Would You Write A Story A Day for a Whole Month?

A Yearly May Tradition

The first day of May is less than a week away. Since 2016, I have challenged myself to write a story every day during the month.

For many years I have added a layer of personal intention to the prompts I receive in my inbox. One year for the challenge I vowed to complete all 31 stories [No Skeleton Stories]. Sometimes if I am in a pinch I write a statement that covers the idea of how I want the story to go, but not the full prose.

Another year I freewrote first, then composed the story based on what emerged.

Last year, I had to use writing I had saved in my drive. I would search my Keep app and the Drive and see what emerged.

Sometimes I pick a theme to guide me which often depends on what I need to work on or what I am currently obsessed with.

One year I blogged every day about my process to curate it for myself and to be more public about the challenge.

PREP

How did I prepare for this challenge?

I start some light planning at least two weeks before the challenge begins. One of my regular practices is to keep notes of inspiration. I used to make them in containers of ten. I write down snippets of conversation, lines that come to me, story ideas, observations, etc. These ideas are logged in the Keep app on my phone.

When composing, I rarely sit in front of a blank document. I have files of ideas and I use my intuition to guide me. An idea MUST light me up in order to use it. I often have a lot of writing ideas during my walks but often the ideas that light me up while I am walking do not work when I sit down with my notebook. I have learned to take better notes or record an audio note to myself to flesh out the idea beyond a few sentences. I also write in response to my reading. I used to take some notes and “save it for later” which I have stopped doing. I find it almost impossible to capture the magic by waiting.

Finishing the story each day is critical. It doesn’t have to be good, but it does have to have an ending. Learning how to circle a story back is an important skill for a writer. With practice, I have improved. Reading great flash fiction also helps. I recommend Sherrie Flick for her powerhouse stories that end beautifully each time.

I have an established daily writing practice that works for me. I go to bed with the idea that I will write as soon as I wake up. This helps the words flow most days. Sometimes not. I write anyway.

Every morning I use Sarah Selecky’s daily prompt in addition to morning pages type writing and dream work. In May, I will read the Selecky and Storyaday prompts and mash them together. This is my typical practice. It leads to interesting stories most of the time that go in a direction I couldn’t do otherwise.

2024 is the year I am inspired by Ross Gay’s Book of Delights and More Book of Delights. I also have a character who is strong in my mind right now.

Julie Duffy is writing the prompts herself for this year’s challenge, which I prefer. I will check back next Wednesday and let you know how Day 1 goes!

I would love for you to join me! Will you write 31 stories in 31 days? It will be fun!