How to Write Quicker and Meet Your Word Count Goals: Tips From a Writing Consultant and Editor

Having taught college writing and through my work as a writing consultant and editor, I often come across writers who are struggling to meet their word counts or who simply want to be able to write quicker.
Here are a few ways to accomplish those goals.
1. Set a word count goal that is realistic enough that you won't be discouraged if you don't meet it, but that is ambitious enough to make you feel proud. You want to push yourself to feel accomplished, without feeling like the task ahead is insurmountable.
2. Setting a weekly word count can be the best option. Monthly word counts can be too large of a time frame to plan for to keep momentum up, while daily word counts can be difficult to maintain if unexpected things come up. Weekly word counts are what Goldilocks is looking for, the "just right" medium.
3. Set a timer for a small increment, like 15 minutes, and write until it goes off. Google offers a free timer in its browser. This will help you avoid distractions. Soon, you may even find yourself hitting reset to begin a new 15 minutes as soon as it goes off, because your momentum has built so well.
4. Break down weekly counts into smaller chunks. Write for 500 words, or until you hit a certain page number that is approaching. Then you have several mini victories to celebrate in addition to the larger goal of the weekly word count. Writing is an accomplishment. It can be helpful to feel each small accomplishment on the way to bigger ones.
5. Read a wonderful novel. Chefs need to be nourished by good food. For writers, especially of fiction, that translates into devouring good novels. Being engrossed as a reader can help words speed along as a writer. Reading fills you up with words. Writing lets them spill out. This doesn't mean that you should become a parrot of other writers. Rather, by reading, you will have a pool of words to always draw from and your brain will be engaged in creative flow.
6. It's fine to write out of order. Do you have a wonderful scene pop into your mind that won't take place for several chapters? No problem! Write how the story unfolds. Just be sure to connect everything later and put all non-linear scenes into the right order.
7. Above all, remember that word counts are goals. If you don't meet them, you haven't failed. Try again tomorrow. Writing is a marathon, not a sprint. Although sometimes sprints within the marathon can be incredibly helpful.
My best to you all,