Sunday, May 12, 2013

One Hundred Days

A hundred days, ten thousand words.

On the first of February, 2013, I entered the first writing challenge of my life: Go Teen Writers’s 100-4-100 Challenge. The goal was to finish the hundred days, write ten thousand words or more, and not miss more than twenty days of the challenge. I wrote a total of 22,667 words, wrote eighty-eight days, and averaged approximately 257.58 words a day.

I enjoyed this challenge yet disliked it: it was nice to think of the glory of finishing, but hampering to think of having to write daily. The “hundred words for a hundred days” lulled me into just writing a hundred words, having little motivation to write any more unless I had a goodly dose of inspiration or I forced myself to write over a certain period of time. However, if you struggle with writing regularly, I would recommend participating in this challenge the next time they host it.

I’m happy to say that because of this, I’m 22,667 words closer to the end of my novel than I was before it started. I have about three and a half chapters, maybe less, to complete, before ending the first draft of my book once and for all. And once I’ve penned that first draft, there is not a person in the world that can take that away from me.

10 comments:

  1. I am sooo glad this is over, but I enjoyed it so much. :)

    Love the new design. I haven't been on here in a little bit, (shame on me!!), and it was quite a surprise from what I was expecting to see. Is the name inspired from the Celtic Women song by the same title?

    Also... DID YOU GET YOUR LICENSE AND WHERE DID YOU TAKE IT AND WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!?!?

    :) :) :) :)

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    1. I am glad too! Finally, some freedom. Don't have to write every day if I miss my writing hour. . . . Y.I.P.P.E.E.!!!!!

      I know, I kind of wish I hadn't changed the title, but only because I want to be consistent. I really should have given thought to it *before* beginning this blog. If anyone ever asks me tips on blogging, that's probably going to be one of the first things I tell them!

      "Walking in the Air" is a song on Jackie Evancho's Christmas CD, "Heavenly Christmas." I think it's my favorite on there, though I also like "Believe" from the movie The Polar Express.

      Yes, I did get my license :) I took it in Stevenson from Mr. Black. I'm sorry for not telling you . . . I'm not making a huge deal out of it ;) Mr. Black is nice, but I'll warn you that he expects you to parallel park continuously--no stop pivots for him. He also loved the fact that I look over my right shoulder when moving to the curb and all, as he says most people only look over their left shoulder. I don't know. Personally I don't think he should have marked me off for not parallel parking continuously, since Mr. Fairclo thinks it's fine. Actually, I told Mr. Fairclo that at the seat belt lab, and he said he would go talk to him ;)

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  2. Good job! That's a great idea! I haven't been writing very much this past week, but plan to get back at it this week. A 100 a day may be small - but not missing a day adds up! I hope we get to read your novel eventually. ;) I am sure it is splendid!

    Rebecca

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  3. congrats girl! I'm so happy for you. Sadly, for me, i had to stop mid-challenge, I decided to actually outline my novel before writing it, so I won't get stuck. I'm about half-way done with my outline, and am super excited to start writing it. :)

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    1. Thanks, Hannah :) Oh, that's sad you had to stop. . . . But it's good your outlining! I need to work on mine :P

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  4. That's a lot of writing! Great job!!!

    Libbie
    http://www.blogsbykids.net/

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    1. Thank you, Libbie! I just checked out your blog and loved your "A Blogging Tip" post :)

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  5. I just had to comment again to tell you that you did a beautiful job on your design, and i can't believe that you did it yourself. I have tried multiple times and mess up my HTML every time!! lol Love the name, and don't feel bad about changing your name often... Seriously, I changed mine all the time before I found one that I actually liked. :)

    I am loving the variety of posts you're doing, girlie. Makes it interesting and fun to read. And it's always fun to read a bit more of your writings.
    xx,
    Becca

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    1. Rebecca, you are so sweet! I love the name of your blog too :)

      P.S. Is that last sentence of yours a hint? ;)

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