Frequently Asked Questions
40 Days and 40 Writes might be different from other writing programs or bootcamps. The focus is on doing the writing, not giving and receiving feedback. Just take the daily prompt, let it roll around in your head, and see what comes out.
When and how will I get the daily writing prompts?
Prompts go live at 12 a.m. Pacific Time, and you will receive a reminder by email at 9 a.m. to log in and get your prompt. There are no prompts on Sundays. You may use your Saturday writing prompt any time over the weekend.
Do I have to hit the time target?
The time target listed with each prompt are the minimum amount of time you should spend writing. Please write more if you like. That said, it can be a good exercise to constrain yourself to the time limit as a way to learn to write more quickly and efficiently each day.
Are the prompts in any sort of order?
Yes, for most programs they are. In the "Classic" program, you should expect prompts to get more open-ended over time. Feedback from previous groups has helped me refine the order that these come in.
What if I miss a day?
The goal is to write daily. But life happens, and there’s no crisis if you miss a day. That said, missing two or three days results in a loss of momentum.
Do I have to do my writing in the submission form?
You can do your writing in other word processing programs if you prefer. If you want to record your exact writing time, you should also use the form. It auto-saves every 30 seconds.
Who is reading the blog?
Only members of 40 Days and 40 Writes have access to the blog. But that might include people in other groups working on other sets of prompts, or people who have been in past groups.
Do I have to post to the blog?
No. Each day you can indicate if you want to make that piece of writing available on the blog or not.