Go read this: Bittersweet, a 475-word story by Greg van Eekhout.

It's his latest daily story, flash fiction he dared himself to write based on each of several words suggested by his blog readers. So far they've ranged from good to awesome. I think Bittersweet is awesome, and not just because I suggested the word.

I love goals like this, a personal dare that motivates and inspires you. Greg is so cool for putting these stories out there. I hope he enjoys writing them as much as we enjoy reading them (to reverse the cliche). I also hope he'll collect them into a chapbook or the like.

It inspires me to write more regularly. I finished another story draft last Friday, but most days I don't write anything. Granted, I've had good excuses. The past few months have been highly "interesting," as in the Chinese proverb. But don't we always have excuses? Few indeed are the distractions that prevent a modest daily goal, if we want one. Say, 100 words a day, or 10 minutes. Not even every day. Just often enough that it becomes a habit, rather than an intermittent struggle.

I have more to say about this. For now, I want to post a link to this great story and inspiring dare.