Jennifer is getting rave reviews for Jinx, the third in her Bigtime series about the fun world of superheroes and ubervillians, with a heroine whose superpower is luck — bad luck as well as good — who is falling for the dashing Debonair. Jennifer is giving a copy of Jinx to one lucky commenter. She’ll announce the winner later tonight.
The Fast and the Motivated
First of all, I want to say thanks to Edie and the rest of the Magical Musings gals for having me back. You guys are great!
Okay, on to my blog of the day. Since I started this writing gig, I’ve had several people tell me that I’m a “fast” writer. Their words, not mine.
I don’t really think I’m that fast. Sure, I can write a couple thousand words a day when I’m on a roll, but they’re not all good, keeper words. Some of the sentences literally say “And then stuff happens” or “And then they make mad monkey love.”
Okay, I might be kidding about the “mad monkey love” sentence – but only a little. ?
Knocking out a craptastic rough draft in a few weeks is just how I work. Part of my own personal, twisted process. Does that make me “fast”? I don’t think so. Instead, I prefer to think of myself as “motivated.”
Very, very motivated.
I think motivation is the real key when it comes to being a writer. Motivation is more important than raw talent, more important than luck, and especially more important than being “fast.” Writing is hard, difficult, exhausting, nerve-racking – and that’s if things are going well.
If you’re not motivated to write, to finish that first draft, how are you going to make yourself do all the other stuff that goes along with being an author? Because there’s a lot of other work that goes along with this writing gig, from standing in line at the post office to booking ads to introducing yourself to the folks at your local bookstore. You need motivation for all that.
There are also lots of unpleasant things that come with being an author – bad reviews, weak sales, your publisher deciding not to buy more of your books. Motivation can help keep you going through all of that – and worse. My agent is fond of saying “onward and upward!” and it’s something that I’ve really tried to take to heart. Every setback just motivates me to work that much harder, to try to write that much better.
So how do I stay motivated? Here are some tips and tricks that help me. Maybe they’ll help you too.
My day job: Like all authors, I want to quit the day job and write full-time. Getting up early is one of my least favorite things to do. So is shivering in the cold while waiting for my car to defrost in the morning. And working in an office that feels like a meat locker, even in the summer. Or having to stick my lunch in the refrigerator with two-month-old Chinese food and sour cream that now resembles mashed peas. (I’m not kidding about these things. There are strange, new life forms in the refrigerator at my day job – and smells. Oh, the smells.)
I dream of the halcyon days when I can sleep until eight (or later!), pad into my home office in my robe and pajamas, wrap a blanket around my feet, and get to work. Not to mention lunchtime when I can get food out of my own clean, sparkling, smell-free refrigerator.
Money: I like it. I want more of it. Enough said.
Small rewards: I’m a big believer in treating yourself. Life’s too short not to indulge every once in a while. So whenever I get a little closer to a goal, I buy myself something. A new book I’ve been dying to read, a chocolate milkshake from Sonic, a new nail polish or lip gloss. A treat can do wonders for your mood. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Ten bucks will get you a paperback and a milkshake. And what could be better than that?
Time off: Every time I finish a project, I take a few days off to rest my aching carpal tunnel wrist, relax, and recharge. I still work on small things, like cleaning off my desk or mailing bookmarks, but I don’t write for a few days. And I also do fun stuff, like read or watch DVDs or go shopping.
Fan mail: It might be old-fashioned and cheesy, but I keep every single fan letter and e-mail that I get. Every single one. When I’m feeling down because of a bad review or less than motivated for whatever reason, I’ll read back through these. It always amazes me that people like my books enough to take the time to write and tell me so. Reading these letters always makes me want to write bigger and better and yes, faster, so I don’t disappoint folks the next time they pick up one of my books.
Kermit the Frog once said it’s not easy being green. It’s not easy staying motivated either. But to quote a line from “The Waterboy,” you can do it! 
What about you? How do you stay motivated? Share in the comments.
Jennifer, thanks for another great blog! I’ve seen refrigerators like that at work places. So glad I don’t use them again.
I’d love to say I’m motivated by money, but I know I would have made a lot more money now if I’d stuck to something else. I have a passion inside me to write and to be published. I guess that’s what keeps me writing. But of course I dream of the big deal. What writer doesn’t?
