The Motivation of Blank Spaces

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In spite of the incredible heat in my part of New Zealand, the hottest summer we've had in a long time, I've been soldiering on with my latest book. I've set myself a deadline of having the first draft completed by the time I go on holiday in May, sixteen weeks away. Sometimes at this time of year, when many others here are on summer holiday, I need a bit of motivation to keep me going. So, I set up my smiley face chart. Whenever I work for at least two hours on my book in a day I'm allowed to give myself a smiley face. A friend asked me what my reward is. I have no reward. The motivation is in those blank spaced days when no smiley face stares out at me. There are some days when other commitments mean I'm unable to research or write. There are some days when I'm able to fit in only an hour of working on my book. But, my rules are clear. I'm only allowed to award myself a smiley face if I've worked for at least two hours. Staring at blank spaces definitely motivates me to get on with the work. I'm a big kid at heart. I love drawing and colouring in those smiley faces. And I have the satisfaction of knowing I'll reach my goal of a completed first draft by May.