Being that November is National Novel Writing Month, I thought this is the perfect time to talk about motivation. Those of you who have been following my blog for a while know I'm kind of obsessed with writing and I draft pretty quickly. Well, while I've always been obsessed with writing, I haven't always been a fast drafter. But now that I am, I can't go back.
Here's why. The more I write, the more motivated I become. And do you know what that means? More writing. It's this unending cycle. Let's face it, we like to feel good about ourselves, and when we have a great word count day, we celebrate. We get excited. And that usually leads to more words. So, I don't really think it matters if you write 500 words a day, 2,000 words a day, or like crazy old me 10-15,000 words a day. As long as you are writing, you will want to write more. You'll feel motivated.
Do you agree? Do you find a day with great word count makes you want to keep typing away?
*Don't forget to enter the 2nd Touch of Death ARC giveaway here. In addition to winning an ARC, you can win SWAG for Touch of Death and Love All.*
You are right Kelly. As long as you write everyday it's okay. After all that's the principle for writers and not the word counts. Thanks for the follow on I am Darmie Orem blog and the good will message for my upcoming book. Nice meeting you dear.
ReplyDeleteNice meeting you, too. And yes, writing everyday, no matter how much, is great.
DeleteYes, when I write a lot, I want to write more, and when I go days without writing, it is hard to get back to it.
ReplyDeleteI try not to let myself go days without writing. Short stories are great for that. :)
DeleteSo true Kelly. The more I write the more I want to write.
ReplyDeleteFor sure this is true. It also helps with maintaining continuity of story and staying in the characters' heads.
ReplyDeleteYes! This is why I love to fast draft.
DeleteYou know, I do agree with you. It's finding that initial plotting/drafting motivation to start the project that gets me. I've finally caved, though, and decided - while I'm waiting on the agent's subbing plan - to plot out the three stories that have been irritating me for so long. Even bought three corkboards yesterday, and have a plot graph set up for each. Hopefully, I can snatch a bit of you motivation and finish a skeletal plot and character graphs for each by next week. Then I'll have three stories to write. Can you say motivation?? lol
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan, Sheri. I love the corkboard idea. I've never tried it, but it sounds fun. Good luck!
DeleteOMG Kelly! 10,000 - 15,000 a DAY!!!!! I am singularly, utterly, completely impressed. Blown away is more like it...nah I've just been vaporized. That is a totally incredible word count and I have no idea how you achieve that number of words. Don't your wrists seize up in protest? Well done. I'm clapping your wonderful achievement! xxx
ReplyDeleteSometimes my wrists do hurt. I don't hold them properly at all when I type, and I suffer for it. I write all day long, which is why I can handle high word counts. It's not all that impressive when you consider it happens over the course of about seven hours each day.
DeleteAbsolutely. The more I write, the more I crave it. You, however, are a writing beast, and I mean that only in the good sense, of course. Wow.
ReplyDeleteLOL. I'm comfortable with "writing beast". ;)
DeleteI think that's what I need to do. Started a new WIP and hit about 2,200. I know measly but hey, finals are coming up soon :) I feel good even if I'm only getting down like 500 words a day.
ReplyDelete500 words a day is great, Elizabeth. It keeps you writing and you'll be finished before you know it if you stick to that schedule. Good luck!
DeleteThanks for stopping by. The problem with the book I reviewed was it was full of fragments. I got lost and lost interest real fast.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Yeah, too many fragments can really take you out of the story.
DeleteI want to catch that bug you have, Kelly. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. I have two manuscripts competing for my attention again. They don't leave me alone long enough to take a break.
DeleteI used to say that the busier I am the more I get done, a la your motivation post. Right on!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a great way to put it.
DeleteI agree. When I write a lot the story takes root and grows uncontrollably. I can't stop thinking about it. Even when I'm doing other things, I'm building scenes in my head. I can't wait to get to my computer and write them out. When I don't write as often as I should my motivation tanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, the story just consumes you, doesn't it?
DeleteOh, Kelly, I so needed this post today. I've been into holiday thoughts and not writing. I so just want to goof off and decorate and sing Christmas Carols (scaring the animals in the neighborhood with my off singing). I woke up this morning telling myself I need to set a limit. I don't care if it's just 100 words a day. More writing, more motivation is so true. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Donna. And I think your plan of getting some words, no matter how many, in each day is a great one. Good luck!
DeleteHow do you stay motivated through rejection?
