Staying Motivated

What can we do when we find it difficult to stay motivated whilst working on a novel, short story, poem, etc?

Sometimes we simply need to put the work to one side. In my blog last week I used the analogy of the pots on stoves. Whilst I was using that in an encouragement piece, it works the same for this piece.

If a novel (or whatever it is you’re working on) becomes difficult to write, it is best put to one side. It’s not easy trying to wade through mud.

The very first novel I published (which has subsequently been re-written and now awaiting editing and re-publication) had a gap of about 8-9 years between the last time I worked on it and the time I was encouraged to finish it. The bits that were missing were about three chapters leading into the final chapter. They were ones that I just couldn’t write, so put to one side it was. When I did work on it again, it was because I was encouraged to finish the novel. I had shared the first two-thirds with a work colleague at the time. She wanted the rest and hassled me (in a good way) to finish it.

It then took me about two more years to polished it, edit it, work on the cover and then publish it. Due to the amount that I printed at the time, I since discovered that anything at that quantity or below is considered an out of print book. When I discovered that, I smiled because that first run was technically out of print before it was even printed.

I have now re-written parts of it, removed unnecessary fluff, added more detail that relates to the cover and back stories that appears in the book. I need it edited again, just to make sure it’s okay, but I could do it without the edit. Although I think that would be most unwise. It needs an edit. Then a new cover, or at least a slightly different cover to the original. Sometimes when that happens, I get motivated again to work on the current novel, or three.

At the same time, there is a profound sense of emptiness when a work is finished and on the verge of publication. The energy used to create the piece has been expended. There is only the wait to see the first copy, or at least the proof copy, to see all the hard work appear as a completed project. Doing that at the beginning of a busy season (Christmas prep, as I work retail to pay the bills, NaNoWriMo in November, then Christmas and New Year) makes for a full calendar indeed.

Motivation is hard, especially when those around you may not appreciate what it is you do. Yet they are happy to bask in reflected glory when the product arrives. Sometimes you do get people around that will support you in what you’re doing. They are the ones who can keep you motivated. Whether you are spending time writing the next world-wide best seller during November or not, find those ways to keep you going.

It is not wrong to start a new novel when you haven’t finished the first one, except maybe if it the first one’s sequel. Even then work on what it is that has excited you about the work in progress. I have seen people posting online about what they use to help them. A lot of them often involve visual aids. Pictures that are a representation of your characters; pictures that represent the location; maps; world building. Use whatever it is that will help bring back the fire.

Do not be afraid if a novel slows down. That can happen. It may need it to be set aside in order for a fresh idea to hit you. Then you can get back into it and create more of the masterpiece.

Find what it is that drives the novel and use it.