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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/41041
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/41041
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I've got a 40h, full-time job, as many do. Yet I'd like to become a writer someday, or at least, bring a novel through the first draft.

This considered, I'm trying to give myself a daily target of 1000 words to write each day at least. I'm starting to find that I work best under some kind of stress, or commitment. On the days that I reach the goal, I'm usually satisfied and I feel a small boost in motivation, so let's say this method is working for me.

Now, the question for you is this: **is writing 1000 words a day a reasonable pace for a part-time writer dealing with his first draft?**

The assumption here is to maximize commitment to a single novel in order to finish the first draft sooner (in months, rather than a year or years).

Related, but not overlapping:[Time management for part-time writing](https://writing.stackexchange.com/questions/17168/time-management-for-part-time-writing)

**Additional information:** I'm adding this paragraph after the comments and some of the answers.

- I commute to work on foot or by bike. It takes me from 15 to 30 min. to get there, but reasonably enough, no writing can be done. On "good" days I use this time to listen to podcasts or maybe outline the next scene as I'm walking.
- I try to make a stand and _not_ overtime.
- Sometimes I'm able to squeeze some writing at work during lunch break, but that's a difficult one to pull off. 
- Aside from working, I've got the basic stuff to do (chores, groceries, tending to my house and other off-work matters). I've got a SO that helps out with this.

About the writing itself:

- I'm a discovery writer. I have an idea of where the story is going, but I can't predict every turn of the page.
- My actual project is already started and well into its second act. Sometime I have to stop for research certain topics, or take notes about worldbuilding as I go. 
- It takes me around 20 minutes (and a great deal of force of will) to shut off the distractions and get writing at a decent pace. 

And lastly,

- yes, I can think about my writing while I'm doing other stuff. The sad thing is that what I think at other times of the day seldomly gets me inspired when I finaly sit and try to write. 

I hope that those additional infos won't make the question too specific about me (I imagine there are other part-time writers out there interested in the topic).

Original score: 11