Are you struggling to keep your writing momentum going? You’re not alone. Every writer knows the feeling of staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike. The key to overcoming this challenge? A solid writing motivation strategy.
Understanding Your Motivation: A Game-Changer for Your Writing
Motivation is not just a fleeting feeling but a complex and dynamic force. It’s what compels us to write and continues to drive us even in the face of challenges. Understanding your unique motivators can transform your approach to writing, making it a more fulfilling and productive experience.
Now, motivation is a very large concept, which means it can be hard to break down. This often leads to discussions on motivation being vague and unhelpful. For example, how often do we talk about the different types of motivation? Then, how often do we talk about what those types look like in regard to writing and finishing a book?
This motivation breakdown can be extremely beneficial for your writing process, and I encourage you to take the time to develop your personal writing motivation strategy to uncover what truly drives you.
“Okay, but how?” you ask.
Let’s look at a few types of motivation. As we go through them, tune into yourself to identify which ones especially resonate with you. We’ll include common thoughts related to each type so you can see which ones line up with your own experience.
Three Types of Motivation
- Motivation Using the End Goal: This type of motivation usually takes the form of visualizing success or visualizing failure (meaning you never finish the book). I can’t wait to hold my book in my hand and see it on the shelves! Or, What if I never share my stories with the world?
- Motivation Using the Journey: Sometimes, the process itself is the reward. Writing is my escape. I love getting to know my characters.
- Motivation Using Accountability: Pairing up with a writing buddy, joining a writing group, or setting public goals can create a sense of responsibility that drives you to keep writing. Well, I told so-and-so I would write one thousand words this week, and I don’t want to look them in the face and tell them I didn’t actually do it.
Which of the above types of motivation strategies did you have the strongest response to?
Not every strategy works for every person. Additionally, what works can vary from day to day. One day, you might be more motivated by visualizing success, the next day, you might be more motivated by the ability to escape into your writing. Developing a personal motivation strategy gives you a toolbox full of motivational thoughts to kickstart your writing when you least feel like it.
Find Your Own Writing Motivation
To help you even more, I’ve developed a workbook to help you nail down your personal writing motivation strategy.
This workbook is designed to be flexible. You can do this workbook all at once, or you can read and complete a section as a primer before a writing session. It’s packed with exercises, prompts, and strategies tailored to help you find and maintain your writing motivation. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting, these tools are here to support your journey.
Ready to dive in? Download our fillable, printable workbook here and start exploring the strategies that resonate most with you. Remember, the right motivation strategy can make all the difference in your writing journey. Let’s unlock your potential and make writing not just a dream, but a regular, rewarding part of your life.