Blogger: Mary Keeley
The view out my office window yesterday morning was spectacular. Just the right amount of pure white snow had fallen. But what took my breath away were the trees. They had been clothed in crystal white ice overnight. The scene was a visual concert for my senses that made me feel alive with energy and vitality. Thinking of authors, it prompted me that you need to surround yourself with motivation.
Of course working environment is only one factor, and perhaps a minor one compared to other examples I’ll offer, but don’t overlook the sometimes-subtle effect it may have on your writing productivity. Some authors work best with bright overhead lighting. Others are most motivated when sunshine is pouring into their work area. Some writers need total quiet to be motivated to write. Others need white noise like classical music playing softly in the background in order to activate their creative thought.
Sometimes an honest critique is the great motivator. A client recently shared comments from two of her beta readers. She valued their feedback because they are avid, intelligent readers. Both were enthusiastic in their praise but also offered constructive criticism. My client was motivated by both kinds of comments. The positive remarks told her she is on the right track; the negative remarks were welcome and appreciated because they pointed to where she needs to grow and improve. Authors, like all creative people, can bruise easily from negative feedback and rejections. But if you discipline yourself to use them as motivation to grow, you’ll gain victory there. This is the reason I always ask editors to explain why they reject a proposal. Most editors are willing to take the time to respond because they, too, know it can benefit authors who are motivated to continue improving. Highly functioning critique groups, that is, those whose members affirm wherever and whenever possible and also are caringly honest in sharing constructive criticism, can be the best environment in which to surround yourself with motivation.
Motivation isn’t only needed for the writing part of your career. How well are your social media networks growing? Not so much? Maybe this client’s idea will encourage you. She decided to do an experiment with readership on Facebook. She posted a picture of a horse on her author page and asked readers to help her name it. The entry with the winning name would win coffee. An author friend shared my client’s post on her author page, and my client also shared it on her own personal page to test the results she might achieve. In less than 24 hours my client’s author page reach for the week jumped by 330%, and she gained five new followers on her author page. By the way, the experiment benefited her author friend too. My client’s post has become one of the author friend’s most popular posts. How’s that for motivation to try sharing posts with your author friends? Just make sure the posts are interactive with readers and that there is something in it for them (the contest).
As you might have guessed, environment is one motivational factor for me. My desk has to be neat and uncluttered in order to function at my agent work productively. My office faces north, but fortunately I have a bay window so the morning and late afternoon sunshine pours in. Those are especially productive work hours.
Your turn to add your thoughts. What internal and external factors motivate you? What do you do to enhance what works for you? Which successful social media efforts have motivated you to keep at it? Share your own experience of turning a negative factor into a positive motivator, or discovering a motivation you weren’t previously aware of.
TWEETABLES:
Is your writing stalled? Surround yourself with motivation. Here are several ideas. Click to Tweet.
Authors, surround yourselves with motivation to maintain forward career momentum. Click to Tweet.
Is Talent Overrated?
What a beautiful picture, and description to open today’s post! Thank you Mary; it’s truly a gift, and Indie the Australian Shepherd is itching to rush madly down the lane, leaving a roostertail of snow.
Denali the Happy Husky would prefer a warm cup of cocoa and a “Lassie” DVD, thank you very much. And to be quite undisturbed by antipodean hijinks. (“Colonials!”)
Motivation is extremely important for me these days, as the “slope of life” seems to be increasing. I receive it, first, from the readers of my blogs, both those who are kind to leave comments and those whose footprints are discernable in the statistics.
I write to communicate; this is far more a ministry than it is self-expression, and has been from the beginning.
And then thee are the other blogs I follow; they are a motivator in that as I know how important comments are to me, I try to leave comments and support for those who enrich my life.
Activity – there’s another. I try to do at least one small positive physical thing every day. It has become harder of late, but it’s still possible, given a bit of willpower and the understanding that will can drive back pain. At least up to a point, and I do know where that point lies.
Reading is an important part of my “motivation” toolkit, and it is indispesible. When I’m not well enough to write, I can often still read.
Mainly, I try to focus on stories that slot in well with my past, and remind me of the person I still am, under the weight of illness.
Music helps a bit, though it’s not a huge factor. Linkin Park, AC/DC, and the Electric Light orchestra are perennial favourites. I avoid sad songs like the plague, and there is a pattern of notes in much country music that has been shown to degrade mood (the opening bars of Glen Campbell’s “Southern Nights” are an example of the pattern).
