Personal Motivation: 4 Techniques for New Authors

“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.” – Napoleon Hill

 Do you remember the first time you picked up a pen or tapped away at your keyboard, the thrill of creating worlds, characters, and stories from nothing but your imagination? Being a new author is an exciting journey filled with discovery, creativity, and immense satisfaction. But let’s not gloss over the truth. It can also be daunting, filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, and the looming question, “Can I really do this?”

 

There’s a unique journey ahead of you. You’ve committed to writing and now face the thrilling yet intimidating task of putting words to paper. What propels us to transform blank pages into realms of imagination? Personal motivation. As a new author, learning how to maintain a steady stream of motivation can be crucial in your writing journey.

 

Whether you’re drafting your debut novel, penning a collection of poetry, or sharing your expertise in a non-fiction book, this provides strategies to help you fuel your inner fire, the kind that transforms budding authors into published ones. We’ll navigate through the power of setting clear, achievable goals and the art of decomposing these goals into bite-sized, manageable tasks. We’ll also guide you through the maze of tools and programs designed to ease your writing journey.

 

While logistics are important, your mindset can make or break your author dreams. So, we’ll explore the art of positive self-talk, asking all-important questions. So, step into the writing journey equipped with motivation, guidance, and a dash of self-belief. After all, the world needs your stories.

 

Are you ready? Let’s begin this journey together.

 

Setting Goals for Yourself

As writers, we often find ourselves immersed in a world of dreams and aspirations. However, the journey from dreaming to achieving involves concrete, measurable steps – in other words, goals. Here’s how you can transform your dreams into goals, fueling your journey as a new author:

 

Dreams vs. Goals

Dreams ignite our creative fire. They’re the grand visions of what we aspire to become or achieve. On the other hand, goals are the tangible, action steps we take to make our dreams a reality.

 

• Dream: The enchanting notion of seeing your book in the hands of an eager reader.
• Goal: Write 500 words every day, complete your first draft in six months, or send out your manuscript to literary agents by the end of the year.

 

Deciding on Your Goals

To decide on your goals, start by analyzing your dream. Ask yourself, “What concrete steps can I take to realize this dream?” For example, if your dream is to publish a fantasy novel, your goals might involve:

• Completing character sketches by the end of the week.
• Finishing the first chapter by the end of the month.
• Sending your manuscript to beta readers by the end of six months.

 

The Power of Reasons

Behind every goal should be multiple reasons. Reasons act as powerful motivators, pushing you forward in your journey even when times get tough. They could range from:

• Personal fulfillment.
• Sharing your unique perspective.
• Contributing to the literary world.
• Inspiring others through your stories.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong reason. It’s only what matters to you. The more reasons you have, the stronger your drive to achieve your goals will be.

 

Exercise: From Dream to Goal

Here’s a small exercise to help you get started:

1. Grab a notebook and write down your dream as a new author.
2. Convert that dream into three SMART goals.
3. For each goal, write down at least two reasons why you want to achieve it.

You’ve just taken the first step on your journey toward making your dream a reality. Well done. Taking action in itself can lead to more personal motivation.

 

Breaking Down Tasks into Manageable Steps

Journeying from a dream to its realization can feel overwhelming. After all, writing a book is no small feat. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to conquer it all at once. Breaking down your larger goal into smaller, manageable tasks is a key strategy for maintaining momentum and preventing burnout.

 

The Art of Task Decomposition

Task decomposition involves taking a larger task or goal and breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. The advantage? It makes your work feel less daunting and helps you maintain focus.

Consider the goal of writing a novel:

• Daunting Goal: Draft an 80,000-word novel for NaNoWriMo.
• Manageable Tasks: Develop a character sketch. Plan one chapter outline.

The large goal is still there, but now it’s broken down into achievable parts.

 

The Power of Prioritization

Once you’ve broken your goal into smaller tasks, the next step is to prioritize them. Which tasks are most critical? Which ones will move you closer to your goal most quickly? The Eisenhower Matrix can help.

• Critical Task: Finish the first draft of your novel.
• Less Critical Task: Perfecting the name of a secondary character.

 

By identifying the critical tasks, you know where to focus your energy and time, helping you to make significant progress.

