What Is the 85K90D Challenge and Why You Should Take Part?

Okay, I’ve been mulling over some things now that NaNoWriMo is over. One of which is whether I should sign up to take the 85K90D challenge.

What is the 85K90D challenge?

Well it’s the same as NaNoWriMo. But instead of writing 50,000 words in 30 days, you’re writing 85,000 words in 90 days. That’s a lot of words to write but you have three times the time frame to write it in.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I’ve been inspired to write four romance shorts, as part of a collection. I’d like to submit to Carina Press’ new ongoing Dirty Bits submission call in 2018. And even if none the shorts gets accepted, I’d still like to submit them elsewhere. Estimated word count for each is around 20,000-25,000 words. Which makes the probable total word count anywhere between 80,000-100,000 words.

So it fits the bill for the writing challenge. Yet I’m still on the fence. Why?

It could be the daunting word count, despite the fact it’s spread out over three months. Actually four because April is a catch up month in case you didn’t make goal in ninety days. Or am I afraid the writing challenge gods will smite me again. And I’ll suffer the same techware affliction I went through during NaNoWrimo.

Hhmmm, what is the hold up?

Well, I did a little more research about it to help get over that indecision bump.

• The 85K90D challenge is to promote productivity. Whether you’re a fast or slow writer, the purpose of the challenge, same as NaNoWriMo, is to write. They chose 85K as the word count goal because it’s the standard word count length of a novel. It begins January 1st because we’re all wearing to go to keep the promise(s) we made more so during those first few months. We usually fall off afterwards.
• The 85K90D challenge promotes accountability. Either twice a week (every Monday and Friday) you’re required to update your word count. Or you can use the option of using their daily word count tracker. Participants are required to report their words counts to stay on goal.
• The 85K90D gives you an extra moth to catch up. So yes, April can be used to help finish and reach your goal. But that in no way means you can get complacent during the challenge. The extra month is to help you push through to the finish line. Or you can use that month to take a break before coming back in the editing months of May to June. Or you can start another story. It’s your call.

As of yet, the forums aren’t as in depth and as social as the NaNoWriMo forums but I’ll see if that changes in the next 23 days.

So far, I’ve signed up and set up my profile. I’m using the same profile name and picture on NaNoWriMo. Still after all that, I’m leaning towards 70-30 in participating. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Ever heard or participated in the 85K90D challenge? Will you be participating next year? What writing project would you be working on? Made definitive writing life plans for 2018 yet?