Normally, I’m not big into resolutions. I figure why make resolutions when normally most people break them, but this time is different. I’ve decided to go ahead and make a writing resolution. My goal is to write about 7,000 words of fiction weekly. That could easily break down to 1,000 words a day, but if I don’t write daily I’ll write more on other days to make up for it. I figure that if I write this goal down I’ll be more likely to stick to it. I noticed that Zoe Winters has a word count bar in the sidebar of her site. I may sick on one my at the beginning of the year to keep myself accountable.
You may wonder what made me decide on this 7,000 number. I think that if I open myself up creatively I can easily achieve this goal. I have had days when I’ve written almost that amount in one day.
Normally, I agonize to write 1,000 words, but I think that’s all mental. I’ve had a few days when I’ve written 1,000 words with no problem. Like I said before I’ve had days when I’ve written nearly 7,000 words in one day. When I started writing my newest book I had a few days when I wrote about 5,000 words. I thought that was amazing at the time, but now I think that kind of word count daily is possible.
I read a lot of writing blogs and people like Dean Wesley Smith write that much and more daily. People like John Locke and Amanda Hocking finish a novel in a few weeks.
I know that your behavior is a habit. My habit has been write a few sentences then check Facebook or my emails or look up random things online. I’ve been lazy. I need to put in the work required to get the book done. It’s not that I’m not capable. It’s just that I put things off.
I’m starting to think that this whole problem that I have with word count is psychological. I’ve put a limit on myself in my mind. I’ve decided that writing is such hard work that if I write 1,000 words it is amazing, but honestly is it really? If I get down to it I know I can manage 1,000 words daily with no problem. This issue is getting down to it. That’s why I’ve decided to make my writing my first priority when I wake up in the morning. That means I must right before I check my emails or my Facebook account. Once the writing is done I can do other things.
That’s my resolution. What’s yours? Are you going to commit to a daily word count? Do you have a novel you want to start or finish this year?
Photo by mpclemens
