How to Write Faster and Reach Word Count Goals
Time Management Goals for Writers During NaNoWriMo and Every Month
Nov 1, 2009
Block writing, sometimes called writing in chunks, is an effective way to get words on paper fast. When writing a first draft, the goal should be to get the story written, and not to worry about editing. There are many tools for writing, but two of the best time management tools for writing are a timer and a schedule.
Schedule Time to Write
The first thing a writer should do if meeting a deadline, such as in NaNoWriMo, or when meeting a publisher’s deadline, is setting goals and objectives. These goals include word count and time writing.
The only way to reach a word count goal is to sit down and write. Scheduling time during the day for creating a story is essential. The time does not have to be in one block. It can be in small blocks of 15 or 20 minutes at a time.
The speed at which one can write will determine how much time to set aside each day. If a goal of 1,500 words is desired, and one can produce 500 words an hour, a quite respectable level, then three hours will be required to meet the daily goal. This can be broken up into several writing sessions.
Using a Timer to do Block Writing
Writing sessions should be planned during times when there are no interruptions. This may be early in the morning, late at night, on lunch breaks, or even for a few minutes at a library. Interruptions also include telephone, Internet, e-mail, and social media. Turning all these off will make writing productivity during these times much higher.
Set a timer for the allotted time. There is something psychologically stimulating about knowing that a timer will ring when the session is over. It encourages the writer not to waste time and not to quibble over words. The main goal during that time is getting the words written to meet the goal.
Write or Die Online Writing Productivity Tool
Another productivity tool to use for block writing help is the Write or Die online timer. It allows a writer to put in a word goal, set a writing timer, and begin typing in an online text box. Once the timer goes off, the word count is calculated, and the author knows immediately if the goal was reached.
The benefit of using this online writing productivity tool is that the timer and word count is visible during the entire session. Having the timer and word count in view at all times, keeps the writer from wasting time. If the typing stops for more than a few seconds, the screen flashes in color to warn the writer to keep going. It's an unforgiving prod, but it's an excellent way to keep the words flowing.
Dr. Wicked, the creator of the Write or Die application, is also on Twitter as @DrWicked. Of course, one doesn’t want to follow his tweets while trying to meet a writing goal.
Word Wars With Other Writers
Staying on target with a daily writing goal can be hard to do alone. Forming writing groups that meet in chat rooms and have word wars is another way to meet word count goals. When a writer makes an appointment with other writers to have a word war, it's a big motivator. The word wars don't allow time for editing, allowing the story to pour out and the word count to go up.
Using block writing, scheduled writing time, a timer, word wars with other writers, and online productivity tools like Write or Die will help a writer meet the goal of 50,000 words in one month during NaNoWriMo. Even when it isn't National Novel Writing Month, these tools will keep a writer productive, helping him to churn out the words that will eventually turn into a novel.
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