In January I started a 100 words a day challenge. The goal was to write at least one hundred words every day for one hundred days. I didn’t know how it would work out since I was pretty busy at the beginning of the year. But I managed to do it. Sometimes it was like pulling teeth. Sometimes I did my words in five minutes. Usually I kept going if it wasn’t too late. Sometimes all I could do was those hundred words but that was okay. I was doing them every day. I reached my one hundred days in April. So I started on round two. I got to day sixty something and then nothing. The workshop I’m giving, family, work, the local writing group took my attention away and I missed four days in a row.
But the challenge is back on! I’m starting back at day one but I wrote 908 words tonight at the write in. It’s probably all crap. I’ll probably end up deleting most of it and only keep fifty of those words. But I don’t care. It felt good to write new words on my story. Because I have to finish this book so I can work on the next book. And then the next book. I have far too many books to write to miss days. So no more missing days. One of the ladies in my GIAM group reminded me that it only takes ten minutes to write one hundred words. And she’s right. That’s about the average. No matter how busy I am I can take ten minutes, write one hundred words. And if I’m on a roll I can keep going.
I’ve been remiss in encouraging my group members of my one hundred word challenge. They’re doing great. Some of them had to start back at day one. Some are still going strong on round two after getting through their first one hundred days. Having to post your word count every day helps keep you going. When you’re accountable you don’t want to miss a day.
Now, I must see if I can get in my 100 words before I go to work.
Until next time…
Cindy
June 23, 2010 at 8:30 am
I try to get in 1,000 words per day. I have to work full time also, but what with teaching online classes and book deadlines, I have to keep up or I get so far behind, I can’t make it up. I’ve had to take leave to make it up before. Not good.
I try to get half done in the morning before work, and half done in the evening. My goal is to have 5,000 done by the weekend. If I don’t make it during the week, I HAVE to write all 5,000 on the weekend. So it’s forced me to write more during the week. And that means I can get in another 5,000 that weekend!!!
But there will be edits and family obligations that will sidetrack me, which is why if I keep up with my word count most of the time…I’ll be okay. 
:love:
June 23, 2010 at 8:33 am
Hi Terry. Thanks for stopping by. I would love to get in at least 1000 words a day. Sometimes I do. But my minimum is that 100 words. I usually keep going unless it’s really late and I just can’t. Working full time really cuts into the writing time, doesn’t it? I’d like to be able to write full time but I have to pay the bills.
June 23, 2010 at 8:41 am
That bill paying is a real chore, isn’t it???
Have a super day!!!
June 23, 2010 at 11:41 am
it’s it amazing how something so simple can be so difficult? Congrats on getting back on track, and good luck staying there.
June 24, 2010 at 7:40 am
I think I’ve told how this little goal has managed to keep me focused. The past few days I’ve managed to get a minimum of 500 words on the page before quitting. This is such a manageable goal. Thanks
June 25, 2010 at 8:02 am
Thanks, Keena. So far so good.
Jeannene, I’m glad it’s working for you. And that’s a great minimum. If I can stay on track for a while I might up my target.
June 30, 2010 at 9:28 am
Very worthy goals, Cindy! GIAM has been good for me, too. It keeps me going on the days I want to just say, “Forget it.”
June 30, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Thanks, Melanie. They are great. There were many days I wanted to just forget writing for the day. But I know I have to post a recap so I keep going.