Welcome to the Perfectionist’s Half-Assed Writing Challenge

Looking for a video, resource, or guide from the challenge? It’s on this page!

You’ll find the video replays of the live trainings, plus bonus resources (everything I mentioned in an email is here, so you don’t have to push the limits of Gmail’s search function).

Day Three - How to Know When a Story is Done & A Way to Keep the Party Going

For the chat from today’s call, click here

Here’s the transcript from today’s video.

Here’s the poetry contest I mentioned.

Here’s the Pitching Hour link

Today, we learn why it’s great that things are half-assed, how to know when to stop editing a story, and why you can’t embarrass yourself with editors.

Enjoyed the Challenge?

Day Two: Dealing with Shitty Daria & How to Pitch

If you’d like to see it, here’s the chat from today’s video.

Here’s the transcription from today’s video

Here’s the first song from today’s video

Here’s a couple real pitches that sold to give you an idea of what they can look like.

If you want to see the pitch that got me into the New York Times (the pitches that didn’t) and find editor contact info for the creative-friendly section of the Times, you can get my Getting Into the New York Times course for only $9.

Today’s task: Write a fast draft of your pitch or article.

Just a rough draft you write quickly of the idea you chose from day one!

Day One - Don’t Give a Cup of Cream & Story Ideas Editors are Looking For

If you’d like to see it, here’s the chat from today’s video.

Here’s the transcript from today’s video.

Today’s Task: Pick an idea (pick the easiest or most fun idea) & write 250 words.

Also, I mention Insider, Scary Mommy, and Huffington Post. If you’d like to pitch Insider, see the list of editors in the resources below.

For Scary Mommy, pitch kelly.faircloth@bustle.com

For Huffington Post Personal Essay, send your pitch to Emily McCombs, emily.mccombs@huffpost.com

Resources

The Perfectionist’s Half-Assed Challenge Guide

250+ Paying Places That Take Pitches

Business Insider Editors & Pitching Guidelines

Sonia Weiser’s Opportunities of the Week Newsletter - Twice a week, she finds all the editor pitch call outs on Twitter and puts them in a handy email. Only $4 a month, it is so worth it!

Funds for Writers - C. Hope Clark runs an incredible newsletter with fiction and non-fiction writing opportunities. And it’s free!

Sian Meades-Williams Freelance Writing Jobs Newsletter - This is free resource, especially good for UK writers. There’s also a paid upgrade option if you want to see the jobs a day before everyone else.

Study Hall

For $8 a month, you’ll get pitch call outs, job listings, and opportunities. Or, if you’re looking for a more robust networking platform, they’ve got that available at a higher price.

Writing Notes in the Shower

If you get all your best ideas in the shower, this shower ready notepad is a great way to jot things down without interrupting your shampoo routine.

Waterproof Shower Notepad + Pencil

Book Recommendations

You don’t need to read any of these, but if you’re interested in more good books about writing, check these out. Also, these are affiliate links, but they’re honest recommendations.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - Everyone has recommended Elizabeth Gilbert by now, but even though I went into this book with a bit of an eye roll, it’s a wonderful guide to making writing work (for your life) and sparking creativity.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott - A lovely look at the writing process and necessity of shitty first drafts.

The Byline Bible by Susan Shapiro - Susan Shapiro is the pitching pro and this book has great info.

The Pyjama Myth: The Freelance Writer’s Survival Guide by Sian Meades-Williams - A great look at the reality of freelance writing life with wonderful tips along the way!

The Shy Writer Reborn by C. Hope Clark - For all the introverts or people scared to put their work out there, this is for you.

Unfollow Your Passion by Terri Trespicio - This isn’t just about writing, but is a fantastic book about changing paths and starting new things. Spoiler: Passion doesn’t need to be part of it. If you’ve been looking for any kind of life change, I can’t recommend this enough.

Welcome to the Writer’s Life by Paulette Perhach - An inspiring look at how to make a living writing.

You’re the Business: How to Build a Successful Career When You Strike Out On Your Own by Anna Codrea-Rado - How to think of writing as a business (not in an annoying way) and really build a career.

Songs & Timers

Writing for 5 minutes is a whole crapload better than writing for no minutes. Setting a timer can make writing a lot more manageable, whether you’re brainstorming for 5 or writing an article in 30 minutes.

Instead of hearing an obnoxious phone timer go off, here are some soothing video timers and 5 & 10 minute songs you can use to time your writing sessions.

Hocus Pocus by Focus - 5 Minutes

Clocks - 5 Minutes

What’s Up? - 5 Minutes

MacArthur Park - 10 Minutes

Achille’s Last Stand - 10 Minutes

Soothing Ocean Sounds - 30 Minutes

5 Minute Exercises

If you’re having a hard time getting started or you just want an easy exercise to get things moving, try a 5 minute exercise! I intro the video, give the prompt, and give you 5 minutes to write. At the end, I offer a short recap. If you like, leave a comment with anything that came from the exercise!