Do you use word count goals?

[serria]

Do you set word goals for yourself - if so, how many words? Do you find word goals distracting, and focus only on getting scenes down? Or do you tend to just write whenever and how much feels natural for you, without thinking about daily goals?

For me, I never used to think about word counts or anything until I became really involved in fanfiction for a particular series. A fanfic writer friend would always talk about word goals, whether her goal for the day, or an ultimate goal for a fic. When I started thinking about it, it became a compulsion to check my word count every couple of sentences of paragraphs. Now, I don't do word counts at all, unless I'm checking how long a particular chapter is when I'm done with it.

I know they can be a useful way to push yourself to write, especially during NaNoWriMo (or similar events), but what do you think? Are they helpful for you?

Comments

[siofrabunnies]

I can't do words-per-day type goals. I've always found them to be more pressuring than helpful. If I have a goal, I end up getting more concerned with the numbers than the words.

I'm really jealous of people who can work with that kind of system. I get rather not enough writing done, in the end, and it seems that people who set these kinds of goals get more down than I do.

Total word counts can be better, because I don't feel like I have to get it all out right now! And I generally don't get so concerned about the number. Once I've gotten everything down, I'm usually happy with the numbers. If I'm not happy, I can always add to it.

[sarillia]

That's funny, words-per-day type goals work well for me but I can't do total word counts.

[serria]

I think that's how I am, too. When I started even considering words (as opposed to general length), I get too fixated, my quality goes down, everything reads less natural and writing feels like a chore instead of something I do for fun.

But on the other hand, I think there is something to be said about sitting down and writing, whether or not you feel inspired. It forces you to work your way through lazy periods or writer's block, and in the end, whether or not it's good, you've still produced something.

Still, these days, I try to think about my accomplishments in terms of scenes, or at least, number of pages as opposed to words. Stops me from checking my word count every couple of minutes.

[siofrabunnies]

Writing by scenes is a great thing. It gets me thinking about ideas, and helps me make sure the words naturally go with the story. I find I do a whole lot less editing, too.

[sarillia]

I think my problem with writing by scene is that I never know how long my scenes are going to be. When I say "okay I'm going to sit down and write another 500 words", I know exactly how close I am to that goal all the time. But when I tell myself that I'm going to write a scene, I have no idea when I'm halfway through or whatever because I'm just terrible at gauging these things. I never know how long my stories are going to be either and it stresses me out to try to make them a certain length.

[inkdust]

I find that scenes are terrible about changing partway through and suddenly being longer than I expected or else running out and leaving me wondering what else should happen or if that spot works as an ending. Plus, if I'm getting tired but the scene isn't done yet, I'll start trying to rush an end for it, which is guaranteed not to turn out well.