Statistics for the WNFIN Project
Writing Nonfiction in November
This is the first year I’ve participated in any type of writing challenge, and I am satisfied with the results. I’ve produced the rough drafts for several essays worth more effort, and I’ve improved my sense of emotional balance. Rather than write sporadically, I’ve written regularly, even when I didn’t feel like it, except for five days, several of which found me totally upset with my son-in-law, and of two which found me at work unexpectedly during my usual writing time.
I joined the challenge on November fifth, therefore I had twenty-five days of participation. The statistics are as follows:
Total words written: 17071
Average: 683 words per day for the 25 days to which I committed
Actual average: 898 for the 19 days on which I actually wrote
Least amount of words a day: 237
Most amount of words a day: 3339
Goal: 50,000
Short of goal: 32929
Days needed to achieve goal at present rate: 48
Total days to goal: 73 (~.2.5 months)
This interesting experiment made me realize the necessity of commitment and good-old-fashioned will-power needed in order to be a writer while still in the midst of responsibilities. I learned my own rate of production. The fact that I fell profoundly short of the goal does not distress me at all, because the goal was not my own. My intention here was to do as much as I could, and even though I couldn’t do much, I did some good work.
I suppose I am ready to set a goal of my own. The goal would be to write consistently, at least twenty-five days per month, on the average of 500 words per day. I can do this. I will even craft essays worthy of posting to this blog and/or distributing elsewhere. The main goal of writing, however, is to open life’s door to deeper levels, and to position my soul closer to center.
Marahm 
Congratulations on all you did get done! And congratulations on your new commitment to continue writing daily. Five hundred words a day will get you very far. Thanks for participating in WNFIN.
Nina, thanks for your comment. I’m surprised and flattered that you found this post. You’ve won a new follower of the WNFIN event. Your other writing activities are interesting, too, especially your “Blog a Book” page. Thanks for inspiring me!
Perseverance is always key in accomplishing any large project.
Are these writing efforts published?
Congrats! This is why I admire writers so much.. We think it is all fun and games but it takes real discipline to come up with words when no one is there to punish you for not writing, except yourself.
Good work, Marahm.
Salaams Dear
I look forward to reading some of your essays!
Thanks, all, for your words of encouragement; I am inspired.