Topic: How do you keep yourself motivated to write?

The world is a busy place and for most of us, carving out the time and energy to write is one of the biggest challenges in finishing a project.

For the book I am currently working on, I forced myself to write 1,000 words a day, six-days a week, no matter the quality or how tired or busy I might have been. The result was an acceptable draft that actually got finished. Editing it is another story smile. I know others choose NaNoWriMo.

So, how do you keep yourself motivated? What are your tips and tricks that might help others on the site keep their writing mojo?

Quote Post 1

Re: How do you keep yourself motivated to write?

What has helped me is to read other writers' work.  For some reason, when I'm doing this I'll suddenly find myself thinking about characters of my own, what I might want them to do, etc.  I don't set myself any word goal for a given day, but I will always write something down, even if it's just a paragraph or two.  I use my novel outline for my notes when things come to me and then refer to them later.  Might not work for everyone, but it does for me.

Quote Post 2

Re: How do you keep yourself motivated to write?

I keep a notebook with me and write down anything concerning my novel, whether it's just a plot idea, character adjustment, or actual writing. If I haven't written anything by the end of the day, I crank up some music at my desk and write for an hour (there may or may not be some chair-dancing involved in that). Some days I can pump out ~1,800 words, other days, just a paragraph or two, but it keeps me focused on my writing. I also allow myself one day of "writing vacation" every week, just in case I get too busy.

-Elisheva

Quote Post 3

Re: How do you keep yourself motivated to write?

I have found that I don't write well when I'm tired, so I work early and rest later.  If I lack motivation, I write a poem or a song.  Sometimes I draw.  I do most of the cooking so that I think while doing that.  I'm constantly thinking of ways to improve my story.  Some come along in the middle of the night and I just hope to remember them till the next morning.  Have not hit a real dry spell yet since I joined here.  Reading other's work helps a lot as Randy said. 
Mike

Quote Post 4

Re: How do you keep yourself motivated to write?

I do a lot of reading. Lately, I've found myself doing mental reviews of my favorite authors. I keep motivated by jotting down plot details as I think of them in a notepad I keep in my back pocket. Then I transfer them to an outline. If I'm stuck, I turn to drawing as a way to relax. Or, I fire up my gaming computer and run my train simulator until the mood strikes me again. I've even used the simulator to depict certain scenes for my books.

Since I am fully retired, I have quite a bit of time to do this, but now my eyes are not cooperating, so I've had to back off both reading and writing.

Since I joined this web site, I feel that the quality of my writing has taken a quantum leap forward. Reviews received point the way and I add/delete as needed.

I'm highly motivated, but hampered at the moment by physical details.

~Tom

Quote Post 5

Re: How do you keep yourself motivated to write?

So far, I haven't had to motivate myself. I just do it. I wake in the middle of the night sometimes and write. I can't commit to a NaNo type endeavor b/c I have a full-time job, not to mention all the other hats I wear. One way to keep ideas fresh is to read others & IF possible join a face-to-face writers' group. Talking and reading with others is inspirational. If you don't have a local writers' group, form one. And if you're totally isolated, you're in the best online site there is.

Quote Post 6

Re: How do you keep yourself motivated to write?

Since I have already put off writing for forty+ years, using every excuse in the book, I don't have a writers block. Now that I have made a total commitment, I've got my mojo back. As far as actual writing time, that can vary day to day. Research, study, reading the work of others, are all a part. Reading your stories inspire me, I see so many similarities in our stories. I know I am on the right track. The truth of the matter is, Janet Taylor-Perry is the one who recommended to me joining TNBW... now I am eternally indebted to her. What I am learning about the mechanics of writing, it would have taken me years to learn on my own. So my hat is off to all of you. As you can tell from my picture, I do have a hat to take off, so it is not just a figure of speech!
Wyatt

Quote Post 7