Wow, it's been a super long time since my last article/real post thing. Life's been strangely hectic for me as I try to meet personal deadlines, look for funding for XiDPi and go to my friend's wedding all in the same week. But, hopefully, I'll be able to get back to my regular two posts a week plus Teaser Tuesdays. :)
We all know how hard it can be to get on a writing roll. A lot of times, it's even harder to keep those writing rolls going. It takes a lot of practice to be able to write 4-5k every single day. In fact, for most of us, I'd bet it's nearly impossible. But, what isn't impossible is writing at a steady rate every single day or week. Even if its only 250 words a day, making sure that you write something every day or every other day is a step in the right direction and will keep you closer to your ultimate goal: finishing! Here are a couple of things that I've learned will definitely help.
Word Count Goal: Set a daily or weekly word count goal. When you start meeting this, you'll get in the habit of writing xx amount of words and before you know it you'll be passing it.
Deadlines: Setting deadlines for yourself can be the ultimate motivator. Even if you don't meet them they propel you forward from one story milestone to the next. Make them reasonable - if you know you won't be able to write more than 500 words a day, don't set a deadline of writing 4k in two days. If you write a chapter per day, set a deadline accordingly. Over stretching can burn you out.
Support: I've learned that having a solid support system of people that encourage you in your writing helps. Having people excited to read your writing more often than not will motivate you to move forward so that they can read more and you can feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Writing Group: Find other writers to share with, write with and critique with. More likely than not they know exactly what you're going through and will be able to help you along. Also, they can double as your support - writers will often be your biggest 'ra-ra'ers and help you improve and move forward.
Breaks: Everybody needs a break - don't push yourself so hard that you burn out. Every few days, take a day off to do something unrelated to writing. Read, go for a walk and clear your head. If you get to enmeshed in your story problems will start to spring up that you won't be able to see objectively and before you know it you'll be stuck. So give yourself time to breathe.
These are the things I use to keep myself motivated and keep going. What do you do?
