What Do You Mean, “Just Write?”
Sometimes working on a big project feels like a constant uphill slog. So, we’ve compiled some advice from our writing coaches to help keep you going when you find your motivation and morale flagging…
1. If you’re struggling with getting started: stop thinking, just write.
“Every stroke of the pen/keyboard is a forward motion. Once you set your timer, write without stopping or erasing. If you “make a mistake,” use it, leave it, or even speak to it (get meta), but do not cross it out. If you don’t know what to write next, write the opening line again and begin again, or write the same word over and over, or write “I don’t know what to write next,” until you do. No gazing into the middle distance, no planning, only writing. Here, we are purely creating/cooking and not revising/cleaning the kitchen.”
— Tupelo Hassman
2. If you’re struggling with getting into a good writing flow: go easy on yourself and set small goals.
“We all have good weeks and bad weeks, so try not to be too hard on yourself. In terms of writing when you’re tired, I think of Marie Ponsot, a poet I admire. I saw her read for her 80th birthday, and she talked about writing while raising seven(!) children. She said her goal would be to write on line before going to bed. Sometimes she would only write that one line, but other times she would be energized and find herself engrossed for longer periods of time. That can work for novelists, as well. If you’re going through a challenging time, give yourself a tiny goal, say 2–3 sentences, then see where that leads you.”
— Erica Wright
3. If you’re struggling with keeping yourself motivated: develop a rewards system.
“Try revisiting your daily goals and set up a reward system. I have some friends who put star stickers on a calendar every day they meet their goals. I put a small colored dot with a marker. It feels good to see all those dots building up and I feel motivated not to break my ‘streak of awesomeness.’ Obviously a small dot isn’t a big reward, and it doesn’t cost anything, but it works for me.”
— Kristin Halbrook
4. If you’re struggling with writerly fears: ignore the voice of self doubt and just write.
“Every writer gets distracted by fear of other people disliking their work. Sometimes we worry, even as we’re typing, about rejection from peers, agents, journals, editors, critics. As Andre Dubus advised, try not to think of the book spine in your future. Try not to put the cart before the horse. First, you must write the book.”
— Laura Lampton Scott
Working on a novel, poetry collection, memoir, or screenplay? Our writing coaches provide advice, accountability, and encouragement every step of the way.
