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Transform Your Scribing Existence into a Game

Creativity often sparks multiple ideas, but transforming them into tangible outcomes requires a strategic approach. Unfortunately, this is a stumbling block for numerous creatives. Today, Rochelle Melander offers a unique method to help you actualize your concepts, which might be unfamiliar to you.

Transform Your Writing Journey into a Game
Transform Your Writing Journey into a Game

Transform Your Scribing Existence into a Game

In the world of writing, having a support system is crucial, much like identifying allies who offer encouragement and support. This is where Rochelle Melander, the founder of Dream Keepers, comes into play. Dream Keepers is a writing workshop designed to help teens find their voice and share their stories. Melander, a certified professional coach and bestselling author of twelve books, is also a speaker and can be found on various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or on her website writenowcoach.com.

Melander's approach to writing involves gamifying the process, making it more engaging and less daunting. One such method is designing quests, which breaks down a big goal into a series of smaller, achievable tasks. For instance, you might set a quest to write an elevator pitch or logline for your book, or plot out potential scenes for your novel.

Each quest comes with a measurable goal, such as writing 500 words a day, and power-ups to renew energy, overcome roadblocks, and finish difficult tasks. If you get stuck, you can take a break to fold laundry, sweep the floor, or do dishes for 15 minutes, and then get back to work.

Naming villains in this context refers to anything that prevents a writer from achieving their goal, such as an inner critic, distractions, or toxic friends and colleagues. By identifying these obstacles, writers can work to overcome them and stay focused on their writing.

Promotion is another crucial aspect of writing, and Melander suggests connecting with five bloggers about potential guest posts as a promotion quest. National Novel Writing Month is a prime example of gamification for writers, providing a structured environment and incentives to help writers reach their goals.

Defining your "Epic Win" is essential, as it helps writers visualize what a big win would look like for them. This could be writing a book in the next 60 days or simply writing daily. Rewards are an essential part of the quest, serving as incentives for meeting your goals. These rewards could be activities or items that writers treat themselves to after each quest, such as taking a longer walk in a new neighborhood or buying a new plant.

Research is also an important part of the writing process, and Melander suggests research quests, such as studying the clothing choices for a woman in 1880s France. For those seeking inspiration, Melander's book, "SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver, and More Resilient" by Jane McGonigal, offers a unique perspective on using gaming to heal from a brain injury.

In conclusion, by adopting a secret identity, designing quests, and incorporating power-ups and rewards, writers can transform their writing goals into achievable tasks and stay motivated throughout their writing journey.

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