Thread: Writing Motivation

I've been having a hard time staying focused on my writing lately for several reasons, mainly the number of distractions in my house and all the things I need to do. I'm trying to get back into my writing again, but I just can't make myself do it. People just don't seem to care about reading anymore and it's depressing because I feel like it doesn't matter. I was wondering if I'm the only one who feels this way and how I can move past this little funk and get back in the game.

If it helps to know you're not alone, then -- you're not alone. I often feel the same way, except the bit about people not caring about reading. I think plenty of folks still care about it. I have no tips for you -- this is something you'll likely have to work through on your own. Good luck.

People just don't seem to care about reading anymore and it's depressing because I feel like it doesn't matter.

There are plenty of people on this site who care passionately about writing and reading. Post something on here, who knows, a little bit of positive feedback might just give you that spark again.

Same here. I read one day somewhere (or did I just hear it on the radio?) that writing, and obviously reading, was an act of self-seclusion, from the mediocrity of our world. I wasn't totally agreeing with the guy, who seemed to be very anti-social, but he was part right, specially about the fact that writing wasn't just an activity like any other and it required many different factors, not just inspiration.
I have the same problems as you, work, a cat to feed, some friends and a girlfriend to entertain, going to the gym... well, my problems are called life, but as I am not a businessman trying to catch the next plane, I have time for myself anyway. If you really want to write, you just make time for it. I used to be for a couple of years what's called a hardcore gamer. Now people may think whatever you want about it, but that's not the point. The point was that I really enjoyed doing it, and therefore, I could find time for it, whatever it took. Same for writing. Same for everything in general. If it's something you really like, really wanna do.
One important thing: do the "boring" things you need to do before writing. Strangely enough, since I've started to write as a real activity (not just like something you do sometimes because you're bored), I'm having a better time with other things, for I just wish they were done and get back to my computer to write or go through what I've written so far. I'm still procrastinating of course, but way less.

Anyway, I hope I was of any help. Good luck!

I've had a few gigs writing in my day, and I've never really seen it as an act of seclusion. What is speech but to communicate to a listener? The same goes with writing. If your goal is not to communicate to an audience or to yourself, there's little to no point in it. You might find it easier to write if you have something very specific to say before you begin.

Writing for a newspaper has its benefits, to communicate with tens of thousands of people in one day. However, the burden of an author is much greater to communicate with all that are literate for all posterity.

Try keeping in mind that you are trying to say something to somebody. It comes so easily in conversation, doesn't it? It will come equally so in writing if you just imagine and hold in your mind the person on the other side of the page.

That's why I didn't entirely agree with the man, but some people need this seclusion, which I actually find very self-centered. I simply need calm and have my mind cleared from all the duties we have to do everyday.

I would love to post some things on here, but I worry about copyright and if posting pieces of it would cause issues when I finish and try to get it published. I plan on going for a decent publisher with this one because the one I gave my poetry to hasn't done anything except put it in print. They don't even try to promote it, and I don't want that for this novel.

I would love to post some things on here, but I worry about copyright and if posting pieces of it would cause issues when I finish and try to get it published.

Post in the Writers' Workshop, which is closed to non-members and won't show on any search engines, thus anything posted in there hasn't actually been published, but rather posted for critique.

I can't seem to find the Writers' Workshop. Where is it?

Originally Posted by Demonic_Angel

I can't seem to find the Writers' Workshop. Where is it?

Main page, scroll down until you see the members only area, and it's there.

Alternatively: http://www.writingforums.com/writers-workshop/

Thanks. I posted a little bit on there if you are interested

Originally Posted by Demonic_Angel

Thanks. I posted a little bit on there if you are interested

I shall give it a thorough seeing to tomorrow.

I agree, many people don't want to read. I used to play WoW and Blizzard presented the quests as text. Bioware, who is making "Star Wars: The Old Republic" is holding out in front that their MMO will have voice overs rather than text. Potential players are lauding this as innovation and I'm critical that people don't want to read anymore.

Back on to the main topic, it might be wise to set aside time in the day to write. Hemmingway would take a pot of coffee and spend four hours each day writing. Some writers are content with a page a day. No matter how you go about it, it is probably best to work on a machine that does not have access to the internet, games or any other distraction until you've learned to discipline yourself.

I have periods where I am uninspired but then I have others where I am totally inspired and nothing will stop me from writing. But I mostly try to write a little each day, even if I don't feel like it. Some days I take a break and don't write at all, I think thats ok and I don't feel guilty about it. At the moment in London it is balmy weather, my flat is so hot and my energy is low. I have written some but not feeling too inspired by it.