SJCanfieldDec 3, 2022
Anne
#Writing at home alone can be difficult to maintain. It can feel like no one cares whether or not you finish that project you've been working on. I meet online with a few local writers a couple of times per month. We do writers' retreats - video chats interspersed between blocks of solo writing time. It's a great way to stay motivated. How do you stay motivated? #WritersOfMastodon #WritingCommunity
Dec 2, 2022 at 11:41pmWeb
Show threadNathan Lowell (he/him) 📎Dec 2, 2022

@annewalk

Fans keep asking for more stories. They can be very motivating.

Lucky for me, they've been very understanding of late :D

Show threadAnneDec 2, 2022
@nlowell lucky you for having fans! That would be motivating for sure. At the stage I'm at, no one much cares whether or not I finish a project. Maybe some day I'll have fans too! :)
Show threadNathan Lowell (he/him) 📎Dec 2, 2022

@annewalk

I just keep repeating that famous line:

It took me 10 years to become an overnight success.

Keep writing. You'll get there. I got faith in ya. :D

Show threadTim RichardsDec 3, 2022
@annewalk I mix writing at home with writing in public libraries, which gets me out into the community and feels less isolating. I try to catch up with colleagues from time to time too, for drinks or lunch.
Show threadAnneDec 3, 2022
@timrichards Writing in libraries is great. I used to have a few favourite library branches in Toronto as well as the main library in Vancouver when I lived there. I find it more productive than cafés. Yes, the isolation can get me down. Meeting other people also doing this crazy thing I'm doing does help.
Show threadBethany CarterDec 3, 2022

@annewalk I would love to have a writer's group. Our local one disappeared because of the pandemic.

I guess what keeps me motivated to write is the story itself. I'm kind of obsessed with it. Even if I take a break from writing, I still can't help thinking about it. I don't feel being alone to be a hindrance at all, probably because I'm an introvert.

Show threadRC HopgoodDec 3, 2022
@annewalk Writing can be so isolating. One of the reasons I love my writers group. I dont think i could've finished my WIP without them. I certainly wouldnt feel as confident about it without their feedback. We all workshopped each other's chapters as our projects progressed and recently have been writing sample query letters for each other. It's very motivating. We all also took classes with #RedbudWritingProject (online and in person classes) which was super helpful.
Show threadRC HopgoodDec 3, 2022
@annewalk I also find the right music in my headphones to be very helpful. like a soundtrack to a movie, I find the music can help me find the right tone for a given scene i'm working on.
Show threadArcadiaDec 3, 2022

@annewalk I stay motivated by focusing on the parts of my writing project that are the most exciting to me.

I try to reduce all parts I find boring to summaries, or I try to write them in the most straight forward way I can, so I don't spend more time on them than necessary.