Chapter 1: Embracing Camp Nanowrimo

Every November, writers around the globe partake in NaNoWriMo, aiming to compose a 50,000-word novel within the month, which equates to about 1,667 words daily. I have enthusiastically joined this challenge since 2009, achieving success every year except one—2012 remains a mystery.

This year, however, marked my first foray into Camp Nanowrimo, which takes place in April and July. Unlike its November counterpart, Camp Nanowrimo offers a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing flexibility in word count and the option to explore diverse writing projects beyond novels.

For July 2022, I set myself a distinct writing objective:

Compose and Publish 10 Articles on Medium Throughout July

This article serves as my concluding piece for the month, reflecting on my experience during this challenge.

My Published Articles

Below is a list of the ten articles I shared this month:

1. My Medium Journey — June Earnings

   I have regularly documented my Medium experiences each month, making this a fitting starting point.

2. 4 Product Management Mistakes From 10 Years as an Engineering Manager

   This article gained significant traction, racking up over 800 views.

3. Is GitHub Copilot Worth It?

   Another popular piece, this article attracted more than 450 views.

4. The Importance of Customer Discovery

   I felt a bit disheartened by the response to this piece, as it resonated with me, yet garnered little interest from others.

5. Daily Standup: The Good, The Bad, and Tips to Remember

   I’ve experienced both the pros and cons of daily standup meetings, which I outlined in this article.

6. 5 Reasons I Love Working on Software Defects

   Contrary to common perceptions, I find joy in addressing software defects (most of the time).

7. Fixing a Performance Anti-pattern With Amazon DynamoDB: Lessons Learned

   This piece emerged after my fiancé highlighted an anti-pattern I had unknowingly implemented, detailing how performance improved post-fix.

8. Women in Tech Interview Series #1: Introduction and Self-Interview

   Inspired by a conversation with a friend, I envisioned a monthly series interviewing women in tech, starting with my self-interview.

9. How Reading Challenges Help Keep Reading Fun

   Shifting gears from tech, I penned an enjoyable article about the reading challenges I engage in annually, sharing my passion for books.

10. This Article! Reflections

    Now, let’s delve into some key insights from my challenge this month.

Insights from the Challenge

#### Finding the Right Publications Takes Time

As I primarily write technical articles, identifying suitable publications for my target audience is crucial. “The Importance of Customer Discovery” was my first piece this month, but it took a while to find a publication willing to feature it (thank you, Level Up Coding!). Initially disheartened by its low readership (< 100 views), I questioned my judgment on its quality.

Conversely, some publications are remarkably swift. I submitted “5 Reasons I Love Working on Software Defects” just before bed, and it was live by morning! Illumination also typically publishes within 24 hours.

#### Is Ten Articles Too Ambitious?

While some writers advocate for daily publishing, I find that approach overwhelming. I doubt my ability to consistently generate ideas and maintain quality at such a pace. Even producing ten articles felt daunting; hence, the challenge! I believe a weekly cadence would better suit my workflow.

#### A Challenge Encourages Writing

In past monthly journals, I often made excuses to avoid writing—be it schoolwork or vacations. My love for challenges, as highlighted in my reading challenges article, motivated me to commit to this goal. It compelled me to sit down and write, ensuring I completed my mission.

Did you participate in Camp Nanowrimo this July? What were your topics? Did you reach your objectives?

Chapter 2: Writing Resources

This video provides a comprehensive guide on utilizing ChatGPT to craft high-quality articles efficiently.

In this video, learn seven headline hacks that can elevate your writing and help you stand out among the majority of writers.