So for my very first support group post, I want to talk about motivation... Or rather, the lack thereof. Ugh!
I've been going through a major motivation to write/edit rut. It drives me BONKERS. Because I haven't been as studious with my writing, I caved into comparing myself to other writers.
Why do you think this is?
I've got an answer, one of many perhaps. Note: I'm not trying to be cocky with what I'm about to say. I say this with great humility because I've had to work hard to get to where I am. Being away from my words for a long period of time makes me forget how good I am. Yes, I'm not Shakespeare, Jane Austen, or J.K. Rowling, but I'm Julia King--the writer of FÉLICITÉ FOUND and BOUND. My books that only I could write.
Motivation and confidence come when I'm deep in the thick of my stories. It isn't until then that I forget all the other crap going on in my mind. IE: I suck at writing. Or others write better than me. The list goes on and on. You know how it is.
I have to work really hard at maintaining the stamina to write...consistently and not let all the distractions of insecurities cloud my vision. Being in my words helps conquer those venomous, parasite-esque, debilitating, and destructive feelings.
So, how do you overcome being unmotivated? Or not working as hard as you know you can? How do you overcome lack of confidence in yourself as a writer?
Writing. Jewels.
We all suck. LOL. I'm kidding! Well, I'm in a slump myself, but I guess I just keep pushing because if I don't, well, then the answer is a definite and final no... so I might as well keep trying, right? ;)
ReplyDelete<3 ya girl. :D
Yep, keep trying is all we can do. You can do it! I know it will happen. You've got talent. Lots of it too. Loves back atcha!
DeleteI seldom need motivation to write. It's the place I feel most comfortable. Just don't give yourself unrealistic goals. If you only get to write for fifteen minutes before life intrudes, be glad for those fifteen minues.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your projects.
Thanks, Wendy. I appreciate you comment and for stopping by. We can do this!
DeleteUsually when I'm in a slump, I take some time out, then force myself to sit down and do some work by bribing myself with a reward of chocolate, or something equally as delicious! :D
ReplyDeleteI'd love some chocolate. Not till next week. I'm on a no sugar diet for three weeks. Trying to purge myself of my chocolate/sweets addiction. haha
DeleteI've been forcing myself to write. It has been working. Once I get back into the words. I'm good to go. :D
Thanks for stopping by and for following me!
I understand! We forget that "Hey, I can do this!" There was a long span between finishing final edits on my second book and starting my third because no idea was motivating enough for me to write - and because I really didn't think I had it in me to do it again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in the IWSG!
Yeah, I wonder if I have it in me to write two more books in my BOUND trilogy. But I will do it. I just have to plot out my ideas... I'll do that after I finish my current edit of the first book. Then it's on to writing book two.
DeleteI can do this! You can do this, Alex. You've given me the drive.
IWSG is awesome. :D
Motivation is a hard one. You know something needs to be done, but you just don't want to do it. Sometimes you just have to do something to find the motivation to do it.
ReplyDeleteYep, I open my laptop when I get home and plug my ear buds in my ears and start editing. It's the only way to get her done. Nothing good was ever completed without the work. Sweat and tears, babe. GO Team Writers!
DeleteThanks for stopping by Cherie!
I guess I'm lucky as I mostly have trouble finding the motivation to stop. I probably have fewer stories in me for sure, but most times my brain gets ahead of my keyboard. Now I'm not saying they're good or couldn't be better if I were a better writer, but they simply exist in there. Motivation and minimum word counts per day are two concepts that escape me. And yes, the NaNo people all assaulted me on Twitter for questioning the significance of word counts. I am probably not going to write 20 "The Girl who did this or that" novels so I never considered it important. I've had entire days when I struggled getting 80 words down right and days I've done 8,000 and they were both good days.
ReplyDelete80 words in a day is good enough if you've done it. I've been needed to force myself to edit lately. It's not my fav part of writing, but sure needed. Once I get into the words, I'm good to go. It's just getting there that's the problem. haha
DeleteAnd never say "if I were a better writer". All of us are in our own way. Because we've taken this journey on proves we are. BAM!
