How do get motivated in writing a novel?
By enieweiz
@enieweiz (97)
January 13, 2010 9:53pm CST
Hi there, i am writing a novel. It's a hobby that i really like but unfortunately i haven't finished one yet. i have started a lot and i could only end up until the middle part of the whole story. i wanted so bad to finish even just one of the books i have been writing. i wanted more ideas and most especially, the motivation and inspiration to keep going, is there anyone there who can give me a few tips?
2 responses
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
14 Jan 10
I enjoy writing too, and I've written four full-length novels. One thing I've learned is that ideas, motivation, and inspiration are never going to hand themselves to you. The way I manage to finish is by setting time aside to really sit down and start writing. If I don't have any clue what to say next, I force myself to write something anyway. Even if it's bad, it's better than nothing. You can edit something bad, but you can't edit a blank page.
One of the ways I get myself in the mood for writing is by listening to music that I feel suits my novel or the characters in my novel. I tend to write fantasy, so I listen to the soundtrack of Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia.
One of the ways I keep myself inspired is by reading lots. I read as much as I can whenever I can.
@Syndarin (51)
• United States
17 Jan 10
I agree with listening to music while writing, but the best thing I set up for myself is I made a sort of schedule. I set aside an hour a day to do nothing but writing, and usually I can get a lot done because I'm not constantly having to make myself write. If there's nothing I can add to the story when my hour comes around, I'll make revisions to the chapters I've already worked on, or I'll try to enhance my plot as best I can. I find that doing things this way helps get me more organized, and I know that by the time a week's over I have a good bit done.
@sanjanaraman (237)
• United Arab Emirates
23 Jan 10
Guys, Thanks SOO much for the tips! YOu don't know how much this helps me!
@jane239 (521)
•
23 Jan 10
I'm currently writing my first book and I've had plenty of times when I swear I thought the book would never get finished.
If I'm really stuck for what direction to go in then I leave it. There's no point trying to force ideas. It never works.
When I'm stuck for new words then I go over work that I've already done and do the editing, spell checking, grammar,etc so at least something is getting done until inspiration strikes again.
