Motivation to Write: Is There a Magic Formula?
July 17th 2008 17:53
This post is a reprint of a piece I originally wrote as a guest post for Michele Tune at Writing the Cyber Highway. Some of you may remember that it first appeared there on June 2, 2008. Hope you'll enjoy it--and hope it will give you some helpful tools you can use to find--or generate--the motivation to write.
Motivation to Write: Is There a Magic Formula?
When You Don’t Feel Like Writing
How do you motivate yourself to write when you don’t feel like writing? How do you convince yourself to get down to business when you’d rather do anything but?
Have you ever had those days when you just can’t seem to face the prospect of writing that article that’s coming due, that query letter you know you should write, or that blog post that will remind your readers that you haven’t fallen off the face of the earth…that you’re not only still around but that you’re actually still interested in sharing your wit and wisdom with them? (I thought so!) You want to write, but you just can’t seem to make yourself do it.
Lack of Motivation: A Common Problem
Every writer struggles with these feelings from time to time—many of us quite often. And for bloggers and other online writers who work from home, life can be particularly distracting, as we’re continually bombarded not only with the household responsibilities that continually beckon, but also with the many available—and attractive—alternatives to working.
Such tempting activities as commenting on other blogs, visiting social media sites, checking our site stats, looking for nifty high-tech tools for our web pages, reading unrelated but interesting content during our online research, and any number of other enjoyable and otherwise productive activities often only serve to intensify our motivation problem and derail us from our efforts to fulfill our writing responsibilities.
What’s a Writer to Do?
The most important thing is to realize that motivation is a state of mind. It can come from many sources. Some of them follow.
The Writer’s Most Common Motivation Sources
Enthusiasm
When we’re feeling really enthusiastic about a project, don’t we find it so much easier to throw ourselves into completing it—even when the project itself is difficult or involved? If you can work up the enthusiasm to actually relish the prospect of writing about your topic, you will have won a great victory.
To do that, try taking your focus off the negative aspects of the project and focusing, instead, on something positive about the piece—something you can actually enjoy about it. If the subject matter itself doesn’t interest you, try focusing on a specific writing technique that you’ve mastered which you’re particularly proud of and which you plan to use for the piece.
If need be, you can even focus on a favorite writing tool, some physical part of the writing process that you enjoy, or the satisfaction you receive from your excellent spelling ability, extensive vocabulary, fantastic research skills, or even the way your well-formatted work looks on the page. A little enthusiasm will go a long way toward helping you thrive on the journey ahead, making it so much easier to reach your destination.
Interest
When we’re interested in our topic, writing about it grips our attention, draws us into our content, and keeps us going. It causes time to fly by, making us wonder where it could have gone. Interest can fuel the energy that helps us build momentum, spurring us on toward the realization of our writing goals.
If you’re able to pick and choose your projects so you’re only required to write about topics that interest you, great! You’ll have a much easier time motivating yourself to complete your writing assignments. But, if not, try finding something about the project that captures your interest—even if it takes a stretch of the imagination to discover it. It will be well worth the effort!
If the project itself doesn’t hold any fascination for you, try asking yourself a few questions. Will publishing this piece open your work up to a wider audience, giving you greater exposure? Will it place you before a new demographic or offer you a coveted spot in a brand new niche? Will it add to your credibility as a writer and/or as an expert in your current niche or genre? Will it allow you to showcase your work to prospective new clients? Will it open new doors of opportunity for you in other areas either related or unrelated to writing? These are all great reasons for feeling motivated about your writing project!
Inspiration
Inspiration sweeps us high above the mediocrity of our surroundings, activating our imaginations and infusing us with a power that makes expressing our thoughts via the written word practically effortless. Don’t we just adore the times when we’re fortunate enough to function under the tutelage of this most welcome influence? When it strikes, we see everything in a brand new light, and that helps us rise to bold new heights of creativity. Yet, when inspiration tarries, we often become discouraged.
At times like these, we need to generate a little inspiration of our own. One way we can do this is through the vehicle of high and noble thoughts. Focusing on our ideals and on the meaningful messages we hope to convey to our readers through our writing can jump-start the inspiration process. We can also inspire ourselves through the purposeful recall of vividly meaningful memories, of people we’ve known and loved or joys we’ve experienced. Or we can generate inspiration through the intentional act of surrounding ourselves with beauty. Stirring music, beautiful art, a lovely garden, a distinctively decorated writing nook—all these can help us create an atmosphere that’s conducive to inspiration. And all these can help us motivate ourselves to write.
Reward
The expectation of reward can be another excellent motivator. The reward might be a tangible one like money or an intangible one like recognition. It can even be something as simple—yet sensational—as the sense of satisfaction or feeling of fulfillment we derive from our writing. Just knowing that our work will help someone or that someone will enjoy it can bring its own reward, strengthening our motivation to complete a project.
And though money can often be a great motivator, we sometimes feel we aren’t receiving sufficient compensation for our work—particularly in the web-writing arena, where the going rates tend to be lower—and this can have a demotivating effect on us. That’s why it’s so important not to overlook the intangible rewards—to allow them to provide the impetus to keep us moving forward.
The Role of Attitude in Motivation
We need to realize that we are responsible for our own attitudes. We choose our own thoughts, as well as the lens through which we view the world. We can choose to see our project as a problem—a burden that’s been thrust upon us and one that we must grit our teeth and struggle through, hating every minute of it. Or we can decide to think differently about it—to remain positive and proactively seek ways to make it more than just another piece of writing.
