 | 17 Aug 10 |
Last week, I followed a twitter stream (tweam?) with the hashtag #1k1hr. If that sentence was a foreign language to you, let me explain: on the social networking site Twitter, a group of writers were posting their thoughts and progress about the subject they called 1k1hr, referring to writing a thousand words and/or writing for one solid hour. The instigator main poster is a friend, Patrick Alan, a yet-to-be published YA writer in my local RWA chapter. Because I find Patrick to be completely amenable to all manner of teasing (mostly related to his general hotness and remarkable wit), I tweeted back with something to the effect of “Quit counting words and write a good book.”
Patrick replied to explain the concept, assuming, as he has every right to, that this blonde somehow missed the point of this highly motivational writing exercise. Others also replied, defending the process as a critical tool to help them make word count. For a few minutes, I regretted my flip tweet. Who am I to step on other’s motivational tricks? I am the Goddess of Goals in my RWA chapter, a purveyor of incentive and enthusiasm for struggling writers, the head cheerleader for the “Write The Damn Book” Team.
But the exchange got me thinking. Is “making word count” really writing words that count? Words that are publishable, revisable, worth keeping or at least worth considering? Or is it a math game of how much & how fast?
I realize forcing oneself to reach a specific word count is an extremely useful way to get something — anything — on the paper that can be revised. For many writers (including this one), just laying down the bones of a scene, no matter how bad, is a critical first step toward a first, “dirty” draft. As well, I rely on word count to assess my success or failure in “productivity” at the end of my writing day. Only 950 words today? Not good. Hit 3,500? Pop the bubbly. When the doc is closed, however, it’s not really the number of words I celebrate — it’s the quality of those words or at least the potential quality of them. Did they further the story? Do they evoke an emotion? Are they glorious or do they suck like the eye of a tornado?
This makes me wonder…do any of these Butt In Chair/Words On Page/Reach A Number/NaNoWriMo/1k1h/Write Or Die motivators actually take the joy out of the storytelling process? Are writers exchanging the pleasure of crafting a character on the page for the pressure of reaching a four-digit number at the bottom of the screen?
When I wrote my first book, which will forever be known as The Astronaut Book That Never Sold, I did it while owning my own PR business and raising toddlers. That means, I wrote late at night, during stolen hours when the house and phone were finally quiet. When I sat down to tell the tale of the rocket man and the media consultant who sent him over the moon, the very last thing I thought about was how many words I “had” to write that night. I don’t think I even knew the computer had a word count feature; I measured my progress in plot points, although back then I didn’t really know what they were either. (Did I mention this didn’t sell?)
When I finished a section (I bet I didn’t know they were called scenes, that’s how green I was) I would climb into bed and whisper to my sleeping husband, “They discovered the sabotage,” or “Chase is going to pilot the space shuttle,” and “They did it. Finally.” What a thrill it was to write my first kiss, my first love scene, my first black moment! I cherish every word of those dear moments in my creative history…but I don’t know or care how many words there were. All I know is I fell so deeply in love with Commander Chase Ryker that one day I found myself with a silly grin on my face, shopping at Publix, imagining he was there. (Hey, it was possible! The grocery store is not far from Kennedy Space Center. Even astronauts have to….wait, Rocki. He’s fictional.)
I’m positive I never strolled down the cereal aisle fantasizing about my word count.
I’m not saying the “making word count” system of productivity is wrong. I do believe that whatever gets you to write a draft is one step closer to heaven, also known as revisions. If it works, count on, my friend. But, please, don’t forget why you’re at that computer in the first place.
If any of you read Patrick Alan’s well-publicized accounts of RWA 2010 Nationals and have continued to follow his blog, you know this guy can write. He has an easy, breezy, sensational voice that I suspect will translate to anything from laugh out loud funny to gut wrenching emotion. If he has a story to tell with that voice, and I assume he does, his manuscript will be taken seriously by editors and agents who want a spectacular story told from a fresh perspective. They aren’t counting words; they’re counting readers. So when I jabbed my friend Patrick (and by default, all of the writers who were playing the 1k1hr game that night), I meant it as a friendly reminder that if you write the story from and by and of your heart, the words will amass without any minute-by-minute calculations.
So what motivates you to get the job done? Writers, is it word count or the need to get those dang characters on the page? Readers, what are your secret motivational tricks — I’d love to know.
One commenter will win a set of Hunt Her Down and Make Her Pay, autographed to you or (if you already have them) a friend you’d like to reward for all her hard work! Because I really am All About Motivation!
© 2010 – 2011, Roxanne St. Claire. All rights reserved.
Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times bestselling, RITA-Award winning author of nearly thirty novels of romance and suspense. The author of two popular romantic suspense series, The Bullet Catchers and The Guardian Angelinos, Roxanne is hard at work on new books for 2012, which will include the launch of a contemporary series, Barefoot Bay, and her first young adult novel, Don't You Wish, and a brand new stand-alone romantic suspense, Space in His Heart. A five-time RITA nominee, Roxanne's books have won the National Readers Choice Award, the Daphne Du Maurier Award, the Maggie Award, the Booksellers Best, the Book Buyers Best, The HOLT Medallion, multiple Awards of Excellence, and Borders "Top Pick"" for Romance in 2007. She lives in Florida with her husband, two teenagers, and one impossibly cute Australian Terrier named Pepper.
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Food. Probably why I’m so overweight.
by Barbie August 17th, 2010 at 7:14 amYep. This week I was highly motivated by the birthday cake I made my daughter. Thank you, Duncan Hines. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 7:30 amNormally, I’m not a word count kind of girl. I’m a scene girl. I lie in bed at night, when it’s finally quiet and I can think, and I make up the next set of scenes. The next day, I write to the end of those scenes, and that’s usually as far as I get. If something’s sparked, and I can write further, fab. If not, I wait til that night, and the process gets repeated.
