Discipline and Persistence: When in Doubt, Write

Author Mary Garden puts it frankly on the writing-discipline connection in her quote, “My block was due to two overlapping factors: laziness and lack of discipline.” There are several methods to keep in mind when attempting to finish your book, or getting started. First, let’s examine straightforward tips to help get you started writing, or tips that will help you stay more disciplined.

As you pen your novel, or write your poetry book, you may be wondering on ways to keep the inspiration consistent. You may ask yourself what are ways you can improve your writing, or motivate yourself to finish your book. Below are useful and easy tips to keep you focused, to get you started and to keep you productive.

• Seek Inspiration. Often, it can convenient to be passive, waiting for the ‘eureka moment’ to get you writing. Inspiration, however, can be all around you. Googling writer’s prompts provide you with much-needed questions for examination to get you writing.
• Find support. There is power in numbers, and finding a local writer’s group can give you access to having your work constructively critiqued, while putting you in an environment to complete your work.
• Prioritize Your Prose. Writing is work; work is dedicated focus. Scheduling a personal writer’s-date allows you to commit to your passion, your story—your dream while attaining the success of challenging yourself daily.
• Sift through Old Journals or Notepads. Never underestimate the inspiration that can come from old pieces of paper. Building a story from papers with one-liners can trigger important memories and get you going.

Last, but not least, a writer can gain the most inspiration from becoming a passionate reader. Reading—whether focusing on factual of fictional content—sets a standard for formatting your book, or delivering your story. There is a comfort in knowing you connect to another writer, and you can easily remain focused via your relationship to him or her.  Remembering that you and your book are both works in progress can provide you with the confidence and commitment to follow through.