Streak Update

Way back last December, I did a number of posts about motivation, and then in January started a page here on this web site under the label “Streaks.” Then, at the beginning of every month (with a few monthly glitches on my part) I recorded the writing streaks people were reporting.

Numbers said they were starting and never did, a number of streaks fell to the retired side of things (see the rules at the bottom of the Streak Page), but a number of people have been reporting regularly around the first of the month for almost a year now.

That’s a stunning amount of consistency in writing, and I admire it a great deal, since I have been unable to be anything but a sprint writer over the years. Those of you who can hit regular page counts day in and day out are my heroes.

One writer, who has sold numbers of novels to different publishers, came to one of our master classes just over six years ago and left with the idea to start a writing streak, producing two pages per day without a day off. Her name is Pati Nagle and as of this month she has not missed a day for 2,222 days in a row. That means writing on Christmas, birthday, sick days, and travel days. For over six years.

Stunning, just flat stunning.

There is a real reason she is selling novels regularly. Check out her new book and web site at Pati Nagle.

Congratulations, Pati, and everyone else who has continued streaks this year. As I say with each response: Keep firing! You people are my writing heroes.

Cheers, Dean

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3 Responses to Streak Update

  1. I agree, Pati’s streak is nothing short of astounding.

    Makes me realize what REAL dermination to writing looks like!

    (humbled)

    My output this year hasn’t even come close to the goals I set at the beginning of the year. I’ve had a lot of “life” intervening, of course, but I hate to use that as an excuse. I am sure Pati has had plenty of “life” happening during her streak, but she’s not allowed it to stop her.

    (double humbled)

  2. Rob Vagle says:

    Pati Nagle has a great big streak number. Julie Hyzy and Annie Reed have had great big streak numbers as well! Numbers and consistency to admire! I’m working on the first year and its been going well.

  3. Pati Nagle says:

    Thanks, Dean! I just saw this – obviously I’m not reading your blog often enough.

    Credit is due to Julie Hyzy, whose five-year streak inspired me, and to the Master Class for a much needed kick in the pants.

    A rousing cheer for everyone who’s got a streak going! Every streak starts out small…that’s what it’s about.

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