Thriving Through a 30-Day Writing Challenge Experience
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Chapter 1: Embracing the Challenge
I eagerly embarked on a journey to accomplish a seemingly impossible task: to write and publish 30 articles in just 30 days. As a mother of two young children, aged 4 and 5, I was aware that this endeavor was ambitious. However, rather than preparing for failure, I was determined to dive deep into the world of writing.
“You only learn to be a better writer by actually writing.” — Doris Lessing
What I didn’t anticipate were the astonishing outcomes that awaited me.
Section 1.1: My Aspirations
Here’s a glimpse into my initial goals:
- Build an Audience: Starting with only 71 followers, I aspired to reach 100 and qualify for the Medium Partnership Program.
- Develop My Writing Voice: I aimed to enhance my writing skills and refine my niche.
- Connect with Other Writers: Understanding that writing can often feel isolating, I sought to engage with fellow writers and learn from their experiences.
Subsection 1.1.1: Achievements Beyond Expectations
To my delight, I achieved remarkable results in each of these areas.
- Audience Growth: I skyrocketed from 71 to 175 followers in just one month! This exceeded my goal of gaining 29 followers. Within two weeks, I had also joined the Medium Partnership Program and earned $3.20 as a paid writer!
- Engagement Statistics: My reader engagement rose by 6% compared to prior to my challenge.
- Writing Output: I wrote 33 articles and published 23 (9 short-form, 6 mid-form, and 8 long-form), marking significant progress in my writing voice.
Do you notice those figures? They reflect not just growth in numbers, but an increase in reader engagement!
Section 1.2: Developing My Writing Style
Throughout this month, I refined my writing style and discovered the importance of vulnerability in storytelling.
My niche has become clearer, focusing primarily on parenting and self-improvement. My topics now include:
- Parenting insights
- Managing anxiety
- Overcoming perfectionism
- General self-help advice based on personal experiences
By dedicating myself to writing daily, I cultivated an endless flow of ideas, which in turn bolstered my motivation and writing voice.
Chapter 2: Building Connections
In the video "30 Day Self-Improvement Challenge: Kickstart the 2nd half of 2024," the creator shares insights on enhancing personal growth through structured challenges. This aligns perfectly with my experience of connecting with other writers during my journey.
Connecting with fellow writers was a key aspect of my challenge. I reached out to Megan Llorente, who owns two publications, and through her Women’s Circle, I met inspiring writers who encouraged my vulnerability.
I also became a co-editor for two publications, expanding my network and learning from talented editors. Additionally, I participated in Kristina God’s Medium Kickstarter Boot Camp, which provided an invaluable community of engaged writers.
To top it off, the support from fellow Medium writers has been incredibly inspiring.
The second video, "How to start the 30 HARD CHALLENGE | Rules + FREE 30 Day Workout Plan!" outlines practical steps to tackle challenging projects, just as I did with my writing challenge.
Reflecting on this transformative experience, I can confidently say that my growth as a writer over these 30 days has been nothing short of fantastic!
Thank you for taking the time to explore my journey of daily writing. I hope my insights inspire you to consider the numerous benefits of engaging more deeply with your craft.
Here are some of my other articles:
- She Was Only Gone for 10 Minutes: How anxiety causes you to quickly spiral out of control.
- My Inner Critic Has A Strong Hold On Me: Breaking free from old habits that are keeping you small.
- 7 Things I’ve Learned in My Forties: Being in your forties truly is fabulous.