Lost: One big dose of motivation. If found, please return.
I have been suffering from a serious lack of motivation this week. I was doing well . I have been planning. I have even decided on an idea for this November’s National Novel Writing Month.
Then towards the end of this week, it’s all screeched to a halt.
Where has it gone I wonder? It has stopped somewhere for coffee and chocolate I think.
I do get incredibly frustrated with myself when I am in this mood. It’s not just the writing that suffers. All of the things I am supposed to be doing somehow gets sidelined.
I make to-do lists (these usually do help,) that go undone. I find writing prompts but I can’t seem to get going.
I can’t explain why I do this every so often. It’s like my creativity stalls/runs out of steam and it decides to go on a holiday (I know the feeling and could do with one myself.)
Things that seem to suck out all my motivation:
. Lack of sleep (happening a little)
. A really good book (happening a lot and may be the reason for the item above.)
. The Blacklist and Once upon a Time box sets (silly box sets forcing me to watch them. Tut!)
. Day job. Twelve hour shifts are an enemy to creativity.
Although I am pretty much always thinking about my book in one way or another, like I have said before, my book is not going to write itself. I feel so guilty when I am not writing but I will open up the laptop or my notebook and nothing will come. The motivation; the little I have of it has disappeared this week. Procrastination is ruling me right now (it is funny how important housework becomes.)
The trick is to battle through. I am going to change up where I write maybe or I might try writing my ending and see where it takes me. What’s your advice for finding motivation?
I’m off to find my motivation. Someone pass the teabags. Motivation is what I seek and caffeine is my weapon.
Until next week writing people.
I feel your pain! I have been feeling this myself lately – I am scoping out a new series but not actually writing and it feels like empty time but I tell myself to keep going – the writing will come… As for recommendations, I find reading when I can’t write is the next best thing and when I’m starting on a new project, I try to re-read ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King because, you know, he’s the man! On the sleep front I’ve recently downloaded an app with a pre-sleep meditation and it’s really helped (think it’s called isleep easy) Good luck with finding the motivation – am sure you will soon.
Great suggestions, Annie. A few people have recommended On Writing to me. I need to get around to actually reading it. I hope writing your new series goes well. It does feel like empty time doesn’t it.