Just over a month ago my friend Kate and I began our challenge to email each other 500 words every week of the new novels we were about to start – and, I’m happy to report, it is spurring us both on.
Last week I sent her the final part of my draft chapter 1 – that’s 4,100 words (we’ve both been managing well over the 500 target most weeks).
My intention had been to post it here each Friday but it soon became clear that the way I write (a bit off the cuff, to put it mildly) means that I need to keep going back and tweaking this bit or that to make it all fit together so it just wouldn’t work.
Having that Friday deadline has really helped me crack on – maybe it’s the journalist in me needing something to work to? Poor Kate even managed to write when she had a horrible cold and was feeling awful so I think it’s helping her too.
What’s more I still have plenty of enthusiasm for my story (I’m even dreaming about it) and, so far, I know where it’s going and what I need to write next.
Here are a couple of things I’ve learned in the process (most of these seem obvious now but were something of a revelation at the time):
READ: In the past I’ve said “Right, I only have time for one or the other. I need to stop reading so I can write.” And that’s been really bad for my creativity. The joy of the 500 word target is that I do have (limited) time for both (hopefully you’re not getting fed up with the reviews). Reading other books, even of a different genre, while writing has inspired me to push forward with my story.
THINK: Another great thing about having a low word count is that it still allows what I call thinking time. Before I was in that MUST. WRITE. mentality whereas now I can spend a bit of time thinking about what I am writing and where it’s going. I’m finding that the words are flowing better than ever because I have thought more about where I am going with it.
SWITCH OFF: The ping of a notification is like a drug to me. I just can’t seem to leave them unread. I didn’t realise just how distracting it was until I turned them all off when I sat down to write. Maybe I should turn them off more often, just imagine what I’d get done!
So that’s our update, how is your writing going?
After The Rain 
That sounds like a really good idea 🙂 I am glad to hear it is going well! I am trying to write what I can when I can, and that seems to be working at the moment, but I have to say I haven’t yet found what suits me. Best of luck in your continued writing
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I’m glad you’re also doing well. I imagine having an editor look at it must have been a huge help, although rather terrifying too? 🙂 Thanks for your support.
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Oh yes terrifying! 🙂 but worth it!
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That is very cool you are writing a book (which I am assuming it is a passion of yours). You’re approach sounds like a great one – consistency and accountability. Switching off is the key to all productivity I think.
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Thanks, Jane. It is a loooooong-held ambition. Hopefully this is the one. I know it sounds daft but I had no idea just how disruptive notifications were (or how my concentration dips).
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Congratulations! I have my plot in place, I promise to sign up for NaNoWriMo tomorrow. Also I’m loving your book reviews, bravo for NetGalley
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Thank you! I’m very excited for your NaNo. Part of me wishes I was doing it again but I think it’s just too much at the mo.
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