Novel crossed 15,000 words today!
My pace has slowed since NaNoWriMo, but I'm still managing about 2,000 words a week, which is pretty good for me. Puts me on track to finish this draft sometime early next year.
I've changed up my writing routine a bit, both to give myself more time to write, and to have a chance to recharge.
So I've made a deal with myself: I have to write in the morning, first thing, as soon as I get up. No news, no twitter, no email. Just writing, until the day's words (at least 250) are done. I can take however long I want to set those 250 words down, but I can't do anything else until I do.
Most days, I end up going beyond those 250. Once the pump is primed, the words keep flowing.
In exchange for this early-morning discipline, I only have to write on week days. Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday are days off, now, just like they would be (I hope) if I were a full-time writer. If I did write full-time, I'd still need vacations. Still need days off. But I'd have no one to tell me when to take them, and I'd probably feel guilty if I did.
So I've made this deal. Treat writing like job, get it done first thing in the morning, and in return, I can take the weekends off.
Sunday was the first day I've deliberately taken off (from writing) in...months. I still did some research for the current book, digging up images and articles on Swedish manors built or renovated in the 18th century. I sketched some notes for future scenes. But I didn't write anything, didn't have to produce any words.
It was...incredibly relaxing. It was glorious.
And I came into Monday's writing session recharged. Ready and eager to go.
This is the first full week I've been working under this self-made bargain. I'm looking forward to the weekend, having met my word count goal every day this week, first thing upon waking.
What about you? Do you ever take days off from writing? Do you feel guilty when you do, and if so, how do you handle it?
