Welcome
to My Writing Den!
In a perfect world all
writers would get eight hours of restful sleep, would never suffer writer’s
block, and would never be in a lousy mood. Likewise, no writer would ever be
awakened at night by a sick child or a pet, or ever have a fight with a spouse.
I
don’t think too many of us live in that perfect world, I certainly don’t… Two
nights ago I slept funny and my back is hurting me. These past few weeks I’ve
missed the gym more times than I care to admit. And, despite my best efforts at
watching everything I eat, I still can’t lose those darn ten pounds! …in short,
I’m a bit grumpy.
So,
how do you motivate yourself to write when you really don’t feel like it? Me?
I have a few tricks, and I bet some of you do, too.
Let
me share a few…
Reward
yourself.
I
cannot sit at a computer and write for long periods of time. So, I set up
writing spurts which helps to not only boost word count, but also helps with
motivation.
For
me, 10-15 minutes of fast writing is a fair measure. And, once I’ve reached the
10-15 minute mark, I reward myself, I get up, stretch, refill my coffee cup,
check email. Then, I begin another 10-15 minute writing spurt; rinse, repeat.
Whatever
you do be sure to choose the reward that works best for you and your lifestyle.
This will keep you motivated throughout the writing spurt process.
Go for a walk.
Staring
at a computer screen triggers anxiety that may keep you locked out of your
‘writing brain’ for hours, days, weeks even. As writers continue to focus on
work (writing), they become more and more anxious and thus less able to write.
Regular
exercise has been shown as an effective way to decrease levels of stress and
increase your overall happiness. Going for a walk can have meditative
properties, too; as the focus on movement and breath is similar to meditation.
Write,
no matter what.
Saturdays
and Sundays I get up early, shower, put on presentable clothes, then I sit at
my computer and write, or edit, or research, something. I don’t allow the
thought of it being a weekend to prevent me from writing. See, when I act and
dress the part of a person who has important things to do it helps me to get in
a disciplined state of mind.
My
deepest motivation? I want to make a living as a writer. So, if my goal of
being a full-time fiction writer is to ever to materialize, I have to work
harder than the average writer out there. I have to be willing to commit as
much of my free time as possible to perfecting my craft. And, in time, I’ll be
able to reap the rewards of such unwavering dedication.
Here’s
to all the writers out there living the dream and to those who are following
close behind.♥
Maria Cox is a PRO member of Romance
Writers of America, she is also is the past President of the Phoenix Writers
Club. Maria has been writing stories since she was a young girl. She picked up
her first romance novel when she was just eleven years old and has loved the
genre ever since. Maria writes sensual romance, stories that showcase strong,
sassy, and sexy characters. When not writing fiction, Maria works as a
technical writer. She lives in Queens, New York. Please visit her site www.mywritingden.net
and/or follow her on Twitter.
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