But here is my problem: even when I do feel those surges of motivation, not a lot gets done. I know a lot of my issues involve time and energy, but my biggest problem is probably motivation. I'd say it's nearly impossible to motivate myself. Of course I really want to get things done, but it feels like that part is buried under the desire to just do nothing.
It's a vicious cycle, really. Not getting any writing done leads to depression, which makes it even harder to get anything done. When I have those few moments where I actually feel the desire to write, I'm caught off guard and spend too much time just trying to figure out which part to work on. Motivation isn't something that comes easily to me, so when it actually shows up, I don't know what to do with it.
I try to do little things to motivate myself. I actually made a short, six song motivation playlist, with the goal of starting every day by listening to it. Music usually gives me a little push of motivation, as well. But I don't listen to it every day. I don't even know why. It would be so easy to do, not take too long, and worst case scenario, I get to listen to some music that I like.
I don't know why motivation is so hard for me to come by. Maybe I'm afraid of my dreams. Maybe I'm afraid of failing. Maybe I'm just afraid that everyone will hate what I write, since that's been the case more than once. So I don't know. Maybe it takes more than motivation. Once I get that motivation, I still have to commit. And I still have to work. Like everything else, I guess I'll have to take it one step at a time.
Do you struggle with motivation? What do you do to motivate yourself?
I may or may not have spent the Oscars telecast practicing my acceptance speeches for my dual Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay wins...
ReplyDeleteMotivation isn't my problem these days so much as just relaxing and not worrying long enough to get any real work done, (I WANT to write, but the worrying is choking out my creativity, you know?) but maybe you could try deciding ahead of time what to work on. Like, at the end of one writing session, I decide right then and there what I'll be doing when I next sit down to work. I'm trying to avoid spending all my writing time/motivation surge trying to decide what to write. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.
But hang in there and know that I adore Jordan, so I'm absolutely positive I won't hate what you write. (And if you ever need anyone to give anything a read, you're welcome to send it my way.)
I get that surge of inspiration when I watch shows like Project Runway and Top Chef - watching others be so excited and passionate about their dreams gives me a little more oomph.
ReplyDelete(If you get a chance, check out the quote on my last Motivational Monday post. It's about not needing to feel so whoo-hoo and gung-ho all the time in order to get things done. Might help.)
I felt totally unmotivated for the majority of 2015 so I can relate. I've finally started to feel motivated again. I've no doubt yours will return. And also no doubt that people won't hate what you write!
ReplyDeleteI wore myself out in 2015 trying to approach the writing thing logically- I was going to act like a pro. And as a pro, I'd conquer the book world with elbow grease. But I've decided elbow grease doesn't cut it. The best fuel is the dream. Go ahead, dream big- red carpet big. Who's to say it won't happen? Worst case scenario to the dream? You hit it big after death as the artist who wasn't appreciated in their time.
ReplyDeleteI used to watch award shows for the same reason...seeing these actors or even singers win awards for their hard work always made me want to push harder for my dreams. Although I'd never be at the Grammy's or Oscars. lol
ReplyDeleteMaybe you're putting too much pressure on yourself, eh? I find that when the words won't come, I'm too stressed about getting them on the page. A quick "write for fun" effort can open the door--a poem NO ONE will ever read, a description of a place you love, a memory, etc. All are gateway exercises. Take the pressure off and let your mind free, eh?
ReplyDeleteI'm probably a horrible person to ask about motivation. I should be writing and... let's see, how about I draw a picture instead? :D Perhaps this means you're not alone. And I know what you mean about music. I have a writing playlist that's up to 124 songs, covering everything from Cera to beyond book 4 of my series. But I can't write while listening to music, so I'll just listen to music while I code, otherwise I'm too distracted with other stuff I want to be doing. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not ridiculous at all to want to adapt your novel into a screenplay; that's one of my goals, too!
ReplyDeleteMotivation is fluid to me. It's never the same thing. The only way music helps me is for that future movie soundtrack haha. It helps me keep pushing. :D
My problem is less motivation and more time management. I always feel like if I can't get a few solid, uninterrupted hours of writing time, then it's not worth trying. I need to seize those 20 minutes here, 45 minutes there, and just write - a scene or two is better than a blank page.