That said, this month I am trying a new genre for me. I am not sure I can write in it at all, so I don’t want to spend ages on a draft that will be completely worthless. So I am going for speed and planning to revise heavily if it’s at all worth reading at the end. I don’t outline, so this “fast draft” will probably be more like a very detailed outline than a real draft in that it will need a LOT of revision and filling in.
by Laura K Curtis August 17th, 2010 at 7:19 amYou know, Laura, I don’t think “speed writing” or “dirty drafting” or “sh*tty first drafting” is “word counting.” It’s just getting the foundation of a scene down, without layering in 1) emotion or 2) description or 3) tags or whatever. Maybe it’s a fine distinction, but I think there’s a difference.
Good luck with the new genre! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 7:31 amThat’s a very nice distinction. For me the need to measure progress (word count) is a function of having a deadline. Before I was published I wrote at my own pace and finishing a book took a long time. Each scene was carefully planned and written in my head first. The drafts were incredibly clean and the whole thing made sense. This method did not, however, necessarily make for a publishable book.
Now I write to deadline and I have to get it done, ready or not. So there are days when I barrel through my pages, not sure whether there’s anything good in there. Revision is a much more important part of the process. I’m not one of those writers who doesn’t sleep until I’ve made quota, but I do feel better when I’ve written 2K for the day.
by Miranda Neville August 17th, 2010 at 7:26 amMiranda, I live for revisions, and it’s true – you can’t revise a blank page. But the experience of writing is, to me, more fun when I don’t think about the words but concentrate on the characters and story. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 7:37 amEh, I’m naturally a fast writer, although aiming for 1k an hour wouldn’t inspire me.
Now I am naturally competitive and trying to beat somebody else’s word count might inspire me, but it’s only going to work if the story is coming strong anyway.
That’s when I write the fastest -when the story is already right there, front and center in my head and it’s all I have to do is basically dictate the action.
It’s not alway burning that bright, though. When it’s not that bright, usually what I have to do is get inspired again is switch gears and work on another project for a few hours, another day or two-since I generally have a few projects going at any given time, that’s usually an option.
by Shiloh Walker August 17th, 2010 at 7:29 amWord. (So to speak.) Seriously, that is the truth, right there. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 7:39 amWord count is my yardstick most days because I know A.) how much I have to write to finish the book and B.) how many days I have left to make that happen. Divide B into A and that’s the extent of my math, but that necessary daily number gets me in my chair and words on the page.
Some days, when a scene’s not working or life intervenes, I don’t make that goal. Most days I get there, dragging, but I get there. But then there are the days where bluebirds sit on my shoulders and rainbows curve over top of me and I exceed that goal. *cue angelic choir music*
And those days come because the scene is wonderful and the characters are doing their thing and the words are beautiful and perfect – not being I forced myself to keep going.
So that’s my long way of saying word count motivates me, but the most effortless word count happens when I hit that sweet spot where the storytelling takes over.
by Kristen Painter August 17th, 2010 at 7:34 amOh, drat. You mean I’ll never see my Ryan at Safeway? (no Publix’s out here) I definitely expect to bump into my characters.
I use word count as a way to mark progress. Then at night, I print out a completed scene, read it, mark it up, and start from there the next morning. I confess it’s a tad depressing to see my word total diminish (but sometimes it goes up) after these first edits, but you’re right — I’m thinking about the story, not the number of words I wrote.
And I do have to watch myself when I’m writing, because I’ve discovered (usually on slow days) that it’s harder to tighten the writing even though I know I’ve used 8 words where 2 would do it–because it’s not “forward” progress.
by Terry Odell August 17th, 2010 at 7:35 amOh, I bet you have some Colorado hotties out there in Safeway. If not, just use your imagination! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 7:50 amOr…I could have saved myself 1,000 blog words and said that.
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 7:46 amThat blocked quote is from Kristen Painter, and should have gone with her comment. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 7:47 amI like to go for count at the beginning of a dirty draft- then it’s sort of like push starting a car. Once it gets rolling I let the writing drive the process. Though I’ll still keep track of my word count just to make sure I’m not dropping out of deadline range.
by Mira Lyn Kelly August 17th, 2010 at 8:01 amI like the push-start analogy. So true! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 10:13 amA few weeks ago I couldn’t seem to get started on my new WIP — I knew kinda what I wanted to do, but I balked every time I sat down to do something on it. I saw Patrick’s tweet about the 1k1h, read his blog post about it, and decided to give it a try.
It got me started on my WIP, so that was great. But it also made me realize how much writing I can get done in a short time. Usually I spend way too much time “getting ready/thinking about/planning to” write. LOL
So for me, it’s not the word count, but the actually devoting myself to a solid hour of writing that motivates and produces.
by Donna Cummings August 17th, 2010 at 8:09 amYou can get a lot done in an hour! And you can screw around in an hour, too. I highly recommend http://www.rescuetime.com to track the amount of work vs. screwing around. I learned exactly how many hours it took to write a scene, a chapter, a book. Very enlightening! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 10:14 amI just finished a novella over the weekend (yay!) so I’m editing it right now. Word count was key for me all last week. But word count itself means nothing if all they are are words you’re counting. The story, the building blocks, the characters, emotions and plot progress has to be part of the word count you’re laying down. So I do set those goals and watch that daily word count. That number is important to me because it means progress toward the end goal. But there has to be substance in those numbers, too, because at the end of the day you have to have something to work with when you edit the word count.
