With the exception of my first two books (which each were written over sequential one month periods), my writing output has pretty much been even across 13 year - right around 1,500 - 2,000 words a day. The reason those first two books came out so quickly is the story had been building for her a decade, and when I decided to write it, the damn broke and I barely ate or slipped while I purged them from my brain.
That pace is more than good for most writers (and also the most common word count of those who write daily. Now that said, Rachel Aaron, is a writer who is quite talented and she wrote a book called 2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love. I've not read it because I have no desire to increase my writing to that pace, but, knowing her, I think there is probably some good stuff in there.
I have that problem, but I'm just starting out as well. At first I jumped from story to story but found each pretty fragmented and realized that I was simply getting out the fun juicy stuff instead of focusing on the "plot" and filler stuff.
So, I've decided that I have to finish the current story before getting started on another to help me focus. I bought 2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love at the suggestion of someone here and it has helped me plot out my stories before hand so it goes faster. I also allow myself to plot out ideas for other stories but not actually get started on them. The anticipation of moving on to them also helps me write more and faster.
Huh, I didn't know there was a book about the Pomodoro technique. I did it without even knowing what it was called. I'm not sure what you're going to get out of a book about it. It's probably more about the research behind it than the actual technique.
The book I recommended isn't that long. Amazon says it's 65 pages, but you can skip the second section about plot, characters, editing, ect. Here's the link if you're interested.
I've used a couple of different methods, including the one Rachel Aaron describes in <em>2K to 10K</em>, but I've found the most success using the Snowflake Method.(Here's the Amazon link if you decide to purchase the book.)
To me, this is a very organic and easy-to-follow method. With each step (e.g., Step 5, which requires you to delve into a character's backstory and role), I find myself filling previously missed plot holes or discovering the real reason for a character's actions. For example while working on Step 8 the other night (creating a scene list), I suddenly found myself adding six new chapters (about 18 proactive and reactive scenes) that completely solved a gap in my antagonist's timeline. When I realized that something didn't quite work, it was much easier to delete one weak sentence than throw away a 1,500-word scene that didn't add anything.
The best way I can think of to summarize this method is that you will start with a very basic idea and then extrapolate it in multiple steps. As you progress, ideas will ebb and flow. Small changes during this process save so much time. You'll find that after you finish the steps, the writing is easy. I know that when I'm done with the steps and finally begin to write, the skeleton and muscle are already there; all I have left to add is the skin and maybe one or two tattoos.
In any case, I would certainly recommend taking a look. One of the women in my writing group just switched to the Snowflake Method after becoming stuck in the middle of her third novel (part of a fantasy series that has had good sales on Amazon). She sent me an e-mail the other night telling me that she was now a believer, having finally resolved the issues that had resulted in a stagnant project.
Hope it helps!
Rachel Aaron/Rachel Bach. She writes several thousand words per day and, since 2010, has written thirteen novels and other various works.
https://www.amazon.com/2k-10k-Writing-Faster-Better-ebook/dp/B009NKXAWS
Writing 10k a day is possible for some people. Then 30 days to 300,000.
Rachel Aaron wrote a book on writing 2k-10k words a day. Her books are pretty well-liked according to her GoodReads reviews as well, so... not automatically crap like others here are suggesting.
I found http://thisblogisaploy.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-i-went-from-writing-2000-words-day.html and https://www.amazon.com/2k-10k-Writing-Faster-Better-ebook/dp/B009NKXAWS
Part of the block I'm facing is I actually don't know what happens next in the story. I.E. I saw a few scenes and then nothing. So there isn't anything to jot down on the pads, because I don't know what happens next and everything that I'm pitching feels wrong - at least for this character.
I think this may be telling me I need to outline/storyboard what I'm doing so that I don't get lost as easily?
I skimmed through it and it seems like a good read. I'll check it out. Thanks!
Buy Rachel Aaron's book of writing advice. It is actually very helpful.
Also check out the snowflake method.
See what other famous, prolific writers do. Try a bit. See what you do best with.
If something gives you a headache, either it's not for you, or you're doing it wrong.
Up to you to figure that one out.
Rinse, repeat. :)