Day 31: Prologue

02/07/18

Task: Write about finishing

Here it is—day 31! I’m so excited to have completed this challenge. Here’s a list of the things I learned from, things that changed during, and things to come because of this writing challenge:

Things that changed during . . .

1. Beck spent the entire night in his big boy bed without any issues last night. He’s still sleeping there this morning (and it’s 8 a.m. EST). This is a huge accomplishment for him. I’m so proud he did it even though there is a pit in my stomach because it means he’s growing up. I wrote about his big boy bed transition on day 22 in a blog entry titled “Fear of what is to come”. We’ll take this small victory and hope it is the start of a pattern.

2. On day one in a blog entry titled “To Tell the Story”, I wrote about the abstract vision I had for a piece of writing I would like to complete. As I have worked through this blog, I am happy to report my vision for a long-term writing goal has started to take shape. It is a story whose origin is true, but it will branch into fiction as well. I will keep you posted on how it’s going.

3. On day two of the challenge, I wrote about my goals and the characters I wanted to explore. I wrote about my Grandma Helen in day three’s post, “Strength”, and I would still like to explore writing from her point of view. In day 19, “Know when to fold ‘em”, I explored a character I hadn’t listed with my original plans, my grandma Flo. The story I told from her point of view was not true, but I had so much fun writing it. She is one of the sassiest, most fun people I know. I think I captured her spirit.

Things to come . . .

4. In day two, “What’s the point?” I mentioned I would feel successful if I still felt the need and desire to write on day 32. I am happy to report I am so excited to keep writing. My writing habits and routine will change a bit. I plan to spend two days a week on blog writing and revising, and I plan to be much more intentional about my blog. Three days a week will be used for my long-term writing and revision, the topic of which I am keeping to myself for now. And I plan to take two days off. I do want to say thank you to Wes for never getting annoyed (or at least never showing annoyance) with discussing ideas and always being so honest and constructive with his feedback. I am so fortunate to have him as my lifelong encourager and sounding board.

Things I learned from . . .

5. This challenge has shown me how important it is to revise and to talk through ideas with others, so I am actively seeking fellow writers who are willing to workshop their writing with me. I have a few local writers who I have asked (and they have expressed interest) to meet with for this goal. I can’t wait to share with them, but the timing is tricky with this baby girl coming our way next Friday! If you have writing you’d like to share long distance, I would love to workshop with you. My email is elissamhoffert@gmail.com, or you can contact me on Facebook! And if you would like to participate in your own “My 500 Words” challenge, I strongly recommend becoming part of the Jeff Goins crowd. You can sign up for daily task emails and join the Facebook group to see other writers on the journey with you. You can start any day of the month you want. Everything is completely free. It’s just about helping writers develop habits, and it was helpful for me to see the journeys of other writers on this challenge, some of whom have been writing 500 words (or more) daily for four years or more. Of course if you do this, I’d be so happy to read your work and encourage you, too!

6. Getting back to writing has been good for my brain and for my spirit. It’s nice to have a brain goal. So many of my past goals have involved fitness and food and those have their places, too, but I have loved challenging myself in this way. Some of my friends and family have been so gracious to read my work and reach out to me about it. You really don’t know how much I have loved hearing from you, how encouraging it is to know that someone is reading some of these posts. Thank you so much.

I’ll be back at the writing tomorrow, but I won’t be posting again until next week. Here’s to day 32, to following through, and to developing cup-filling habits!