Question about goals

ccarver30 · Mar 19, 2007

I am somewhat puzzled by "number of words" goals people put as their signatures. I don't get it. Or is it not for me to really get- it is just a personal thing?
How can you say- once I reach 80,000, my book with be done/great/complete etc? I can understand, "Hmm, perhaps this should be a little bit longer..." but to necessitate a word count?
Am I overanalyzing?
Don't kill the n00b. :flag:

johnzakour · Mar 19, 2007

It's a motivational device.

swvaughn · Mar 19, 2007

I think most folks with word counts in their sigs are estimating the final word count. Like John says, it's motivational -- trying to hold oneself accountable to produce actual writing every day.

I'm awful at meeting daily counts, and estimating how many words a WIP will end up being, but I do write every day. Generally I try for pages (5, at least, which is around 1000 words properly formatted).

In case I didn't say it already - welcome, ccarver!

PeeDee · Mar 19, 2007

John's right, that's all it is. Doesn't mean that at 80,000 words, the book will be done. Just means that's what they're aiming for. Or else, they put a "2,000 words per day" count for how much writing they'll get done each day.

veinglory · Mar 19, 2007

I plan my book's length to within about 2000 words. I tend to know what I am getting into at the outset rather than just start writing.

Azure Skye · Mar 19, 2007

Somehow making a goal public gives people motivation to actually accomplish it.

ccarver30 · Mar 19, 2007

Thank you for the welcome, swvaughn.

Ok, thank you all for your responses.

Jack Nog · Mar 19, 2007

Yup, pure motivation.

I have a goal of 60000 by April First (see below). My book will not be done by then. But this motivates me to produce two thousand words a day until then.

A little more than that actually, but you see the point. When I hit 60k, I'll make a new goal.

If I'm near the end of the book, it's time to scrap the word count motivation, take a day off from work, and finish the damn thing.

Namatu · Mar 19, 2007

Perhaps I should try this. I have a yearly goal to finish my WIP. So far I've missed that goal for the past six years. *hangs head* Three of those years don't count, but still. This year is the year!

PeeDee · Mar 19, 2007

Namatu said:
Perhaps I should try this. I have a yearly goal to finish my WIP. So far I've missed that goal for the past six years. *hangs head* Three of those years don't count, but still. This year is the year!

Put it in your signature, and tell us all to mock you horribly if you miss your goal. Bam. Instant deadline.

Namatu · Mar 19, 2007

I fear making a more solid commitment. Once I start writing more, I may actually include a month. The thing's two-thirds of the way done anyway, with an ending. Everyone can mock me on January 1, 2008, if I'm still writing new material or editing it!

scarletpeaches · Mar 19, 2007

I always underestimate myself so when I reach the 65k I aim for, I'll go over and feel good about myself. "Man, I can't stop writing!"

There's no point to it, other than giving me a target to aim for.

Southern_girl29 · Mar 19, 2007

I've got that my young adult novel will be 60,000 words long. I'm not sure if it will be or not, but that's what I'm reaching for. It just gives me a goal to work toward. If I go over it, that's great. If I don't, at least it's finished.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 19, 2007

Length

I don't plan my novels, but I know how long each will be. It will be whatever length the publisher wishes it to be. If the publisher prefers a 90,000 word novel, the first draft will be within a couple of thousand words of 90K.

PeeDee · Mar 19, 2007

Jamesaritchie said:
I don't plan my novels, but I know how long each will be. It will be whatever length the publisher wishes it to be. If the publisher prefers a 90,000 word novel, the first draft will be within a couple of thousand words of 90K.

Conformist.

Robyn · Mar 19, 2007

I have to agree. Total motivational.. For instance. My current WIP that I just finished. Started out with a goal of 30k (was suppose to be a novella) kept having to increase it. Last increase was to 70k it ended at 73k. Most times i just like to have a number there to see how i'm progressing and whatnot. It's never set in stone.

Judg · Mar 19, 2007

I need a daily goal. I'm just not good enough at seeing the bigger picture.

Question about goals

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

swvaughn

adrift

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Azure Skye

Huh?

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

Jack Nog

Brain-farts are useful too.

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

scarletpeaches

Southern_girl29

Jamesaritchie

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Robyn

Judg

DISENCHANTED coming soon