DAILY SHORTS — DAY 26
A Collection Is Not Yet a Book
Rebuilding a writing habit is one goal. Creating something useful for readers is another.
Today started with the sound of machines in the factory. This is my second early shift and Day 26 of my writing challenge.
But some questions are on my mind. Has this challenge been useful? Will the book I am planning be useful to people? Would someone buy it? Would it solve a problem for the reader? What would make them choose my book instead of another available option?
I think that if I simply collect the articles and put them together in one file, it will just be a collection. It needs more content to be useful to the reader. The topic is rebuilding a writing habit, so the book needs more background: why someone might want to rebuild that habit, what they should do, and how to begin.
Just like renovating our home, turning these daily texts into a useful book takes more work than simply putting the pieces together.
I also thought about yesterday’s renovation work. I planned to finish laying the flooring, but I did not. My schedule is a little mixed up because I could not finish the work.
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I pray that I can finish it today. But I might buy some doors from the DIY store that is closing this month because of insolvency. It is offering a 50% discount. I do not want to miss that opportunity because I need the doors anyway.
• • •
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 29 Rabi al-Thani 1448 AH
“With hardship comes ease.”
Alhamdulillah.
Bismillah.
Go for it!
— Markus A.T.
The journey continues.
