Motivation

We’ve all been there.  Not feeling much like writing, not feeling much like doing anything.  I often have times when – and this probably sounds awful – I just can’t be bothered to write. There. I’ve said it. For so long with my writing, I was slovenly about it. It took a lot for me to get myself motivated to write. In the days before I discovered how to interact with other writers – i.e. via Twitter which also helps me promote my blog – I would often go for days without writing. The impetus just wasn’t there.

Then my wonderful sister recommended Twitter to me as a means of getting in contact with other writers. I’d already started a blog at my husband’s suggestion, but although I’d spent hours scouring the internet I simply couldn’t find any writers to connect with. Honestly – it just wasn’t possible. But having taken my sister’s advice, I began to use Twitter and I found that it really was/is the way that writers in the 21st century connect with each other. I started following people, so people followed me and it went from there. I know it’s a cliche, but I really have never looked back. I have well over 1300 followers on Twitter and my blog is going from strength to strength as I’m gradually getting more people following it.

And in the world that we live in, it doesn’t matter if you’re in America, the UK (as I am), Australia or New Zealand or indeed anywhere else in the world – it’s possible to be in contact with another writer at the touch of a button.
So when we find ourselves in an apathetic mood, what can we do to snap out of it? Answer – just click our mouse a few times, go to Twitter or other sites and tell other people about it. I believe that interaction with other writers is essential, even if – or possibly especially if – it’s to have a moan about how unmotivated we’re feeling.

All I can say is that for me, being active on Twitter and therefore my blog (and vice versa) has transformed my writing. It’s transformed the quality of my work but also the number of hours I put in. Instead of only writing now and then, I find myself doing something towards my writing – whether it be working on my actual WIP or updating my blog – most days, even though I do still have down days.

How about this: the next time you’re feeling fed up and not in the mood for writing, try connecting with a few fellow writers. I can guarantee you’ll feel better and more motivated.