That being said, I do love a word count challenge. It motivates the hell out of me and keeps me from staring at a blank page.
by Jaci Burton August 17th, 2010 at 8:18 amCongtrats on finishing the novella, Jaci. Hope it’s another one that hits the NYT!!! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 10:16 amThe process I’ve had for writing this current book has been so different than my process for the Bobbie Faye books. For the latter, word count per day was a great motivation–but I knew the voice there, knew the world, knew the genre, knew my own rhythms, etc., and I also knew that I was writing a dirty draft and would go back and revise. I also knew that I was going to be layering in the humor later, which necessarily changed many scenes and how they played out, which then had the ripple effect outward throughout the book, so I knew that what I was doing was bare bones–structural writing, I call it.
Now, though, it’s an entirely different type of book and different process, and I think every element of how I write has changed–from the fact that I listen to music with this book to rhythms, sentence structure, tone, style, everything. I find I’m editing as I go, now, and what I have finished is fairly polished/final. The day is spent going over the previous scenes, polishing them, which helps me brainstorm and “break into” the next scene. I may not make a lot of progress each day, word-count wise, but what I’m writing is far more… graceful, deep… than what I did before. I can’t even bear to watch people post about things like 1K1hr, because I’m competitive and as soon as I see that, I feel like I’m failing because I know I’m not going to do that and I have to immediately remind myself *that’s not my process for this book and that’s okay.*
by toni mcgee causey August 17th, 2010 at 8:18 amIt’s so amazing how this happens with different genres, even different books. There is so much magic in creativity, I guess that’s why trying to boil it down to how many words you can write in an hour kind of doesn’t always work. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 10:17 amI keep track of word count, but it isn’t really what drives me. In fact, right now, I can’t really say what my big motivator is. I don’t have an agent, deadlines, royalty checks. I don’t have a crit partner to nag at me and my husband doesn’t blink if I decide to take time off. Most days I just have the urge to sit myself down and get the words out. (Or right now, the chapters edited.) Usually the urge comes from a promise I made myself – something along the lines of “I will finish this round of revisions by Friday”. If I don’t work and end up breaking my promise, I feel guilty.
Heh. Maybe guilt’s my big motivator.
by B.E. Sanderson August 17th, 2010 at 8:21 amDon’t knock guilt, it’s worked for Jewish and Catholic mothers forevah! It sounds as though you can motivate yourself, which is a good thing! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:13 pmI hate counting words. (Actually, for me, it’s pages I keep track of). Sometimes this helps motivate me, but mostly it is a distraction. I can write like the wind when I know what I’m going to say. But when I’m stuck on a plot point or a character problem, each word is like pulling teeth. So I’ve gotten to where I don’t bother sitting down to write anything until I know where I want to go with it.
Love the new author photo!!
by Laura Griffin August 17th, 2010 at 8:59 amThank you, Laura! I love having more up to date author shots with my long hair!
God, I know that feeling of pulling one. word. out. at. a. time. Painful. That’s why I prefer revisions to first drafts. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:15 pmI’m a word counter – not a page counter, which I know lots of my other writer friends are…
It works for me. Keeping a word count goal, known only to me, keeps me motivated because I write linear-ly (is that even a word?) so I’m looking forward to writing the next section/scene/chapter — that’s my reward for hitting my daily word count.
I stay away from comparing myself to other writers and what they can accomplish in a given day, because we all have the same goal of finishing the book. Some writers can knock out 11K in a single day, some writers it can take a week or a month or more to make that many words. Who’s to say that those 11K words are better or worse for how long or how quickly it took the author to write them?
I’m a rough draft writer — I rarely backtrack and polish and reread what I’ve written until I’ve hit the end of the first draft. NO ONE sees my first, second or third draft. By the time I’m at round four or five…that’s when I’ve usually figured out what the hell the story is about.
Great post, Rocki!
by Lori G. Armstrong August 17th, 2010 at 9:16 amIt’s dangerous to compare, Lori, you are right. No two paths or processes are alike, but it is human nature. Especially if you are competitive, like so many of us are. (Looking in mirror!) xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:18 pmGreat post, Roxanne.
As a #1k1hr enthusiast, I don’t feel like I’m doing “either/or” when I write. I don’t sit down and just write any old words on the page… I’m still plotting and developing character and writing scenes. And I get excited about the scenes I write, while I’m writing them.
What helps me about 1k1hr is the accountability of it all. As a relatively new writer, it helps me to know that there are other people out there joining me in writing community. When I sit down to write and sign in saying, “I’m going to #1k1hr, anyone want to join me?” I get a jolt of energy when someone answers back that they’re writing at the same time, for the same length of time.
I generally always get way over 1k in an hour when I write, but when I don’t, my fellow #1k1hr-ers are there to tell me, “don’t worry, it’s good to get words on the page.” And for me, it is.
My computer files are full of book ideas that I developed and never finished. But thanks to 1k1hr and Write-or-Die, I have finished three books this year. One full-length novel and two novellas. I have to take a break from 1k1hr to edit the work I’ve done–and that takes awhile–but I feel like it’s pretty good work already.
So I guess, I completely get what you’re putting down. Word count is not king. And we all need to tell a good story. But I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing my character or scene development in order to try to hit my word count. I do feel like I turn off my internal editor and let my voice just come through. I do feel like my 1k1hr writing is often better than work I do without trying to hit a word count, because being new still, I second-guess myself and self-edit a lot. But 1k1hr helps me to just worry about telling the story.
I will admit, though, that it’s really not for everyone. It’s just a strategy. The story should still be engaging, the characters deep, and the motivations driving. If you’re only hitting word count, and not telling a story, then you might as well not be writing. But I would assume that most of us who use word-count programs for motivation are trying our hardest to tell a good story, too.
Then again, you know what they say about “assume”…
by Rebecca Lynn August 17th, 2010 at 10:10 amThanks for that perspective, Rebecca. I was hoping we’d hear from some #1k1hr enthusiasts. (Patrick is traveling, but he promised me he’d stop by if he could.)
