Can you write 'too much?' | Myths vs. Tips on the Writing Journey

Can you write 'too much' or 'too little?' Is comparison healthy? Let's talk...

"How do you write so many books?"

It’s a question I get messaged on socials. It’s a question folks ask me at events or workshops.

I haven’t tried answering it seriously, at least, not for a long while, because I don’t really know how to.

In this article, I’ll try to explain why the question sort of irks me, but also, I want to encourage authors in all seasons with some inspiration and tips. So, let’s dive in.

The Question Itself Is Subjective…

To some people, I write a lot of books. But to others? I do not write that much.

Now, if you’re new here, or if you haven’t seen me crunch numbers in a while (because I hate crunching numbers), let me do a quick rundown for you. In 2022, I wrote a dozen books of varying lengths. I wrote 13 books in 2024, and got a good chunk of another written, and started another. I also write a few short stories each year but don’t count those shorts into the books number.

So, let’s say my average amount of books written per year is a dozen, with a mix of novels, novellas, and picture books.

I’m happy with my routine. I’m happy with my work. I don’t even set a goal of books I want to write that year, I just follow whatever tangents along and see what takes me where.

But I know folks writing a dozen full-length novels a year, writing millions upon millions of words every year. Am I doing that? No. Do I want to? Also no. Still, they are writing a lot more than I am… but not every person that asks me this question is aware that there are folks writing three million words a year…

That's just the thing — our personal subjectivity isn't reality. The authors I admire that write and publish far more than I do are cool folks. I follow them but I never think, “I need to write more!” They’re doing what works for them, and I’m doing what works for me.

I don’t compare myself to others. I just don’t. So, I’m not usually stressing over “how much” I’m doing, which leads me to…

Comparison Is Stupid

I never look at other authors as competition: many of us want to support one another and write what we love.

Some say comparison can be healthy, but I don’t really see it that way.

Some authors write 20+ books a year. Some authors write 1 book a year. Some authors only write 100k+ novels, some authors only write picture books.

So, what?

Find your rhythm as an author and own it. Have fun with it. Find what works for you.

Things get a lot more enjoyable when you stop comparing yourself and your work to others and just own yourself and your voice!

There’s another side to comparison that I want to note… Genuine folks won't demean others, either. There are people that insist that authors writing "too many books" will start having lesser-quality publications. There are people that insist that authors that write a book a year will not make it in the market…

Psst! These are just insecurities that authors spout as they compare themselves and tear others down. Don’t listen to them, and don’t bother stressing over any of what the naysayers insist. Writing is not magically the only industry or craft that you can "do too much" or “too little” and somehow get worse.

“But if you write a lot, that just means you have a lot of time on your hands. Not everyone has that kind of time!”

Haha.

Okay, but let’s go to some number crunching.

If you write 100 words a day, you have 36,500 words in a year. That's almost an entire novel in a year. That's great!

If you write 1,000 words a day, that’s 365,000 words in a year. Roughly, 9 books that are about 40,000 words apiece. That’s great!

Now, do you see the gist here?

Consistent effort is how we push on. You don't have to quit your job and never see your family to write. We're all living our lives and still carving in the time to get words in! Some people can get a couple hundred words in a day. Some people can do a thousand words in a weekend. Some people can write thousands of words a day in a short timespan.

It doesn’t really matter how you do it, just do it, whatever it amounts to being. If you can write X amount of words daily, weekly, monthly — you’re writing. It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing, because nobody else is writing your story.

But let’s dive even deeper here, because I want to encourage you even further…

Writing isn’t just a ‘goal.’

For some people, like me, writing is a lifeline.

I write daily. I’ve written almost daily since I was five years old. I write through everything and have since I was a kid: I wrote through my mom being sick for the majority of my life, caregiving for my mom, and then, I became chronically ill, too. It’s been years of ‘being sick’ and years of treatment and years of pushing on…

I push on, and write, on the good days, and the bad days. Some days are better than others. Some days, I barely write anything. Some days, I write ‘a lot’ before my wrists start aching. Some days, my hands don’t quite function so I just embrace typos for the day. Some days, I wonder if my stories will help anyone. Some days, I’m just grateful that God helps me use these stories to keep me going, too.

To me, every bit of writing is great. Because I get to be alive another day. I get to toss my heart onto a page. And it’s enough.

And then, I hear people say, “Oh, it must be nice to write so much!” “It must be nice to have so much time to write!” “You must do nothing but write!”

I don’t think every single one of the people that say this mean harm when they say these things. I don’t take offense. I smile and chat on.

But, no, I don’t write all day, 24/7, and most authors, even authors that write as their sole income, don’t write 24/7 like a hermit in a cabin without ever seeing the sun. Writing is my lifeline, which means it both keeps me breathing, but also takes my breath away, too. Some days, I do rely on discipline to push through brain fog, pain, etc, to get some words in… because I love the characters, even when I’m struggling.

“But… how?”

If you’re struggling with comparison… Hold every thought captive. If you see someone that you compare yourself to, take a moment to hold your thoughts together and rephrase them. Immediately remind yourself that your story and your journey are exactly as God needs them to be, and nothing compares. It might not be easy, but it’s worth it.

If you’re struggling to find time… Set a timer for five minutes a day, even if it’s during a lunch break or right before bed, and see what you can accomplish. Try dictation. Try a character conversation with a friend to get the words flowing.

If you’re struggling to be happy with your pace/journey… Take some time to better understand your why. Why do you write? Why do you love your characters and your stories? I think that if our ‘why’ is a bit off-center, it can make things a little grim.

So… As the final reminders… Your pace is the right pace. Your story deserves to be heard. And have some fun! I’m cheering for you!

Sincerely,

Angela