This newsletter was originally sent out in 2016, so if it looks familiar, you've (a) been around here for a while and (b) have a very good memory! ;-)
One topic that comes up a lot when I talk to writers is "motivation": both getting motivated and staying motivated to write.
I've got a fair bit to say about this, which I hope to put onto the Aliventures blog soon: for now, I wanted to share some quick, easy-to-implement tips for anyone who wants a motivation boost right away.
And yes, these are pretty basic: but that's because the basic stuff works (so long as you actually try it!)
#1: Find the Excitement
If you're not motivated because you need to write a tedious and uninspiring scene ... then don't write it. There's no point putting yourself (or your readers!) through that. Chances are, you can skip that scene entirely – and your novel will be all the better for it.
If you can't, or if your scene is at least somewhat interesting, find ways to make it more exciting. That might mean bringing in an extra character to stir things up, or setting the scene in a more interesting location. It could mean having a discussion escalate into an argument – or an argument into a fight. It may involve conflating two (or more) planned scenes so that you can pack more momentum into one.
#2: Cut Your Usual Session Time in Half
If you normally write for an hour or longer, that can feel like a daunting prospect at the end of a busy day. How about writing for just half an hour instead? (Or if you normally write for half an hour, try 15 minutes.)
Even if you have plenty of time available, giving yourself up-front permission to stop after half an hour can make it easier to get going – and you might well end up writing for hours anyway.
#3: Have a Reward Waiting
Although writing is often a reward in itself, if you need a bit of an extra boost, promise yourself a treat once you've written for a certain length of time, or once you've got a certain number of words down on the page.
You know your vices better than me, but one of the following might suit you: chocolate, wine, coffee, new books, a peaceful walk, dinner out, a long relaxing bath, an episode or two of your favourite TV show ... or whatever works for you.
Try at least one of these today (for maximum benefit, try all three) – and let me know how your writing goes!
