My Ten Day Challenge

So, here’s the deal. Mrs Bliss (aka the wife) is abroad for the next ten days. “Fine,” I said. “Finally some peace and quiet around here. I’ll take the opportunity to write a hefty novella!”

Practically, this translates into 30.000 words in ten days, which, in turn, makes a neat 3000 words per day. Without spousal distraction (aka watching Downton Abbey together) it should work. 3000 words per day is nothing too heroic and once I know where I’m going with the story, it sounds rather doable.

For motivational purposes (aka procrastination) I’m going to keep a public record of my progress on my blog. (Yes, I’m very much inspired to do this because of Dean Wesley Smith’s Writing in Public blog posts!) Don’t worry though, I won’t bore you with the details of my life on days that I haven’t managed to write any words (which may actually be more interesting days since I won’t spend them behind the computer, but alas…)

Today was day one and here’s what happened.

I woke up at 6 a.m. because I’m a morning person the bed was too empty. I do tend to work better in the morning though, as my brain seems to fry after dark (which is very early in Hong Kong.) I sent some e-mails and caught up on all the celebrity gossip. (Yes, I think Jamie Dornan is an excellent choice. No, I didn’t finish the book(s), but I do want to watch the movie.) I wrote a guest blog I had forgotten about and drank this.

Bliss LatteWriter essentials #1

Then, I faced this.

The blank screen

The blank page… oh, horror.

As you can see, the working title for this novella is Summer’s End. The page didn’t stay blank for long, but it didn’t exactly fill up very quickly either. I had a vague idea for this story, but no character names or background yet so I spent some time figuring that out. By lunch time I had amassed a staggering amount of 500 words. No worries, I thought. I’ll catch up after lunch (aka watching the finale of The Great British Bake Off.)

But, because I’d woken up so early, I felt as though I had deserved a nap. After my nap I once again excelled in my domain of expertise: procrastination. (Oh, how doing laundry can seem so appealing at times.) I finally sat back down to write around 3.30 p.m. and managed another 500 words. Then the internet was there and I felt I had missed out on everything again and I went on a click frenzy and landed in the time warp… and then my brain started to fry, so I decided to write this blog post instead.

The final total for today is 1000 words. Not a disaster because the beginning of every new story is always a bit hesitant. I know I’m a slow starter and today was more about sitting down and figuring out the story, which, in between procrastination, I did manage to do. But I do hope tomorrow will be better in terms of word count, if not, I fear the worst…

I’ll keep you posted! 😉

4 Responses

  1. Hi Harper, I’m really excited about reading your blog to see how you’re getting on. I have recently read your most recent title ‘I still remember’, an absolutely fabulous story that I found difficult to put down even when I really, really had too. I am so looking forward to hearing how the new story comes along an I can’t wait for you to release it. It always sucks when you have your bed to yourself and wake up mega earlier than normal, but hopefully the time will go quickly when you need it to and you can just immerse yourself in writing 🙂

  2. Hi Harper,
    I am a new fan to your writings and I was wondering if will you ever add another title to the high rise series? I loved Nat and Isabella. I was also wondering if any of your writings are loosely based on your life. (Hint, Hint, is the Nat and Isabella storyline based on someone you or someone you know).

    Lastly, I wanted to say your writings make me wish I permanently had a girlfriend attached to my hip lol. Please forgive my writing skills or lack there of.

    A Fan

    1. Hey there! First of all, thank you so much for your kind words! Much appreciated! Second… sadly, the High Rise series has ended. It was never meant to be more than 4 novellas (and they all got their happy ending.) And no, my life is very undramatic and everything I write is pure fiction… 😉

      If it’s any consolation… this new novella I’m writing is in ‘High Rise style’, meaning two alternating points of view (and a few damaged souls). 😉

      Thanks again,

      Harper

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