Create Motivation: External Benefits for Writing

(Photo Credit: http://impossiblehq.com)

One way to overcome your writing fears is to make sure the benefits of writing outweigh the fears. I've heard many times, “writing is lonely work” and this is usually seen as a problem. This does not need to be true for you. Even though the most important motivation comes from within, you can also create chances for motivation by becoming more involved with the people around you.

Don't be afraid look to other people – writers, family, friends, strangers – for motivation. Other people can offer encouragement, affirmation, and recognition.

Even if you prefer a quiet and secluded work-space, consider writing regularly (even if not often) at a public location such as a deli, coffee shop, or bookstore. Strike up conversations with strangers and – if appropriate – mention that you are writing something.

When someone learns that you write, he often wants to know what you write. And if you see the same person again, he might very well ask “how's the writing coming?” When you go to the same public place routinely, you start to meet other regulars. When they know that you are there to write, you start to feel a stronger pressure to write while you are there.

If you are serious about completing a project, consider telling family and friends about your project. They can help keep you on track, give pep-talks, ideas, and generally keep you moving forward. Also, you are likely to feel pressure to meet their expectations. This can provide the push you need to keep moving forward when your writing slows down.

If you are serious about pursuing writing professionally (or already are a professional), external motivation for the professional writer can also come in the form of publication and income. To involve others in raising your motivation, network with other writers via social media, professional organizations, and less formal critique groups. Facebook and Twitter are great places to share (and read) goals, trials and successes. You can also post daily (weekly, etc.) word counts. Or challenge others to a competition. All three options give you access to people with similar enthusiasms – which can be very stimulating.

December Resolutions (Alina Chase)

TIME & MOTIVATION

December Resolutions

By Alina Chase

December is the perfect time to rethink what we write and why we write and, perhaps, why we don’t write as often or as creatively as our inner critics think we should. Have we lost interest in or outgrown our initial plans and projects, or are we just not prioritizing our time and energy in a way that works best for us? 

  

During the holidays the average American overindulges (gains 5-7 pounds!), overspends (whoa, why did I buy that!), and too many find the season more stressful or depressing than festive. So let’s not wait to make guilt-ridden or stress-induced New Year’s resolutions we probably won’t keep (like adding exercising, dieting and budgeting to our writing to-do lists). Instead, let’s resolve to be brilliant, not average. Let’s use this time to create and test drive writing lifestyle resolutions we may actually keep.

 

Here are three previous resolutions I made and (mostly) stick with that I hope will jump-start creating your own resolutions:

 

Resolution #1: Find creative alternatives to attending, organizing or hosting events you dread. (Resolution 1A: Nix the guilt. If it drains your energy, it’s not the right way for you to spend your time! Find new, less stressful ways to satisfy what you feel are family, social or charitable obligations.)

 

Resolution #2: Vow to maintain or improve your fitness during the holidays. Unless you actually enjoy those sugar highs (and crashes) and turkey-and-stuffing-induced comas, how hard is it, really, to abstain from gluttony? (Going out for a jog is also a healthy excuse to escape family drama.)

 

Resolution #3: Commit to adding 2 hours per week, all at once or in little chunks, of energizing activity to your life. Reading, hiking, meeting a friend for burritos—whatever makes you happy! Fun time-outs return big payoffs in physical and mental energy. (But about those burritos, see Resolution #2—maybe skip the cheese dip?)

 

Have fun with this! Take some risks. And by all means share your December resolution triumphs (and what humor you can find in not-so-triumphant attempts at breaking uninspiring traditions) with all of us here at Writer Block. We’d love to hear from you!

 

Wishing you all a relaxed, refreshing and inspiring holiday season…

Productive Pastimes - 3 Morale-Boosting Exercises

By Alina Chase

Glowing Embers. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If your fiction is fizzling, your blog is “blah” or you just can’t stop surfing long enough to finish (or start) your latest project, maybe all you need is an ego boost. Try these creative exercises to broaden your perspective, renew your enthusiasm—and give yourself some well-earned kudos.

1-Write Rave Reviews

No rules! You’re making stuff up and nobody will see it. You have fresh ideas, a brilliant approach and phenomenal style, so… What will fans say? What will the editors and bloggers competing for personal interviews write? Will your favorite author write a rave review or trash you on Facebook (obviously jealous)?

2-Thank Your Supporters

Remember how many people believe in you. Then write acknowledgments. Thank family and friends for contributions and moral support. (Can you imagine how delighted they’ll be to see their names in print?) Thank living and long-dead authors for inspiration. And remember to thank your future agent/publicist/producer for helping you launch a remarkable new blockbuster.

