Back when I started writing, I had to choose between a daily word count or a daily time goal.

I was fresh out of a class in Chicago where the teacher pushed for a strict 500 words a day, no matter what. My friend, who wrote for a living, told me to just sit down for an hour instead and see what came out. I picked the time goal because the word count made me panic and write junk just to hit a number. For the first week, some days I only got a paragraph, but other days I filled three pages. After about two months, I found my rhythm and the pressure was gone. I wasn't watching the clock, I was just in the story. Now I tell new writers to try both and see which one makes them want to keep going. Has anyone else had to pick between these two methods, and which one stuck for you?

4 comments

4 Comments

avery_flores173d ago

Totally get this. I started with a word count too and it made me hate writing. Switched to a simple one hour timer and it changed everything. Like milam48 said, making you want to keep going is the point. For me, the time goal built the habit without the guilt. Some days the writing was good, some days it wasn't, but I was always there at the desk. That consistency is what finally got me finishing projects.

emmaclark3d ago

Honestly the timer method saved my writing life too. Staring at a blank page trying to hit some number just killed all the fun. Setting a timer for like 45 minutes means I just have to show up, and whatever happens is fine. Some days I get a ton done, other days I just stare and delete stuff, but at least I did the thing. That habit is everything.

michaeltorres3d ago

Exactly, the habit itself is the win.

milam483d ago

makes them want to keep going" is the only goal that matters.