Motivation. Where did you go? Can I come?

Posted on by under Blog, Writing

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I’ve been feeling a little flat lately. Writing wise. It seems the motivation and exuberance that I had not long ago, has departed. It’s not that I’m without ideas, inspiration or a list of things to write that’s as long as my arm. It’s just that I’m lacking motivation to sit down and put pen to paper or fingers to keys.

I’ve never felt like this before and to be honest it’s a little worrying. Perhaps, it’s a lack of publishing process, no competitions won and no journals accepting my work. It could also be that I haven’t really been that consistent with doing any of the above. Maybe. Most probably.

I think I write fairly well. There’s always room for improvement, lots and lots ofabs improvement, but I like my stories and I love my characters. So, I think that’s a good start. Last night I was feeling very melancholy about the whole thing, down in the dumps and negative. I mean what’s the point of this whole writing saga if I’m not enjoying every second of it? So why bother. I suppose this is like saying that I feel fat, but refuse to eat well and do any exercise. Cause and effect, right?

After sitting and staring at a wall, didn’t work. (I can’t believe it didn’t!) I pulled out a story that I’m particularly proud of and I read it, and before I knew it, I was smiling. I was laughing and crying – all in the right spots. The story gave me a pick-me-up and reminded me why I was spending all of my free time researching, writing and editing. That story wouldn’t exist if I didn’t take the time to write it, a story that I wanted to read.

It also doesn’t help that I’m incredibly inpatient, and that I need everything done NOW. I’m learning to go with the flow a little more, embrace my inner artist and stop worrying and getting blue about things I have no control over.

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30 thoughts on “Motivation. Where did you go? Can I come?”

  3. Yes, I know exactly what you mean. When I’m not writing, I get down and impatient and wonder what the heck I’m spending my time on. But as soon as I reach into one of my stories, the doubt/fear/anger/bad mood goes away, and I’m with whatever character is catching my fancy. Thank goodness for our characters! 🙂

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  5. Five novels and seven years into this crazy career move and I still have lack of motivation moments. In fact, I took a two week break from my latest WIP just because I didn’t want to open the document. It happens. Sometimes I think we need a break, mostly mentally. I hate to bare the bad news, but this won’t be the last time you feel this way. Lol. You just have to fight through it and win. Good luck!

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  6. Writing isn’t easy and takes a lot of effort and time. And sometimes it takes up a lot of our time trying to perfect it. I’m sure you’ll get your momentum back. Sometimes taking a break from it all will give you new or better ideas. And it may help to sit down with really critical readers or writers who could perhaps give you some constructive criticism to improve your writing IF needed. I don’t read so I don’t know what’s good or not lol. I simply can’t concentrate. But if you want me to read some and have my say on it let me know. Good luck!

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    • Thank you. I appreciate the offer but I wouldn’t put you through that. 😏 I have something out with my beta readers at the moment so I’m waiting for their feedback. – Again more waiting… I’m going to take your wonderful advice and sit down with them, and talk through the good and the bad.

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  7. Sounds like Andy needs to sit you down and give you a pep talk. Problem is, he’d probably hate doing it and he’d send you a complaint e-mail afterwards. 😆 A long complaint e-mail that will just get you down again.

    But in all seriousness…”That story wouldn’t exist if I didn’t take the time to write it..” And even if someone else tried to write it, it would be a whole different story. It would not be the same story that made you laugh and cry in all of the right spots. 🙂

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  8. Now Miss Lisa, don’t make me get on my high horse and slap you with the back end of one of your stories! 🙂
    It doesn’t matter what other people think about your stories, nor whether you publish, or whether you win any competitions or journals. What matters is it is YOUR passion, YOUR journey and YOUR story. Be brave, no… BE FEARLESS. I like what you write, I have no right to critique it as I am not published, nor have I won any competitions, but I like to write, and I love to read. Sometimes the things I read are hard to put down, some times they are hard to pick up, but always, always I can appreciate that I hold a piece of someone’s life in my hands when I turn the pages. Your words are meaningful to you, and as for the rest of it, it is a bonus. So don’t wait for the muse to descend, lasso her butt to your chair and let rip!

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    • Thanks Sylvia. I really needed this today. Holy Moley did I ever. Sometimes I forget that all of this energy is expended to make me happy, to be a better me. It doesn’t really matter what other people think, it’d be nice if they liked it, but if not then I still go on creating in my own little world. My muse is hiding under the bed at the moment, waiting to grab my ankles just as I get into bed so Instay up half the night. 😊

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  9. Hey Lisa, it must have been the day for it yesterday, I was feeling flat too. It’s good to re-read old stuff though and remember what we’ve written and are proud of. Here’s hoping for a more motivating month ahead. 😊

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