Three Ways to Build Momentum

Getting into a good writing routine is almost exactly the same as getting into a good workout routine. The key is momentum. When you have it and you’re feeling good about what you’re accomplishing, it’s relatively “easy” to keep it up. At the very least, nothing compared to getting started. In my experience, getting started is pretty much the hardest thing ever. So, for me the best thing to do is break it down, come up with a plan of attack, and take the pressure off starting. Here are three strategies I use to help build momentum:

1. Write during commercials. This takes pressure off for some reason because it’s such a short spurt and you can relax your brain a bit on the off times. It makes getting started much easier and that’s normally my biggest struggle anyhow.

2. Write 500 words an hour. Say you start your writing at 9 AM. You have a whole hour to write those 500 words. If you finish fast, then you can walk around, take a break, do whatever for the remaining time. Or you can spread it out, doing the requisite procrastinating while writing, but not getting up from the computer. At 10 AM, you go again. This works well if you have large chunks of time.

3. Create a challenge with a friend. Jen Hayley and I did a 10k weekend challenge. We could split it up over the days however we wanted, but the deal was at the end of the weekend we knew we would have tacked on an extra 10k to our manuscript. That’s a big boost in morale. And it’s fun because you have support and somebody to whine to–never underestimate the value of a little whining. Plus, having somebody to encourage is self-motivating.

courtesy of www.inkygirl.com