Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:10:54 -0800

Any other compulsive word count updaters out there? Maybe it's due to my having got off to a very late start (4k words the first couple of days, with a 2-week gap of no writing at all), but I find myself compulsively updating the word counter. When I stop typing to consider a point for a moment, I hit SAVE, then check my word count, and make a mad dash to the updater to plug in the latest stats. Sometimes it's only 50 words more, sometimes I've made several hundred before updating. Am I suffering from CWUD (sounds like Elmer Fudd saying "crud"), Compulsive Word count Updating Disorder?

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

CarlieD — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:23:46 -0800

Yes. Join the club. Every time that I stop writiing to think, it's like an automatic "ctrl-s-wordcount-details-page-OMG-UPDATE-NANO-WORDCOUNT!"

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

P-3a — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:38:32 -0800

I update every 500 words if I'm being good or every 200 words if I'm being slow. It helps motivate me. Or at least I see it that way. I just like seeing the graph go up and the "At This Rate You Will Finish On..." go down. >>

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

caseyrox76 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:57:03 -0800

Sometimes, if I'm blocked, I'll update every 20-100 words. It's definitely obsessive. ;)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

karmine — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:57:39 -0800

Yes! This happens to me all the time too! It's also because I'm racing my friend to see who can get to 50 000 so I'm always checking to make sure I'm making some kind of noticeable progress like she is. lol I'd probably get a lot more done if I didn't keep checking though x)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

hermienevi — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:10:34 -0800

Yes! Glad I'm not the only one! I will update every time I pause to think, even if I've only typed up a single sentance since the last update. and I keep the window open, just off to the side of my screen so I can see the bar graph while I'm typing. I call it motivation, but I think that it might be a form of passive masochism.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Appelsina — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:19:06 -0800

I update mine like every 15 minutes or after every paragraph. I am glad I am not the only one who does this.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Starry Ink Writer — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:21:16 -0800

I usually don't update for a while. For example, I've went from 37k to 39k without updating once. But when I do get blocked up, I update more often. I love checking my Stats page. :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Feral — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:26:03 -0800

When I get stuck, I update. Gives me the drive to go just a bit further.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Bookcrazy — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:32:53 -0800

I totally have CWUD! I think i mostly do it because i'm procrastinating from actually writing. Because every time i change my wordcount i also check out a few forums, how my buddies are doing, my email. It goes on and on.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

awesome-me94 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:46:21 -0800

My sister gets annoyed with my bout of CWUD...but I can't help it I just HAVE TO KNOW!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Writing_Ninja — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:48:24 -0800

I update my word count when I feel like I have finished writing for the day. However I compulsively check it a lot. :P

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

MouseShadow — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:58:34 -0800

I update literally everytime I pause. Whether it's 20 words or 500, I'll switch to NaNo to update :D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:46:52 -0800

Updating my word count often really does help my motivation. I didn't notice my "At This Rate You Will Finish On" date until I'd updated a few times today, and by then it was down to 7 Jan 2012. Heh. Yep, going for over 2 weeks without writing a word can do that. Now, 4k later, I've cut 5 days off my due date. Just watching the clock ticking backwards encourages me to write just a little bit more today. And just a little bit more. I've got a bad case of CWUD, but I treat it like some folks with bipolar disorder treat their manic periods: I grab my CWUD and run with it. =)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

linka — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:52:16 -0800

I do this all the time! I can't help it.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

GiannaNicole — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:54:41 -0800

Yes! That is so me. If I'm being slow I have to force myself to write 100 words between word count updates. If I use writtenkittens or I'm being good it's something more like 500.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

CarlieD — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:00:56 -0800

That "At This Rate You Will Finish On" section is Satan in a Sunday hat. I'm checking that compulsively too, because I like seeing a 2011 end date.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Windywords — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:10:19 -0800

Me too! I check constantly. So nice to see the number of words I've written today going up. :D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

acciolupin — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:28:49 -0800

I do that all the time when I'm writing on my computer. It's a habit :p But I don't see the problem with it. I don't do it when I'm in the middle of a flow of writing...mostly when I'm getting a block or thinking something out for a moment

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

marielaurent_2223 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:46:19 -0800

I am a compulsive word count updater every night and day including in the early morning hours. I always update and do my best to work through my writing. So i will not be bored by updating every day or night which works well for me. And i love being compulsive and updating my word count. Since i am at 66k and i plan to be at 69k through 73k soon by updating my word count more and more.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

jtdrewry — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:50:00 -0800

I am in this same boat. I have begun forcing myself not to update until I write another 1,000 or so words which makes me write faster because I love seeing the blue bar go up! It is so satisfying and motivates me to write. I love the progress bar in Scrivener because it has the same effect.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

BooKeeper — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:36:26 -0800

I update mine ALL THE TIME, which is why I laughed particularly hard at this week's NaNoVideo. It's because of the stats. I can't stand it being like "0 words written" or "You'll finish by December 1st" GAH! So I compulsively update it every, oh, 150 words in hope that it keeps me across the threshold.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

skohne16 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:39:02 -0800

Yep. I am constantly updating my word count. Especially during word sprints. I usually do 10 min or 15 min and after each one I update. I love watching my graph climb.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Writing in my Free Time — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:44:42 -0800

That'd be me *typetypetype*pause*updatewordcount*typetypetype*pause*updatewordcount* It's a vicious cycle. Sometime's all I'll do is rephrase the last sentence to include two extra words before I update. It really is obsessive compulsive >.<

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

immortalwitchy — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:46:05 -0800

yea okay im so guilty of that.. usually will update it cuz i like to know how many words i have and i also like to know how many words that i've wrote that day (well i am over 50K but still i do the update word ct

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Alpina'sQuill — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:57:16 -0800

Some times I update every 100 words, approximately. It seems to help me get a momentum going. I like to think "OH MY GOSH, JUST 400 MORE WORDS AND I'LL HAVE ANOTHER THOUSAND!" or some times I just need the constant re-assurance that I am, in fact, getting somewhere.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

graciado — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:22:38 -0800

I'm doing this too, I think because I always wonder if I'm going to write anything more whenever I come to a natural pause!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Elluna Hellen — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:34:02 -0800

I'm not. I usually update every 1,000 or every few thousand words.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

fabula_vitae — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:39:34 -0800

For me it depends. When I'm writing in Open Office I update quite compulsively (every 200-500 words, it seems like), but when I'm using Write or Die I obviously don't have time to update that quickly so I just do it after I've transferred everything to Open Office. It's always nice to see my word count jump by 2000-2500 words when that happens.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

doctor confidence — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:42:02 -0800

I used to update a lot when my NaNo was shorter, but now that it's 139 pages, it takes way too long to copy and paste it into the Validator (and since the Validator adds 300+ words...)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

witchykristy — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:24:55 -0800

My body tends to stop after 100 or so words, and hence I update every 100 or so words. If I'm not tired and full of energy - like this morning - I may update every 200, 300 or 500 words. Sometimes if I need a boost, I wait an extra ten minutes and update every 1k.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Lalina2005 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:37:33 -0800

Add me to the obsessive-word-count-check list...ESPECIALLY when I'm having a hard time getting anything written, It's like a mental countdown *Ok... 750 words to go. That's like 7 really long paragraphs and some random dialogue. I can DO this* Rinse and repeat another 5 - 10x! lol

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

buggy1994 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:41:50 -0800

I ended up having to disable to word count thingy that's in the corner on MS Word. I updated about every hundred words or so. now that I'm not glancing at it every 30 seconds, I'm going about 500-1000 words between updates. It's been really helpful for me.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

sorrygrimmjow — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:59:21 -0800

I'll update about every hundred words, I need to stop, haha.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DistinctDottiness — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:07:05 -0800

I compulsively check them in the word document, but don't update them until I have a nice fat chunk done. It's very satisfying to see the meter bar jump a quarter inch forward, even if it's taken me most of the week to get the words..