ReplyDeleteFear of failing can paralyze. Some people even fear success. As for motivation, a friend of mine once said that it's got to be a burning desire. Only then will you find what it takes to get it done.
ReplyDeleteYep. Motivation is a hard one sometimes. Self motivation is the hardest I think. Just keep going and see what happens. You never know what's around the next corner...!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest motivation comes when I look at a calendar and realize how much time has passed since I last worked on my manuscript. These days, I sign up for a couple of crit groups which forces me to have something done for each meeting. It definitely lights a fire under me when the deadline is looming.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my ultimate dreams that one of my books will get turned into a film one day :). I thought Leonardo DiCaprio was a huge inspiration - he had to wait 23 years since his first Oscar nomination to win his Oscar. But even so, he never gave up on his dreams - he kept going, and finally, his dream came true (I'm assuming it was his dream to win - who wouldn't want to win an Oscar?). I also struggle with motivation - I do find that pressure/stress makes it worse, so now I'll either start writing anything, just to get back into the habit, or I'll choose a part of my WIP that I'm most excited about and write that part first :). That tends to get me into the mood a bit more too :).
ReplyDeleteI'm a lazy writer, so my motivation comes from challenges like NaNo. I hate to lose, so I don't.
ReplyDeleteOh, I was in that cycle for about . . . well, I won't say how long, except that I struggled with motivation from my high school years, off and on through college, and then hit a long stretch of lacking motivation after I had kids. Something about the clock ticking down to age 40 set me off with a bang. I couldn't stand the thought that I hadn't written a novel "yet" and I couldn't seem to finish anything, so I focused on short stories and poetry, and then eventually I tried Nano, and that helped. Blogging has helped. Telling others that I'm a writer has helped. I finished and self-pubbed my first novel at the age of 42. The clock ticking still helps - and it even helped this morning. Even though my motto is "write every day" I didn't write Sunday or Monday, so this morning, I turned off my internet. started a picture from a National Geographic image book (from the library), and then set a 15 minute timer. When the timer went off, I didn't want to finish writing, so I set it again for 15 minutes, and kept on writing for a total of 30 minutes. Timers just seem to work for me . . . at least some of the time.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I guess what I"m saying is that I've been there, and I hope you can overcome it. Best wishes!
Motivation is hard. I like to procrastinate too. But my stories don't wait for my typing time. They appear in my head when they will. More often the not, my motivation comes when I don't want to forget the story. And the best way to keep it safe is to type it down to the computer.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your stories.
I have a hard time motivating myself too. Pretty much, I've found that I need people to bug me or I need to blog goals that will hold me accountable because I want to see that goal crossed off. Maybe you need to look outside yourself for some motivation and get some writing buddies to poke you with a pointy stick.
ReplyDeleteI suffer down times when my motivation deserts me but I always seem to get it back. Attending a monthly writing group always gets me motivated. Hanging with other writers is awesome even if just to talk over a cup of coffee or a case of wine.
ReplyDeleteMusic helps me with motivation too. Chatting with someone who shares your passion for something can be uplifting too. I struggle with ups and downs too. Sometimes it is just a matter of consciously deciding to take action to make it better that helps. OR GIVE ME COFFEE!! lol
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
Motivation is hard. At times, I let myself daydream of huge successes, but then I find that it makes it even harder to write. I guess I fear success. But when I focus on the project I'm working on and keep my head down, I find the words and motivation easier to come.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had answers for you. I completely understand.
ReplyDeleteWe will get there. We have to focus.
Keep moving forward.
Heather
I totally get motivated in the moments that it is impossible to write and then when I sit down at the computer with a couple of hours, what happens? Gmail, CNN, Blog, YouTube. I don't need motivation; I need discipline. Maybe I will force myself to start with a writing hour and then reward with one of these.
ReplyDeleteThe big picture is good for motivation, but perhaps you also need some really small goals - just writing 500 words or for ten minutes?
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to be motivated when the feedback you've received on the project has been negative. It takes an awful lot to believe in yourself when everyone else says your contribution is worthless.
ReplyDeleteBut, somewhere out there is the person who needs your story like air. The teenager who has to hide who he is to everyone else. Your books could make him feel known, welcome, normal.
Think of him.