Thank you, Justine Larbelestier

[pjthompson]

larbelestier is doing a daily tip for those participating in NoNoWriMo. Today's is Word Count Is Not Everything.

I'm not doing NaNo—never have, never will—but I'm so glad she said that. I read posts from people banging out 5000 words a night and I shrivel with feelings of inadequacy. If I'm really cranked up and in the groove of a novel I can average between 750-1000 words a day. When the stars align right, maybe 1500-2000, but those occasions are the blessed exceptions.

I've actually heard a lot of pros address this subject and I know I'm doing okay with my piddling three to four pages a day. But reports of these other word counts still get to me now and then. The ability to generate high word count is a blessing: either the person has the energy and capacity for it despite being busy, or doesn't have to worry about a day job, or whatever—but they are blessed. Those of us on the other end of the spectrum will just have to keep plugging away as best we can. 750 words a day still equals 21,000 words a month and that equals a book every 4 months or so.

If you're working steadily at it, that is. That's the true accomplishment, I think, for most of us: putting one slow foot in front of the other day after day until you achieve Bookhood Bodhisattva. Remove yourself from the Wheel of Word Count, ye seekers, and find your own enlightenment... Ommmmm...

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

An awful lot of that heavy wordcount is gonna need major revision.

[pjthompson]

I console myself with that, actually, Evil Twin that I am. :-)

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

I am boggled by a lot of folks' wordcounts as well. I just don't have the stamina to pound that out!

I tend to measure more in terms of what I've accomplished storywise than by how many words I've written. Finished a chapter, gotten the character where she needs to be, etc.

[pjthompson]

Yeah, that kind of thing is more useful for me, too. Not everybody is alike, so everyone's MMV.

[mount-oregano.livejournal.com]

Carpal tunnels say please no novel in one month. Please.

[pjthompson]

We must listen to our carpal tunnels.

[deborahkalin.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the wordcount front. I know plenty of writers who seem to churn out 2k+ words a day, and a few who churn out 3-5k words a day, and it makes me die a little inside.

My wordcounts are much more modest, and STILL require heavy revisioning...

I sigh in a resigned fashion.

[pjthompson]

Yes! That seems most unfair. Seems like if I churn it out slowly I shouldn't have to revise as much, but sadly, it doesn't work out that way.