First of all, that title is a little bit misleading. Some people like to use words… some like to use pages… others will only set aside blocks of time. It really doesn’t matter what you use to measure progress, though. Whether you write 5,000 words per day, or 5 words per week, progress is progress.
While setting a goal is important, one part of the process that people tend to forget is setting ‘reachable’ goals. Something you are actually able to do. Not only does this mean setting an attainable goal, but to also take into account what you are physically and/or mentally capable of. Those with disabilities and/or illnesses (be they visible or hidden), aren’t always able to sustain, maintain, or even reach goals that are repeated on website after website (such as: Write every day). So, the caveat regarding advice is: Take what you can, throw away what you can’t, and tweak what you need to for it to fit your needs.
So what is a good writing goal? That all depends on your situation. Are you able to write every day? Then give it a shot. Is your life crammed to the brim with job and family and sports and music and anything else you can think of? Then set aside a few minutes here or there. Your brain and society might be screaming at you that it’s ‘not enough’, but ANY amount of writing is progress… especially if that’s the goal. If you’re only able to squeeze out 500 words per week, you’re already doing better than that person in line at the grocery store telling the cashier that “One day I’ll be an author.”
Next month, there’s another Camp Nano. During camps, you’re allowed to set your own goals (whether that be for writing or editing or any number of things possible to do during the month). Camps are great for learning what you can and can’t do in regards to your writing. It’s more relaxing than November… you can change your goals on the fly… you can start small and adjust to your needs… the myriad of things you can do for camp are endless.
Which leads me to something I addressed in a tweet thread the other day… if you write (no matter if it’s published, or for a blog/website, or fanfic, or just for yourself), you are an author. Period. So, if you’re using Aspiring Author, or Soon-to-be Author, or something similar to describe yourself on social media, or to other people… stop. You write, you’re an author.
So, back to the original question… how much should you write? Whatever you are able to. Learn your cans and can’ts and work with them to set an ‘attainable’ goal. If that’s 5 words a day, then hit that goal and shoot for more if you can. If that’s #write500wordsaday (like the hashtag trending on twitter), then go for it. Are you a speed-demon with your fingers on the keyboard? Shoot for 5K. Remember, it’s YOUR goal, not anyone else’s. It’s YOUR abilities and YOUR life you’re dealing with… adjust accordingly. Be proud of what you can do… writing is hard.
Well said. I also think it depends on what you’re working on (and like life, your ability to write is going to be dynamic – when you think you’ve hit that sweet spot of 1k a day and done it for two months, things can change once again). If you’re churning out a story that you’ve in love with, or even when you hit the hard parts but still kind of ‘know’ what you’re doing, hitting those goals might work out a lot better than when you’re searching for that next idea that’s going to grip you.