31-DAY WRITING CHALLENGE :: 2021 EDITION
October 1-31, 2021
Do you want to start WRITING DAILY?
Do you wish you could establish a better WRITING ROUTINE?
Do you long for a supportive WRITING COMMUNITY?
Are you ready to achieve a new WRITING GOAL?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions,
this 31-Day Writing Challenge is for you!
HOW IT WORKS:
The 31-Day Writing Challenge is an annual writing challenge that takes place from October 1st through 31st.
After you register, you’ll receive this year’s list of 31 one-word writing prompts. You’re welcome to use the prompts for inspiration, or you could come up with your own topic, theme, or writing project for the month.
The goal is to write something every day for 31 days in a row.
SOME IDEAS FOR DAILY WRITING:
+ Use the supplied writing prompts to freewrite for five minutes
+ Set a goal to write a certain number of words each day
+ Fill a daily private journal entry
+ Write a series of devotionals to turn into an e-book or book
+ Work on a novel or fictional short story
+ Share an original inspirational social media post
+ Think of a theme in advance and build on it throughout the month
+ . . . the possibilities are endless!
THE LINK-UP
If you plan to post your work online, beginning October 1st there will be an opportunity to link up your own blog, website, or social media profile so others can follow along and read your series of posts.
The link-up will be open from October 1st through October 5th at the bottom of this page. You only need to link up once.
Please note: You don’t have to post your writing online in order to participate in the challenge. You’re welcome to write privately, either on paper or on a device.
With your $10 registration you will receive:
- a list of 31 writing prompts in your inbox as soon as you sign up
- regular email encouragement, updates, and reminders throughout the month
- access to a private Facebook group where you can ask questions, receive accountability and encouragement, and engage with other Writing Challenge participants
- video training on how to create a graphic (or “button”) in Canva and how to join a link-up
FAQ:
DO I HAVE TO USE THE WRITING PROMPTS?
No! You’re welcome to use the list of provided writing prompts,
but you can also choose your own topic, theme, or writing project for the challenge.
The main goal is to write everyday.
DO I HAVE TO STICK TO A FIVE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT?
Nope! The hope is that a five-minute free write will be a manageable amount of time
for most people to accomplish in a day, but if you want to write more, go ahead!
DO I HAVE TO POST MY WRITING ONLINE?
No. You’re welcome to write privately on paper or on a device and keep your work unpublished. If you prefer paper and pen, you might enjoy The 31-Day Writing Prompt Journal.
CAN I SHARE MY WRITING ON SOCIAL MEDIA INSTEAD OF A BLOG?
Yes! You’re welcome to use the 31 Days Writing Challenge as a microblogging exercise
to share on Instagram, Facebook, or somewhere else.
IS THERE A HASHTAG FOR THE WRITING CHALLENGE?
Yes! We’ll be using #31days2021 on social media, so be sure to include the hashtag in your posts and follow along to meet other participants and read their work.
WHEN DOES THE LINK-UP OPEN?
The link-up will be open from 8am EST on Friday, October 1st, through 10pm EST on Tuesday, October 5th.
** You only need to link up once. **
I recommend linking up a website landing page for your series
or your social media profile so people can easily find future posts.
WHAT IS A LANDING PAGE?
A landing page is simply a page or a post on your website where you can direct people to “land” when they visit your site. I would encourage you to use a landing page or post to introduce your series, invite people to subscribe to your mailing list if you have one, and link future posts as a Table of Contents.
Examples of past landing pages I’ve used can be found here and here.
WHAT IS A “BUTTON”?
The square image that bloggers include in link-ups to identify themselves, their site, or their blog series is sometimes called a “button.” You can create a square graphic using a free program such as Canva.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Email Kate Motaung at kate@fiveminutefriday.com.
ABOUT YOUR HOST:
Hi! I’m Kate Motaung. As an author, editor, and coach, I love supporting other writers and helping them make progress in their writing lives.
I’m also the host of Five Minute Friday, an online writing community that seeks to encourage and equip Christian writers.
Books I’ve written include A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging, Letters to Grief, The Five-Minute Writing Prompt Journal, and Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me).
I hope you’ll join me for this 31-Day Writing Challenge in October!
Help us spread the word!
Share the following graphics on social media
The link-up below will be open from 8am EST on Friday, October 1st, 2021 through 10pm EST on Tuesday, October 5th, 2021: