My new year's resolution for 2014 was to establish a steady writing habit. I have been able to establish prolific routines during NaNoWriMo or other events, like the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood's Winter Writing Festival, but when I don't have people to show off to I find that my daily word counts sag and fade away. It becomes too easy to just say, "I'll save writing for tomorrow."
This year, after taking Margie Lawson's Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors class online, I have established an easy goal that is achievable most days. I now aim to write 500 words daily and I earn a happy little sticker for each 500 words that I write. It's not much in comparison to my 2000 word days in November, but it is something I can manage most days and bank extra on the weekends so that I average at or above 500 words a day.
The stickers feed that part of me that never grew up and a goal gives me something easy to shoot for every day. If I aim too high, I feel too bad when I don't make it. Scrivener let's me track how much I write each day without too much use of spreadsheets.
I also have a group of friends online with whom I share my mood, progress and daily plans. It helps to have a support buddy or team. It helps me feel like someday these words will make it to someone other than me that will enjoy them.
What ways have you found for staying motivated with your writing?
This year, after taking Margie Lawson's Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors class online, I have established an easy goal that is achievable most days. I now aim to write 500 words daily and I earn a happy little sticker for each 500 words that I write. It's not much in comparison to my 2000 word days in November, but it is something I can manage most days and bank extra on the weekends so that I average at or above 500 words a day.
The stickers feed that part of me that never grew up and a goal gives me something easy to shoot for every day. If I aim too high, I feel too bad when I don't make it. Scrivener let's me track how much I write each day without too much use of spreadsheets.
I also have a group of friends online with whom I share my mood, progress and daily plans. It helps to have a support buddy or team. It helps me feel like someday these words will make it to someone other than me that will enjoy them.
What ways have you found for staying motivated with your writing?