This Counts as Progress, Right?: Outlines, Ideas, and Tangents
Days 8 & 9 Writing Tracker
So let me just say—writing challenges aren’t just about word counts. Sometimes, the real progress happens in those messy in-between moments where you’re figuring out your story, your characters, and what really makes the whole thing tick. That’s where I’ve been these past two days, and honestly, I feel pretty good about it.
The Numbers (Sort Of)
Starting Word Count: 36,331
End Goal Word Count: 70,000
Daily Writing Goal: Focusing on my outline and rising tension.
Words Written: A LOT in my journal (like 8,000 words worth of ideas and notes).
Words Left to Write: 33,669
Adjusting the Challenge
As I mentioned in my previous update for (the new) day 7, this challenge was supposed to wrap up by New Year’s Eve. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. And you know what? That’s okay. I’ve shifted the deadline to January 5th, making these past two days my new days 8 & 9, and honestly, that feels way more realistic and less stressful.
Trying to write 40k in 14 days during the holidays? Wild. But here’s the thing—I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Even though I haven’t hit my word count goals every day, I’ve made HUGE discoveries about my story that will strengthen the final draft.
What’s Been Happening
These past two days have been all about tackling my outline, specifically the rising tension leading to the climax. I’ve been journaling like crazy, working out new ideas, tweaking old ones, and letting myself explore.
Here’s what I’m loving about the process so far:
I realized my novel has a whodunit vibe, which I didn’t expect but love. Now it’s this cool blend of fantasy, horror, and mystery.
My vampires are evolving into something truly terrifying—they're not sexy or romantic; they’re unsettling in the best way…at least that’s what I think.
I’ve started layering in moments that will ramp up the suspense and eeriness. It’s all coming together in ways I didn’t anticipate, and I’m so excited to see where it goes.
That said, not everything has been smooth sailing. I’ve hit a couple of roadblocks—mainly writer’s block when it comes to transitioning from outline to actual prose. There’s this one scene I know needs more action, but I don’t want it to feel forced. It’s a delicate balance, and I’m still working through it.
Wins, Lessons, and Aha Moments
The Wins:
Realizing how much depth my story has gained during this process. Even though the words aren’t on the page yet, the ideas are solidifying in a way that makes me feel confident about what’s next.
Journaling has been a game-changer. Just letting myself spill every idea and frustration onto the page has led to some surprising breakthroughs.
Adding a mystery element has made the story so much more engaging for me as a writer—and hopefully for readers too!
What I’ve Learned:
Progress isn’t just about word counts. Sometimes it’s about taking a step back, asking the tough questions about your story, and letting yourself explore without the pressure of hitting a specific number.
The Aha Moments:
My monsters are shaping up to be metaphors for tainted reputations, which adds this extra layer of meaning to the story.
I’ve discovered new twists for my characters that are going to make the suspense and eeriness even more intense.
What’s Keeping Me Motivated
Here’s what’s been fueling me during these outline-heavy days:
Media Inspo:
I recently watched 2024 Nosferatu, and it was such a vibe for the kind of unsettling atmosphere I want to create in my novel.
Brandon Sanderson’s creative writing lectures on YouTube have also been fantastic for sparking ideas and keeping me motivated.Music:
My go-to lately has been Harry Potter ASMR ambiance from ASMR weekly. I’ve been listening to ✧˖° 🐚 Shell Cottage 🐚°｡⋆ 8H Harry Potter ASMR Ambience ° Kitchen & Ocean Sounds. It’s cozy, calm, and helps me stay focused.Journaling:
This has been my secret weapon. Just dumping all my thoughts, ideas, and doubts onto the page clears my head and often leads to solutions I didn’t see before.
What’s Next
The plan for the next few days is to finish fleshing out my outline so I can jump back into drafting with a clear vision. I’m hoping this groundwork will make the next phase of writing so much smoother.
If you’re doing a challenge like this, my biggest advice is to celebrate every kind of progress. Whether it’s word count, story breakthroughs, or even just showing up and trying, it all adds up.
We’ve got this: Let’s keep going!