It’s a little while since I ran a Group Writing Project and the summer months seem like a good moment for us to test the waters of what’s possible again…
The theme, of course, is possibility. The challenge, should you accept it, is this:
1. Break out of your current blogging comfort zone and
2. Post something that’s written in a form you haven’t used before, or that’s created using a different medium.
A new form might be an imagined tale, mythical fable, short story, poem, haiku, fairy tale, TV drama… you choose 
It could be two lines if you always write 200, 200 if you always write two.
A different medium might be something you’ve not experimented with before, like a podcast or video, or sharing a photograph, or creating something that blends words and a photo or painting, or hand written words, street art you create, capture and post or… well the world is your oyster really.
The idea is simply to share something that you’d previously considered out of bounds. Impossible maybe. And bring it into the realms of what’s possible.
To help us learn from the exercise, there’s one extra part to the challenge. Write a short description of what you did to make it possible and how it felt to break past that comfort zone (scary, exciting, nerve-wracking, satisfying, compelling… whatever).
You can either make that a separate post or part of the ground-breaking work itself. (I’m trying to go light on the rules here).
To sum it up, if you want to play:
1. Post something that’s in a different form or created with a different medium (it only needs to be different and new to you – something you’ve not done before.)
2. Share some reflections on what you learned from the experiment, of doing what you thought was impossible
3. Link back to this post and leave a comment here too, so I don’t miss your entries
4. Post your entries by Friday 21st August
5. You don’t need to have contributed before to join in; you don’t need to be a writer to join in; you don’t need to write about writing to join in; you don’t even need to be that confident to join in… you just need to join in
I’ll post a round up of what proves to be possible at the end of August, including a link back to your post.
Luther Stickell: You really think we can do this.
Ethan Hunt: We’re going to do it.
This is taking me a little out of the normal comfort zone of Group Writing Projects too, so if there’s anything you’re not sure about, please just ask. It might be that others are wondering too, and your comment and question might help me to explain it better.
Quote from Mission Impossible, 1996
Montage and sound from the real thing (yes, there was a TV programme back in the 60s for those of you too young to remember).
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I used to love Mission Impossible! Thanks for the reminder.
.-= Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..World eBook Fair =-.
I’m in! Although I haven’t decided whether I’m going to take the “easy” way out and just pare my 700 word posts down to a more manageable size – or if I’m going to take the plunge and do a video instead. But I am going to challenge myself to step outside of the cozy box in which I live.
.-= Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog ..Social Media: It’s a Moral Imperative =-.
What a wonderful idea, Joanna! Count me in!
OK, gotta put on my ninja suit now…
.-= Robert Hruzek´s last blog ..BIG NEWS!!! New Book by Robert Hruzek AVAILABLE NOW! =-.
Where’s Tom Cruise?!
This is a tough one. I feel like I’m often trying different mediums to try to get readers so I’ve used a few of your suggestions. I’m going to have to think on this one. May look into the podcast thing. I’ve done videos on occassion but never really did that. I really have to put my thinking cap on for this one!
.-= Debbie Yost´s last blog ..Is Anyone Out There =-.
Maybe a challenge is just what I need right now. This may require quite a bit of thinking and stretching on my part. Sometimes it gets so cozy in that little box, but stepping out of the box…might provide a much needed adventure.
.-= Bo´s last blog ..Gertrude Stein =-.
brilliant idea Joanna!
I have been writing poetry; mostly philosophical and the like but recently I did a poem for kids. Allow me to say, that I was surprised, wohhooo I can do the cute ones too
here is the link:
http://www.writeawriting.com/creative/poetry/little-lark/
.-= write a writing´s last blog ..How and Why to Write a Book =-.
Joanna,
would a mixture between a tv story and a detective story count? Never did this one before…
.-= Ulla Hennig´s last blog ..A Forum I like to go to =-.
Joanna,
I’m in. I have no idea what this will be, but I like the challenge:~)
.-= Sara Healy´s last blog ..HAPPY NEWS: Read all about it! =-.
Ooh exciting! Count me in
I’m thinking podcast….
Amy
xx
.-= amypalko´s last blog ..Spiral Stems =-.
