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RyBread
Apr '21

So I like to write and I have one novel up on Tapas. I’ve completed many drafts for other books too (just not published, though.)

For some reason, I’m finding it a bit hard nowadays to focus on writing because of schoolwork, other distractions, and overall just no motivation to write. I used to put out chapters every week, but now I’m starting to put them out as occasionally as one month. I’m not sure if I this is writer’s block or...

I also tend to get distracted easily, that’s definitely another factor.

So I’m wondering, what tips do you have to stay motivated or just stay focused on what I’m writing?

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    Apr '21

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    Apr '21
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HaltArrtay_RangerGod
Apr '21

For me, I just keep writing. The drive for me to keep writing stems from the story that I write. The only advice I can give is to just keep writing, don't stop, don't stop, don't stop.

cherrystark
Apr '21

Someone on another thread compared working on your idea to a relationship, and I think it's an apt comparison. We commit our time and energy towards our work, so if your idea doesn't make you excited to sit down and start working, it might not be the right idea for you, or at least right now.

I love my series. I constantly have ideas bouncing around inside of my head, so it makes it easier to take time to write. Sometimes I only manage to write a few words and other times pages, but I keep writing.

Whatever you find that works for you, will be the best way to keep you motivated. Best of luck.

rajillustration
Apr '21

honestly I have to schedule my stuff or I don't do them. Even if it's hobbies--I've found it really important to just keep a loose schedule lately to keep track of all the things I like to do or have to do.

DualDragonsMaster of Yeet
Apr '21

When I don't feel like writing (or drawing, but let's focus on writing) I simply don't do it. The last time I did it I fell into a sort of creative blockade.

Usually for me it's also something else that is the matter at hand, like a stressfull project going on. After that is out of the way my creativity usually starts returning to me.

MShadowlawn
Apr '21
1

There's one quote from Neil Gaiman1 that hit me really, REALLY hard when I was in my writing infancy.

"If you only write when you're inspired, you'll be a good poet, but you'll never be a novelist."

As a rather lazy man in most circumstances, this spoke to me on an incredibly profound level.

You're not going to always feel like writing, either because of lack of belief in your method or your results or your plot or maybe you're just writing a boring or "useless" part of your book. That's entirely normal, and entirely part of the grind. Just trust your brain and muscle through the work necessary to get a story completed.

vapidink
Apr '21

I also struggle with motivation, just because there's always so much going on. What I do is I set aside at least one hour a day, put in my earbuds to some music I know I can write to and focus on writing. Having a writing routine and something to help drown out distractions helps a lot. Some days I don't write a lot, but I still write something, and that's better than before I set up a routine.

BakeNekoMadara
Apr '21

No one can write your story for you.
That's my latest motivation. If not me, then people will never be able to read my masterpieces :smug_01:
I haven't heard of this Gaiman's saying above but yes, I totally relate with it. Writing is a labor. I've lost so many time in the past, when only started writing, waiting for inspiration, when I could just sit and do the job.

To add up the picture, I work full time for two companies (one daily and other is more like occasional orders), I have a kid whom I raise alone, I'm (not having any special training) responsible for my mom's small business SMM bc she's a noob with soc-medias, and not successful enough to afford PRO-marketing, and it's so damn pain to keep track with all the posts, fresh pics and stories ffs :joy:
So yeah, I have a schedule like a planner + scheduled alarms in phone, time periods when I need to concentrate on my primary jobs and when I can push them aside and do the writing or twitter binging etc.

With the regard to my writings, I create veeeery slowly... 1 chapter of only 3000 words per MONTH .. when I'm lucky )))
I often feel like "not today", and sometimes I let myself skip that day.
Other times I kind of feel more involved but not yet enough to get back to the draft, then I go to the notes.doc and put theses and fractures of scenes I have in my mind for future chapters; the more I do, the easier it is to start new chapter, and it is very pleasing to see a half of page ready instead of a blank sheet with 0 characters! (primitive psychology that works))
Then I have this state when I'm up for continuing, but... something is still off and all I can do is add 100-200 words to the text and the main thing here - never shame yourself for low productivity! Even if it's a mere sentence - rejoice, you tried and you did a good job, and see how it goes next time - tell this yourself and move on.

Good luck with your novel!