I’m sitting outside a Wegman’s in Frederick, Maryland eating a Merry’s Miracle Tart (lemon) and trying to write.

Trying not to be sucked into hours of nothingness that Facebook and Twitter offers.

Trying to beat out my draining computer battery (16%).

Trying to write 1,000 words before the day is done.

Trying to ignore the headache I’ve had since 1:00.

Trying to feel proud of my work so far. 

Trying to write well.

 And write fast.

Got stuck writing this morning. Then I got distracted by work during non-work hours. Then I got distracted by the lovely weather. Then had a meeting about some new freelance work, which was great, but now I’m feeling off course for the rest of the day and still haven’t written my total 1,000 words. I need to get back on track.

So I ran around the high school track for a bit to gather my thoughts for what comes next in my chapter — at a bit of a transition stage and having trouble getting it to move smoothly. I never could really write late at night. Even during college, I never pulled an all-nighter. I always made sure my papers were done by 9 at the latest. I just feel dumbed down a bit at night. Can’t concentrate after 10. Not sure I’ll be able to meet my goal today, but will try.

Right now.

The goal: write 1,000 words (roughly four pages) every single day. The challenge: write these 1,000 words without going back and editing. EVER. If I succeed, I will have 284 pages in 62 days—basically, a first draft.

Today I restarted my first draft from page 1 after taking a few weeks to develop my characters, brainstorm my backstory and create an outline. I started back at page 1, because I decided to go back to a first person POV, and because I wanted to do it right this time around. I wanted to write without looking back.

To be honest, I wasn’t feeling very inspired when I started out today, and was tempted to stop and go back to it later (when I thought I might be more into it). I knew that this would be a big mistake and told myself that this was exactly what I needed to break out of.

I need to sitdown and write no matter what. I need to develop a true a writing habit. And It worked. I started writing slowly (a few minutes spent staring at the screen) and then it poured out. I was over 1,000 words and one chapter down by the time I stopped.

And I vow not to look at this chapter again until the rewrite.

Onward!