ReplyDeleteBeth, I cry and get that out first because otherwise I dwell on it. Then I sit down and write more because that's the only way to get better. I'm one of those people who doesn't like to be told I can't do something. I'll try ten times harder to prove the person wrong.
DeleteI agree. The more often I write the more motivated I feel. its also easier to keep the story fresh in your head. Do you write by the seat of your pants or do you draft some? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteI'm a plotter, but each story is different. For some I plan 20+ pages (like Touch of Death) and for others it's only about 7 pages of planning.
DeleteI agree--writing begets more writing. It can be too easy to decide to skip writing "just today" and then that turns into several days.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I write every day, even if it's only a little.
DeleteI'm not sure motivation comes from mere word count. I think it comes from positive feedback and encouragement. And what could be more encouraging than having an agent or publishing contract? The longer I'm without, the harder writing's becoming. But that's just me...
ReplyDeleteReally? Word count doesn't motivate you? I celebrate everything and use little things to motivate me all the time.
DeleteLike fruit of the month club, successful word count days are the gift that keeps on giving. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. Love that!
DeleteI wrote the first 55k of my first novel in NANO. It was shite, but I learned through the process I that I not only could write everyday but I wanted to... Cut to a few years later, I am lost when I don't write. I only recently experienced fast drafting this past summer when I wrote the second book. I didn't think I could keep up the pace, but I did. I left it alone for a few months and wrote a few shorts, and finally I am ready to redraft the first draft. I thought I would hate it, but it's going better than I thought it would. I didn't answer your question, directly, but I guess it means once you get going it is hard to stop.
ReplyDeleteThat does answer my question, Brenda. :) I'm like you. If I don't write, I feel really off. I need to write every day. It's part of who I am and if I don't write, I don't feel like myself.
DeleteYou are so-o-o-o right. I've been in a writing slump with lots of distractions to keep me away. Got to get back into the groove.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Deborah!
DeleteMeeting my goals motivates me. My goals weren't quite as solid years ago and I didn't get as much done.
ReplyDeleteHaving goals is great motivation. I agree.
DeleteI agree: once I'm back into the writing mode (and I can't always get there due to other stuff) it's like a drug - you just don't want to stop.
ReplyDeleteYes. I get to the point where I'm dying to get in front of my laptop.
DeleteIt's difficult to get back to a writing routine after taking a break, so you're right: more writing leads to more motivation to write. Just like less writing snowballs to less energy to write and ... an unfulfilled manuscript.
ReplyDeleteOoh, yeah that is the downside to not writing. And I have to admit, that motivates me to keep writing. LOL
DeleteOh yes ! It's like an addiction. But I'm just too short of time to let the addiction take root!
ReplyDeleteXx
You have a busier day than I do, Michelle. I'm not sure how you do it all.
DeleteSo many words, so little time. I write or work on revisions every day, or night. It's like baby steps, but they are steps.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the 'every day part' that's key. It doesn't matter how much you get done every day, just that you commit to making writing part of your everyday schedule.
Delete15 thousand words a day! impressive! i'll be lucky if i get in 500 words a day. interesting to learn the details of your writing process.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I really do think any amount of words every day is a good thing. And 15K isn't typical for me. It's usually when I'm fast drafting and I get obsessed with the story. ;)
DeleteMy writing pacing depends on if the computer is behaving itself. Some days it derails the whole thing...
ReplyDeleteToday, for instance...
Sorry to hear that, William.
DeleteAbsolutely yes! Good word count always makes me write more and more.
ReplyDeleteYou're blog seems very interesting! I just found it and I guess I'll visit it many times in the future! :)
Hi. It's nice to meet you. I hope you do visit often. :)
DeleteI write an YA series too so your blog is a real treasure for me!
DeleteAw, thank you. I just commented on your YA series blog. I couldn't figure out how to follow you, though.
DeleteI put there the followers gadget, I hope it works!
DeleteYes, it's working. I just followed. :)
DeleteBy the way, I'm impressed that you've been able to write 15K words a day! How did you do it? :D
DeleteMy daughter is in school for five and a half hours five days a week. I write nonstop during that time and then again at night after she goes to bed. The word count is easy to meet with all that time.
DeleteYou're lucky to have so much time to write!
DeleteYes. I'm praying I don't have to go back to a day job. I don't know how writers can get anything done after they work all day.
DeleteThat's a good question.
Delete