I force 2000 words a day. I am currently working on my second books first draft, a second draft on the first book and outlining for the third book, with some charting of other books to take place in the same universe.
all my writing is done either in small journals on the run or on my old 67 olympia so no auto count for me and too busy to count em out one by one haha but i would have to say a few hundred on a very busy day to 5-10 thousand on a great day. before i had kids and a job it was much more haha
Hi @mad_hatter, i'm exactly the same as you. Aiming for min 5,000 per week to get the first draft finished by the end of the year. Problem (or it may be a solution) is that I've started a second book (different genre) which I also want to finish by the end of the year so that ups it to approx. 10,000 per week However, I find that flicking between the two stories helps my creative juices flow more easily. I was originally editing as I went, took me FOREVER to get through the first chapter because of this. But I finally managed to break the habit and now things are moving along nicely. I still edit a little, but its mostly if I get to a certain point in the writing and then think "Oh, that other paragraph doesn't make sense now", so I go back and change it.
I think what matters is not how many words other people write, (in the end there's always someone who writes more, faster, better) but rather how many words you can write if you really make it a priority. And I think that's what you have to do. Don't stress about how much other people write or let that make you feel less productive. Only you know what your schedule looks like, what your writing process looks like and so on. But by all means, do set goals for yourself. Start small, and when you realize you can meet these goals, set them a little bit higher each time. That way you'll train yourself to write more/day.
Zip all yesterday. It was so hot I could barely think. But the other day I managed over 2000 words. I manage a page or two - I don't really figure things out by words more by page, scene or paragraph.
Some days I don't write at the keyboard, but even on those days I am writing. Most often my plot-lines, character traits, etc. are formulated during a walk in the woods or even waiting in line somewhere, etc. So I am writing even when words are not being pounded out on the keyboard and counted. Plus, some days all I do (or half of what I do) is revise--and I often feel very productive about those days. So, in the 3-4 days most weeks when I am producing words it varies from 500-2000. Beyond that increases delete/revision/"what was I thinking?" when I come back to it, so it's not the number of words, but their quality.
How does everyone prep themselves to write, and how often do you write? Me, as soon as I get home from work, everyday, I take a shower and go over my current writing issues, plot, character arch, settings and any blocks I've encountered. Once I finish up and get dressed, I mix a cocktail, usually just absinthe, and grab my character, plot and general info note books (three separate notebooks) and sift though the days notes in silence. Once I go through my notes I turn on my tv to something comfortable I have seen a million times ( Either Dr. Strangelove, or Sky captain) with the volume low and get my music rolling (Hank 3, Angry Johnny, or Front line assembly, depending on the scene and chapter) I then zone out till I hit 2000 words or more if I am on a role.
Wow. You must be young to have that kind of concentration and energy. When I got home from work (when I was still working) I'd plop down and veg. I had to write before going to work or I got nothing done. Prep for me was a cup of coffee and several ciggies while waiting for my computer to boot. EDIT: As for listening or watching something while writing, there's no way I could ever do that.
My 'prep' usually consists of setting myself as 'away' on Skype/Steam/etc, opening youtube with some nice and relaxing instrumental music. Then I get an overview over what I have written so far, enable Scrivener's fullscreen mode and start typing. As for how often, I'd have to say way too rarely and irregularly.
I'm usually at work half an hour early (to beat the traffic) so I plug in my USB and write until I start at 8am. I sometimes write through my lunch hour as well. Usually on my commute I'm thinking about my book too, working out any issues I have and playing through scenes in my mind. When I get home I relax for a bit, have dinner, then start writing again. In the evening I download my current version onto my Kindle then read it in the bath or in bed, highlighting any bits that read awkwardly so I can edit them in the morning. I can't and won't sustain this forever. I did it for my first draft then shelved everything for a few months and looked it afresh. My second draft is nearly done and now I'm satisfied with it enough to go straight into editing.
With a cup of coffee and a prayer that I'll manage more than 300 words. That's how I prep. Oh, and by plugging my USB of music into my CD player.
No prep. After dinner I plop down on my bed, sit cross legged and start typing on my laptop. Occasionally I check to make sure I haven't carried off my Synonym Finder, and other books I feel like I might need for reference. They're usually stacked beside my bed. But that's it.
@BookLover I use the music and Tv to get into my characters head. I am writing a noir hard boiled style in pov and my character is always two or three layers into thought, while dealing with the environment. I use the TV as the outside environment, the music is him reacting to the environment while my thoughts writing are his thoughts kind of thing. The noise also helps me break focus so I can ensure i have all the layers in any given paragraph. @Sack-a-Doo! I currently work 60+ hours a week as a mechanic, but i have no children and I am not married
@OurJud a prayer for 300. Even if I throw down absolute shit, I'll write 2200, even if i have to erase it. Try it sometime it helps get the creative juices moving, even if its for the next day, or on an unrelated project.
I don't prepare myself in any way. I just sit down at the desk and take up writing where I ended last time.
Oh to have time and energy! If I have a few moments and it is quiet and I am awake, I tap on my keyboard until one of those things stop being true (usually I fall asleep on the keyboard or one of my kids starts kicking up a ruckus).
Okay, here is a question still on topic, how many hours of writing do you put in a week and does anyone else drink while writing. I average 30 hours a week.
I dont really count. Excuse me but it sounds a little like you're trying to live up to some kind of myth about the writer, especially with the drinking part. Maybe you'd drink whether you were writing or not, What do I know, but that's what it sounds like to me.
I read an article about creativity and being tired. It discussed how when your tired your frontal cortex slows down, turning the inner editor off and letting creativity flourish, thats why people feel more creative when they are tired. I use alcohol to the same effect, but I am also careful not to over drink and ruin my work. I have found that it works well for me.
I find waking, going to the gym and wearing myself out for a good hour and half then coming home, sitting outside in a soft chair with a nice coffee will get my creative juices flowing. But I like to have a good daydream about my story for about half hour before I start writing.