Movies – again those that fit in with my past. “Lone Survivor” and “Tears of the Sun” are strong motivators.
Certainly not “The Bucket List”.
And then there are good quotes. My current favourite –
“When you’re going to kick authority in the teeth, you may as well use both feet.” – Keith Richards
The multitudinous and ever-swirling gang of dogs…can’t forget them. They literally will get me out of bed. Sometimes at 0200.
My wife? Yes. a motivator. Motivatress?
Let’s see, who or what am I forgetting?
Ah, yes. The elephant in the room; God, and His maddeningly inscrutable ways, turning what is sometimes agony into what is occasionally grace, when I can Get With The Programme.
Aye, and before I turn the dozy hamster to the torturers, withal to be deprived of coffee and made to eat Brussel Sprouts, let him just say this –
The motivation I have received from this community, and from the authors of this blog, have saved my life.
Not only my writing life. You people have made such a tremendous difference…I would not be here, would not be moving forward, or even be able to stand, buffeted by the waves, without you.
It is not easy to be that transparent (do NOT say ‘vulnerable!), but I have learned – and this is my unlikely motivator, this one truth –
We only get through to the morning if we’re willing to walk hand-in-hand through the night.
Andrew, you are a huge motivator and encourager. Whether here or when you’ve commented on my blog. And, you make me think more broadly about topics and life. And your take on the things you write about on your blog? Always make me think and often make me smile. 🙂
Jeanne…thank you so much.
You just made a rather rough morning a bit brighter.
Andrew, you have equally motivated all of us. Inspired, in fact. You are so right: “We only get through to the morning if we’re willing to walk hand-in-hand through the night.” That is what a writing community is all about.
You, Sir, are one of the MOST vulnerable people I know. Not in the “oh please don’t say mean things to me” sense, but in the “here’s my life on a platter, learn what you will before you get hurt”.
Jennifer, thank you for that. Being open is difficult, and I think hard over everything I say.
Ultimately, however, I am coming to think that the only reason we are here is to for our hands to be as links in a chain, reaching back from God to pull Hope from the lowest depths.
Our hands, reaching fore and aft, are bound together by that which experience has tempered our hearts. Not to share that is to deny the passage of grace.
“Don’t you let go, Frodo. Don’t let go.”
And I propose not to.
Andrew, you crack me up. Do people still use that term besides me? I have to say you have a way with words and a unique ability to put in words the stuff most of us are thinking and feeling. I usually read your comments and chuckle to myself,but your transparency just now compelled me to say something. Keep writing, man!
Linda, thank you so much!
I don’t know aboutPEOPLE using the word…but I do. Of course, I did move to New Mexico to be on hand when the Mother Ship touches down.
Well, that’s what my wife says.
And wives, as we all know, are always right.
Andrew, Your comment “We only get through to the morning if we’re willing to walk hand-in-hand through the night.” almost sent chills (good chills) down my back, because it’s so true, whether it’s writing or whatever situation a person is dealing with.
I’ve been reading this blog for some time, and as a newbie writer, have received a lot of encouragement and motivation, not only from the agents, but also from the writers, published and, especially for me, unpublished. It’s good to know that people who’ve been writing for awhile do want to come alongside to help others like myself. I am learning how much I don’t know! 🙂
Another way I get motivated is through the environment. I live in a somewhat rural area. I believe God gives me “object lessons” in the birds, wildlife and scenery.
A powerful motivator for me is my belief that God has given me work to do, and that work is writing–writing that hopefully inspires, encourages, and edifies. If just one person is helped by something I write, then it’s worth it. I will never outlive that work, and I can always try to improve my output.
…”whose footprints are discernible in the statistics.” Oh Andrew, you don’t know how much this phrase motivates me. My day job involves statistical analysis of my hospital’s data. Yes, I can see the footprints of the patients, doctors, nurses and other caregivers in my data! Thank you.
Thank you, Shirlee.
You should know – your faith and wisdom have been lights in the darkness for me.
We may never meet, but you are a friend.
This is a great list of motivators, Andrew. Your point about reading stories that “slot in well with my past, and remind me of the person I still am, under the weight of illness,” is a powerful motivational tool for any writer to apply. I think sometimes writers may not be aware of a gift, talent, or topic God is placing on their hearts until they sense these things rising to the surface while reading a book that resonates deep within.
I’m with you that movies can have the same motivational effect. “Lone Survivor” is a favorite of mine too. I can so see you in Mark Wahlberg’s character. Lover of horses that I am, “Seabiscuit”, “Secretariat”, “Man from Snowy River”, and its sequel also are movie motivators for me.