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

cherylmahoney — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:14:54 -0800

Ha! I had been thinking about posting a thread to ask this same question. Happy to find out there are so many of us doing this. :) It definitely makes me feel like I've accomplished more if my word count is updated, even if updating it accomplishes exactly nothing. But it's like the words count more somehow. I've been following a patttern of write a few hundreds words, hit the forums, write a few more, and I update the word count every time I'm here.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

dizzy — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:40:14 -0800

I do the saaaame thing. D; I swear I'm spending more time updating my word count than I am writing. I always want to see that little bar raise just a liiittle bit higher. But I'm trying to only update it only every 100 words or so now. I'm very behind. :c

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Ferginator — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:52:48 -0800

Yeah, I'm almost certainly spending more time updating my word count than actually writing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

FunkyRutabaga — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:37:38 -0800

I've been staying up late to get my writing done since I'm busy during the day, and the closer it gets to midnight, the more often I update. I want to get the 'Words Written Today' as high as I can! So while I normally update every 1-2k, once it passes 11:30 I update every 200-500 words, or about every ten minutes. I think my family's pretty sick about hearing me rattle off the change in my stats every time, too. I can't resist. They must know what date NaNo predicts I'll finish on!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

whitedove — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:40:39 -0800

What's bad is that I made an excel file that includes most of the stats Nanowrimo produces that is adjusted for the restart I did on Monday. 2941 words a day instead of 1667. So I update both that and the website with equal frequency.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

clnelson8 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:16:51 -0800

I do this all the time as well. I have been using the 'At This Rate You Will Finish On' as a key motivation. Before I start writing for the day I take notes down and I strive to make that my daily word count target. It keeps me on track and by doing this I have decreased my difference to the par from 10,000 to just over 5,000 (and that had been just over the last 4 days). Knowing that if I follow this plan that I will finish on time but I also feel the need to keep writing once I reach the target cause going above and beyond always gives me that feel good feeling. Definately motivational! P.S. I try not to update my word count to often but I have to agree with what the masses are saying when you are stuck in a slow rut on how to proceed with the story I find myself definately plunking in numbers every couple 100 words or so.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

ThraeElddim — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:50:45 -0800

I update whenever I pause, which is an average of every 750 words on a good day or every 100 on a bad day. I loved that blue bar going up until I reached 50,000. Now I'm sad that the blue bar doesn't move anymore. :(

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 06:29:28 -0800

Oh, yikes. I pasted a pile o' notes to the bottom of my story, saved, continued to write a while--and then very nearly updated my word count, notes and all. Imagine the sinking, disappointed feeling when the notes were first incorporated into the story, though in a much shorter form, and then deleted, one-by-one. Updating the word count, in this case, would lead to a drop. Ouch. So glad I remembered in time and stopped my crazy CWUD fingers from clicking on "Update Word Count."

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Mudokon — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:03:37 -0800

Or as a bit of padding, you could count your notes. I'm doing that with a few of mine, like when I skip over giving a detailed setting I add a sentence to explain basically what should be there and move on. I used to be a terrible CWUD sufferer. That was especially in my first NaNoWriMo. I find now though, to stop myself I set a timer. I do a word sprint for 20 minutes and then whatever I have I can update. Not updating until that timer goes off saves a lot of wasted time for me, and helps me to focus only on the writing at the moment.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:12:33 -0800

It's encouraging to hear that there IS help for those of us who suffer with CWUD. It sounds as though it takes a good deal of self-discipline, not unlike most psychiatric disorders. Can't we just take a pill, or something? =o) Check it out; Mustache Man: =o[D He's very happy about his mustache. [Did someone mention self-discipline? As in "quit goofing off in the forums" type of self-discipline?]

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Ginger11 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:51:14 -0800

I update every hundred words or so. It helps me keep track, keep me focused somehow.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Ginger11 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:51:53 -0800

It helps me see how far I have left to go to get in my word count goal of the day. That's why I do it. :P

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

epotts — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:36:18 -0800

Yes, as am I. I should really just leave the computer. Now. Right.....now. And................NOW.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

UCF612 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:38:43 -0800

Yes, I've been known to update 10 words before! It is an obsession.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

rainstorm. — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:01:20 -0800

It's perfectly okay to do that! I literally was updating my word count every 25 words, during the whole writing process, unless I got to a really exciting part and then I might update every couple hundred words. But you know what? It actually helped me, seeing my progress go up like that. And it worked for me, so, it could work for you too~

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

clayholio — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:49:41 -0800

Pretty much every time I get to the point where I need to think for a minute to see where I'm headed next, it's time to update the word count. I keep telling myself it's a good thing to have a rough idea of how quickly I write, but really, I just like seeing the bar go up on the graph.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

CarlieD — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:30:13 -0800

CWUD can be positive. I just discovered that my word counter in WriteWay sometimes logs one day's word count inside the day before or the day after: for example, it's showing that on Sunday Nov 20th I wrote 0 words, even though I wrote approximately 800. Those 800 were tacked on Nov 19's total. However, because I CWUDed, NaNo is still showing that I made progress on Sunday!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

SunflowerRei — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:26:35 -0800

I obsessively update my word count. Every time I pause, I update. I like seeing the bar go up. But also, I'm amused when I see the "average words written" stat get up higher, too.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Pawtrekker — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:27:56 -0800

I do the same thing! people keep saying you shouldn't update all the time like that but you know what? I can't help myself! ;D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:33:26 -0800

UCF - Just last night, I updated after ten words. TEN words. It was then that I knew for certain I NEED HEEELLLPPP! ahahahaha! OK, to be honest, I was shutting down for the night. So, um, what's your excuse? =)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:37:11 -0800

Can't help yourself, eh? *scratches chin and jots down notes* Tell me more... Yep, you've got the CWUD, Paw. It's best to just admit it. Say it with me, Paw, "My name is Pawtrekker and I am a compulsive word count updater." Don't you feel better? 8-)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

.izzy21. — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:05:53 -0800

Yep. I find myself updating anywhere from 100-600 words, because I just love seeing my new count creep closer and closer to my goal. The little blue bar is very motivating.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Pawtrekker — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:12:06 -0800

My name is Pawtrekker and I am a compulsive word count updater....yep all better now! ;D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

brandnewriot3 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:49:55 -0800

I just went to update my word count and realised I'd written five words...five. It took me like half an hour to write five words?

