9 Ways to Stay Motivated when Writing

At times, all of us can struggle with getting the words out of our heads and onto the page. It happens. We can either sit around twiddling our thumbs and hope an epiphany will occur, or we can save time and try and do something about it. I find prevention is key, having a routine set up before trouble strikes is the best course of action, however sometimes writers block just can’t be helped. So I have compiled a list to show you what helps me to stay motivated when writing.

1. Write everyday.

Whether its, 50 words, 200 words, or 1000 words. Just write something. It doesn’t matter what you say. Just get something down.

To a writer there is nothing more intimidating then a blank page, and an empty imagination.

2. Start your day right.

If you work from home, make sure you start your day right. Have a shower, and prepare for your day as if you were going out. I find I’m much more motivated to write when I dress the part, rather then chilling in my comfy PJs. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

A morning routine can help set you up for a productive day.

3. Write when inspiration strikes.

Dedicated time to write doesn’t always work with a natural flow of words. Most people write at their best, first thing in the morning accompanied by their morning coffee.

I for one am the same, however I have found I also have a writing sweet spot, once my mind hits delirium at night time… you know when you’re really tired but still awake and start to get a little bit silly. At this time, I find I have no barriers holding me back, just a race against how long I can keep my eyes open for. I’m no longer fighting the internal editor in me, I am simply putting words on paper.

I find precision writing and editing are better left for the morning once I am well rested.

Everyone is different so find the groove that works for you, it may be consistent or ever changing, only you can find it.

Also don’t limit yourself to starting at the beginning of your story. If you’ve had inspiration for the finale, or an epic battle scene with some witty dialogue. Start there and build your way back. It’s much easier to fill in the gaps when you already know where your story is heading.

4. Take breaks.

You don’t want to burn out. Find something else to do. Distance from your work can put things into perspective, and can help you look critically at the situation. Often you will find when you stop thinking about it, those ideas will come to you. This also helps when editing. Let it rest and then come back to it later, your mind will read it as it is written, rather than what you remember or think it says.

5. Treat yourself.

Keep snacks nearby or your favourite drink with you, doing so will make you happier and allow for those creative juices to flow. Plus less interruptions, if you suddenly get hungry or thirsty and have to break your writing flow. Or you may even forget to eat or drink… I certainly have a few times, this fixes that problem.

Just remember your brain functions better when you are satisfied and happy, so be sure to look after yourself.

Plus rewarding yourself for a job well done is another way to keep yourself motivated. Every 200 words you can have another reward - or whatever it is that will keep you going.

6. Location.

Find somewhere to write without interruption. Away from others if possible. Switch off your phone. Let your family or colleagues know that you will be writing between these set times and can’t be interrupted. This might not always be possible, but it can help in reducing distractions significantly.

Often, I find other things calling my name, when I know I should be writing. Sometimes it is fun things and other times I procrastinate to the point where household chores become appealing. I find that I have to step outside of my comfort space (home, office, etc) to free my mind from these distractions.

You might find writing at a café, park, beach, garden, office space or kitchen table will suit you best. I personally like to change it up. When I start to get distracted in one location, I take a break and move somewhere else.

If you are someone who works well in an office setting or under pressure, it is possible to hire a desk at a business hub or workspace. Usually if you are paying for the time spent somewhere you are more likely to get the work done, otherwise you’re just wasting your money. Remember, guilt and income loss can be a great motivator.

7. Try creative writing prompts.

If you are truly stuck for writing ideas, then a great resource is the internet. Search for writing prompts, there are thousands of ideas out there waiting to be written. Why not by you?

Draw inspiration from the world around you, the items, people and locations are all a good start. Overheard an interesting conversation? Someone do something strange? You will start to see that inspiration is all around you, you just have to pay attention to see it.

8. Don’t edit as you go.

A mistake most people make, myself included sometimes, is editing as you go. The issue with this is you may find yourself rewriting the same paragraph over and over again. Often this will stray you from the flow of your original writing idea. So by the time you are happy with what you have written, you have forgotten where you were going with it, or it will no longer make sense.

If you do edit on the go, I recommend making draft copies, before erasing and rewriting. That way you still know what the structure is supposed to be, or if it turns out you liked the first version better in the end, at least you will still have it.

If you get an amazing idea for a story, write it down start to finish or as much as you can. You need to make sure you create the bone structure of your story, before you flesh out all the details. This way you don’t forget anything and your story will have a more natural flow when it comes to writing it.

All in all, get your idea down on paper, before altering it dramatically with editing.

9. Finish on a high.

Don’t let your writing dawdle-out before you finish writing for the day. It makes it harder to start writing again. End with a clear intention of where you will continue the next time you choose to write, that way you can dive straight back in.

I hope these 9 tips that I use as a writer, help you in staying motivated and avoid the dreaded writer’s block.

Hey there! I’m Kaeleigh, a Creative Content & Copywriter who helps business owners and entrepreneurs generate leads, increase traffic and build their brands through engaging creative content.

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