I’m one of those people who likes to peek at other authors’ blogs and see how they work, so word counts interest me so long as the author is interested in them too. If word counts aren’t how the author tracks progress, then they do it in other ways, which I find just as interesting. Word counts alone, however, are useless; they need to be couched in some sort of context (how the work went, if it was flowing and why, or if the author’s fingers and brain were recalcitrant and mutinous [I love Sarah Rees Brennan's LJ too!], and so forth). So I suppose word counts aren’t what is most important to me; it’s the context and talk about the day’s work, really.

And you’re absolutely right, it’s hardly fair to compare. Most people’s writing processes vary rather wildly, so it makes sense that word counts would reflect that.

~Mary

It’s all good.

I’ve been trying for the last few years to write two books a year and have yet to manage it. The best I’ve been able to do is one and a half. But I plan to keep trying. And, yes, only one of those is contracted. You’re right about not committing yourself to what might turn out to be impossible!

Amie: What you said. Comparisons really are invidious. Everyone writes differently and we all have our bad days.

And you could look at it another way–500 words a day is two pages a day. If 1 page a day is a book a year then two is two books. Not too shabby!

I used to share my word counts, but stopped because it made me self-conscious. When I kept them to myself, I’d look at a tiny little 500 word day and think, “This was a good day, that bit came together wonderfully!” But when I was sharing my word counts, I’d look at a 500 word day and feel terrible about it, no matter how well I’d done.

When it comes to other people posting word counts, well, I love it. I guess it’s because I always like to see how other people do what I’m doing, but I don’t know really. I echo Grace’s sentiment about real-live writers actually writing. :]

~Mary

I don’t read my favorite authors blogs to see how many words they’ve written, but to see if they are writing about something that made them feel happy. Before they freak out and start to doubt themselves like MJ and Libba Bray say they do, and in that case I just like to know that they put so much of themselves into a book.

Does that make sense?

I like seeing authors’ word counts. There’s just something fascinating about the whole process you all go through to finish your books. It’s so much more elaborate than I ever thought.

For me, the act of setting that on my blog helps me to see how close I am to my goal, and how much I need to be writing, not blogging. Like a few other people, I also keep it up for accountability. A few writer friends could notice that I have been stuck at 80k for a week, and then enjoy a good natured ribbing at my expense.

If one of the authors I read (such as yourself or your husband) were to post a word count, it would be exciting to see how quickly you go through words, or how fits and spurts work.

Ultimately, I view it as a motivator for those of us without deadlines. It works for some, it distracts some, and it’s just plain useless for others.

Kelly McCullough: I may start with the next book to see if that can help me break the current plateau of two books a year.

Two books a year! Hah! Wish I could write more than one book a year!

As for word count, it is of no interest to me.

Today’s blog comment word count (including this word-count announcement and everything in these parentheses): 32

Note: There may have been blog overlord intervention on this comment.