Sunday, September 23, 2012

10 Ways to Stay Motivated While You Write


Writing is difficult. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. My stories start in my head. I hear dialogue, I see scenery, I even hear the exposition. Getting it down on paper and keeping my tushy in the chair is another thing entirely. It can be downright challenging. Here are some ways that may help you to stay motivated.

1. Take a short time to organize. I’m a ‘plotzer’ – cross between a planner and pantzer I use a basic story outline to know my story’s direction. For me, detailed planning prevents my characters telling me where things are going. I know that sounds strange, but detailed planning for me (and I stress for me), interferes with some of my creativity. So, I use a basic outline and character study (index cards or notes). It’s the character study I find most valuable and where I spend my time. I get close with my characters.  Once I know them well writing flows easier and easier writing keeps me motivated. If I get stumped, I go back to my outline, character study, or do some ‘what if’ scenarios. It recharges me and keeps me writing.

2. Set Deadlines. Deadlines work for some people. For me, they definitely are part of my day job and I had aggressive ones with my editor. I know the punishment for missing these deadlines but what would really happen if I missed a self-imposed writing deadline? Move the date? Besides, I’m a real softy. Ask my kids. So to quote Nathan Bransford “The trick is setting a deadline with teeth. If you secretly know that the deadline you’re setting for yourself is a soft one, it’s not going to have its hair-raising, stress-inducing maximum effect. So either you have to learn to be scared of yourself and your own punishments or you may need a partner in crime who can help you keep to them.”

3. Daydream a Little. Picture what it will be like when you book is completed and you ship it off for query to an agent/editor. Dream about the possibilities of a successful novel, keynote at RWA, Pulitzer (when they have a romance category), and movie option. It all depends on completing what you write. Tuck the daydream in a nice cozy place and come back to the present and make it happen.

4. Journalize. Writers usually keep a journal or pad handy for jotting down story and character ideas. Use your journal to clarify your obstacles, then think of ways around writing problems, like plot difficulties or difficult decisions about how to organization your story. Perhaps solving these difficulties will motivate you to keep on going.

5. Just start typing. Momentum can be invaluable in making progress. Even 10 minutes of uninterrupted writing can be helpful. Find time during the day to write, at lunch, commuting, waiting in line at the grocer, at soccer game practice, you see what I mean.

6. Skip ahead. I tell you this technique but admit I do not follow it myself. I am a linear writer. I find it very difficult to write ‘out of order.’ However, just because it doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. So, if you’re stuck about writing the next thing, skip it for now and try jumping ahead to the next piece you’re excited about. You can come back to the part you skipped later.

7. Talk with your critique partner or someone who supports your writing. For me, talking about my work in progress gets me excited. Sometimes that is all I need to stay motivated. I was stuck on a fight scene and spoke to my son (he’s grown) and Rayna Vause (a writer who is also a martial arts expert). Both gave me the support I needed and valuable insight. And while it’s not true of everyone, a lot of people—both writers and readers—are flattered to be asked to talk with a writer about a work in progress.

8. Move Around. Sometimes you need to move out of your space, physically, to reset your mind. I get up and go downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water or cup of tea. (Sometimes even chocolate.) I come back to my desk renewed.

9. Write what You Love. Don’t try to catch a fad. It may be tempting, but most times it doesn’t work. You need to love your novel unconditionally if you’re going to finish it.

10. Chocolate. Need I say more?

Your turn. What about you? What motivates you?    

30 comments:

  1. I needed this today. Okay, everyday.
    thank you Ruth. I'm sharing this fine post. I have friends that need this right now as well.

    Hugs.

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  2. @ Sandy L. Rowland

    Me too today. I've been busy working on the conference and my daughter's wedding. Getting my tushy in the chair and writing has been a challenge. I will admit, the chocolate seems to work!

    Hugs,

    ... Ruth

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  3. Okay, we have never met, but you and I as sooo alike. I do all of this. And I write like this. The self-imposed deadline is the hardest. I can talk my way around almost anything and talking around myself is a walk in the park. But I do have a serious deadline where I have given myself a few grace days. I think they need to go. They are keeping me from getting my daily word count in.
    Thanks so much for the list. Now, I'm off to get more chocolate!

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  4. @Tiffinie Helmer

    So we're sisters of a sort! Glad to hear it. Enjoy the chocolate and leave me some.

    ... Ruth

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  5. I DO find it helpful to skip ahead when I'm stuck in a scene. It gets my "muse" workng and then I can go back to the stubborn part of the story with renewed energy--and sometimes a better idea of how to write it because it has to link with the scene coming along behind it.

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  6. @Sandybruney

    I admit to being very linear in my story writing. I prefer not skipping ahead. However, with my current edits I left one scene alone until I got the rest completed. It just didn't want to flow. I'm working on it now with renewed strength and a totally different outlook. So ... it worked for me.

    Now back to more chocolate. I like this solution best!

    ... Ruth

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  7. Number 10 is the best - chocolate always helps me. I ever have trouble sitting in front of the computer because I am lazy and just ignore all the dust accumulating. I do understand the motivation to get up and move around. I write for a while, get up and do a mundane thing while my must restocks itself and then come back with renewed enthusiasm and plot ideas.

