The best writing advice

Why you need to set word count goals

Some of the best writing advice I’ve ever received? That’s what I want to share with you today.

We are halfway through the month of June, which is halfway through the year, which puts us almost exactly in the middle of 2024. Perhaps it is time to pause, assess, reflect.

I’ve mentioned this before, writer friends: a writing life does not just happen. Productivity flows from intention, followed by action. For writers, that consists of what writers call “butt in chair”—sit down and just write. And keep track of your progress.

At the beginning of the year, we often set goals. As we stop to catch our breath in the middle, let’s consider our progress thus far.

Back in January, you thought you’d write your book this year. Or at least, complete a proposal with a sample chapter or two. How is that going?

I want to encourage you. You can do this. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible. You have something to say, and you can move toward your goals. In the words of Dr. Suess: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” (from Oh, The Places You’ll Go!)  

I’m currently working on a project that I’ve committed to finishing by September. Though autumn currently feels like a distant pumpkin-spiced dream, I know that to get 50,000 words written by the times the leaves start to turn, I must spend time with my butt in the chair here in the opening days of summer.

In her book, Making a Literary Life, Carolyn See suggests, among other things, writing 1000 words per day. This is perhaps one of the best pieces of writing advice I’ve ever heard—and one I share with every writer I coach or mentor. Last week I told you writers read. Her book should be on your list, it’s a classic. She shares lots of other brilliant but simple advice.

Anyway, I’ve set a schedule for myself to write 1000 words a day, five days a week, on just the aforementioned project.

I also write two newsletters a week (you’re reading one now that will clock in just under 800 words) and am also playing around with (that means drafting) a book proposal. So do the math, I’m writing a lot.

Read anything about goal setting, and you’ll soon encounter an important truth: goals must be measurable. If your goal is “to write a book” that’s great, but not measurable. And not very motivating.

A daily word goal allows you to see your progress, which often inspires you to keep going. It also lets you have an answer when nosy friends and family ask, “How’s the book coming?” and you can say, “I’ve got 10,000 words written.” (Although you don’t have to even mention to friends, or family, that you’re writing a book. In fact, that’s another piece of See’s sage advice: “keep it to yourself.” Don’t tell people you’re writing.)

Setting a daily word goal forces you to sit down and just write. It’s measurable. If I did not set word goals, I would never have written the approximately two dozen books I’ve written. The secret to writing productivity, at least for me, is setting word count goals.

But setting such specific goals also provide blessed relief. It sets a boundary, to let you know when you can stop. When you can say, that’s enough for today—which some writers have trouble saying.

Yesterday afternoon, I got to about 800 words on my project, and thought—ugg. I’m tired. I took a walk around the house, refilled my water bottle. I literally lay on the floor of my office and did the Wordle puzzle, holding my phone above my face. I considered a nap.

And then, I I gave myself a little pep talk: you don’t have to write forever. You can stop after 200 more words. Half a page. About five paragraphs. I promised myself a glass of chardonnay on the deck IF I got those last 200 words written.

I got up off the floor, having solved the Wordle in four guesses. Got back in my chair, stared at the screen of my laptop. I contemplated. I read what I had written so far. I’m at the rough draft stage, so the words don’t have to be perfect. They just need to get onto the page, one at a time. And eventually, they found their way there.

I wish there were an easier way to finish a book, but my best advice is simply: get your butt in the chair. Think, but don’t overthink. Just write. Hit “save” often. Write 1000 words a day.

In this, the middle of the middle of the year, take a minute to reflect on your writing goals. It’s not too late to adjust, or even to start.

Leave a comment. Tell us about your writing goals. How can this writing community encourage you?

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