I totally hear what you’re saying about self-editing and understand why shutting that internal voice down frees you to get the story down, not spend twenty minutes searching for the right word. I’m sure guilty of that! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:23 pmThe only things I write are technical/scientific docs, which to an average person are snooze-worthy. When I have one I really don’t want to do, the only thing that helps is if I have a deadline to meet for submittal. Not always the case, but if not, I’ll try a self-imposed deadline (which, of course, doesn’t always work!).
by kris August 17th, 2010 at 10:11 amI have to admit that i’m a word-count addict – in fact I have my own twitter thing I do which is a lunchtime challenge – i let people know i’m flooring it until lunch on any given day and see if i can get them to jump on the bandwagon.
I’ve got the same concerns you mention here, to be honest. It IS about the scene, the moment, the inspiration, the story. And there are definitely times when the 500 word day is far more difficult – and possibly far more important – than the 5000 word day.
For me it’s a trick that helps me combat the sheer terror of the page. For someone who has written a bazillion words in her life, i’m astonishingly intimidated by the blank page, every single day, and this cliff-jumping, hell-for-leather technique is what works for me to get in there and *TRY*.
It took a long time, but i’ve come to understand about myself that i have to get junk down before I can feel confident enough to go back and make it better. So that’s what I do. I tease a lot too, but I figure people who have different methods will just ignore me
and do their own thing, their own process.
When I really think about the emotions around writing a new book, the first-draft stage is exciting and breathtaking and full of possibility – and also crushing and exhausting and horrifying and intimidating. It’s when I’m most likely to think I’m an imposter, I’ll never do a decent job, I should be a waitress. These crazy word-count tricks get me through it.
Great discussion = thanks for starting us off!
by sophie littlefield August 17th, 2010 at 11:18 amOh, I loved your comments, Sophie. That all rings true. I think there’s a difference between going ovaries-to-the-wall to finish a scene and sitting down and saying, “If I write 1250 words, I’ve worked today.” Big difference.
Great thoughts, my friend! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:27 pmRocki, you’re singing my tune! I don’t count words as I’m laying down the story. I always feel like an outsider when people talk about how many words they’ve written that day, week or month.
I tend to think in scenes and pages.
In the beginning, I will might say to myself, “I will keep my butt here until I get five pages.” And what that translates too is: Five pages I don’t hate–so I probably write 17 pages, and through a process of demonic deleting, I end up with my five.
It’s just how I work. It’s all about discovering the truth of my characters and their story and I will use and discard as many words as it takes to find it.
BUT, having said all that, if word counts work for others, then I say, “GO, GO, GO!”
by Jen Lyon August 17th, 2010 at 11:36 amI think in scenes, too. I try to write one or two (if I’m lucky) a day, regardless of the word count. Sometimes that’s three pages and that’s all I’ve got.
I think my kids are going to have the following engraved on my headstone: “As soon as I finish this scene.” LOL.
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:29 pmWhen I have a task before me that needs to be tackled I envision the end result (the relief, joy, etc) and that motivates me. I’m sure there is a technical term for it.
I do understand the “1k1hr” philosophy though…wasn’t it Nora Roberts who said, you can’t fix a blank page?
by Scorpio M. August 17th, 2010 at 11:43 amNora is credited with the blank page.
And the word for the “joy at the end of a goal?”
Wine.
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:30 pmlol Motivation is a hard thing for me. I learned several years ago i have ADHD. Never had much trouble getting things done etc til i added a 3rd kid to my house. Yeah that one put me over the limit on being able to juggle it all. So now motivation for me is a deadline or just not thinking about how much i don’t want or like to do something and just doing it quickly. I write a little blog too and some days i have trouble writing what i want to because as much as i like or dislike something i can’t find the correct words to say it. Then i just write what i feel and then as you real writers like to say, edit edit edit lol
Perhaps food is the answer though. Reward for work done? I’ve tried that a time or two as well. Chocolate cake once x amount of writing or cleaning or whatever is done. One thing that works when i’m cleaning is putting a audiobook on. I don’t realize how much i’m getting done cause i’m listening to my book.
Lisa
by Lisa B August 17th, 2010 at 12:10 pmChocolate cake for the win! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:38 pmI do track my word count as a motivational tool and am guilty of being a bit of a word count slut from time to time. Looking at the sheer numbers sometimes pushes me to do more.
But, in the end, I mostly write in scenes and count my real progess by where I get in the plot of the story.
Using timers or participating in book in a week, or other challenges can help me jump start or just stay bichok. One of my favorite motivators is to get together with other writing friends and have a write-in. We have rules about talking, use timers to keep people on task, take scheduled chat or brainstorming breaks, and work toward goals we set at the beginning of the day. The energy generated by a group is such a motivator!
by Debbie Kaufman August 17th, 2010 at 12:31 pmI love bichok, Debbie. (Butt In Chair/Hands On Keyboard.) My problem is often when my hands are on the keyboard, I click to twitter or facebook or this blog, LOL. That’s when I need a timer or use rescuetime.com to freeze me out of my distractions! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:40 pmI’m a reader, not a writer, so my challenge is limiting how many chapters I get to read before I have to prod myself to do something else! For general work activities, I think in terms of specific tasks versus time spent doing them. Finishing something for a defined reward (reading, time with grandkids, etc.) is a good motivator for me. I enjoyed your column. Thanks.
by GSM August 17th, 2010 at 12:32 pmThanks for stopping by, GSM! Time with the kids (grand or not) is always a good reward. In fact, in an hour and a half, mine will be home and I won’t want to write another word! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:41 pmI use something I really want to motivate me to do something Im putting off or dont want to do. Whatever it is, whether its a new book, movie, going out to eat. I wont let myself do it until the project or whatever is finished.
by Donna S August 17th, 2010 at 1:08 pmYou are focused, Donna! So lucky! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:42 pmSince being pulled into the #1k1hr fray at #RWA10, I’ve become a fan. But my reasons for participating are certainly different from other writers, and how we use the material we write during that hour varies. I don’t use the process to create character or develop plot. I use it because it helps me with one of my bad habits – self-editing. No time to rework sentence after sentence. Just get it out. Then after a session or two of #1k1hr, I expand, build, delete, or toss. It’s a tool that so far works for me, and its nice visiting the hash mark. It’s like being in a lifeboat with friends:).
