I’m working on a book, as you probably know. I’ve been working on this same book for years now, and I’m at the time when most writers start heading for publication. I know that I could be at that point, and it’s my fault that I’m not. My problem is that I take breaks. It starts with one day, then it’s two, then it’s a week. Before I know it, I haven’t written anything for a month, and my characters are fuzzy in my memory. I’m about there right now. I’ve made tons of excuses as to why I haven’t written anything. In fact, I’m using my writing time right now to write this post instead. Yes, it’s good that I’m writing, but I’m not writing what I need to be writing. I guess, I’m writing this post in order to give me that little… something that will help me start writing again.
For me, the first thing I need to do is find motivation. If I’m not motivated to do something, then I’m not going to do it. For me, motivation comes at the worst of times. My most recent example of this was at work this past week. I was running the drive-through and this woman came through the line with the prettiest of names, and I was like, “That. I need that in my book.” That one name had me ready to write five chapters in one sitting. Problem was, I was at work, and I had four hours before I’d even be close to a notebook or computer. Needless to say, by the time I got home that night, I was too tired to move my fingers, much less write five chapters. So, instead of waiting for motivation to come to me, I tried to force it to appear. I wrote into my planner “Write 30 min Daily”. This task is much simpler than what I used to do. It gave me a set time that I needed to sit down and focus on writing, instead of forcing myself to achieve a word count that could take anywhere from 20 minutes to three hours. 30 minutes was no big deal, but when I sat down to write, I immediately became intimidated by the divide I’d let grow between me and my world. Who were my characters? Where were they? What were they doing? I had no idea. So, I shied away, saying that maybe I’d get something done tomorrow cause it’s my writing development day, but that was just another excuse. This is why I’ve been working on this story for three years. I tell people proudly that number. Three years is a long time for my squirrely mind, but when it comes down to it, it’s three years of procrastination. An endless cycle of writing, breaking for too long, and being absolutely terrified to start again. As someone who’s been through this process plenty of times, here is my advice: Write. When it comes down to it, you just have to sit down, suck it up, and write. Even if it’s just a paragraph. Reintroduce your world and your characters to yourself, even if you have to shake their hand in greeting for the thousandth time. Once you start getting those words on the page or the screen or however you write, you’ll find your groove again. Set a time every day. I know that can be hard, especially when you have a back-to-back packed schedule, like me. I also recommend find some form of accountability. For me, I’m going to make a promise to you guys. I’m going to write 30 minutes every day from 7:15 to 7:45 starting tomorrow morning. If I don’t, then I’m going to have to tell the internet, where everything is permanent, that I failed my goal. It’s just like the walk of shame. I challenge you to do the same. Find an accountability partner or bribe/threaten yourself (not others) in some way. Get writing again. Don’t procrastinate three years of your story away when you can be the next big author today. If you want daily updates on this challenge, I’ll be posting on my Instagram (@alexa.k.colon) every day that I’m successful. If you post any pictures relating to this post, please tag me so I can see. Stay Creative, Alexa Colon
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About The AuthorsAshlyn and Alexa are two aspiring authors and artists who decided to band together and create something to share with the world.
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April 2018
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