tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post8652867980061115679..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: Do You Record Your Words Daily?Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-29833478442494490562014-09-03T17:22:15.254-05:002014-09-03T17:22:15.254-05:00Awesome! Just wondering, since I really enjoyed it...Awesome! Just wondering, since I really enjoyed it last year, and it really helped me keep writing. Sarah Penningtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06377945004067760298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-74391001796045159842014-09-03T11:06:00.385-05:002014-09-03T11:06:00.385-05:00Last year I would have thought this idea was crazy...Last year I would have thought this idea was crazy and guilt-inducing, but I'm totally on board with it now (I get what you're saying about different life seasons being conducive to different systems). :) I actually have a Word doc where I log words AND for this latest ms, I've a printed-out calender on my wall so I can physically write down my word count for the day. So motivating. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06150136011032761640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-45195707104079777152014-09-02T20:16:16.084-05:002014-09-02T20:16:16.084-05:00Very well said, Miri. Yes, word counts aren't ...Very well said, Miri. Yes, word counts aren't everything and that's a very valuable lesson to learn :) Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-47754113263551288392014-09-02T20:13:46.812-05:002014-09-02T20:13:46.812-05:00I might opt for the hot tub too if I was taking tr...I might opt for the hot tub too if I was taking trig :)Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-43812917117134239782014-09-02T20:12:16.664-05:002014-09-02T20:12:16.664-05:00I understand that. I'm at a place in edits tha...I understand that. I'm at a place in edits that's taking more time than I thought it would, but to do it well, I'll just have to work slower for a bit.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-45883157748544585902014-09-02T20:00:10.593-05:002014-09-02T20:00:10.593-05:00* Should be "I mean" after the em dash.* Should be "I mean" after the em dash.Miri Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-27702795131370864912014-09-02T19:58:09.424-05:002014-09-02T19:58:09.424-05:00During NaNo I had a daily goal. The good thing abo...During NaNo I had a daily goal. The good thing about my daily goal was that I wrote every day; without starting my first draft with NaNo I might have given up on it like I have others. The bad thing about my daily goal was that instead of making rapid progress on my story, I would spew forth weasel words, interior monologue, circular arguments between characters, extraneous descriptions, and even give characters ridiculous titles (Ex: Captain Cedric the Second. I called her uncle this every blessed time he came up in the narrative, lol. And once she found out he was her uncle, she would say that bear and then amend it to Uncle Cedric…), all for the sake of reaching that golden 1,667 words. <br /> <br />It was months before I stopped basing my productivity and performance off how many words I had written and started measuring progress by scenes and using the “systems rather than goals” approach from one of the posts on here. I don’t think those were wasted months, per say - mean, I no doubt improved with all the practice I did - but there were certainly wasted words.<br /><br />Maybe I’ll try weekly goals once I start second draft, if I can keep them firmly as guidelines, a means to an end. I’m busy enough this year that I can’t afford to let word count goals become stressful, and ultimately counter-productive, compulsive behaviors. <br />Miri Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-67394218677833007182014-09-02T18:11:04.133-05:002014-09-02T18:11:04.133-05:00When I'm writing and not editing, I always tra...When I'm writing and not editing, I always track my word count, sometimes by the hour if I'm productive. Now that school's in session, I definitely need a weekly goal. Because some days I'm working on trig for four hours, and other days I'm all "I'm getting in the hot tub!"MoreShipsThanTheNavynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-77304224714084429852014-09-02T16:09:51.307-05:002014-09-02T16:09:51.307-05:00I don't have any writing goals, but I do keep ...I don't have any writing goals, but I do keep a spreadsheet updated. It helps me see where I am with my story and to keep track of it as well. <br />I'm not very good at keeping goals, especially because, if I hit a point where I see I need more time then I had expected to fix that part of story, I will just do that and don't bother about any goals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-87994011511066596162014-09-02T16:04:38.936-05:002014-09-02T16:04:38.936-05:00She's yours for the taking, Whitney!She's yours for the taking, Whitney!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-13981954706867756082014-09-02T16:04:25.026-05:002014-09-02T16:04:25.026-05:00I agree. I like the grace built in to the weekly g...I agree. I like the grace built in to the weekly goal concept. It acknowledges that my days don't always go how I want!