Word Count. What Keeps You Going?

[skimom2]

A funny thing happened to me yesterday. I posted in the thread What do you wish SK would write about?, half joking. Then I got an idea and started writing my own story on the subject I'd jokingly suggested. I wrote a rough draft or outline of an entire story, very short so far. I didn't worry about certain issues, the important thing being getting the essential idea on paper (as it were). Usually I have a problem deciding on a conclusion; this time it was easy. The story told me about itself and how it wanted to end.

Now though, I know it needs to be fleshed out, and probably a lot. After all as is, it's all of 1 1/2 pages. Being as amateur a "writer" (ha) as a person can possibly be, I have no experience, other than having read other great authors which I can use for mentoring purposes, "fleshing out". But, I'm kinda excited because I think I just might be able to create a monster that has life.

That's how you start. Good for you, Blunthead!

 

[skimom2]

I know people that subscribe to the theory of writing whatever comes to them, whenever inspiration hits, with no real idea of where the story's going. I call that Daisy-tripping. Not one of them has published yet.
Speaking only for myself, I need to write an outline. I do all the hard work and decision making first, in a synopsis-style outline. Then I can relax and enjoy the writing itself. I liken it to building a trellis then letting the flowers grow on it.
That doesn't mean it's written in blood on stone. If I realize that a plot point doesn't work, I'll change it. Or if a character looks me in the eye and says "I'm not doing that." I'll change it. But I know, in general, where the story's going, so I have a comfort zone to run in.
And, yes. I do set a word count for myself. 2000. That's for motivation, not to punish myself for if I don't hit it. Some days I'll make 3000 or more. Others, I might squeeze out a few hundred. Either way, if it's quality work, I feel it's a job well done for the day.

I've probably said this before--cry pardon if it's repetitious: I don't write/type a word until I have a complete first paragraph in mind. I start with an ending in mind, but, like Lepplady's stories, it's subject to change. Neither of my books ended exactly how I thought they would, BUT having a goal in mind keeps you on a road to get there. Writing without an end in mind (for me, anyway) invites repetition and wandering sidelines that have to be cut anyway. I don't use an outline, but I have a loose idea of some story high points and I fill in the blanks between those. Or rather, the characters fill in the blanks; the best days feel like taking dictation.

I don't know who here has read The End of the Affair (Graham Greene), but I loved the section where the protag was talking about being a writer--it's fabulous. I admire his writing ethic: write 500 word a day and finish a book in a year (first page to final edit). I'd love to do that; sometimes that time table works out for me, but most often it doesn't. Kids and a man who is on ultra overtime…yep. Haven't written a word (aside from a special project ;D) in almost a month.

 

[blunthead]

That's how you start. Good for you, Blunthead!

Thankee, Sai skimom. It's a start. I've always wanted to have a complete, good story written. Just one will suffice. We'll see.

 

[Lepplady]

I've probably said this before--cry pardon if it's repetitious: I don't write/type a word until I have a complete first paragraph in mind. I start with an ending in mind, but, like Lepplady's stories, it's subject to change. Neither of my books ended exactly how I thought they would, BUT having a goal in mind keeps you on a road to get there. Writing without an end in mind (for me, anyway) invites repetition and wandering sidelines that have to be cut anyway. I don't use an outline, but I have a loose idea of some story high points and I fill in the blanks between those. Or rather, the characters fill in the blanks; the best days feel like taking dictation.

I don't know who here has read The End of the Affair (Graham Greene), but I loved the section where the protag was talking about being a writer--it's fabulous. I admire his writing ethic: write 500 word a day and finish a book in a year (first page to final edit). I'd love to do that; sometimes that time table works out for me, but most often it doesn't. Kids and a man who is on ultra overtime…yep. Haven't written a word (aside from a special project ;D) in almost a month.

My book originally ended with a daring ambulance theft, but ultimately ended with a leisurely stroll out the front door. I get polarized responses about how it ends. Some love it. Some hate it. But there's rarely a mixed response. I'm pretty happy about that.