And spouses, family, and writing community, of course. What would any of us do without them.
Man From Snowy River? I should have known!!
“Don’t throw effort after foolishness” is something I say to myself about once or twice a month.
Mary, that you can see me in Mark Wahlberg’s “Lone Survivor” character is the highest compliment I have ever been given.
I don’t know what to say, beyond saying that I am so humbled…and so very motivated to carry on, regardless of anything.
I love Man from Snowy River!
Speaking of good quotes, Andrew, there’s one on my Facebook page from you. 🙂
Another reminder that your words, and the heart behind them, elicits a powerful impact on this community.
Jenni…thank you.
I hope you can know, through these words, how much that means.
Andrew, I avoid sad songs like the plague as well. My middle boy is just like me. If a sad song comes on at night he will come out crying. “I’m sad for no reason!!!” And so then I put in “Bob and Larry sing the 70’s” which has no sad songs at all, but is quite annoying for his brothers.
The funny things people do inspire me, the sweet and amazing things as well. We live in the Cascade mountains and it is so gorgeous. The mts are always inspiring.
I will lift mine eyes unto the hills, whence cometh Thy help.
Me, too.
Elton John may have felt that Sad Songs Say So Much, but there is SO MUCH in this world that need not be said, eh?
Barbara Manatee should be a wedding song.
The people of this blog, like Andrew said, are huge motivators for me. I keep a quote from Andrew regarding my work on a draft on my blog. When I feel struggle creep up, I read it.
Yesterday was a huge motivator to me. I spoke to a group of women, older than me, having endured way more than me … sharing about my life’s issues that nearly killed me. Hearing–“My husband died, and I’ve been down … I needed to hear your message today” and “My husband has had cancer for nine years, it’s getting bad, and I needed to hear this” … y’all, that right there.
I love how God can use the things that nearly killed us to heal us.
I’m glad your speaking event went well, Shelli!
Thank you, Jennifer!
Shelli, you’re right. I find that when I connect with other people on that level, it’s very motivating. I’m so glad things went well for you yesterday!
Thank you, Jeanne! 🙂
Our prayers answered! (not that I ever doubted)
Yes, Shirlee! Thank you!! 🙂
And sometimes the things that will kill us will heal us.
I would not have my health back, and my career, if I would have to forego all that I have learned.
Not to mention the dogs I’ve brought in, since everything went south. How could I consign Josie and Reebok, and Bella, and Pitunia JezeBull, and Dukee, and Denali the Happy Husky to the fire?
Motivation is not about me. It’s about duty, service, honour, and fair play. The heck with dreams. Love and compassion are everything. Be glad to die for that, eh?
I’m so glad the talk went well, Shelli. Is it recorded? Can we see it?
Please?
Andrew, it isn’t recorded. But I speak again in October. If I don’t speak again before then, I’ll try to get that one recorded. I need help! 🙂 With everything else I have to do and remember, I haven’t done a recording. But thank goodness for the dolly! I need my daughter to help me. There are a few things I need help with … a recording and the techy issues. I’m getting better with the techy side. But I still need help. The pastor really helped this time. They didn’t have HDMI connections … so I used their computer with my thumbdrive. 🙂
Wonderful that your talk went so well, Shelli. It’s affirming to your message and to your speaking ability. And getting to know you in our community here, the ministry benefit you provided those women has to be very motivating for you. Also, your point about why God allows suffering is well-taken.
I feel motivated and inspired when I read–fiction or nonfiction. Anytime I can steal a few hours to myself (usually only when my son is asleep or napping!) I feel motivated. I would LOVE to have a huge, sunny window in my writing room because I know that would help, but as of right now, that’s not the case.
And having a deadline keeps me motivated! I’ve heard some say that deadlines just cause them to produce hurried, sloppy work, but that’s not the case for me. Deadlines push me to focus and get it done! 🙂
I’m with you, Jennifer. When I have a deadline? It spurs me on to work. 🙂
Deadlines are interesting, in that they affect diffferent people in different ways.
Neil Armstrong would put off critical decisions until the last minute…he had a definite deadline in landing on the moon (like, running out of gas!) and he terrified Edwin Aldrin by running the gas to the last few seconds before he found the ‘right’ place to land.
Wow! Yes, they do have a different effect on everybody…Last-minute decisions and times when I’m cutting it close to the wire stress me out! 🙂
Jennifer, you are truly blessed that deadlines have a positive motivational effect on you. You will appreciate it every time you have a contract deadline to meet.
