14 Useful Tips to Stay Motivated to Write Your Script

Overcoming writer’s block is one of the hardest things for a writer.

The same goes for staying motivated in your writing.

Keeping a balance between your writing and your private life is often difficult to cope with.

Balance is probably the single most important word for any writer.

Since writing is a demanding activity which requires both mental and emotional harmony, the lack of balance can have adverse effects on your writing.

As is the case with self-confidence, motivation is hard to find but easy to lose.

The following article will help you keep your motivation and provide some genuine tips which can improve your prospects as a writer.

Focus on the Positive

Negativity is bad for writing. In fact, it is bad for any creative endeavor.

Discard all negative emotions and focus only on the positive aspects.

Think about what you like most about being a writer, what makes you move. It can also help to read some of your previous works which you think are good and try to rediscover your creative spark.
In any case, focus on the good sides of your writing experience.

Read Other Works

Any good writer needs to read.

Any by this, we mean read as much as you can.

News outlets, newspapers, blog posts, all sorts of articles, novels, comic books, etc. There is a good chance you will find precious inspiration in other works.

It will also help to think about works which you like most. Re-read your favorite novel, for example.

Draw Motivation from Real Life Experiences

What is often neglected is that real life is often the best source of inspiration.

Many of the world’s most renowned artists, such as writers and painters, have found their inspiration and motivation in real life experiences.

Think about professional photographers, who capture real-life moments and create art from them.

Likewise, if you know where to look, you can find your motive all around you.

Take a Break

Sometimes, it is necessary to leave everything for a while and spend time alone.

In case your writing is suffering due to pressure and stress, take a break. Go on a vacation, for example, and dedicate time to rediscover yourself.

A ‘restart’ is often what we need to rediscover our creativity and motivation.

Just Write

Even if you can’t find your motivation, it is important to stay consistent in your writing. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and even if you think your writing is bad, keep working.

As much as instant inspiration is an attractive concept, the reality is, this rarely happens.

Most writers have to find their inspiration through hard work.

Stimulate Your Imagination

Imagination is everything in writing. Without it, writing seizes to be an art and becomes a mundane activity.
And it is hard to stay motivated if your writing is just another day-to-day routine. Explore new options and don’t be afraid to express yourself.

Introduce Something New

As we’ve said above, staying motivated at work is hard if nothing changes.

Break up the routine, introduce something new in your writing.

Once you have stepped out of your comfort zone, you can discover new things which will motivate and inspire you for future works.

Reinvent Yourself

What motivated you to become a writer in the first place? What is your favorite movie?

These are important questions you need to ask yourself if you want to rediscover your initial motivation. Of course, people change, circumstances in your lives also change and this inevitably reflects upon writing. If this is the case, you will need to find a new source of motivation.

Easier said than done, you might think, but sometimes it only takes our effort to make things moving.

Set a Deadline

Getting distracted and losing motivation happens easily when we lack something to look up to. Being responsible to your readers, publishing company or employer is a source of motivation. Once you know others have expectations you need to meet, this knowledge can serve to motivate you to continue with your work.

Naturally, deadlines have their negative side but are also considered as a good source of motivation.

Never Re-Read Your Content While Still Writing It

While you are still in the process of writing, it is best to refrain from re-reading it. Even best writers can’t judge their work until the dust has settled. Focus your attention on writing only, and don’t distract yourself from the need to constantly evaluate your content. This breaks your concentration and can ultimately cause you to lose motivation. Remember to re-read the work only after you have finished it.

Don’t Pay Too Much Attention to Negative Reviews

At some point, every writer will be faced with negative, even malicious critics. Don’t think that you are an exception, because you aren’t.

This is no reason to lose motivation.

Constructive criticism is always welcome, but ultimately, only you know what is right for your writing and what is not. When faced with negative critics, the best thing is to move on. Don’t waste your creative energy on negative comments. It can only harm your self-confidence and motivation.

Finding Emotional Balance

Writing is a complex process. Without a doubt, motivation comes only with the right emotional balance. As Charles Dickens once said, reflect upon your present blessings, not on your past misfortunes.

Emotional stability will also result in better quality of your writing.

Analyze Your Work

Everyone has a weak spot. This goes for writers too. If you aren’t good at writing dialogues or descriptions, and this undermines your motivation, it is best you focus on what you do best. Later, you can always dedicate time to work on your writing issues.

Be sure to check your script for plagiarism. Also, there are plenty of online plagiarism checkers (2) that will help you detect possible plagiarism in your script
Outlines

You don’t have to come up with ideas instantly, while sitting tensely in front of your computer. Make a brief outline in the moment of inspiration, you can always develop it later into a full-fledged script.

A guest post submitted by Janet Anthony