How Writing Challenges Can Sharpen Your Skills

Level Up Your Writing with a Challenge

Have you ever stared at a blank page, willing words to appear? I know I have. In fact, over 80% of aspiring writers say they’ve experienced writer’s block. Though I don’t believe in “writer’s block,” with some stories, it can definitely be a challenge to move forward and gain momentum. These blocks can come from a lack of research or not understanding the characters or story well enough. But other times, what writers need is simply external motivation to move forward.

Several studies aimed at students from middle school to college level show that regularly participating in writing challenges can significantly improve writing fluency and confidence. Skills improved, and the amount of writing increased and flowed with less effort. If regular participation in writing challenges worked to move students’ writing forward, it might also work for fiction authors.

Why writing challenges work

Writing challenges are more than just trendy hashtags or group prompts, though that’s sometimes what they seem like when you log into social media and read about people participating in another challenge.

Real challenges are goals you set for yourself, and they’re strategic tools that stretch your…