Inspired by the writer Vanessa Walters (@vanessawaltersb) last November, I decided to start writing a political drama and began my journey to 50k words. Writing on the blog, I get up to at least 1000 words per post, so I definitely (and comfortably) have something to say!
I didn’t hit my initial target of doing it within 30 days – I have too many preexisting responsibilities – and writer’s block kept me frozen in time for a few weeks but I shook off the funk and just crossed the 10,000 words threshold.
A small milestone but a significant one for me as I haven’t had to write long form to a word count for a long time (about two decades reappy).
I also haven’t written fiction for a very long time, and whenever I have thought about writing a book, my past attempts were always business related. And those dreams are still there.
Vanessa’s challenge and encouragement came at a time where I needed a creative outlet that was exclusively mine and it’s been a great place to escape to when I needed a break from being a responsible mother, daughter, niece and decision maker.
I’m going to do that annoying thing where I don’t say exactly what it’s about.
Is it original?
I’ve never heard a story quite like it.
Is it any good?
I don’t know? I’m focused on allowing me to just get the salient structure on the page knowing I’ll have to come back and flesh some bits out, connect some further dots and adjust some names, locations and trajectories.
Am I enjoying it?
Yes, and this is the biggest satisfaction I’m getting. Just a moment to explore a world that’s not my own. I love those moments where everything just pours out to the point where it doesn’t feel ‘of me’. The story just begins to unravel in front of me like I’m transcribing a film only I can see so I can share it with others.
So, though I’m just getting started, I’m proud to have made it to this milestone and am happy that I still have more to say. Wish me luck for the next 10.