 

One of our clients, who we’ll call Sarah, came to us once, grappling with the mammoth task of finishing her first novel. She had set herself a staggering target of writing 5000 words a day. After a few weeks, she had become disheartened by her inability to reach her goal.

 

We suggested a different approach, encouraging her to focus on more manageable targets. She started writing 500 words a day. At first, she was skeptical, feeling like she’d scaled down her ambitions too much. However, to her surprise, she not only met but often exceeded her daily goal.

 

Sarah said achieving these smaller goals gave her the sense of accomplishment she’d been missing. Her motivation skyrocketed. More often than not, she found herself going above and beyond her goal. The completion of her novel, once a daunting task, gradually started to seem achievable.

Her story underlined a powerful lesson about breaking down tasks into manageable steps. Sarah’s initial ambitious goal had been her downfall. However, by redefining her approach, she not only completed her book but did so while enjoying the process. A published author now, Sarah’s experience continues to inspire many of my other clients on their writing journey.

 

Exercise: Break it Down

Now it’s time for a practical exercise:

1. Take one of the goals that you identified in the previous exercise.
2. Break this goal down into at least five smaller tasks.
3. Prioritize these tasks based on their importance and urgency.

 

You’ll find that a large, daunting goal now appears much more approachable. By tackling these smaller tasks one by one, you’ll be making steady progress toward your larger goal. Remember, every word written, every character created, and every plot twist developed, is a step closer to the finish line. Keep moving forward!

 

 

Utilizing Tools & Programs for Success

In today’s digital era, a wealth of tools and programs are available to make the writing journey smoother and more efficient. From writing aids to project management applications, these resources can amplify your productivity, organization, and creativity.

 

Overview of Popular Tools and Programs

Let’s dive into some categories of tools that can help you:

 

• Writing Software: These include applications like Scrivener, Google Docs, or Microsoft Word that provide robust environments for drafting and editing your manuscript. Also see, 10 Best Writing Software: Boost Your Productivity Now.

 

• Grammar and Style Checkers: Tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid can help you polish your prose, catch typos, and refine your writing style.

 

• Project Management Tools: Applications such as Trello or Asana can help you manage your writing goals, break them down into tasks, and track your progress. For more discussion, see Project Management: 10 Best Tips and Tools for New Authors

 

• Distraction Blockers: If you find yourself distracted by the lure of social media or the internet, tools like Freedom or FocusWriter can help you maintain focus during your writing sessions.

 

• Research and Note-taking Tools: Applications like Evernote or OneNote can be invaluable for organizing your research, plot ideas, character sketches, and more.

 

Choosing the Right Tools

With a vast array of tools available, how do you choose the right ones? The key is understanding your unique needs and goals. Are you looking to enhance your productivity? Do you need help organizing your plot or research? Or perhaps, you want to refine your prose and grammar? Identify your needs first, and then choose tools that address these needs effectively.

 

Tips for Effective Usage

While tools can enhance your writing process, they are most effective when used strategically. Here are some tips:

• Start Small: Don’t overwhelm yourself by adopting too many tools at once. Start with one or two, and once you’re comfortable, consider adding more if needed.

 

• Customize: Many tools offer customization options. Tailor them to fit your workflow for maximum efficiency.

 

• Consistency is Key: Make regular use of your tools. The more you use them, the more they’ll become a seamless part of your writing routine.

 

Exercise: Tool Time

1. Identify one area of your writing process that you feel could benefit from a tool or program.
2. Research tools that address this need and choose one that you feel would be most beneficial.
3. Integrate this tool into your writing routine for a week and note any changes in your productivity, organization, or ease of writing.

 

Remember, tools are there to serve you, not overwhelm you. Used effectively, they can become powerful allies in your journey as an author.

 

Fostering Positive Self-talk

Writing is as much a mental game as it is a skill. The words we whisper to ourselves, the self-talk, significantly impacts our writing journey. Harnessing positive self-talk is about shifting our internal dialogue to one that uplifts, motivates, and believes in our capabilities.

 

Understanding Self-talk

Self-talk refers to the inner dialogue we carry with ourselves. It could be affirmative and motivating, like “I can write this chapter today” or negative and discouraging, like “I’m never going to finish this book.” The key to positive self-talk lies in becoming aware of these internal dialogues and consciously steering them toward the positive.

