by Leo Wiles
02 November 2016
What’s your daily word count goal, Leo and Rachel? I’m wondering if I’m super slow and would love to hear what others work towards. E
It’s really a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type of question, depending on numerous factors including how much work you have, how many deadlines are breathing down your neck on that particular day, whether you’re trying to work faster in order to take on more work in order to make more money and so on.
But in writing, like life, there are two kinds of people: the hare and the tortoise. Me, I am a hard-shelled kind of writer who spends way too much time on the research stage, while Rach freely admits she’s more of the run-with-the-idea-and-make-it-happen-NOW personality.
Back in the days when I was more fiscally driven and a single woman around town, I aimed to complete at least one 750 word article a day at least 3-4 times per week. With each article including the background research, writing up questions, preferably phone interview/s, transcribing, first draft, final edit, a break, then a polish before filing the copy. Admittedly, this target was set on the basis that I would then spend a day a week on pitching, invoicing, landing work and setting up the aforementioned interviews.
Even now 15 years on, with the golden age of $1/word behind me, I’m still drawn to long-form writing and creating in-depth profiles to accompany my images. All up, producing a 1000-word spread takes on average a day and a half – but if the needs arise, I can produce approximately three blogs of around 400-600 words in the time given – especially if I’m a) free from distraction and b) I have a keen interest in the subject.
(If it’s not a pitch I came up with, then I tend to have a very clean house, a well-walked dog and way too much coffee before ending up with only one polished piece. As you can see, not so cost effective and an issue I probably need to address…)
Over time, I think you also become more accountable and diligent in terms of how much you write each day – or you starve! I believe, like any muscle, the more you flex it the better you get. One of the ways fledgling writers (or those suffering writer’s block) can up the ante is with the wonderful Morning Pages challenge developed by Julia Cameron of The Artist’s Way fame. You can also check out Rach’s review of The Most Dangerous Writing App which might also train you to write faster. The word count you set yourself, however, remains a personal choice dependent on how much you need to earn and just as importantly how many free preferably uninterrupted seamless hours you realistically have. So don’t beat yourself up. Like all of us, you probably have good days when the words flow – and days when they don’t.
Do you have a daily word count goal?
Rather than words per day, I aim for a dollars-per-week figure, so that I make sure I’ve got enough money coming in to pay all the bills and have enough to a lot left over for fun things.
I like that Carrie! Mine is dictated by what’s due more than anything. I generally work in a two week block and plan, research, interview and write according to what’s due in that fortnight. And, working part-time I have to be really strict with it in order to meet deadlines.
Leo, I remember when I came home from working overseas and was at my first website job in Sydney and my editor wanted me to write 3 x 800 word features A DAY. With 2 interviews for each. She said that should be more than doable! I like to think I’m a pretty speedy writer but that wasn’t doable for me… quality-wise, anyway. 🙂
Wow does that mean I really am a tortoise?
I’m the same. I have either one or two days a week working at home (as well as the weekend, although I’m trying to put an end to that), so I have to be really strict about planning and deadlines. But I also know that if I don’t invoice about $6000 a month the beer-and-skittles money will run out. So that plays a part in whether I actively go looking for more work and whether I can say no to jobs that don’t float my boat (or are going to be more trouble than they’re worth).
Leo, I’m sure you’re not a tortoise. Some days I can smash out 3000 words (if I’ve got everything I need to get going) and other days I’ll be lucky to crack 500, especially if the deadline isn’t imminent.