For this year’s Camp NaNo, I decided to challenge myself to be creative. My goal is to write a piece of flashfiction (maybe post some and submit others), work on my neglected WIP(s), and brush letter for a 1hr and 30mins every day.
Now I made up this goal on a coffee high, so I wasn’t in my right mind. A whole month? Everyday? Do I have the motivation for that?
Then I started thinking: July is just another month on the calendar. I’m going to face the same troubles as I would any other month: writer’s block, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and etc.
So I decided to write this post as a preemptive measure whenever I’m not feeling motivated to write. Maybe my words of wisdom will also help you during your NaNo-ing adventures and beyond.
Whenever you’re not feeling motivated, remember to…
Employ good ole’ fashioned grit
Honestly, this is going to be your default all through your writing life. Just shut up, sit down, and start working.
A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper
E.B. White
Expect “good ole’ fashioned grit” to fail you
Grit, like most of the tips in this post, will only take you so far. You have to keep in mind why you decided to start writing in the first place.
Plan the day out
Before you go to bed, sit down and plan out what you want to do the following day. Don’t set yourself up for failure with unrealistic goals (ex. “Outline the whole novel in a day” isn’t realistic).
Expect your plans to fall apart
SOMETHING will always get in the way of writing time. The trick is knowing how to be flexible. Plan for interruptions by creating make-up days or lightly scheduling your week.
Get up early
It’s ten times easier to write when the majority of the household is asleep. No one will interrupt you, meaning you can finish your work early and go about your day guilt free.
Expect to miss the alarm
I know, sometimes the pillow is more comfortable than sitting in an office chair. Just crawl out of bed when you can and find a quiet place somewhere. There’s always a quiet place.
Know your bad habits, and prevent them
Pull yourself away from things that’ll distract. If you have to hide your devices in the sock drawer or unplug the internet modem just to stay off social media, do it!
Expect relapses
It happens. Just dust yourself off, get something done before bed (no matter how small), and plan to do better tomorrow.
Good luck wrimoes!
I’m doing Camp NaNo, too 😀 Good luck for the both of us.
I think for me, “motivation” isn’t as operative as a word as “discipline” is. So if I get thrown off my disciplined schedule, I become a little de-motivated, but it’s usually not the other way around. I always need a game plan going in.
We’re halfway done with Camp NaNoWriMo and I’m just now seeing your comment—oops (sorry about that)!
You make a good point on motivation being fickle. I’ve lost motivation a few times during this event already, but grit pulled me through most of my rough patches.
Hope you’re doing well on your project!
And I just noticed your comment! My apologies as well.
My project is not going to get completed, but I gained so much more of an understanding of it.
Hope yours has gone well, too ^^