It’s February, which means it’s time for Writer Recharge!
Once again hosted by Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij Sara Biren, and myself, Writer Recharge is your chance for a four-week jump start in the middle of a cold, dreary winter. Set goals for yourself, check in once a week, and connect with other recharging writers.
How Writer Recharge Works
- First week of February: Post your goals for the month on your blog, website, or Twitter. Use the hashtag #WriterRecharge. Link your blog post on Sara’s blog.
- Every Monday in February: Update your progress via your blog or twitter. Link your blog posts on our Monday posts.
- Throughout the month: Use the hashtag to connect with other writers, have writing parties, and cheer one another on!
- Friday, February 27: Post your final update via your blog or twitter.
- Anyone who uses the hashtag or links their blog posts will be entered to win a fabulous prize package at the end of the month.
This year, we’ve come up with a few categories you might want to consider when making your goals. You can choose a goal (or goals) for one or some or all:
- WRITE/REVISE – Choose writing goals for the month.
- READ/REREAD – Read a book that’s been on your TBR forever or reread something that had a great impact on you.
- STRETCH – Do something outside your comfort zone, from reading a genre you typically avoid to trying a new food or rock climbing when you’re afraid of heights – that kind of thing.
- SELF – Do something good for your mind or your body.
- CONNECT – Find a way to make a difference in someone’s life. Make a connection, via social media or in person. Initiate twitter writing parties, have a real-life write-in with writers in your town, or offer to critique or beta read someone’s work.
- FUN – Make a goal to do something super fun and exciting that you can look forward to.
My #WriterRecharge Goals
- WRITE/REVISE – By the end of February, I want to be completely done drafting my WiP, Stars Like Dust, and I’d like to have started addressing the revision to-do list I’ve made for it.
- READ/REREAD – I’d like to read at least four books this month, at least one non-contemporary, and at least one a non-YA.
- STRETCH – One of my Thirty Before 35 goals is to write something that’s not contemporary YA, so I hope to start brainstorming what that something might be. I have some vague ideas, but writing anything outside the realm of Real Life is a big stretch for me, which means this possible project is going to require a lot of musing.
- SELF – I’d like to pick up yoga again. I’ve been slacking over the last several months, and I hope to practice at least twice a week.
- CONNECT – Ooh, this one’s easy! I’m headed to West Virginia for a weekend-long writing retreat this Thursday. I’ve never done one before, and some of my favorite writing buddies are coming along, including my Writer Recharge co-host Elodie!
- FUN – My daughter and I are going to start a quilt this month. Even if we only make it to the store to choose fabrics… it’s happening. Baby steps. 🙂
We hope you’ll join us for this year’s Writer Recharge!
Head over to Sara’s blog to link your Goals post.
katyupperman.com 
Katy! I love that you are going to begin a not contemporary YA project. Even if yod decide it’s not for you, I think writing (and reading) outside your comfort zone is always an eye opener. My WiP is sort of that for me. Also, I love that you are making a quilt with your daughter. What a great memory to share!
Totally agree, Rebekah! I’m hoping to try magical realism — not a huge departure, but a definite challenge. I’m excited to start brainstorming! And I’m really looking forward to our quilting project. It’s been years since I last made one. 🙂
Love your stretch and fun goals. I’ve got a non-contemporary YA hanging out somewhere and one of these days I’ll pick it up again 🙂
Enjoy your writing retreat – WV is a great place to relax and get some writing done!
Now I’m intrigued by your non-contemp! You’ll have to email me some clues about it. 🙂 Glad your joining us for the Recharge, Jennifer!
Yay, Katy! I totally need something like this. Writing up my post and joining in!
So glad you’re going to Recharge with us, Alice! Best of luck meeting your goals!
Quilting is so much fun! I hope you and your girlie love it. 🙂 Good luck finishing up your draft and moving into revisions this month. I’m hoping to make some serious progress on the drafting front myself. Thanks again for co-hosting this, Katy! It’s exactly what I need right now.
Glad to have another drafter joining #WriterRecharge. Drafting is so tough for me (I’d much rather revise!) so I need all of the motivation/commiseration I can get. Best of luck with all your goals, Jaime!
Your goals are fantastic, Katy! Thanks so much for co-hosting once again this year. Can’t wait to see how the month turns out for you! xoxo
Thanks for including me again, Sara! I think it’s going to be a fantastic month!
Thats really smart. I really like your blog, you have some good advice.
The quilt sounds like an awesome bonding thing for you and C! Can’t wait to see pictures! And yes! Hope you finish that WiP soon!
Me too! We’re excited about our quilting project. Can’t wait to choose fabrics!
So hmmm…Writer’s Retreat is in 3 days. THREE DAYS 🙂
Cheering you on, Katy and looking forward to seeing this quilt!
Can’t wait for this weekend! ❤
So first–I love the working title for your WIP. What a beautiful image 🙂 Of course, you know how I feel about stars. What non-contemporary are you thinking? Choose Vivian Apple! Then we can be reading a book together 🙂 As far as your stretch goal goes–if you need a brainstorming buddy, count me in. I write fantasy and apparently horror, so I’m your girl for outside contemporary.
Also–I’m so jealous about this writing retreat. If you guys do another, count me in!
VIVIAN APPLE looks so good! I’ll definitely be reading it soon. I bought THE KISS OF DECEPTION after reading about it in tons of 2014 Superlative posts, so I *think* I’m going to read that one next. Have you read it? People seem to love it! Oh, and you are so going to regret that offer when you receive a rambling email from me about my half-baked non-contemp ideas in a few weeks. 🙂 Thank you! And yes, yes, yes to a future retreat!
This is a great idea for a challenge! That writing retreat sounds really fun. 🙂
Thanks, Emma! I’m so happy you’re joining us!
So excited to be taking part again! Love your goals, good luck with the quilt, my MIL made me one out of my son’s baby clothes which is gorgeous, but I kind of want to make my own, maybe with his toddler clothes 🙂 Let us know how it goes.
I’m so glad you’re joining us again, Alexa, and I hope you get TONS done. I’ve made a few quilts before, but it’s been years and I’m excited to do something that’s creative but not writing-related. Plus, it’ll be fun to do with my kiddo! Can’t wait to see all you accomplish this month, lady!
Hey Katy! I think that quilt idea is outstanding. Hope you will share pics with us! Have a great week!
I’ll definitely share pictures, Kim! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week as well!
I feel your pain on writing outside of your comfort zone. I can’t get away from speculative stuff! Good luck on your goals 🙂
Well, if you end up deciding to write any sort of fantasy, I volunteer as tribute if you need anyone to read or bounce ideas off of 😉
I loved all of your pictures on Instagram from your retreat! And I hope you and C have fun with your quilt.