I think I've finally found some sort of formula to actually be a productive writer. Of course, it may be a little early to tell of it's going to work long term or not, because I've only been doing it for four days now.
In short, I've set a very modest goal for myself: to type 1000 words a day (that comes out to about 3 and 1/4 double spaced pages a day). I find that I can actually hit this in about three hours or less, generally. It helps that it's an easy goal, because it's easier to motivate yourself to accomplish a small thing than it is for a large thing. Once finished, I plot ahead for the next 1000 words. By doing this, I always have a general idea what is happening the next time I write, so I always have material to type.
Really, as simple as it sounds, this system seems to be working miracles for me. I haven't been this productive as a writer since I was a student, when writing was required for a grade. Even then I doubt I was really averaging 1000 words a day.
Just for the sake of comparison, when I was in Brandon Sanderson's writing class, he said that a writer could be a productive writer, and make a living, on 2000 words a week. Stephen King sits down in the morning and doesn't get up until he's written something like 10,000 words. Anyway, I'm kind of in the middle right now.
Hopefully this keeps going.
*Correction: I just checked and Stephen King writes at least 2000 words a day (around 10 pgs). That's his goal and he won't get up until he hits it.
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