Kathy asks: How Many Pages Do YOU Write a Day?
I’ve been writing and learning my craft for more years than I care to remember. When I first entered the writing arena, I listened intently when someone talked about how they went about writing their book. I wanted the “secret” - you know, the easy way to write a book. Ha!
One of the most important things I learned was that most writers measure their work output by pages written per day. Not by how much time they spend doing the deed. So, over the years I’ve listened to a number of published authors speaking about how many pages need to be written each day to be a successful author.
I’ve taken hope from the authors who point out that if I only write one page a day, at the end of a year I’ll have a finished book. I’ve been inspired by the author who disclosed that if I wrote five pages a day that in a year’s time I would have written two single-title, and two category books. And then there was the author who shook up my world by divulging that I needed to write twenty pages a day to be successful in this business. Yikes!
So, my question to you today is: How many pages do YOU write a day? Are you successful with your daily output? Do you have a day job, and if so, how do you fit in your writing time?
September 14th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Kathy, I also measure my output by pages per day or pages per week. Since I write category, my books are about 260 manuscript pages and I usually need to write one in about 4 months, which means I must write about 65 pages per month or about 16-20 pages each week. Some days I’ll crank out 10 pages; i.e. this week I wrote 20 pages in 4 days and I didn’t do any writing this weekend. I do have a day job, so I do a lot of my writing at night (after the kids’ homework and soccer practices) and I can do some writing during the day as well. I find that if I think through the scenes and dialogue write during the day, the actual writing comes quickly when I do sit down at the computer. Setting goals really helps, and I belong to an online goals group where we chart our progress.
September 14th, 2009 at 4:31 am
I keep track of my writing in pages per day or week, but I haven’t found a way yet to organize my work so that there is a consistent page count each week. Near the beginning of a book, I write pages and pages of notes but only a few pages of prose per day. Near the end when I can see the final pages in my head, I write 15-20 pages per day. Usually the page count is in the middle, about 5-10 per day. This doesn’t seem to vary much if I’m working full-time or part-time on my writing. My brain can get a certain amount done and then it’s like pulling teeth to do more. (But measuring hours spent gives me fewer written pages; I tried once, but don’t do it that way anymore.) I’ve finally decided to embrace my own process and use the Japanese business model of “kaizen” to try to make small improvements to my process all the time. Just thought of a tweak today that might get more words on the page quicker.
Nice blog, Kathy!
September 14th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Hi Kathy. I don’t base my output on pages, but on words. I try to write at least 1,500 words each time. Sometimes it’s more, sometimes less, but I’m happy if I can get to at least 7,500 at the end of the week. It may not be any good, but at least it’s a starting point. LOL.
September 14th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Hi, Kathy!
I have difficulty writing every day because my day job takes up a lot of time and energy. But, I do try to get a little writing done one or two evenings a week and I write on the weekends. Thankfully, my job does allow me every other Friday off right now, so I often write on my free Friday. Generally, I aim for 10-15 pages per week. This weekend, I tried for 20, but life got in the way, so I’m trying to be mindful not to go overboard.
I have times where I can write 25,000 words in two weeks and I have times where I can barely write 5 pages in one week. I would like to standardize my process at some point, so that I can consistently write 10 pages a week or whatever the goal may be.
September 14th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Hey Kathy!
Before this summer, I would have said I write between 5 and 10 pages a day. But I had a couple months this summer where I did 20 pages a day - the words were flowing, I had no day job, and the stories just poured out of me. That was a very nice space to be in. I’ve been desperately trying to get back there ever since. And no, I’m not published yet.
In general, I aim for between 5 and 10 pages a day.
September 14th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I do know a few prolific writers, but my output seems to be one chapter a week, so I’ve learned to stop beating myself up about it. And yes, I am published.
And hey — I just read that Dan Brown took 6-years to write The Lost Symbol (follow-up to The DaVinci Code) so let’s not be too hard on ourselves!
