Push the Boundaries
I spend a lot of time reading writing books because I write articles and reviews on them. Nearly every book I’ve read has several things in common:
- There is no substitute for work. You must glue your pants to the seat of your chair and write the words.
- There are no shortcuts. Writing is work, publishing is work and luck, selling is a lot of work and luck.
- If you are like most people, you need goals and quotas to keep you moving forward.
The last point is one I’ve spent time considering in my own writing life. I’m a busy woman with only an hour a day to commit to my craft.
Or so I thought.
I have written more words in the last nine days than I have in the last two months combined. I set the lowly (as I see it now) weekly goal of 6700 words, including fiction, non-fiction, articles, blog posts, and work pieces (not including my personal journal, which can range from 4-14 hand written pages daily). I felt that was enough, and that weekly was a good way to track it. If that sounds like a lot to you, please know that I’ve been writing daily for 23 years, so have had a lot of practice. Under 1000 words a day seemed like plenty, though I often wrote more on the weekends.
I never thought to push myself or question whether that was a comfortable goal. I didn’t stop to think how the type of writing I’m doing affects my production. There are a lot of things I didn’t think about and several things I have recently learned.
- When I’m in the flow, there is no word count limit. Write until done or until I develop “qwerty face.”
- Outside of flow, my production is based on what I’m writing. Articles and non-fiction take much longer to surface and write than fiction or essay. While 600-800 words per day might be reasonable when working on articles, book reviews, and similar things, 3000 words a day is not out of reach for fiction, especially when the story is fresh or approaching a crisis.
- Word count is often based on whether I’m writing from my head or my heart.
- I am capable of more words than I tried to achieve.
- It is good to push your boundaries once in a while to see if your “comfortable” word count or quota has increased with time and experience. Find the comfortable level and stick with it for six months or so, then push your boundaries again.
I admit I cleared the decks for November and only casually work on articles this month. The increased time has translated directly into increased production and reading.
What about you? What have you discovered about your output? Is it related to what you are writing or to the time you can spend?
My output is based on my mood. I write more when I plan to - but am easily distracted if I feel tired or something.
Hi, Matthew! I think your daily word count has always been admirable. I confess I excluded the effect of my moods and being tired. Rotten or moods and being weary are times I write in my journal.
I learned quickly never to write a post or an article if I wasn’t alert and interested. Such garbage came out, lol.
Great takes!
I’m a write-aholic myself but the first step to recovery remains being able to own it. I am adding you to my blogroll—thank you for the add too.
Some times it has nothing to do with the time I have on my hands as you can relate I am sure—it just flows.
Ken
btw—you have to check put this girls blog. She is on the money with every post.
http://cvwriter.wordpress.com/
I love flow. I live for flow.
When flow is around, I can write no matter what else is going on. I’m glad you stopped by. I’m headed to Creative Burst right now.