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I think we all get that sinking feeling sometimes, I know I do. And then I recall that someone, somewhere has been quoted as saying you have to write some horrendous number of words - a million? - before you're really good. I'm halfway there, but man, I wish there were a faster process. Each time I finish a book, I think, this is the best one yet. Two weeks later, I'm mentally tearing it apart and have totally lost faith in it, so I try again.
Of course it's a process! Everything is except maybe a lottery win. Even that is more likely to happen if you continually buy tickets. Seriously, have you read TMFL? Yes, it's a process.
So far this month, I've written just over 83k words. That's not quite my usual production, due to out of town trips and editing gigs. @LisaK? Are you keeping a log?
I use Scrivener to write, and it will keep a count. If you use Word, you can get a total count. I have a spreadsheet to record it in. For each of my pen names: Total words|Today's count|Weekly total|Remaining Goal for week|Remaining goal to finish. I use formulas to calculate all of that, and also add up total words for all pen names. Since I write for two different books almost every day, that total interests me. Yes, I'm a nerd.
Please take out the 'failed' word. You fell a little short of the goal, but nearly 28k words is far from a failure. Don't let that discourage you, don't let the fact that others write more words per day or week or month discourage you. You don't know their circumstances, and they don't know yours. The important thing is that you are writing, you're striving for goals, and you're setting goals that are just a bit of a stretch so you can challenge yourself to reach further and further. You are ahead of the masses.
I use Scrivener to write, and it will keep a count. If you use Word, you can get a total count. I have a spreadsheet to record it in. For each of my pen names: Total words|Today's count|Weekly total|Remaining Goal for week|Remaining goal to finish. I use formulas to calculate all of that, and also add up total words for all pen names. Since I write for two different books almost every day, that total interests me. Yes, I'm a nerd.
30,495
I use Scrivener to write, and it will keep a count. If you use Word, you can get a total count. I have a spreadsheet to record it in. For each of my pen names: Total words|Today's count|Weekly total|Remaining Goal for week|Remaining goal to finish. I use formulas to calculate all of that, and also add up total words for all pen names. Since I write for two different books almost every day, that total interests me. Yes, I'm a nerd.
All of us get that now and then. I get it at around the 25% mark of any new book. If your second book doesn't get any traction, write a third. Except for the outliers that no one can explain, the lowest number of books that I've seen for real, sustainable, living income is seven books. That's seven with the same author name. But getting there can still provide a nice boost to income. The thrillers that I write with another forum member are beginning to supply us each with a low 4-figure income per month, and that's with three published and one just finished in first draft. It isn't the most popular genre, but it's one we both like, so it just goes to show that writing what you like has its benefits.OK. Maybe I was being harsh with myself but I was annoyed that I missed my mark. I'm afraid a little that I will allow myself to flounder. Sometimes I really feel like I can do this. I may or may not be writing in the right genre, but, you're right, I am writing. Still plagued with self doubt.....some days I think "Yea, look at me go!" and then other days I'm like "WTF do you think you're doing?" I think I'm pretty close to break even with my first book, but that said....I haven't even paid for my expenses to write the book. Argh. If my second book doesn't get any traction, what should I do? I don't know. Thanks for the pep talk....
Good news: Goal for 30,000 words by 9/7 - Done
If you can tell a story, you can be that good. Everything but the creativity of the story can be learned.
You're very welcome.
I made her promise to give me an honest review and she assured me she would. It's a secret between my Grandma and me. Still not ready for my total clan to know what I'm up to. I'd of course like to have some tangible success before letting everyone know.
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