Day 6 of the 31-Minute Challenge: Learn From Your Dog
My three-something-year-old Brittany, Lucky, is a lovely, charming girl with quite impressive dog manners. Ask anyone in the neighborhood. 
Still, like any dog she knows what she wants when she wants it.
If you own a puppy of any breed, age or temperament, then you know perfectly well what a term “dogged” means.
Dogged is what they are, when they pursue a squirrel. Beg for food. Keep returning to the one spot they can’t go to — again, and again, and again.
You want something bad? Take an inspiration from your dog. Wrap your teeth around that chew toy. Clamp’em down with everything you’ve got. And don’t let go.
Dogged is the only way to be if you want to achieve anything worthwhile, anything extraordinary.
I wrote another way about this crazy doggedness a few years ago here. I hope it speaks to you.
How did everyone’s first week of the month/year/challenge go? Were you able to keep up during the weekend, too? And are you guys ready for week 2?
I know it’s going to be a crazy week for me, that’s for sure. (Will be posting on that in a few days).
Cheers to all of you! You guys are wonderful. Truly.
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About me
When I was a little girl, I wore a pioneer scarf around my neck and believed in communism.
I also secretly believed in magic mirrors. Even as a shy little Soviet girl, I dreamed that across the magic glass someplace there was another land, one of skyscrapers reaching into the clouds, and giant bridges of steel that hung from the sky.
I reached that land as a teen in 1993, when I stepped out of the JFK airport in New York City. I found my real home, met a man of my dreams, fell in love with the English language, moved into the Jersey suburbs, and got myself a beautiful, complicated American life.
After college I became a newspaper journalist and had quite an adventure chasing stories, keeping tabs on local officials, or just poking my nose everywhere it’d fit.
Now I stay home, raising my two very American kids, while writing novels for young adults, represented by Jessica Regel of Jean V Naggar Literary Agency.
And I still believe in magic mirrors.
I am pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. My first novel, “Castle of Concrete,” will be published by Namelos.
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It’s been a great first week. I was able to write, despite being ill.
Yay for us! Hope you feel better, Miranda. I’ve also been fighting off yet another cold, but I managed at least 2 sessions a day every day. Now I look forward to those 31 minutes (or more) with no internet, no distractions; and I can’t wait to open my Word doc every time.
Nice.
So proud of you!!
The first week was harder than I thought–in fact, as soon as I log off here, I have to go do today’s 31. The concreteness of life can nudge dreams aside, but so far, I’ve been shoving back!
As long as you shove back, Wendy! Just keep telling yourself, 31 minutes, how hard can it be? And before you know it, your timer will be beeping. Looking forward to running your guest post tomorrow!
I started the challenge on December 6th, I was so excited I couldn’t wait for January to arrive. So, I already have a month behind me. Everyday since I started the challenge, I’ve met or exceeded the 31 minutes, even on Christmas and New Years Eve. At this point, I’ve revised 2 picture books and am nearly 2000 words into a new middle grade fiction story. Keep up the good work everyone!
You know what that means, right Dori? You’re our first winner! Woo-hoo! I’d love to know what’s next for you. Are you hooked on writing once again now? Will you continue? I’d love another guest post about those things! If you’re in the mood, email me
Katia,
I couldn’t agree more! I have two cocker spaniels and if they have taught me one thing…it’s persistence! If they want something…they will do anything to get their way! It’s amazing what dogs can teach you. It’s day 6 and still going strong!
Go, Robin! It’s amazing what dogs can teach you…yes. Not just the doggedness
Another thing I love about dogs is how “in the moment” they are, you know?
This has been a fun 6 days for me. I have started a noval that I thought was just going to be short story for YA. This could be a fun challenge for me.
Mary, I know what you mean about short stories turning into novels. I suffer from that affliction greatly, myself!
Either way, so glad you’re having fun with this. Keep on!
Couldn’t make it on the 3rd and 4th, but the rest is there.
AH, could your standards have been too high? Was this because you were aiming for continuous 31-minute intervals? Because, just for your info, for the purposes of this challenge, non-continuous works too. Either way, glad you’re still in the running.
No, no, I’ve been doing non-continuous intervals everytime. The days I missed were during the weekend when I went home to see family…
I am so glad to hear that. I worked on a story this morning for a few min. and then someone came over. I just finished an outline for a non-fiction piece about milk. Have a nice night.
This is meant to be small, easy and do-able, something you could easily make a commitment to. Sounds like you’re moving along nicely, Mary!
Well, I’m still in the challenge, but sometimes I’m writing later at night than I want to (like now). I’m working on a short story and also preparing clips/resume to send in to several work for hire places, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. This 31 minute thing is working….thanks!
Yay, Maureen! So glad to hear it! As for working later in the day, I know what you mean. I still maintain that the earlier the better. A “don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today” adage adopted, I guess. Then again, it’s been working for you so far, and that’s the important thing, right? One friend of mine wrote at 11:29 p.m. a few days ago, but I think that’s pushing it a little
I went to my crit group tonight, which is always inspirational.
I know what dogged means.
Your comment made me smile, Medeia.
So glad you’re fitting writing in, busy as you are.