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| Jul 2011 |
I just started the 500 Words a Day Challenge that runs from July 23 until the end of the year. A few writers are doing 1,000 words a day, and I wish I could do that, too. But with the Boy and all, I don't want to commit to writing 1,000 words when I'm not sure I can meet the goal. There are days when he's a perfect angel, but there are also days when he is just impossible to please or creates lots of work. For example, on Saturday he was responsible for creating three loads of urgent laundry. (I never thought a human being that weighs only twelve pounds could do that!)
I suppose I could take time off until the end of the year, but I'm afraid that I might get rusty. I can't speak for others, but for me writing is like playing the piano. The more I write, the better I become.
500 words is doable if I manage what free time I have carefully. If I must, I can stay up after the Boy has fallen asleep at night (he doesn't sleep much during the day). 500 words seems so much more manageable than 1,000 words, and the psychological effect can make me knock out those words even though I'm tired.
It may not seem like a lot to those who are really prolific, but if I write at least 500 words a day until December 31, I'll have 81,000 words written. And that's a novel.
July 25th, 2011 at 9:28 pm · Link
I’m in with you! I need to get back into my writing groove after a busy summer, lots of editing, and other stuff.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:00 am · Link
Good luck Nadia! :p
July 26th, 2011 at 1:38 am · Link
Hey, Nadia. I’m trying to get down 5k a day, although now that I think about, I think its pretty laughable I’ll be able to get that number down.
Good luck, I know you’re going to blow the 500 words a day out of the water!
July 26th, 2011 at 7:42 am · Link
I need to get started on a min daily word count too. I still feel like I’m playing catch up all the time though. I think I’m going to have to put in writing time after they go to bed, too.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:47 pm · Link
@JK Coi: Awesome! Let’s do it together!
@Stella (Ex Libris): Thank you! :)
@Fionn Jameson: I can get very ambitious too, but I’m afraid that if I set a goal that’s too hard to achieve I may not even bother, esp. on days when I’m tired, etc. after dealing with the Boy. Good luck!
@Sandy Williams: Yeah. The night time when the babies are asleep is the best time, though be careful you don’t burn yourself out or get too sleep-deprived. That’s why I’m doing 500 words b/c I can do them in an hour max.
July 27th, 2011 at 1:11 am · Link
You can do it. In fact, you better because I wanna read Slayer II.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:31 pm · Link
@May: Yes, master. *tongue-in-cheek*