 

The “What’s Good About This Situation?” Approach

An effective strategy to foster positive self-talk is to ask yourself, “What’s good about this situation?” When you face a challenge or a setback, instead of resorting to self-criticism or negativity, find the silver lining.

For instance, if you’re stuck on a difficult plot point, instead of telling yourself “I can’t do this,” ask “What’s good about this situation?” Perhaps this challenge is an opportunity to think creatively, delve deeper into your characters, or to take your plot in an exciting new direction.

 

Transforming Negative into Positive Self-talk

Transforming negative into positive self-talk is a powerful way to keep yourself motivated and resilient. Here’s how you can do it:

• Identify the Negative: Become aware of your negative self-talk. Are you doubting your abilities? Are you criticizing your writing too harshly?

 

• Challenge the Negative: Ask yourself, “Is this thought true? Is it helpful?” Most times, you’ll find that the answer is no.

 

• Replace with Positive: Convert the negative self-talk into a positive one. Instead of “I can’t write this chapter,” tell yourself, “I can write one paragraph now, and then another.”

 

Exercise: Positive Self-talk Practice

1. Throughout your writing day, pay attention to your self-talk. Write down any negative self-talk you notice.
2. At the end of the day, review these negative statements. Challenge them and convert them into positive affirmations.
3. For the next week, consciously replace your identified negative self-talk with your new positive affirmations.

 

Embracing positive self-talk can drastically shift your perspective, turning obstacles into opportunities and self-doubt into self-belief. Remember, the words you tell yourself are the ones you start to believe. Make them positive, uplifting, and affirming.

 

Personal Motivation Wrap UP

Writing a book is akin to running a marathon, and just like any long-distance runner, you’ll need a solid strategy to keep yourself motivated and reach the finish line. By setting clear goals, breaking down tasks, utilizing writing tools, and fostering positive self-talk, you’re setting yourself up for success. Remember, every step you take in your writing journey is a triumph in itself. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way.

 

In Part 2 of our personal motivation guide, we explore how to build a positive writing environment to advance your writing career.

 

We hope you’ve found the personal motivation techniques useful. We hope they’ll equip you with the insights and tools needed to help you succeed as a new author.

 

Writing is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. You don’t have to go it alone. We’re excited to continue the journey with you, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Our goal is to provide basic insights and practical advice to help you navigate the writing world with increased confidence.

 

Don’t wait. Start today!

 How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our contact form. Happy writing!

 

FAQs

1. FAQ: How can I overcome writer’s block as a new author?

Writer’s block is a common challenge many authors face. The key is to not let it discourage you. Try changing your environment, engaging in physical activity, or switching to a different writing project. Sometimes, giving your mind a break can also stimulate creativity. Remember, every writer experiences this and it’s a normal part of the process.

 

2. FAQ: How do I handle criticism and rejection as a new author?

Criticism and rejection can be hard, especially for new authors. However, they are also opportunities for growth. Constructive criticism can help improve your writing. When facing rejection, remember that even the most successful authors faced multiple rejections before they were published. It’s part of the author’s journey, so use it as motivation to keep going and improving.

 

3. FAQ: What are some habits of successful authors?

Successful authors often have a routine. They set aside specific times for writing and stick to it, treating it like any other job. They also read widely to gather inspiration and improve their skills. Successful authors understand the importance of revisions and are not afraid to rewrite or edit their work. They remain persistent and motivated, always striving to improve.

 

4. FAQ: How can I improve my writing skills as a new author?

Practice is crucial to improving writing skills. Write regularly, read a lot, and be open to feedback. Joining writing groups or workshops can also provide valuable insights and constructive critiques. Additionally, studying the mechanics of language and expanding your vocabulary can greatly enhance your writing. Consider writing exercises or prompts to challenge yourself and keep your skills sharp.

 

5. FAQ: As a new author, how can I maintain my motivation when I don’t feel like writing?

It’s natural to have days when you don’t feel like writing. One strategy is to establish a regular writing routine to create discipline. Also, remind yourself of your goals and why you started writing in the first place. Break your work into manageable parts and start with small tasks. Celebrating small victories can also boost your motivation. Lastly, engaging with other writers or joining a writers’ community can provide encouragement and support.