Introduction to the Accountability Post 2021 Week 08
This week didn’t teach me anything new. That I know of. Who knows what hind-sight will reveal? But what this week did accomplished something important. It drove home a very simple fact: Being exhausted is no excuse not to write.
Well, a first draft anyway.
I’ve finished first drafts for 47 chapters. And now you know some of the initial titles!
I was so tired that I could barely sit at the keyboard Saturday morning. In spite of that, I managed to be quite stern with myself. I had to resort to threats. No works on page? Then no coffee in belly! So, I started typing. The result was the second highest word count since I started counting on December 27, 2020. And yes, I did let myself have coffee. I not that kind of monster!
Accountability Post 2021 Week 08 By the Numbers
In my Accountability Post 2021 Week 07, I’d gotten to 49,388 words. Here’s what my output this week looked like (this week started on 02/16):
I’m still kinda surprised I’ve been able to maintain 3 writing sessions a week.
I wrote 8,892 words last week. That count is ahead of the week before, but it’s way too early to know if I’m getting used to it and am starting to write more per session, or if I was so tired that I had less energy to get in my own way.
Even if it’s true, I’m not sure that’s a healthy approach! But I’m now up to 58,370 words.
I do think it’s an important lesson for me to take to heart: Unless there’s a family, medical, or career emergency, write. That’s especially true for someone like me who has a history of spending my more creative thoughts on stopping myself from writing!
Next Goals after This Accountability Post 2021 Week 08
I’m coming up on several Pinch Point 1s, including those for the main plot, Dek, Booth, Porter, Southfield, and Adair. Martin’s a little ahead of the pack because he’ll see his Midpoint sooner than the others. So, my goal for the upcoming week is to continue pushing forward.
I can say that the more I lean on it, the more valuable I find Dan Well’s YouTube videos about story structure. I think it’s saving me a ton of time in terms of keeping everything aligned.
Thanks for reading. Double thanks if this isn’t the first Accountability Post of mine that you’ve read.
Feedback Welcome!
Do you have any news about what you’re working on? Any tips about how you keep focused? Have you read anything that struck your fancy? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!