Revive Your Drive to Write

 

The quote for today says:  If you truly are going to be a writer, there must be somewhere within you the drive, the desire, to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and actually write. 

It's worth reading a second and third time. Let the words sink in. 

There are many 'sometimes writers." They're the ones who 'sometimes find time to write, who sometimes make time to write, who sometimes think about writing, who sometimes finish a writing project, who sometimes adhere to the requirements of their writing group, who sometimes get inspired to write.' 

If you want to proceed at a regular pace on your writing journey, you can't be a 'sometimes writer.' You'll get nowhere fast. You'll have little to no satisfaction in your writing life. Many 'sometimes writers' say things like 'I want to write. I really do.' 'One of these days, I'm going to get my novel started (or finished).' 'If only there weren't so many other things to do, I'd write.'

People who say things like the above don't have a very strong desire to write. The drive isn't there. How do you regain the deep desire and drive to write that you may have had when you first started your writing journey?

There's no sure cure, but I would try the following to see if it helps revive your drive to write. 

A.  Read a book (or several) about the writing craft.

B.  Attend a writing workshop or conference.

C.  Set aside half an hour to write and do it every day.

D.  Make a list of short-term goals.

E.  Visit with a writer friend.

F.  Recommit to the requirements of your writing group

G.  Give thought to your original reasons that made you want to write.

We often must look for inspiration rather than sit in a chair in front of the tv and wait for it to arrive. Jack London's well-known quote speaks to this quite well. "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." He's right. You must have the drive and determination to spark your writing life into fruition again. 

Once again, no one else can make your writing life fulfilling and productive. It's entirely up to you.