Great blog, Jennifer, and thanks for coming back!
I stay motivated for a couple of the same reasons as you do. But I’d add that the passage of time motivates me as well. As the days slip by, I find myself turning up the heat on my writing, because, well, there are so many stories, so little time, and if I don’t have them finished, I can’t send them out.
Thanks for having me back, guys! I really appreciate it.
Edie — Yeah, the work refrigerator is not a pretty sight. There are strange and curious life forms inside it.
I think all writers have that passion you’re talking about. It’s what motivates us to sit down in front of the computer in the first place. And dream big.
Michelle — I know what you mean. I have so many book ideas I’d like to explore, but I know I’ll just never have time to work on them all. Sigh.
Ooo.. Money! That definitely motivates me. Also, knowing that people appreciate your work is a great motivator.
Jinx sounds like a great and fun read!
A clean, sparking refrigerator? Oh, geeze. I go eat OUT to avoid my refrigerator, LOL!
You know, money used to be really good at motivating me. In fact, I’m sure I’ve said that on this blog before, that I feared I wouldn’t finish anything if it weren’t for the money.
Now I don’t know. I suppose I’m struggling to find a new motivation, but haven’t found it. I’m still writing. Just not with the drive I’d been writing with, before.
Deadlines help. But I need some quiet time to figure out which direction I want to go in, writing-wise. Or the universe, LOL.
Great topic, and good luck, Jennifer!
I’m the last person to ask about staying motivated! But all your reasons resonated with me… absolutely.
Sometimes I can be really, deeply motivated… and still have a noticeable canyon between being motivated and prioritising writing over everything else. I don’t know what’s in that canyon, but I do wish I could build a permanent bridge, instead of swinging across it on a fraying rope now and then… ggg
First thing to Edie – I really love the look of your blog. Clean. Uncluttered. Love the flowers.
On to Jennifer – Great blog. I don’t have DDJ. I’m home all day, so you’d think I’d do as you described (write in my pj’s all day long, etc) but that’s not what happens. You get “distracted” at home. The carpets need vacuuming. The dogs was out-in-out-in, etc. The washer buzzer goes off and you have to move the clothes to the dryer, which only leads to the dryer buzzer going off, etc. THEN to make matters worse, my husband is retired and home with me all day. Now, I ADORE my husband and that’s kind of the problem. He is the biggest distraction I have. He loves to talk…yak yak yak. It is getting to the point that I’m probably going to have to move to the library or Starbucks or somewhere else to write.
Rewards – you chocolate shake from Sonic. Good, BUT have you tried their Chiller Javas? Whatever you do, don’t look at the calories! LOL Try the chocolate & caramel chiller java. Nothing will motivate you more than chocolate and caffeine.
Bunny — Writing is work, and it’s great to be paid for your time and effort. But you’re right. Knowing people like your work makes all the effort and drama and sweat worthwhile.
Spyscribbler — I’m sure your frig is fine. Especially compared to my work frig. Seriously. People leave stuff in it for *months* at a time. Who would want to eat three-month-old pizza? Blech!
I think it’s okay not to write sometimes. There are days when I have zero motivation to write (despite the things listed above). On those days, I try to take care of other stuff, like mailing bookmarks, answering e-mails, etc. That way I still feel like I’m accomplishing something toward my ultimate goal of world domination.
Anna — I think for me that canyon is all the other fun things I could be doing — like reading or watching TV. I don’t think it matters how you get across the canyon, as long as you get there!
Cyndi — Yeah, I get distracted at home too by chores and the phone ringing and everything else. Which is why I pretty much hole up in my office on Sundays and work most of the day. That’s my one day I have to myself (relatively speaking). There are no chores, just writing on that day!
I don’t drink coffee so I’m not sure I’d like the Chillers. But when I get tired of chocolate shakes, there’s always the strawberry cream pie. Yummy!
Jennifer, I loved your blog. Oh, how I would love to quit the day job and have the opportunity to write all day. Why don’t I? And that’s where money comes into play. A motivator, you say? Yes, in so many ways.
Although, right now ARCyndi now has me thinking chocolate & caramel chiller java. Never had one, but I’m motivated to try one.
