Weekly Word Count: 28.01. - 03.02. 2013

[eanor]

So last week I decided not to force myself to write if I didn't feel like it. Well, this was successful in that I wasn't feeling stressed out by the thought of having to write all the time. So, that's good? However, it also led (quite predictably actually) to me not writing very much. :-/

This week's word count was 350 words. Yeah, really not

Comments

[huldrejenta]

I think it is very plausible that having a somewhat more relaxed approach can be positive for your creativity, at least every now and then. To write something every day is an admirable goal, and yay if one is able to do it, but feeling stressed out about it, is hardly helpful when it comes to creativity.
On the other hand, I sometimes have to pull myself together, I can't sit and wait for my muse, because that may take a while when life is hectic. So for me it's trying to find something in between not stress out if I don't get much done for a while, and not become too passive even if I don't always feel very energetic about writing. Often it's the getting started that's hardest for me.
On days when I don't feel like writing, I often do a lot of thinking though, which is helpful when I do write again.

[eanor]

Oh, you voice my thoughts exactly! Often getting started is the hardest part for me, too, so trying to pull myself together a little more often without becoming too stressed out is my goal right now. You're absolutely right that one cannot always just wait for inspiration to hit magically. But yes, having days with thinking about the writing in between sounds like a good idea, too. :-)

[eanor]

Yes, carrying a notebook around really helps. I do that, too! Most often I find time to scribble something down while on a train or bus. And I agree with you that some sentences are already a good start. If you're not a professional writer, no one can expect you to write a novel every day. ;-)

Uh, and your job sounds awesome! May I ask whether you work for a scientific magazine or the like? And I can totally understand how writing scientifically the whole day creative writing might be hard! I'm amazed you still feel the energy to keep on writing after you get home, actually... :-)

[lil_1337]

Forcing myself to write has never worked well for me. I can do it, but the quality is not as good as if I do it when I am in the right mood.

[eanor]

Yeah, that's true. However, sometimes I just need to kick myself to get started and then the words start to flow as well...

(Also, thanks for all your nice comments on these word count posts! I'm a bit worried I might bother everyone with these, so it's always good to see someone's actually reading it. :-) )

[lil_1337]

I know that feeling all too well.

You are very welcome. My writing process is kind of weird so I'm always curious about how it works for other people.

[ikel89]

I am not a fic-writer by any means, so I'm afraid I have no useful advice on writing discipline for non-obligatory things (which I had plenty of during my uni years). But I can cheer from the sidelines:) *waves a flag*

[eanor]

Thank you for cheering! :-) (Also, I do realize that I might take my non-obligatory just-for-fun fic writing a bit too serious... Mostly it's about wanting to be able to focus on one thing properly, though.)