3-Write a Dedication

Tear-jerking or comical, public acknowledgement or private joke, a dedication will refuel ambition. Dedicate your book to an individual, a small circle of friends or to a group of professionals or volunteers you admire. Or think five years forward, dedicating it to the college professor who said you would –never- succeed as a writer. (But you did…so there!)

Dig deep to get to the heart of why you’re writing and who you’re writing for. Get arrogant, sappy, spiteful, funny. Nobody's grading these exercises, so have fun with them! One belly laugh, one tingling of renewed spirit or one new insight into this inexplicable craving we have to write may be all it takes to get your writing back on track.

MOTIVATION: Productive Pastimes

By Alina Chase

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

      When you need well-deserved downtime, instead of completely shutting your creative brain down with mind-numbing movies or games, make quality time with your favorite (and least favorite) authors a creative learning experience.

 

Read A Great Book—Again.

  

      It’s relaxing, entertaining and motivating.

      For a quick shot of inspiration, read a few bookmarked passages to help renew your enthusiasm to write like the masters.

      But when you feel burnout creeping in, plan to spend a whole afternoon or evening with an old favorite. This is not wasted time! The second, third or tenth time you read a book, you’ll notice more about structure and style, rhythm and pacing. How did the author build tension, stage humor? What is said, and not said, about settings and characters? Why do you care what happens?

      And no writing is perfect. Can you find one way to make your favorite book just a little bit better?

  

…Or Read a Really Bad Book.

  

      Keep a few lousy books on the shelf to read when your ego needs a boost. Read a few pages, a whole chapter if you can stand it. Now you can write better than that, can’t you?

      After you’re feeling sufficiently smug, read more, critically. Keep in mind as you bash the book that not only the author, but perhaps a traditional publisher, found it worthy of print. And you chose to read it. So, first, ask yourself what the author did right.

      Next, consider when you began losing interest—and why. At what point did you stop reading the first time? Or did you struggle through until the end, hoping the book would get better. Why?

      Then think about what could be changed (and how) to make it something you’d love to read.

  

      So nix the guilt for taking time out. Let books you love inspire you, and books you don’t love serve as bad examples but encouraging reminders that your persistence will pay off. And remember that reading a book you’ve read before may reward you with both inspiration and energy—at least you won’t be reading into the wee hours waiting to find out how it ends!

Writing Is Like Love

Love heart uidaodjsdsew (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sometimes writing gives me the greatest feeling in the world. Everything makes sense, anything is possible. Looking at your WIP is like looking in a mirror that clearly reflects your intentions. Writing is effortless and time flies by. You are happy and energized. The world is a wonderful place. These feelings are very like the best moments of love, when everything is “right”.

Love answers some deeply personal needs. Why do you write? Probably because it fills other (or some of the same) needs. I write to express myself, to communicate, to think things through to the end, to create something. These needs may not be necessary for basic survival the way food and water are. But writing provides an outlet and a means for personal completion. Writing is my tether to other people. To keep it, I make a commitment to stay with it when things get tough.

How do you feel when life grows difficult? Sometimes writing is an effort, a struggle, a pain, and an inconvenience. Loving relationships can be that way, too. You write anyway. You write because you know the bad times can be overcome or endured. Writing helps you overcome or endure. It is your tether, your life-line, your reminder. You honor your commitment.

Like love, writing contains good and bad. Most people's relationships with writing start shallow but deepen with time – if they keep at it. I think everyone starts with an idealized view of writing. Time shows other sides. Every person reaches a point of decision: to commit or not commit. There are many types of commitment: the two-timer, the flirt, the steady. And the level of commitment can change with time. The nature of your relationship with writing changes with time. You change and your writing changes with you. Maybe you go separate ways. Maybe you live happily ever after.

You Resemble a Nobel Prize Winner

President Bill Clinton with Nelson Mandela, July 4 1993. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”
― Nelson Mandela (from Goodreads)
---
Nelson Mandela is an activist who became President of South Africa and now is a statesman who has won the Nobel Prize. Relevance? Consider the passion of this man-- the conviction, dedication, and perseverance.
Imagine what you could do if you unleashed the same focus on your writing. He doesn't settle for the society that's out there. Not when he can try to be an agent of change. As a writer, you don't settle for the writing that is already out there. Not when you can write something of your own.
Both Mandela and you are working to change the world. Even (maybe especially) when it means challenging current customs and standards.
Take the plunge and tap your writing potential.

Rebel With Your Writing

Rebel (Photo credit: just.Luc)

To be a successful rebel writer it helps to...

