Day 2: 40k in 14 Days Writing Challenge
Finally Finding My Groove
So, Day 1 didn’t exactly go as planned. I started late, missed my word count, and felt pretty defeated by the end of it. But hey, that’s the thing about challenges—you get to start fresh the next day. I woke up on Day 2 determined to make up for it and figure out what was slowing me down. Here’s how it went and what I learned along the way.
The Numbers
Alright, let’s start with the stats:
Date: 19/12/2024
Daily Word Count Goal: 4,443 (to catch up from Day 1)
Words Written: 4,498
Words Left to Write: 37,184
Not gonna lie, seeing those numbers go up felt so satisfying. It gave me the boost I needed to keep pushing forward.
What Worked for Me
Let me break it down:
Starting Earlier Makes a Difference:
Okay, I didn’t wake up at 5 AM like I planned (who am I kidding, I went to bed at midnight). But getting up at 6:45 AM and starting at 8 AM was still a huge improvement over Day 1.
Writing in the morning made me feel ahead of the game instead of scrambling to catch up.
Voice-to-Text is a Game-Changer:
Yesterday, I was transcribing my notebook by hand. Today, I used a different voice transcription feature, and wow, what a difference! I was able to crank out words three times faster.
Pro tip: I did one paragraph at a time to avoid glitches and then copy-pasted it into my Google doc. Super smooth.
Creating the Right Vibes:
My temporary at-home office was freezing, but I threw on a Harry Potter ambiance track (“You need to get into Hogwarts Tonight | Hog's Head inn [AMBIENCE] Rain & Fireplace”) and it helped make the space feel a little cozier. Highly recommend.
The Struggles Were Real
Not everything was sunshine and word counts, though. Here’s where I hit some bumps:
Distractions Are Everywhere:
I got sidetracked watching a Harry Potter behind-the-scenes video (I’m sensing a theme here).
Other story ideas kept popping into my head, making me question if I should even be working on this novel. Classic writer’s dilemma, right?
The Emotional Rollercoaster:
I felt down on myself at times—like, "Why am I even writing this book? What’s the point?" It’s tough to keep going when those thoughts creep in.
But I let myself feel it. I didn’t push the sadness or self-doubt away. I reminded myself that taking action is the only way forward.
Don’t get me wrong. I still felt like crap; I just kept writing anyway.
My Little Hacks for Staying Motivated
These might seem small, but they worked for me:
Ambiance Tracks:
Seriously, the Harry Potter ambient soundtracks from ASMR Weekly were everything. So happy I found a great playlist to help me get into the zone.
Treats:
I had a little cup of Lucky Charms, and it was just the happiness boost I needed. Sometimes, it’s the simple things.
Action Over Perfection:
I stopped worrying about whether my words were good or not. The important thing was getting them down. Progress over perfection, always.
What I Learned About My Process
Flexibility is Key:
Trying new tools and strategies, like voice-to-text, saved me so much time and frustration.
Morning Writing is a Win:
Starting earlier gave me more mental clarity and energy.
Doubt Will Happen, and That’s Okay:
I realized it’s normal to feel unsure about our story or abilities. But those doubts only have power if we let them stop us.
Looking Ahead
Day 2 reminded me why I’m doing this challenge in the first place. It’s not about being perfect or hitting every word count goal exactly—although I did succeed in that aspect today. Overall, it’s about showing up, learning, and making progress. With 37,184 words left, I’m ready to tackle Day 3 and keep this momentum going. If you’re thinking about taking on a challenge like this, I say go for it. It’s hard, but every step forward feels like a win. Let’s keep writing!
If you’ve been thinking about starting your own writing journey but you’re holding back, I totally get it—I’ve been there too. If you’re enjoying these updates, subscribe and let’s tackle the ups and downs of writing side by side one day at a time!