Bunny, I’ve read an arc of JINX, and it is a great and fun read!
Spy, I’ll tell you my secret to keeping the old, smelly things out of my refrigerator. My dog. She eats almost anything.
Cyndi, thank you so much! Our blog mommy, Michelle, gets all the credit for the look of the blog.
Good morning, Edie and MM and good morning, Jennifer! I’m bookmarking this blog. Your comments are spot on and inspirational. Looks like your well on your way to quitting that day job, and now I need everyone to delete their posts so I can win JINX.
Okay, okay, I’ll rush out to the bookstore. Thanks, Jennifer, wise words and great blog.
Jennifer, I loved your motivation tips. As an unpubbed author, I find that to be my biggest challenge. I am always looking for little things to get me going.
I agree with Cyndi and others who said working at home is a big distraction. I find I do my best writing around midnight. Then I sleep till 8 and run around in pj’s all day. Not really!!
I do have a question for you. You mentioned it takes a few weeks to write a crap first draft. That alone has me bowing at your feet. I write ST and it takes at least 6 months for the final draft for me. Thank God, money is not my motivator. Anyway, I wondered how long it takes to do the editing to get that manuscript out the door?
Again, thanks for the great topic.
Whew, I hear ya on all those motivators. Great post, thanks for it!
LOL! Edie, I’ve been thinking about getting a dog!
Jennifer, Magical loves having you for a guest!
And love your motivation list too. I’m a firm believer in the reward system. For me, it’s books and play-time. Had to laugh at the community fridge, been there and done that.
Ya know, years ago when I was really “green” at one of my first conferences, I sat next to a lady and we struck up a conversation. She told me she didn’t work outside the home, had access to her husbands office, and all his fancy doo-dads, and thought she’d like to be a writer. Ah, at the time I was working full-time, raising my girls, writing on a portable typewriter. The contrast couldn’t have been wider.
So, fast-forward a dozen years or so, and I’m at home now and have an office. Not sure how current my doo-dads are, but I never forgot the dream of spending my days writing. That’s what motivates me…I remember what it felt like not having enough time, not having a room to myself to work in. I don’t want to waste my chances by taking them for granted.
I am motivated by money, though I don’t need THAT much of it. I’d just like to break even with my writing and reading expenses, including child care, so I can enjoy my career without guilt
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I’m just coming out of a 6 month slump so motivation is high on my list of Things To Do. I want to stay motivated so lately I’ve been reading a lot of agent and author blogs. A LOT. (Google Reader ROCKS.) Plus, I’ve found that talking with other writers in various places (loops, email, blog comments…) it helps keep me inspired and motivated to write.
Writing is lonely, hard, dirty work. We can’t do it without each other. I think having those folks around who are a sounding board helps immensely in keeping the motivation up.
Great post and best wishes on your new book! It sounds great!
Alas, I am also motivated by money, but sometimes anger motivates me. When someone pisses me off, I want to prove them wrong and slap in their face. It’s the thrill and excitement of showing them that you’re worth something and can do it.
I love that comment about mad monkey love, I’d heard wild bunny sex but never monkey so that got a chuckle out me. I also agree with the small rewards ever once in a while, give yourself pat on the back and indulge yourself even if it’s a chocolate milkshake. It’s delicious!
Liz — I usually write a rough draft in about 3 or 4 weeks. And it is *craptastic*. It’s usually about 50,000 words or so and is just the major scenes in the book — a way for me to see if the overall story is going to work.
Then, I go back and start my second draft and add in much more description, emotion, conflict, etc. I usually do about four or five drafts before I’m satisfied enough to send something to my agent. I’d say it usually takes me about 3 or 4 months overall.
Although I just finished writing a sequel to a new urban fantasy series I’m working on. I wrote that one in six weeks. Fastest I’ve ever written a book, but the story just really flowed. When the story flows, I can work quicker. When it doesn’t, well, that’s when the blahs set in sometimes.
And thanks to everyone who enjoyed today’s blog and for your nice words. I really appreciate them!
Got some more questions? Ask away.
Cripes!!! You list is amazingly similar to my own. I’m at the point where I gotta get up at 5:00 a.m. in order to get ANY writing done before heading off to the day job. So unless I have sufficient (i.e. copious) cups of tea in me, the writing tends to be crap, IMO.
