Creativity

[fiat_knox]

I had no idea, but I think I was being hoodwinked.

A long time ago, I bumped into Terry Pratchett at a convention. He was asked what the secret of his writing success was. His reply: "Write 2000 words a day."

That was back in 1987. I've striven to achieve this goal - and in many ways, I have managed to surpass that goal on several occasions.

However, in a recent Creative Writing class, I was told that 2,000 words was "a bit much." If I managed 500 words a day, it'd be enough.

Was I hoodwinked by Terry Pratchett, perhaps throwing out 2,000 words to intimidate nouveaux writers somehow, perhaps dissuade rivals from popping up and threatening his uniqueness?

All I know is, give me a computer and if I put my mind to it, 2,000 words a day ... easy.

Comments

I don't think...

[wolf-heart9.livejournal.com]

...you were hoodwinked by Pratchett. I just think that your creative writing teacher's being practical, particularly for any new writer out there. If people don't have a lot of time in their day because of school or work or raising children or something, 2000 words a day could be a bit overwhelming to find time for. Therefore, 500's more practical. And if it goes over that? It's gravy.

Like for me this semester? Oh yeah, I know I've written well over 2000 words...on schoolwork. Other than a Christmas slashfic I wrote last week to meet a deadline I'd signed up for and a few poems? Yeah, I haven't written anything of my own in months. I've wanted to. No time, no energy. And when I've had time and energy, I've been gaming. So, back to no time.

Sounds like you just managed to create a good pattern for yourself. Whether it was being hoodwinked or not, can you really blame him when you're able to write that much a day when you want to?