How many words did you write today?
Now that we've survived the first week of Spring with only two snow showers in the mountains, it seems appropriate to take a moment to assess the recently passed season. More importantly, how can we build on what we've learned?
Many writers take years to complete a first draft of a manuscript, others require only a few months. Some writers work only in the evenings or on weekends due to the demands of their "day job," others have the luxury of time. A fortunate few actually have contracts in hand, and are constantly writing under the pressure of a publisher's deadline.
But no matter where we are on that spectrum we can learn to make better choices (writers must be good at making choices!) to help us reach our goals.
What will we give up in order to get those necessary words or scenes or chapters on the page? What reward can we delay until meeting a major goal this week? This month? This Spring?
Like water under a bridge, the days of winter have passed. But our desires, our dreams, our projects remain with us, waiting for the actions we must take to complete them.
But don't also make the mistake of thinking you must complete a project each day--each sunset is merely a temporary pause in your ongoing life of writing.
It's your choice to keep up your enthusiasm between the days, as Ernest Hemingway mentioned: I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.
And as far as that other choice--the one we all make (each day) to study the craft of writing--do not worry about what others think about you or your chosen vocation this new season. There is no point in worrying or explaining to non-writers about how we spend our time, reading, writing, studying the craft. Let your word-count speak volumes!
Again, Hemingway: It's none of their business that you have to learn how to write. Let them think you were born that way.
Many writers take years to complete a first draft of a manuscript, others require only a few months. Some writers work only in the evenings or on weekends due to the demands of their "day job," others have the luxury of time. A fortunate few actually have contracts in hand, and are constantly writing under the pressure of a publisher's deadline.
But no matter where we are on that spectrum we can learn to make better choices (writers must be good at making choices!) to help us reach our goals.
What will we give up in order to get those necessary words or scenes or chapters on the page? What reward can we delay until meeting a major goal this week? This month? This Spring?
Like water under a bridge, the days of winter have passed. But our desires, our dreams, our projects remain with us, waiting for the actions we must take to complete them.
But don't also make the mistake of thinking you must complete a project each day--each sunset is merely a temporary pause in your ongoing life of writing.
It's your choice to keep up your enthusiasm between the days, as Ernest Hemingway mentioned: I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.
And as far as that other choice--the one we all make (each day) to study the craft of writing--do not worry about what others think about you or your chosen vocation this new season. There is no point in worrying or explaining to non-writers about how we spend our time, reading, writing, studying the craft. Let your word-count speak volumes!
Again, Hemingway: It's none of their business that you have to learn how to write. Let them think you were born that way.
Labels: Writing
12 Comments:
No words today. Today was a bad day for words. But a good day for hoovering and bathroom cleaning. And ferrying sons to birthday parties.
I agree with Hemingway, stop mid-paragraph, mid-sentence, even mid-word - then starting again next day is like hurtling down a hill, the impetus is ready to carry you along.
Two words.
494 nonsense words that had to get out of the way before I can get to the good ones. Whatever works, yes?
I'm nearing 5000 then I stop. I'm been sitting here since 9am. And it's almost midnight. This is not normal, but I'm on a mad rush to finish this draft before Easter.
Roger - bad boy, but do you find that cleaning is great, because the mind is free to wild things, like think things?
Kay - I'm going to try that. I've never ever hurtled down a hill and I'd like to know how that feels. I'm more of the Thomas Mann school: "A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people."
I wrote a few thousand, but, as usual lately, they were relevant only to someone else's work - another critique/review.
Hopefully soon I'll get the 50,000 or so that are relevant to my own work - but trapped in my head - down on paper.
Nice site!
Rewriting my submission again, just when I think, thats as good as its gonna get, wham.. its not
what a great day to be alive!
Okay, feels like beer thirty now.
Not a thing.
Mark Hubbard
I think I like the new look blog.
First time I've visited since the new look. Very nice, Richard.
Your blog is gorgeous, Richard!
I've written a little over 1200 words during the night.
Interesting that you mention having to sacrifice. Check out my blog and you'll see what I mean -- the tarot card told me it was time to make a sacrifice to get on with my life! Gotta love synchronicity!
I've actually been cutting words. Your blog is awesome and your photography is outstanding. You're an inspiration.
Thanks for the comments, everyone!!! Glad you like the new look and feel. All of you have been an inspiration to me, too, so I want you to know the feeling is mutual!
Everyone here is capable of producing quality as well as quantity. So, how many words did you write Today? Keep track!
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