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?

Don't Be Afraid to Admit Failure and Readjust Your Goals

By: Yesenia Vargas

Maybe you recall the veeerrry ambitious writing goals I had set for myself this year.

When I was about eight months pregnant.

And had no clue what having a baby would entail.

I had been on a roll, having just written my first novel during my first Nanowrimo. I had been wanting to do that for years. I was even planning my next novel.

Then boom.

I had a baby, and my life turned upside down. It's been three months. I haven't written a word of fiction since (I haven't gotten more than five hours of sleep at a time, either). It makes me feel horrible inside, knowing I'll never meet my writing goals now.

But after weeks of moping over that, I'm back. I figure if I still want to write after this major life event, then it must be a real passion of mine.

So here I go again. I fell flat on my butt, but I'm up again. That's what's important, I've realized.

What's the first thing I need to do?

Adapt.

Readjust my writing goals to reflect what's realistic for me now.

And since my life is still pretty hectic, with school and a baby and all, I'm only going to focus on a few big goals. I'm not going to make the same mistake again.

What are my new goals for this year?

1. Write and sell one short story.
2. Begin the first draft of my second novel.
3. Begin the first revision of my first novel.
4. Read as much as I can about writing and for pleasure.

What am I going to do on a daily basis in order to meet these goals?

To be honest, I haven't come up with a specific word count yet. I think for now I just need to focus on writing every day, at least five minutes if that's all I can do. I'll be happy with that for now.

How much do you write a day? What do you do when life happens, and you can't find time to write?