Glad you like the idea guys, even if you’re all as unsure where to go with it as I am
@Lillie, me too – happy memories of many hours watching it with my big brother back when we were wee…
@ Kathy, take the plunge, go on, you know you want to
@ Robert, I knew you’d be up for it!
@ Debbie, you’re right, you have used a lot of different mediums… Maybe you could think of another writing form… perhaps a poem?
Oh, okay then… how about some romantic fiction? It is the sizzling summer after all…
@ Bo, you’ve so much creativity I’m sure you’ll come up with something interesting and intriguing, for us as well as you…
@ amna, it is fun when we stretch out of the comfort zones isn’t it?
@ Ulla, yep, you’ve got the idea
@ Sara, no idea is just perfect! Thanks for playing
@ Amy, oh that’s great, can’t wait to see what you come up with
[...] The post must contain a link back to the announcement post. [...]
I pretended to myself I hadn’t seen this when it dropped into my inbox the other day. But now I’m back from a weekend of camping with toddlers (!) and it’s waving at me, and I have it to do. Which makes it sound like I’m reluctant, but I ain’t. A weeny bit scared, that’s all.
Pause whilst considers whether to complete this post with something witty, decides not to.
Eek.
.-= Jan Scott´s last blog ..Poet, aged 10 =-.
I like it. Sometimes just being different by design is what it takes to really get unleashed. For me, at work, I need to write with authority and technical accuracy … and it’s still tough for me to throw those shackles to the side when I get to romp on my personal playground. I spread my wings, but my flight pattern tends to still hover around my beaten path.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Discover the How to Your Why =-.
Delicious idea! Wringing hands together with a devilish grin :-> Thanks Joanna.
.-= Davina´s last blog ..Roaming with the Metaphor =-.
I’ll have to give this one a try.
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Girls Just Wanna Have Fun =-.
I’ve been meaning to try out a video post but have been putting it off because it’s out of my comfort zone and I don’t want to just be a talking head.
So, while I’m on holiday in the Canary Island the 2nd week of August, I’ll put together a video post…
Okay, that was really scary to say! But it’s been said and I’m committed now! Eep!
.-= Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog ..Beating the Odds: The Bloggess Interview =-.
@ Jan, wanting to and being a weeny bit scared is the perfect state to be in
Can’t wait to see what you come up with
@ J D what wonderful images you use to conjure up your work! I think my flight pattern is a bit like that too… hence the challenge, which of course is to me as well as to all of you
@ Davina… delicious and devilish… perfect!
@ Jenny, hello
I’m glad the invitation tempted you in. I’m looking forward to see what you dream up
@ Alex, video is way out of my comfort zone too. But of course that is the perfect place to experiment… Thanks for making the public commitment… and yep, you’ve said it now
[...] Young at Confident Writing is having a Mission Im(Possible): Group Writing Project where she asks individuals to write a post in a format that they are unaccustomed to, and I thought [...]
Hi Joanna,
This is quite the challenge. I’ll have to put my thinking cap on and see what I can come up with. Wish me luck!
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Claiming The Joy Within =-.
Barbara great stuff! I thought you might be intrigued… oh and yes, good luck
Hi Joanna!
Found you from Liz’s blog… Disappointed I missed the chance to submit something for this month’s theme – but looking forward to the next one!
Will definitely be subscribing to your blog / following on Twitter. Great stuff you have here! =)
Yay, what a great idea for a group writing project. My head’s already full of possibilities — not sure whether to try my hand at fiction or podcasting, so I might have to try both; if that’s not cheating!
.-= Jez Cope´s last blog ..Social networking at the University of Sheffield: uSpace =-.
Crystal hi, great to meet you – as I said by e-mail, you’re not too late, the project runs till late August, so I hope you find something (im)possible to blog about…
Jez hi there… both sounds perfect!
@DavinaH… wish backtype picked up my reply too! I think we played with doodling or music or both…?
Painting My Way Into Possibility…
I sat down one weekend to create 12 postcards from Scotland as part of an art project.
It was the first time since I had left school that I’d tried to create anything that remotely resembled ‘art’. I’d normally run 100 miles i…
I know you already read it, but here’s the link for my entry:
A Novice Guide to the Catholic Mass
.-= Debbie Yost´s last blog ..A Novice Guide to the Catholic Mass =-.
