Keeping on Track

I always tend to write less on the weekends. Combination of either running around with errands or taking time to relax I suppose.  But I am very proud that I haven't gone a day without writing since July. Since then, I've developed what I think is a pretty good method for keeping myself trucking forward. 

I did borrow methods posted in the blogs of a lot of authors I love, but you'll have to forgive me for not having more details than that. While the words lingered in my memory, the sources have faded. If I can find them, I'll post them right away. The main thing is keeping track of your writing progress, followed by a system of rewards.

I have two different programs for logging my daily word count. The first is an app called Nano Progress. You create your project, maximum word count, and how many days until it's due. It then tells you how many words to write a day and percentage you are at. The max number of words will change each time you update your word count to make sure you are on track. My second is an Excel spreadsheet from here. It allows for just 30 days since it was meant for NaNoWriMo. It has great charts for tracking your progress too, which are great for more visually orientated people.  

I create a log under each of these for whatever I'm writing. Since the Excel sheet is limited to thirty days, it can be tricky with shorter deadlines. However, I like using it for deadlines over 30 days because it has that sense of impending doom. I know I have two months, but the Excel doesn't. It tells me that I need to hurry up and get writing. Anytime I don't meet that maximum daily word count, I feel awful. That sinking sense of disappointment kicks me into high gear. 

Now, it's not good to write off just that. The app will tell me my actual deadline and how much I should be writing each day. Most of the time, it's a good deal lower than what the spreadsheet says. For example, my current project needs about 500 words a day to keep on track in Excel. The app says I need 100. I nearly always exceed the maximum from the app, so that is encouraging. 

This might seem excessive, and updating two programs can be distracting...but it works for me in the long run.