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

princessraya — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:51:32 -0800

I totally do this too!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

gadzooks97 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:33:13 -0800

I update every time I get to a certain point so everytime I reach the 250 i update, then 500, then 750 and then at 1000.. and so on... it's really compulsive caus every time I cross that wordcount mark I MUST update. XD It drives me insane when I shut off my internet and I can't update... >-<

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

neonspider — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:07:50 -0800

I usually update after every word war I do. Or at least once an hour, which I suppose is not TOO compulsive, but still. Also, I round off my word count to the last 100. So say in my word doc I have 34536 words? I'll only update my count as 34500, that way when I update my next words, it seems like a bit more each time. Whatever I can do to psych myself up!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Sinfony — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:11:23 -0800

I'm like this too...I'm pretty sure at some point yesterday I updated after writing a single word.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

kwizzitive — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:25:18 -0800

I usually update every 200 words or so, but as midnight nears I update it much more frequently, like once every couple of minutes. =)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Yentl — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:47:11 -0800

Omg I do the same u.u It's like... my little silly way of procrastinating xD

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

AshHadAns — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:41:39 -0800

Haha, I do the exact same thing! Usually every few hundred words I update because I get a high at seeing my stats go up. I will honestly sit and pore over my daily stats just because I get so proud of myself.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:05:00 -0800

Last night, I updated, then wandered off to bake the cookie dough I'd made the night before. By the time I came back, I couldn't remember if I had updated or not. I reread the last paragraph to remind myself of where I was, noticed a couple words that needed fixing, and decided I'd better update, just in case I hadn't before wandering off. The result: I sat there with my current word count in my head, staring at the previous word count. The difference was one word. One lousy word! I wasted many precious seconds just sitting there, debating with myself about whether or not I should update my word count. In the end, I did. YES, I UPDATED BY ONE WORD! *blushes*

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

YourDestiny — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:25:45 -0800

I usually update every 500 words but most of the time i do it more!....I like seeing my stats go up.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

CB_Young — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:35:59 -0800

I once caught myself about to update my word count after writing one more (rather short) sentence. I try not to let myself update it unless I've written at least another 1000 words, but it can be crazy kinds of tempting.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Serendipitist — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:38:11 -0800

Every time I update I imagine a sarcastic voice saying, "Oh joy, another three words." Hasn't stopped me though.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

breathofawen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:19:09 -0800

I usually update whenever I finish a scene, which can be anything from 250 to 2,000 words, depending. I wouldn't say that I update excessively, but it is really nice to see the counter going up. I've never written this much in a month before, or on any one project, so my first NaNo is exciting for me.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Kitty Sola — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:42:42 -0800

I am the SAME! I need to stop it. I work better without knowing my wordcount; I always assume I'm behind so I write like a madwoman and when I reach the end I'm usually into the 2,000-daily-word zone.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Daisy512 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:08:32 -0800

I do this too! I also check the graph on the stats page constantly!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

AniRemi — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:09:17 -0800

*updates word count* No! Of course not. I don't compulsively update my word count. Why would I...excuse me. *updates word count* Why would I do something like that? Compulsively updating my word count is something I just don't do. *updates word count*

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DeanW93 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:24:54 -0800

I update mywordcount every couple paragraphs or so when it looks like ive wrote a lot and i feel so proud. Then I update my count and its only been like 300 words or something. I try to keep my mind off the count by being drawn into my story that much but the word count at the bottom of my word document always distracts me. But when i do get in the zone i end up writing for hours and hours before i reilse CRAP SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT!!!!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

falkner — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:29:05 -0800

It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there. I'm also another who loves looking at the stats graph, which was incredibly depressing until I did a 10K catch-up this weekend. Now it's more along the right trajectory if 5K words short of the target number. It'll probably be another one of those weekends, though writing would be faster if I didn't update my word count every 10 minutes...

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Symphony of Rain — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:30:29 -0800

Yeah... I do this, too, but I write so slow now. I hit.... WRITER'S BLOCK *scare chord* I make goals for myself every day taht exceed the actual daily goal. Like to day's is 46,000. I have not written a word today. *shame*

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Pixystickpixie — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:33:01 -0800

I do the same exact thing, however I've actually updated my word count by 1... that's how bad it's gotten :X

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Joselyn — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:41:52 -0800

I update every time I stop writing and go to do something else, which tends to be every few thousand words or so.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Kitsune Moonstar — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:57:58 -0800

I update my word count about every 100 words or so. I finally had to set a limit of every 100 words or I was updating after every time I checked my word count, which was about every five minutes. Kit~_^

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

ellarien — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:03:47 -0800

I update about every time I come up to breathe and save my file, which is usually about every 250 or 300 words. As witness the thread in the Site Bugs forum, the Stats page isn't really built to make sense if you're updating multiple times a day -- particularly the "words per day to finish on time" part. Not that that stops me checking ...

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Only.A.Memory — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:04:22 -0800

I do this constantly, and then I get sad when I realize that I've really only written about 80 words since the last time I've updated. Gah. CWUD.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

LuLiLa — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:21:07 -0800

I update the wordcount every 100 words or so normally XD, when I'm really into the scene maybe every 500 words or so and when I have nothing to write every 30 words, I'm such a fail! I need to just write and not keep checking how close I am to the goal for the day or updating my word count!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

kerrostarbane — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:44:31 -0800

I try and update at mile stones, though usually every few hundred words or so. I feel like i'm racing against my self to write more to keep the count ever increasing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Celebrine — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:50:48 -0800

Not only do I update my word count every time I pause (anywhere between 20 and 500 words, but usually ~ every 200), but I have my own running tallies in addition to the ones on the Stats Page that I update ~ every 500 words. They include My current word count total, How many words I have left to today's NaNo goal, How any words I have left to my own personal goal for the day and How many words I've written total today. Sometimes tweaking these numbers by the 20 words I've torn out of my brain over the past 10 minutes is the only thing keeping me strapped to my keyboard!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

doctori — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:56:58 -0800

I update once a day, but if I didn't have a f/t really annoying job and crazy child, I'd probably do it about every 10 minutes. I mean, what's wrong with being compulsive?

