So, as I've navigated my way around the lovely blogger universe, I've noticed a theme on other writer's blogs.
People keep track of how far along they are in their WIPs and how many words a day they write and how much time they spend writing/editing/staring blankly at the screen....etc. Huh. I also discovered you can keep track of how many people view your profile, read each blog post, etc. Hmm.
I don't do any of these things. I have no idea how long a WIP is going to be, so how can I know I am 80% done or whatever? When I write, I write til I don't feel like writing anymore or I've finished a scene or I have something else to do. I don't set writing goals. I have a valid fear that setting goals and then not meeting them will be detrimental to my self-esteem.
I think if I kept track of how many (or, um, few) people look at my blog I would turn into a dejected basket-case, and again, take a blow to my confidence.
But I'm curious, does keeping track of how much you write and/or how many people visit your blog and/or setting goals (daily, weekly, monthly?) work for you? If so, why?
3 comments:
I used to track the blog stuff, but right now I don't. It's important if you are prioritizing platform-building, but when I was doing that it killed my writing, so I stopped.
I definitely keep track of my word count, though I don't really report it on my blog. Sometimes I update on Twitter. I've learned that it helps me be more intentional and deliberate about my writing, if I I have that.
It's a guess. I know it's not going to be short, and I won't let it get too long. So I threw 90K out there as my approximate end-point for Sublimation. Today, as I wrapped up part one, I hit right about 51K. So in terms of structuring the story, I have an idea of how much time I want to spend on what's left.
I avoid universal prescriptions and proscriptions, but personally intentionally like that has been a major help in thinking of myself as and behaving as a professional writer rather than a wannabe. May not be the same for everyone.
I've tried to set writing goals, but it always backfires. In the end, I write when I have time and when the ideas are flowing. Sometimes I write a page or two and other times I can knock out an entire chapter. I try not to stress. As far as keeping track of my blog...I'm with you, that would just stress me out!
Doesn't work for me. Maybe in the summer, when I don't have to work, but not when I'm constantly busy and having to fit writing in wherever I can.
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