Stealing from the Pathfinders Writing Collective website... check it out here!
In the Beginning…
Rain and Jen's friendship began about two and a half years ago, then blossomed just in time for the 2022 NaNoWriMo writing challenge. Both writers were nervous and support-system-less, so they banded together to cheer each other—and eventually a Discord of 40—on for the month of November. It was an amazing ride, and though the Discord eventually went dormant, Rain and Jen have been supporting one another ever since!
But, after concerns in 2023 and 2024 regarding NaNoWriMo, neither felt good about participating in a challenge they couldn't confidently stand behind. And yet, both still wanted a challenge, and more importantly, the community that came with it.
This got them thinking…
Why not build a new challenge? And a community to go with it!
Very quickly Rain and Jen's goals became three-fold: 1) challenges for motivation, 2) a community space for accountability, and 3) fundraising opportunities so as they and other writers bettered themselves they could collectively better the world at large. And just like that (over several multi-hour Zoom calls), the idea for the Pathfinders Writing Collective emerged.
Why Pathfinders?
Creativity—the how, the why, the way—is unique to the creator. In more specific terms, there's no right way to write. And thus, no right way to writing challenge. Each individual must walk their own path…with friends cheering them on, of course!
As such, you—a pathfinder/ builder/ maintainer/ explorer/ sharer/ etcetera—ought to be able to pick your own path, your pace, and how to define and track your progress while still participating in a fun community event. To honor this, Rain and Jen have opted for a “tailor to your needs and abilities” challenge, rather than implementing a hard "50k in 30 days" approach.
Drum Roll Please… #PaWriCo24!!
Pathfinders Writing Collective's very first, totally adjustable writing challenge, #PaWriCo24, will span November 2024, December 2024, and January 2025. Writers are encouraged to pick a duration, goal, and finish line that suits them. This could be drafting 30,000 words in the month of November, or rewriting Draft 3 of a novel that's been on the shelf for a while across all three months, or committing to editing your short story collection for five hours a week during the month of January. It's totally up to you!! Check out more #PaWriCo24 challenge info here.
How to Participate:
Honey, you're here, you made it this far, you're in. Hugs! To “join” join, check out our Instagram page where members are actively sharing their updates and supporting one another via comments and story swaps. And/or hop into our Discord full of fun, active channels for writers to discuss everything from helpful editing resources to strategies for overcoming writer's block. Then, if you've got a little change to spare, consider donating this season to our awesome charities. We're supporting three fabulous non-profits during #PaWriCo24, check them out here!