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Frstlymil — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:01:23 -0800

I write before work and I'm trying to stay above the suggested daily word amount -- or trying to do about 2000 per day. I do not, however, do math well, so I use the counter to give me an idea where I'm at before I have to jump in the shower and get to my day job.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

angeliclizard — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:20:02 -0800

Normally I only update my word count once a day, but I got over that and will update it occasionally, once or thrice a day. I also have to keep myself from checking my word could too much, I make myself wait untill after a 15 or 30 minute sprint or after I finish a page.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Symphony of Rain — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:21:27 -0800

Your icon just made my day. *steamrollers on with writing*

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

KAlast — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:26:27 -0800

Yep, I'm obsessed! I would have so much more time to write if I wasn't constantly updating. Well, there's that and the trolling around the forums. Stupid wireless internet, I need a computer that's not attached to entire world!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

IrelandChic — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:33:04 -0800

I update mine like, hourly. It drives my bros crazy.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Chillibean — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:35:46 -0800

I've just updated... with four more words than before. I'm definitely suffering from CWUD.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

IsBreaLiomCaife — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:36:25 -0800

I don't really have much choice. In the past, I've used Works, which gives you less words than the NaNoWriMo site does, so you end up always being ahead. This year, I have Open Office, which is notorious for giving you far more words than the site. So I'm using the site's validation tool as my only counter because OO is frankly a horrible judge of wordcount. Because of that, I check several times a day to let me know how far I have to go.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

fastgonzofaster — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:26:30 -0800

I definitely have CWUD. I've updated my word count EVERY day this month and lately, I've had to study a lot for school so I almost can't make it. Yesterday, 27 minutes ago, I finished 1,671 words just in time to log them in. I don't know how mad I would've been if I hadn't finished in time. It's the first time I've come that close (I could even say seconds close), and I have to say, it was breathtaking and VERY fun.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

thisisproductivity — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:38:16 -0800

I'm glad I'm not the only one!! The problem with this is that whenever I update my word count, then I get distracted and end up spending at least an hour on the internets... :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

faintingcheerleader10 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:47:48 -0800

Oh gosh I have this bad. I tend to update every time I reach another 100 word mark, unless I have the wireless turned off so I can focus on writing...

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

quietfox — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:54:10 -0800

CWUD! It usually goes like this. 1. Word war/sprint in Write or Die. 2. Copy/paste text from Write or Die to Word document. 3. Hit "recount." 4. Add time written & update word count in spreadsheet. 5. Update word count on Nano. I DID NOT DO THIS LAST STEP THIS MORNING. I may do it when I get home so my graph is right. Also I want my graph to show that I wrote 96 words on Day 1, and then nothing until Day 6. I WANT TRUTH IN GRAPHS!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

elementlover — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:22:00 -0800

i do this too maybe because I restarted in the middle of the month and I like to see myself slowly getting closer to the par. It also allows me a little break to think. I was just updateing my word count every 20 words and now I am reading all of these man I can not stay focused must get back to writing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

penny_lightfoot — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:24:59 -0800

I happily admit that I have cwud! It helps me think. Honest. And on days when words don't want to come easily, it give me the incentive to keep going...only 500 or so until you reach 1667! It's magic. Then I can go back to writing and pick up the thread and keep going.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

TheJazzPony — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:41:17 -0800

Hey I have a tip for all you CWUDers! Go to the Write this many words if you... thread in the word wars forum. Go through the first page, and count up your words for each if you... post. Write down these totals in a list. You can only update your word count when you reach or exceed each total on your list. It gives you motivation so you can see that bar get bigger, and your "this much to finish" go down, plus it helps you not waste so much time updating every time you write a sentence.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Feathers — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:57:07 -0800

Every 200 words I write I update and then eat a gummy brain. I think I am becoming some sort of a writing zombie.

GlassXRose — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:41:38 -0800

I do this when I have a goal for one sitting and am eager to get to my break XD I'll update my word count to discover I've only written 25 words. Then later I'll update it and have written 240968204 words. (Well.. I wish)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

hasyananda — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:24:21 -0800

23.11.2011 I do the updating only once at the end of the day and it has been OK with slight ups and downs until now. So far so good, although the first few days were like moving in a forest, blindfolded. Each day brings in its own new blocks and hiccups but remembering the 50,000 and telling myself not to give up until the last day as any number of miracles can happen any time. I am still at 39K but hopefully I will cancel all engagements today to make it to cross the 40000 mark so i can sleep better. I thank all the guys in NaNoWriMo, for all the pep talk and other insightful posts now and then which do help in keeping the focus. PS: The little gadget that I click to get my 'statistics' in MyNanoWrimo, is a brilliant piece of ingenuity, I am able to see how far I have come, what I have added today and what I can do to reach the target in time .... all in just one click. And it also shows it graphically, in case I miss the point. I would like to express my appreciation to the designer of that cute little button, at no extra cost to the novice user like me. I am working on my novel in Chennai and I don't see any one posting from here. I hope we could get to see each other atleast on the D-DAY. Best of lucks to all my fellow WriMos

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

myviolettears — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:33:07 -0800

I am totally suffering from CWUD

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Zilver — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:02:08 -0800

I told myself I could only update my word count when I have written a halve page. Doesn't matter if it's 'till the end of the page or just halve of the page. But sometimes when I'm just in the writing mood I can write on and on, and I just update it when I don't have any inspiration anymore.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Lindy-Hop — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:37:30 -0800

Last night I needed 150 words to get to my target, and I was updating every 10 words or so to see when I could finally go to sleep. But normally I update my excel sheet every 200 or so words and then Nano when there's a big change.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Evamitchelle — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:41:52 -0800

I have CWCU as well. Most of the time I'll update every 100-200 words, but then I get stuck and I'll update every time I write 10 more words.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

akin_fingers — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:37:03 -0800

Yeah, I've started updating more and more as I get closer to being on par for this wordathon. Sometimes my story ebbs aand flows, other times blocked, and stuck at a dead end. Weird huh ?

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Kelly Ospina — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:33:30 -0800

Oh yes, I so totally do this! That tiny 100 word increment might not seem like it is worth it, but sometimes it is so hard won, with time to write being carved out against all odds, that it reminds me to just keep on going. A little here, a little there, and I creep closer to goal. Sometimes seeing the number go up - even if it isn't much - is all I need to push a little further and write a little more.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Kelly Ospina — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:34:53 -0800

Really? I didn't know that! I am also using OO. Now I'm worried!! Maybe I'm not as far along as I thought I was? Oh snap!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

MelanieH — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:03:37 -0800

Totally do the same thing, probably for the same reason! Quite far behind - though I've been making good progress the past couple days - so it's nice to see the bar creeping up. Try not to do it for less than like 2/300 words but I do somewhat obsessively check my word count.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

PurpleStar97 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:49:37 -0800

Guilty! LOL Rachel :D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

electricbassguy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:53:22 -0800

I had more fun compulsively updating when I started a week late and writing 100 more words changed my expected finish date by 12 years or so... Right now it is 34,043. A bit behind the expected curve still, but almost caught up

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

lupus amans — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:58:32 -0800

I do that to!!!! - Lupus Amans

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Angelynx — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:04:18 -0800

