We have compiled a list of the daily word counts of famous authors and what they had to say about writing every day.

What Is A Word Count?

A word count is the number of words in a text. Generally, there are 300 words per typed double-spaced page, using a 12 point font. You can use Word to count how many words you have written in a document.

We need to count words if we are writing for a publication that asks us to stay within a set number of words. We also need to count words when we write a novel. Generally speaking, a novel has 80 000 words.

Must-Read: Word Counts – How Long Should Your Novel Be?

Why Are Word Counts Important?

Daily word counts are one of the first things students ask about on our writing course. While we don’t recommend any particular number, we do think it is a good idea to have one as a daily goal. If you set a goal of 500 or 1 000 words and you keep it every day, you feel as if you have accomplished something.

If you want to be a published writer, you should cultivate a writing routine. Almost every writer I’ve interviewed has one.

Creating a habit of writing – even if what you are writing is not good – is vital. Many authors believe that you should write every day, saying that it helps them write with more confidence and improve the quality of what they write. The more you do it the easier it gets.

Writing every day also helps you to clear your mind. It can be therapeutic if you do it regularly. You will also find that you generate ideas and material for future books in the process. (Keep these bits and pieces in notebooks or files on your computer.)

The only way to become a better writer is by practising. Some writers say that they need to write to find out what they really think about a subject, because writing forces you to think.

If you want to set a goal for daily word counts, use a daily writing prompt to encourage you. [Get a FREE daily writing prompt. Sign up here]

But how many words should you write every day?

Nobody really knows, but here are the daily word counts of 39 famous authors. (Please bear in mind that a double-spaced manuscript page contains approximately 300 words.)

The Daily Word Counts Of 39 Famous Authors

Click here to see a larger version: The Daily Word Counts Of 39 Famous Authors

Do you have a daily word count?

Even if you don’t have a word count yet, prompts are an excellent way to exercise the writing muscle. Get a FREE daily writing prompt. Sign up here

Top Tip: If you want to learn how to write a book, sign up for our online course.

by Amanda Patterson

© Amanda Patterson

If you enjoyed this post, read:

Sources: How Many Words a Day? / Famous Authors Routines: Rise Early, Work Early, and Count The Words / How many words did you write today? / Daily Word Count Output of My Favourite Writers /Interviews and Birthday Posts by Writers Write