To word-count, or not word-count?

In any career, we set goals or targets to keep us on track. In the world of writing, those goals are often related to word counts.

I’ve been inspired to reflect on this a little more following the launch of the wonderful new Australian podcast, The Word Count. There, three authors (Jo Dixon, Jacq Ellem and Fiona Taylor) discuss their writing projects and set fortnightly goals, mostly centring on the amount of words they want to write before the next episode. Other writing goals (such as editing) and non-writing goals (such as house maintenance) are thrown in. It’s great fun to be ‘part of the gang’ and listen to their plans and their banter.

I’ve had word count goals for many years, and it’s only while listening to The Word Count that I realised I’d drifted away from that…

Instead, I’ve been driving myself to finish writing a chapter or a scene.

I still keep one eye on word count – that compelling little tracker in the bottom corner of the screen. Who wouldn’t? Now though, I usually shut the laptop without knowing how many words I’ve added during a writing session. I do know however, that I’ve finished writing a fight scene or I’ve finished a few pages of dialogue between a character and their mother.

During the early episodes of The Word Count, I’ve been fascinated to follow Fiona Taylor’s journey to prioritise her writing, too. After all, if we want to reach a word goal, we might have to shift pieces of our life around so we can spend time at the keyboard, right?

I’m getting better at prioritising, and I love to hear how other writers do it.

A few years ago when I decided to get serious about this writing biz, I quit my volunteer roles and board memberships. It might sound selfish, a bit alarming, and I don’t think that decision would suit everyone. But it’s one example of how I prioritised writing.

In more micro terms, I choose writing over housework – any day of the week! At my funeral, I figure, I’d rather my family and friends be able to talk about my books rather than how clean my floors were.

I write seven days a week, mostly for a few hours in the morning. By now, you might’ve guessed that I’m not in full time paid employment. After decades in corporate comms, I work from home as an online university tutor. My kids are grown. So…I’m at a life stage where I can arrange a schedule to suit me. That’s part of why I’m a 50+ debut author. ??

Getting back to word counts: for me, they still have a place.

They have a place when I’m distracted. When my mind begins to wander, and I’m tempted to jump onto social media.

Then, I might tell myself: write 500 more words, and then you can check Insta.

Alternatively, I’ll use the clock instead of word counts. I’ll push myself to write for 30 more minutes before I can take a break. Those bite-sized chunks (rather than writing for another hour, say) are more manageable and motivational. Often, I’ll go way beyond that, having tricked myself.

How about you? What's your writing style?