How do we stay motivated as we write? What keeps us going? Most of us are not doing this for a living, although we'd like to. We have busy lives and sometimes writing takes a backseat to other priorities. Your kids have a band concert, football practice, or dance recital. Maybe you had a fight with your spouse. Perhaps you have health problems. On top of all this, you still have to cook dinners, clean the house, go to your day job.
Where does writing fit in?
Like many people, my life has exploded lately. On top of my family duties and personal issues, I added in the networking with Twitter, Facebook, managing this blog, and Triberr. You can read about that here if you missed it last Friday. With all this added responsibility, I haven't done actual novel writing. I've tried to stay caught up with my critiques at Critique Circle, I've thanked all my "Tweeps" at Twitter, I've followed new Facebook groups and "liked" everyone who likes me ... I've been overwhelmed! The hour I used to set aside for writing in the morning before anyone else woke up has evaporated into time spent networking. I'm working on ways to manage these things better, and will post on that later.
Does this happen to everyone else too? I've been struggling for a way to kick start myself into gear. I need motivation to write the new novel. Always & Forever is with the editor, and there isn't much I can do there. In a way, I feel a little let down at saying goodbye to Zach and Lilly, knowing soon I will finish with them and they will be out in the world, hopefully selling *crosses fingers*. But just like children leaving to college, I won't have the same relationship with them I once had when they leave the house. During editing, I was so sick of them I thought I couldn't wait to see them leave (must be the teenage years!). Now, I have to admit to having no small amount of fear. What if I fail with the next book? Can I write something that good twice? The fear is almost as paralyzing as the overwhelming commitments I've gotten myself into.
However, I want to be a writer. I really do. Eventually, I want this to be what I do for a living, so I can't let these little speed bumps sidetrack me from my goals!
The first thing I've done to try and get myself back on track is to read more books again. I love helping my critique partners and looking for ways to improve their stories, but somehow that is not the same as reading for the pure pleasure and joy of reading. I find that when I read for fun, it sparks my imagination and my Muse once again speaks to me. The last few mornings I have awoken with the urge to write. I've had other things that needed taken care of first. Hopefully by the weekend my obligations will be fulfilled and I can begin writing. In the meantime, I'm going to continue reading every night, revving my Muse up so she will be ready to go when we write again.
Another thing that really helps me is having people who I know are enjoying the novel and are waiting for the next chapter. Part of my problem right now, no one is reading the new book (loosely named Crime & Passion) and so there is no urgency for me to get a chapter finished. No one is going to be disappointed if I don't write. I have no one to impress. I'm very much a people pleaser. The thought of someone being disappointed because I don't do what I'm supposed to really motivates me. If you are not involved in a critique group and find your motivation flagging, I suggest you join one. Critique Circle is free and a great place to meet up with other authors who are all looking to help one another. So, my job next week is to start inviting people to read my new book and putting up the chapters I have done.
Another program I really enjoyed in the past at CC was the ability to log a goal for how many words I plan to write in a given month. It shows up on my profile page, and other people can see if I'm making my goals or not, as I log each day how many words I managed to type. This really pushed me last time I used it. It is a potentially very public place to fail if I don't meet my goals. That motivates me.
So, what do you all do to stay motivated? Any tips for me to try? I have to start writing soon!
Have a great week!!
I make sure I go off-line to write. Twitter and all that other stuff is too tempting. Devote only one hour every few days to networking, but make sure you get an hour of writing in everyday.
ReplyDeleteI also unplug my laptop (battery life is only 1 hour). That way I'm writing from the get go without stopping to make a coffee, and if I'm up for a coffee I might as well have a brownie, and if I'm having a brownie I might as well, take another because one is never enough...
Sound familiar?
Great post.
Cheers!
Oh man! Now I want a brownie! LOL Those are great suggestions though. Make it a do-or-die situation (of course, it's the battery that's dying :D). I like that a lot.
DeleteI am looking for ways to limit my networking. After all, if I don't write anything new, there is no reason to network! Thanks so much, Bethany!
Chantel,
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you're a CC member! Send me your screen name.
