Wednesday, July 25, 2012

500 Words a Day

I have been fighting to make anything that resembles progress on the new novel (yes, the title and theme are still a secret...I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you). Not because I don't like the story--in fact, I'm more excited about this one than I have been in ages. Which makes the lack of progress even more frustrating, really.

Mostly summer is just not a great time for me to write. There are too many other things going on; the shop is busier because of tourist season (yay tourists!), the garden and yard demand constant upkeep, and so on. (Also, a number of folks in my life are in crisis, and they're not people I can say "call me back later, I'm writing" to when they call and interrupt. Not if they really need me.) And I haven't been sleeping well for various reasons, which tends to turn my brain to mush. Well, more mush than usual, even. Yadda yadda yadda.

Usually, when I am in full-on writing mode, I average about 1,200 words a day (at an average of 300 words a page, that's about 4 pages, although it can vary). On a good day, I can double that. This week, I'm averaging about 500 words a day. That's right--less than two pages. *headdesk*

But I'm still making myself sit down every night and do whatever I can do. Even if it is only 500 words.

Here's why:
If you write 500 words a day every day, after 180 days you will have 90,000 words. That's a novel, folks. So even at only 500 words/day, you can finish two books a year. TWO BOOKS.

Obviously, that's not taking into consideration things like editing and revision. But still. 500 words/day = TWO BOOKS A YEAR.

So if you write, don't let the slow days discourage you. Remember: BICHOK: Butt in chair, hands on keyboard. Or my particular version... BICHOKNOL (Butt in chair, hands on keyboard, NOT online!)

Now go write 500 words, then come back here and tell me you've done it :-)

11 comments:

  1. I forced myself to write two chapters I had skipped over in a project I'm doing the other day. I finally sat down and cranked out 3500 or some odd words!! I was so proud of myself! And best part I got those two chapters checked off my to do list! YAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Right on!

    Did I ever share this with you?

    http://thisblogisaploy.blogspot.ca/2011/06/how-i-went-from-writing-2000-words-day.html

    It's gone a bit viral in writing circles, and it's not a gimmick. Kinda interestin'.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sorry to hear that things are so tough for you right now - I hope that the outside pressures ease soon! And you're absolutely right, of course, about the slow and steady winning the race...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly, things are fine. Just life interfering, as it is wont to do. Some years, I don't even attempt to write anything other than nonfiction during the summer. I'm just so jazzed by this current story, I don't want to put it down and walk away. So plod, plod, plod.

      Delete
  4. I did it! Where's my gold star?

    Summer is the absolute worst time for me to write, even more so that the holiday season. My kids are home from school, which means my quiet time is limited to early morning and late night, neither of which are my peak periods. But I must finish this book - and I must finish it this week - so I'll be cranking out another 1200 words or so today...at some point.

    Now, to get dinner in the slow cooker so I don't have to worry about that, at least.

    Great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay you!
      *hands over gold star*

      Of course, you merit a gold star in my book any and every day. So I might have to give you a platinum one :-)

      Delete
  5. I try to do the same with varying degrees of success. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, well, my success (at anything) is always varied. That's what makes life interesting :-)

      Delete
  6. I blame lack of rain for my lack if words. Rainy days and snow storms feed my muse.

    ReplyDelete

ShareThis