Word count

Does anyone else feel the desire/need to report their daily/weekly word counts? Or do you think that could lead to jealousy/frustration? I don't really want to talk about my WIP until it's finished (at least to a 2nd draft state, I think), at least not about any of the specifics. General questions like 'How do I make the pace faster?' I don't mind, but in the past whenever I discussed the plot or the characters to any great extent, I've come to griding halt and been unable to go any further (I think it's some weird psychological thing, where I feel that it's no longer mine, because someone else has had some input, even if it's just listening and nodding!).

However, I have this desire to tell people how many words I managed to write today - or this week, or whatever. Not sure where that comes from. Maybe it's just because I'm feeling particularly happy about finally being able to sit down and write for a length of time, rather than just mulling it all over in my head too much.

Perhaps I should just post my word count in my live journal and leave it at that. But if anyone else feels the same way, maybe we could make this the word count thread? And it could be an ego-massaging thread, too - with people saying 'Well done! That's fantastic, keep at it.' or something along those lines?

Or feel free to completely ignore me if this sounds silly!

Incidentally, my word count today is 1614 (only 4997 total for this particular WIP, but I'm feeling confident it's going to go up fast now I'm getting better at BIC). So far, anyway, I may write some more after I've got in a few hours of work.

Check here. Might be just what you're looking for. Your WIP does not have to be humor, btw.

Yup Tasha. Join the WPR. We report our progress and set our goals over the weekend. Then Barb either gives you a star or her taser depending on if you've been a good boy or girl, or a bad one. We egg each other on there as well.

That's one thing we do in my writers group as well--a daily word count.

A little competition is good and I don't think anyone has ever been >: about someone else's count.

Shawn

Thanks Cindy and Maestro - I have posted my goals there, and now feel the need to keep to them. Unfortunately, I have to do some 'real' work at the moment, otherwise the mortgage won't get paid.

With most things, I'm pretty awful at keeping to self-made deadlines (but very good at keeping to them for work), so I think it will help to have an extra incentive.

I feel the same way to a certain degree. I don't like to discuss it too much, but if i can get advice I will gladly discuss a certain situation.

:rollin

HI....Mind if i joy this mad world of encouragement?

I have a self deadline of March, 2005 to get this book done.

I have no problem writting it.....but it will be hard to make it to the low end word count.

Mine is a crime book, and 60,000 is the lowest they like from what i have been told. 50,000 looks realistic and 45,600 is my count now.

Thanks for all your advice....it feels like family.

Good luck to alllll of you....~~Wendy~~:rollin

telling

Tasha! Guess what?

Hemingway didn't tell people what he was working on either. There's a famous quote but I can't recall it just now.

Other well-knowners are/were the same way. You're in Nobel Prize company.

Reporting word counts--sometimes yes, sometimes no; only to myself. In my early days as novelist I vaguely recall enjoying reporting in to living humans, but now that I'm addicted, telling myself is enough when I'm pursuing a deadline. Whatever it takes.

Re: telling

Wendy: Sounds like you're well on track to reach your deadline. Good luck with it.

Gala: Ooh, Nobel Prize company! That's nice. Somehow I don't think the kind of stuff I write would get me one of them, though<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif" />!