PS. Attended your workshop at RWA, and LOVED it. Thank you for being so generous.
by Denny S. Bryce August 17th, 2010 at 1:14 pmI like looking at it that way, Denny. It makes perfect sense, especially if you suffer from an over-active self-editor. (There should be drugs for that!)
So glad you liked the workshop! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:43 pmI still struggle with the darn “internal editor”, so I need to set daily page goals, but when I find my rhythm, I keep writing and forget the number on the page.
At my age, some days I’m the windshield, some days I’m the bug. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
by Loralee Lillibridge August 17th, 2010 at 1:35 pmLoralee, you are never the bug. You’re too beautiful!!! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 1:49 pmI still struggle with the darn “internal editor”, so I need to set daily page goals, but when I find my rhythm, I keep writing and forget the number on the page.
At my age, some days I’m the windshield, some days I’m the bug. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
by Loralee Lillibridge August 17th, 2010 at 1:35 pmI use the word count games; Write or Die, #1k1hr, butt in chair with timer if the writing is just not happening. Once I start writing the whole idea of how long disappears, it is a mind game to start the fingers typing.
by Jill James August 17th, 2010 at 1:50 pmThose days that the writing isn’t happening? I hate those days. I really do. I don’t know if 1k1hr would work for me as much as my usual tricks: hot shower or long walk or dry martini. One of them usually unlocks the secret. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:52 pmHello. Welcome to my world. Or is this your world? Where am I? Hello. Look at me. Yes. That’s very nice. And by that, I mean me.
So, here it is. #1k1hr, the evil beast that it is.
It has absolutely nothing to do with word count for me. I am in total agreement about the joy of writing the story.
In years past, when I might not have been so busy, or what ever it is that holds me back, I would write entire scenes, short stories, chapters, etc, in my head. Sitting down at the computer was a mere formality. This would happen for me semi-regularly. I didn’t track word count at all in years past.
But then I noticed that sometimes months went by before I sat down at the computer. I wondered how serious I was about being a writer. I have a day job. I am the sole provider in my house at the moment.
Really, #1k1hr is no different than the 5000 word $25 bet I do each month. Without that bet, I wouldn’t sit down at least 5 times per month, either.
I use 1k1hr to shut off the internal editor. The day job. The yard work that I need to do. The travel. The Law and Order re-runs. The goofy twitter chatter.
It’s not that I don’t love my story. It’s not that it’s work. It’s that I have the physical time, but I have sat for hours saying I am going to write, only to check email. Check on some blog comments I made. Wait, is my TV show on?
My life is not difficult. It’s a really good life. I don’t complain about the travel. How can I when my brother is stationed in Iraq away from his wife and two kids?
#1k1hr is my way of shutting out the distractions. It’s a messy first draft. Sometimes I have the entire scene in my head before I start. Othertimes, I only have the first three sentences. Those times are harder. In my non-computer hours I am not getting in nearly as much daydreaming, I mean planning of my story as I would like.
This past month, I did do some writing without #1k1hr. I would say I sat in front of the computer, MS open, no clock in sight and wrote. Not any better. In fact, I was more distracted. I thought I was relaxed. In total, I sat there. Not questioning word choice or making the scene better. Just sitting there. Wrote maybe 300 words each time and sat there for more than an hour. These 300 words are no better than the 1000 that I tend to write.
Take away my day job. Let me immerse myself in writing. I don’t use it when I am immersed in writing at a focused workshop or at a writer’s retreat. I just write and damn it, I am good at it. I don’t need it to block everything out. It’s already blocked. Away from work. Away from home. Only responsibility is to write. I can do that.
In years past, I have used other things. Dedicated non-internet computer. Dedicated office. Specific writing time at the same time each night. I accomplished a lot like that. But then my schedule changed. had other things to do with the PC and the office. Things happened. That ended.
Honestly, I couldn’t tell you why it works. I don’t know why it seems to resonate with others who try it. I do know there have been times lately when I wanted to do it and opened my word doc and got ready, but never clicked start. Wish I did.
Great discussion, Rocki! Loved the teasing. Totally understand the point of not losing the story to meet word count. That’s definitely not my goal. Can’t speak to how others use it. I only hope they use it for good, not evil. Unless, it’s that Bad Boy evil that women find sexy. That, I am ok with.
by Patrick Alan August 17th, 2010 at 2:59 pmSee what I mean about your voice? Funny and wonderful. I totally get what you’re saying and you get what I’m saying and we’re on the same page, whatever the number of words happen to be there.
Distractions are nasty things when you have a story to tell, so if #1k1hr helps you block out your job, family, television and the internet, go you.
You’re a good sport and great blog fodder. Expect to be used again. And by used, I mean…exactly what you think. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:49 pmOkay. I do the NaNo thing every year. And I give myself a word count goal on current WIPs throughout the year. At the same time, I want each word to count. I want to tell the story that needs to be told–that WANTS to be told. The problem is, I’ll start edits and revisions LONG before I ever write *The End* of a first draft. I had to do NaNo to teach myself to write ugly. To push through the roadblocks, self-doubts, niggling research questions (yes, a [research the route from Düsseldorf to Paris in 1880] CAN suffice in a first draft), and all other manner of procrastinating available, I HAVE to set that word goal.
