Motivations

[Callie Forester]

I had this list up on the So Fried boards a while back, I thought I'd post it here though for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Reading

Steps you can take with this: Jot down phrases that capture your imagination.
Look at a book that has inspired you and try to make a list of the reasons why it was inspirational.
Look at a book like Harry Potter that is chock full of awesome quotes, read them, and try to pinpoint what it is about them that makes them so great. Try to add a character who can say wise things like Dumbledore and get away with it.

Allow yourself to daydream about success

Make a list of five things you will do when your book gets published

Envision the call you will get from the agent the day she/he decides to represent you. Imagine the call you will get when your agent tells you that your book has sold for an unprecedented billion dollars. ?

Read success stories from other authors

Buy Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul

Accomplish something outside of writing your book that you’ve been dreading. Use writing time as a reward for yourself.

Find a book or two you really hated, that you thought was really poorly written. Remind yourself that if this person could get published you certainly can.

When people ask what you do for a living start telling them you’re a writer. After all, whatever it is that you do to make money, being a writer is who you really are.

Remind yourself that Harry Potter and other awesome stories got rejected repeatedly.

Remind yourself of how many people claim that they want to write a book but never take the time to actually do it. Give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far.

Don’t look at time spent reading books on writing, doing writing exercises, browsing agents blog’s and websites as a waste. No, you’re not working on your book. Yes, you are still working.

Don’t forget to read.

Try to write every day, even if it’s only for a half an hour.

[Zellie Blake]

Here are mine (:

Motivational Strategies

#1 - Shut up and write! 

Figure out what’s stopping you and how to work around it:

Is it too much? Set small goals and more than enough time to accomplish them—something you can finish in an hour or a day’s work.  Completing goals feels good, makes writing more enjoyable.

Is it too hard?  Outline the problems you are having.  Focus on one and go do something mindless-exercise or lying around listening to music that inspires you.   

Are you just plain stuck?  Ask for a second opinion from critique partners, www.chimeracritiques.com or the Sandbox on the forum of www.absolutewrite.com.  Test your story with non-writer friends, you'd be amazed what unique perspectives they can offer.

Try a writing book like “Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook” which will give you strategies on how to overcome problems like unsympathetic characters and low tension.

Are you just sick of your own writing?  Switch to a different project, that way you keep yourself writing but you freshen up your brain.  I prefer switching to a project in a completely different stage of the writing process like final draft, first draft, outline, brainstorm.  Or divide up your writing time differently--do some research, social networking, audio projects, etc

Are you not feeling confident in your own work?  Read/skim/talk about a really crappy book!  If they can get published, so can you!   Or read a GREAT book that inspires you.

Accept that a lot of your writing will suck.  THAT’S OKAY!  That’s why we have drafts and critique groups.  Let yourself be okay with just getting something on the page.  Once it’s there, you can chisel it into that masterpiece. 

Relax.  Play.  Don’t shackle yourself to a single plot point or character….test out different options, change motivations, explore!  If something isn’t working, change it!