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-75377075833476075622014-09-02T16:03:57.256-05:002014-09-02T16:03:57.256-05:00It's definitely important to do what works for...It's definitely important to do what works for you. The goal is to motivate, not stress, so I'm glad you've found a way to do that!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-73767353824715808182014-09-02T15:34:48.125-05:002014-09-02T15:34:48.125-05:00I use a spreadsheet to keep track of my word count...I use a spreadsheet to keep track of my word count, too. I don't log every time I write, but I really like watching the word count grow!! <br /><br />I like your spreadsheet, Stephanie!! Is it alright if I borrow your format? At least use it for an idea generator? <br /><br />Thanks!Whitneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-14192310360401605532014-09-02T14:01:39.373-05:002014-09-02T14:01:39.373-05:00I need to set a weekly word goal, I think. It'...I need to set a weekly word goal, I think. It'll help not to have daily pressure when I'm swamped with homework....Hannah Bartahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16113296657540921039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-50701771440587118752014-09-02T11:44:21.811-05:002014-09-02T11:44:21.811-05:00I haven't/don't set a word count goal. I t...I haven't/don't set a word count goal. I think it would stress me out too much. I do have little goals throughout the day, though. They aren't as much word count goals as they are finish-this-scene goals. :)Emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-57679594520241229502014-09-02T11:39:10.610-05:002014-09-02T11:39:10.610-05:00I know, it's funny, isn't it? School messe...I know, it's funny, isn't it? School messes with schedules in all different ways. Roseanna homeschools her kids, so as I'm reclaiming my freedom, she's losing hers.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-42215342624454269552014-09-02T11:04:51.182-05:002014-09-02T11:04:51.182-05:00I loved how you this is such a fresh start in writ...I loved how you this is such a fresh start in writing for you, while all I keep thinking: Argggh college life is starting again!<br />I haven't worked with a spreadsheet like this before, but I'm going to try it out. Hopefully it will motivate me to push out some more writing in between college life. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15317792300616098592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-38289941010036060652014-09-02T10:31:55.692-05:002014-09-02T10:31:55.692-05:00I have a spreadsheet too. I have it set up to subt...I have a spreadsheet too. I have it set up to subtract from my overall word count goal. I always go long, though. Still, it makes me happy when I can see all the days I made my daily goal---then not so happy when I see all the days I missed. LOLJill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-12370367128635289182014-09-02T10:22:17.229-05:002014-09-02T10:22:17.229-05:00Spreadsheets make me happy :)Spreadsheets make me happy :)Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-18898568321149033192014-09-02T10:22:01.268-05:002014-09-02T10:22:01.268-05:00It really helps to motivate me when I'm workin...It really helps to motivate me when I'm working on a first draft. I'm glad you enjoyed the post!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-73759831087106856122014-09-02T10:21:31.329-05:002014-09-02T10:21:31.329-05:00How awesome! I think you have to consider the seas...How awesome! I think you have to consider the season of life as well. Like if it's a season where you have school + sports or school + the school play, a word goal might not be realistic.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-53018356921804445652014-09-02T10:20:37.202-05:002014-09-02T10:20:37.202-05:00Jill and I are going to be talking about that this...Jill and I are going to be talking about that this week. As of today, our kids are all back in school, which makes it a lot easier for us to think through those kinds of events :)Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-19067257567088730122014-09-02T10:19:43.855-05:002014-09-02T10:19:43.855-05:00It's really important to understand how you wo...It's really important to understand how you work best. Sounds like a great system, Ana!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-53347155664486727462014-09-02T10:08:09.098-05:002014-09-02T10:08:09.098-05:00This is a great idea! I don't have a word goal...This is a great idea! I don't have a word goal, but I might start doing that. I really like the spreadsheet. =)Emily Ann Putzkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03663345569249469554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-49013818091169185552014-09-02T09:50:58.772-05:002014-09-02T09:50:58.772-05:00I've never thought about doing a weekly word c...I've never thought about doing a weekly word count goal! That's a great idea. Daily word goals just seem to stress me out. I do have word goals, and a deadline I've set for myself - but I've never thought to keep track of how much I write.<br /><br />Thanks for the informative post, Stephanie!<br /><br />~L. MarshallL. Marshallnoreply@blogger.com