Along the way, I’ve discovered scenes that were written by a talented Muse and scenes so ugly not even *I* could love them. But the ugly segued into the prose and ugly can always be polished and become beautiful. In those instances, it was a matter of BICHOK, gotta make that daily word goal.
We writers are a funny breed and if we’re lucky, we figure out what method works for us. (The eternal pantzer vs. plotter debate anyone?) Once we figure out the method, we write. The words flow, the story evolves, our characters turn out to be interesting and dimensional rather than cardboard cutouts.
Great topic today, Rocki! Now it’s time for me to get BICHOK. I have words to go today before I can say I’ve reached my goal.
by Silver James August 17th, 2010 at 3:03 pmHey Silver – you know, it might be time for a good plotter/pantzer debate. Me? I’m a plantzer, as you know. Story plan, story plan, story plan. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pmI use word count more as a gauge/guide of progress than a motivational tool.
Last fall, at the NJRW Put Your Heart in a Book Conference, one speaker challenged those of us with yet unfinished WIPs to picture ourselves at the same conference in 2010 in the same situation – work unfinished – and how that would feel. Then she challenged us to picture ourselves one year later with a completed, polished MS and how THAT would feel. That’s what I cling to when I’m convinced everything I write sux and I’ll never finish and wah, wah, wah. I do not want to be in that same position this year.
Besides, I think my CP might actually kill me if I am.
Great post. Thanks!
by Kiersten August 17th, 2010 at 4:11 pmKiersten – who was that speaker? I love that idea! I’ll spring it on my chapter during my “Goals” speech. I really AM that cheerleader! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:53 pmI am not a writer but I use books as my reward. If I finish (insert awful household chore) then I get to read a few pages or for a few hours (depending on how horrendous the chore) of whatever the book du jour happens to be. Gets the chores done and keeps me motivated.
by Rory Girl August 17th, 2010 at 4:39 pmRory – there is no better reward than a great book! Thanks for stopping in. Now stop the nasty chores and READ! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:54 pmSometimes a few words of encouragement from a friend or family member gives me the push that I need to keep move forward. Sometimes music helps, too.
by Jane August 17th, 2010 at 4:50 pmFamily can be a great motivator. Every time I think about college tuition, I’m really motivated to write, LOL. But they always ask me at dinner: how was the writing day and I like to be able to tell them I killed it, rather than it killed me. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:56 pmLast week I joined the Club 100 Writers group on Yahoo. I have started and stopped my work in progress so many times and never really seem to get anywhere with it. So, now I figured I would join the group for encouragement, and know that I only need to write 100 words per day to keep my momentum going. So far, each day I’ve written a lot more than 100 words, but if the day comes when I start to procrastinate, I KNOW I can meet my goal of 100 words. I hope this helps me to continue to work on my story, keep it in my mind, make progress on it, etc. So far so good.
by Linda McDonald August 17th, 2010 at 4:57 pmNever heard of Club 100. Can you post the actual yahoo group name so people who are interested in it can join? Thanks, Linda! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:56 pmPS. Linda…did you get an email from me last night?
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:57 pmWriter Beth Pattillo is the moderator for Club 100. It’s easy to sign up from her website at: http://www.bethpattillo.com She has a button on her website for Club 100 that tells a bit about it, and then the link you click on to join.
And yes, I did get an e-mail from you! Thank you!
by Linda McDonald August 17th, 2010 at 9:08 pmWhen ther’s something I need to get done, and I’m having trouble getting to it, I plan a “Treat” for when I’m done. It may be a dinner, shopping trip, mini vacation.
by chey August 17th, 2010 at 5:01 pmI vote shopping. Can I come? xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:57 pmHi all, first time posting here, and if you decide to blame someone for it, it’s all Toni and Allison’s fault. I have written hundreds of thousands of words and never needed word count or BIC to motivate me. I found fear to be an excellent, if very unhealthy motivator. Did you know you actually have to get a note (in the form of an affidavit) from your doctor saying you are ill to get an extension to file a reply brief in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals? Yes I was practicing law; fear was a major motivator to meet innumerable deadlines and all for a forced group of readers, e.g. judges, law clerks, opposing counsel etc…
I no longer practice law and I write for the sheer joy of it. That doesn’t mean I don’t need motivators. BIC is great and word count helps too but the biggest motivator is getting something on paper. Timothy Hallinan has this great section on his website about finishing the book. One of his suggestions is if you can’t write on your WIP then write about the characters, build their back-story. I am mostly a pantser , though I prefer Lisa Gardner’s term for it, “out of the mist writer†. But I also have the general outline in my head of what is in each of the three acts and a lot of the scenes. If the scene is flowing then I don’t care about word count I just want to complete the scene. If I am having trouble I don’t stop writing I just go to my idea bucket and write more about the characters.
This works for me. Saturday I was slogging through some dialogue, I had the whole scene in my head and wanted to finish it, but I just couldn’t get the dialogue right. So I stopped and wrote more about the two protagonists. Went back and had one of those magical moments. My main protag turned out to be a flirt and a little bit of smart ass in a cute sort of way. This was big time motivation. Right then I leaned that while word count was a nice objective measure, it was really not a motivator I could use. Just loving these characters and wanting to spend time with them is enough. Now I am a newbie, classic greenhorn to novel writing so all of this may be old hat, common sense or just silly but it works for me.
by Dudley Forster August 17th, 2010 at 5:27 pmThat’s a great technique for a stalled writer, Dudley, and I’m so glad you stopped by to comment. Congrats on writing for joy – it sounds like you are really in the honeymoon stage. Let it last! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 6:01 pmI’m here because I like doing what Patrick tells me to do. Sometimes.