@ Debbie, thanks – a brave stretch out of the comfort zone
[...] is a contribution to Mission(ImPossible) over at Joanna Young’s blog “Confident [...]
Joanna,
I did it. It is way out of my comfort zone, and I am afraid. Took me three spoonfulls of courage pills this time.
.-= Ulla Hennig´s last blog ..Great Expectations =-.
[...] Joanna Young announced the Mission Im(Possible): Group Writing Project I thought about it for days trying to come up with an idea. The theme was Possibility and the [...]
Ulla no reason to be afraid, your piece is wonderful. Thank you so much for taking the courage pills
What an excellent idea! It is ingenious of you to suggest that we try things in a different medium or form.
I look forward to reading or listening to the various contributions. It should be fun!!
.-= Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..Align with Abundance =-.
Evelyn people are certainly having a lot of fun with it so far – can’t I tempt you to join in too….?
wow, this is interesting. i love the idea of leaving my box. only i don’t know what my box is. maybe i should ask my readers?
.-= isabella mori (@moritherapy)´s last blog ..now what – who are you really? =-.
[...] at confident writing has a neat new group writing project: the theme is possibility. the challenge, should you accept [...]
isabella that’s a great idea to ask your readers… and I see that you have
Joanna, What wonderful insight on writing techniques and an equally wonderful idea. I will surely do some parallel thinking and try my level best to post something innovative so to say.
I like the motivation this post has given me. Thanks.
.-= Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Looking Inward To Find Your True Self. =-.
Zeent it is proving a good challenge so far… hope you might be able to join in
Isabella Mori (moritherapy) challenged me to do this. I have a lot vaguely in mind….meaning this will be an adventure for me. I took about 50 “Before” screenshots of my blog and I am hoping to have monumental personal growth in my writing comfort. Thank you for the inspiration.
.-= Thebluestbutterfly´s last blog ..Vigil at the Top =-.
[...] blogging by phone. Hey, that’s 20 more than Twitter! I chose to explore this as a result of Joanna’s challenge. I think it could be a fun new thing to do sometimes. Mission Impossible conquered
AKPC_IDS += [...]
Great idea Joanna. I loved the energy of this one. I did a really simple thing but I think it will give me a powerful mew way to look at blog publishing. I set up my blog for “moblogging.”
Damien Goes Mobile
.-= Damien Riley´s last blog ..Moblogging =-.
Hi thebluestbutterfly adventures are a great way to stretch and grow… I hope you manage to take part in the project – it’s also a great way to meet other bloggers
Dabmien I am so enjoying the different directions of this project – like you say, it’s got lots of energy. When I get a moment I’ll check out your mobile initiative. Thanks for taking part
[...] to Joanna Young’s challenge, the Mission Im(possible) Group Writing Project, I found a way to exorcise my “daemon”. I wrote the lyrics for a song called [...]
Hi Joanna!
Your challenge is one of the most inspiring I’ve seen in a while! I wrote song lyrics for it
I loved playing with words and rhythm, and it’s definitely something I might try again. Hope you like it 
.-= Alexa´s last blog ..Mission Im(possible): Lyrics for a song =-.
[...] post is an entry in Confident Writing’s Mission Impossible group writing project. Joanna Young challenged us to post something on our blogs that we’ve [...]
Joanna,
I did it—I finally attempted a book trailer for Dream or Destiny.
http://lillieammann.com/2009/08/14/mission-impossible-book-trailer-for-dream-or-destiny/
.-= Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..Mission Impossible: Book Trailer for Dream or Destiny =-.
Alexa that’s brilliant! I wonder where you’ll go next… writing a novel or something ?
Lillie that’s wonderful – I’m so glad to have played a part in the development of the book and its marketing strategy
[...] throw some ideas out there and learn from what sticks and what doesn’t. So when I came across Joanna Young’s Mission Im(Possible) group writing project for this month, I thought I’d give it a go. The challenge was to produce something in a [...]
Thanks for this great challenge, Joanna! I’m always looking for creative ways to push myself out of my comfort zone, so this was a good excuse to have a go. Here’s my contribution, a first attempt at science fiction (since secondary school English, at least).
Looking forward to perusing some of the other contributions later today.
