by Victoria Bromley
As an undiscovered writer myself, having to bolster my own motivation to not lose hope in my writing projects, or my faith that one day I will become published, can be difficult. It would be better if I was writing this as a debut author with my novel hitting the shelves this year, but as an un-agented writer with an almost finished manuscript, I am still in the pre-publication process.
Here are some tips and all-round habitual writing and reading practices to help you stay focused and inspired on your journey to becoming a published writer.
Give each project a purpose
Every writing project you begin should have a purpose. This could be a short story you plan to submit to a magazine, a competition entry, a novel you wish to get published, or simply having a folder on your computer titled ‘Writing Practice’ where you save snippets of writing to develop your craft.
Working towards something, even if that is to develop areas of your writing such as dialogue, will make sure you show up to the project as it has a goal. While writing for the sake of writing because you love it is valid, and if you are writing every day and feel inspired from that internal passion to write, then you don’t need this article. But many of us writers need more motivation than writing for writing’s sake to get us to the end of a project without the fear that it is a waste of time. Writing is never a waste of time, but we all know this, yet that doesn’t stop the creeping dread that it’ll all be for nothing.
Having tangible goals and therefore concrete results, whether that is an acceptance or rejection, means there’s always something to aim for. Yes, rejection is still beneficial. Moreso if that outcome is accompanied by feedback.
Identify as a writer
If you write, you are a writer. Just like we identify through our occupation, gender, familial relations, being a writer is also who you are. Don’t feel like the validation of a published story/poem/novel/[insert your form of writing] makes you a writer. With this confidence to identify as a writer, you will take yourself and your writing more seriously, which will embolden you to seek out opportunities to make it happen for yourself. You are in control.
Treat writing like work. There are stages to progress through, potential financial opportunities, it’s something you love, you’re focusing on something which takes up your time and energy. Be serious about your work and your potential.
Tell your friends and family about your work
Just like a work project or new relationship, tell your friends and family about your writing. I want to preface this by saying you should only do this once you are ready to discuss your writing as it is important in the early stages of a writing project that you protect your ideas and let them flow organically without external influences shifting your direction. Sharing too early can kill inspiration and that autonomy over your work.
Once you know what it is you are working on and know where it’s going, discuss it with those close to you. Whether they are writers/readers, they will get excited to hear about your progress so you’ll be motivated to continue writing. They will be able to check in to see how the project is progressing. Having people talk about your work like it is a real thing, something to be shared and enjoyed and discussed, will make it all seem possible that one day a much wider audience will be able to read your work.
Have a writing routine
This looks different for every writer (yes, that’s you, you are a writer. Don’t forget that!) and it’s also advice that is given too often it becomes an eye roll, ‘heard that before’, ‘you don’t need to tell me again’, crucial piece of advice.
It’s all trial and error to see what works for you. It depends on the nature of the project, the purpose (you could have deadlines if it’s a competition entry), so see what works for you.
Here are some writing routines you may want to try out:
- Write [insert number] words a day (500 words is a good start)
- Write for an hour after work before dinner (adjust duration and time to fit your lifestyle)
- Write a chapter/poem/story a week/month
- Have two projects on the go to flick between
- Don’t watch TV [insert other type of entertainment] until you’ve written that day
- Show up to your project every day, even if it’s to proofread a paragraph you wrote the previous day
Read, read, read
You need to read to be a writer, there’s no escaping it, and why would you? Write what you want to read, and read what you want to write. But please be cautious because this shouldn’t result in envy, lack of faith or defeat. Never compare your writing to other’s (published writers will have undergone multiple drafts, edits from a publisher etc.) it’s not fair to compare your work in progress to a finished product.
Read to be inspired, read in your genre, read widely, read to see what’s out there, read to relax. I have a reading and writing goal because they really go hand in hand.
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