Leigh
September 14th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I work full time in a convenience store so no writing at work, well last night I hand wrote a computer paper page scrawled down the page. My writing on unlined paper tends to look like it’s falling off the page. Usually I just write what I can when I can. At night after I get off at 11 pm works well for me sometimes before work on Saturday and Sunday when I work the overnight shift. I tried to set a goal for this month of 2,000 words per day but life interfered and I’m doing good to write anything. My husband has had numerous doctor appointments and was in the hospital and will find out what type and how many cancer treatments he will undergo tomorrow. I was shooting for 60,000 words for Unleash Your Story for cystic fibrosis. I long for time to just sit and write lol.
September 14th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Hi Kathy!
Twenty pages a day? Not happening with me. First, my fingers won’t work that fast! Second, my brain won’t either! Okay, maybe I could do that many. I’ve done 15 in a day, but I’m afraid those 20 pages would be garbage and I’d end up spending way too much time rewriting them. I personally would rather take a little more time thinking it through and less time having to fix it later on. Don’t get me wrong, I spend my fair share of time fixing. I don’t need to add to that burden!! Anyway, I don’t count pages. I just write. If I get one sentence,or 15 pages it doesn’t matter, just so long as I’m happy with what I’ve written. Now, if an editor would deem me worthy of putting pressure on,as in - give me a deadline - I’m sure I would feel differently!!!
Happy writing!
September 15th, 2009 at 3:15 am
Hi Kathy,
I have a day job and am not published yet. I make sure to write every single day without fail. If I don’t, I get very grumpy. If I’m writing that day (as opposed to rewrites) I can get anywhere between 1500 and 5000 words (6-20 pgs but I can only do the higher numbers on a weekend day with the husband and kids not around). I think everyone should do exactly what they’re happy doing… whatever it takes so they enjoy the process without feeling pressured and overworked. If it’s not fun and doesn’t fulfill us, why would we want to do it?
September 15th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Carol;
Thank you for commenting. This is so enlightening to me. The fact you work full-time and have children to take to various events, plus all the other household duties and still write three books a year…wow! It tells me I could/should be doing more.
September 15th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Hi KittyB!
Thank you for your comments. I do agree that everyone has their process. For me, my process changes from book to book. I do like the idea of changing for the better…even if it’s slowly.
September 15th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Hi Adrienne!
Hmmm. I hadn’t thought of just going by word count. That’s an interesting concept and one I may consider. After all, publishers figure by words, makes sense for the writers to do so as well. Thanks!
September 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Hi Vivienne!
That darn day job. That’s what gets in my way. You’re doing a better job than I am of controlling that particular beast. I too am looking for a way of standardizing my output - hence the blog post. Thanks!
September 15th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Hi Christine!
Can I just say flat out I’m jealous? I’ve had a few brief moments in my writing process where I’ve had the words just flow. But to have that experience for several months! You lucky girl! At the next LARA meeting, may I rub your arm???
September 15th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Hi Leigh!
Ah, the voice of reason. I do take comfort in the fact it took a big writer six years to write a book. Tells me we’re alike in some ways. Now if we were only alike in our bank accounts…
September 15th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Hi Kathy!
As I read your post I had so many things running through my head. So here they are: First, I applaud your commitment to writing, but please keep your head up at work and watch for robbery suspects! I know how often convenience stores get robbed, so please be careful.
With your husband’s illness, (I wish him the best), I am amazed you have the mental fortitude to get any writing done.
I figure we all would like that one time where we sit down to write and it’s quiet, the house is clean, dinner is already made, and nothing else needs to be done. I’ve been writing over ten years and have yet to have that moment
Thank you for writing - I admire your determination.
September 15th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hi Dolores!
Well, see? That’s the beauty of being a writer. The way to complete the journey is as individual as fingerprints.
With a day job, there is no way I’ll be able to do 20 pages a day. Five would be a stretch. But what I’m realizing is that I’m drifting along not getting as much done as I think I am.
I’m so grateful for everyone’s insight!
September 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Hi Cecilia!
You’ve hit the nail on the head. If you’re not enjoying the process, why bother?
It’s interesting to me to read that you get grumpy if you don’t write. I don’t get grumpy, but I do feel pressured…like I’m not completing something on my “to do” list. And my to do list is so very long.
You’ve got me thinking!
September 15th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I want to thank everyone who took the time to reply to my blog post. I actually thought this was a rather elementary subject to blog about, but as you can see, we got some very interesting insights.
Thank you so much! I hope to see you at my site again!