Writing Anxieties: Prolificacy and Productivity
In April I made huge plans to write 5-6 new pieces and submit them. It felt like a challenge, but doable, sacrificing only a little bit of sanity. Unfortunately, I was knocked somewhat sideways by a small blow up in my personal life, and that took its own toll on my ability to sit down [...]
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I haven't read the book but I think that productivity varies enormously from writer to writer, and we shouldn't try to make everyone fit into the same pattern. Some writers are incredibly prolific, some less so, and I don't think one method is better than another.
Zoe: Thank very much for your comment. It's heartening to read, and worth remembering. I must read some of Helen Simpson - she sounds also very wise. And yep, those put downs are things I tell myself very regularly...toxic as they are! I suppose another writer to remember is Harper Lee - one book, beloved by so very many people.Tracey: It was a writer's advice column that suggested the number of books, but your very good point still stands. Yes, trying to fit ourselves into one pattern is probably not the best way to go - if only finding ones own pattern and way of working were easy!
I get down on myself on a regular basis when I see how much work some other erotica writers put out. I have two kids under 5 years old, one of which is with me all day. I write when she's sleeping, maybe two hours a day. I'm responsible for taking care of our family, our home, our other interests. At night, I'm too exhausted to write well and I want to spend time with my husband. And I have to read. I never feel like I'm really accomplishing a whole lot. It can hit your confidence hard when you feel like "everyone else" has a book/novella/anthology story out every month. Honestly, on average I probably do about 1000 words a day. I have an army of stories I want to write, and a writing to-do list which only gets longer, never shorter. A couple months ago, a writer I follow blogged that they had submitted 8 short stories so far this year. My jaw dropped.
I went back and took stock of my work in the past six months or so, and was surprised at how much I've accomplished: 6 short stories, one 30k novella, a 65k novel (yet to be edited), and 35k into the next novella! All that and I still feel like I'm barely getting anything done compared to some of these writers.
I think that social media and the internet world is deceptive: it only shows what people have accomplished, without any indication of the time and work they've put into it. It hides the down time and lags, it makes the grass seem greener.
Maxine: you have sort of proven your own point! I am sure some writers will look at your comment and think '1000 words a day! That's amazing!' I think as writers w should just be supportive of one another's methods (and equally supportive if our own!) of course we need to be disciplined to produce anything, but you can't berate a fish for not climbing a tree: everyone has to find what works for them. (I'm very impressed you manage all that!)
(At some point I'll probably post on the pressure to read too - that's another one that gets to me!)1000 words a day is a bloody good achievement if you've got two under 5s to handle as well as the family responsibilities! And that's a great amount to achieve in that length of time. My problem is partly lack of discipline (getting better but still an issue) that my six months don't look as good and yours. :)
I think I'd like to frame your last paragraph as a reminder to myself and indeed us all!
Tracey: Can't berate a fish for not climbing a tree - I like it!One writing book I've got at home lists a bunch of very well known writers down the ages and what they produced - it ranged from Anthony Trollope's insane productivity, to Erica Jong who writes 300 words a day. Must remember, must remember...
Yes, those strict time constraints are probably worth setting and sticking too - it would also mean that when I'm in the mindset that I *can* chat and relax and the like when I'm on it. If only I can get my head around this!