Reading — yes!
Mary, what a beautiful picture of a bridge! I love taking pictures of the world around me. Especially when it’s beautiful like after a storm that moved through this week. The hoarfrost and snow on the trees, backed up to a blue sky called to me. After I took a few pictures, my spirit was lifted and ready to work.
Like you, I do best with order in my writing environment. I often write at my kitchen table or in my project room. I enjoy looking out at our back yard. It’s not super scenic, but it’s open. My project room faces the west, and I LOVE watching the sunsets. Okay, I’m rambling about setting.
External factors that motivate me are knowing I have a deadline of some sort. I try to be a woman of my word, so meeting deadlines motivates me to keep moving. Encouraging words from others also keeps me motivated. They give me the courage to keep moving forward when I’m stuck or discouraged. I’ve definitely received great encouragement from the posts and the commenters here!
Sometimes I write with music, but often I write in silence. My ears are too prone to listen to the lyrics or the melodies within the music! 🙂
For social media, I posted a comment and a picture every day in November and December on my Facebook author page. I got more likes. There was some involvement there, but not a lot. I’ll be curious to see what others do that works with social media.
Sunsets shout inspiration. Do you notice an increase in your writing creativity at that time of day, Jeanne? You are another fortunate one, like Jennifer, who is positively motivated by deadlines. Count it a special blessing.
Motivation? I KNOW this is going to sound so redundant, but seriously, coffee just gives me the warm, comfort I need to get my words flowing. I love sitting at my dining room table, my woods stretching out before me, with a big mug of coffee and my laptop. God has BLESSED me to provide me with a country home and deer and turkey in my back yard for company and the Littles in the living playing. Saturday mornings at home are my inspiration.
My other motivation? My drive. Honestly. I can’t NOT write, and it’s almost an obsession sometimes so I have to be careful not to be too motivated and shirk my Bible time or family time. And I’ve been writing for over 20+ years so the newness of rookie-writer-exuberance would have long worn off by now. It really is my PASSION.
AND one more motivation, if I can blabber on. My sisters, my writing critique partners. I never had sisters by blood, but the Lord knew I still needed them. And my blogging partners. Another lady there who just takes the cake!!
Ok. I’ll stop now. 🙂
Try Jamaican Blue Mountain.
$35 a pound, last I checked. Worth every penny.
“Careful not to … shirk my Bible time or family time.” I hear you! 🙂
I love when the Bible time spills over into the writing time. It’s a beautiful combo. 🙂
Jaime, your drive and passion to keep at your writing long-term is a vital internal motivator. Let’s add that to the list. I love to hear an author comment sincerely that he or she simply “can’t not write.”
Iron sharpens iron. Sisters hold up mirrors and have wide shoulders–not to mention large coffee mugs. You inspire me J-girl. And for anyone out there still waiting for a critique group, start by praying and writing. Then test the waters and don’t be afraid to move on if it’s not a good fit. Be patient. Don’t be afraid to reach out. One of the most amazing and motivating things in our critique group is that each of us has a different strength. When we are stuck, there’s always someone there to offer her gifts of insight. But it didn’t just appear out of thin air, we waited on God first.
Beta readers are a fantastic source of encouragement and motivation. And cold hard facts.
I just got off the phone with my friend, Monique. She messaged me that the name I’d chosen for a long dead Frenchman was not correct. Because, apparently, the name Caissie was not present around Paris in the 1850’s. But you all knew that, already, oui?
(Andrew probably did…)
And le premiere nom Étienne wasn’t acceptable either.
So, besides telling me flat out to not kill off Jacob,(long story) I have to change the name of the heroine’s real father in order to be historically accurate to Parisian upper-class social structure in 1850.
It is much easier to say “I didn’t know that” and enjoy the process of correcting a faux pas, which translates to “false step”, than to explain away why I allowed something wrong to make it to print and then lose my credibility.
Knowing someone has my back on such a minor detail not only makes me thankful for her eagle eye, but her input makes my work better, it helps me learn to humility, shows her that I’m aiming high and accept correction when it’s needed, and makes her fully engaged in the writing process.
And it builds a fanbase where none existed. When that book comes out? There will be a bunch of Francophone friends and family, as well as hockey-moms, and provincial government colleagues of Monique who will be buying my book because she was a part of it. And she’ll make them pay full price, too!
One tiny seed of involvement grows and grows, and pushes me to do my best.
