Here’s What My 30-Articles-in-Less-Than-30-Days Challenge Brought Up

Big Question: Will I do it again?

All of life is a school, and we’re but learners.

Like most people often did in school, you only need to steal a glance at what your friend is doing and try your hand at it.

By doing that, you take a leaf out of their playbook and trace what’s on that leaf of paper onto your own page. Or book. What could happen?

One of two outcomes: You fall short, or you rise above their level. Right? Wrong. There’s an even better outcome. It’s often unexpected.

When we all flipped our calendars to April, I thought I’d give David Majister’s 30-articles-in-30-days challenge a shot. Like sports, you learn a great deal from most of the shots you take.

Here’s what happened.

Benefits first

All’s fun that ends well. By ending well, I mean I found two huge benefits.

First, I kind of stumbled upon the love of my writing life

I wouldn’t call it my niche just yet, but let’s say I love that topic more than some others.

I’m talking about writing on how to live a more relaxed life, something that flies in the face of the many theories that idolize the frenetic lifestyle.

I feel I’ve found something I can write on without drowning in tears or swimming in sweat. I’ve even renamed my publication The Relaxed Life, and I hope to build it into a home of most of the articles about living a relaxed life.

The other benefit?

Folks, this is even bigger and better.

I got a look in and likely a spot On The Couch. I’ve had a crush on this publication since I first set eyes on it.

When the editor reached out and asked if I would love to submit a draft, I nearly rolled on the floor in excitement.

Can you imagine someone you had a crush on calling to ask if you would love to make time for a date someday?

To go on two successful dates — okay to publish two articles on there — has been a dream. Make it three, actually. Another would have gone live by the time you read this article.

If failing to publish 30 articles in 29 days ever left a bitter taste in my mouth, these two benefits taste like honey that will gently dissolve the bitterness.

How many articles?

With the Easter festivities (even though there was no picnic, for obvious reasons) I’m altogether proud of my efforts.

With my writing-free weekends — on weekends, I try to take my mind off writing. Instead, I tend to my photography endeavors. Sometimes, I visit my family; other times, I watch some English Premier League action — I’d say I did so well.

Adjusting for all these factors, I couldn’t be more proud of myself.

Altogether, I published 13 articles. I have three drafts biding their time in various publication queues and three others that were rejected and awaiting redistribution. That’s 19 articles in 21 days.

I also have four very raw first drafts from April.

Views, earnings, stats?

Now on to the juicy stuff.

As I said when I set out, those metrics weren’t at the forefront of my challenge. Fulfilling the challenge was more about fun than and testing my bulging writing muscles.

So while I still gained 57 new followers, it’s hard to know how many of them followed because of the articles I published during the challenge.

Surely some of them followed by reading a few old articles that are suddenly gaining traction?

Lessons learned?

There were many, but here are only two.

Positive people still surf the online sea

I’ve always thought — based on what I often see and hear — that everyone’s on their own, and no one cares about the next person. Oh, how wrong I was!

The support and encouragement I received when I announced I was embarking on the challenge overwhelmed me.

What am I saying? There’s often someone to lend an encouraging hand, or at least put an arm around your shoulder when you’re embarking upon a journey.

If you can’t have fun as a creative, you need to rethink your strategy

Need I say any more? Previously, any private note on my articles turned my heartbeat into a race car driven by Lewis Hamilton.

But while my challenge lasted, I took my mind off the rejections. Instead, I put it on the fun along the journey.

I also learned to produce some of my best work — backing up most of my points with sources, quotes, and numbers. For once, I didn’t even care about the lack of readership when I published some of them in my publication.

Just have fun, I told myself.

Takeaways

“Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.” Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart.

Always seek new challenges. If you don’t challenge yourself, how can you grow as a writer?

Doing 30 articles in less than 30 days was always going to be a tough act to follow, but one I was bent on following. Or at least finding the path.

Yes, I fell short. But here I am in one piece. There’s no point kicking myself, there’s no point calling myself horrible names.

But will I do it again? Absolutely. “Bring it on!” I say.

My biggest takeaway? Some writers love a rigid routine, while others thrive on the field of freedom. Find what works best for you and run with it.

As Professor Patrick Barry of the University of Michigan said in one MOOC on writing, find your personalized defaults.

I’ve found mine. Have you found yours yet?