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Do you write every day? Do you obsess about word count?
Personally, I have word counts for the days I have planned to write fiction and I achieve that word count when I set it. I don't have word counts on business days. We all have our ways of working and in today's guest post, author Curtis Hox talks about his.
Here’s a scenario: you’ve finally decided to start a writing project. A novel, of course. Maybe even the great American novel. You sit down and stare at that blank screen. Then what?
Even for many seasoned writers, the fear of starting can cause anxiety. Getting over that anxiety then presents a whole series of obstacles. One, in particular, comes up again and again in writing workshops: how do I find my groove and keep it?
Professionals have been telling us how to write since Aristotle’s Poetics.
A quick look through any fiction writing monograph and you’ll see a plethora of advice . You’ll often hear the ambiguous “Write what you know,” which must seem odd for fantasists, down to Elmore Leonard’s supremely practical ten rules for writing (my favorite: “10. Try to leave out the parts that readers tend to skip”).
I’ll add one more pebble to the mountain of advice. The technique that always, no matter what, helped me was to set a very simple writing schedule for myself and stick to it. No matter what.
I used to use a large paper desk calendar, the type with the big squares (I now use Google calendar). I always gave myself a small word count (i.e. five hundred words) in the beginning. I would write immediately after I breakfast. I would then sit at my computer until the words came. No internet. No books. Just the blank screen. And the hardest part? You have to stare at it.
I believe there’s something enthralling about this process. Literally. Of course you will often fiddle, play with your keys, toss something up in the air, sing a song, or talk to your dog. But at some point you find yourself staring … and thinking. Then the mind clicks over and an image pops in your head, maybe a scene, some dialog. Something comes and the narrative starts to flow.
Now you’re in it.
Of course, the staring is just a metaphor. My first novel, I spent half the time on the floor tossing a ball up and down. It functioned the same way as staring: it was a mechanism to set my mind right.
When I’m done with the daily session, I write in my calendar how many words I completed for that session. I find that for the first two weeks, it’s rough going. Then, I suddenly am writing for longer than expected. And the word count increases. Of course, if you’re limited to only an hour of writing a session, you’re limited.
I find that if I have the time I can easily hit 2K words a session (usually two words for me). Of course, we all write different types of prose. Some writers have diarrhea mouth and must excise material during revisions. Other like me tend to leave things out and fill in the end.
Bottom line: get your word count in, whatever that number is.
Now, there are plenty of philosophical romantics out there who say this technique is much too machine-like, that true inspiration comes when it comes and you can’t force it. I’d like to hear an Olympic athlete say this on those cold morning when he or she has to get up and go run in the rain. It will sound like the excuse it is.
Writing is exercising the brain. It’s a habit. And it needs to be used. The words you put down may not always be your best. In those instances the writing session is like a free-writing exercise, which does wonders for the subconscious. Amazing insights often bubble up, even if the prose is crap.
Of course, this is a technique to get your butt in a chair and words on a page. I admit it’s a very blue-collar approach. But, hey, if you don’t like sitting in a room by yourself, spinning stories, find something else to do because this gig can, often, is a labor of love.
I scribble contemporary science fantasy novels. I'm interested in the process of indie publishing and writing, plus a whole bunch of technoscience stuff. This article was written for the Creative Penn as part of the 2012 blog tour launch of Bleedover, my debut novel as an indie author. For more information visit www.curtishox.com.
In addition to Curtis' post, here's some additional information people keep asking me about word count.
How many words is a book?
It's a terrible answer, but it varies by genre and increasingly by means of publishing. At the top end, fantasy books can weight in at 120,000 – 150,000. Fast paced thrillers like James Patterson can be 70,000 – 90,000. Romance can be 50,000.
Then there's a novella at 25,000 – 40,000 which is becoming more popular with ebooks.
Remember that your first draft will need editing. Stephen King recommends cutting 10% every edit, so if you want a book of 90,000 words, write 100,000.
What's the best word count tool for my blog?
I've been using this word count tool. It's easy to use. You just put in your current number and your goal and it gives you some HTML to post on your blog. I use this on the sidebar at my fiction blog JoannaPenn.com (which I am in the middle of a WIP anyway)
What do you think about word count goals and targets?
Top Image: Flickr Creative Commons
Streamlinedbiz says
First write the book completely, get the story out – then worry about word count. http://j.mp/BkRecipe
Curtis Hox says
Stream. The problem is that some people need a regimen to be productive. Getting the story out then becomes easier when they give themselves reasonable goals.
