For your reconsideration: Word Counts
As some of you know, I am in a year-long writing collective called Parakeet. My Parakeet project is to create a first draft of my manuscript. One of the most helpful things has been something simple that I've never used before: word count goals.
It may surprise some of you to learn that I've never used them. I simply didn't find them useful for my work because I had other goals in mind: finish a close reading, create a literature review, read this book, describe this problem. I also had typically heard of word count goals as daily goals. The goals seemed too small to feel satisfactory given the large nature of my projects. I fully supported others who used them, but I didn't think they were for me.
This missive may be about word counts. It is also about setting realistic and attractive goals for yourself. What strategy hasn't worked for you before that you might be willing to try for this project or this part of an old project?
My word count goal was 5K words from January til May. Then for June, July, and August, I've upped the ante to 15K, 10K, and 10K respectively. For the rest of the year, excluding December, the goal is 5K words per month. It may speak to the energy of this project that 5K doesn't feel like a lot. It may also be naivete on my part.
I think it is the fact that the word count is a monthly goal rather than a daily one. I have 28, 30 or 31 days to get there. That way each day that I write feels like a success.
That said, I found the word counts energizing because when I met them, I did not feel guilty about reading. Sometimes, when I am reading for a project, I think to myself I should be doing something else. I have thought this even when I know I need the information the books have to offer me. But, reading is such a fundamental part of the writing process, and truth be told it feels a very hungry part of my curiosity.
When I didn't meet the word count (April truly is the cruelest month), I found myself excited that I had gotten close, built momentum, and knew where I was going. Sure, I was disappointed. But, with a year in view, I felt quite assured that I could get to the first draft I wanted.
I don't have to like all the words. In fact, what I think of the words is not my business. I can deal with how I feel about them when I edit or when I receive feedback. But, that day is not here. The only task for the day is moving the needle closer to that monthly word count.
What strategy might you reconsider for your writing project?