How do you stay motivated while writing/editing your work?

Here are a few tips that I’ve found help me stay motivated while writing/editing:

1) Set a weekly goal and reward yourself if and when you complete said goal.

I told myself I could buy myself THE DREAM THIEVES by Maggie Stiefvater if I edited up to chapter 20 by the end of the week. Don’t set your goals so low that it’s not even challenging, and don’t set your goals so high that you CAN’T complete your goal. Set it reasonably, and choose a reward that you would love and really, really want. Also, DO NOT reward yourself if you DO NOT complete your goal. That completely defeats the purpose.

2) Set a DAILY goal of how many hours/chapters/words to work on your book.

I told myself no less than two hours a day. That was a week ago. Now I’m in college, and I have suddenly found it harder to WANT to work on my book for two hours every day. I don’t want to burn myself out either. Solution: Lower the daily goal. Now I’m working 1+ hours a day. If I happen to go over that, and find myself working a two-hour shift on my book—WONDERFUL, MAGNIFICIENT, HOORAH. Don’t be afraid of goals, but don’t hurt yourself. Know your limits.

3) Make sure you READ, too.

Have you ever heard the saying, “To be a good writer, you must be a good reader”? It’s true, believe me. The more you read, the better you write. And I don’t know about you, but when I read really good books, I’m always inspired to write. Books are amazing inspirations for me. I make a point to read at least a few chapters of a book every day. I try to read an hour, but sometimes that doesn’t always work out. Read when you can. I love the days when I can spend ALL DAY reading.

Those are really good days.

4) Move your workspace.

Every hour or two, or maybe every other day, move where you work on your book. If you have a laptop, this is easy. If you don’t, this isn’t exactly something you can do. I like to write in my room or at the dining room table. Sometimes I’ll switch from one seat at the table to another. Even this little change is good and helps clear your brain.

5) Drink water and eat healthy snacks.

“What?” says Reader. “Why does this matter?” It matters A LOT. You see, our brains are mostly made up of water. When we are dehydrated, it hurts our brains. It’s harder to think and be creative while dehydrated or hungry. Healthy snacks are important because it energizes you. It’s harder to work when you’re tired. And it’s a proven fact that sugary snacks can make us tired.

6) Exercise.

This, too, is good for your brain. Good circulation enables your mind to think clearly.

Simply put, your health can help, and it’s extremely important.

What are some ways you have found that help you stay motivated?

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. ~Colossians 3:23