Thanks for stopping by, Dave!
I haven't been on the published end of things, but I agree that editing takes the spark right out of me. I think you hit the nail on the head- sometimes I need to step away from novel for a while and come back with fresh eyes. Editing reminds you of all the things you did wrong or could do better. Reading just to read lets you see how wonderful your story really is.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
You got that right dead on the nose. Editing isn't the funnest part of writing for me. But I've been trying to have fun with it. Onward I go.
DeleteBest of luck to you too!
Hi Julia. I'm new to the group too. When I'm not motivated, I pick up a book from one of my favorite authors. It motivates me to get my butt back in the chair. And when I doubt my writing I remind myself that I just need to get the first draft (or maybe a specific scene) written and I can go back and polish it later.
ReplyDeleteWhen all that fails, I call my mom or sister, or chat with my husband or CP. They always make me feel better.
Good points. I like the CP idea. I should utilize that more often. Glad to have you here at my blog. The IWSG is going to be so great for me. I'm excited to be a part of the fun support group!
DeleteI'm new to the group also. Sometimes I am just not motivated and that's okay. I use that time to read or spend time with friends, so I don't completely isolate myself when I'm writing. And sometimes I just write, even if it is crap. That's what editing is for; removing those scenes that you just wrote because it was all you could write.
ReplyDeleteAnd NEVER compare yourself with other writers. I've been there and it's a negative place because all of us writers are different. Embrace those differences and be yourself, the writer only you can be. :)
As writers, I think we need breaks. It is rejuvenating. And I need to work on not comparing myself to other writers. It is something I've dealt with in many circumstance in my life. Stop the insanity! haha
DeleteThanks for your comment. I will run over to your IWSG post right now.
I've hit a writer's block at the moment and am trying to push through. The motivation just isn't there...I may just need a break or a kick in the butt, or both. (;
ReplyDeleteTake a break, Elise. Go see a movie, watch a couple episodes of a tv show your really like, do something with a friend, and go see something pretty in France!
DeleteThen get back to work! :D
I think you hit the nail on the head, as well as the other commenters, actually getting it done is the biggest motivator to keep going. Sometimes I feel rubbish and don't think there's any way I can do anything, then I end up having a really good session. As for worrying whether it's good enough - I don't really any more because I don't know until others have read it. So I just do the best I can.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, Nick. Just do the best you can and don't worry about it anymore. This will even work with editing. Once you get feedback from CP's/betas, you can run with it and just do your best again.
DeleteThanks for your input. :D
PS: Glad you had fun on your holiday.
I admit, I have been lazy for a couple of months. I haven't worked that hard. When it seemed I was motivated again, something else came up. Now I just feel like it's all in a funk, so I am trying to get out of this mode and get back to it.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain, girl! Sometimes I just have to kick my butt in gear. That's what I've had to do this week. And ya know what? I'm making progress. I'm enjoying the process all the more too!
DeleteYou can do it!
Hi Julia, I'm a new follower via the IWSG. Welcome to the group!! I don't have much of a motivation problem, but I do have many insecurities that eat away at my confidence from time to time. I find that simply believing in my work is enough to keep me going. As long as I'm making even the slightest bit of progress, I think I'm doing Okay.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nancy. Nice to have you stop by. Believing in yourself is the first step. I'm still working on that one. But, I like how you said, "even the slightest bit of progress, I think I'm doing Okay." So true. It's those babysteps that help us succeed.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Hi, Julia! Visiting from the IWSG. Welcome. :))
ReplyDeleteI have plenty of insecurities. Motivation usually isn't one of them, but getting my butt in the chair, now we're talking.
There have been a few times motivation reaches up and chokes me. It's best if I remove myself from the computer. It's when my creative well runs dry. I like to take walks outside, paint, garden, and shop. During these events, I preach to myself, "You can do this," over and over.
Normally, any of the above can push my unmotivated feelings right out the window.
Nice to meet you. :)
Stepping away is a great idea. I've done that many a time... even right now. But I'll be kicking my butt in gear before I know it.
DeleteNice to meet you and thanks for following me. I'll run by your blog super soon. :D