Sometimes it takes sheer willpower to motivate ourselves to write, but I’m convinced that we can make a conscious decision to throw ourselves into our project. (In fact, I know we can, because I’ve proven it to myself again and again in my own writing.) We can make our writing a real extension of who we are, infusing it with that spark of personality, talent, expertise, imagination, and careful craftsmanship that only we can provide, making it a piece we can be proud to write—even if it’s a project that wouldn’t otherwise move us.
The Writer’s Last Resort
When all else fails, we may need to put a popular anti-procrastination technique to work and just do it, trusting that the motivation will follow as we gradually enter into our project. At times like these, it helps to remember that the ability to write when we don’t feel like it—when the intrinsic motivation, interest, enthusiasm, and inspiration escape us—is what separates the professional from the amateur.
And that knowledge alone can serve as our last-ditch motivator—because it’s a truth that carries its own reward.
Happy writing!
Jeanne
Note: I will resume my Guide to Polished Writing shortly.
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any motivational techniques of your own you'd like to share with us? We'd love to hear them!
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Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
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I think the Enthusiasm is the main reason that keeping me motivated and writing of all time...
Good luck for your writing career, Jeanne
Comment by tlcorbin
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Glad you liked the article! Enthusiasm is definitely an excellent motivator!
Thanks for stopping by to read and comment!
Best of luck to you, as well!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Hope my article gives you a few ideas for combating that lack of motivation--and the accompanying depression--you've been battling lately. Hang in there, because
This, too, shall pass!
Best wishes,
Jeanne
Comment by Chris Champion
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Your post motivated me! It got me thinking about the reasons I like to write, and that led me to create a list of 10 favourite reasons. So thank you for the motivation, which I acknowledged with a link to your post. If you'd like to see it, and if you don't mind me including a link, it's here.
Regards,
Chris
Comment by Dianna G
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I know the feeling... Once the NaNoWriMo Inspiration has worn off around December Fifteenth (sometimes it takes a bit longer, sometimes a little less time) I burn out completely for a month or two and it takes an effort to even blog to let people know I still live.
And I have a surprise for you over at I Wish This Was 42.
~Dianna
(No, it isn't shameless plugging; it's actually got something for you)
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Glad to hear that my post inspired you to write a post of your own! That's great! Motivation is a wonderful thing, isn't it?
Thanks so much for linking to me in your post, too! That was really nice of you! And I don't mind at all that you've placed a link to your post in your comment. I think it's very appropriate. In fact, I've read your post, and I think you've come up with some fantastic reasons why you enjoy writing. I hope those reasons will continue to inspire you for a long time to come! And maybe you'll inspire the other writers who read your post to give that question a little thought, as well.
Thanks for stopping by Writer's Notes!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
It's so true that every so often we need a break. But, isn't it nice, once we've rested, refreshed, and rejuvenated ourselves, to come back to the craft renewed and remotivated--with a brand new outlook and a resurgence of our temporarily misplaced enthusiasm? I just love that! It's all a part of the incredible creative cycle. And when we can encourage, support, and inspire one another, it makes everything that much better!
Just returned from visiting your blog--and loved your surprise! I'm very honored by your touching words! Thanks so much!
Blessings,
Jeanne
Comment by Brad Shorr
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks so much! I'm just glad that my revival of this post came at a time when it was particularly helpful to you. There's definitely something to be said for pushing ourselves at the beginning, if need be, in order to build the momentum we need to finish a project. And isn't it a great feeling to see that perseverance pay off?
Glad I could help inspire you. Good luck with your projects!
Jeanne
Comment by Joanne Fedler
This is such practical and inspirational advice. Thanks so much for it.
Jo
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us! Sometimes, all we can do is walk away, take time off from our writing, and focus our minds on other things. That's how we refuel, refilling the reservoir of inspiration and enthusiasm that sparks renewed productivity.
Every writer needs that break once in a while, since no one can be "on" 100% of the time. We simply aren't designed that way! A change of pace--whether in the form of another constructive (non-writing) project, simple relaxation, or a recreational activity--can work wonders for our outlook, remotivate us, and replenish our store of creativity.
Glad to hear you took the time to do those things that added up to rejuvenation for you. We learn something new every day as we journey down the writing path--don't we?
So glad you enjoyed my piece!
Jeanne
Comment by moonglow
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Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
It's great to hear that lack of motivation is never a problem for you! Consistent motivation is a real boon to a writer, though I do understand how scarce time can be!
Glad you enjoyed the article!
Jeanne
Comment by Ulla Hennig
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
So glad to hear that reading this post has helped you! That's always good news!
Motivation can be tricky to generate precisely because it's a state of mind. We tend to get stuck in attitudinal ruts, erroneously thinking that because we happen to feel a certain way at a given point, we must remain in that mindset. But, it always helps to remind ourselves that we can choose our own attitude--which means we can also choose to change that attitude whenever it's one that holds us back from achieving our goals.
Glad my points about attitude spoke to you, and I hope you'll manage to generate the motivation you need in the coming days. Often, the holidays throw us off track with our work, and the distraction can be demotivating. But, as the celebrations wind down and the distractions decrease, you'll likely find it a little easier to make that attitude adjustment that will get you back in sync with your Muse.
Thanks so much for the visit!
Jeanne