Almost done with this series of posts since we have only a few days until 2009. I’ll be writing other blog topics in the coming months, both here and as a guest blogger on Novelist Inc.’s website. Even though I am not a member, I have done one for them about being a ghost writer, and will do another about how to write a novel fast, mostly because a comment I mentioned in the ghost writing blog. I said to be a good ghost, you have to be able to easily do a novel in way under three weeks. That sentence tended to shock a few writers out there, so I’m going to show them how.

Any of you following these last series of posts this month know the answer, of course. Math and numbers.

If you have any writing questions or just comments, feel free to e-mail me, since the comments here are turned off.

There are lots and lots of topics left to cover about goals, including how to stay healthy while trying to hit your goals. But I’ll space those along in the coming months here. But for tonight, I want to start something that I hope will last for years and years and years.

This started the other night when Kris said, “You need to watch this piece on the national news.” She played me this coverage of a runner who had been running at least one mile every day for over 40 years, the longest known streak for any runner.

She wanted me to see the news piece because I’ve been working toward an exercise goal now for a few years and am finally down to near starting running weight. I ran a marathon in my 30th year (around my 30th birthday) and wanted to run a marathon again around my 60th birthday, coming up in a year and a half. I decided to do this while very, very heavy a few years back, so I couldn’t even start running at that point for fear of injury. I have since dropped over 40 pounds just getting ready to start toward this. Kris thought that the idea of starting a running streak would be something that would work for me. And to be honest, it does. Although, the first few weeks will be real interesting I’m sure. <g> I’ll keep you informed how it goes.

But back a bunch of blog posts (you have read all the ones coming up to this, haven’t you?), I mentioned three tricks writers use to develop good writing routines and habits. Tricks that drive you day after day in March and May and August to the computer. One was setting up a streak. Remember reading that? If not, scroll down and find that blog about keeping going on a goal.

Back to the news article about running for a moment. In the article, they talked about an organization called The United States Running Streak Association, Inc. Their web site is www.runeveryday.com

From what I can tell, the sole reason for this organization is to keep track of people’s running streaks around the world.

So, starting right now, here on this web site, I’m going to keep track of writing streaks for anyone who wants to report in. I’m going to follow the pattern of the runners in setting this up.

Here are the rules and I will post them on the page labeled Streak.

— An Active Streak is defined as at least two pages of original fiction (500 words) every day for at least 30 days and continuing. (Original fiction, not rewriting, not nonfiction.)

— A Retired Streak is defined as a streak of at least two pages of original fiction (500 words) every day lasting longer than thirty days and then stopped for one reason or another.

— An Active Weekly Streak is defined as a streak of at least 14 pages of original fiction in a week, from Monday morning at 12:01 A.M. to Sunday night at Midnight.

— A Retired Weekly Streak is defined as a streak of at least 14 pages of original fiction in a week, from Monday morning at 12:01 A.M. to Sunday night at Midnight and then stopped for one reason or another.

On the fifth of each month, anyone who has reported to me a writing streak will be listed.

I will update the page every month on the 5th, starting January 5th for those who already have a streak going past 30 days, and February 5th for those who want to start a streak on January 1st, 2009. The page will be updated on the 5th of the month every month after that. (5th allows everyone five days to report in.)

If you get a streak going and then miss, you can start a new streak, so there will be a permanent retired streak record of what you did and after thirty days you will have a new streak going.

Example: You start a streak on January 1st and write until May 17th, when you miss. You would have had an Active Streak up to that point and an Active Weekly Streak. Then after May 17th a Retired Streak of 136 days.

If you started a new Active Streak on May 18th, by July 1st you would have 42 day new Active Streak started. Your name and record would be on both Retired and Active lists. No limit on number of Retired Streaks you can have on the retired list.

Also, if the week you missed you still managed to do 14 pages, you would still have an Active Weekly Streak going. If you did not manage at least 14 original new pages in the week you missed, then you would have a Retired Weekly Streak on that list and start a new Active Weekly Streak.

So, here’s how all that would look on July 1st on the list. (assuming I only missed one day on May 17th and still got the 14 pages done for the week.

Active Streak List

Dean Wesley Smith… 42 Days.

Retired Streak List

Dean Wesley Smith… 136 Days.

Active Weekly List

Dean Wesley Smith…26 Weeks

Keep track of total pages as well, since at the end of the year I’ll have a master list for the number of pages written total for the year if you want to report that as well.

This will not be for everyone. So check in with yourself before thinking of trying this. And your active life might not allow such a every day streak to happen, but it might allow you to be on the Active Weekly Streak list, which is why I have included that as well.

Why do this? Why report this on my web site with others?

Weight loss programs, and many other self-help programs have discovered that one of the most powerful tools in helping people keep going is simply Reporting In. That concept is a powerful motivator and something that can drive you to the computer day after day. You tell me you want to be on the list and I’ll put your name down on the starting up list with no days. Knowing you have to report in at the end of the month will help you stay at the computer and typing new, original fiction.

And after all, staying at the computer, setting up time to write, working on new storytelling craft issues, and mailing your fiction is what this is all about. Use the Race points to keep track of how much you have in the mail (and I might ask for them from time to time) and this reporting in to keep you sitting down through the hard days.

I’m in. If nothing else, you all can watch me fire along. I am horrid at being consistent, but this year I’m going to give it a try, and if it works, keep on for a long time to come.

If you want to join me, just e-mail me and I’ll add your name to the list. And if you already have a streak going, let me know as well. And you can have your name removed from the lists at any time. No problem.
Have a great writing year. It’s going to be fun.

Cheers, Dean