Organizing Motivation – A Writer’s Perspective
By Cynthia Spurr on Jan 29, 2010 in writing
Procrastination. That’s what I do best. So in an effort to change my ways this year, I decided to enlist some help. The first step was to start with some one that I think of as a highly organized and deadline oriented writer. Even after the interview I’m still not sure how she does it.
Amy Laurel is a screenwriter in the Chicago area with a screenplay The Haan Blade in development. You can check out her progress at www.amylaurel.com.
Amy moved from a 9-5 job in sales and writing 3 pages a day to working full-time as a writer. After becoming the leisurely writer that she is today (meaning no day job pressures) she found that her writing increased from 3 pages a day to 15, and manages on average 30-50 pages. In the beginning Amy found that an online class helped her get comfortable in the “I’m a writer” mentality. It was the first time that she had shown her written work to anyone other that her family “who had liked her work because they had to.”
The writing class gave her honest, no strings attached feedback. I think she was surprised that most people liked her work. But with that and the support of her family, she has successfully moved from her day job to writing full-time.
Despite the fact that Amy writes for a living, organization is still key and like those of us still slogging away at jobs-to-pay-the-bills, she has to remain as focused as the rest of us.
Organization
For those of us in the JTPTBs arena, she recommends carving out a set time EVERY DAY to write. Once the time is identified then set a realistic goal for that time. For example, while she was still doing that 9-5 job she would come home from work, change, then before doing anything else she would sit and write 3 pages. There were no exceptions to the rule. Ok, sure life happens once in a while, but with the no exceptions rule, writing occurred more often than not.
So maybe you can’t write between work and dinner. Try setting aside an hour after the kids go to bed or prior to the kids getting up. Write on your lunch break. Set a realistic page goal. What ever the goal or the time, have one and stick to it.
Don’t worry about what comes out on the paper. Maybe you keep all 3 pages, maybe you only keep one sentence, but whatever comes out you’ll know that you won’t forget where you are going and the motivation to write more will inspire you for the next day.
Amy managed to write 3 pages a day (about 1 hour a day) for 2 years and finished 3 novellas with this structure.
Not sure where she found the patience, but then I didn’t ask that question.
Structure
Like everything in life, whether you’re writing around a day job or doing it full time, you must create a schedule. Just like being back in high school, define what you do hour by hour. You know, like 8-9 Breakfast. 9-11 Work on novel. 11-11:15 take a break. 11:15-1 do research for the novel. 1-2 lunch.
Well, you get the jist. Just set your times and go to work. There are days that will flow and other days that won’t. The trick is not to let yourself get sidetracked because of one bad day.
Story board your work. Now I thought this was a good idea if you’re a screenwriter, but she informed me that she does this with all her writing, to include novels. It helps her layout the time-line and see where possible problems will occur in the flow of things.
Walls use them to put things on: storyboards, character lists, white board with ideas, music play lists for a particular character, anything that will help you walk into your office, see your novel and get motivated. Put it on the wall, that’s what they’re there for. If you know that your wall is a mint green, you shouldn’t. It should be white boards, sticky notes, and white paper with notes.
Writing Groups
I agree with Amy when she says: “Find a writing group.” Every writer should have a group. If nothing else, to know that you are not alone in how you feel or your struggles to become a successful writer.
Look for a group that meets your needs, has a solid structure, holds you accountable, and provides valid and helpful feedback in a consistent manner.
Amy and I each have our own writing groups. Hers works a little different than mine, as her group has writers in more than one location and focuses mainly on screenwriting. Mine is a locally based group where we meet face to face and focuses mainly on novels with some poetry thrown in.
PS: Can’t find a group, create one, that’s what I did.
Recommended References
There were several things that Amy recommended for motivational as well as industry related news.
She highly recommends 101 Habits of a Successful Screenwriter by Karl Iglesias.While this sounds like a screenwriters oriented book, she says, “Excellent writing habits for novelists and really, any kind of writer.”
