I wrote my first completed novel in a month. The next one took around 8 weeks. I am well acquainted with fast writing–it is not uncommon for me to sit down and pound out 2,000-5,000 words in one session.
At least, it used to not be uncommon. I got so used to writing fast and getting so many words out so quickly that I let myself believe that is the way it has to be. When I have an off day where the words come at more of a trickle than a rush, I get increasingly frustrated. Oftentimes, I stop writing, figuring I will make up the measly bit of lost words in one great rush later on.
Lately, however, life has gotten busier and busier (I love the things that are making my busier–mostly cake making 
, but they do take away from writing time), and so I can’t sit down for long periods of time often. This means those amazing 3,000 word rushes are becoming fewer and further between. It is still great to make that much progress in one go, but I just can’t depend on that. Not if I actually want to get novels written, I can’t.
I spent the last couple days re-evaluating my writing habits, and I have come to a conclusion: I need to get this ideal of writing eleventy-billion words at a time out of my head. I can write a novel a couple hundred words at a time just as well as I can a few thousand words at a time (actually, probably better since I am generally a better writer when I write slower).
So, starting today I am going to embrace whatever writing time I can get and appreciate the words I get out, no matter how few they are. I am done stressing if I only get a few hundred words done in session. I am done getting grumpy if writing doesn’t come as quickly as it used to. I am going back to enjoying every minute of it!
Because, really, why am I doing this if not to enjoy it?
EDITED TO ADD:
I have been planning this post for a couple days now, which is why I found it really awesome that Weronika posted on the same thing this morning! She said a lot of the same things I did, just, yanno, more intelligently (and with actual numbers for back-up). And then–and here’s where it gets fun!–she posted a challenge.
Weronika’s challenge is to have a goal of writing one page a day–no more. None of this 1,000 words a day or 1,500 words or 2,000 words a day goal-age (all of which I have done in the past). Just one page. Sure, there will be many days when I write more than that, but having a one page goal will help me to not beat myself up if I only get 300 words written that day (300 words is slightly more than your average page ).
The challenge officially runs May 15th-June 15th, but I am going to start early. Starting next Monday, I am committing myself to writing at least one page a day. I am also committing myself to no self-deprecation and no grumpiness if I only get one page a day. I don’t need to do more than that–after all, slow and steady wins the race.
8 Comments
This sounds like a good idea. I think if you can get 3,000 words down in one session (amazing, seriously) that’s super-great, but if not, 1 page a day is perfectly reasonable. We’re in this for the long-haul, so no reason to be frustrated, although it is natural to feel that way sometimes.
I love this idea. I am, as you know, not a writer but I have been really trying to apply this in all areas of my life. Thanks for the post! =o)
I agree – I think most of us could do with a little bit of this in all aspects of life!
It’s funny because I don’t write, but I get that way about my knitting sometimes. Especially when I start something new (and double especially if it’s also a gift). I forget that the enjoyment is as much (if not more, really) in the PROCESS rather than the PRODUCT. So I can understand where you’re coming from here
What? You obsessive about your knitting?? NEVER!
Hey, I’ve already been doing that!
I’ve been trying, and on average succeeding, to write a minimum of 400 words a day. How exciting! A writer’s challenge I can do! (Aside from the blogfests 
)
kudos to you for managing 3000 words in one sitting! but one page can be just as well – maybe you can focuse on quality rather than quantity?
That’s the plan! That, and focusing on getting whatever writing I can out in the little time I have.