I started writing my story out for my book Dec 26th. I picked that day because it was the 8th anniversary of being sober. I thought it was a fitting day. My first goal was to write 50,000 words in 60 days but after the first week as things were pouring, I knew that goal was not strong enough so right then I moved it to 50,000 words in less than 30 days. I worked hard at that and crushed it by 4-5 days or so.
I was so excited. I haven’t written since I hit that number because I needed a break. This took a lot out of me especially emotionally from writing about things I went through over the years. I do feel refreshed now so I will be starting back on my story this evening. kind of fitting as this is the one month mark to starting this writing.
I also set a goal of writing 250,000 words this year. This includes this blog and any books I may be writing. I know some writers only want to make the goal of writing for books but because I like to write on this main blog then to me that counts also. I am excited to see where this writing will go because it is a passion of mine.
My English teacher from back in High School (Mrs. Karr) would probably faint if she knew this about me. I hated English and I slept through her class for 3 years in high school. I just refused to do anything. I do wish I would have listened some because it would help me now but that’s OK because my past and I mean all of it made me the man I am today!
Back to my book, I still probably have 20-30,000 words left or more because I am at the beginning of the marriage I am in right now part of the story. I think I am around the end of 2003 in the writing so plenty left to write because a lot happened in that time up until now.
When I started I had no idea how much the book would change me because I was only writing out my story but now I am able to connect some of the dots of things that have happened. I am like, oh now I see why I am the way I am on some things. The book has helped me refind myself so that in the future I can now recreate myself. It has been an interesting thing to do and I am loving it even though at times it’s very emotion. I recommend even if you are not planning on writing a book that you write your story out!
If you do write your story, I would also recommend setting a goal of 50,000 words. The reason is that this will stretch you. If you have no word goal then you will leave things out of your story that probably should be there. This is to help you see things as you write. And believe me, you will. You will open your eyes to many things as you start writing your story! Even if you know your story, there is something to writing it down!
Living a God-Inspired Life,
Chris Benton