Finding the Light at the End of the Tunnel

Sometimes you have days where everything in regards to writing is frustrating and the light at the end of the tunnel seems to not exist.  Well, here's some food for thought:

The basic novel is any literature over 50,000 words (though publishers like to see a minimum of 70,000 words for novels).  These numbers sound much scarier than they are, believe me.  If you shot for around 1,000 words per day, which when single spaced, equals a little under 2 pages, you would be finished within 50-70 days of beginning.  That's less than 2 months!  If you shoot for 2,000 words per day, you're looking at literally half the time. 

So at 4 pages of writing per day, you can be done in less than a month with your first draft.  Assuming, you write every day consistently and stick to your goal.

Of course, writing a novel isn't just about writing the first draft, but don't worry about that when you're getting it onto paper.  That will only make the light harder to see.  Focus on getting that draft down.  Get it out of your brain and into a physical shape.  Then worry about the other stuff. 

Just think, 1,000 words per day, less than 2 pages and you can be finished inside of 2 months.  Two months isn't so long, and 2 months is something manageable and doable, even with other goings-on in life. 

Keep at it.  Don't give up.  If you miss a day, move on and write the next day.  If you find yourself getting stuck, shake things up a bit and try writing somewhere different to see how it helps.  Try some writing exercises or even something completely different to get your mind away from the stress of it all.  Just keep on going; writing and working toward that light at the end of the tunnel.  It's there, I promise.