Chapter 1: Rediscovering My Passion for Writing

The pursuit of becoming a better writer has led me on an exciting journey. Recently, while exploring articles on Medium, I stumbled upon a compelling writing challenge: to create one story each day for 100 consecutive days.

Since I was a child, I have been captivated by storytelling, crafting tales from the depths of my imagination. As an adult, however, I've often started projects only to leave them unfinished for years. The initial excitement of writing would fuel my creativity, bringing characters to life unexpectedly, rekindling the joy I felt as a young girl who wrote without restraint.

Despite being diagnosed with dyslexia later in life, my passion for writing persisted well into my early twenties. I would fill notebooks with pages of thoughts, pen in hand. But what happened to my daily writing routine? There have been stretches of weeks, months, and even years without a single word penned. Even poetry, which usually flows effortlessly, seemed out of reach during those times.

Today, life is vastly different. The chaotic days of raising a large family have slowed down, allowing me to reflect on my next chapter. It’s amusing how, upon reaching a certain age, the hobbies of our youth resurface, reminding us of their enduring presence and beckoning us back.

Currently, I am embarking on another writing challenge. This time, the goal is to draft a book within a month, aiming for a total of 50,000 words. For the first time, I’ve created an outline, conducted research, and developed a structured plan before typing the first word.

Traditionally, I’ve been a spontaneous writer, believing that creativity flows best without restrictions. Yet, this new approach seems to be yielding results.

As the month draws to a close, I’m thrilled to report that I’m nearing the finish line of the challenge with just over a week left and close to 40,000 words already completed. This is by far the most productive I have been since my teenage years. I now have a clear vision for how to conclude this draft, which is remarkable considering I had no idea what the story would entail less than a month ago.

Is it any good? As a first draft, it likely has its flaws, but it shows promise. Completing this draft is a significant milestone for me, as finishing a book has always been one of my biggest hurdles. Throughout my life, I have only completed two novels, both during my early teenage years. I have revisited the second novel multiple times, with the last major revision occurring in 2005. I now feel compelled to undertake another rewrite, not just to refine it, but because I am evolving as a writer and want this cherished story to truly shine.

This brings me back to the initial challenge: writing 100 stories in 100 days. My goal is to become a better writer—plain and simple. I want to unleash the myriad stories within me, making them vibrant and compelling. The solution? Write one story, then another, and another.

Additionally, I’m continuing work on my new novel, which I’ve chosen to write under a pseudonym. This decision has allowed me to explore my creativity without the fear of judgment or failure. I envision this project as a four-book series and have already drafted rough outlines for the subsequent three installments. Yet, I don’t plan to stop there.

I am committed to seeking guidance and learning, but most importantly, I will not cease writing. I owe it to the little girl I once was—the one who dreamed of becoming a storyteller forever.

And so, here I go—Day 1 of 100 stories. Some tales will be longer, others shorter, but I’m ready to dive in.

If you're interested in following my journey, you can find me here: @Deena Thomson. I will be sharing my 100 stories on that platform!

Also, check out Story #1, Leah’s Story, linked below.

Story #1: Leah's Story

Crafting a story each day for 100 days.

The first video, "3 Steps to Become a Better Writer," offers valuable insights into enhancing your writing skills.

The second video, "How To Become A Better Writer," provides additional strategies for aspiring authors to improve their craft.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for joining me on this journey. If you wish to participate in either of these challenges, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Let's share our progress and face the challenges together!

Until next time.