I’ve been working lately on a challenge for myself. I’ve always loved the idea of NaNoWriMo where you write a novel in 30 days during the month of November. I’ve attempted once, but it’s got a couple of flaws for me. November is a hard month to commit to a big project, it’s busy and the weather often gets me down. Also, I have trouble with goals, because I feel like if I get behind, there’s no going forward. Obviously that’s flawed thinking, but I’m a flawed human.

So I’m setting my own 30-day challenge. I’m going to write something, a minimum of 500 words, 5 days a week for the next 6 weeks. Because of my trouble with daily goals, I decided that building in 2 grace days every week was crucial.

I’ve also decided that my goal is not cohesive content, but instead consecutive creation. I’m not trying to write a novel in the next 6 weeks, although I may spend many of my writing words on a couple of my novels-in-progress. I’m just trying to create a regular habit.

I’ve been creating and collecting writing prompts from a variety of sources. I have a writing pin board that I’ve been collecting ideas on for years. I’m also using the stack of writing books that I already own: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, On Writing by Stephen King, Page after Page by Heather Sellers, The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman, and Your First Novel by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb. I’ll also include prompts based on something that I saw or read or heard recently.

My goal is to post the day’s writing prompt in the morning and then edit that post to include my 500+ words before bedtime that day. I’m posting the prompts early in case any of you readers/writers wish to join me. No pressure though. If a prompt happens to strike you and you want to run with it, be my guest. I’d love to read what you come up with.

But mostly, I’d love some accountability. It would be great to know that someone is reading these posts. That someone is looking forward to them, or even just cheering me on. So let me know if you’re out there friends, with a comment or even just a Facebook like. If you’ve got an idea for a prompt to get me started, I’d love that even more!

{I’m only at 400 words, so I’ve got to fill some more space.}

To be honest, I’m a little nervous that I’ve set the bar too high for myself. I’m really excellent at setting large goals and disappointing myself. But I also know that I can’t keep saying that “someday I’ll start writing regularly again.” I’m making my someday now. If this is truly important to me, I can make time for it. I will make time for it. There will be days of disaster, but I can combat those with all the days of success that have come before and will come after.

So, starting next week, look for my daily writing updates. Thank you for joining me on this digital journey.