The imminent end of the year provides the perfect opportunity to look back on the writing you’ve done in the last 12 months – not least if you’ve been writing and publishing on a blog.
If this year is anything like last there’ll no doubt be several round up, look back, and monthly highlights posts being published in the next week or so.
I thought I’d capitalise on this mood of looking back, reflecting, and celebrating what’s been good for a year-end group writing project: Simply The Best.
Here’s how it works:
1. Select the one post from your archive that you think is your best piece of 2008
2. Write a post about it, including the link. UPDATE: The post can be as long as you like.
3. Complete this sentence as part of the post. “This post is simply the best because…”
4. To make it more challenging, the explanation needs to be 30 words or less. [You don't need to count the words 'this post is simply the best because...']
5. When you’re done, link back to this post, and leave a comment please to be doubly sure I get it. [UPDATE: You need to write a post at your own blog to take part. Leave me a comment here to make sure I get it.]
6. Post your contribution by 24th December 2008 [UPDATE: I'll leave this open until the 28th in case any of you are still blogging over Christmas. I'll publish the results on the 30th.]
I’ll then do a round up piece some time before the New Year, including a) the link to your best piece b) the 30 word reason you chose it.
I’m hoping this will allow us to compile a list not just of some of the best articles published on the web in 2008, but an insight into how different bloggers define what is ‘the best’.
If you’ve any questions, please ask away.
UPDATE: Questions so far:
Do I write the post at my own site or share it in the comments?
Write the post at your site. Then tell me you’ve written it in the comments.
Do I need to keep the post to 30 words?
No, the post can be as long as you like. Just complete this sentence using no more than 30 words:
“This post is simply the best because…”
Otherwise, I look forward to reading your entries.
Shannon, I’m glad you found the challenge useful. Thanks for taking part.
Kathy, glad you found the blog and the challenge. I look forward to reading your contribution.
Rarst, beginning, end or bang in the middle… they all count. Thanks
Tom, yes, you made it in time! Thanks for joining in.
Joanna,
Here’s my last-minute entry. (Hopefully I’ve made it.)
Simply The Best Writer’s Notes Post of 2008
It was hard to pick, but I finally decided:
http://www.mixedmetaphor.net/2008/12/28/simply-the-best-2008/
Thanks for including my work in your project.
Jeanne, yes you made it
Jenn, hello, and thanks very much for taking part. I enjoyed getting to know your blog
[...] asked readers to look through their archive and select their best post of 2008. The additional challenge was to complete the sentence ‘this post is simply the best [...]
Thanks everyone for your comments but more importantly for participating! I really enjoyed this project – tuning into your reasons for selecting ‘best posts’ and discovering a whole lot of great blogs to read in 2009.
Karen H – I loved the 30 word summaries too. Amazing how much of a clue those words give us about the writer and their choice
Andrew, you’re right, no prizes, the list is in order of date received. There’s no way anyone could have hoped to judge this kind of selection!
Patricia – maybe you’ll be able to get involved in a future project. I’m sure to be running something or other in 2009…
Jimmie, I didn’t find it first time, but I’ve fixed it now, thanks.
JD, yes, that is a good set of (non) instructions for blogging, isn’t it?
Karen (S), thank you
I’m still singing Tina with you.
[...] Confident Writing sponsored an end-of-the-year Group Writing Project to which authors were asked to submit a single post representing their best 2008 work. I selected An Unexpected Independence Day Celebration because I believe it is one of my best-crafted short stories. It is based not upon one particular person, but, rather, several people who are dear to me, including a special couple in whose honor I wrote the piece as a way of demonstrating my affection for them upon the occasion of their wedding. My second choice for 2008 is The Keys to Her Future. If you enjoyed my work, please share and bookmark it! [...]
[...] Young started a Group Writing Project to celebrate the end of the year. The goal is to pick your top post from 2008 and tell why you [...]
[...] to Joanna Young of Confident Writing for coming up with the Simply the Best group writing project. It’s a call to sort through all of your 2008 posts and pick out just one to share. Joanna will be [...]
Great idea! Although it’s far past the “due date,” I think I’ll have to try this one.
.-= Sugar Jones´s last blog ..The Dish on Food, Inc. =-.
Sugar, good luck with it – let me know when you’re done