One of the most difficult things about writing isn’t coming up with the idea but finding the drive to finish writing a novel. There is a quote that goes something like: “writing a book is the easiest part of being a writer” and that is very true but it doesn’t take away the challenge of starting a new book.

So, are you an aspiring author? How will you stay motivated to write 60,000-100,000 words?

For myself I’ve gone through many processes to stay motivated and it is always a challenge. Let me tell you what I’ve been doing for my latest novel, my first in the New Adult genre. Maybe my method will help you in your endeavor.

This last month was my most consistent and productive writing month. This is also the first novel I’ve started writing while working 40+ hours a week. OH those day jobs! Hopefully for you, you have the summer off. Either way if you form manageable goals, you can do it.

My motivation is my star chart. One star for every 500 words. Some authors that use this motivation will not do anything under 500 words, however I will cut my stars in half for 250 words :P. There is no rounding up, only down, so if you write 1115 words you get 2 stars only. That 115 extra isn’t counted.

For me I’ve found that 5000 words a week is a good goal. This means I’ll strive to write 1000 words a night, 5 days in the week. 2 days off! Of course this doesn’t always work. This month may have been awesome but what about January? I wrote a total of 2500 words in that month :( and I didn’t even bother writing in February.



It is important to remember that you might not always meet your weekly writing goal but if you set your goals within short periods of time, they can be easier to accomplish. Find what works for you, whether that is a nightly, weekly, monthly, or yearly goal.

I’ve found that if I tell people about my goals, I feel more inclined to accomplish them. For example if you go to the gym alone, who cares if you cancel? But if you go to the gym with a friend every week you are probably going to make yourself get out of bed and go.

One way I’ve started to hold myself to my goal is to post my finished star chart for the month on Twitter. This helps drive me to meet my writing goals when I’m dying to go to bed.

I have a quote above my computer by Laini Taylor: “Be an unstoppable force. Write with an imaginary machete strapped to your thigh. This is not wishy-washy, polite, drinking-tea-with-your-pinkie-sticking-out stuff. It’s who you want to be, your most powerful self. Write your books. Finish them, then make them better. Find the way. No one will make this dream come true for you but you.”


How some of my author friends stay motivated:
-Write a page a day
-Reward yourself with gifts/money/treats when you accomplish a goal (this doesn’t have to be the whole book! Remember smaller goals are more manageable and they will add up to the full goal eventually).

Writers block? Power through it. Skip the chapter you are writing. Write the synopsis instead. Make a character chart. Start at the last chapter and go backwards. Don’t let anything stop you! Remember, “write with an imaginary machete strapped to your thigh!”