Monday, July 19, 2010

Coming Up For a Breath of Air


It happens to all writers.  You get so involved in your WIP you can't pull yourself away to attend any of the other 'chores' being a writer involves.  For the past four days I went on a series roll with my second book in the new YA series I'm writing.  I knew exactly where the story was going and even had trouble sleeping at night as scenes played out in my thoughts.  I woke up each morning determined to record those plot twists and dialogues I'd thought of before falling to sleep.
I cooked meals for my family, checked some email, exercised a little, but for most of my waking hours I sat at the keyboard and zoomed through a new 12K of manuscript.  It may have been the most I ever wrote in such a short period of time.  I don't know if I can keep up that pace this week but I'm already anxious to get back to it. 
However I really can't cease all contact with my writing friends.  I haven't visited another blog for days and I really enjoy and learn from the friends I've made here the blog world.  I'm sure my FB page is back-logged with requests and event announcements I've missed.  So I'm going to do a little catch up and then it's back to the book.
Have you ever been so in the zone with a writing project you couldn't leave it to do any other writing work?  What is the best word count you've had for a day, a week, a month? 

14 comments:

Ariel Tachna said...

I'm not sure I can answer highest word count per day, but I've had an amazing month, just what you were describing about not coming up for air. Since July 5, I've written 54,000 words.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

That's a great two weeks, Ariel. You're my new heroine!

Jemi Fraser said...

I don't really check the numbers very often, so I can't answer.

I'm really impressed with both you and Ariel! Wow!

NaNo is probably my most productive first draft month :)

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

That's excellent, Sue!

I don't usually get so immersed in the writing that I ignore the blogging stuff, but it's part of the struggle to carve away time in everyday life to to the blogging stuff. Sometimes, I admit, the blogging stuff is an excuse to avoid the writing. LOL

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'll be watching in November to see how NaNo goes for you, Jemi.
Natalie, you blog about such a great variety of subjects you keep it interesting.

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Aw, thanks, Sue! :)

M.J. Fifield said...

I participated in NaNo last November and finished with a 52k (ish?) manuscript so that would probably be my most productive month.

I do love getting on a real writing roll when all the ideas and words and flowing...so glad you're having that experience.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Haleine, that's an impressive NaNo. It is fun. I'm slowing down a little but it's still working.

Helen Ginger said...

Sounds like you had a marvelous two weeks. Even if you hadn't produced that many words, just being in the zone and so caught up in the characters and story is an amazing feeling.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It was terrific, Helen. I'm trying to keep it going for a little longer.

Helen Ginger said...

Is it working?

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Still working though more interruptions are slowing me down a little.

Anonymous said...

I stay in zone more often than not, but it doesn't always lead to higher wordcount. The dirtier the house is and the more laundry piles up are good indicators that I've been in the zone, lol. Better measures than word-count, for me because sometimes I'm just thinking, or sorting, or otherwise visualizing what eventually shows up in word-count.

Unknown said...

I have been in the zone also... For my second novel "Fading away" I am almost at 52,000 word count.