Ashley Prince says
I really like this post. I was just talking to myself the other day about word count and how I need to set a simple goal for every day. Thanks for the advice, Curtis!
Curtis Hox says
Hey, no problem. Works for me every time.
Jane Rutherford says
I keep a close watch on my wordcount. I set a wordcount goal for the year and try to get to it. Though I count all the writing I do, both fiction and non-fiction. I feel that when a novel takes more than theree months to complete (as it does in my case) it’s good to have something you can measur your progress with.
Curtis Hox says
Jane. A word count for the year sounds like a great idea. I find, though, that I have to stick with counts for projects because I have no idea how often I can write with focus.
Hiroko says
I just try to hit a number I like (for the past year or so, that’s been 100k words), and when I reach that number, I keep writing until I finish. I’ll worry about cutting once I’m done.
Curtis Hox says
I tend to have to fill in instead of cut. Although, the times when I had to excise a bunch of material was so painful!
Joanna Penn says
I have to fill in as well Curtis – I’m a sparse writer. My natural novel length seems to be 68,000 words so far – that’s with two 🙂 I cut 20,000 words out and it felt right!
Curtis Hox says
True. For my upcoming YA novels. I shot for 70k on each. They will be a series, so it’s really one long novel. But each one stands alone. 70k feels great as a length in terms of arcs and resolution. Very manageable.
J. Daniel Sawyer says
I often jump around in my books, so I often wind up having both to fill and to cut, which is a big pain (and costs a good week+ after I’ve “finished” the book).
On the topic of word counts, Joanna’s pretty much got it nailed for the genres she’s talking about. Here’s some others that I write in:
Dime novel Detective: these tend to be short books, ~30k up to ~80k, with the occasional big book (usually in a series) poking its head above 100k.
Political thriller and/or family saga historical fiction: These tend to run longish, because they’re playing so many threads at once. My latest in this genre ran 220+k words and readers are complaining that it’s over too soon. Ludlum, Clancy, Alan Drury, Leon Uris, etc. all routinely write at obscene lengths like this.
If you’re trying to figure out how many “book” pages a given story will take up, think “300 words/page” and you’ll be pretty close to how things wind up looking in most printed books. With ebooks, of course, the “length” is under the reader’s control, since they’re the ones that chose the font size 😉
Great post 🙂
Joanna Penn says
220k words is way too much Dan – I reckon you’ve got 2 books there 🙂 but then aren’t you also used to writing fantasy?
I find I’m getting annoyed with books over about $100k these days, they feel like they haven’t been edited enough, but of course, that’s personal preference!
Turndog Millionaire says
I’m definitely the word diarrhoea kind of guy. I usually don’t have much trouble getting words onto the page, the big issue is if it’s any good 🙂
After every section i always do a mini edit and i guarantee i’ll alter around 10-25% each time. Maybe not the most efficient way of doing things, but it’s my little process
Matt (Turndog Millionaire)
Curtis Hox says
Yeah, I like the idea of reading over what you wrote the day before. But I try not to edit at that point. Just read for tone and mood and all that (and to refresh my memory). Sometimes, though, when the ball is rolling, I skip the read through and jump right in.
Turndog Millionaire says
Yeah i agree, when the ball’s rolling i sometime skip things and just create create create. After all, you can always go back an edit anytime, whereas inspiration doesn’t come every day
Matt (Turndog Millionaire)
Joanna Penn says
everyone has their little process Matt!
Turndog Millionaire says
We sure do 🙂
I feel mine is one of the most long winded ones though. I may be OCD, or it may just be really cautious. Hmmmm, not sure haha
Matt (Turndog Millionaire)
Suzannah Windsor Freeman says
When I was in the thick of writing the first draft of my novel, I definitely recorded my word counts as I went along. I didn’t have a daily quota exactly (because I had a newborn to care for), but I did track how much I wrote and at what times I wrote. Doing so really helped me see which times of day were my most productive. For example, I discovered I’d only write about 500 words per hour during the afternoon, but as many as 1000 words per hour first thing in the morning.
On the other hand, I don’t advocate obsessing over word counts or counting AS you’re writing. At the moment I’m working on short stories, so I don’t bother with word counts until the revision stage.
If counting and setting targets helps you write, do it. If it hinders you from getting the words down, don’t.
Thanks for a great post!