Yep.
Amen. 🙂
Jennifer, that’s an attitude for success. Well said.
Mary, I forgot to mention, your description of your workplace, with its north light…it reminded me of the second book (“Glamorous Powers”) in Susan Howatch’s “Starbridge” series, in which the C of E monk, Jonathan Darrow, is moved to change his life by a vision that centered around a “light from the north”.
He was in prayer, and was illuminated by a light through a north-facing window.
Not an issue for an Australian or a Kiwi (or a Boer), but for an Englishman…well, it was an attention-getter.
Andrew, I’ll remember that, especially as I begin the day in the Bible and prayer.
I’m definitely big on environmental motivation, which can be a blessing, but also hold me back–if I’m not in the “right” environment. I love what you said, “if you discipline yourself to use them as motivation…” We can discipline ourselves to use many things as motivation, and also discipline ourselves to not let lack of motivation keep us away from writing. The writing life, for me, boils down to discipline. And I admit, it is so hard!
True, Sondra. When motivation is in short supply, for whatever reason, discipline must take over while the motivation tank is being refilled. Attending a writers conference or joining a challenging critique group might be the remedy. Or trying a few of the suggestions offered today might be enough to recharge. Replenishing those factors that motivate is part of a writer’s self-care.
Question: how do you even get writer friends when you’re just getting started on the adventurous journey of becoming a writer? 🙂
This blog is a great place to start, William. 🙂
William, go to a writers conference, especially a Christian one. I’ve met some of my closest friends at those. Writing is a solitary job, but writers are communicators and when we get together we click. Of course that happens online, too, but it’s not the same as meeting in person. And you might find a local critique group you can join, but those vary a lot in what kind of people participate. Years ago I tried one but I was writing a Christian children’s book and other people there wrote soft porn. Needless to say, I didn’t stay in that group.
I hear you, William. My home is located in a remote town. The closest writer’s group is an hour away and conferences even further…like 3 to 6 hours further. Because of this, I depend on social media. Can’t imagine what life would be like without the internet. I met one of my best friends though a Yahoo group. She’s been a tremendous blessing to me. After six years of online interaction, I finally got to visit her and her husband two summers ago. She lives where my current WIP is set, so I did some book research too. Talk about motivation!
Good suggestions given by commenters here, William. Following this blog and other agency and author blogs, attending writers conferences where you can connect with other writers, devouring books on writing to develop your craft are excellent places to begin.
I’m the oddball, Mary. I’ll admit it. I don’t like sunshine, especially when it’s “pouring in.” My eyes are quite sensitive to sunlight, and then I squint. Squinting hurts and give me a headache. I love rainy/snowy days, overcast, with candles and twinkle lights and a big mug of hot coffee.
Just this week, I tweaked my blog, identifying my brand a bit more. I also have a series I’m introducing next week. It’s a bit early to identify my readers’ response, but it’s motivated me not only to keep reaching out to readers but also to write (I pray that it’s prolific) in my chosen genre. Thank you for the motivation you and all the agents and other writers provide here.
Ooh…candles and twinkle lights and hot coffee works too, Meghan. You sound motivated by the work you’ve done on your blog and your author brand. Celebrate the progress you feel you’ve made.
Great suggestions, Mary! I gained some new ideas from this post.
For me, the best motivator is knowing I have a small uninterrupted window while my daughter is at preschool. It forces me to prioritize what needs to get done and stay focused. Then I save the tasks that can more easily handle interruptions (social media, etc.) for other times in the day.
Sarah, you are blessed that you can respond productively to a disciplined amount of writing time and work the rest in while keeping home and family in their rightful place of priority. That’s a recipe for success.
Y’all always have such wonderful posts and discussions here…I hope I don’t ever take you for granted! Truly, it’s a blessing to be part of this community.
Once I grasp the heart of a story, that motivates me to tell it. And learning about the true stories that I want to reflect and tell through fiction.
In terms of social media, I saw a big jump in my Facebook page connections in December through the little “Journey Toward Bethlehem” series I did with pictures and snippets of biblical fiction telling the Christmas story through various Nativity characters’ eyes. The posts reached hundreds of people, and I got several new followers and likes, and a few new subscribers for my blog. It was definitely motivating to connect with readers I didn’t even know through it and see them be touched, but since Christmas is over, I’m struggling to know how to keep engaging and giving them content they’d like to see. I guess it’s all a journey of learning!
Blessings. 🙂
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
A.A. Milne