Home   >   Writing for a Living   >   Lacking Writing Motivation? Try This:

Lacking Writing Motivation? Try This:

By on March 14, 2017
Lacking Writing Motivation Try This-Writers Life.org

Every writer, from time to time, has days, weeks, even months where they feel as though all their motivation to write has left them. Where every time they sit down at their computer and try to think creatively, they simply can’t find the words to start. Hitting slumps like these is perfectly normal, however recognising and dealing with them as soon as possible is important. For the longer you let your lack of motivation take over, and choose not to write, the harder it will become to break that cycle.

So how do you stay motivated as a writer? Next time you are feeling a little uninspired why not put some of these tips into action?

Start little and often

Set writing goals, but, at first, make them ridiculously easy. Imagine you wanted to get fit and started off by immediately trying to run three miles four times a week? You simply wouldn’t be able to keep it up. Well, the same goes for writing. Instead, make your goals ludicrously easy at first. In the case of exercise, we might try to jog for five minutes in the beginning. When it comes to writing simply try and write for 5 minutes every few days. You are asking so little of yourself that you’ll be able to do it, and slowly but surely you’ll find that you want to do it more and challenge yourself further and further.

Ask for help

It can be all too easy to fall into a well of self-pity when we are feeling demotivated. When this happens many writers turn on themselves inwardly, become very critical, and make matters worse. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it and sometimes having someone else there to motivate you and push you can be so useful. Get a writing buddy, set each other challenges, share your work, give each other topics and ideas to write about and find time to sit and write together. Having someone else who is relying on you can be a real motivator to get you writing again.

Re-read your best work

You know that short story, poem or chapter that gave you goosebumps when you wrote it? Well dig it out and read it again. Going over your best work reminds you that you do have talent, boosts your confidence and allows you to remember how great it was when you wrote something you were proud of. Hold onto the feeling and help it inspire you to get writing again.

Remember why you started

Sit down and focus on why you wanted to write in the first place. Try to pinpoint and capture exactly what it is about writing that makes you want to do it. That’s your motivation right there. Sometimes having clarity and reminding ourselves of the root cause of our passions can give us a much-needed boost and help us to get back in the saddle once more.

Stay positive

Whatever you do try to stay positive. You might have days where you feel really energised and motivated and others where you can barely get out of bed. Just take little steps, keeping making progress and you’ll continue to move back towards being a happy and productive writer once more!

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

About Ty Cohen