Curtis Hox says
Very true. Once the project is working, the word counts is something I give very little time to. I simply jot down what I see in my Scrivener file onto my calendar. The word count is only important, for me, in the very beginning, while I’m struggling to get the story going.
Joanna Penn says
I’m a morning person as well Suzannah, the afternoon just becomes a chore 🙂
Marta Daniels (@Marta_Daniels) says
I just write the whole thing and then worry about word count in editing. Great post, thanks and God bless!
Curtis Hox says
I wish it were that easy for me! 🙂
Daphne Gray-Grant says
I think it’s essential to have a wordcount goal for every piece of writing. You are so correct when you say that writing is exercising the brain. It’s a habit. YES!
Curtis Hox says
Very much so. And one of those great ones that comes back to you so quickly, after a time away.
Curtis Hox says
Hey, Joanna. Just wanted to thank you for hosting my article. It’s great to interact with your audience. You have such a great site.
Again, big thanks.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks for your post Curtis and all the best with the launch.
Janice Lane Palko says
Hi Joanna,
Since I have a day job where I write and do freelance writing on the side, big chunks of time for writing my novels are limited so I can’t commit to a daily word count. However, I’m pretty faithful when I do schedule time to write my novel.
One of the things that helps me is to do what I (and I’ve heard others) refer to as “prewriting.” While I’m doing the mundane things of everyday life, like washing dishes, waiting in line at the grocery story, pumping gas, etc., I think about what I’m going to write next in the novel. It keeps me in my “novel world,” helps me to work out glitches and and preps me to be able to get down to business when I do sit down to write.
Janice
Joanna Penn says
The pre-writing is so fun! I’m in that stage now for my next novel, researching, thinking, composting! With my day job, I used to get up and do an hour from 5am, I’d get 500-800 words per day done like that and then a chunk at the weekend. But I have these sporadic bursts as well, I’m not a daily writer
Lisa Cron says
I love the idea of a daily word count, because it’s like a deadline. It provides the kind of very clear, concise and concrete goal that concentrates the mind, and helps quiet the little voice that’s always whispering, “You’re almost there, how about a nice refreshing nap? No, okay then, what about a snack? I think I saw some cake in the fridge. Are you listening to me? Hey, look out the window, isn’t that Halley’s comet?”
Joanna Penn says
Procrastination is a pain – I go to a library now and that really helps as I’m surrounded by studious types and no fridge!
Carla says
Word count is definitely important to me. Having reached a set number of words makes me feel satisfied about my work even if they are not so good, so I always try to reach (and eventually exceed) this number, whatever the quality is and regardless of the final position of the scenes I’m writing in the completed draft. Normally my daily goal is 2k words for the days in which I decide to write (hopefully at least 4 per week; it also depends on my job tasks).
Rob F. says
Hi, Joanna, Curtis and everyone,
The first thing I’d ask that Olympic sprinter is, How do you feel when you’re running? Are you at peace? Are you stressing yourself silly about hitting your time? Is the medal you’re chasing a symbol of your love of the event and the joy of moving your body, or of a desperate, stress-filled struggle to succeed and / or land an endorsement deal?
Stress and worry have been nigh-constant companions over the last two… five… ten… okay, fine, most of my life. Schoolwork, work work, bringing in enough money, paying the bills, etc. – all targets to fail to hit, reasons for me to fear what was around the next corner. Even the writing advice I’d find online was a source of stress – I was worried about whether I was Doing It Right.
This week, though, I took my wife’s advice and started “going with the flow”. This week I got the bus to and from work instead of the car, which not only gave me two half-hour writing sessions every day but also an extra hour of sleep. For the first time I developed the outline of my novel and was *happy* with the work I’d done, even though it still wasn’t finished yet. No stress, no worries, just peaceful happiness.
So on one hand, I’m a little leery of killing the simple joy I’ve discovered by strapping it to a word count again. My overall goal is to just be happy – sales success won’t matter if I’m miserable.
On the other, though, I like your reccomendation of a free-writing session, Curtis. It keeps the hands in the habit and the mind ticking over on idle. And it’s a great way to get over the fear-of-sucking.
Joanna Penn says
Congrats Rob – it sounds like you’ve taken a huge step there. I have been using public transport as creative time for years now and it’s been awesome. Sleeping is also critical to creativity 🙂 I don’t think word count is restrictive – although we actually create better with some restrictions. It’s just that free writing and writing in general is different to writing with a purpose i.e. creating a finished book project, so having some kind of target is good. I also recommend deadlines e.g. when your book will be finished. There is great joy in having a finished product!