Oh gosh yeah! 7-10 times a night. It's great for another little nudge of motivation: round the total off to a full extra hundred/thousand, push your finish date back a day, or my favorite, try to get your bar for the day above that cussed sloping line on the graph.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Celebrine — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:25:04 -0800

I have to write a thousand words, then I get a cookie! Gummy brains might be better for my waistline though!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

ArtWriter — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:28:50 -0800

There's just something about that little bar : D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

MikePaulson — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:34:44 -0800

You and me both. I've been getting involved in the "Three Digits" thread under the Word Sprints Forum, and I feel compelled after each round of writing, even if it's only a couple hundred words, to update my count. Apparently I have CWUD too.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Star7 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:57:37 -0800

Wellll ~ not that anyone wants to hear my life story but, what the hell, I'll tell you anyway. I write on my phone on the train to work and back again :) I do it five days a week and typically write anywhere between 1k-2k words in total. Once I get home I add ALL that stuff to my master file and check the word count to see just how well I did that day. If I'm over par, I go to bed. If I'm under par I need to write up the last few hundred words and - awe man - as soon as I start doing that I'm constantly checking to see when I'm going to be done. I check the word count and go update it at the end of every damn paragraph. I'm always gutted when it's only just up by 100 words instead of the 600 or so that I need. I'm so glad I can't do the word count checking thing while I'm writing on my phone or god darnit I'm tell you I'd never get anything done. I feel for you guys. I feel for you ._."

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Noogah — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:39:37 -0800

Not always, but sometimes. Usually when things are slow, and I just want to finish my goal. I try not to though, because I usually end up being disappointed by how few words I've actually written. I find that the less I pay attention to my word count, and the more I pay attention to the book, the quicker my word count actually increases.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Eilorae — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:23:06 -0800

Yes, I do update my word count ever five to ten minutes ^.^;

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

IsBreaLiomCaife — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:38:03 -0800

There's a bug in the way OO's word counter handles smart quotes. (Those are the ones that are hooked in either direction instead of just being straight lines.) Because of that, especially if you write a lot of dialogue and use smart quotes, OO gives you a higher total than the site will. While you still have a few extra days left, you need to put it into the site's word counter just to make sure. There's nothing worse than having that happen on November 30th and finding out you need another 1,000 words when you were just ready to validate shortly before midnight.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

IsBreaLiomCaife — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:51:49 -0800

OK...to give some people who might not know this one yet a realistic idea about OO, I've just updated on the site and checked the processor's count. Day: 23 November Daily Goal: 38,333 Site Count: 38,455 OO Count: 39,155 Difference: 700 words

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Kaini — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:06:05 -0800

Omg I do this constantly. That little bar is my best friend. <3

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Cardinalis — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:14:03 -0800

I didn't discover the work counter until the second week. Now I am complete obsessed with watching the bars grow, or the numbers rise. I'll say this, it's sobering to take a day off and come back to find out I'll finish the novel on Dec. 10. Grrr. So, in spite of the fact that I'm compulsively updating (at least every 200 words or less) it really serves an in incentive to me. I try to reach smaller goals (only 145 words until 3000 for today -- keep going, Cardinalis!) before quitting for the night.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

will_asher — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:20:02 -0800

After reading this message, I went to you profile and looked at your stats page. And then I thought "Holy Amazing Comeback Batman!" It's some encouragement for me catch up on my mere 4800 word deficit. And yes, I compulsively check my wordcount as well, but not quite every 100 words, more like every 600 words.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Eilorae — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:29:09 -0800

Yeah, I love that little bar filling up. I'm making up for all the time I haven't been writing. It keeps me going :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Purrabella — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:09:52 -0800

Oh yes. Seeing that number go up, is sometimes the other thing that gets me writing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Lyndie — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:11:47 -0800

I do that, but not at the same rate that everyone else here seems to be updating at. I used to just update once a day, but then I found that if I updated every paragraph, or in the case of dialougue, every three to six lines, then I would keep motivated.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

kna52 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:29:18 -0800

Yes, it some how feels like more words when I update the word counter. It makes me feel safe ;)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DesiredAnarchy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:22:17 -0800

I tend to update every 50 words. *hangs head in shame* I think part of it is that I am so far behind. I am obsessively watching the date drop, waiting for it to at least make it back into 2011. I'm especially obsessive about the "words per day you need to finish by the 30th" stat, as it is currently about 4,000 but quickly dropping. If you click on my profile and refresh, you will probably get a new word count every three minutes. It's that bad.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:35:45 -0800

ahahaha! You DID update after 3 mins! Kid, you're worse than I am! By the way, high school IS better than middle school, but college is even better. Once you've been out of high school a while, most people have grown up enough to realize the Barbies were superficial bores and the jocks dummies. All the nerds and geeks become the interesting people. Not to everyone, of course, or we wouldn't have paparazzi chasing Brangelina around. But to adults who are really adult, the geeks and nerds of middle and high school become the good friends with thoughts and opinions. :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DarkGuardianAngles — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:59:11 -0800

Same here. Updating like, every other second gets me excited and pushes me to continue writing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DesiredAnarchy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:59:18 -0800

Thanks for the little pep talk about the real world. Middle school isn't so terrible for me as a nerd, because I have awesome friends who are also nerds. However, it does get on your nerves when the person sitting next to you is painting their nails in the middle of class instead of working on a project you are supposed to be doing together, and that the teachers just let it happen. This is my last year of middle school though, so I don't have to suffer much longer. And yeah, I'm terrible about word count. Back at the beginning when I was on track, I only updated every thousand words or so. Now that I'm so far behind, I find it easier to think about catching up as a lot of little bursts of a hundred words rather than the 21k some I'm behind, and watching the little bar rising slowly but surely is really motivating. :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Mitchels — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:25:15 -0800

It must be contagious, 'cuz I have it too. Though tonight I've been impressively aloof.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

ChelsMonster74 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:59:38 -0800

I'm so compulsive. Sometimes, I've only written about 70 words since I last updated, but I update anyway. It's like an addiction.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

flower gettin' lady — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:08:55 -0800

I only do this when I'm behind because seeing the bar go up makes me feel like I'm getting work done... besides, it's another way to procrastinate

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

WelshDragonLady — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:15:49 -0800

Me too - hadn't realised I was a CWUD but I am - I update every time I do a few hundred words if I'm being slow, and definitely when I reach the beginning of the 'next thousand'.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

banditsrubyangel — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:04:16 -0800

I definitely plead guilty to this one.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

scains — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:05:12 -0800

Me too, I think it's every 500 words unless I'm struggling and then I'll update every 100... :S

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:35:47 -0800

I use straight quotes in OpenOffice. Using the NaNo counter, I had 14 fewer words in OO than in NaNo. I wrote a thousand words more and the difference was then just one word off, again with OO being fewer. For OO users: It's as easy as EDIT --> SELECT ALL --> AUTO CORRECT OPTIONS and changing from curly to straight quotes.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Lady Marvelous — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:07:21 -0800

