Set + meet weekly writing targets!

[Brian G Turner]

This thread is dedicated to those of us looking to meet weekly writing targets.

Why? Because everyone in the industry seems to think it's a good idea. Especially to help meet future deadlines.

So, I'm spending a lot of time editing and rewriting my main WIP, but I started the sequel a while back. I still have to finalise the structure, but I have a good idea of at least some of the conflict arcs and main scenes I need to write.

Because it's taken me so long with book 1, I want to ensure that I am well advanced in writing book 2 when I solicit for an agent.

So, without further ado, my weekly target is 5,000 words.

It looks initially modest, because on a single good day, I can write a few thousand words of bad writing, easily. Trouble is, I spend far more days writing nothing.

Every Sunday night I will revisit this thread to show progress to date.

I expect others to join me and do the same - set your weekly target to something you think you can achieve, no matter how small - and let's stick to it.

And if 5k words is too high for me, I'll change my target accordingly.

Who's in?

The clock has started ticking.

 

[Ashleyne]

I'm in. I normally set weekly targets when I'm writing, anyways. I usually set my target at 7,000 words per week; however, it may take some time for me to figure out how to get from chapter 4 to chapter 6, so I'm setting myself a target of 5,000 words.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Isn't that what the existing word counter thread is for, Brian?

 

[Juliana]

Isn't that what the existing word counter thread is for, Brian?

I'm guessing Brian means it as general targets, not just word count? So, for instance, my goal for this week is to begin re-writing the first few chapters of wip. No word count targets, but I'd like to get through the first three chapters.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Isn't that what the existing word counter thread is for, Brian?

I wanted a thread that was about keeping a specific pace - not just general word counts.

That means that anyone joining must try and keep their target every week - and if unable to, adjust it accordingly to achievable levels.

This thread is about pushing us more. Well, at least, myself, and inviting anyone who wants to do likewise.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Can I use it a slightly different way - can I use it to keep my writing in check? Only I gave myself three weeks to review a book and did it in 5 days - it might be a good way to reclaim some leisure. Also, I have to be crytic as I'm not allowed to name wips online.

So, WW, I'd like to revisit the planning and review/add to the first 15,000 words, so that I have the first quarter complete.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Go for it! This thread is about now officially about hitting targets!

(Just realised I've got to push on my planning more so I can know which scenes to attempt each week!)

 

[Phyrebrat]

I think this is a great - and welcome idea, Brian, as I have finally committed to focusing on just one of my wips.

I'm in!

pH

 

[Brian G Turner]

Took a while to get focused today. So many notes, structure not clear, and I had a few early QABNs I could have worked with. In the end decided to try and complete a draft of a scene I'd started last night, to put it behind me.

1144 words, which is fine for the pace I want, and I'll stop there tonight.

Rough work, felt too wordy at the end, but can cut that back.

Will need to really start pushing my notes into shape to allow for this pace to continue, even in the short term.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I'm flipping between a fileblock plotting a new section and the Chrons.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Only 975 words tonight, but it's still on target.

A weakly written scene, though. It needs a lot more character experience and conflict adding in - but as the scene is very short so far, that's fine enough - plenty of space to revise later.

Am going to print out all my notes for WIP2 - almost 40k words and 100 pages. I intend to cut up the pages into individual notes, then sort into perceived acts. Then try and sort further into scenes. Otherwise, I'll not be able to keep pace in the short term.

Keeping organised so far, but it's been a long time since I did anything but rewriting on WIP1.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Oooh, forgot about updating this. Reviewed the first three chapters (c4000 words), including some significant rewriting and some smoothing. Tomorrow I have RL work but hope to skive enough to get another three chapters done, which will get me to the new section I need to write.

 

[svalbard]

Does procrastinating over a keyboard count?

 

[AnyaKimlin]

I'm working on some comedy sketches (dialogue) because I need to produce 4 pages for a BBC course I went on. The prize is rather fab. So two or three sketches a day?

 

[TheDustyZebra]

So Brian and Ashelyne want to write at least 5000 words per week, and springs wants to write no more than 50,000 words per week? Got it.

And Phyrebrat wants to write on the wrong blinking project. This will never do.

Svalbard and I want to procrastinate over keyboards. We're all set, then.

 

[Phyrebrat]

So Brian and Ashelyne want to write at least 5000 words per week, and springs wants to write no more than 50,000 words per week? Got it.

And Phyrebrat wants to write on the wrong blinking project. This will never do.

Svalbard and I want to procrastinate over keyboards. We're all set, then.

I came here to update my stats and also I realised I had not said that I was going to join Brian and Ashelyne on 5k per week (although I think I can do more) and I see this ...this.... shenanigannery from you!

So, TDZ... how do you know I'm not working on The Headstones of Bossington, hmmm? Go on, answer me!

See, you can't ...

So now how do you feel?

Stats
Yesterday: 1370
Today:339 (so far - going to try till 1AM)

pH

^ is working on Ill-born

 

[Jo Zebedee]

So Brian and Ashelyne want to write at least 5000 words per week, and springs wants to write no more than 50,000 words per week? Got it.

And Phyrebrat wants to write on the wrong blinking project. This will never do.

Svalbard and I want to procrastinate over keyboards. We're all set, then.

Drill sergeant Dusty, you have it correct, Ma'am!

 

[Nerds_feather]

Think you all write a lot faster than I do

 

[Phyrebrat]

I didn't get much more done yesterday and today hasn't been much better.

Stats
yesterday: 375
today: 495

I'm having a 'your writing is $@&!, your idea is $@&!, your characters are $@&!' day today and doubt is creeping up.

Got to silence that inner judge and write more tomorrow. I'm just sick to death of writing in a 9 year old's POV, especially as she's not having a very pleasant family life.

Tomorrow's target is to finish this scene and get to the bit I want to write when the family discover the reason their boiler isn't working is because a load of minnows have inexplicably appeared inside it and been poached.

pH

 

[Juliana]

I'm not doing too well, so far. 1/2 a chapter out of the three I promised to revise for this week. But I have a little writing time tomorrow, so lets see...