Finding your motivation...

EdgesAngel23 said...
Hi Alyisa, I have been working on my first novel for what feels like forever, I'm writing the second draft now, but it seems to just be stuck. How do you stay motivated? Have you ever had to just give up on a story and start something else?

Hi Ashley!

First off, the answer to your second question is YES! I think I have about three stories at the moment that I’m three chapters into and haven’t touched any of them in over a year. I also think there are many, many authors who start a story and never finish it. Have you heard of NaNo? National Novel Writing Month? Check it out. It comes in November and they inspire you to write a new book, 50,000 words, in a month. I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but I did it and I think I have a great first draft!

Your first question I will answer this way. You need to ask yourself “why am I not motivated?” Is there something about your story that you don’t like? Is there a character you’re not really feeling? Or have you just read the thing too many times that you just can’t read it any more?

I have read How the Hart Breaks more times than I can count. Unfortunately, it’s part of the editing process. Perhaps you need to take a break from this story and start on another one. Or ask yourself what it was that motivated you to write the story in the first place and get back your motivation that way.

I’m currently in the editing/revising process of my second novel, From the Hart, and I found myself dragging my feet. I didn’t want to work on it. In fact, I chose doing homework over revising my story. I discovered that the reason I didn’t want to write my story was because I’d fallen out of love with one of my characters and the part I was working on was a scene he was in. I had to fall in love with him again and I have. Now, editing is going smoothly. :)

Hope that helps, Ashley! Happy writing!

Alysia
www.alysialyons.com

Advice from an Author

After having multiple readers write to me asking questions about writing, it occurred to me that people seek advice from experts. Some believe that a published author is an expert in the field of writing. In some ways, I believe this to be true. I wanted this blog to help writers in their journey of becoming published authors. I enjoy helping people and answering questions so think of this blog as a place to go to find answers to your writing questions. Ask away! :)