This month being the famous NaNoWriMo month, I thought it would be fun to explore our motivation for writing. Motivation and inspiration are closely linked but actually very different. Inspiration is often soul deep while motivation may be very visceral. There are traditionally two types of motivation, carrot or stick. In grammar schools of old, many erstwhile students were motivated by the ruler across the knuckles– definitely a stick. But nowadays we tend to apply the carrot for motivation. I’d like us to put our heads together this week to answer the question: What motivates you?
I came up with a few to get us started:
- Money— Let’s be honest. A workman is worthy of his hire. We need to eat and put a roof over our heads. Sometimes this is a strong motivation.
- Deadlines— I’ve heard those writers with no a contract and no deadline say that they can’t get the writing done without the pressure of a real deadline. There’s no question that a deadline motivates. Is it carrot or stick?
- The Love of Writing— While a deadline is a negative motivation, the pure love of writing may be your motivation. A positive motivation. One of my friends loves writing to the exclusion of almost everything else. She feels guilty about it, knowing she needs the balance of family and friends. But truth be told, she writes because there is nothing she’d rather be doing.
- Accountability— Whether it be NaNoWriMo, a contest, a critique group or an accountability partner, having to answer to someone may be motivation enough.
- Work Ethic— Some writers need no motivation. They write out of sheer work ethic. I always loved the bit in writer Louis L’Amour’s bio where he said he never waited for inspiration to hit. He was no prima donna. He said he could write in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard with a typewriter on his lap. He also said, “If you’re going to be a writer, the first essential is just to write. Do not wait for an idea. Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow.”
- Legacy— Many writers write their books to leave something of themselves behind.
- Reward— I tended to use this motivation. No coffee until you have 1200 words. No three-day weekend until you are one-fourth of the way through the book. I’d mark that last word of each book with a special celebration or the purchase of something meaningful.
So how about you or your writing friends. What motivates you?
Pre-Publishing: Developing the Five P’s
Like St. Julian, I would tell
of that which may sound sappy;
all manner of things will yet be well,
and in all things, I’m happy.
No matter , breath comes as a chore
(my neck swells like Michelin Man),
but weeping in beer’s quite the bore,
and I have a better plan.
I can’t forestall what will betide,
but I can live each moment through,
and if you’ll let me come beside,
I’ll share my joy with you.
It’s not reward nor legacy;
it’s just delight at living free.
What motivates me to write? God’s call. A friend described it as “God’s thumb in my back.” It’s not a 2×4 upside of the head; it’s a still, small discomfort that doesn’t go away until butt-in-chair, I start to write.
Money – No. While I’d like to earn something, I actually found my motivation nearly died when I put money into the equation. It took away the “love” and pushed into the realm of “business”.
Deadlines – Somewhat. Most other things in my life get done faster when there’s a deadline, mine or someone else’s. Writing – I set goals more than deadlines.
The Love of Writing – Definitely. If I didn’t love it (not even like it, but LOVE it), I wouldn’t bother.
Accountability – Kind of like deadlines, I don’t like to disappoint readers who tell me they can’t wait for the next chapter, the next story. At the same time, it adds a pressure that pushes my self-doubt button more than my motivation button.
Work Ethic – “I always loved the bit in writer Louis L’Amour’s bio where he said he never waited for inspiration to hit.” Ditto. Along the lines of people waiting for their “muse” to strike, not realizing the best way for it to strike is to hit it with a few keystrokes.
Legacy – I wouldn’t mind but it would be more like proving “Hey, she’s not a total screw-up!”. LOL
Reward – Not really. Getting that paragraph just right, finishing a chapter I’m proud of – that’s the closest I come to a reward system.
No fun until it’s done.
I’d have to say love of the written word and the desire to tell a story that’s in my head motivates me. Like your friend, there are times when I don’t want to do anything else, to the exclusion of things I know I should be doing!
I have a friend who says she is motivated by the need to process–right now, she is processing a major tragic event in her life, which prompted her to start a blog. Her writing is beautiful, and it is born out of the pain she is going through.
Wendy, I was surprised not to see the motivation of wanting to inspire, teach, support, and help women in their spiritual and personal journey through life. I never wanted to be a writer but God sent three different people to tell me I should write what I teach. I ignored them as I felt there were many good Christian women writers around. A year later I was reading an article about the parable of the talents and was convicted that I was being disobedient not to attempt to write. The rest is history and I marvel at the doors God opened for me. Poppy Smith
Influence: the chance to change lives through the written word.
Wendy, I can so relate to your friend who loves to write. I enjoy waking early to write or edit. It’s rare time that I’m all alone with my story, and I treasure it. And I’m also in love with writing in my favorite coffee shop now. My favorite coffee, my story … a slice of heaven. It helps that I’m writing in my story setting/location, too.
My motivation comes from the thrill get watching a story unfold. God always surprises me I think I’m heading down one and I get a prompting or a picture of something else and off I go.
My motivation comes from the thrill get watching a story unfold. God always surprises me I think I’m heading down one and I get a prompting or a picture of something else and off I go.
It’s such a combination of things for me. I just ordered a NaNoWriMo shirt and when I hit 50,000 words, I will let myself wear it! But I also love the accountability of ACFW noveltrack and NaNo. I celebrate when I send out a submission or type The End. And I doggedly keep track of my writing hours and try to write every single day. I am a crazed mix of motivations!
What motivates me is I have a story to tell, and I believe God gave me skills that allows me to jump into that. The sense of accomplishment that comes when I finish a major task is also a motivator.