A new crop of novel writers last night reminded me once again of the motivation and discipline involved in completing a novel-length work. The most common reason for enrolling in my classes is just that: writers want to be held accountable for producing word count.
Writing Tip for Today: Finding and keeping writing motivation is simple but not easy. As Steven Pressfield reminds us in the excellent book, The War of Art, the only thing standing in a writer’s way is resistance. Overcome all forms of resistance by employing these strategies:

• Think of yourself as a professional writer, even if you’re just starting on the writing journey. If you believe you’re a pro, it forces those around you to respect your writing time. This includes family and well-meaning friends who regard your writing as a “little hobby.”
• Set up a writing schedule that fits your “season of life.” If you are a young parent, you might have less time than a retired empty-nester. But you can set up a schedule and SHOW UP, get in as much WORD COUNT as possible for the time you allot to writing.
• Create an appealing space. Is your writing area a place you can’t wait to get to? Or is it buried under bills, magazines or other distractions? Do something this week to spruce up your writing area–even if it’s a closet or the kitchen table.
• Once you do the above things, promise yourself you will get your BIC (Bottom in Chair), even if all you write is crap. In fact, crap is better, because you must eliminate the editor’s voices in order to free yourself to write the crap. If you panic as you sit in front of the screen, remember that most writers (even famous ones) panic each time they sit down to write. This isn’t an excuse. If you have to write stream of consciousness or do writing exercises, then that’s OK. Chances are, you will tire of typing nonsense and allow your story to speak.
• Write that one-inch window. Anne Lamott advises writers to take it “bird by bird.” A novel is an overwhelming task. But if you only need to write a single scene, that’s more doable. You can do it. You’re a pro.