How do you keep yourself motivated?

[ErikaLeigh]

I have been doing writing for a person and my friend wanted to know how I keep myself motivated.

I just pace myself with whatever work that I had to do before the deadline that I am given.

How do you keep yourself motivated?

[MyTwoAs]

Most of my writing I can pick my topics so I write about what I'm living at the moment - two special needs kiddos keeps the list of topics growing. hehe

The writing that is topic-specific I do pace myself. Usually I'll have a list of 20 things to write about - all related but each geared towards specific keywords (web writing). So I'll work back from my deadline and just do it. Kinda like the laundry, it needs to get done sometime ya know? hehehe

[ErikaLeigh]

You crack me up!

[Savoir Faire]

Well...hmmm.

First, to be honest, money. I need to get paid-- we're trying to save money so I remember every bit helps!

Second, I enjoy the thrill of the chase-- so sending out lots of pitches is fun to me.

Third, I respect a deadline so there's always that looming over my head.

Personally, for blogging, I guess it is having that inner voice, the voice that just won't get out of my head unless I sit down and put fingers to keypad, ya know? If I didn't blog, I'd probably be sitting in a corner, dictating stories to the dust bunnies.

[lisarussell]

I have to write like other people have to breathe. With 6 kids, breathing isn't always an option.

Even when I am not writing for "work" I am writing just to see myself write. Sometimes I don't even know what I am thinking until I write it down.

I just recently got back into writing for "work" because I have a new baby and I am too old to "do things" while nursing. OK I'm 33 but I am just a lazy bum who doesn't want to get up off the couch very much. So I rationalize my laziness by calling it "work" even though it's really just writing.

I've been officially back at this for almost 3 weeks now and so far I'm up to $245 in online markets only.

Once my "writing brain" is back, I might pursue print publications again. I was 22 last time I did that and a total rejection-wimp. I gave up after my first negative response. It took me months and months of researching to send off that query and then I gave up. In retrospect, though I still have all the knowledge that I got back then, only now I am tough and have WAY more life experiences. So I think this time I'll do better.

I really need to sharpen my mind up though. It took me like ten whole minutes to remember the word "retrospect" just now.

[ErikaLeigh]

Originally Posted by lisarussell

I have to write like other people have to breathe. With 6 kids, breathing isn't always an option.

Even when I am not writing for "work" I am writing just to see myself write. Sometimes I don't even know what I am thinking until I write it down.

I just recently got back into writing for "work" because I have a new baby and I am too old to "do things" while nursing. OK I'm 33 but I am just a lazy bum who doesn't want to get up off the couch very much. So I rationalize my laziness by calling it "work" even though it's really just writing.

I've been officially back at this for almost 3 weeks now and so far I'm up to $245 in online markets only.

Once my "writing brain" is back, I might pursue print publications again. I was 22 last time I did that and a total rejection-wimp. I gave up after my first negative response. It took me months and months of researching to send off that query and then I gave up. In retrospect, though I still have all the knowledge that I got back then, only now I am tough and have WAY more life experiences. So I think this time I'll do better.

I really need to sharpen my mind up though. It took me like ten whole minutes to remember the word "retrospect" just now.

Where all do you promote?

[ErikaLeigh]

Originally Posted by Savoir Faire

Well...hmmm.

First, to be honest, money. I need to get paid-- we're trying to save money so I remember every bit helps!

Second, I enjoy the thrill of the chase-- so sending out lots of pitches is fun to me.

Third, I respect a deadline so there's always that looming over my head.

Personally, for blogging, I guess it is having that inner voice, the voice that just won't get out of my head unless I sit down and put fingers to keypad, ya know? If I didn't blog, I'd probably be sitting in a corner, dictating stories to the dust bunnies.

Those are all good points.