100 words for 100 days
Aug 2nd, 2007 by Sandra
Okay, let me make one thing clear from the get-go: I suck at learning to do something new on a daily basis. This habit-making thing has never been my strong point.
So I joined this 100 words for 100 days group. The idea is that we write at least 100 words each day for 100 days. Every day, each participant posts what day they’re on and whether they hit 100 words or more (usually posted as merely 100+ in an attempt not to intimidate other writers who’re struggling). If you miss a day — if life piles it on you or you get busy and forget — you start over at Day 1. It’s all about forming the habit of writing every day rather than “when the muse feels like it”. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
I’ve started over about 12 times.
What is it about this that’s so darned difficult? My current theory is that I’m not writing at a specific time of day. If I were to always get up 30 minutes early and write my 100 words, I’d probably be okay. But I don’t. Some days I write at lunch. Some days it’s the last thing at night before bed. This inconsistency is, I think, killing any attempt on my part to form a habit.
Ah well. Tomorra is anutha day.
Day 1, to be precise.
That it even has you thinking about writing on a regular basis is a good thing. That you’re participating is even better. :)
Sandra,
I’m in the 1st 100 word group - so far, I’ve manged to stay on track - I have passed the 100 day mark and I am continuing on … BUT, I don’t have a full time job and I’m not house hunting. STILL, the challenge has been “challenging” :) The purpose, as you stated, is to form a daily habit - ITS NOT ABOUT THE NUMBER ITS ABOUT THE WORDS - AS LONG AS YOU KEEP STARTING OVER, THE CHALLENGE IS WORKING FOR YOU - at least that’s my take on it. Interestingly, a group of our members reached the 100 days at roughly the same time - it was a nice sized group. What I find comment worthy is that, to date, only two of that original group have continued on with the daily grind of writing 4.16 words per hour. Most of the others are still writing, but not daily or they are editing daily but not always adding 100 new words. What worked for me is to tell EVERYONE I come in daily contact with - my DH, M-I-L, sons, friends - EVERYONE. The result are frequent questions, like: “What day are you on?” OR “Have you done your words for today?” OR “Do you want to do your words before we …?” GOOD LUCK - YOU CAN AND WILL DO THIS! Terri
Way to go, ladies! I’m finding it a bit easier with my latest “restart” since I’ve dumped a lot of activities from my To-Do list…. The fact is that I can prioritize only so much in my life, and writing really does need to be one of those things. Otherwise, these stories will keep wandering around in my head, making me crazy!
For me, having a weekly page count works better. Whether I space out the writing over the course of the week or do it all in one day - at least I’ve got my goal accomplished. ‘Cause let’s face it. There’s just some days I absolutely DON’T feel like writing.
I also tend to set a weekly goal a higher rate than 100 words a day, which works out to only be about 3 and half to four pages a week. For someone trying to crank out a 500 - 600 page MS, at that pace it would take me about two and a half years for a first draft. Yikes!
Also, what I’ve discovered is that if I type continuously, without editing, practically without breathing, and without making one spelling correction, I can almost complete five MS pages during my lunch hour at work. The Alpha Smart is a GREAT tool for that. And that gives me 20 - 25 pages without ANY after work work and not including the weekends. Not too shabby.