Writing is not just about nailing imagination to the page, it is a learning experience. Writing demands structure, information, relevance and words that create intrigue not confusion.

The more we write, the better we get. It’s as simple as that. Better still, if we write every day, it becomes habit-forming and we make time to do it instead of making excuses.

Writing 100-word stories is a good start. Here are 10 reasons why:

1. Manageable

100 is the magic number. It is a manageable, doable, word count but still demands structure: a beginning, a middle, and an end.

2. Accomplishment

Achievement boosts confidence. You have started and finished a story; whereas, writing a full-length novel can take months, even years.

3. Relevance

You can’t waffle. You need to be decisive. Get to the point. Fast.

4. Focus

Telling a story within 100 words means you can never lose focus. It is a good exercise to work on – and master – when it comes to writing a longer book.

5. Uncomplicated

You can’t muck about with the plot. You need to articulate the idea very clearly.

6. Finish

Telling a story in 100 words forces you to write an ending. So many writers never get around to finishing their book and, therefore, never master the art of endings.

7. Edit

Learn how to edit like a professional. Ruthlessly cut out the words that don’t matter.

8. Ideas

Use 100-word stories to road test different ideas and genres. If it doesn’t work, you’ve only wasted 100 words.

9. About

There is no second-guessing in 100 words. The reader needs to know what it is about.

10. Emotion

If you can make a reader feel something in 100 words, you can call yourself a writer.

Need more incentive? Have a go at this writing 100-word Reader’s Digest competition. You could end up richer in more ways than one.