I try to, but it rarely happens. I'm easily distracted by the internet, and I have depression, which gets in the way of things. Lately I've been writing in notebooks instead of on the computer, and that has helped a *lot.* I just finished a novella in 5 weeks. Now I just need the willpower to type up the bloody thing.
Trying to write every day changed my life. I didn't stick to it, but it greatly accelerated my progress taking me from clueless amateur to hopeful...amateur. Anyway, keep at it. Working on my third project and each is significantly better in execution and more complex and subtle
I try to, but sometimes life gets in the way. Although, to be technical, I work as a journalist, so, yes, I do write nearly every day. As far as my fiction goes, if it was paying the bills, then the rest of life would get put aside to get it done. Maybe one day...
I mean this with no offense, but you can't become a writer overnight. For me it started as a hobby, I thought I could write a novel, than realized my first attempt exposed all the weaknesses in my writing. I am now fascinated with improving my skills to redeem myself for the pile of garbage that is my first novel. You're in the right place; become active in the Workshop, discuss books, chat with other writers, and you will soon create a habit of writing everyday Do I write Everyday? Yes Some days I think I will write a lot, and write very little. Some days I think I will write nothing, and get a lot done.
Yes, I agree. I find now that I've been doing it for about a month straight, that I really want to sit down and do it. I hate it on the days when I'm working and I can only manage the time to write 2 or 3 hundred words (or only a hundred sometimes). I like my days off when I can write a thousand. And I don't feel so intimidated by the story. I'm used to writing it. I'm not worried as much about failing. Thanks, Killbill, I will. ...there was a little rhyme there, heehee. That's how I've been since I was 18 years old and first wanted to write after reading Stephen King's "Firestarter." That's how I've always been, and now I'm a nurse. I think I've got to try something different if I want a different result. But I certainly feel you. I also suffer from depression, so I can totally understand where you're coming from on that one, and I have throughout my life, and it absolutely prevents me from writing. What's worse is that when I'm depressed, I feel the whole idea of writing is worthless and pointless and will never amount to anything and I give up. I am now taking an SSRI, and that has changed my life. The bottom line is that either I will take the antidepressant or I will not be able to write, and I want to write. For me it's just that simple. Do you take anything for your depression? Thanks for the advice, Mootz. At least when that day comes you will be top notch in your editing abilities and your ability to write clearly and purposefully. I think it would be very cool to be a journalist, but I imagine it could be very demanding, too. I absolutely agree. I've been writing for a bit. I've had some articles published, op eds, and I wrote and published two non-fiction books, and I maintain a book review website (The Novel Report) and then of course I wrote my novel, Caretakers of Eternity. Most people who've read it say they really liked it. And it did get two unsolicited really good reviews on Amazon. But I really think my next novel, the one I'm currently writing, will be even better. So, I agree with you completely Yes, I will definitely do that. I've written a short story and some poems I'd like to submit, and I'm about to venture over into the workshop areas. I'm quite looking forward to that. Yes, exactly, that's how it is for me, too. Just today, I was like, "I don't have but 15 minutes I can write." But I went ahead and wrote figuring that even if I only wrote one sentence, at least I could say I wrote today. I ended up writing about a hundred words, I think, and so my conscience is clear. Since I started this novel, I have written every day. Sometimes a lot; sometimes a little, but every day so far. Thanks for your input, Mark. Ed
I try to work on my novel every day. I think the days that I haven't are very few indeed. Right now that doesn't involve much actual creative writing since I'm in the revision phase, but it does take me forward. I've been writing every day more or less for about 2 years now and am revising my second novel. I have also gotten one ready to the stage where I've submitted it, so this really works because in the long run you really see results of your work AND see how you're improving your skills from story to story. I definitely recommend it.
I try to write everyday, but sometimes its one sentence or a whole chapter, if I'm working on my novel.
I try to write every day but maybe one day a week I falter. How much I write each day differs, some days I can write 1,500 words or more, other days its just 300 to 500 words. It doesnt matter how much I write, as long as I can say I have spent time writing. So far I have managed 8,000 words in two weeks on my new story (hopefully first novel).
Oh and talking of habit, I usually set myself the same time everyday so its organized....unless I get inspiration where I drop everything and write whats in my head.
I never finish anything but sure I write a lot. At least 1,000 words per day... Before I used to delete a lot of them thinking it was rubbish, but since the only things I'm writing right now are first drafts, I just think: "it is supposed to be rubbish".
No (not fiction anyway, forum posts, almost always ), and I don't try to. I write when I have something to say, or rather, story to tell. Yeah, I know there's this idea that if people waited until then, they'd never write anything. Maybe that's true for some people, not for me. I am not prescribing my style as advice, but I find that it works. If I am not into what I am writing, it won't be worth the time put into it. When a story drives me to write, then I can write it. If there's no inspiration there, I'm better off just doing something else.
