I frequently have a hard time motivating myself, especially when it comes to writing. The words just don't seem to come, so I don't do anything to seek them out. I spend most of my time just waiting for inspiration, motivation--whatever that spark may be that finally gets me writing again. But most of the time it doesn't come. How much time have I spent (and continue to spend) just waiting?
It's not exactly something I'm proud of, but I can't really help it. I feel like I'm always waiting for the right moment, the right time. What if it never comes? What am I supposed to do in the meantime? I guess the easy answer is--WRITE. Just write anyway. Even if it's hard. Even if every single word is a struggle, it would be better than nothing. But most of the time, that's easier said than done.
Some days I think I could do great things if I only tried a little bit harder. Other days I don't feel capable of much of anything. But I don't really think it's a fear of failure that keeps me from trying. So what is it?
Waiting may sometimes feel like the right thing to do, but is it the best thing? What if that perfect moment, that perfect motivation never comes? I could spend my whole life waiting for it, or I could actually try. Try to take that inspiration instead of waiting around for it to show up. If you take control, then maybe you won't have to wait anymore.
**If anyone knows where I got the title for this post (and in a strange way that would take too long to explain, the inspiration behind it), you get a cupcake. :D
I know what you mean. I've just been waiting for inspiration too. One of my fellow writers actually mentioned that she never waits for inspiration. She writes every day, even when she doesn't feel like it. Even if it's just a few words. She manages to publish about two books a year, by writing everyday. I definitely want to try that. I also want to write more books:) Good-luck. I hope you find your inspiration soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's that old say about the ship. If you wait for it to come in, it never will. You have to swim out to it. Not what we want to hear, I know. But sometimes we have to take action and fake the motivation and enthusiasm - fake it until you make it.
ReplyDeleteI love what L Diane said above, about not waiting for the ship but swimming out to it. :)
ReplyDeleteWe have to put the effort in, but what that effort looks like varies form person to person. Is it writing every day, every other day? Is it journaling, is it some other way to fill the creative well? We have to learn to trust ourselves and our process.
Everyone is different. Everyone has a different process. Some of us write slowly. Some write like maniacs on speed. Your journey is unique and you have to go with the inspiration you personally receive, regardless of what everyone else is doing. But, that said, don't hesitate when you feel the distinct impression to jump.
ReplyDeleteInstead of not doing anything and waiting, try to seek out something to motivate it. It could be a movie, book, or a song. It could be researching something for your book. Anything. Just don't wait for it to come because it may not.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong to taking time with your work, although waiting for it to magically happen might not work the best. Sometimes you have to do as Diane said, "Fake it until you make it."
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I totally get the reference. It seems like I'm Hamilton to your Burr today. ;)
I'll try not to shoot you ;)
DeleteCrystal said it. I've gone for years without writing much of anything, then I have extremely prolific spurts. I used to feel guilty that I didn't write every day, because we're told over and over, that's what writers are supposed to do. But I don't believe it's true. Each of us is different. Bhat I have learned is, writing even when I'm not motivated, though hard, breeds motivation. Try not to beat yourself up.
ReplyDeleteAlthough writing when "inspired" is great, I agree with those who say you must seek it out. Write every day, even if it's a sentence that you hate. It teaches you discipline, and may just unlock your creativity. Lately I've been playing around with writing prompts in the morning in order to unlock my muse. It's great in getting me out of my current wip and thinking creatively.
ReplyDeleteReally, I suppose it depends upon what you want from your writing: a career, or a hobby. If you want a career, one that could support you, you'll probably have to swim out to the ship (I'm sure there are exceptions). If you don't care about a career and want a hobby that you engage in when inspired, then don't bother writing unless you're enjoying it and don't feel guilty about your hobby. But it seems to me like you're not truly happy with waiting for inspiration, and so you might try a week or two of disciplined writing (in some way) and see what happens! Good luck! :-)
I get what you are saying and I am so guilty of not writing until things are "just right" whatever that may be. I think that's unrealistic. Writing takes discipline (like duh) and we need to pick a time, sit down, and do it. Even if we feel like crap. What comes out might not be worth keeping. We might need breaks. But if you can train yourself to write something for at least a couple of hours a week, you'd be surprised how the pages can pile up. That's how I wrote my first novel: two sessions of 90 minutes each per week. Butt in chair. It's not easy, but it is possible. Now I need to take my own advise. Maybe I need to break my television while I'm at it . . .
