Are you up to the challenge?

Frank McKinley

Jul 22, 2018·5 min read

I recently told you that quality comes from quantity.

What better way to ramp up your quality than to post 30 days in a row right here on Medium?

This isn’t just any challenge

In this challenge, I’m giving you a head start.

The first thing you need to do — today — is brainstorm a list of 30 or more topics to write about.

I talk about it in this video if you’re in a hurry.

I also included a resource that goes further into how to brainstorm your list. You can read that in the link below.

Here’s how to come up with your 30 topics in as little as 10 minutes.

1. Put a prompt at the top of a piece of paper (or a Google Doc).
2. Set a timer for 10 minutes.
3. Write down everything that comes to mind. Shoot for 100 ideas if you can.
4. When the time runs out, reduce your list to the 30 best ideas.
5. If you don’t have 30, do the exercise again until you do.

That’s it!

Now you don’t have any writers block keeping you from writing for 30 days in a row.

Here’s how to make it work

Now that you’ve got a great list of topics to work with, you need to write fast every day to get this done.

I suggest you use a template.

If you’re writing nonfiction, you might use what Gary Goodman calls the PEP format.

1. State your main point. I believe everyone should speak up for themselves. (Example)
2. Provide 3 forms of evidence to support your main point. Tell a story. Give us the facts. Ask a question that makes us think.
3. Restate the main point you just proved.

That’s enough to help you write 300–500 words pretty easily.

If you’re writing a story, use this structure:

1. Conflict

2. Struggle

3. Resolution

Your post doesn’t have to be long to make an impact. In fact, you may find that the longer most articles are, the less likely you are to read it. If you wanted sit down to read for an hour, you’d just read a book, wouldn’t you?

Here’s the win for you

What you’ll be doing by accepting this challenge is pushing yourself to excel.

You see, if you and I wait until we feel like writing, we won’t write as much. It’s always more appealing to drink coffee, take a nap, or surf the internet. So decide right now that you’ll be the master of your feelings rather than let them toss you to and fro — and keep you from creating art.

Besides, you can use your feelings to write some pretty awesome stuff.

Pissed off? Vent on paper.

Thrilled beyond words? Write about it anyway.

Feeling bored? Write your way out of it.

This is not about making you feel guilty. I want to empower you to give your artist room to breathe, create, and grow. Your message isn’t meant to be smothered by life. You’ve been given it to test for yourself, share, and use what you find to enhance other people’s lives.

Will you join us?

Here’s the best part

You don’t have to just write alone. I’ve created a group for you on Facebook called Medium Superheroes. That’s where we will gather to talk about what we’ve written, share our posts, and help each other rise to new heights as Thriving Writers!

I’ve added the link below so you can easily request to join.

Got questions? I’ll be there to answer them. I’ll also be writing here every day. I’m doing a series of posts that will take you from being an Aspiring Writer to a Thriving Writer.

Here are the topics:

• Be audacious
• Talent comes with practice
• Write from your pain
• Write to solve problems
• Write to create awareness
• Write to boost your You brand
• It’s not all about you
• Tempt people
• Writing is music
• Do it yourself
• Fear factor writer’s style
• Encourage readers’ dreams
• Rant once a week
• Write poetry
• Throw away your textbooks
• Coffee talk
• What’s amazing about you
• Everyone writes, few connect
• Write some crap
• Set your own rules
• Learn to love marketing (it’s not a dirty word)
• Use other bloggers as leverage
• Let people see you sweat
• Your life isn’t boring
• Write when you don’t feel like it
• Editing out loud
• Writing is a community activity
• Yes, you should get paid
• Dream so big it scares you
• Stay in school forever

We Start Monday, July 23

We’d really love to have you join us. If it’s after July 23, come along anyway! You can still blog for 30 days in a row, can’t you?

Worried about missing a day? Don’t beat yourself up about it. Just pick up where you left off tomorrow. But don’t wait too long — the momentum stays when you keep striking those hot irons.

This is about helping you increase your quality at lightning speed. Write fast. Learn something every day. Don’t edit yourself out of your writing. It’s your time to shine, and we’re here to stand with you!

Have friends who like to get in on the challenge? Send them this post. Share it on social media with the hashtag #30Posts30Days. Join Medium Superheroes and get some extra sharing power and valuable feedback.

Let’s give your voice the attention it deserves!