Timed Writing: Join Me for Writing Sprint Wednesdays

J.H. Jones
May 20
3 min read

Have you ever felt that exhilarating rush when the words just flow onto the page? Timed writing sprints are a fantastic way to put yourself into that word zone and unlock your creativity. And when you join the sprint on Bluesky, it's easy!

What Are Timed Writing Sprints?

Timed writing sprints are short, focused sessions where writers set a timer and write continuously for a fixed period. For the sessions I lead on Bluesky on Wednesdays, I start these sessions at 8 a.m., Eastern Time, and usually bring my sessions to a close by 10 a.m. Each session is approximately 25 minutes of writing followed by 5 minutes of break. Very Pomodoro.

The main goal is to unleash ideas and words without pausing to edit or second-guess. No prompts to kick you off, or writing rules to tell you what to do. You're in charge. It’s not only liberating but also surprisingly productive!

Why Join Timed Writing Sprints?

Writing sprints challenge you to exceed your limits, overcome writer's block, produce more content in less time and generally help you get your head in the game in a supportive, encouraging environment.

One of the most rewarding aspects of timed writing sprints with others is the sense of community they foster. Writing can often feel like a solitary pursuit, but joining a group for a sprint creates an atmosphere of shared experience.

While there are writing groups constructed around write-ins and writing sprints, you can also tap into Bluesky. There I use the hashtags #WriterSky and #writingsprintwednesdays for the sprints. Join us and you'll feel the supportive experience energizing you.

How to Maximize Your Timed Writing Sprint Experience

Set Your Intentions

Before starting a sprint, set clear intentions. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish: are you drafting a chapter of your novel, outlining a short story, composing poetry, or free writing? Having a focused goal helps you channel your energy efficiently throughout the session.

If you're stuck and you don't know what you want to accomplish, writing prompts are excellent tools to spark your creativity. Prepare a list of interesting prompts to jump-start your sprints. Or, you can try starting with a phrase like "the last time I felt at home". This simple prompt can lead you down many paths and get the words flowing quickly. Alternatively, if you want a prompt with genre-specific inspiration, you can check out the Writing Prompt Generator from ServiceScape for some fun ideas.

Create Your Comfortable Environment

Your writing environment plays a significant role in your creativity. Ensure you have everything you need—comfortable seating, your favorite snacks, and a refreshing drink. Removing distractions is key, so you can dive deep into your writing and leave the time to me. I'll post when the 25-minute and 5-minute periods are done.

Get the Words Down

Writing sprints challenge you to exceed your limits, exercise your imagination, push through writer's block, and get productive. For instance, many writers report that they can generate anywhere from 200 to 1,000 words in a single sprint. They may or may not use those words to develop full-blown projects, but many say these sprints are an effective way to warm up for their writing projects.

Support and Encourage

Doing these sprints via Bluesky is an excellent way to surround yourself with supportive peers, who will keep your enthusiasm high, and who need your help and encouragement, too. Not only is the shared experience fun, you'll meet some new authors and hashtags to cheer and follow. It's a great way to add to your network.

Join Me for the Challenge

Let’s unleash our words and celebrate the joy of writing together! I'm writinggroupjonz (@writinggroupjonz.bsky.social) on Bluesky, and the hashtags are #WriterSky, #writingsprintwednesdays. Usually, I kick off each Wednesday at 8 a.m. Eastern Time and we have a go with a few sprints then you have the option to share your progress. 😁