Am I writing at a good enough pace?

Question

I've been writing stories creatively since I was in the sixth grade. Of course, writing in the past was easier since I was a bad writer, and it's easy to write anything badly. I've become more proficient in recent years and have been working on my first seriously minded novel. My problem is that I seem to only be able to write a little bit each day, and as strange as it sounds my comfort zone for writing is between 1AM and 3AM. I write anywhere between a half hour and two hours each day six days a week, probably averaging an hour a night. This is only through my first draft. I'm about half way through at 35000 chars. I'd like to finish it completely before I turn 20, which is in about 14 months. Can I write at this pace and still be finished by around then, or will I have to start writing more each day to be done anywhere near that time? I'm a perfectionist so I'll make probably 5 readthough revisions at the least. I'd appreciate any suggestions at how I could write for longer each day

Edit: meant 35,000 words not chars. Helpful answers so far. I'm just asking someone who is maybe a more experienced writer if my pace is too slow to finish this book anywhere near my deadline. I made the deadline, because it helps me write more. Writing is fustrating, so I have to have ways to motivate myself.

Answer 1

You're normal, or at least as normal as you can be considering you're a writer. ;) I myself find the creative juices flowing most freely in the wee hours of the morning as well.

But I'm with the ones you say you're being a teensy bit hard on yourself with this deadline. You're only 19, for heaven's sake, and even the pros will sometimes take a year or two or more to write a novel. Producing good work requires a slow and careful process. So don't worry about becoming a prodigy. Just worry about doing the best work you can do--you owe it to yourself and to your craft.

Answer 2

It's not as much about writing longer as it is about writing regularly. Your question's a math problem, but there's one unknown too many - more precisely, what is the average amount of characters you manage to pen down in the 2 hours you feel most comfortable writing?

14 months multiplied by an average of 30 days each, minus 14 (the days you're not writing), and get 406.

Take that, and multiply it by the average number of characters you write a day. If it's over 35000 (the *other* half of your novel), you'll make it. If not, you probably should write a little bit more often.

Answer 3

Everyone's pace is different. Everyone works differently. Nelson de Mille still prefers to write in longhand. I like your hours. I write between about 1 or 2 and 5 or 6 am myself. With a nap earlier in the evening. I write around 1500 to 2000 words a night easily. Do whatever is comfortable for you. Of course, there are many nights I write nothing at all, being deeply involved in research. Just work on doing the best job you can and dont worry about how long it takes. It will happen. Pax - C.

Answer 4

the hardest things about writing are getting started and sticking with a steady pace. you seem to have accomplished both of those things wonderfully, so i wouldn't worry. if you keep writing diligently everyday i'm sure you will acheive your goal quicker than you imagine. twelve hours a week is amazing. i wish i had your drive. i'm also trying to write seriously but am having a tough time setting and keeping a pace. don't get discouraged, just keep writing. also, don't worry too much about editing and revising at this stage. just get everything down first. the second draft will be where you clean everything up.

check out "This year you write your novel" by Walter Mosley. it's inspirational and practical at the same time.

Answer 5

Some people take literally years to write a book. I guess you can answer your own question by averaging out the number of words you write at night and divide your target amount of words by that. Then allow yourself plenty of time for the re-write. You say you are super critical, be careful you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. You might consider some outside help on this, perhaps a critical review by someone you know and trust. Then you might also consider someone doing your proofreading for you. Couldn't hurt.

Answer 6

It sounds like you have an editor sitting on your shoulder when you are writing your first draft. Being able to write terrible first drafts is important. I type at the top "First Draft" so it allows me to just keep going, don't go back to fix anything, just keep yourself going. Have you tried National Novel Writing Month- NaNoWriMo in November? You will chase away your first draft editor for sure if you participate and "win". Tonight try typing non-stop for 30 minutes. If it's horrible, good, go back later and fix it. . Sally

Answer 7

Well, you're gonna have to do the math yourself because as you know us English majors have trouble with math! Anyway, traditionally, authors move slowly. There's an old anecdote about someone, maybe Wordsworth, that goes like this:

An acquaintance shows up and asks:
"How's the writing going?"

Wordsworth says, dejectedly,:
"I got six words today"

His acquaintance goes:
"Well, for you, that's good!"

Wordsworth says:
"Yeah, but I don't know what order they go in!"

You get my meaning. Stop worrying about self-made deadlines. You'll have enough of those once you're an accomplished author. Good luck to you!

Answer 8

Sounds about right. But don't you mean, "35,000 words"?

I spend between 2-5 years on my books, and have written well over 14 of them.

So I'm in no hurry.

Answer 9

pace is individual, as is the story, sometimes it's fast, sometimes it could take months to finish a scene. You'll know when it's done though. Self imposed dealines can be helpful, but keep in mind they can be just as hurtful as well.


Thomas
www.rthomasriley.com

Answer 10

It sounds like you just need some really, really private, quiet time in order to get in your "zone". I think you'll need to spend more time per day to finish it.