While we’re on the subject of word count, let’s discuss that thorny old excuse, “but I don’t have time to write!” If you want it bad enough, and you have a reasonably challenging deadline—like 2,000 words per weekday—you’ll find a way. But I learned something interesting this month. Having more time doesn’t mean more writing. It often means less.
This month, being my first NaNo, I decided to stack the deck a little and took the final week of November off as vacation. The calendar being what is, than meant from Thanksgiving on, I had nothing to do with my days but write. I figured that would give me a little extra insurance if I was behind in my word count. As it turns out, I was behind in my word count, but having all that extra time didn’t really do much for me. I napped a lot, got caught up on stuff I’d recorded on my DVR, but when it came to actually sitting my butt down in the chair and writing, I wrote about as much as I would have if I’d still been going into the office.
Many NaNo participants find that trying to write 2,000 words a day while holding down a day job actually helps the writing. It forces you to take your writing time seriously, because you only have so much of it. And you have to jealously guard that time in your otherwise packed schedule and make the most of it when it comes. For those of us that otherwise lack self discipline, this “write now or not at all” mindset really crystallizes where writing should fit in our schedules.
Post a Comment