ReplyDeleteSO easier said than done! I wish writing could be easier. It seems like something that you love and are passionate about would be. But then again, all those athletes gearing up for the Olympics probably wouldn't say their journey to get there has been easy. Hmm, that's my epiphany for the day, lol!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand where you're coming from - before I wrote my first book, I felt like I was constantly just waiting for years for the words to magic themselves onto the page, but then one day, I woke up with the same fear you have and I realised that I wasn't prepared to wait around anymore. I wanted to be a published author, and that was that. Wish I knew where that inspiration came from though, I could dow with it again right now ;). But like the others said, everyone's journey is different and you shouldn't beat yourself up just because you're not writing five books a year. I went through the same anguish, but now I just think, my book will be ready when it's ready and if I only manage to write one book a year instead of five, then that's still a huge achievement. I know you can do it, Sarah! Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteI've tried waiting for the perfect moment. I finally had to give up on it and make my own.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone writes like a maniac. I've not written anything in months besides blog posts.
I know how you feel. I only really want to write something that I've visualized in my head. I spend a good deal of time writing stuff that isn't what I'm supposed to be writing. Maybe inspiration will hit. Or maybe you might figure out how to fake it. I hope you find something that works for you!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I just have to sit down and write even if I'm not inspired. I have so little time to write that I can't afford to wait until the muse hits me. Sometimes I just have to bang my head against the keyboard and see what happens. Doesn't always work, but sometimes it does and life is good again.
ReplyDeleteWait for it, I remember that in Star Wars when Luke was going in to blow up the Empires Star Ship. I think?
ReplyDeleteIf I waited for motivation, I'd never write.
My goal, if I can do it, is to write and publish one book a year. It's not over the top, and I don't fret about it. Also, if inspiration decides to hide, and the dreaded writer's block attacks, I guess I'll sit back and wait for my muse to return. In the meantime, take a break.
I understand your feelings about writer's pumping out books. The authors with my publisher seem to write a book a month, and I'm struggling.
Don't wait any longer. When the spark ignites, go for it...
You can't sit around waiting for things to happen. You miss out that way. But I do understand how you feel. I have my moments where I sit around and do nothing because the mood hasn't struck. It's something that's hard to fix. I like to joke I need a boss like at the day job.
ReplyDeleteWait for it . . . is it from Star Wars, for some reason, I'm thinking of another movie, too.
ReplyDeleteI have to just write, even when I'm completely unmotivated. Sometimes my unmotivated writing sucks, but oddly sometimes it's better than my excited writing. I don't know why, except maybe I'm paying attention to the language a little more.
I hope you find that good writing spot!
Wait for it... hmmm I have heard in more than one thing. What comes to mind first is How I Met Your Mother sitcom, and there is a song also that has it as a repetitive part of the song, can't remember the name of it tho. I am pretty sure there is a movie because I can hear the person saying it but can't place the memory.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find your writing spot too!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Wait for it... hmmm I have heard in more than one thing. What comes to mind first is How I Met Your Mother sitcom, and there is a song also that has it as a repetitive part of the song, can't remember the name of it tho. I am pretty sure there is a movie because I can hear the person saying it but can't place the memory.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find your writing spot too!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
How I Met Your Mother was the inspiration for your post, but I can't remember the episode. If i waited for IT, I'd never get anything written. However, I have to say that if I just take a break and do something else, I often return with the perfect way to start or finish or deepen what I'm working on. Breaks are the best. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteActually I've never seen HIMYM. Check out Cherie's comment above ;)
DeleteI thought it was going to be How I Met Your Mother, too. I've only heard parts of Hamilton.
ReplyDeleteI'm a "write daily" advocate because it works for me. There are days when I don't get much out of what I've written, but waiting for inspiration and time to coincide was taking too long. And I find that writing daily keeps inspiration nearer at hand (most of the time).
@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
Alex (above) nailed it. You can't wait for inspiration to strike. It only does when you're already writing. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteWow! You've already received a lot of great advice.
ReplyDeleteI think you know what you have to do.
I feel the same way. A friend just rewrote her entire book in less than 2 months and its ready to publish. I'm struggling every day. I know I shouldn't compare, but it's impossible not to. I have to switch my jealousy into motivation. I have to.
Best of luck.
Heather
I'm not sure how some writers are able to churn out so many books in a short period of time either; I wish I were like them, though. Sometimes, even when I do feel inspired to write, I end up procrastinating. Then I feel less inspired when I finally write later.
ReplyDeleteI've long ago stopped waiting for writing inspiration. Instead, I sit down and attack whatever story happens to be in front of me. Sometimes I'll crank out three or four hundred, sometimes less than fifty. Either way, I know that when I stop, I have a basic idea of where I'm going the next time I pick it up.
ReplyDeleteThe only waiting I do right now is for titles. Titles are the one thing that I have issues with, as on average, it takes me about six to twelve months to come up with a title for my novellas.
Father Nature's Corner