The muttering, and the hair gets pretty out of hand from all the distressed fidgety hand-running through it.
@Selbbin I do the same thing, except it is usually my characters I'm talking to. Word of advice, don't tell a non-writer about it, I told my mum and she asked if I was going crazy.
After I've been at the wheel for hours and hours and thinking of nothing but where I left off and where I am going, in the story. When I get to the computer, I have a night's sleep between me and all that thinking I did. 5,000 words in a flash!
I'm curious if you used any tricks to hack motivation before you managed to 'just sit down and write', it's for my post on how to write an ebook. So far I've heard modifications of Seinfeld's productivity trick he used for writing jokes, where every day that you complete your writing task, you get to put a big red X over that day on your calendar. The red X is sometimes replaced with golden star or even word count for that day. The problem with that is continuing to add to the chain once a new month starts, as it feels as you're starting all over every month. Little hacks like "stop writing mid-sentence", set a specific time to write and turn off Internet (some went as specific as "make sure you can't get access to porn"). I'm asking this as an advice to someone who is not a writer and is likely not looking to become a writer in the long-term, but is interested in producing a single piece nonetheless. Finally, is writing every day a goal for you or not?
You've already hit on a lot of good methods. I've noticed that also having someone with a vested interest to keep me accountable is a huge motivating factor. I made my husband that person when I first started writing seriously. He gets home. I ask him about work. He asks me about my writing. The fact that I have someone who's sincerely interested in my progress makes me want to have progress to show. I've since branched out from just my husband and keep track of my progress via blogs and social media. Even though I don't have a very big following, it still creates that sense of pressure to produce. I do set daily writing goals for myself, usually around 2000 words. But then again, I have the (mis) fortune of being unemployed and therefore have the ability to invest a significant amount of time everyday in my writing.
Having my monitor placed so that my wife can look over my shoulder and see the screen anytime she wants does count as a solution to this problem? You can create and print out a calendar that shows the whole year on one page and mark each day when you completed the goal with a red X. Next year the new page can be placed next to the previous one so you don't feel that you start from null. There is a bigger motivation if you get something you really like only if you complete a week without "uncompleted" days.
When I decided to write every day, I didn't try to use any tricks, just that I have a very strong will, and if I forgot all day to write, because of my job etc' and even if it is 2in the morning, and I was going to sleep, I open my laptop and write for an hour. Then the next day I will be very tired, I will remember next time to write when it's more convenient.
I actively schedule time to do my writing and set rigid goals that push me to do more. If my goal is a measly 1000 words and I write 2000? I do NOT take the next day off. If you are a morning person and do your best writing then? Set your alarm early and do it then. Lose sleep. You may well lose a lot of sleep to get your goals met and your books published. Just like a parent. You *can* get by on six hours.
^ Apparently I can sleep for just one hour, and somehow am still able to function like normal for the rest of the day. Hmm...maybe I could put this to good use?
I can't think straight if I get less than six hours of sleep, multiple nights in a row. For me, it's better to get some sleep and be able to write.
So if you can get by okay on six.... How much sleep would you deny yourself to make your dreams come true? -Every crazy writer
@KaTrian and I don't really have any tricks unless you count a compelling need to write. If a day comes by when we're away from home or can't write for whatever reason, we end up discussing the story, planning the upcoming parts, evaluating what we've written so far etc, but even then we're just itching to get back to the keyboards and pick up where we left off.
I just remind myself that I won't be getting a day closer if I don't write. and I have this painting as my wallpaper on the computer...
Nope. I only write when I feel in the mood to write. I prefer not to be caught up in feeling like I have to write for whatever reason.
I don't write everyday- at least not on my main project- instead I usually write 2,000 words every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and sometimes on Sunday. So I still write about 6,500-9,000 words a week when I'm in writing mode, which lasts about 3 months because that's how long it takes me to finish a novel. Basically I build a schedule for myself and try to stick to it as best as I can.
Yes. I think there are two prime driving forces to write consistently. 1. Inspiration. 2. Discipline. On discipline: I've been told that discipline is a finite trait- that is, you only have so much will power at any given time. Therefore, you need to use your discipline when you have it to setup a regimented routine/mindset/lifestyle that can facilitate consistence writing, even when you aren't feeling very disciplined. Tricks. 1.Routine. Try to write the same time every day. Your mind will be come accustomed to it. 2. Make writing the least, or near the least, difficult activity you do all day. That means no television, no video games, read novels that require mental focus. If you do watch television, do it sparingly and always stay engaged. Remember, the more activities you do per day that require focus, the more your mind will be conditioned (I'm assuming. I have no hard research to back this up) to perform difficult tasks. On the other hand, the more mindless activities you do per day, the more activities that aren't mindless, like writing, will feel like climbing a mountain. I've heard that occupations which require mental focus can actually drain your writing initiative (see On Writing by Steven King). While I do think this can be overcome (from personal experience), you can avoid mental drain by writing first thing in the morning, before such occupation. 3. Coffee. Especially if your actual occupation requires mental focus. On inspiration: This is definitely finite, which is why I argue, once the concept for a story has been fully formed in your mind, try to finish the first draft as soon as possible. Once its finished, subsequent drafts will have their own ways of inspiring you, such as the desire to flesh out and beautify your work. Tricks. 1. Music. Car rides. Walking. Running. Anything to get the juices going. 2. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. 3. Just let it flow when you're inspired, and if you start feeling stuck, JUST GO PAST IT. 4. Do not linger. If something bothers you, the longer you remain fixated on it, the deeper the rut you're driving yourself into it. This can kill inspiration and cause writer's block. Resist the urge for perfection until post draft 1. 5. Naps. I personally believe inspiration and discipline are intertwined with one another. You need inspiration to work, but you need discipline to use it properly and maintain it. Good luck!
Now that I've got my head back in the game: Take 10-15 minutes. Pause the world for that finite period and write...Anything. Any form. Just write, be it typed or scribbled. Simply write. I try and do it during my breaks when I'm at work. It certainly gives me something to look forward to, too. You'll be amazed at how quickly, those 10-15 minute sessions can add up. Little by little,the work will pay off. Worlds and ideas will form. Bite sized portions tempt and tease, keep you coming back for more...
Here's another one that I think falls under inspiration: ambition. I have a strong ambition to tell these stories, I want to get them published, I want people to read them, but I can't even pitch them before they are finished, so I have to write them, do all I can to make them as good as possible to improve their chances etc, so... ambition. Doesn't hurt to be a bit cocky either, to have the audacity to believe in your vision, your characters, your story. It also helps to have someone in your life who believes in your vision and supports your pursuits.