The final day of the 15K in May writing challenge. I’ve done it! Just.
Yes. I have tapped out fifteen thousand words on my computer during the 31 days that make up the month of May. This does not include work related documents – only the creative writing projects that I have voluntarily embarked on.
Final word count
- Crime fiction (Birkbeck assignment) = 999 words, after editing.
- Ruthless Scribbling blog posts = 2,284 words.
- Ruthless Reading (review of Double Indemnity) = 467 words.
- Ruthless Reading (review of The Stars My Destination) = 538 words.
- Ruth’s Coastal Walk blog posts = 8,714 words.
- Historic fiction (Birkbeck assignment) = 1033 words.
- Science fiction (Birkbeck assignment) = 1084 words.
Total = 15,119 words
What have I learnt from this writing challenge?
It is surprisingly hard to keep momentum going. Some of my problem was the lack of focus – I was writing blog posts across three different blogs and including some of my writing assignments from my Birkbeck Creative Writing BA course. Nothing wrong with that – it’s all writing, after all. But each project was a stand alone piece and I had no driving impetus to take me forward from one project to the next.
What next?
I am still 2/3 of the way through the first draft of a science fiction novel. I planned this story in the months leading up to NaNoWriMo in 2011, wrote 50,000+ words during NaNo itself, added another 20,000 in the next few months and then….. then I stalled.
So my personal writing challenge for the month of June is to FINISH THE FIRST DRAFT. I’m calling it Just Finish it June. Will keep you posted.
Ruth Livingstone 
well done!!! you did far better than I did this month.. Got my gardening done though! xx
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Hi Lynne, well – you can’t DO everything and I know you have plenty of other interests, including your painting.
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Well done Ruth, and I love June just finish it!!! That sounds like you mean business. I must follow your example…
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Hi Susan, yes I’ve decided the time for procrastination is over – got to finish the thing now!
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Congratulations on writing your 15k! That’s a great achievement. And good luck with Finishing in June. I need to do that too!
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Hi Rinelle, And I know you are nearly there so I’m sure you will finish your novel in June.
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Well done Ruth. Your blog has inspired me so much I’m going to set my own challenge for June – write the first draft of three chapters of my novel, which should equate to around 15k. I’ll let you know when I get there!
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That’s great news. Good luck and I’ll follow your progress.
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Fingers crossed and hope you achieve your three chapters.
I am nearly done with my novel – with the first draft anyway. Finding it really tough as, now I know how the story ends, I’ve lost interest in it! (sigh – us writers are such a fickle bunch… always wanting to move on to the next project).
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Hey Ruth,
Just stopped by to thank you for joining my bloghop. đŸ™‚ I also had your goal until March this year. And guess what? I have a two book publishing deal now.
So keep at it. Your goal is big and ambitious, but DEFINITELY not impossible.
Misha
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