Okay...what do I do to keep motivated? I set deadlines...and post them for everyone to see. I want to set my current project aside, but I set a release date that I must keep because everyone is waiting. Every time someone gets an email from me, looks at my twitter profile, my blog, and my CC account I'm proclaiming my debut novel out Dec 15th! I will be damned if I will miss this date.
One other thing I've had to change/harness is my need to help others through critiques. I found myself spending 5 hours a day on CC or other sites critiquing. Imagine if I spent that much time on my own work!
I also try to stay off line while I'm work on my own projects...to easy to get wrapped up in Twitter, FB, blogging, CC, and the web in general.
Hope this helps.
Hey, Christina. I'm BRhondeau over there. I think we are on a few message boards together, but I always post to the "What did you blog about" board.
DeleteI like the idea of setting a deadline. I have a deadline in my own mind, that Always and Forever will be out at the end of July for my birthday, but I'm afraid I might not make it, because I don't know how long the whole editing process takes once I've made the changes she suggests and then she proofreads.
I have to find some balance I guess. Set certain time aside that is just for my own writing, and get myself in gear and do it! :D Thanks for the help!
You have to tell people who are NOT writers your goals. Writers understand pushing back release dates...the normal readers DO NOT, LOL. I have my family and friends hounding me. Crazy, but it works.
DeleteGood thought. Non-writers definitely don't understand and can keep you moving toward a goal. My kids can't believe I'm STILL editing the book I finished writing months ago. :-)
DeleteAll your tips are useful. My best motivation is to remind myself that my time on earth will come to an end. That spurs me to do the things I love - including writing.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a good one! I always tell my kids to live for today because they might get hit by a bus tomorrow. Guess I should take that advice myself!
DeleteI don't seem to have a problem getting motivated to write, I struggle with finding enough time. No matter what I do it seems there aren't enough hours in the day.
ReplyDeleteI tend to use things like reading, and a fresh cup of tea to get me through the sections of my manuscript that I'm struggling with.
Time is a factor for me too, but even when I have the time I'm like a kid in a toy store and get too distracted by other things, or just don't feel like writing lately. Reading really does seem to help me too. It frees something up in my Muse. Thanks, Jess!
DeleteOooh, Chantel - good topic! I find motivation is hard once I've finished a project and I go back for the revisions. My eyes just start to glaze over at a certain point. But coffee - and chocolate! - tend to help me stay on track.
ReplyDeleteI think my motivation has flagged because of starting the new project, which is weird. Man... I miss coffee. I'm not allowed to have caffeine anymore because of migraines (though I do cheat still and eat chocolate once in a while--chocolate makes everything better!). Hmmm...eye's glazing over sounds familiar!
DeleteRight there with you Chantel! What a great post! I find that I have motivation and FRUSTRATION is my top problem. Frustrated that I don't have time. We have so much on our plate and we need to find a way to juggle it all. **hugs** to you and for hanging in there. Take one day at a time and when you figure it all out, let me know. LOL! I cannot wait to read your new story (no pressure though). BTW, I put up a picture on twitter earlier today. You have to see it....
ReplyDeleteLOL - I loved that pic, Melinda. Isn't that the way it goes. You just have to read that blog, or follow that link, or e-mail that person!! :-) Thanks for the laugh and the hugs!
DeleteWhat a great post, Chantel! I've found this to be exactly my experience. Between the networking and living life, I've found my writing time dwindling. Lately, I've started reading more, because that will jump start my muse. Thankfully, the little imp has presented me with a few good ideas the last few days. And I AM going to write this weekend. No editing. Minimal networking. Thanks for the motivating post. Now, I'm getting off the Internet and doing what I said I'd do.
ReplyDeleteI hope the writing has been going well, Denise! Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteI know exactly how you feel. Motivation has always been my biggest problem, and life does not play fair and allow for ample writing time. Don't worry about writing something as good as your lastest work. Each story will be different but you will actually get better as you go. Very few people write worse with more practice. Have a piece of chocolate for me, and curl up with a good book to read if you can find the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate. Sound advice. I don't know why that fear has cropped up, but I suppose every writer fears writing a flop. :-) Thanks for the encouraging words!
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