    My daughter is not a writer, but she sure does come up with the best lines and greatest ideas when I am stuck. I take her to lunch every Thursday and tell here where I am having trouble and immediately she pops up with just exactly what I need. It's amazing and wonderful at the same time.

    I also now have a male critique partner, something new to me. He is amazing and such a bright beacon for me to lean on. Always so much to learn. It's great having writing friends to lean on. :)

    I find watching a Gerry Butler movie even better than chocolate these days. My muse is rather crazy about the Scot.

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  8. @Paisley Kirkpatrick

    My son had me watch '300.' He said Gerry was a great role model for my Arik in Knight of Runes. I think Gerry is a great role model in anything! And yes, chocolate comes in second to him.

    Enjoy your daughter and new critique partner.

    ... Ruth

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  9. Did someone say "chocolate?" Staying in the chair is one thing, staying OFF the internet a whole different animal. Girl, you must be inspired to write what I need. I, too, like to write ahead. If a certain scene pops in my head, I write it, then go back to where I left off. Sometimes it changes the direction of the story (and even an ending), but I've never been disappointed. Now, back to editing. Pass the chocolate, please.

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  10. @Harley Brooks

    Off the internet, yes that is another challenge. I hear that ding and I'm afraid I may be missing something. Thanks for stopping by.

    Wait, my hands are sticky form the chocolate, let me lick them off ...

    Here you go.

    ... Ruth

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  11. Enjoyed the post, can really empathize with you on the strategies! I like #10....my characters "tell" me what's going to happen also, so I'm with you - if I do too much outlining etc in advance, I hinder myself.

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  12. I too, am too linear to write ahead. Chocolate sounds good. I always get good ideas when I'm in the shouwer -- someone said it's because of the positive ions - all I know it works for me :/

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  13. @Veronica Scott

    Ice cream also makes it easier to concentrate. Vanilla ice cream sometimes with whipped cream. I know, it's not the best thing for me but ... it really makes me feel good.

    Happy writing,

    ... Ruth

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  14. @Terri Irene Blain

    Yep, the shower and driving to my monthly RWA meetings. My hero sits next to me and we drive and talk. Where else can he go :0 I've got a captive audience.

    ... Ruth

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  15. All great tips, Ruth. Thank you!
    RoseAnn

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  16. @radefranco.com

    Thanks RoseAnn. I'm glad you found them helpful.

    ... Ruth

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  17. I like keeping a board close with pictures of my characters/scenes on it. When motivation starts flagging, I can look to them to get me going--while indulging in a Peppermint Patty, my fav chocolate!

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  18. When I falter (which is often), music helps me refocus and stay in the scene I'm writing. Love your other tips, Ruth! :)

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  19. From the start you nailed it: Writing is hard.

    I'm a pantzer so don't do a whole lot of plotting in advance and like you I like to give my characters room to tell me their stories, to identify their qualities and quirks. It's a longer process but it seems to work best for me.

    Yep it's that daydream that keeps me writing: the Pulitzer; tthe words on the movie screen: "Based on a Novel by Larry Benjamin."

    I 'm not a linear writer so skipping ahead is something I do a lot. For my current WIP I have teh openming paragraph and te hlast paragraph nailed down, finished. I'l work back and forth from there to tell the story.

    And finally when I get stuck, really, truly stuck, I take the dogs for a walk, or go to bed. Both activities allow my sub-conscious to work out the problem and find a solution.

    This was a great post, right on the money. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Great post. I'll be featuring it in the coming Sunday's 3 blog visit. Janet

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  21. Great advice, Ruth. I am a liner writer, but for the past two books, my muse has been skipping around. I think she's getting tired of all the editing.

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  22. @Liz Flaherty

    Thanks Liz, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

    ... Ruth

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  23. @Lynnwrite -

    I have a favorite picture from Wessex Castle that I keep on the desk. That (and my book cover) inspire me. :)

    ... Ruth

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  24. @Lynn Kellan

    Music is a great de-stresser and drowns out the lawn mower when I'm trying to write!

    ... Ruth

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  25. @Larry Benjamin

    Thanks so much Larry. I took the ferry across the river to get into NY last week. Maybe it was the hum of the motor or the swaying of the boat but I found myself scrambling for my pen and small writing notebook to jot down the resolution to a plot issue that had been nagging at me. Inspiration comes at the strangest moments.

    ... Ruth

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  26. @JL Walters

    Thanks Janet. I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm honored you want to share it.

    ... Ruth

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  27. @ellaquinnauthor

    Sometimes I think the editing is the easy part. Getting that first draft down is tough for me.

    ... Ruth

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  28. Posts like this one motivate me, Ruth. Thanks! I'm discovering another motivational method this week. I'm a pantser too so plotting doesn't work for me, I'm also a linear writer like you. I began a new story yesterday, That's how it works with me. I get an idea, character names or a setting and that same day, quite often, I'm off on a writing spree. I got 1700 words on a new wip yesterday like this. What is different this time is that I'm doing something Donna Alward (or someone else possibly) said to me years ago. Try writing nothing but the dialog and then go back and write the story. I've never tried it until yesterday and it is freeing in a certain kind of way to see what your characters will say when there's no prose to block them. lol

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  29. @Calisa Rhose

    What a great idea? Write just the dialog and see how it plays out.

    I'll have to try it with my next story. Thanks for sharing.

    ... Ruth

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