Writing can be hard. Anything we do, anything we have passion for, can be hard. I watch as some writers talk of daily word count being some steadfast rule and if you can't or don't adhere to like 3k a day, you aren't a real writer. There are others, but this isn't a blog for me to sit and complain.
It boils down to this, at least in my opinion, structure, plot, premise, concept, characters, story all take time to plan, think about, outline, tweak, shift and let marinate. That means that while writing, I come across story points that aren't grabbing me in the way I though they would. That is okay. When, not if, that happens, it is okay to stop pounding the keys and think about what should be done next. Some days I write 2.5k+ and they are less productive than days I write 500 or so. Why? Because there is more to a novel than words.
So I say this, whatever level writer you are - beginning your first novel, 30+ NYT best sellers, or anywhere in between, don't listen to the daily goals of other writers. Look at those goals and adapt them to you, your situation, your life, and your abilities. As your talent increases, life clears up, or whatever, then you can modify your goals. The only person you have to compete against in life is yourself.
I know that all this may seem obvious, or that it has been written about countless times before. But sometimes getting back to the things we didn't realize we've forgotten is a great breath of fresh air. It can be something to rejuvenate stagnant emotions within each of us. So, until my next blog, enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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