Great blog, Jennifer. Thanx for joining for another go-around of guest blogging.
Howdy Jennifer!
I just wanted to say that I love the idea for your series. I picked up Karma Girl recently and can’t wait to read the rest.
Motivation is my weakness, I seem to lose my focus after writing a few chapters. I’m only now slowly getting over that hump.
My question to you would be, how do you deal with the bad stuff that comes to writing, especially bad reviews?
Thanks
~ Popin
Hi, Jennifer! Great post! And you’re right–I don’t think there is a much greater reward than milkshake (chocolate, please) and a good book.
Personally, I’m rather partial to those new Culvers “Coolers” … strawberry/mango please. That’s an incentive for me.
I save “inspirational” articles and blog posts–especially those featuring artists/musicians/writers/etc. who kept plugging away despite 5, 10, 15, even 20 years worth of setbacks and/or rejections. I remember that I’d be writing whether someone else liked it or not, so I may as well do everything I can to hone my craft and get my work in front of knowledgeable eyes. And while always keep in mind that writing is not brain surgery, or life-saving intervention in places like Darfur, books have always had a huge impact on my life and have helped *me* through very difficult times. It’s my hope to do the same for someone else…
Great blog post, Jennifer!
I’m with Cyndi in that I write full time with a husband at home. Love LaDonna’s comments about staying motivated at home – thanks! I think I need to structure my day more…
Jennifer,
Great post! I was lucky enough to quit the day job about 6 months ago and write full time. Haven’t sold a manuscript yet, but I am making some substantial progress on finishing and revising those crappy early drafts of projects. I’m having to schedule time for workouts. Who knew sitting at a computer for 10 hours a day would put weight on?? So, no milkshakes for me, I’m afraid.
I do find visual aids are great motivators for me. I have a paper calendar hanging near my computer where I track my daily word count. And quotes–I love quotes! I have reminders posted on my computer: “I am Diligent.” and “Choose Well.” And this quote from Amelia Earhart:
“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” Enough said.
Except–is there anyone out there who writes a PRISTINE first draft? I thought they were *supposed* to be crappy!
Thanks for the motivation!
Hey Jennifer,
Have you considered printing out those fan emails and putting them into a scrapbook of sorts? You could call it your Happy book or some other such silly name.
So you can pull it out whenever you need to without having to get on the computer and dig through emails lol.
My crap draft is very very bad too. I don’t normally do the whole (insert scene here) thing, but I do end up writing what basically amounts to “and then, and then, and then” I get very stuck in the and then’s. lol.
And congrats! Your cover looks awesome. I saw it in RT Book Reviews and it definitely looks like a kickass book!
WE HAVE A WINNER! Jennifer asked me to post the winner. Congratulations, ArkansasCyndi! You won the copy of Jennifer’s latest book, JINX. I’ll be in touch to get your address.
YAY ME!!!!
thank you, Jennifer. I didn’t want to slobber at your feet, but I am such a fan!
This will go to the TOP of my TBR pile.
THANK YOU AGAIN
Ooo.. lucky ArkansasCyndi!!
Congrats!
Popin — I won’t lie to you. Bad reviews sting. One of the worst ones I ever got was “insipid.” That was the total review, one little word.
So how do I deal? Most of the time, I can shrug it off pretty easily. I work at a newspaper, so I’m used to people complaining and/or yelling at me. Often, for no reason or over things I don’t have anything to do with. You wouldn’t believe the calls we get … but that’s a post for another time.
Sometimes, I just mope around or complain to my significant other. He usually tells me to man up and get back to work. So I do. Working/writing helps me focus on something other than the review.
Some bad reviews fire me up and make me want to write an even better book that will blow the reviewer’s socks off.
Basically, though, I think you have to give yourself a moment or an hour or even a day to be depressed or angry or whatever. And then, you’ve got to suck it up and get back to work.
Zoe — If I had any scrapbooking skills whatsoever, I would totally make a Happy Book! That is a really awesome idea. My mom’s a real Martha Stewart type. Maybe I can get her to do it for me …
Cyndi — You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy Jinx!
Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and leave a comment. You guys have been great, as always!