Personally, I love #1k1hr. It’s not actually about the word count itself. When I’m writing, I’m not ignoring my story in favor of watching the numbers climb. For me, it’s akin to jumping into the pool of writing, rather than slowly acclimating and climbing in one cold step at a time. It forces me to turn off my inner editor and just write. And that has less to do with the hour time limit and more to do with the group exercise of it all, actually. I hate letting other people down, and somehow the working together like that allows me to use that neurosis to my own benefit. It’s usually most effective for me, though, at the beginning of a scene where I’m not even really sure precisely where I’m going. By hour’s end, rather than sitting there still debating about what I want to do, I generally have a very clear idea about the scene, and one or two surprises about the characters, as well. I’ve yet to come back and edit one of these and NOT be really happy with what I produced under that pressure. It’s kind of like the Nike of motivational tools. It makes me Just Do It. And I usually continue writing after the hour’s over because at that point I’ve hit my stride and I’m really having fun with the story.
Interestingly, the pacing in those sections tend to be tighter than the sections that I dawdled over, which is kinda weird, but true.
by Elizabeth August 17th, 2010 at 5:50 pmHi Elizabeth. Always great to meet another one of Patrick’s followers, but not in a cult kind of way, of course.
I think your last note about those sections being tighter is VERY interesting. Do other 1k1hr people find that to be true? You are really trying to make a believer out of me, aren’t you???
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 6:03 pmxo
Haha, definitely! I’m pretty sure it’s Patrick’s dream to have a cult centered around him.
And his pool.
(Patrick, if you read this, please notice that I made a point in using a pool analogy in trying to convince others of the value of #1k1hr. YOU’RE WELCOME.)
by Elizabeth August 17th, 2010 at 6:28 pmYou may have a second cookie! And an all access pass to the pool party. I forgot when that is, though.
by Patrick Alan August 17th, 2010 at 6:40 pmI think it comes out pretty solid for me. I saw others tweet that often, when it first started, as well.
Many tweeted that they were surprised that they liked it when they read it the next day. Most expected a hot mess.
by Patrick Alan August 17th, 2010 at 6:38 pmHad to jump in on this. You are soooo right on the expecting a hot mess. For writers like me who have the evil ‘editor’ on her shoulder 20 out of 24 – the chance to get immersed (which naturally occurs with #1k1hr IMHO) is a blessing that surprisingly often produces the bones of a decent scene, unplanned discoveries or just new ideas. Whoops. Got to go. 33 minutes into a #1k1hr session:) and I’ve more writing to do.
by Denny S. Bryce August 17th, 2010 at 6:51 pmI like you. You may join my cult of followers.
by Patrick Alan August 17th, 2010 at 7:23 pmI’m here because Patrick ordered me to comment. And anyone who knows me will attest that I am nothing if not biddable.
Also because I use #1k1hr to kick myself in the butt when I’m procrastinating.
by KariLynn Dell August 17th, 2010 at 5:54 pmHis power astounds me, really.
A little butt-kicking never hurt anyone! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 5:58 pmPHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS! Itty-bitty living space!
Wait. no. I have a big house. With a pool, I might add.
by Patrick Alan August 17th, 2010 at 6:48 pmOutstanding! I’ve always wanted to be a minion. Thank you, Patrick:) … Now to figure out how to follow wordpress when I’m a blogspot gal:)
by Denny S. Bryce August 17th, 2010 at 7:40 pmI am not a novel storytelling writer but I do have to write business documents for a living. My motivation is deadlines with final completion dates. If I haven’t really been given a deadline, I procrastinate until I have been given the date then I go to it. Sometimes killing myself when I previously had all the time in the world.
by MichellekCanada August 17th, 2010 at 6:22 pmHey Michelle – there’s no motivator like Fear of Missed Deadline. I agree! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 10:02 pmFascinating post!
I share your adoration of Patrick and his writing, but I’ll also admit I’m a huge fan of his #1k1hr push. I’m currently working on the third book in a trio of romantic comedies scheduled for publication with Sourcebooks, Inc., and this is the first time I’ve faced the daunting task of writing a book that’s already sold. The result of that unfamiliar blessing/curse is that I’ve found myself freezing up at several points while writing this draft.
#1k1hr has been a lifesaver for me, pushing me to just knock it the hell off with the self-editing and get words on the page. Are they perfect? No way. But they’re words, and they’re exactly what I need right now so I can go back and edit the scenes into something resembling the book my editor paid me for.
For that reason, I’m infinitely grateful to Patrick and his #1k1hr phenomenon, and I’m happy to see other writers make use of this valuable tool when they need it. It’s not an everyday method for getting a book written, but it’s sure handy when you need it
Love your books, and love this blog post!
Tawna
by Tawna Fenske August 17th, 2010 at 7:53 pmHi Tawna – thanks for stopping by! Yes, the pressure to produce a book that’s sold but not written is kind of like heaven & hell all rolled into one. And you know, it’s tougher with every book.