1. Have a cause, mission, or purpose.
2. Identify your target.
3. Have a plan.
4. Gather your weapons and get to know them.
5. Take the offensive.
6. Recruit others.
7. Be public.
8. Be passionate.
9. Know the rules. Then you can learn how to successfully break them.
10. Be ready to win.
11.  Refuse to fail.

5 Ways to Free Your Writing

Dancers at the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cinco de Mayo is (in part) a day that celebrates freedom. As a writer, fight for freedom from cliches, stagnation, and writer block! Just as the Mexicans turned back an invading force, you can fight against these enemies of writers everywhere and everywhen.

• Brainstorm: Avoid cliches by listing multiple scenarios. I find that my best ideas come after the brainstorming becomes difficult because I'm really stretching myself. Another benefit of brainstorming is that you can combine ideas, adding complexity – even if you go with your original plan.
• Want: Write what you want, not what you think you should write. You are writing for people who like what you like. So write for yourself and you will be writing for them. Also, when you write what you want you will be more enthusiastic, creative, and persistent.
• Carry: Keep a voice recorder, a notebook, or note cards to record ideas as they come. Then they'll be available when you want them. As an added benefit, the act of recording them can generate additional ideas.
• Ask: Other people love to share ideas for characters or settings. This gives them a chance to be part of the process and gives you a new perspective.
• Rewrite: When a scene doesn't work, rewrite it regardless of your time constraints. Better to do it now rather than later. A bad scene or line – or one that just doesn't “fit” – can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection during the submission process.

People Like You

Originally Posted: April 20, 2013 by alicorndreams





Don’t ever let anyone quash your dreams.  Don’t ever listen to people who tell you that you can’t.  For any reason.  Never believe for even a second that you can’t.  You can.  I’m living proof!
When I was in the 4th grade (decades ago) I wrote a story for a Language Arts assignment.  It was called “The Cat, The Dog, and The Jellybeans”.  I got an A on the paper, and the teacher said she really enjoyed reading it.  I was hooked.  It was then that I decided I wanted to write.
I told my family.  They thought it was cute.  They all told me that “People like you don’t write, honey.  And if you do write, you will never be able to publish anything.  And if you do publish things, you will have to pay people to publish your work and you will never make any money at it”.  They didn’t understand that it wasn’t money that it was all about.  The words were just in my head and I loved them.
I wrote for the literary journals in school.  I wrote and I wrote and I wrote.  I rarely told anyone at home I was still writing.  My teachers encouraged me.  Kids at school congratulated me.  But the words in my head still echoed.  People like you… people like you… people like you.
Skip forward, (by this time I was REALLY hiding my writing because it didn’t pay and no one understood) and find me sitting in a cube farm, making a living but not really living.  I needed a book to help me figure out how to do my job.  And there wasn’t any book written.  So, after I slept (it was a long project) I got mad and wrote the book I wanted to read.  And I found someone willing to take a chance on me who published it.  And I got an advance on royalties check.  And I saw my name on a book jacket.  And I was hooked again.  I wrote a few geek books.  And was published.  And I fell in love with the words again.
People like me, and people like you, can write.  If you don’t mind living your dream and chasing your own dandelion fluff, you can do it.  It isn’t easy.  Sometimes it is a lot of work and sometimes it means forgoing things that you might rather do, but you CAN do it.
Find your voice (of late, mine has been headed back to poetry, my first love) and let your own voice sing.  Don’t ever pay heed to the people who tell you that People Like You can’t.  We are all people like you, and people like you CAN!

I See You’ve Put Your Pen Down…

Originally Posted: April 14, 2013 by Rowan

Because it’s hard. Because you’re busy. Because the words don’t come to you, because you’ll never be good enough, because you’re a worthless, hopeless, loser. I want you to pick it up again, physically or mentally. Pick up the pen, Right Now.
You don’t have to write. Just hold it in your hand and feel it for a second. Remember what it was that got you hooked on writing, that made you want to write more. Remember the rush.
Now feel the fire start in your belly. Feel the burning behind your eyes, feel the full force of your emotions. The beating of your heart, the clenching of your soul. The tightening of your fist as your dreams weigh down on you.
You want to write.
Don’t you dare put that pen back down. You are a fighter. The words come to you through a haze of pain, they bleed from your fingertips and scratch across your brain. Is it worth it? Are your dreams worth this?
Yes.
If you want to be good at this – if you want to make words dance for you, jump across the page and set themselves on fire for you, you’ve got to pay them in blood and tears and sweat.
You’ve got to sit down and write.
And you will.
Rowan S. R. is an author-creature at The Writing Corp. To read more of its writing, check back here or hop on over to Rowan S.R’s blog.