Last month I began using a spreadsheet to track words written. January's grand total was 14,445 with 10,547 words credited to my current WIP. I challenged myself to do better.
Did I?
Yes and No.
Here's the tally:
Grand Total for February ~ 17, 375 words written.
The breakdown:
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| photo: performance-rules.com |
Blog ~ 3,685
NKotWB Blog~ 2,073
Season Reviews~ 1,394
Although I surpassed January's total word count, I'm annoyed that I didn't manage more words for my WIP. 324 words short of matching and my goal had been to exceed.
So what happened?
My organizational skills in February were virtually non-existent. Creatively, I felt like I was tied to the end of a bungy cord, flailing all over the place. I really need a schedule. I really hate schedules. Schedules keep me on track. Schedules are stifling, inciting a sense of rebellion.
Believe it or not, I did make a weekend writing schedule. I just didn't follow it. I tried to structure it the same way my work week runs. Problem is, I'm not a morning person by nature. Getting up at 5:30am on Saturday just ain't gonna happen. Even with the alarm set, even with the furbabies pawing at the door, even with Professor X nudging me.
I need a new plan for March. 10,000 words a month for WIP isn't gonna cut the cake. I did 50,000 words in November for NaNoWriMo. I can do it again, right?
I had a little extra help, though. I took some time off work and with a few holiday freebies I gained extra writing days that I don't normally have. Can't repeat that pattern too often, so I need to figure out something that will consistently work for me. I'm thinking about going for a weekly word count goal. I just need to figure out what's doable and stretch it a little.
What about those of you who also shuffle a "day" job with writing? Do you worry about scheduling time to write? Do you hold yourself to a word count or hours spent at the desk? Do you set deadlines for yourself, or do you adopt the attitude, "it'll get finished when it gets finished"?
4 comments:
I have a daily schedule (blech). I found that if I don't get up in the morning to write, it doesn't get done. So, during the week 6 a.m. is it. On the weekends I'm more floopy. I write first thing, but I don't get up until the "furbabies" do.
First of all, I'm not working outside the home because I'm officially "retired". Ah, retirement.
Life still interferes. I pretty much write every day between eight AM and six PM --except when life interferes.
My husband has some medical issues. Laundry and grocery shopping and doctor's visits have to happen.
So when those things are not on the agenda, then I write. More or less, full time.
Good post. Dropping by to say hello as you're in my Crusader Group! Welcome!
You should be proud of what you accomplished. I think it's an amazing word count, especially when you're juggling so much. Have you ever tried Dr. Wicked's program WRITE OR DIE? I swear by it during the first draft.
I've tried, but I'm not good at scheduling writing time. I'm really not.
I always work better with an external deadline than when motivating myself, though!
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