Food For Thought

[C. J. Parker]

Or: Take that calculator away from Charlotte.
Using 96,000 words as a base (the average of my novels) and a five day work week, here is what it will take to get it done.

369 words a day will produce one book a year.

739 words a day will produce two books a year.

1,096 words a day will produce three books a year.

Okay, so we need days to edit. Days to take care of other business like our family, and vacations every once in a while.

Delete ten of those working days, or an equal to two weeks off.

384 words a day will give you one book a year.

768 words a day will give you two books a year.

And if you're still interested, 1,152 words a day will produce three books a year.

One double spaced page equates to about 250 words a page. So:

One book a year: A little over one and a half page a day.

Two books a year: A little over three pages a day.

Three books a year: A bit over four pages a day.

So why I'm not writing more books?


Good question.

[Pamela Reese]

An excellent question. I actually sat down and did my own math last week and I need to write two chapters a week in order to complete Khyr this fall so I have time to get it submitted before the "holidays" take over everyone in NYC answering queries at all, LOL

You make it look so simple.

[C. J. Parker]

LOL Easy?!! Sure it is. And I write one book a year right now. My new goal is to get that to two, then I'll try to tackle that three a year dream. Dang, I'm tried just thinking about it.

[Anna Maire]

I just read this article on the whole book a year thing. In some ways I really want my favorite authors to put out a book a year, esp if it is a series. But I don't want the story to suffer. There is one author who shall remain nameless who's books I've completely stopped reading because the marketing department would push them out one a month for two month skip a two months and so on. The editing was so horrible by book three and four that there were whole words missing from sentences and things became incomprehensible.

[C. J. Parker]

That's not good. But I see it in books all the time lately. Editing isn't what it used to be.

[Brenda V Northeast]

I will have to print myself a copy of this to remind myself- it is not so had- Cheers, Love the Jaguar! Brenda V Northeast

[Micki Peluso]

Same reason I am not doing it-I am a procrastinator who needs a bullwhip over my head at all times. And in my own defense I have heart disease and Chronic Fatique Syndrome/fibromyalgia, which is self-explanatory--still I wrote one book in less than a year so there is no GOOD reason why I am not doing more. Of course marketing that book takes time, too--a lot of time.

Micki Peluso, author of . . .AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG

[Ashley Ladd]

I've done these calculations sooooo many times. I've barely written all week. So I have to do a writing marathon this weekend - after I take a nap.

How'd you get a pic of my cat? I swear, our little Prissy looks just like a panther - well, miniature.

[Ashley Ladd]

If only I didn't have to contend with the day job and come home so tired, I could write so much more. It's hell when I'm practically drooling to write my own books but I have to do somebody else's work.

Oh well...

[C. J. Parker]

Life will always find a way to keep us from our dreams. I'm lucky. My hubby let me quit my job so I could write full time. I have no excuses or reasons (good or bad). But if you really want it badly enough, you'll find the time, even if you have to get up thirty minutes early. Ewwww I don't do mornings! Okay, stay up half an hour later. LOL
Love ya all

[Author101]

Hi CJ,
Great, can I use that on my writers site at http://abookinside.blogspot.com ??
Carol

[C. J. Parker]

Sure, Carol, you're welcome to use it.
C. J.