Just done a bit of totting up. I've written 875 thousand words in the last five years. Virtually all in short stories. Sadly, I'm not getting any faster. I've been 200 thousand words a year since year one.But I'm feeling quite pleased. What about you? Do you keep a record. When I reach my first million I am expecting big things.
You never cease to amaze me with your writing output. My question to you is: are you average in terms of your work output, or up there with the 'big hitters'? It would be nice to know what the 'average' writer (if there is such a beast?) is capable of?
ReplyDeleteBtw - have you ever entertained the idea of doing a radio script?
Pardon the link, but this might be of interest to you - I've joined the site myself.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
All the best, hope you're enjoying this wonderful weather :)
I'm prolific but not usual, Mark. See Rahul's stat's here
DeleteAnd if you want a real mind boggle check out How I Went From Writing 2,000 Words a Day to 10,000 Words a Day
It doesn't really mean much. You might be the kind of writer that writers a few wonderful stories each year and gets them into the most important journals.
Thanks for the BBC link, I tried them out a few months ago. I must get back to that.
Never thought about it like that before. Your total is impressive.
ReplyDeleteThanks, L.
DeleteI tie myself into knots about which words count. Do I count first draft words? Do I have to subtract them when I throw them away? What about unfinished stories (the bulk of my output)? Then if I'm extra good and do the revising, do I get to count the final words a second time, as I've gone over each one again? What if I retype the manuscript rather than just cutting and pasting?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm easily confused.
Well, I only count finished (which is a bit unusual) because if I didn't I would dilly about first drafting all the time. The count is a trick to keep me at it.
DeleteAnd of yes, substantial reprints definitely count.
I haven't totted up recently - but I don't think I've written that much. It's especially impressive given that it is all in short stories.
ReplyDeletecheers!
Delete200 K words year after year? I'm in awe!
ReplyDeleteI like to keep busy. thanks for the shout out on FB, Melissa
DeleteWay to go, Deborah! All in short stories? Holy cow, that is impressive. Of course, your post challenged me to tally up what I've written in the past 5 years, and if I include novels, novellas, short stories, microfiction, and poetry, I'm at 1,047,000 (thanks to my handy spreadsheet). Short stories alone, I'm only at 696,000.
ReplyDeleteWoot! You've passed the big 1 zero zero (ah you know what I mean). Fabulous!
DeleteWow!! That's incredible! I have no idea how much I've written, but I don't think that much... unless you include blogging!
ReplyDeleteChristine, these types are things I think are mind tricks to keep you motivated. If you want to count blogging, go for it.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried to estimate how many words I've written but hang on a minute and I'll do some maths.... Probably hit a million around March 2011. I'd been writing more than five years then though so you might well still be ahead.
ReplyDeleteWow. Congratulations, Patsy. The words they do add up, don't they?
DeleteNo, but I wish I had. I don't know how many words I've written, but it has to be well into the hundred thousands.
ReplyDeleteYou've got to start keeping track Paul. It's fun.
DeleteThat's an impressive tally. Unfortunately, I write ten words and delete nine, eight if it's a good day. :)
ReplyDelete*laughs*But I bet those 1 or 2 words are very good, Jeff.
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading your story in the 'Seers' anthology.