Skip to content

Localization

Primary Navigation Menu

Menu
  • Home
  • About me
    • About me
    • Diving into Writing podcast
    • Doing Diversity in Writing podcast
  • Services
    • Coaching
      • Coaching
      • 3-Month 1:1 Coaching for Writers Spring 2023
      • Private Cyprus writer’s retreats
      • Free Get Out of Your Own Way Starter Kit
    • Editing
      • Developmental editing
      • Academic editing
      • Outline critiquing
    • Blurb Writing 1:1
    • Translating
    • Samples of work
      • Sample content/developmental editing
      • Sample translation
      • Sample of writing
  • Books
    • 52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner
    • 365 Days of Gratitude Journal
    • 99 Writing Prompts and Journal Excercises for Writers
    • Tarot for Creatives
    • Get Out of Your Own Way
    • Fleshing Out the Narrative
    • Set Yourself Up for Success
    • Speak Your Truth
    • Step into Your Power
    • Seven Simple Spreads
    • Spanish
      • Tarot para creativos
      • Quítate de tu propio camino
    • Dutch
      • Tarot voor creatieven
      • Ga jezelf uit de weg
    • French
      • Le tarot pour les créatifs
    • Anthologies
    • Fiction
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Provide feedback
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy

Author mindset

5 ways to stay motivated in the new year

2023-01-25
By Mariëlle
On 25 January 2023
In Author mindset
With 0 Comments

This blogpost was originally published as a guest post about the third volume of the 52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner for Deborah-Zenha Adams.

5 ways to stay motivated in the new year

The past two years have challenged us all and it can be hard to stay motivated when it feels like the world is coming undone. Below, I share five of the ways I’ve kept my coaching clients motivated during the pandemic.

Know why you write

Knowing the why behind your writing will keep you motivated when the going gets tough. It will also help you decide whether or not certain opportunities are aligned with you.

If you find yourself struggling to finish a writing project, think about the why behind your writing – it helps to write it down somewhere – and how the project you’re struggling with relates to that why. Being reminded of how exactly a project fits your dreams and desires is a great motivator.

Set realistic goals

If you can dream it, you can be it, but it’s difficult to reach your dreams without breaking down your goals.

The smaller the pieces you break your big goals up into, the more attainable they are. The more attainable – and realistic – your goals, the more often you get that dopamine hit that will help you tackle the next goal and move closer towards your dream.

Take breaks to fill your creative well

It’s OK to take breaks from your writing projects, even if you don’t have much time for writing to begin with.

Just make sure you’re intentional about any breaks you’re taking. One of the prompts in Volume II of 52 Weeks of Writing suggests asking the following questions before you step away from your writing:

  1. Why do I need this break?
  2. What are my intentions for this break?
  3. When, where, and how am I going to pick up where I left once I’m back?

Celebrate your achievements

Whether big or small, celebrate all your achievements. Better yet, write down how you’re going to celebrate for each of the goals you’ve set for the year ahead.

Knowing what lies ahead of you, what is to come if you just keep going, is another great way to keep yourself moving forwards. Regular celebrating also stops us from getting stuck in negative, demotivating thought patterns that might ask us what we’re doing it all for and convince us we’re not doing nearly enough.

Find an accountability partner

Find yourself a kindred spirit in the online or offline writing community you can share your goals and dreams with. Someone who gets what you’re dreaming of and understands how you might get in your own way.

It they’re on a similar enough path as you, even better. You can keep each other motivated and accountable as you share your struggles and wins with each other.

Author interview – Lynn Robin

2021-12-06
By Mariëlle
On 6 December 2021
In Author mindset, Interviews
With 1 Comment

Lynn Robin (1992) is an author of Paranormal Romance Dark Fantasy novels. Born and raised in the historical city of Leiden in the Netherlands, she has felt the urge to write stories ever since she was little.

She made her debut in 2017 with her Dutch series entitled the Schimmenwereld Serie (the Phantom World series, containing six books about ghosts, angels, demons, music, dance, art, and—of course—love). With the fourth instalment, Schimmendroom (Phantom Dream), she won the Best Book of 2018 award chosen by the jury of The Indie Awards.Read More →

Author interview – Erato Ioannou

2021-11-29
By Mariëlle
On 29 November 2021
In Author mindset, Interviews
With 0 Comments

Erato Ioannou is a writer from Cyprus. Since the publication of her first book Cats Have It All (Armida, 2004), her work has appeared in journals and anthologies around the world. Her most recent collection Not in the Ornamental Teapot was published in September 2020. The collection includes her short story ‘Deserted’, which was shortlisted for the 2019 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Not in the Ornamental Teapot was translated into Spanish. The Greek translation will be out in the coming months by Govostis Publishing House in Greece.Read More →

Author interview – Ann Driessen

2021-11-15
By Mariëlle
On 15 November 2021
In Author mindset, Interviews
With 0 Comments

Ann Driessen (67) is the author of five books. Ann studied Communication Sciences at the University of Leuven, is married, has two daughters, and one grandson. She was a freelance journalist for newspapers and magazines for thirty years and wrote more than 4000 articles for newspapers and magazines.

She’s lived in Hasselt, Leuven, Veurne, Sedrata (Algeria), Antwerp, Amersfoort (the Netherlands). In 2008, Ghent became her home base. There, she gave a different twist to her life: she became an author and volunteer. Ann combines writing blog posts and books with volunteer work for several non-profit-organizations.Read More →

Author interview – Ursula Visser

2021-10-28
By Mariëlle
On 28 October 2021
In Author mindset, Interviews
With 0 Comments

Ursula Visser was born in Spring, in the most eastern part of the Netherlands, and she still lives there with her partner. She always had a vivid fantasy, from a young age on. She adores dragons, mystic creatures, and the magic realms of fantasy books. However, sci-fi books give her an interesting look into the future, and sometimes she wishes to be able to time travel, just to see what will happen in the future or live a day in the past centuries.

Writing is her passion. Her books are available in Dutch and English.Read More →

1 2 … 18 Next →

Categories

  • Author mindset
  • Blog posts
  • Editing tips & tricks
  • Geen categorie
  • Guided meditations
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Special offers
  • The Writing Prompts
  • Weekly Editing Tips
  • Writing Diversity

Copyright © 2014-2022 M.S. Wordsmith | Terms & conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.