I shut off my internet due to my addiction to updating my word count using a program called "freedom" (if your interested just google it.). It's a lot more satisfying to see your word count go up by 800 words than only 75-100!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DonaNobisPacem — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:42:05 -0800

I'm suffering from both CWUD and CSD (Compulsive Saving Disorder). It drives me (and my computer) nuts.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

GypsyLuc — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:42:49 -0800

I'm up there with you over the 50K workcount. My anal-retentive self created an Excel spreadsheet [complete with graph!] that serves the same tracking function as the Stats page. Only, it allows you enter up to 4 word count goals of whatever number you choose. The tracking-of-the-progress really is a great motivator!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

jlabeach — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:11:55 -0800

That is definitely me. Especially when I've had a reLly bad writing day, I'll update my word count after even 10 words sometimes. It's completely unnecessary but I can't help it. I always feel that if I can get those extra couple words then it'll change my stats drastically even though I know it won't.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

campbe37 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:14:23 -0800

I do this too...probably a little more than i should...but it is nice, and it gives you a feeling of accomplishment to keep writing, tho then you can get distrac-ooooo Facebook!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Wilabea94 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:24:20 -0800

I do this too. After a sentence or two if I'm stuck and just keep creeping along. Good days, I'll update after a paragraph.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Wilabea94 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:25:36 -0800

[quote=Lady Marvelous] I shut off my internet due to my addiction to updating my word count using a program called "freedom" (if your interested just google it.). It's a lot more satisfying to see your word count go up by 800 words than only 75-100! [/quote] Wow. This is a radical idea! But already feeling anxiety just thinking about trying it!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

AnonymousChild — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:54:38 -0800

So glad it's not just me. I update it every time I take a break to think. It feels like breathing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

quitepossiblylovely — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:22:46 -0800

Whenever I can't think of anything, up goes my word count, and I might change my music, too. It just gives me a minute or so to straighten out my thoughts and actually make sure that I'm not rambling and putting in too much filler, that I'm actually getting somewhere in my story. :) Yes, so it can be from 50 words to a thousand words.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

moonlightskymist — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:17:14 -0800

I am definitely compulsively updating my word count. Even if it is only a few hundred words.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

TrisStarsday — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:20:47 -0800

I update whenever I stop typing. It helps me to think of where to go. I never thought I would get this far so I hve no plans for my novel. The ten seconds of updating help.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

superwhoshertrekkiknight — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:38:47 -0800

I do that too! Good to know I'm not the only one. Saving, checking my word count, and then updating has kind of become a habit with me.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

fluteplayer — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:52:29 -0800

I think I may be the only person that does not obsessively update their word count. O.o I only update after I finish a chapter, which is usually close to 2000 words, or when I'm done for the day, which is usually just short of those 2000 words.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Arion wind — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:18:16 -0800

Yup! Whenever I'm 'sprinting' and i reach my time limit, i update. Doesn't matter how many words i've written, I gotta update it. :3

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Kuro Hayabusa — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:35:27 -0800

I have both CWUD and CSD... I update every 100 words, and then save every time I reach the end of the paragraph. And of course, CBUD (Compulsive Back-up Disorder), where I back up every hour....

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DorianxGrey — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:44:35 -0800

I update mine whenever I'm stuck and my mind just stops for a second.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Mogget128723 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:24:31 -0800

Yup, been happening to me too. At the start, both years I've done this, I can usually wait about a thousand words before updating, but now that the end cometh, I've been catching myself updating between every five and one hundred words.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

myviolettears — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:17:02 -0800

Forgot to mention. I suffer from CSD and CBUD. I have my two other back ups open while I write and if I need a moment to think I copy/paste what I wrote to the back ups. I do not need to save because Scrivener auto saves every two seconds! :D I was worried for a second that I hadn't updated my word count D:

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Skyymon — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:53:58 -0800

Oh man, I have this issue. And now that my huge looming tests are over with for Thanksgiving break I can finally get back into bursts of writing! I'll be updating my wordcounter several hundred more times before I finish, surely.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Lunar_Eclipse — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:13:06 -0800

I am SO glad I'm not the only one! Every time I start to slow down and start thinking about what I'm going to write next, my fingers start to itch to switch over to my internet window (yes, I'm often guilty of having it open at the same time) and update my word count. I USUALLY manage to limit myself to a couple hundred words, but on tough nights I'll update it every fifty or so. :S

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

shudak — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:24:19 -0800

I am lazy about updating the counter. I write daily (sometimes hourly) but only update the counter every few days... I have too many other obsessions to add another...

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

scains — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:26:15 -0800

I am actually worrying about this, as winning starts tomorrow... will I still be able to continuously update my word count even though I haven't reached the 50000? Or must I stop, and only update once I've reached 50000?

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DesiredAnarchy — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:50:21 -0800

I asked the same question over in the questions forums, and no, you do not have to stop. You can continue updating your word count, no matter what it is, until December 1st when all word count freezes.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

scains — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:52:30 -0800

Okay thanks for letting me know! =) That's such a relief!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

extra4u — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:45:04 -0800

I'm actually exactly opposite of this. Whenever I take a break from writing for a few seconds, I'll check my page and see how much more I've written - but I won't update until I've gotten a good, heavy chunk of writing done. For me, the reward comes from seeing a big improvement in my total - doing constant small updates isn't as satisfying. I use the fact that I can't update until I've gotten at least 6-700 (and more often 1,0000) words done to push me to keep writing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

nickybr38 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:08:34 -0800

Oh yeah, I do the same thing. It's completely obsessive compulsive too. Haha. I tell myself; you don't need to check. You're ahead any-COPY/PASTE... DAMMIT! *sigh*

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

ulyferal — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:20:17 -0800

Oh I did this throughout because my systems word count was anywhere from 20 to 100 words different from Nano's. Can you say HUH? So I would validate at the end of every writing session. It let me know I'd made it before Thanksgiving so I could have time for making and cooking all those holiday goodies. LOL Good luck to those still struggling to get there. Keep at you, you'll make it yet!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

lambskinny — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:24:47 -0800

I've definitely got CWCU disorder --!!!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

alswaiter — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:41:08 -0800

No one is going to read this cause of the way back in the page numbers, but I have CWUD when I have bad writing days. When the words just won't come and every sentence is a battle, I will update every 100 words or so. Cause that way, I only have to update 16 times that day and sets mini goals to get to the big one. Even when you inch along, you can get to where you want to go. Just takes a little longer (just don't go past Nov 30th). Haha.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

FracturedSoul — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:56:15 -0800

Hello my name is Fractured and I too am a word updater. Thought my count is not as high as you can see its because I wrote poetry instead of a novel. Hi Everyone takes a seat and puts fingers on keyboard .

