Hey all. Just wanted to drop a quick update on my word counts and let you know where I’m at.
Dictation has been amazing. Just this week, including taking New Year’s Day off, I’ve been able to put serious numbers on the board. I was able to put about 9,000 words down with only three writing days this week. I started this rhythm on the 30th after taking the Christmas weekend off and seeing to family obligations.
That’s pretty serious numbers, especially considering this is a new process for me and I’m still growing comfortable with dictation. I have tried it in the past, but in a very different way and with different software. Today’s technology allows me to dictate without adding punctuation, as the dictation software adds it for me. It’s a little weird to get used to, and I’m still working out the kinks, but I will undoubtedly improve.
As I do, I think my averages will shoot up quickly.
My intended schedule for Q1 is to average 4000 words per day, 5 days per week. Hopefully that will bring me to 20k per week on average, which is enough to complete a novel every month. At least, on average. I do give the Muse a little leeway.
I plan on taking the weekends off and concentrating on family and personal projects, but even with that, I’ll be able to put two or three trilogies out next year on top of finishing The Seven Signs and publishing Through Burning Skies. Maybe even a fourth trilogy, depending on how high those averages get.
I’ve heard other authors say they’re able to dictate 5,000-6,000 words in a couple of hours with this method, and that your starting numbers are nowhere near your fastest. My typing speed is somewhere around 1000-1,500 words per hour. Right now, with dictation, my speed is right at 2,000 per hour. And that’s my starting speed, not even close to what it could become.
Here we go, Speed Racer. Time to buckle up.
I’ll type at you guys soon. I expect that we’ll be nearing completion on The Heart of the Wasteland in two weeks. Actually, I have my deadline set in Scrivener for the 10th of January, and according to that green line in the top picture, we’re right on schedule. I’ll go ahead and update the Codex Equitum when the first draft is complete and put it out there. I know that’s what you all are waiting for.
Far be it from me to deny you.
Much love, ya’ll, and I’ll be in touch next week.