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
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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
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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
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I'm always happy when I find out others write in a similar way to me! It seems so counter-intuitive when I describe it - LOL. I do the exact same thing (write a scene as soon as I visualize it) and half the time I have no idea where it falls in the chronology. It's very freeing!! I do edit as I go as well, because of course when I hit a blank, I'll reread and edit and fill in the blanks.
I really love writing - even editing hell! :D
Part of writing everyday for me is also making sure I take some times for myself. I'm a stay at home mom with three kids under ten, and i need that break. ;D
LOL - you most definitely do! And good on you for making sure you have that time for yourself!
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
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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 ( ... )
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I really love writing - even editing hell! :D
Part of writing everyday for me is also making sure I take some times for myself. I'm a stay at home mom with three kids under ten, and i need that break. ;D
LOL - you most definitely do! And good on you for making sure you have that time for yourself!
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