What’s keeping me on track with the daily blogging is…well, the daily deadline.  If the challenge were to write 30 blog posts a month, then chances are, I’d be hurting every 29th day of the month.

It’s great that I’m signed up for the Write1Sub1 Challenge…except that we only have to check in once a week and no one comes round to kick down your door and drag you naked through the streets as punishment if you don’t check in.  At least, so far they haven’t.  Maybe they’re backed up.

Anyway, I have noticed lots of other writers post not only their daily word counts, but their total word counts for particular projects.  Some even have widgets that display a bar graph showing the percentage completed of their current Work In Progress.  (Very snazzy, I might add.)

Since my goal is to build up my 3,000-word-a-day writing muscles, I thought that it would help if I had to report my word count each day in Ye Olde Blogge…you know, establish a daily deadline for first draft words, accountability, all that rot.

The Infamous They say that it takes around 16 repetitions to develop a good habit.  In other words, if you want to make the gym a habit, it will typically take you about 16 consecutive workouts before it becomes habit.  Yoga Sutra 1.14 says only “a long period of time.” I think I’ll go with the 16 days first and see where that takes me. 🙂

On January 5, 2010, I wrote 3,481 words of story.  This was by far my most productive day first-draft-wise for the entire year.  Due to the lack of supporting historical documentation regarding a 10,000-plus-word-day back in my early 20s, 3,481 words stands as the current record to beat.

I figure it’s not so different from lifting weights.  I’ll start out small, work my way up, then start hogging up all the mirrors with my aggro posing.  The goal is 16 consecutive 3,000-word-days.  This is my plan, and it is Good.

So starting tomorrow, at the bottom of each blog post will be an update on my quest to develop a 3,000-word-a-day habit.  Should I fail in my duties, then…I don’t know.  Public floggings are a hassle.  You’ve got to get city permits, clearance from the fire department, then there’s parking — it’s a mess.  I know they’re popular, but it’s just not in the budget.

Let’s just say that if ever I show up empty-handed, then you are welcome to start a good old-fashioned cyber stoning in the Comments section.

Which reminds me…I better go dust off my cyber armor, just in case. 😉

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P.S.  The light was gorgeous today, so I thought I’d go ahead and shoot some test pictures for the new blog header while I was waiting for the Glif to arrive and…well, I think I’m done.  I’ll be sharing those with you tomorrow.  I’m still looking forward to playing with the Glif.  That little gadget ought to eliminate most of the blurries I get.