How to Get Motivated to Write—and How to Keep Writing
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Or, How to Stop Procrastinating and Write the Book Already
The best way to write a book is do it. That sounds simple, but it isn’t easy. If you want to write a book, there are some truths you must acknowledge and then you can get down to work. There’s a lot to be said on this, but here, we’ll give you the short version of how to get motivated to write so you get back to your story that much sooner.
Two truths you should know
There are many important things to know about writing—far more than we can fit in one blog—so we’ve decided on two of the most important things to know if you want to start writing and keep writing: There is no right way to do this and comparison is a thief.
There is no right way to write
It’s lucky that stories don’t often arrive as we find them on a shelf, in their full splendor, impressive, illustrated, gilded. If they did, most writers would be too intimidated to even begin. Instead, they come about like a note under the door, a stray pawing the window, or a lightbulb flaring out. And though these moments resonate deeply with us—so much so we begin scribbling down whatever sparks we can catch—it’s harder to convey those feelings to someone on the other side of the page with nothing but words. Then, while you’re working out the best way to do this, fear steals into the room and pulls up a chair. After that, there’s endless pressure to tell a story that will make readers miss train stops and forget to set their alarms. In other words, you need to get it right.
But this isn’t the way to go about writing a book at all. Rightness is an unfortunate byproduct of algorithms and reviews that tell us there are correct ways of talking about what’s shaken us down to our socks. While there are certainly ways to strengthen a book, clarify its heart, or build its impact, your book can’t be written “incorrectly.” Charts, methods, and formulas can help, but they are only props and scaffolding to support the artist at work—which is you, by the way.
Comparison is a thief
Writing communities can be welcoming support in the dark days of draft one, providing lanterns and respite along the way. However, while community can support your creativity, take care that you are still creating rather than performing. Our online world of clicks, likes, and reposts makes it easy to become a performative writer, someone who talks, reads, and posts about writing quite a bit but does very little actual wordsmithing. In this mode, you’re likely to become someone who is looking at other people’s work (or publications) a lot more than you are looking at your own, and comparison is the fastest way to lose your motivation. After all, hundreds—thousands—of people have written a book and, crushingly, people really love them!
Comparison invites discouragement, saying that storyline has already been done or that twist has already been written. Those tropes are overused, or these characters are cardboard cutouts. Comparison says you can’t hope to compete, but it’s stolen the fact that no one is competing on the page. Book sales, reviews—these have no place in the creative act of writing. It is a process, and that process is you telling a story, first of all, to yourself. Looking at what others have made can be terrific inspiration, but don’t let someone’s finished masterpiece make you throw out your own first sketches.
How to get motivated to write
As we said above, doing the work of writing is as simple as doing it. There are many ways to do it, and here are some ideas to get you going again if you’ve lost your motivation or have a hard time finding it to begin with.
Set boundaries
Deadlines, specific places you work in, wordcount goals, and timers all have one thing in common: they are boundaries. They set your expectations and help you measure your results. You can even set boundaries in regard to the book you’re writing, choosing two or three themes rather than trying to write everything down. You can narrow your focus to one topic or point of view. A boundary could also be deciding who you will let into your process and at what stage.
If you decide on boundaries, you will create a way of working that ensures you’ll make progress. You might find they need to shift or be altered as you go, but starting with intent is one of the best ways to start and keep writing.
Give yourself grace
Ariane and I once took a class on copperplate lettering at our local library from a fantastic calligrapher whose lettering was breathtakingly elegant. In the midst of us minding our shaky p’s and q’s, she told us an astonishing fact—even after lettering hundreds and hundreds of wedding invitations, she always asks for several extra envelopes in case she messes up, which she says inevitably still happens.
Let your draft be as drafty as an old barn. If you’re stuck on a scene, allow yourself room to be a little less brilliant once in a while and make notes to yourself to come back and make it better. Revision is a powerful tool, and you can always change what’s been written.
Take breaks
There is definitely a time and place for stepping away from your work, but instead of seeking out distraction, look for ways to ruminate. Instead of sitting down in front of a screen, consider stepping outside or doing something active. Taking a walk or doing something with your hands like cooking or a craft is a great way to let ideas simmer. Sometimes, if you’re feeling blocked, giving yourself time to simply sit and think about your work is a great way to work through problems. If you struggle to stay focused, write out your thoughts in a journal and talk about what’s not working. You might be surprised about what you have to say to yourself.
Your mind is always tinkering, and, given time, you’ll find solutions. The reason we recommend avoiding screens is that they have a way of filling up space that you’ve set aside for ruminating. Reflecting and brainstorming need a quiet mind to work at their best, and the internet is a very noisy place.
You’ve got this
Writing is a journey rather than a destination. While you can hope for a finished book at the end, the process is what leads you there, and the decisions you make along the way will enrich the words, characters, and story threads. Don’t let doubt, fear, and comparison interfere in your process. While you create, shut the doors and play the music loud.
Thanks to Steve Johnson on Unsplash for the photo!