Good luck with the trilogy! Will be looking for it! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 17th, 2010 at 10:05 pmFor me if it is something that has to be done, I will go on and do it. I can’t stand it unless it gets done, but if its something like the housework then that’s a different story, music sometimes helps.
by Quilt Lady August 17th, 2010 at 10:08 pmSomeone in business once taught me to do the one thing you HATE the most first thing in the morning and get it behind you. I often tackle the crap I hate (marketing) before I start writing because I just want it over with for the day. Thanks for the comment! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 18th, 2010 at 9:40 ammotivation ? books and more books
by Mariska August 17th, 2010 at 10:10 pmAnd that’s why we write!!! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 18th, 2010 at 9:41 amHi Rocki, I missed your blog today. I am glad I got a chance to see it now though. You make some great points. My motivation started out with a word count, but now I am glomming on the whole Write First challenge being run by the ladies over at Jungle Red Writers. Write first is a much easier concept to follow, because the only parameter is to write at least one page before getting on the internet. That has been working out well for me. I set a personal goal, and try to make it by midnight of that day, but I also get to reward myself with the internet, play on FB and twitter when I have written first. It also makes it easier to come back to the computer and write, rather than it feeling like a chore. I hope that made sense. I haven’t participated in #1K1hr, but I think it is a great starting point until you figure out what works best for you. I have been using different challenges and word count goals as motivation for myself. I have somehow morphed it into something more bastardized, which is primarily because, I focus on making sure that at the end of the day, the words I write are meaningul and help to flesh out the plot of the story. I am very green, so blogs like these have been very helpful, and I incorporate them in my motivational techniques. Thank you for sharing your insight, and explaining what #1K1hr means. I hope you had a wonderful day.
Peace and love,
by Paula R. August 18th, 2010 at 12:30 amPaula R.
Hey Paula – Can you send a link to the Jungle Red Writers, if there is one? I love the idea of write first. The internet is my BIGGEST DISTRACTION. I have a feature on http://www.rescuetime.com that blocks the internet, but it doesn’t block email and tweetdeck, and I wish it did. Thanks for stopping by! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 18th, 2010 at 9:43 amHey Rocki, here’s the link http://www.jungleredwriters.com
I hope it helps to motivate someone else. I need to check out the rescuetime site. Thanks for the link.
Peace and love,
by Paula R. August 18th, 2010 at 7:42 pmPaula R.
As always, wonderful post Rocki! Loved the comment about stealing hours. Do it every day
Word count vs. words themselve. Word count is a motivator, but lately, I’ve found myself more concerned with the number rather than the words being produced. To be honest with you, focusing more on the word count as a sign of productivity has caused me to be less productive than usual. I finally had to tell myself to forget that darn word count button and focus on the story at hand. Once I was able to let go of the “word count obsession”, my stories come along smoothly. In the end, I’m happier with what I produced, my count is up, and I’m not fighting doubt. Word count is important, but with me, it redirects the focus from where it should be, and that’s on writing.
by Kara August 18th, 2010 at 1:14 amSince I cut loose of my word count bindings, I’ve finished my latest novel and picked up where I left off on a novella that was giving me a hard time. I went back, reconfigured a story that was moving along like a car on four flats (for the sake of word count), and now it’s speeding along nicely. My goals focus more on reaching a scene in the story rather than the volume of words written.
Whatever works to get you writing is different from one person to the next. Untimatley, the story reigns supreme. If you write from your heart, word count will follow
And hey, if one day you write a paragraph (100 words), the next you may write two chapters (3,000 words). It’ll balance out, but keep writing
Thanks for the motivation, Rocki!
Kara
Thanks, Kara! I loved your comments – and I so agree with this:
Amen! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 18th, 2010 at 9:44 amI’m a puke-it-all-up-nice-and-ugly-word-count girl. then i go back and make the words count. which I LOVE to do. my fave part of writing.
by Karin Tabke aka Harlow August 18th, 2010 at 2:02 amHey Karin, that’s the way I am going too. I am so grateful for the dirty draft.
Peace and love,
by Paula R. August 18th, 2010 at 7:43 pmPaula R.
I don’t write to word count but use it like a point on a map to show how close I am to my destination. On a first draft (‘dirty draft’), I don’t think about word count at all. I like working to goals or deadlines that I set (I’m unpublished) as it gives me something to work towards. But in the end, it’s always about the story.
by MicheleKS August 18th, 2010 at 8:16 amThe map is a very cool idea, Michele – can you elaborate? xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 18th, 2010 at 9:45 am[...] St. Claire posted a great question about the purpose of 1k1hr yesterday over on MurderSheWrites.com. Make sure to stop by and check it [...]
by Patrick Alan » #1k1hr and the Revelation August 18th, 2010 at 8:48 amFor every chapter I study I read one (or2) chapters in tge book I wanna read!
by Amanda August 18th, 2010 at 10:47 amWorks for me, Amanda! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 18th, 2010 at 12:43 pmI think everyone does it differently. I did the book in a month project twice. I used it as a way to force me to concentrate on the book. Yes it took 5 months to rewrite the mess, but it was worth it in teaching me some interesting parts of being a writer and understanding what my limitations are.
Thank you for this article, it made me do some serious thinking.
by Johnny Ray August 18th, 2010 at 3:11 pmRocki, this is such a wonderful post! I have to admit I used to be about word count. I had to get X number of words on the page or I felt I wasn’t accomplishing what I wanted to as a writer who works a day job. And in a way I still have a little of that in me (it’s hard to let it go sometimes). But I’ve learned a few things and at least for me, I’m writing tighter now, less fluff that will be cut anyway.
I read a few pages of the day before (okay, sometimes it’s been 2 days before), and then start writing. The thing is when the flow of the scene stops, I stop. I no longer force words to come that will most likely not make any sense the next day.
But I do write down some bullet points of where the scene is going. This usually gives me what I need when I come back the next day and start going again.
I’m not saying it’s a perfect writing strategy, but for now this is what is working for me. Of course, I do so love it when I’ve got a couple of thousand new great words on the page at the end of the day.
by Vicki August 19th, 2010 at 2:29 pmHi Rocki!
Great post and I really enjoyed reading how everyone is motivated!
My family is my greatest motivation with chocolates and snacks a close second!
by Terri August 20th, 2010 at 12:39 ammy friends who belive in me
by kh August 22nd, 2010 at 2:38 am