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Tinkerbella — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:15:56 -0800

Same here! Everytime I stop writing I'm tempted to check my word count and afterwords update it on the site just so everyone knows that I'm progressing even if it's just twenty words at a time! I am Tinkerbella, and I have a case of CWUD and I like it! :D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

hutchi285 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:01:26 -0800

I do this a lot when I am stuck (every time I save). Just wanted to say that my wordcount for the 24th November is a freakin PALINDROME! (11511) Shame I am so far behind :(

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

uncreativecarly — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:06:23 -0800

I update all the time, haha, but I only let myself update if I've written at least 100 more words since the last time I updated.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Yoda47 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:08:02 -0800

Oh yeah, that's me. I update every hundered words or so, just to see the bar go up. And that dreaded "The site is being upgraded, check back later!" message. AAAAAHHHHHGG!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Lyndie — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:06:29 -0800

I just realized how much time it really takes up when you're always updating your word count...I just did a ten minute word sprint, not allowing myself to go and update my word count at the rate I normally do, and I got 500 words in just those ten minutes/

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Shine098 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:38:19 -0800

This is so me- I'll update anywhere from every 300 words to 500 words, unless I'm really rolling, in which case it's more like every 1000 words or so. Let's just say... there's a reason that my homepage is now the nanowrimo website... *eyebrows* (No, I don't know what I really meant by *eyebrows*. You figure it out!)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

xtica24 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:22:26 -0800

CWCD is the only thing keeping me going...if i don't have the word count updater, i don't write!! so seriously IT IS the motivating factor for me during Nano.... glad to see i'm not alone!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

claireanna — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:56:46 -0800

yes, this is me, this is always me, especially when I have no idea what to write. I don't understand how some of my writing buddies don't update until the end of the day, some don't even update after a few days, even if they've written! Crazy!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Eilorae — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:39:04 -0800

Yeah, I think that's one of the key motivation factors for me :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

LSkywalker918 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:58:23 -0800

I wold write a sentence, check word count at the bottom of the screen, and the update. Usually it would be like 10- 20 words more lol.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

sheabutter33 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:34:11 -0800

I do that when I know I'm behind but am I feeling less and less inspired. Let's just hope my CWUD eventually leads me to type in "50000."

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

sheabutter33 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:35:04 -0800

Correction: *am feeling. Not am *I* feeling. NaNo's made me through all revision out of the window.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Chess85 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:49:34 -0800

I do this so much! It doesn't matter if I'm ahead or behind, if I pause to consider something or decide what to type next, I update my word count. Sometimes it's barely anything, though there have been times when I've realized that I'm a couple thousand words ahead. It is very strange. Though, I've also had friends get mad at me for it. I had a friend who was trying to get ahead of my word count, then I did I random update of a thousand words, which ruined it for her >:)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Piper the Perfect — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:52:43 -0800

Heh, my crappy netbook is a blessing in disguise. It can't handle my gmail at all now! And Google docs is where I keep my NaNo. So taking my netbook with me wherever I go, I can't compulsively update. Yea, I could do the "what was my wordcount when I left?" and update based on that. But it gets confusing then. So because of crappy netbook I go for a good 5k without updating, which is such an ego boost seeing it(stat graph) shoot up like that. But, being at home, which I am now, it's going to be updated every few hundred words or so.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

penny_lightfoot — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:57:57 -0800

I love the 'stats' button too! Best of luck to you as well.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

mjbenjamins — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:49:28 -0800

I do that too! I check and check and the stupid counter online is always lower than my own! Anyways, I finally hit 40000 words! I can't believe it-I feel like I'm back in school--only its a course I like! I've been livin' on 5 hours of sleep and with 3 teenage kids in the house that is a bad thing! G'night!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Christina Huling — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:54:40 -0800

It's almost midnight now and I want it to be totally right for today, so I'm updating like every 25 words... :p

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

emiyoha — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:38:48 -0800

Haha. saw this! It's the same way for me. I was struggling to get to 10000 but when I started doing word sprints and updating my word count every few minutes, I finally got there. Now getting to 20000 doesn't seem so impossible. :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

emiyoha — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:39:29 -0800

#like

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

emiyoha — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:46:21 -0800

Just updated my word count and according to my stats, I will finish this on valentine's day next year. Lol

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Pirate.fangirl — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 07:32:15 -0800

I used to do this, but when I started using a lovely little program called Write or Die, I learned not to check my word count until the end of my session x)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

P-sugar — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 07:32:57 -0800

I do the same, it helps if I hit writer's block for a second, and it also gives me a second to think about what I'm doing. I also like watching the stat page change (And make expected end date of my novel not the end of December).

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:39:05 -0800

Joyful, my friend! Joooyyyfuuullll! ;-)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:41:35 -0800

Yep, yep! In Swedish, we have a saying: Many small creeks make a river. If you write in small bits throughout the day, you'll soon have your novel done. YEAH, BABY!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:42:46 -0800

*titters* Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. Don't you feel better admitting you have CWUD? :p

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

paperback_writer4 — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:18:18 -0800

I update almost every day! I'm also using WriteWay and I LOVE to see the the little circle filling in. the chart breaks down it down to 600 word chunks so I keep telling myself "oh another 200 words and I'll be at 600, then another 400, and I'll be at..."

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Triffany — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:26:01 -0800

SO glad I'm not alone in this!!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

PamJH — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:01:52 -0800

I do that all the time, even if it's only a couple of words. I must need instant gratification.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

jimhenry — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:27:16 -0800

Yeah, I've been doing it more and more. I can't wait to see how many words I lose when we can validate, tomorrow, I believe. I was behind on word count from day one, fell seriously behind during the second week, but in the past eight days, I have been a writing machine. For the first time this month, last night I finished the day in the black, so to speak. Now, because I have been writing on average about 3000 words a day for the past eight days, I'm looking at either wrapping up early, or rocketing right past 50,000, since the book won't be done yet any way.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

JohnEmerson — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:45:06 -0800

I tend to be quite bad for this :/ I can go a thousand words without it, then next thing you know I'm doing it every 75 words! It helps to see the bar go up and the words left go down!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

RubyMarlin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:55:14 -0800

I don't let myself update my word count until I've written at least 500 words. It's supposed to make me write faster. I don't like discrepancies in my graph and my word count.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

cmprentice — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:00:14 -0800

I love word counter and the stats page. Whoever said they update almost every day ... THAT is not compulsive. Compulsive is 5-6 time a day like I tend to do, now that I'm in the home stretch. My goal is to reach 50,000 by Sunday night and validate. Can hardly wait but what fun this has been!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

certain.regret — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:00:40 -0800

I am SO bad about this... I update whenever I pause for more that five seconds, which then leads to me getting sidetracked on the NaNo site. I even obsessively update during Word Wars, which, of course leads to me having a patheitc 300-something word total for a half hour war -__- I've found that writing in MS Word in the "Full Screen Reading" mode helps, becuase your word count isn't anywhere on the screen until you close the Full Screen mode (you can allow typing by clicking "View Options" and selecting "Allow Typing"). I also use the "putting a piece of paper over my word count" method, which seems to help when I'm in the regular view. I get twitchy wanting to move it, but I pretend it's poisonous and don't allow myself to touch until I've written a page, finished a chapter, etc.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

sailormoon118 — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:19:11 -0800

My internet is too slow to do this! it sucks cuz i wrote like all day!!! just to find out my computer is too slow to let me update TT-TT

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Arlequin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:04:55 -0800

I...once updated my wordcount after writing only 40 words. It was bad.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Fire Lily — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:00:44 -0800

I do it too, and it annoys me to no end when I've only written a couple hundred words!! It is nice to know that there's something more, but I definitely think that its a way of procrastination :P

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

masqueblanc — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:40:30 -0800

Oh, you just made me feel much better about myself. All those posts talking about updating every 100 words and I just updated a +2 >< That is my low point though. Keep finding myself updating after 20 words or so...

