I don't do this consistently and it's gotten even harder since I went back to school but I think when I have a few days of being "in the zone' I can kind of tell what a reasonable goal is. It's going to be different for everyone's schedule and needs and personality. Some days I feel good about 500. Some days I feel good about 100. I just find that keeping track of it helps - so maybe not a daily goal, but a monthly goal?
I also don't really find I get frustrated by missing my goal. I get frustrated by things like ficathon things that are pushing up against the deadline and by not being able to write at all or by being distracted, but I don't really get distracted if I set a goal for myself that I don't meet. I guess I don't scare myself that much.
My issue is that I'm very accepting of whatever I can get but to the point that I know I'm not making the most of my time. Which frustrates me, but missing goals frustrates me too, especially when the cause is out of my control (interruptions, plot related issues, etc.). I do scare myself that much. ;)
Ah, that sounds like a different problem to me! I'd try to figure out what you're doing instead, like, what distracts you and try and reduce that. That's my biggest problem, at least.
It's more the same problem than you think probably. My biggest 'distraction' is getting up from the computer. I think better when I move so when I hit a wall I get up to get things moving in my head, but I can't always get back in a timely fashion. And people (read my children) need me to get up, which breaks the flow. So what I'm looking for is a way to keep writing when I am writing instead of, literally, wandering off.
But it is the same issue, it about taking advantage of and appreciating the time and the writing. :)
I first set a word count goal in November, because I wanted to see if I could, in fact, write fifty thousand words in one month. This month, I set it to thirty thousand. Much more reasonable, though I did hit fifty last month.
I tend to stop at natural pauses myself. Sometimes I take a break and then come back to it, and sometimes I just know that that's it for the day.
It was actually a blog post about Nano that started this. Pushing through to a goal is the thing about Nano that makes the most sense to me, but I value and depend on editing too much for the 50k goal to really work for me. I did 36k once, in March because November is the worst timing for me, but that's another story...
The idea of goals between daily goals and huge monthly goals is kind of appealing though. So that was helpful.
I don't have an answer for that specific question, but whatever you've been doing, just keep doing it. You have a finished novel. That is stunning. I am in awe of your resolve and dedication to the craft. Every week you write. Every week you have something for me to read or think about and you never stop working on it. I have stopped and started more times than I can count and I am totally inspired by you.
This is as much as anything me being curious. I mean, I set the Session Target on Scrivener, but really low and up it when I start getting close. It's not like I don't count my words, but I'm looking at ways I can use my time better too and was wondering how word counts worked for people.
What I actually do, as I just explained to H, is set a low goal on Scrivener and up it as I get closer. And sometimes I leave the 'high' goal for a few days, just to see what happens. Usually nothing really. I count words while I'm editing too. Still words, right? In fact, I wish there was a count for cutting words with reward colors (I love the color change thing ;)
Mostly I'm trying to figure out a way to motivate myself to write through pauses, because I get so much more done when I don't allow myself to stop there (both writing and rewriting/editing). Word count seems away to do that.
and thanks. I always get my hair washed, and the dishes but my living room is a wreck. ;D
I don't think I'm going to add much to the conversation but for what it's worth:
I set a daily word goal of 1,000 words a day. When I was working, I had a 45 minute commute on the bus, and I could knock that number of words out in that time. It's just a guideline, though, because once I hit editing hell, the word count goes out the window. I count the words, but I'm more concerned (then) with how far through the story I get rather than the word count (if that makes sense) :) .
I don't beat myself up if I don't meet the goal, just as I don't beat myself up if I miss a day of writing. What it does, for me, is remind me of boundaries/obligations/commitments - even if it's only to me - LOL. I tend to focus more on monthly or annual goals because when I'm writing the first draft, the words just spill out. Editing....totally different story! :D
Actually very interesting, I'm always curious about how other people write. And I'm seeing, at least in this small sample, that people who find a word goal helpful tend not to like editing. And I LOVE editing. I write a crappy first draft just so I can edit, and I guess I'm trying to figure out how I can make myself pound that draft out fast so I can get to the good stuff. Editing! I'm even trying a modified outline. *gasp
( ... )
And I'm seeing, at least in this small sample, that people who find a word goal helpful tend not to like editing.
We-ell, it actually depends on which edit it is. I call it editing hell because I do at least three rounds of intensive edits, and by the third round, I'm so sick of the story I could happily throw it out the window - LOL. Which isn't to say I don't edit as I go, but because I don't write sequentially, and I don't plot/outline/plan, the intensive editing is really, well, intense. And exhausting and frustrating because I'm a nitpicky and I can pick up something I've done and always see a better way of writing it. :)
I've described writing the first draft as me skipping joyously through a meadow, strewing words like flower petals. It's easy (if the story is really gelling with me). Editing is more like working in a vegetable garden.
So what I have been doing is writing every day but without a word count. Making sure that I 'connect' to my story everyday is sometimes more important
( ... )
I've described writing the first draft as me skipping joyously through a meadow, strewing words like flower petals. It's easy (if the story is really gelling with me). Editing is more like working in a vegetable garden.this is a pretty fabulous metaphor, even if it doesn't exactly apply to me
( ... )
Comments 19
I also don't really find I get frustrated by missing my goal. I get frustrated by things like ficathon things that are pushing up against the deadline and by not being able to write at all or by being distracted, but I don't really get distracted if I set a goal for myself that I don't meet. I guess I don't scare myself that much.
Reply
Reply
Reply
But it is the same issue, it about taking advantage of and appreciating the time and the writing. :)
Reply
I tend to stop at natural pauses myself. Sometimes I take a break and then come back to it, and sometimes I just know that that's it for the day.
Not very helpful, I know.
Reply
The idea of goals between daily goals and huge monthly goals is kind of appealing though. So that was helpful.
Reply
JUST KEEP GOING! <3
Reply
And thanks. :)
I wouldn't be here without you.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Mostly I'm trying to figure out a way to motivate myself to write through pauses, because I get so much more done when I don't allow myself to stop there (both writing and rewriting/editing). Word count seems away to do that.
and thanks. I always get my hair washed, and the dishes but my living room is a wreck. ;D
Reply
I set a daily word goal of 1,000 words a day. When I was working, I had a 45 minute commute on the bus, and I could knock that number of words out in that time. It's just a guideline, though, because once I hit editing hell, the word count goes out the window. I count the words, but I'm more concerned (then) with how far through the story I get rather than the word count (if that makes sense) :) .
I don't beat myself up if I don't meet the goal, just as I don't beat myself up if I miss a day of writing. What it does, for me, is remind me of boundaries/obligations/commitments - even if it's only to me - LOL. I tend to focus more on monthly or annual goals because when I'm writing the first draft, the words just spill out. Editing....totally different story! :D
Reply
Reply
And I'm seeing, at least in this small sample, that people who find a word goal helpful tend not to like editing.
We-ell, it actually depends on which edit it is. I call it editing hell because I do at least three rounds of intensive edits, and by the third round, I'm so sick of the story I could happily throw it out the window - LOL. Which isn't to say I don't edit as I go, but because I don't write sequentially, and I don't plot/outline/plan, the intensive editing is really, well, intense. And exhausting and frustrating because I'm a nitpicky and I can pick up something I've done and always see a better way of writing it. :)
I've described writing the first draft as me skipping joyously through a meadow, strewing words like flower petals. It's easy (if the story is really gelling with me). Editing is more like working in a vegetable garden.
So what I have been doing is writing every day but without a word count. Making sure that I 'connect' to my story everyday is sometimes more important ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment