abby asked Cornelia Funke:

Hi Cornelia! I am a huge fan of your books and I am also an aspiring author. I was hoping you might have some advice for me about sticking to writing. How many words would you recommend trying to write in a day? I also have so many ideas, but I jump around and never finish. I have finally chosen one to see through first, but now I am having trouble finishing my plot and just writing in general. Any advice?

Cornelia Funke Shallan, so sorry! I only just saw this question - a year delayed! Don't make too many rules for yourself. Just set a time you send on potting, thinking, researching and writing or editing. In my experience you need at least 3 hours to get deep into a story. As for jumping around - o yes, that is the deepest trap you can fall into, being charmed by your own ideas and walking astray. Stories like to distract you that way to hide their secrets:) put those new ideas into another notebook - one for EACH distinct story! - and then grow the one you are working on. There will be time for the others once the other one has roots and blooms:)

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