What are Word Sprints?

Among the writing problems that affect us most – writer’s block, and editing instead of freewriting – are two that can affect us more than anything else. In some cases, writing prompts can spark new inspiration, but the newest trend in creative writing is called word sprints. These can actually help both with writer’s block and to tame our inner editors.

So, What Are Word Sprints?

The goal of word sprints is to only focus on writing for a short amount of time, either alone or with others. Writing sprints are also becoming increasingly popular on Twitter and Instagram. By following hashtags like #wordsprints, anyone can participate in a sprint on Twitter. During word sprints, Instagram users have begun using the “Live” feature to communicate with each other.

How can I be a word sprinter?

The first thing you’ll need is something you’re working on right now (or one of the many online writing prompts available). In most cases, writers use a timer to set a time limit for how long they want to spend writing. The most common increments range from 15 minutes to 30 minutes, up to one hour.

Writers spend this time focusing on finishing their work and turning off every distraction. If you decide to sprint by yourself, the only tools you’ll need are yourself and your computer or a pen and some paper. Create a word sprinting group with other writers in your circle of friends if accountability is more important to you.

Hello, Oh Write

Ohwrite.co can be of assistance here. With this app, you can set up a sprint room and begin writing with your friends. You can check your word counts and hold each other accountable. Our global sprint timer, which resets every half an hour, can also be set to your own specification. While you type, the browser saves all your work for you privately. From here, you can create as many rooms as you like and share them with your writing buddies.

Within the sprint room, each writer can check the word counts of the others and choose a timer based on their own preferences. Discreet chat is also available. If you move to another sprint room, the words you’ve written will follow you. It is definitely an experience that can give writers that confidence boost that they need.

Why should I word sprint?

Writing sprints have a number of benefits for writers, and here are a few ways you’ll see an improvement in your writing:

Writing sprints help writers juggling busy schedules make the most of their time. Take a 30-minute writing sprint during your lunch every day if you work five days a week and take a one-hour lunch every day. This way, you automatically incorporate two and a half hours of writing into your schedule every week.

It is great to have routines when writing, but too much structure stifles creativity. When you use varying amounts of time to write, you train your brain to write no matter what time you have — helping you to avoid writer’s block and increase productivity.

An experienced sprinter can work his or her way to 1,000 words in 45 minutes. A slow sprinter produces about 400 words in 30 minutes on average. That’s 30,000 words in 30 days at 1,000 words a day.

Is there anything else you would like to know? Head on over to our word sprinting app and grab your latest work. We look forward to sprinting with you!