First of all, Happy Birthday IWSG!!! For the anniversary of IWSG, we’ve been asked to put together a short piece on writing, publishing, or marketing. For my post, I’m going to share some tricks I use to help me stay motivated:
1. Be task-oriented. I am used to thinking of work in terms of time. As a writer, I’ve found that I need to reverse my thought processes and think in terms of what I need to get done rather than the time I will dedicate to working. This may sound zany, but it’s true.
2. Remind yourself what you should be doing. I use desktop wallpaper to remind me what I should be doing.
3. Exercise, eat right, etc. I know, I know.. But it really does help. A lot.
4. Vary your locale. I mostly write on a laptop computer, but I’m not above pen and paper. Sometimes if I’m stuck on a crowded restaurant scene I’ll go someplace crowded. For a quiet meditative moment…you get the idea.
5. Just Do It.
6. Have a Support System. It helps a lot to know there are people out there who know you are supposed to be writing.
7. Never Give Up.
8. And don’t forget to treat yourself for a job well done. Our brains are wired for positive feedback.
That’s what I’ve got from my arsenal. What do you think? How do you stay motivated?
Anne Higa 
Great advice, Anne! I’ve never been able to write in crowded places myself–I need quiet–but I can totally understand how a change of scenery can be good for a writer.
I find being around successful people motivates me. It makes me see what’s possible. And, traveling. Always. I come back from a trip inspired and motivated…once the jet lag fades. 😉
agreed! yes, exercise seems unrelated and yet it helps greatly, that’s what I do to fight writers block 🙂
Hi Anna! I’m visiting as one of the IWSG co-hosts today. Great motivational tricks in your post today. I hd to laugh at “Just Do It!” My youngest and published sister is always shooting that at me. I’m so glad that I discovered the IWSG. It’s a great support group! Happy writing!
Great advice, Anne. Treat yourself is such a forgotten thing. We need to celebrate our successes for the positive feedback it generates.
Funny when I see his face I think of flying through the black hehehe. Fillion is such a space cowboy 🙂
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
Hehe. Me too, Anna! I’ve never even seen Castle, but Nathan Fillion is fine and shiny with me! 🙂
Number 3, yes! I know when I don’t eat right, my energy levels drop (even more than they already are) and I can’t muster the motivation to get anything done.
Thanks Patricia.
Exercising and eating right makes a huge difference to my motivation.
Thanks Lynda. You are so right.
Much the same way!
Thanks for contributing to the book.
Thanks Alex!
I love the idea of a wallpaper that reminds you what you are supposed to be doing. I have been so desperate as to consider a tattoo…the left hand would say “Get” and the right one would say “Writing”. (I would probably have to put ‘You Idiot’ somewhere less visible.)
I have found that writing something, and saying, maybe 30 minutes, vs. looking for that large chunk of time, gets me motivated. And, you’re right. When I take a walk and drink my water, I feel more inspired to be creative!
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