One of the most common questions I am ever asked is: What motivates your writing?
My answer: Deadlines.
The second most common question is: How many words do you write each day?
My answer: ????
I’m never quite sure how to answer this one, because my writing process can be very wonky. In fact, it’s downright terrifying. How many words I can write in a day depends on how far into the book I am. Let me break it down for the interested reader…
- Word count 0: Yee hah! A brand new book! I have so many ideas I can’t wait to get them all down on paper! I’ll have the draft done in a month! Life is awesome!
- Word count 10K: Uh oh. I’m already tired and I have a lot of book left to write.
- Word count 20K: I’ve been at this for two months and this is all I’ve written? Every other author on the planet is a faster writer than I am.
- Word count 30K: Seriously, I’m never going to make my deadline at this rate. I think I’ll wander into the kitchen and see what’s interesting in the refrigerator.
- Word count 40K: How did I ever think I could write 80-100K words on any topic? Maybe I should take a day off and go shopping. I’ll feel so much better after a day off, and it will re-energize me to take a break.
- Word count 50K: Not. Going. To. Make. It.
- Word count 60K: Hey, would you look at that? I’m more than halfway. How did that happen? Time to start praying for a miracle.
- Word count 70K: I do believe it’s possible that I will make my deadline. Maybe more coffee will help. Who needs sleep?
- Word count 80K: Whee! It’s coming fast and furious now, kids! I’m getting close to writing the big finale!
- Word count 90K: Almost done. I can’t wait to sit down with the entire manuscript for a read-through.
- Word count 100K: Done! Snoopy dance! Eat a Klondike bar! Pump fist in the air for being a literary marathon runner! Fifteen minutes later, go to bed for a long nap.
It happens like this Every. Single. Time. If you have the solution for what goes on between words 0 and 50,000, I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Maybe I need to get this writer’s clock… 
Ms. Trent,
We live in a small Town called Bancroft in Ontario,Canada. We went for a drive today to a small Community called Maynooth (15 miles North of Bancroft) and in Maynouth, there is a Funeral Home called M.G Day Funeral Home. On it’s from yard/lawn is an authentic,restored Funeral Hearse (horse drawn kind) from the 1800’s.We immediately thought of you as we are both avid fans of yours and of Violets and have read the first 5 books in her series . We took pictures of this Hearse and would love to send them to you but can’t seem to using this email of yours. (no way to attach pictures)If there is a email address we could use to send them to you,we’re sure you would love to see them.
Looking forward to reading your new series…
Greg & Linda / Bancroft Ontario Canada