Kathie Fong Yoneda helped me with my novella’s and I think it works for all writers from all walks. “She is Amazing!” Pitch & Presentation: Everything You Need to Know to Sell Your Script
Noah Lukeman of Lukeman Literary – “I am a huge fan of Noah Lukeman. He is very detailed about why things do and don’t work and is just brilliant. IMHO. 
” She recommends his book The First Five Pages *A Writers Guide To Staying Out Of The Rejection Pile. This book is specifically for writers who are editing as a stalling/fear based form of not moving on. (Hint: In my writers group you know who you are.)
Noah also has a wonderful website where writers get to ask an industry leader/professional (and as a bonus a Lit Agent) where you can download several FREE e-books, each related to querying an agent etc. etc.
Nathan Bransford of Curtis Brown is the other side of the coin. While Noah has been doing this a while, Nathan is “rather new.” So between the two agents you get a good perspective on the industry. He is very active on his blog and has a valuable list of resources to choose from.
Tips
Don’t edit as you go. Write, write, write, Get it on paper. It doesn’t have to be perfect out of the gate, but once you have a draft done most of the hard work is over. Edit only when needed and wait until you have the draft done, otherwise you’ll always be editing and will never get it done.
- Image by Getty Images via Daylife
If stuck, press on. If you can’t figure out what comes next try: “…” (notice the highlight). Come back later and fill in the highlights, don’t let a stalled moment stop you from moving forward. You may not know what comes next, that’s ok, you will later.
Don’t let life side track you. If you want to write find a way. Despite several health issues over the last few months, including a botched wrist surgery that lead to nerve damage and painful shots to block the pain she found other ways to keep writing. When the keyboard became too painful she used the voice recorder on her phone and she tried several voice to text options (some even spoke Dragon). The point is, she could have simply waited for her hand to heal, but she didn’t. If you want to write, you can find the time and a way despite life’s little obstacles.
Motivation
I intentionally left this last, even though it probably would have flowed better earlier in the post. I wanted to leave you with, well, Motivation. Finish reading this so your blood’s pumping and the ideas flowing!
Amy Says: Goals, set some. Post them wherever you will see them A LOT. Looking at your goals on a daily basis will keep it fresh in your mind where you want to go and what you want to accomplish.
Treat Yourself
When you make your goal, whatever it may be, take time and treat yourself. Go get those new shoes or a huge sundae that you never have except when it’s 90 degrees outside. Pat yourself on the back, you did a good job, you met your goal for the day, the week, the month!
Get people involved with your writing, be it friends, family or a writing group or all the above. When you stall you will find a little push from a supportive member may be all you need. It’s the little applauses from others that will keep you going.
Now go open that Word doc and let it flow!
Drop us a comment and let us know how you keep motivated and/or organized.
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Thanks for taking the time to chat with me on the phone last week, Cindy! I hope that some of my methods are useful to other writers. Thanks again for the opportunity!
xoxo
Amy
Amy Laurel | Jan 30, 2010 | Reply
Amy — thanks for your time. I learned a lot and hope that my group does too. Good luck with your writing.
Cynthia | Feb 2, 2010 | Reply
n the Professional Organizing business,they often get frantic phone calls from clients who need organizing help ASAP.
Unfortunately,because of time or money restrictions,a portion of folks aren’t able to reach their organizing goals.
mizzy from professional organizer | Mar 2, 2011 | Reply
The tip about getting stuck and moving on is good for writers block, it can be hard to express what you want at certain times so if you’re struggling, moving onto a new subject and returning to it later is definitely a good idea.
Rich Davies | Sep 29, 2011 | Reply
When you are in the corner and have no cash to move out from that, you will need to receive the loan. Just because it will help you definitely. I get commercial loan every year and feel myself OK just because of that.
AllenKristen18 | Dec 3, 2011 | Reply
Being a really good writer is quite hard task as for me!
writers | Dec 7, 2011 | Reply
This looks promising, you shouldn’t miss it.
term paper | Dec 8, 2011 | Reply