.-= Jez Cope´s last blog ..Something a little different =-.
Jez that’s brilliant – thanks so much for taking part! I’ll pop over as soon as I can to read your piece.
Perhaps I should add, also, that a glass of good single malt helped get the creative juices flowing nicely!
.-= Jez Cope´s last blog ..Something a little different =-.
[...] her death in 1965. This post is a contribution to Joanna Young’s Confident Writing blog’s ‘Mission (im)possible’ group writing [...]
Here’s my almost but not quite impossible piece: http://bit.ly/32Bd3O
.-= Jan Scott´s last blog ..moment in time =-.
[...] post is a contribution to Joanna Young’s Mission Im[Possible] Group Writing Project. It was Joanna’s idea that everyone ’share something that you’d previously [...]
Well, it’s up: On The Strandline. Feel quite sick as it’s really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I’m so glad I did it. The words ‘thank you’ don’t quite feel sufficient, Joanna! Please know that you have my utmost gratitude for giving me the gentle push I needed to showcase my writing in this way.
Amy
xx
.-= amypalko´s last blog ..On the Strandline =-.
Okay, so while I was away I decided not to do anything work related, which meant I didn’t do my video. Don’t fee the least bit guilty about it either!
.-= Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog ..Celebrating My Blog Anniversary with a Vacation =-.
Joanna, My entry is here -
http://bit.ly/erhCM
It was an attempt at storytelling, in the third person, using metaphors. Three stylistic elements I am uncomfortable with, seldom use, and have never combined in this way.
Thanks for dreaming up this project & pushing me outside the comfort zone.
.-= Brad Shorr´s last blog ..The Google Chrome Browser Diet =-.
Does my incredible fable of
Unlocking The Enchanted iPhone – A Fabulous Fun Fable
http://www.squidoo.com/unlocked-iphone-how
count?
I wrote that as a rocketmom squidoo lens project.
.-= Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..False Profits – Why you should NEVER trust online income earning claims =-.
Here’s my entry. Thanks for hosting the project – I enjoyed this challenge!
http://www.daccreative.co.uk/goodcopybadcopy/2009/08/20/scenes-from-corporate-life-3/
.-= Clare Lynch´s last blog ..Scenes from corporate life =-.
Mine is up. I was particularly glad that I wrote a poem-of-sorts called “Incident Report.”
http://coffeehobby.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-of-difference.html
.-= Thebluestbutterfly´s last blog ..Vigil at the Top(Second from the top while my mother is still ill.) =-.
Hi Joanna – I’ve scraped in before the deadline
…living in New Zealand means we’re the first to reach the end of 21 August!
Here’s my short contribution to Mission (Im)Possible.
http://soulsisters40plus.blogspot.com/2009/08/possibility.html
[...] Once upon a time when I was just a young girl of about 8 or 9 years, I discovered poetry. Rhyming words…well, it just rocked my little bobby socks off. I wrote my first and only tanka poem and haven’t really dabbled in poetry since. That is, until Joanna Young challenged me with a group writing project, encouraging us all to explore the possibilities of writing this month. [...]
phew. got it done. quite a struggle with the technology; still don’t know whether i got it right. exposing myself to that struggle (which i generally avoid like the plague; either it works more or less right away or forget it) was the greatest moving-out-of-my-comfort-zone …
thank you! as always, i tremendously enjoy your projects!
here’s my post http://www.moritherapy.org/article/blog-post-1000-possible-dreams/
.-= isabella mori (@moritherapy)´s last blog ..blog post #1000: possible dreams =-.
Thanks everyone for your wonderful contributions and reflections on what you got from pushing yourselves out of your comfort zones. The results have been stunning! The round up piece should be ready for next Friday (28th)
Thanks again for taking part
PS Yes, they all count, even not feeling guilty about not taking part counts
[...] Jez adds: [...]
[...] Under: Fire & Passion, Music and Dancing Joanna Young’s challenge, the Mission Impossible Group Writing Project, managed to inspire me and many others to do something I had never done before. In my particular [...]
[...] Mission Impossible: Book Trailer for Dream or Destiny—This post in response to Joanna Young’s challenge to post something we’ve never done before presented a challenge for me to try creating a [...]