How Long Should You Write Each Day?

Pressure?

Yesterday's post urged writers to start writing, not keep dreaming about a project they'd had in mind for a long time. Today's topic is pushing your self to keep working on your writing project.

Sometimes, we're so eager to get all those ideas swirling in our crowded minds into print that we work tirelessly and constantly. When inspiration hits, it's as if we were given a shot of adrenaline, so we keep writing. But is that the wisest way to work?

Consider the fact that we are humans who have bursts of energy but do wear out, feel tired. Are you going to do your best work when your eyes keep crossing, the yawns stretch your jaws, and your head keeps dropping as you type? It's quite possible that you'll be far more error-prone when you're tired than when you first sit down to write. 

So, is it worth making errors and not putting forth your best writing just to keep working as much and as fast as you can? I don't think so. Later, your editing and revising are going to take longer as you make corrections. 

One of the questions interviewers ask successful authors is How many words a day do you write? Or How many hours a day do you write? Most will say they aim for 1000 words a day or spend two hours. Some will work all morning, but is that nonstop? Who knows? I've never once read that an author tried to write 20,000 words a day. 

An athlete can overdo conditioning and wreak havoc on their body. If a writer overdoes, he/she might wreak havoc on their mind and creativity. 

Some writers will say that they keep going as long as they feel inspired. Understandable, but are they producing their best writing by the end of the session? I'm guessing probably not. I believe I'd rather write well for two hours than write well, then poorly for four hours. Of course, we are different people and some of us tire sooner than others. 

Find the pace that works best for you. Stop when you feel yourself making errors or hurrying rather than taking time to be sure you have written with clarity and feeling. If you have a deadline, start soon enough that you don't have to do a marathon write the day before your article is due.