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Aljinon — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:41:06 -0800

I do it too. At first it was really depressing because I was so far behind. This is my third NaNo and I haven't not completed one yet so I refuse to give up. I will never forgive myself if I don't get to 50k this year. THe word count updater isn't so depressing anymore now that I've broken 10k. Instead of looking at the word counts though I look at the box beside it where it says 'At this rate you will finish on' If it says March (which is does right now) I'm working hard until I can get it down to February. Once I reach February...I'll work for January...then December...by that time I should be striving for the final 10k stretch!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Bonnie_Sterling — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:44:39 -0800

Glad to know I'm not alone! :D A few days ago I was only at about 15,000 words having spent most of my time procrastinating. Anytime I stopped, I updated my word count and then studied the stats. I then updated Facebook with my progress. I'm probably driving my friends batty. I recently found another nanowrimo friend to have friendly competitions with. 500 words in 15 or 30 minutes are our challenges. I update at the end of each challenge. Happy to say that I am now over 31,000 words and planning to finish stronger than I started. Good luck to you all.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

jlwatt — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:49:31 -0800

Hehehe! Glad I am not the only one! I update almost every time I save my document! I'd have probably gotten done faster if I had not been so compulsive! :-D Sometimes it was as few as 5 words between updates. Sometimes as many as 400 depending on how well the writing was going.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

DonPasquale — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:50:51 -0800

Every 100 words, without fail. It gives me motivation to see my little graph slowly rising.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

MinyonkaZoboashi — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:59:56 -0800

Oh, I'm such a compulsive updater. Whenever the site is down for maintenance, I get antsy because I want to update my current count. I actually update the count more often than I save, as odd as that may seem. It's just that whenever I have a spot where I finish a huge block of speech or narration, or when I come to the end of the scene I've finally gotten out of my head, I update. This results in me updating every ten minutes at the very least while I'm typing. lol

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

blackroseinc — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:09:32 -0800

You're not alone. I must have updated every 1000 words. At one point I did 14 updates in a 24 hour period :D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

AnonymousChild — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:49:33 -0800

Now that I'm in the final push - and the 'final act' - I'm getting really, really, really (really, really) bad about this.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

oyster2011 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:57:32 -0800

I like to update after a really long writing sprint. That way I can see the bar go up! :D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

steffiebaby140 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:30:03 -0800

I tend to get compulsive about updating my word count when I'm tired. If I am buzzing right along and well rested then I hardly even think about it. But if I have gotten home from 14 hours at work and I'm tired...every 5 minutes I'm updating the stupid thing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Philip V. — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:09:05 -0800

Oh yeah. Especially now as the ending has been solidified in my head. The trick now is the pacing. The sprint to the end will begin at 3000 words remaining.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Noazmale — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:21:59 -0800

I have always been compulsive about this. I update all day long. And each time I do I check the bar graph to see how much higher my word count was than the day before. If it's not sufficiently high enough (at least for me) I'll update even more often. And that last hour of the day before it rolls over to a new day? Sometimes 4 or 5 times in that hour alone. Of course my personal word count is always higher than the 50,000 for Nano. So if it's not significantly higher than the cumulative total for the day, I feel like I've wasted the entire day.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Emiko — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:28:25 -0800

Yep. I do this all the time.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

NightWings — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:33:55 -0800

I'm probably not as bad as everyone else here, but I update every time I finish a chapter- which mine are about 1,000-1,500 words. However, I'm addicted to the stats page- when I'm not doing anything on the site, I just go to the stats page and look at the little graph thingy and my word count. :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Phoenix Lumbre — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:13:56 -0800

I have my own weird form of CWUD. Since November 4, I see, looking at my stats, I will only update with word counts that end with a 0 or a 5. I will intentionally make sure that, whatever my last sentence is, it has the right number of words to end with a 0 or a 5. I give myself bonus points if I can end on a fifty, a hundred, or, really special, a thousand. I've even been known to delete a few words to make this happen. It is a sickness, I know. Hopefully, I will be cured in December. If I live that long, that is.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

wombatrider — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:19:32 -0800

I am constantly doing this. It's probably the reason why a lot of my writing is disjointed, because I stop the flow of words and click on Firefox, probably after every paragraph, it seems. The closer I get to 50k, the more I seem to be doing it, as well.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Pictureclepto — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:17:33 -0800

I have to keep the window open to the bar graph as well... then I stare at it.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

coppertoe — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:20:33 -0800

Phoenix, you have a very rare form of CWUD. Your chances of a cure are *hangs head in misery and speaks in a hoarse whisper* slight, my friend. Very, very *chokes on a sob* slight. 8o)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

emster104 — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:33:24 -0800

Yeah, i compulsively update my word count as well. I've had to force myself not to update until i hit a certain milestone, otherwise i would spend all my time updating my word count instead of writing.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Phoenix Lumbre — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:57:31 -0800

Well, it has been a good life, and at least my friends are by my side... :D

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Mayreau — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:00:34 -0800

I update every 500 words. I like seeing the bar move up slowly but noticibly. c:

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

xtica24 — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:11:00 -0800

i'm so bad i would donate extra money to nano if i could keep the little counter thing, i never revise in december or any other time of year because there's no little word count thingy or neat stats graph. i need the competition *sad face* sigh!

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Triffany — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:37:28 -0800

Make your own spreadsheet! I have a basic on on my Mac if you want it. If you're on a PC you can try it - but it may not work.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

xtica24 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:48:39 -0800

i have a mac! what program is that? XL

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

xtica24 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:50:16 -0800

its true the closer you are to 50k the more it works to check by that time i am a writing robot

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

Triffany — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:59:50 -0800

Numbers. From iWork.

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

tigerlilygem — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:23:02 -0800

I do this SO much it's ridiculous. I think my worst was when I was having a really bad writing day and I managed to update it after about every seven words. *hangs head in shame* It's a good motivator though :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

JennaKnight — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:53:55 -0800

This is completely off topic, but I love your profile picture :)

Re: Compulsive Word Count Updating

dancer_kirsten — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 13:36:56 -0800

Absolutely, but only as long as I can keep my graph all nice and purdy ...