this.
Nope, never! Your words would be such a blessing, I’m sure!
I love 31 Days- so exciting you are heading it up! I think I have an idea for it this year- can’t wait!
Yay! Can’t wait to hear about it 🙂
So excited! I wanted to get back to writing after school started and now I can with a great group of women!
Woohoo! Love how that worked out 🙂
Crystal, so excited that you are keeping Write 31 Days going. I did it for the first time last year…and it has blessed me in more ways that I can count or could have ever have imagined! 🙂 I have NO IDEA what I am going to write on this year. Last year I wrote on “Being A Daughter: 31 Days of Mental Illness.” Glad to know I am not alone in the boat as I discern what this year’s topic may be.
Gal, you are SO not alone…um…I don’t have a topic yet and I should maybe try to work on that 😉
Hi Tara. I’m very interested in your last year’s 31 days posts. Could you give me a link to your blog?
This sounds like so much fun and just the kick in the pants I need on my blog. I’m in. Thanks for taking it over 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad 🙂
Congratulations, Crystal. 🙂
Thank you!
Congratulations Crystal!! I’m sure you are going to do a fabulous job! I’ve never done the 31 Days before, but I just might this year. For now, I’m doing my own blog everyday in August at amanda.so . I feel like an old fashioned blogger simply writing about things that happen during my day. It’s really fun! I love reading all the 31 Days series and can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with this year. 🙂
It’s so refreshing to have that opportunity to just write what you want to write, right? (I couldn’t resist….)
Just. So. Excited. What a gift to have you as the new host. Thrilled for you friend!
Adore you 🙂 Thanks for cheering for me!
Crystal! So excited for you. Thank you for taking the torch from Nester. Nester, if you are reading, thank you for all the years of hosting 31 days. It is a life changer for me. I learned much about myself and my God in my participation the last three years. I will be praying for both of you as you head out on your new journeys.
Such sweet words, Shelly! I’ll be sure to pass them along to Nester if she doesn’t see them 🙂
Awesome, Crystal! Congrats on saying yes and the challenge ahead.
Thanks Lindsey!
Woot woot! I’m so excited for you and the 31 Day community. You’ll make a GREAT host!
Aw thanks friend! Let’s plan that PA meet up soon!
Big job I’m sure, I know you will be so fabulous at this! I have never participated, although I have thought about it the last two years. Still considering this year…but I’m not sure. I love picking a few series and following the whole month. I love your videos last year!
Mary, I hope you’ll join if you have time this year! I’m trying to think of a topic, too 😉 If I were any good at poetry I’d do “31 days of Haiku” …hehe..
Thanks, Crystal, for taking the torch on this! I can’t believe October is just around the corner!! Looking forward to another great month of writing!
I’m so glad you’ll be joining in! Now I just need to figure out my own topic, I guess 😉