Do writers need a high word count per day? 💻 (updated)

I often notice authors commenting on their word count per day, and there seems to be a certain amount of self-imposed stress to meet specific targets. But should they be worried at all?

I guess it's a matter of opinion. Word count has never been a concern to me, other than whether or not I had a reasonable amount of words when I finished a book. It's not something I think about each time I sit down to write, and I certainly don't check my word count per day - ever.

I do think we all need a way to measure ourselves when it comes to a successful day. I like to write a chapter with each sitting (note I said 'sitting' not per day. I firmly believe that it's best to do in one shot to keep momentum or train of thought) and with that, I'm happy. I don't feel like a failure if I don't reach a certain amount of words, and in my opinion, neither should you..

The problem is that if you set your sights on a specific amount of words per day, what could end up happening is it can become your focus more than the actual writing itself. It also might end up being too wordy, and you'll have to edit a bunch out later on. Also, a lot of words don't necessarily mean it's going to be pure gold. 

The bottom line is that I don't like to see any writer put stress on themselves to meet some crazy target because it actually can make writing feel more like work than a project that they love. And if that's the case, what's the point?

Should we allow readers to be our censorship police? 🚓 (updated)

I often tell the story of a woman who criticized my first book, Fire. She said, 'If I took out all the F-words, your book would be half the size'. Of course, she was a bitch on a good day, so I wasn't surprised when she made this snarly remark to me back in 2010. If you've read any of my books since that time, you already know that her thoughts did little to sway me, and I continue to use a lot of profanity and graphic content in my books.

I don't do this for shock value (which has also been suggested by one particularly hostile reviewer back in the day) but because it is my style. This is how I write. I don't exactly sit in front of my laptop and consider how I can shock people, but I instead follow my writing instinct. Admittedly it sometimes takes me down a dark, twisted, and even questionable road, but one thing can be assured, I'm never bored. To me, this is a good sign. If the writer isn't bored, chances are good the reader won't be either.

The truth is that only in very extreme situations is a writer going too far. In the end, a writer must always express themselves and when writing fiction, must also tell the story through the protagonist's perception. It isn't for us to censor our characters (within reason, folks) but to tell their story with as much honesty and authenticity as possible. As a writer, I have the freedom to express myself as I see fit. As a reader, you have the right to choose what you do and don't want to read. It's as simple as that.  😉

Why words matter 🗣(Updated)

If you've ever been in an argument or had a misunderstanding with another person, chances are you're already aware of why words matter. We often find ourselves in situations where words should be picked carefully, especially when there's a risk of being misinterpreted.

Not to suggest that we're already great when picking our words. If you're like me, during particularly rushed or stressful times, an entire sentence can fly out of my mouth and not make any sense at all. It happens. We're human.

So, how important are words in writing?

When I create a scene, a conversation, or show what characters are doing, I am careful about picking words that establish the mood. For example, in And the Devil Will Laugh, I had help preparing the back cover because I wanted to be sure that I chose the best words that summed up my book. I wanted to show the intensity, the fierceness of the characters, and create a sense of what to expect.

...he and his loyal foot soldiers will muscle in and tear off a big chunk of it for themselves. 

This creates a pretty strong impression of the kind of characters in my book. If I had chosen instead to say that Jorge planned to 'move in and with the help of his associates, would take over,' it simply wouldn't have the same impact.

Also, keep in mind that each character has a unique dialogue. For example, Jorge Hernandez, the protagonist in my last few books, is known for often saying, "I don't got time." When he says this, it's usually a sign he's aggravated and is about 5 seconds from rushing out the door, and he wants a situation resolved now. Each of my characters has unique dialogue patterns and expressions.

With dialogue, it's also important to remember that it can vary according to a character's education, age, ethnicity, experiences, and even attitudes.

Words do matter. Pick yours carefully.