by Shannon Lisa

Created on: July 30, 2010

Writing 20 articles in one day doesn't have to be as daunting as it sounds. It is certainly a goal that is quite achievable if one works for it. The goal is a good way to practice your writing and exsercize your brain. You have just a little over an hour per article if you intend on powering through the day with no sleep, but it's all part of the challenge.

First you want to pick your titles, maybe the day before. Make sure they are areas in which you are comfortable and knowledgeable. If you have to do a lot of research at the moment into what you are writing about, you're wasting precious time. Figure out the titles you are going to be writing to before your marathon, and it will help immensely.

Wake up early the day of your personal Helium Marathon. Give yourself as much of the day as possible. Eat a good breakfast and make sure you have plenty of energy. You want your mind to be working at full capacity for the task ahead. Start the day well so your writing goes well.

Write your articles in a program like Word in order to keep track of them (in case you want to take a break from one and work on another perhaps) and to make sure you don't lose them if something happens. My computer freezes on occasion and if I haven't saved my work, it's rather disappointing. Writing your articles and saving them on your computer before submitting them to Helium ensures you don't lose them to random glitches in technology.

Pace yourself, take breaks, drink water. Don't lose your focus when you take a break, but be sure that you take them occasionally. If you eat lunch at your computer, then do so. My desk is large enough that if the food isn't too messy, I can eat and work on my computer at the same time. Though it's always nice to sit down and enjoy your food, if you like the fast paced feeling...eat while working...but just make sure to eat. Drink water, juice, energy drinks, soda...always drink water along with anything else, as long as you keep hydrated. You are using a lot of mental energy, it can be exhausting. Even if it's easy for you, don't push yourself, keep hydrated and fueled.

Keeping your energy and focus up is part of the goal, but if you start to feel burned out...take a longer break. Do something fun, something you enjoy (that doesn't involve writing) and return to your articles later. Read other Helium articles for inspiration, but don't make it part of your breaks too much. Play video games, eat a wonderful meal, hang out with your spouse, watch a movie, take a hot bath...as long as it makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Writing that many articles in one day can be stressful and make writing feel like it isn't fun anymore, but it doesn't have to. If you treat it right, it can be extremely rewarding. Remember that most articles only have to be 400 to 600 words long, maybe sometimes a little over 1000. That's not so bad. If you can say what you need to say and make it sound awesome in 400 words, you're in a good place.

Don't try to be too fancy with your articles, don't make your goal to be number one across the board. Write your articles to relate to people, the rater, your audience. Write for them and not yourself, but don't worry about being the best. The goal is for you, but the articles are for the public. Make them as good as you're able and write with confidence.

You can write 20 articles in one day, don't try it...just do it!

Learn more about this author, Shannon Lisa.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.