 

[stevegane]

I think I must be a Daisy-tripper. Hopefully as soon as my novel comes back from the proofreader you can read it

 

[Walter Oobleck]

I've probably said this before--cry pardon if it's repetitious: I don't write/type a word until I have a complete first paragraph in mind. I start with an ending in mind, but, like Lepplady's stories, it's subject to change. Neither of my books ended exactly how I thought they would, BUT having a goal in mind keeps you on a road to get there. Writing without an end in mind (for me, anyway) invites repetition and wandering sidelines that have to be cut anyway. I don't use an outline, but I have a loose idea of some story high points and I fill in the blanks between those. Or rather, the characters fill in the blanks; the best days feel like taking dictation.

I don't know who here has read The End of the Affair (Graham Greene), but I loved the section where the protag was talking about being a writer--it's fabulous. I admire his writing ethic: write 500 word a day and finish a book in a year (first page to final edit). I'd love to do that; sometimes that time table works out for me, but most often it doesn't. Kids and a man who is on ultra overtime…yep. Haven't written a word (aside from a special project ;D) in almost a month.

Seems to cut across the grain of what is suggested by King in On Writing...thought he wrote and spoke words that declare any story whose end is known prior to the start a failure...same goes for outlines or what have you. Yeah, I can imagine there exists all manner of stories that prove SK wrong...the reader is rarely privy to the details that went into the telling. But then maybe I misread the whole thing. Still fascinated by Strunk & White, their suggestion to use scissors on your manuscript and let em rip. Heh! Or fire...that's been done before. Sacrifice to the gods that be or think they are. I have enjoyed a story or two from Greene...Harry Crews admired his writing. Probably worth a re-read. My gut belief is that there are thousands of good stories out there whose ending existed long before the writer blackened the first page.

 

[Danikcus]

In his book, "On Writing," Stephen suggests writing 2,000 words a day. I enjoy writing, now that I've rekindled my interest in becoming at least a competent writer. I'm competent enough -- as a writer -- to enjoy my own writing.

I never seriously considered setting a word count goal before, preferring the Conradian approach of writing what came to me, as it came. For Joseph Conrad that was as little as three or four words in an eight hour day -- words which he erased before he went to bed. It's difficult to argue with success. Conrad didn't always have those days. He has a solid body of outstanding writing as his legacy.

He was not very popular during his own day, except among fellow writers. And today, with the exception of a few books, "Heart of Darkness" being the most popular, many of his works are overlooked.

That much we know about a great writer. For what do we mere artisans hope?

From the book, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" one man asked. "Practice, practice, practice," the other man answered.

Anyway, this discussion is about writing goals for those who have that inclination and do it mostly for enjoyment, with monetary considerations being a distant second.

I base my writing on time.

When I write long:

Method: 1 block (Two-hours) = Write 100 minutes / Rest 20 minutes

Speed: Around five-words-per-minute (Around 500 words-per-block x 6 blocks = Around 3000 words-per-day)

Mostly I just work with the clock. Keeps me from typing myself silly.

 

[OldDarth]

I'm jealous of you 1000+ word writers. I'm gratified if I manage to hit 500 - write on my lunch hour.

 

[Grandpa]

Seems to cut across the grain of what is suggested by King in On Writing...thought he wrote and spoke words that declare any story whose end is known prior to the start a failure...same goes for outlines or what have you. Yeah, I can imagine there exists all manner of stories that prove SK wrong...the reader is rarely privy to the details that went into the telling. But then maybe I misread the whole thing. Still fascinated by Strunk & White, their suggestion to use scissors on your manuscript and let em rip. Heh! Or fire...that's been done before. Sacrifice to the gods that be or think they are. I have enjoyed a story or two from Greene...Harry Crews admired his writing. Probably worth a re-read. My gut belief is that there are thousands of good stories out there whose ending existed long before the writer blackened the first page.

What I got from Mr. King in On Writing is what works for him as a prolific, talented, and successful writer. But he does pretty much state in there that it's not the only way. I remember him talking about one writer who would dedicate a given length of time (an hour, maybe?) every day to writing. That writer would sit down and pick up where he left off the previous day. At the end of the allotted time, he would step away for the day, even if it was mid-sentence. And that's how that guy wrote his published books.

I usually have an ending in mind when I write, although that's a lot easier in the short form. And of course, I'm a nondescript writer with no credentials, so I'm no role model for others. And for production, if the muse is whispering, I might crank out a couple thousand or 2500 words. If the muse is sulking, I'll get out a couple hundred, pretty well knowing that I'll rewrite them all soon.

Anyway. I agree with your gut belief, Walt.