1,000 Words a Minute?

When I read a guide on writing it suggested that it is better to write consistently rather than in spurts. So it is better to write a little every day than cram it all into weekend.

Well the daily writing target is 1,000 words a day, which when you look at it knocks your socks off. Let me get that straight 1,000 words. Okay one thousand words. I can't even think of 1,000 words let alone write them down. But oddly you can. I did a check this morning, and 1,000 words is 2 pages of A4, single spaced and Times New Roman font size 12.

So all things being equal its not THAT hard to attain. I mean two pages, it doesnt have to anything more than draft ideas or dialogue.

As a suitable example this blog I wrote today is 159 words long, so Im already 16% of the way through my writing target for the day.

Writing Duo

Spoke to my writing partner/muse Luke Openshaw who has taken on the monumentous task of reviewing and commenting on my writing. Being a busy writer of a novel and screenplay/director and having him spend time with me is valuable and I am proud to have him. If nothing else, even at this early stage I want him to write my foreward. The golden rule in writing is to write what you know, so I have been doing my research to increase my knowledge so it doesn't look like I'm blagging chapters. But the other golden rule (maybe a silver, you can't have 2 golden rules), is you should aim to write 1,000 words a day. Based on that a typical author should be able to pump out a 400,000 word draft novel every year. Consistency rather than cramming is the secret. I have no control over my mood or writing creative process, if it comes, if it happens then I write, which can be odd if you are somewhere you cannot really write, like when Im in the shower, toilet or at work! I'm under pressure, to get that first draft done, and Ive set November 2006 as the target. Once the first book is out of the way, I'm hoping that there will be interest in me writing further books. Which is a compliment, but they themselves have deadlines and expectations. And coming full circle, this is where Luke Openshaw comes in. He has already had a taste of agents and publishers in the book and screenplay arenas, and I'm hoping he will guide me through the process and steer me away from the time-wasters.

Writing Developments

Again more of an update than anything else.
I have formatted all my chapters for editing and reviewing purposes (double-spacing) which I found last night on the train ride home immensley useful for writing whole sentences within a chapter as well as rewording sections. It makes printing a little more expensive, but seeing as its done at work, no apparent harm done.

I have also been doing some research in my writing and been reading about the Spanish Galleons and the Hollywood myth and legend surrounding the vessel, and it also makes the English defeat of the Spanish Armada not quite so impressive.

I have also been toying with an introduction to the book, as well as some appendices to help readers who dont want to get bogged down in explanation. Im also wanting a foreword to be written to, but Ive got to finish the first draft yet before that can even happen.

I went back and had a quick read of my first chapter, and enjoyed reading it again, wanting to make sure the tone of the novel carries on throughout the entire piece.

Anyway, Im approaching the mythical 400,000 words target, as I have written 68,000 words in only 5 chapters, and there are 26+ to go.

Biting off Too Much

One of my realisations and concerns is the thought of having bitten off too much to do on my first attempt. By that I mean are my aspirations set too high for this Orchid project. Well yes and no.

Firstly I dont see myself as a professional writer, and once the Orchid has been written, apart from sequels or spin-offs, I dont realistically see any future for me as a writer once I have completed this.

So I am writing to finish the draft, then I'll put it out for reviewing by people I trust. While it is being reviewed etc... I shall spur myself forward to studying writing techniques and learning the craft of writing.

Once this has been done, Ill go back to the book and continue with a 2nd draft using all the skills I've learnt. I believe I have this story inside, but once told, I dont see anything else.

I know current wisdom says you must write short stories and progress up to the big novel, but that pathway isnt really for me.

Writing Progress 2

60,000 words so far, and on target for 374,000 word novel.

Words Make Sentences

As advised by the ljgenie in furture I shall post both page counts, but more importantly word counts. As I love playing around with numbers, Ill also include reference information with regards to whether or not my book counts as a short story, a novel or a huge bestseller.

I highly recommend the ljgenie, better than google and nicer too.

Having gotten an answer to my previous question, I can now write on with confidence... and will hopefully post an update shortly.