Curtis Hox says
Rob, great response. And I love the idea of going with the flow. Or as Rickson Gracie, a famous vale tudo Brazilian jiu jitsu fighter says in the documentary Choke, “flow with the go,” which focuses on the artistic/stylistic aspect of whatever you’re doing adapting to whatever comes your way. I like the idea of a writing regimen (once the project starts) because it puts me in the right space to feel inspired, to produce, to find the zone, etc. In fact, its a stress nullifier because it is not demanding at all. The low daily word count is nothing but a jump-starter.
Bryan Thompson says
I do count my words. I’m a results-happy kind of guy and when I see 20,000 words or 30,000 words at the bottom of the screen, it just gives me a push to keep on moving. 🙂
Joanna Penn says
I’m totally results orientated as well! I did the Enneagram personality test and came out as the Achiever! I think understanding our motivations helps a lot!
Ginger Janda says
Very thorough post on an always interesting topic! Word count tracking has been on my mind since November so this blog is particularly timely for me.
In the past I have only tracked word counts for book projects, whether fiction, creative nonfiction or straight nonfiction. All other writing, especially business writing, has been word count free for me.
Lately I have been rethinking that. When I started my blog last fall I noticed that my blog host gave me my word count and I began to question why have I been counting one type of writing but not all?
I haven’t started keeping track of the word counts I generate as my technical writer self yet, but I think that’s coming.
Thanks again for a thought-provoking post!
Curtis Hox says
Hey, thanks. Again, it’s mostly just to get the inspiration flowing. I did not use a word count when I wrote my dissertation. I used time periods leading to certain goals (e.g., three months for a chapter). But for fiction (not sure about tech writing), the idea of producing a certain amount of work in a writing session does the trick for me.
Graham Stewart says
Thanks, Curtis (and Joanna for hosting the piece).
Word count – like setting all kinds of goals and limits – seems to me a fine balance between encouragement (and marking achievement, as in your totals in the calendar) and stretching yourself a little. I know that if I don’t set a word count, I don’t do any words.
On the other hand, if I set it too high, I fail and get discouraged and mope and hide from my writing for days (years!) on end. If I set it too low, however, I think writing’s too easy and I must be doing something wrong.
Never mind the struggle to write; my struggle starts with setting the word count to reach!
Curtis Hox says
Not setting to high in the beginning is the trick. For me, every time, I’ll start writing more than I need to. Then my word count becomes something I hit and exceed, which feels great. Of course, there are those days, when something doesn’t work in the narrative. That’s when I lie on the floor and start tossing something up and down until I work it out.
Curtis Hox says
correction: too high
C. S. Lakin says
There’s a strong emotional downside to counting words and seeing other writers post their word count. I personally find it very upsetting to pay attention to word count, as it directs my focus away from the quality of my writing and more to the quantity. If you would like to look at some other insights on this, read this post–you might want to stop aiming for a set amount of words written each day: http://cslakin.blogspot.com/2010/11/that-controversal-topic-word-count.html
Curtis Hox says
Bottom line: you need a method that helps you produce. If singing Italian arias in the morning, or running around the block, or tossing darts does it for you, then great. For me, it’s about getting my mind to open to the narrative. Starting with a very small word count does it for me. Also, I feel confident in recommending the technique for people to try because I have seen it work first-hand for some friends of mine, one of whom was stuck half-way through a novel and was about to abandon it. He kept trying to write only when he felt inspired and was not producing. Another point: you can always excise material you think isn’t up to snuff. Anyway, I know the critiques, and they usually stem from misguided notions of 19th century Romantic literary theory that inspiration and genius cannot (and should not) ever be harnessed by craft. Baloney, IMO.
Judith Briles says
very creative post and it speaks truthfully with other writers who are always stuck at the first stages of writing a new book. I agree word count is very essential since it creates a goal for your writing. of course, we do write freely and let the words come but posting the number of words you have accomplished can also become inspiring and would motivate you to give more and exceed on what you have set.
Curtis Hox says
Sorry, Judith. The reply below was to your comment.
Curtis Hox says
For me, the trick is starting very low: 500 words. That way there’s no pressure. Then you can get up and walk away, but the magic of the narrative begins to work in your brain, and you carry it around with you. Next time, you may hit 750, and so on.
Connie Lufkin says
I’m a greenie. At 76, new to writing that I want to publish. Working on non-fiction, but getting ideas from the above comments. Thanks. Connie