Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Forget About Word Count (Sometimes)

By: Yesenia Vargas

Writers (me included) tend to be a bit obsessive about word count.

Too much. Too little.

Daily, Hourly. Weekly. Yearly.

I have always thought that a good way to reach your long-term writing goals was to set word counts. And it is.

But it's not the only way.

It's actually harder for me to get back into my writing groove after a long break because of word count goals. Writing becomes a chore, and I dread the feeling I get when I won't meet that goal. I can't even get started writing.

That's why sometimes it's better to just forget about word count and simply write.

When it's hard to pick up that pen and you end up staring at that blank page...Or put your fingers on the keyboard and stare at the blank screen....forget about word count and just write. Remember why you love writing in the first place.

For the stories that get your heart racing and make you feel better when you didn't know something was wrong.

A lot of the time you will find that you will meet that word count and then some without even realizing it. And writing will be a joy again.

When you are at that place again, set those word count goals again. Adjust them if you need to. Or don't set them at all if you find that you work better without them.

What works better for you? Word count goals or no word count goals? A little of each?

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