Jack
asked
Francesca Zappia:
Hi, i would like to ask you how do you keep your motivation when writing? I am trying to write in my native language, but i always lose motivation, because after a few days after the initial excitement, i start thinking that my story is crap. So i've never finished anything.
Francesca Zappia
Hi! This is a really great question, and I have exactly the same problem.
For me, it's extremely helpful to know where I'm going with the story. Having an outline, even a very rough one, will help you keep a goal in mind. On those first drafts, it's important to look forward at what you're planning to write, not backward at what you've already written. It's so easy to let that doubt creep in, so one of the most valuable things you can learn is how to set it aside so that you can keep going.
It also helps to remember what you love most about the story. What's the thing that hooks you about it? Is it the main character's struggle? The world? That thing you love about it will help carry you through the draft.
It's also good to keep in mind that it's *okay* to lose motivation. Sometimes it happens. It happens to me all the time, so usually I take a break and go do something else. I go outside, or hang out with my friends, or read. Anything to take my mind off the story for a while. Then, when I'm ready to get back into it, I listen to some music that reminds me of the story to get my brain working again.
Every writer I know struggles with this sometimes, so don't feel discouraged that you haven't finished anything! Writing is a marathon (and I swear this is true, even if it's only like a page) and you have to train yourself to do it.
I hope this helped, and good luck!
For me, it's extremely helpful to know where I'm going with the story. Having an outline, even a very rough one, will help you keep a goal in mind. On those first drafts, it's important to look forward at what you're planning to write, not backward at what you've already written. It's so easy to let that doubt creep in, so one of the most valuable things you can learn is how to set it aside so that you can keep going.
It also helps to remember what you love most about the story. What's the thing that hooks you about it? Is it the main character's struggle? The world? That thing you love about it will help carry you through the draft.
It's also good to keep in mind that it's *okay* to lose motivation. Sometimes it happens. It happens to me all the time, so usually I take a break and go do something else. I go outside, or hang out with my friends, or read. Anything to take my mind off the story for a while. Then, when I'm ready to get back into it, I listen to some music that reminds me of the story to get my brain working again.
Every writer I know struggles with this sometimes, so don't feel discouraged that you haven't finished anything! Writing is a marathon (and I swear this is true, even if it's only like a page) and you have to train yourself to do it.
I hope this helped, and good luck!
More Answered Questions
McKenna
asked
Francesca Zappia:
Hey! Made You Up is one of the best books I have ever read on mental illnesses and I am very interested in them but it is hard to find good books that really tell you about them to show what it is like. You did a very good job on the whole book. I have two questions for you! How long did it take you to write it? Where did you come up with the idea?
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