How to Stay Motivated While Writing Your Book
- Jenna Moreci
- Feb 10
- 5 min read
HelloOoOo everybody!
I'm tackling one of your most requested topics, and that's motivation. How do you get motivated to write a book? Inquiring minds want to know. This video was requested by two of my patrons from over on Patreon, Diane and Raegan.
Diane and Raegan are going through what a lot of writers go through. They're procrastinating, they’ve hit the part of the writing process where it feels like a marathon, and they wanna know how to handle it. I'm hitting you with the five steps you should take in order to stay motivated while writing a novel.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to also subscribe to my YouTube channel for more writing tips, sarcasm, and of course, more of Princess Butters!
Number 1: Take Accountability
Let's get one thing straight, motivation is not what writes a novel. You write the novel. That means if you're not feeling motivated, you can't just blame it on your uninspired mind or a bad day. I have bad days, too. And guess what? I've written books.
Take accountability for your actions, accept the fact that you are in control of the decisions you make. And understand that it's no one's job to make you feel motivated. I get messages on a daily basis from complete strangers asking me to make them feel motivated to write. What happens if I don't respond? Are you just gonna quit because Jenna Moreci didn't give you a pep talk?
You do not have the prerogative to depend on other people, because they will let you down. No one should care more about your dream than you do.
Number 2: Gain Perspective
I know writing a book is hard, but so are all the greatest things in life. And I know it's bad to compare your problems to other people's problems, but I'm gonna do it anyway. The woes of writing a novel are trivial in comparison to a lot of people's struggles. I watched my fiancé relearn to walk after being paralyzed. Writer's block has nothing on that shit!
And did it ever occur to you that you could literally die tomorrow? Our time on this planet is limited. You have no fucking idea what's around the corner. Do you wanna leave this world knowing that you did everything you could to pursue your dreams? Or do you want to die knowing that you binge-watched all the Real Housewives episodes, because that's important too, right?
Number 3: Pump Yourself Up
You’ve taken accountability, you've gained some perspective, but you still feel like a lazy sack of shit. This is when it's time to pump yourself up. And I don't mean sexually. Do something that makes you feel amped, not necessarily to write, but to accomplish your goals in general. I know writing is the goal, but being in the mood to write fades. Being in the mood to be productive and accomplished—to do the damn thing, to slay your enemies—is way more potent. So get fired up!
I personally do this by listening to music. Maybe you're feeling scared, like your book might fail, and you need a kick in the ass to break through that fear and get to writing. Maybe you just need to believe in yourself. You just need to believe that you can do anything. Maybe you just need to remind yourself how determined you are to write this book. Maybe you're feeling totally inspired, and that's not the issue. You just feel lazy, and you need to be reminded that you gotta get back to work. There’s a song out there for it all!
Number 4: Create a Reward System
Sometimes, the easiest way to motivate yourself is to give yourself participation awards. Don't feel like writing the next scene? Then treat yourself. But only once that scene’s done!
“When I finish this scene, I get to have ice cream.”
“When I finish this chapter, I get to watch a video on YouTube.”
Not only will this help you get way more accomplished, but it'll also train your brain using positive reinforcement. When you reward yourself, you're acknowledging that you accomplished something, and that makes ya feel good. Thus, you will begin to associate your work with happy feelings, with pride, with special treats. Happy people get shit done, just saying.
So instead of having fun now and writing later, let all that fun stuff be your reward for getting your work done. Pretty soon, the work itself will feel fun, because you've conditioned your brain to see it that way.
Number 5: Make It a Habit
At the end of the day, motivation is garbage. It's unreliable; it comes and goes. You shouldn't rely on motivation. You should rely on and develop a habit. Training your mind and body to make writing a staple in your daily life is how you get a book written. So grit your teeth and do the work.
Make it a goal to write on specific days each week and stick to it. At first, it's gonna suck, you're gonna whine and complain, and make everyone around you miserable. But repetition and exposure will turn the process from insufferable, to tolerable, to normal. Once writing becomes a habit, skipping a day will feel odd and unsettling, like a pivotal part of your life is missing.
People who get shit done don't do so ‘cause they're just filled with motivation. Do you think I’m always motivated to film? Fuck no! Sometimes I’m sick. Sometimes my nose is an endless fountain of snot. But I show up because if I'm not creating something, I feel weird. This is where you need to be as a writer. You need to repeat the process consistently until it feels like second nature.
So that's all I've got for you today!
While you're binge-watching Netflix, the rest of us are taking accountability, being realistic, and more than anything, turning our writing process into a habit. Do the same, and you'll be that much closer to whipping out your book baby!
A huge thank you to Diane and Raegan for requesting this topic! If you'd like the chance to have a video dedicated to you, or if you want access to tons of other rewards, check me out on Patreon. The link is right here!
Follow Me!
Buy My Books!
CHECK OUT THE SAVIOR’S CHAMPION:
CHECK OUT THE SAVIOR'S SISTER:
escape road features hidden jumps that allow you to leap over entire city blocks. catching air is a great way to temporarily lose the pursuing ground cars.
This video by Jenna Moreci is a great resource for authors struggling with motivation! Her tips are practical and relatable. For a fun break from writing, check out this addictive game: スイカゲーム Suika Game. It might spark some creativity!
I keep a tab open with crazygames for when I need a break during work. They have a decent collection of browser games that run smoothly without any lag. The racing and shooting categories are where I usually end up spending most of my time.
Contacts on The Economist customer service I reached out to customer service, and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. The representative was not only knowledgeable but also genuinely attentive to my concerns. They resolved my issue quickly and efficiently, making the entire process feel seamless. I appreciated their professionalism and the clear communication throughout. Overall, it was a refreshing experience that left me feeling valued as a customer.
eggy car so fun!