I'm willing to guess that most of you have some free time on your hands right now. My state is on a stay at home order. So I don't have school... or work... or the ability to go anywhere unless absolutely necessary. I know a lot of you are in the same position.
I keep telling myself that now I have so much time to write. Isn't that amazing?
But since all this started, ("this" being things starting to close about a week ago) I have written less than 100 words. I'd been doing so well before that. I'd been writing every day. 500 words. 1,000 words. 2,000 words. I was flying through this rough draft.
But now that I have all the time in the world to write it, I haven't. Why not? What have I been doing instead?
I've been working on my online job or my internship (also remotely). I've been crying, then playing the Sims, then scrolling through social media, then crying some more. Then I've been doing school work, then internship work, then crying. Working online, playing Sims, talking to my roommate.
Basically, I've been doing a whole lot of things that shouldn't be taking as long as they have been. For some reason, now that I'm not allowed to go anywhere, I have no focus. I love being home. When the world was open, I usually didn't leave my apartment. I've basically been training for quarantine my whole life. But now it's here and I'm restless. I'm unfocused. I can't get any writing done.
I know others are experiencing this same problem. The sudden influx of free time isn't allowing us to write more, even though it should. Is it because our usual pockets of writing time are gone? Can we not handle not having a schedule? Are we too overwhelmed with life to write?
I honestly don't know. But I have some ideas on how to fix it. Here's my "I have no motivation to write while the world is shutting down" tips:
1. Have a specific spot to write
Choosing one room in your house can get you out of the mindset that you've been home all day.
2. Have a specific writing time
Set a timer if you need to, but choose a time to write for half an hour or an hour.
3. Pick a word count goal
It's okay if you don't reach it, but goals can help you get started.
4. Put away all distractions
Internet, pets, children, the news. Make all of it leave you alone. Now put away your plot charts and character sheets. It's just you and the writing.
5. Tell a friend/fellow writer your goal
When you sit down to write, tell someone you time goal or word count goal. You can have them check in if you want, but often, I find just telling someone makes me more likely to continue.
P.S. if you need someone and don't have anyone, message me on Instagram or Facebook @rachelpaigeauthor. I got you, friend.
How's your writing going right now? Any other tips on how to stay motivated?
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