On Word Meters

[jp_davis]

Some recent blogs about blogging (I guess that makes them metablogs, which sounds like an awesome Transformers villain) caught my eye regarding how much one should or should not show of their WIP. Personally, I love reading blogs about people’s writing dilemmas and how they solve them, or their successes and how they were inspired to them, and I

Comments

[carrie_ryan]

Happy Birthday!!

It's funny, I had the same thing happen this weekend when I knew I had to make some changes and my first thought was "but I'll lose the words!" And that's when I had to pull myself back and remind myself that it's about the story, not the word count. So now I'm just focusing on story and the words are an added bonus :)

[jp_davis]

Thanks!

psst... it's not really a coincidence. That was when you told me to chill.

[lalam]

Happy Birthday!

Excellent advice that Carrie gave you about enjoy the writing of the story. I find I'm pushing myself to finish because I want to know I can finish. I write words first then I'll go back and edit or revise. I can't do it while I'm writing or I'll never get it done.

I need to write right now too:)

Not posting on the blog! ;)

[jp_davis]

At least you chose a good blog to post on ;)

I'm the same way, trying to focus on getting it down, then I'll back up and make sure it's right. Just have to remember to take a deep breath every now and then and remember that it's not a race. Now get cracking!

[ex_kaz_maho]

Great post! If it's any consolation, I am in the same boat. Always racing the word meter, pulling out my hair when I have to revise a scene or - worse! - cut a scene before I can move on. *sigh* You're ahead of me by 2k. Arrgh! Hehe...

And Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a great day. :)

[jp_davis]

w00t, up by 2k! We'll just forget that little part where you revised another novel...

But yeah, writing a novel is like running a marathon. It's so far, and so long, that you never want to stop for a breather (or go back when you... get lost... or something.... I guess the analogy breaks down at that point). Sometimes, I just need to remember that as much as I'm trying to show myself that I can do it, I'm really in this because I like the running.

[ex_kaz_maho]

We'll just forget that little part where you revised another novel...

LOL!

I'm really in this because I like the running.

I hate running... ;)

[jp_davis]

Important to clarify that any references to "running" and "enjoyment" are for metaphor purposes only. If you ever catch me in real life moving at a speed faster than "mosey," it probably means that the zombie apocalypse has started behind me somewhere.

[mamculuna]

Word's own little meter shows all the time in Office 2007, so I always know...but often wish I didn't!

[jp_davis]

I just check mine excessively every time I take a break. Love that icon, by the way.