The stress all comes down to one element: my writing speed. It's...not fast. I admit I'm jealous when I see Facebook status updates of "I wrote 15K words this weekend!" or I hear the rapid-fire taps of keyboards around me at Paragraph, while I'm sitting there going Hmmm, should I use "at" or "in" here? I convince myself that those people are just writing gibberish. "Ha!" I say, "he's probably just emailing his mom." (Even though I know it's not true--he has his wireless disabled just like me.)
But no more, my friends. No more. I've decided to silence the voices in my head that remind me, daily, of how far I have to go and just freaking write it already. Chug along, little engine. Because anything else will make me crazy.
How about you? Are you a fast writer? I promise I won't hate you. Much.
11 comments:
I don't think I'm fast, but other people think I am. As I wrote in my current post, I'm usually good for at least 1500 words/day. Given I'm a full time writer, I don't think that's much to write home about (ha!), but it is what it is. You, my friend, are an inspiration at however many words you write per day.
I'm not the fastest writer either. I think about my characters and story A LOT, and then I'll pound out pages in spurts, but I need to give myself that downtime for thinking, and if I don't, I can sit down, but nothing's going to happen. I'm starting to learn to give myself "credit" for working when I'm taking downtime. I need it, but I've been known to beat myself up about it. That's just unproductive all around.
CONGRATS! That is wonderful news!
When I am working on a WIP, I can zip through at about 1500/2000 words/day. But I also write short stories, so I am usually done within a week.
Debra and JLC--I'd love to do 1500-2000 words per day. I top out around 1000 on "writing days," when I have at least 2-3 hours to BIC. On non-writing days, I try to get *something* down, just so I'm still mulling things over in the back of my mind.
Allie--That's great. I should give myself credit for that as well. Most of my best ideas come when I am out for a walk. I can get into almost a trance. Of course, in NYC, that's dangerous. I can't wait until your book comes out! I just ordered Nicole's.
Congratulations on a new project!
I am not a fast writer. The same agony that stalls at words pings me too. If I can learn to silence my internal editor at the on set things my streamline ahead.
Happy writing!
Yay and congrats on getting the go ahead. It must be so exciting to start something new with agent approval!:)
I am a pretty fast writer, but I write a lot of crap in my first draft (and possibly in subsequent drafts, as well). I usually write about 2000 words a day, but that's at night after my kids are asleep. I once wrote 8000 words in one day, but it was at the beginning of a novel, I was really excited about it and I ended up trashing and rewriting most of it anyway.
Good for you, Wendy!! I wrote the first draft of my current WIP quickly, but I'm still in the midst of my 4th rewrite and ugh...I feel like my feet are encased in cement! Someone light a fire!
Go you! At whatever the speed.
I'm s.l.o.w., just like you. And I'm becoming convinced it doesn't matter, too. Must keep on!
I'm so intriqued by Paragraph!
I'm so excited for you with the new novel!
I think I'm a fast writer, but I don't have a high output. If I'm really rolling, I can write 1000 words in under an hour, but then I come to a grinding stop. And that's not everyday. Typically I'll write a page per half hour, then need a break.
Good luck forcing yourself through!
Congratulations! This is wonderful news.
Since I write very short pieces (most is 3K) I can usually have the bones of the essay or short fiction written in about 30 minutes. But that is if I absolutely DON'T go back as I'm typing and start to edit. If I do that, it's all over. I'll be there forever.
Once the first draft is done, then the editing could take 1 hour to days.
Counting down the hours to NaNo. Of course while I write some 2K words a day (a stretch since I am a slow writer as well) I will also work on my first WIP and see if I can stop procrastinating and get it ready for querying.
Great news and good luck!
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