Should you write 1,000 words a day?

It's writing advice that you might have heard from various gurus. It's what Stephen King recommends in On Writing ... but is it a good target?

I don't think 1,000 words/day works for most writers.

Let's unpack why.

#1: 1,000 Words is Far Too Much for Many Writers

I've got a whole blog post on how long it takes to write 1,000 words ... but the short answer is, likely at least an hour, probably more like two hours, and potentially a lot longer if you're writing something complex.

If you're able to write full-time, then 1,000 words is unlikely to be a struggle. But if you've got a day job, kids, caring responsbilities, or a chronic health condition, it's not going to be a realistic target to achieve every day.

#2: Writing Daily Doesn't Work for Some Writers

A lot of writers take it as a given that you "should" write daily. But you absolutely don't have to!

It may well suit you to write every day. If it's hard to find any big chunks of time, finding 10-15 minutes per day may be much more achievable than a couple of longer sessions each week. 

If you'd rather not write daily, though, don't force yourself to! Perhaps you'd prefer to spend two or three weekday evening on your novel, or you can block off a big chunk of time at the weekend.

#3: The Writing Process Isn't Just Drafting

One overlooked problem with "write 1,000 words per day" is that this ignores all the other parts of the writing process.

What if you need to take a step back and do more outlining? Or what if you want to edit and refine a chapter before sharing it with your writers' group? Do you have to find time for that and write 1,000 words too?

If you personally have a routine where you write 1,000 words each and every day and you love it ... then that's awesome, keep doing what works for you!

But if the idea of writing 1,000 words/day sounds impossible, or if you've tried it only to give up after a week, then please remember that plenty of writers have very different routines.

Not sure what might work for you? Try starting off with a smaller goal, like writing 2,000 words per week, or writing 250 words each day. See how that feels for you, and adjust the goal up or down if you need to.

What's important is that you're writing ... and enjoying it. There's no need to force yourself into a routine that doesn't work for you.