I try my best to write every day, but a lot of things get in the way (school, sports, homework, etc,) since I'm only twelve. And since I live in a house with only one computer, if my younger siblings are playing a game, or my parents are working, then I can't. But the days I do write I try to get at least a thousand words at a time. What I do to keep myself writing and make sure I don't slack off is set deadlines for myself, like, "I have to finish page 20 by Friday."
I try write everyday and there has been rare weeks where I have written everyday...but sometimes I've just come to accept there's going to days where I haven't got the writing spirit. Like yesterday. Instead of forcing it, I just rest and try the next day :3 I always write the best when it comes naturally really.
Every day, no matter what it is, I write, even if it's something no one will ever see. I read every day too. I can't help that.
I don't write everyday, but I tell myself "I must write today" everyday - and me nagging myself drives me to the computer sooner or later, usually sooner rather than later, so I write every week at the very least. If I let myself go and don't remind myself, I might not come back to my work lol. I think it's more important you keep in mind that you must write rather than necessarily saying you must write everyday. As for momentum - I think it's just a matter of discipline, pushing through that bit that's a little uninteresting or a bit tough, or changing direction and even deleting scenes and events and replacing them with fresh ideas that would get your heart pounding again. You do anything and everything you need to to keep that story fresh and alive and interesting to you. I like to think of it as pruning. It's painful, but it needs to be done and you will reap the fruits of your labour later.
Get into the habit of writing every day. It has helped me no end. If you are working on a project and suddenly find that you cannot motivate yourself to write anything that day - write about something else. This is just as true if you have no particular project on the go. Just choose a random topic - as weird and wonderful as you like and churn out the words. How about "My Coffee Mug", "My Pipe Has Just Gone Out Again", "Curtains Could Do With a Wash", "My Little Fingernail, and anything else that just pops into you head. It matters not if it is complete bilge. I keep a folder on my computer called DROSS. It is full of outstanding drivel. And sometimes I find a nugget of a good idea amongst, what is at times, nothing more than a random collection of words. Sometimes , you just need to unclagg your brain and this is a good way to do it.
I do exactly that. Exchanging projects is very helpful when you are out of imagination to keep writing about just one. And a good way to keep me writing.
I find trying to write when I don't have anything to write about only makes me want to write less. I'm writing in my head every day. I can't help that. When I feel the drive, I write, and I typically do it at a pretty consistent pace. lol
Pavarotti once said, "If I don't sing for one day, I notice. If I don't sing for two days, my friends notice. If I don't sing for three days, everyone notices." Same for writing.
Thanks Tesoro. What happened with your first novel? Is it available? Same with me. The discipline I've set for myself is that I will write everyday even if it's only one sentence. It's never only ever been one sentence, but I allow myself that little if I need it. What seems to matter is that I write daily. That sounds cool. I keep note pads and a pen everywhere around the house in case I get an idea. I have one by my toilet, bathtub, nightstand, etc. What's your novel about? Why do you think your writing is rubbish. Of course if you never revise, I guess it would be--I mean mine is. The first draft is the creative stage, it's supposed to be rubbish. The revision is the craft stage. That's what I think anyway. Have you ever finished a novel? Or do you have any finished short stories? I feel your obsession. I want to write more than I am. I think that may be one of the benefits to writing every day is that it leads to that kind of obsession--which is a good obsession, I think. If you can write a thousand words in a sitting and you're only twelve, that's pretty darn impressive. Do you think you will become a novelist at some point? I hear you, but in doing it that way, do you ever finish anything? See, that's the problem I had (or have), is that if I only write when I feel like it, I don't really stay motivated to write.
Sounds like good advice. Thanks. Thanks an interesting perspective. Frankly, I don't think it would work for me. There is something about the ritual I suppose I need in order to stay with it. I suppose that system would work well for generating ideas or perhaps finding a poem. I don't think I need to write just anything; I personally need to work on a work. I mean, I don't need the typing practice per se, I need to keep moving on the projects I want to do. That sounds interesting. Maybe someone should start an Idea Bank or something. Got it. I think I get where he's coming from.
Egor, This is not about generating ideas or giving you typing practice. This is about refreshing your creativity. If you attempt to force your creativity on a single project day after day, week after week, month after month, it will rebel. Give it a holiday, a short break. Let it walk on the beach, let it chill out in the warm breeze. Let it get drunk.
I think writing every day is a good way to expand your imagination and become a better writer. If you don't feel like it, you don't have to work on your story. You could write something else to get your wheels turning. Who knows, you might actually get ideas for your current story! I try to write every day at least a little and it's helped me write more and write better.
@Egor: I suppose it depends on what you call a "finished" novel. Until my novels are in print, they are always subject to improvement. But in a general sense, yes. I have 1 novel finished and polished and 7 more finished in at least a rough draft. (I'd have edited more but wanted to give as much focus as I could to the one I am shopping to agents.) And yes, I got several short stories finished, some of which have even had minor local publication. And I am gonna be shopping around another one. If ANY writing counts as daily writing, forum posts probably get me writing almost every day.
