tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post3840445526718779746..comments2024-03-28T03:02:16.508-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: Quality Writing Versus QuantityJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-39342175387523972472009-10-15T20:48:30.637-04:002009-10-15T20:48:30.637-04:00It's funny, because for most people they spend...It's funny, because for most people they spend a long time on their first book, maybe years and then they have to write a book in a year. Hopefully I've learned enough through the process of writing my first book that it would only take me that long to write a second.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-75788947601775462522009-10-15T19:41:00.057-04:002009-10-15T19:41:00.057-04:00I think juggling edits, promotion, and writing is ...I think juggling edits, promotion, and writing is a lot for one year. I see some authors that write two or three books and am amazed they can keep up that pace.Joyce Wolfleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078785682731583178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-55378536964135918442009-10-15T14:48:41.477-04:002009-10-15T14:48:41.477-04:00yesyesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42856015842411348112009-10-15T14:01:36.036-04:002009-10-15T14:01:36.036-04:00I am lucky enough to poodle along at my own pace. ...I am lucky enough to poodle along at my own pace. I do hope to have at least one a year completed.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-10290796402544060172009-10-15T13:04:48.093-04:002009-10-15T13:04:48.093-04:00Hey Jody! I definitely prefer quality over quantit...Hey Jody! I definitely prefer quality over quantity! Just curious: I'm sure most writers are pretty self-motivated. Does anyone out there have an accountability coach to keep them on track? I know that taking classes and being spurred on to complete assignments helps me to maintain focus. Any thoughts?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84709803303433620852009-10-15T11:53:58.776-04:002009-10-15T11:53:58.776-04:00This issue is a kind of personal agony for me righ...This issue is a kind of personal agony for me right now, as you know. <br /><br />I was fascinated by Michael Hyatt's post on beta testing. <br /><br />It's an idea which might change the pace of writing, speed things up, make it more like a conversation between readers and authors.<br /><br />But still. How lovely to have an author whose sterling quality makes each new book feel like a gift. <br /><br />I'd rather write like that, too.Cassandra Frearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16564236561567663914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-76469893769367281542009-10-15T11:31:08.043-04:002009-10-15T11:31:08.043-04:00With the rewrites I always need, one book a year i...With the rewrites I always need, one book a year is all I'd ever be able to do and do well.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-44406978287390717662009-10-15T10:23:45.803-04:002009-10-15T10:23:45.803-04:00Ugh. I read all that and longed for the ability to...Ugh. I read all that and longed for the ability to write ANYTHING! At the moment I feel stuck in a rut. Not sure what I want to work on. I have the writing blahs. However, when things are going well, I am a pretty fast writer. I can probably crank out two or more books a year but of course it depends on the subject of the book. If there is a lot of research involved, it will take longer, as you know. It's not the writing that takes up the time for me, it's getting it right. I spend a lot more time editing and revising than I do writing the thing. I'm not sure a writer ever feels 100% satisfied with the finished product. Without a contract I feel lucky I don't have to rush the whole process. Okay now that said, I'm going to try to actually WRITE today! Thanks Jody.Catherine Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16075571140881352399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34779495844527282992009-10-15T09:47:08.825-04:002009-10-15T09:47:08.825-04:00As many times as I think I should be more concerne...As many times as I think I should be more concerned with quantity, it keeps coming back to quality for me. And I know I couldn't do more than one book a year, if even that! (Although future deadlines may affect that a wee bit. :)Janna Leadbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339705935553160673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-86276013834958143662009-10-14T23:43:43.735-04:002009-10-14T23:43:43.735-04:00I've written three full novels and am in the m...I've written three full novels and am in the middle of two more in the past year and a half. Two a year would be a reasonable target for me (approx 70-80K words per book). That's what I plan to keep doing.Debra Lynn Sheltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238268767406623274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-20672445020141469862009-10-14T20:26:49.973-04:002009-10-14T20:26:49.973-04:00I'd love to write two quality books a year. Th...I'd love to write two quality books a year. This is why I like writing urban fantasy. Because I like to believe in the impossible. ;)kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-77080024377756814142009-10-14T20:05:31.909-04:002009-10-14T20:05:31.909-04:00i'm not on a "plan," unless it's...i'm not on a "plan," unless it's the "write-whenever-you-can" plan. :) i started writing seriously in 06...and i have 3 books...so i guess it's roughly one a year...but i just hadn't thought about it b/c i'm not at that stage, i guess, that i felt i needed to. perhaps i should think it through more...be more diligent. <br /><br />jeannie<br /><a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">The Character Therapist</a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-58700981255146661262009-10-14T19:56:20.743-04:002009-10-14T19:56:20.743-04:00With all the learning I've been doing and thus...With all the learning I've been doing and thus a whole lot of editing, I haven't tracked my novel writing time really. Guess I should take a look at that at some point. <br /><br />But quality is far more important to me than quantity hands down!!Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-77974084535504971262009-10-14T19:06:45.637-04:002009-10-14T19:06:45.637-04:00Honestly, I'd be happy with 1 book a year. My...Honestly, I'd be happy with 1 book a year. My current lifestyle, as a mom of young boys & community volunteer etc., dictates how much time I have to write with quality. When my boys are older, my writing time will increase. After that, we'll see if one book will be enough. :)CMOM Productionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04595915747223847421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34047966529382460092009-10-14T17:51:22.966-04:002009-10-14T17:51:22.966-04:00I vote for quality, although some authors can prod...I vote for quality, although some authors can produce quality books like pancakes--one after the other. Our gifts are not all the same. I get in trouble when I try to comapare myself with others. I must continually ask God, "What would YOU have me do?"Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-13889910067235009222009-10-14T17:41:18.253-04:002009-10-14T17:41:18.253-04:00It all depends on the muse. I actually wrote a nov...It all depends on the muse. I actually wrote a novel in 2 months once. However, it still needs edited before I can send it off. Others can take months. I think it all depends on when and how the story strikes. Sometimes it is a slow meander in the mind and other times there are a bunch of characters hounding me constantly to get them down on paper.Amy DeTrempehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785965181851533070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-70872414532161867142009-10-14T16:45:01.920-04:002009-10-14T16:45:01.920-04:00I'm pretty sure no one actually sets out to wr...I'm pretty sure no one actually sets out to write a mediocre book, regardless of how quickly they write. :-) Who knows what's going on with an author in any given year? It isn't always quantity that creates a lack of quality. <br /><br />Two books a year is my goal - and I certainly wouldn't mind writing more if I were ever given the chance to quit my day job (not happening soon). I want it all - quantity and quality...and there's no way to know what I'm capable of unless I at least *try*.Jamie D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05486427517423813962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66168138196987523682009-10-14T16:30:48.595-04:002009-10-14T16:30:48.595-04:00This is a great discussion. I've written two ...This is a great discussion. I've written two this year, but one was category length (55k), so that helped.<br /><br />I have seen authors hit success and then rush out the sequels because of the pressure, only to give stories that aren't nearly as strong as the first. So I would rather my fave authors take the time they need to write the book they want, then release it. I'll wait if it means I get a quality book to read.Roni Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719679344024635326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32690839278954465972009-10-14T15:52:43.110-04:002009-10-14T15:52:43.110-04:00I'm on the book a year plan right now since I ...I'm on the book a year plan right now since I have a son in half-day kindergarten. Just when I get into the plot, I have to stop and go pick him up. Sigh. I hope that once he's in first grade I can raise the pace to two a year.<br /><br />That said, quality is vital. So, in addition to writing, I've planned critiquing, rewriting, and editing times too.<br /><br />I've heard of several authors who look at their deadline (real or self-imposed), back up a month (so they can turn it in early), subtract another month or two for rewrites/edits (based on their previous experiences), count the remaining weeks (minus vacations, holidays, etc) and then establish the necessary word count goals. And then stick to them. This plan gets the quantity done while also assuring the quality.Candee Fickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08158819887944287696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37229349137294279162009-10-14T15:52:29.546-04:002009-10-14T15:52:29.546-04:00I'd like to try for 1 a year and I prefer qual...I'd like to try for 1 a year and I prefer quality over quantity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67765216702110851162009-10-14T15:43:45.807-04:002009-10-14T15:43:45.807-04:00And that's the reason why i like blogging with...And that's the reason why i like blogging with you all! I started my first book 2 years ago, lost my motivation thinking "I'm no writer! What am I doing?" But you all have inspired me to keep writing... so thanks to all of you I've picked up pen (keyboard) again and have decided to finish what I started, even if it does take me a little more than a year.Ellie Kingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14711249217634726986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-54299513325526730442009-10-14T14:13:15.485-04:002009-10-14T14:13:15.485-04:00Hi Jody -
I vote for quality over quantity.
I re...Hi Jody -<br /><br />I vote for quality over quantity.<br /><br />I read a fabulous series awhile back and couldn't wait for the last book to come out. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. It's like the author decided the last book wasn't important. Not so. It's the last book that whets my appetite for the author's next series.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-15059513087711764802009-10-14T14:11:10.324-04:002009-10-14T14:11:10.324-04:00I am all about quality over quantity. I really don...I am all about quality over quantity. I really don't know if I could write more than one book a year. Some writers are blessed with the ability to write fast and write quality at the same time. I'm not sure if I'm one of them.<br /><br />And I completely agree with you - when one of my favorite authors has a book come out - even if it is only one a year - I will read it. <br /><br />Interesting discussion as always, Jody!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88228467005687005392009-10-14T14:09:05.040-04:002009-10-14T14:09:05.040-04:00There's no question in my mind that quality is...There's no question in my mind that quality is the desired goal. Pacing oneself to ensure there is adequate time to produce that quality is important. I suspect that experienced authors may be able to move at a faster pace but either way, each of us must find our own rhythm.Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4050828757244831782009-10-14T12:41:29.009-04:002009-10-14T12:41:29.009-04:00Quality, Quality, Quality...GOOOO Guality! :D
Wit...Quality, Quality, Quality...GOOOO Guality! :D<br /><br />With editing and hacking, one a year is about right for me. Just rough drafts, I average writing 2 per year.<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.com