Daily Word Count Goals: A Tip and a Tracking System

I want to share this new Daily Word Count Goal Tracking System with the writers who read this blog. But, it would also work for journalkeepers to track if your journal each day--and if you want to do a minimum word count goal daily. 

I am always looking to streamline how I do things--regarding my writing and journaling. This includes how I keep track of my word count goals. Consequently, two weeks ago, I started a new system and it is one I like the most so far and, when I can write and am not trying to avoid getting really sick, I've found that I really like this new system and it inspires me. 

Now, you need to know that I started to write one version of my memoir and decided on a new angle, so I started to write the book over from the new angle. Therefore  I had to start all over with my word count goals. I still want to accomplish 1,000 words per day Monday-Friday of writing in 2013. Therefore  as of today, I have 14,000 words due that I need to write. I have 5,000. I am 9,000 words short, needless to day. And, it took me less than a minute to figure that all out because of my new word count goal tracking system. 

So, what is this new tracking system? 

I printed out on one page a 2013 calendar. At the top, I wrote, "Due: 1,000 words per day, Monday-Friday." Then, I wrote: "/ shows 1,000 words are due." Then, "X shows that 1,000 words were written. Meaning, I hand-write in a color ink one half of an "x" on the date that 1,000 words are due. I finish the X with another color of ink to designate that I got that word count goal done. 

Therefore, when I look at my calendar this morning, I can easily see that I have 9 days of writing I need to get done to get caught up. 

It's the easiest system I've found since I devoted myself to writing daily, Monday-Friday (at least) 11 years ago. I usually get about 1,000 words extra done on Saturday and Sunday as well, but I give myself two days a week to rest and if I get anything done, great. It's a bonus.  

I am sharing this with you because it is so easy and I cannot wait to watch as the days get more X's on it throughout the year. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Writer

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.: Dream Writing: A Writing Prompt

Writers,

WRITING PROMPT

If you could write the perfect, ideal, closest book to your heart, what would it be?

Take some time to write about this in your writing notebook or journal. 

Be specific.

Dream big.

Take several days to write what the perfect writing piece/book would be. Use your imagination. Be creative. Be daring.

AFTERWARD/APPLICATION/DO IT

Then, write the book. This is what you are supposed to be writing. Are you?

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online )

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Pray Constantly for Writers in 365 Days: Day 1 Welcome

 

 

Blog Post Series and Book:

Pray Constantly for Writers in 365 Days

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which states: Pray continually.

Day 1: Welcome

Are you a writer? Welcome.

Do you want to write? Welcome. You will learn to be a writer over the next year.

Are you a Christian writer? Welcome.

Do you have a craft or hobby? Welcome.

Do you have a dream? Welcome.

While this book, and blog post series, is specifically for writers, you can use it no matter who you are--to help you to learn to pray without ceasing and follow your calling every day.

This book is to help Christian writers to follow their call from God and draw forever closer to him in the process. This is a book to help you to learn to pray constantly as you learn to hone your craft.

This is a daily devotional, a Bible study, a prayer guide, a prayer journal, writing guide, and book of encouragement to help you give your craft every day to the Lord.

The book you hold in your hands (literally or metaphorically) is something I have hunted for, and have not found, in over 10 years of searching. I decided to write it since I could not find anything like this on the market and I hope you will be blessed by it over the next 365 days. I also hope it will be an encouragement enough to help you pray constantly and live your calling every day, that you will re-read it every year.

I do not know about you, but I constantly pray that every word I write be the words God wants me to write. Then, I worry that I am writing my words and not his. The truth of the matter is if writing is an act of worship, and is how you pray constantly, and without stopping, then your writing will be of God. Period. End of story. It cannot be anything but.

So, how do you know if your writing is a hobby--and how do you know if it is a calling?

Answer: You pray about it.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

1 Thessalonians 5:17 gives us a simple command. It is to pray constantly. That means to pray without stopping, to pray always, to pray first and foremost, and to pray above all else. Lord, I want to learn how to do this literally. I do not want it to be a figurative expression in my life. I want to learn how to pray constantly as I live my life day by day, minute by minute. I recognize this is an act of worship. So, Lord, teach me to pray constantly, 24/7/365.

Abba, there is something else on my mind. I know you already know what I am about to confess before I even address it. And, I think you in advance for your answer. Lord... I keep experiencing a strong pull that leads me to want to write. Do you want me to write as a calling or as a hobby? That is my question.

And, if I am to write as a calling, as an act of worship, then is my current project (or the one I have planned or will plan) the one you want me to write?

Lord, use my pen. Make every word I write your own. I do not want any word to be mine, but every word to be yours alone. I want to write what you want me to write.

Guide me.

Instruct me.

Teach me.

Use me.

Give me understanding.

Help me to listen. Help me to hear. Help me to immediately respond.

Verses to Look-Up and Pray: 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:8-13; Psalm 19:14; Ephesians 1:7-9; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 John 5:20.

(Image from Microsoft Iamges Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com and http://familytreezusa.tumblr.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

For Fiction Writers: Recommended Sites

Every now and then, I am going to put together a list for you of sites I recommend to help you/us write fiction novels, no matter the genre.

Writing 4 Success

http://writing4success.com/

My Comment: I've read most of the books out there over the last ten years on how to write a novel, how to write fiction, novel writing, writing fiction, and so on. These books are by far the best I have read. Period. Hands down. Why? They are simple, yet packed with material you can use today. They are powerful books. They are well worth every penny. I own every book she has published and will buy every book she publsihes from here. That is how much I believe in write 4 Success and Marg McAlister. Check her out. What a gem. Priceless. I cannot begin to tell you how much she has taught me about writing.

(Clipart/Photo Credit: Micorsoft Images Online)
 

Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez Etc

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezetc.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezetc@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction