Finding the motivation to write can be difficult. Even if you don’t necessarily have writer’s block, there are days when inspiration just doesn’t come. If you want to write, but aren’t feeling it, here are some tips to help you get your motivation back.
Lower Your Expectations
Ever feel demotivated because you can’t get the first draft perfect, or even decent? I do. I’m not here to give you a motivational pep talk saying, “there’s no way your writing can be perfect” or “that’s why it’s the first draft,” but I am here to tell you: sometimes we lose our motivation when we get hung up on the little details while missing the bigger picture. The first draft is about the general idea. Where do you want your piece to go? How do you want your characters to act? The finer details, like word choice and rhythm, come later. So, if you ever feel afraid to start writing, remember that you can always come back and fix what doesn’t feel right, but you can’t revise if there was never a first draft.
Start Something New
If you have a Big Writing Thing you’ve been working on lately, but you can’t find the motivation to write more of it, that’s fine! Sometimes, pushing ourselves to write something we don’t want to can make us lose our motivation. Try writing something new. It doesn’t even have to be something you’ll finish; just getting yourself into the mindset can help.
Do Some Reading
Or, more specifically, read something that fits into the type of writing you’re trying to do. We all need inspiration at some point, and reading gives you a chance to relax! If you want, try noticing some strategies that the writer uses to make their work effective (i.e., where they put descriptions, how they make dialogue interesting, etc.) to implement in your own writing.
If All Else Fails, Take a Break
Sometimes, taking a little break from writing can do wonders for your motivation. It can feel like a chore if you keep pushing yourself to write, even when you don’t want to. Remember—writing is supposed to be fun! Your inspiration will come eventually.