I don't remember who coined it - but I read somewhere that if one depends on motivation to write they are going to get very little written. You just gotta get in the habit of doing it whether you want to or not (even if your productivity varies). I've personally found that can up my own motivation over time as well.
Do it when it sucks. Do it when it doesn't suck. Most important do it every day whether it sucks or it doesn't suck. Embrace the suck! I -dentity, A -ction and F -eelings. Can elaborate if need be...
Best thing I ever did for my writing was to join a writers group. Join one that meets weekly and with the same people. It gives you a deadline and also motivates you because you want to give them good stuff and you see them writing kick-ass pieces that make you want to work even harder.
A - Think about what started you on the path to become a writer.
B - Your writing should be so interesting that YOU can't wait to find out what happens next. If you find it boring and hard to get back to, so will a reader.
People do not need to be motivated to do something that gives them a desired reward if they see a reasonable chance of being gratified in a reasonable amount of time. Some people love writing in and of itself. One of the best, Earnest Hemingway said about writing: "All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." He suffered writing for the glory.
Suicide is a Hemingway family tradition. Ernest, his father Clarence, brother Leicester, sister Ursula and grand-daughter Margaux all killed themselves.
“Habits are behaviours which are performed automatically because they have been performed frequently in the past. This repetition creates a mental association between the situation (cue) and action (behaviour) which means that when the cue is encountered the behaviour is performed automatically. Automaticity has a number of components, one of which is lack of thought.”
Devin, how bad do you want it? (self-motivation)
I set aside time each day to write. Write a page... soon, you'll get into a groove and write more pages. This question is not unusual. Life tends to get in the way! Best to you!
Devin! I thought of one more thing that is really helpful—make friends with a few writing buddies that you admire. When you are feeling this way call them on the phone... they'll light a (verbal) torch under your ask! =)
I see this got a little off topic either way, I appreciate the comments and help from everyone. I wrote this post some weeks ago and I think it's kind of cool I'm still getting responses. I'm new this world but writing has been my passion for as long as I could remember. My dream is to be able to tell stories on the big screen or even TV. Any way to get my work out in the world. Thanks again everyone for the help. Now I have to get back to writing.
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Check out John Fernando's post about Motivation from about an hour ago.
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I don't remember who coined it - but I read somewhere that if one depends on motivation to write they are going to get very little written. You just gotta get in the habit of doing it whether you want to or not (even if your productivity varies). I've personally found that can up my own motivation over time as well.
1 person likes this
Do it when it sucks. Do it when it doesn't suck. Most important do it every day whether it sucks or it doesn't suck. Embrace the suck! I -dentity, A -ction and F -eelings. Can elaborate if need be...
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All the advice is very helpful thank you to you all.
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Just do it. You'll get motivated when you start, but don't wait for motivation. A writer who doesn't write isn't a writer. Just write.
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Work on shorts and feature movies. Meet cast & crew, learn a trade and get paid.
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Best thing I ever did for my writing was to join a writers group. Join one that meets weekly and with the same people. It gives you a deadline and also motivates you because you want to give them good stuff and you see them writing kick-ass pieces that make you want to work even harder.
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The most motivating thing I can think of would be the 20 minutes of previews at your corporate cinema.
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Motivation? How 'bout Wolves howling in the cold night right outside your cabin door?
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Get someone to pay you. Someone paid me last night and I wrote my ass off.
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A - Think about what started you on the path to become a writer.
B - Your writing should be so interesting that YOU can't wait to find out what happens next. If you find it boring and hard to get back to, so will a reader.
C - See step A and B.
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People do not need to be motivated to do something that gives them a desired reward if they see a reasonable chance of being gratified in a reasonable amount of time. Some people love writing in and of itself. One of the best, Earnest Hemingway said about writing: "All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." He suffered writing for the glory.
Hemingway killed himself.
I thought the manner death is controversial.
Suicide is a Hemingway family tradition. Ernest, his father Clarence, brother Leicester, sister Ursula and grand-daughter Margaux all killed themselves.
Death is a great motivator to write for some. The immortality thing.
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Devin, check this out: http://routineexcellence.com/psychology-of-habits-form-habits-make-stick. I found this quote from the above source:
“Habits are behaviours which are performed automatically because they have been performed frequently in the past. This repetition creates a mental association between the situation (cue) and action (behaviour) which means that when the cue is encountered the behaviour is performed automatically. Automaticity has a number of components, one of which is lack of thought.”
Devin, how bad do you want it? (self-motivation)
I set aside time each day to write. Write a page... soon, you'll get into a groove and write more pages. This question is not unusual. Life tends to get in the way! Best to you!
1 person likes this
Devin! I thought of one more thing that is really helpful—make friends with a few writing buddies that you admire. When you are feeling this way call them on the phone... they'll light a (verbal) torch under your ask! =)
2 people like this
I see this got a little off topic either way, I appreciate the comments and help from everyone. I wrote this post some weeks ago and I think it's kind of cool I'm still getting responses. I'm new this world but writing has been my passion for as long as I could remember. My dream is to be able to tell stories on the big screen or even TV. Any way to get my work out in the world. Thanks again everyone for the help. Now I have to get back to writing.