On Giving Your Writing Time
There's a common idea that dedicated writers write every day, set word count goals, and measure their progress by how many words they put on the page.
And while there's certainly value in developing a consistent writing practice, I'm not convinced that word count is the best measure of our dedication or discipline as writers.
I think time spent is a far more meaningful measure.
Because writing isn't just about putting words on a page. It's also about discovering what those words might be, what we want them to express, and how we can use them to create an experience for someone else.
And that takes time.
Time to sit with our perspectives and experiences. To consider what moves us, what excites us, what frightens us, and what we might want to explore through our writing. Time to reflect on the moments that have shaped us, the questions we haven't answered, and the things we don't yet understand.
For fiction writers, it might mean spending time with our characters. Rather than rushing to move them through the next scene, we can stop and imagine them. See where they are. Consider what they're thinking, what they're feeling, what they might notice, and what they might do next. We can wonder about their experiences, their desires, their fears, and the ways they might respond to the circumstances we've created for them.
We don't always need to know what happens next. Sometimes, we need to give ourselves enough time to discover it.
And the same is true when we're writing about our own lives. We can spend time considering our memories, our relationships, and the experiences that continue to stay with us. We can ask ourselves why certain moments matter, what they revealed to us, and what we might want another person to understand or experience through our words.
All of this is writing work, even when we aren't writing.
It might happen while journalling or writing morning pages. It might happen while painting, sitting quietly, or taking a walk without anything playing in our ears. It might happen with a notebook open in front of us, or while staring out a window, following a thought wherever it leads.
But there's an important distinction I want to make here.
Giving our writing time means giving it our attention.
It's not the same as scrolling through our phones, checking messages, or trying to think about our stories while juggling half a dozen other tasks. Those activities might occupy our time, but they don't necessarily give us the space to explore our thoughts and imaginations.
Our focus matters. What we give our attention to has an opportunity to grow.
And as writers, there are two particularly valuable places we can direct that attention: toward our stories, and toward ourselves.
When we focus on our stories, we begin to understand them more deeply. We discover possibilities we hadn't considered, recognize connections between characters and events, and develop a clearer sense of the experience we're trying to create for our readers.
When we focus on ourselves, we begin to understand what it is we want to express. We become more aware of our perspectives, our curiosities, our questions, and the experiences that have shaped the way we see the world.
Both are essential to the creative process.
You've probably heard the advice that good writers write what they know. I think there's something valuable in that idea, but I don't believe it means we're limited to writing about things we've personally experienced.
Instead, I think it invites us to know more.
To know ourselves more deeply. To understand our characters more fully. To become curious about the world around us, the people who inhabit it, and the countless ways we might imagine and interpret their experiences.
The more time we spend in reflection and imagination, the more we have to draw upon when we finally sit down to put words on the page.
So, if you've been measuring your dedication to writing by your daily word count, I'd encourage you to consider another measure.
How much focused time are you giving your writing?
Not necessarily time spent producing something. Not time spent proving you're making progress. But time spent exploring, wondering, imagining, reflecting, and creating.
Because some of the most valuable progress we make as writers happens long before we find the words to express it.
I wish you and your stories all the best.
Trevor Martens
Founder, I Help You Write Things
P.S. Today is the final day to apply for a Writers Camp Scholarship!
I'm awarding two full scholarships, each valued at $249, for my November Writers Camps. I'm looking for two writers whom I feel I can best support through the experience.
And there's something extra: If someone you refer applies and is selected for a full scholarship, you'll receive a free spot too!
Applications close tonight, October 8, at 11:55 p.m. Winnipeg time, and winners will be contacted by Saturday.
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