Losing Motivation When Writing? Here Are 7 Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Writing Productivity
Are you stuck on a project? Are you finding yourself procrastinating when you should be writing? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the motivation to sit down and write. It’s easy to put off a project by saying “I’ll do it tomorrow” or “I’ll start after I do this”. But a writing project will not complete itself.
So, I have compiled a list of seven tricks that I use to boost my motivation when I write. This list isn’t exclusively for writers. Some of the tips here can be used for other purposes or creative outlets. Regardless, let’s get into the list.
7 Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Writing Productivity
1. Set Long-Term and Daily Goals
In my article on goal-setting, I explained the importance of creating goals that will have a positive impact on your life. Having a main goal with a clear deadline will increase your productivity and encourage you to complete your goal. This will give you the confidence to continue writing.
Aside from long-term goals, setting a daily goal can also boost your productivity and motivation. I suggest making your daily goals easy to achieve — when writing, for example, I aim to write at least 250 words per writing session. At first glance, this goal seems too easy. After all, what is stopping me from just writing 250 words each session? Well, I find that once I start writing sometimes I find it difficult to stop. Often I end up writing between 500–1500 words per session, depending on my mood.
The purpose of such a small goal is to force you to sit down and do something every day, even if you have little motivation. It may surprise you just how much you get done once you sit down to complete your daily goal.
For more information on goal setting, check out my post on Five Steps to Setting Goals and Achieving Them.
2. Track Your Progress
I have a whiteboard and corkboard behind my desk that I use to track how many pages and words I have written. When in the middle of a writing project, it can be very easy to lose sight of how much you have achieved. Sure, the word count on your document helps, but it is very satisfying to write down how many words you have written on that day, or how many pages you have written in a week. It’s such a simple thing, but the process keeps you focused and it increases your motivation to keep going.
3. Take a Break
When you are struggling with a project, it helps to step back from your work. Do something else, like read a book, hit the gym, or play a game. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you take some time away from your writing. After a day or two, you can come back to your work with renewed vigour and fresh ideas.
4. Write Anything
If you are struggling with what to write next, then write something else. But that doesn’t mean you should start a new project. What I mean is you can open a new file and write whatever you like. Choose a theme or listen to a piece of music and write to that. This goes back to taking breaks — you do need to step away from your main project and hone your writing skills.
This technique also works for setting up your writing routine. Before you start on your project, write a timed piece on whatever you choose. The process of writing is enough to motivate you when you return to your main project.
5. Read Fiction
Reading your favourite books provides some much-needed inspiration. Perhaps the writing style of your favourite author inspired you to write in the first place. Or maybe the plot of a gripping novel. Going back to your sources of inspiration will rekindle those old memories and boost your motivation once more.
Reading new books will help too. All authors have a different voice, so it will benefit you to read a wide variety of books. There may be something in a few of them that will inspire you to write again.
6. Read Creative Writing Books
There are a lot of books on creative writing out there, so there’s plenty of inspiration to take from. My favourite is John Truby’s Anatomy of Story, but there are so many others out there worth reading. Check out my list of 12 Books on Creative Writing for more ideas.
7. Join a Writing Group
The words and advice of others will certainly boost your motivation. I joined a writing group on Reddit for example, and writers’ sites like Writer’s Digest will also help on this front. Talk to people who share your interests, engage in the community, and let the ideas flow.
Summary
To sum up, motivation can be a tricky business, especially when it comes to writing. You may often procrastinate to put off a project you’re not motivated to do. However, there are ways to combat this. The seven tips above are just a starting point to get you moving in whatever project you have on the go.
Are there any tips or tricks you have for boosting your motivation? Share your tips in the comments.
