How to Stay Motivated to Write
How to Stay Motivated to Write
Surround Yourself with People Who Want You to Succeed
If someone is putting you down because of the career you wish to pursue, don’t associate with them anymore. If the person is a family member and you don’t want to cut yourself off completely, create healthy boundaries. For example, stop sharing your aspirations and projects with the individual; especially if the person only has negative things to say.
Set healthy boundaries with people who don’t support your dreams. Develop a support system through trusted friends and family who share your enthusiasm. Connect with a community of people who share your interests. Surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed makes a big difference.
Make Time to Write
One of the biggest struggles for writers is finding the time. When you’re busy with work, school, and family, it’s hard to know when to squeeze in writing. The time may seem impossible to find, but let me ask you a series of questions, and maybe you’ll be able to find some answers. How much time do you spend watching television? How much time do you spend on your phone?
I recommend that you keep a time log for a few days on everything related to television and phone use. Review your results, and consciously work to substitute the time you spend on those activities for writing. You don’t have to write for very long. You could write for five to fifteen minutes and be done if you wanted to.
I don’t know about you, but for me, it can be hard to put aside my phone or refrain from sitting down in front of the television after a long day. Sometimes I have to hype myself up for a writing session. I do this by immersing myself in the world I’ve created. I mentally prepare myself for a scene I want to write. Most of the time it works, and I’m excited to sit down and write.
Prioritize Your Stories
One of my sayings is “Write like you'll die tomorrow.” It's a bit morbid, I know, but it's what I tell myself. It keeps me going when I know what I want to write but I'm not motivated to sit down and write it. It's a statement that makes me reflect on the story and consider if it's something I'm truly passionate about.
If I died tomorrow, would I be disappointed that I didn't finish the book? Would I be sad that I didn't get to share it with the world? If my answer is yes, then I write like my fingers are on fire. If the answer is no, then I put the story aside and work on a different tale.
Prioritize your stories and which ones mean the most to you. Focus on writing those stories first. As many writers have said, don’t write the story for the audience; write the story for yourself. If you care about the story, it’ll show in your writing, and chances are your readers will care, too.
Picture Quotes
I’ve felt fear, doubt, anxiety, and discouragement as I’ve worked on my debut novel. Sometimes I wonder if the time I’m spending on my book is worth it. Whenever I feel down, I remind myself to believe in my story and my ability to write it. I invite you to remind yourself of this as well. No one can write your story like you can; it’s unique to you.
Sometimes I like to create picture quotes with positive messages. My current saying is, “No matter what your aspirations may be in life, believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. Keep going and don't you dare give up!”
What positive reminders, pep talks, and motivators have you given yourself to keep going? Leave them in the comments below. I’d love to read them!
Conclusion
I hope this helps you stay motivated to write. I wish you the best of luck on your writing journey and any other journeys you pursue!