Announcing: The 100-Word Challenge
Build a writing habit with a goal to write 100 words a day
The first hundred words of any given writing session are always the hardest for me to write. Some days, it feels impossible to start.
A year ago, I wrote about the Two Minute Rule, which I learned from James Clear’s Atomic Habits: “When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.”
When I’m having a hard time getting back to my writing routine, I tell myself I don’t have to write much today—just a few paragraphs, and then I can call it quits. Inevitably, I get into a writing groove and write quite a lot after all.
And, look. I’ve just written one hundred words of this post.
The challenge in writing a whole novel, or even just a whole short story, is in building a habit. Once I’m used to sitting down and writing every day, I find that my brain expects to work. Creative ideas flow more regularly. Words come more easily.
So I’m inviting you to join me in starting your daily writing habit. I’ll send you 100 words of writing inspiration, and you’ll write 100 words of anything you want. 100 words of a novel, or a story, or brainstorming, or a writing exercise.
And if you find you’re itching to keep going, you can write more than 100 words. If not, you can stop there and feel great about the fact that you’re building a writing habit.
Here’s how it works:
Every day you’ll read a 100-word writing prompt from The Writer’s Attic. It might be a quick look at the craft of writing or a writing prompt or something else inspiring.
You’ll then write 100 words of anything at all. You might continue working on a project you’ve already started, or you might start something new. You might write unconnected, quick sketches each day.
The hope is that at some point, you’ll feel like writing more than 100 words at a time. But even if you don’t, you’ll end up with almost 3,000 words by the end of a month.
Paid subscribers receive a month of writing prompts. Free subscribers can preview four prompts here.
I hope you’ll join my 100-word challenge!
Remember, if you want to receive the 100-Word Challenge you’ll need to be a paid subscriber.