Avoiding Blogger Burnout: Tips and Tricks to Stay Motivated

When I first started blogging, I was nervous. I remember the excitement and worry of each new post. I remember wondering if anyone would even read my posts, and being insecure about what they would think. I wondered if I might be brave enough to use my real name someday or --gasp-- my real picture. Then people started commenting. And following. And I wondered who the people were who commented and followed. I wondered what their blogs were like and what they wrote.

Eventually I made friends and saw them use real names... real pictures... before I knew it, so did I. Then along came Twitter and my world grew even larger. Thanks to Blogger and Twitter, I've made some of the closest friendships of my life. I've also found community in an otherwise rather lonely writing world.

But as time went on, blogging became less of a joy and more of a burden. I could easily go days or weeks without even thinking about it.

Is that such a bad thing? My blog is mine, a pseudo-personal space for me to be wholly and completely a writer. Non-online life takes precedent, and there are a multitude of other distractions online to keep a writer from his or her blog. Not to mention, well... the writing of the novel itself. Is the blog really even necessary?

Maybe not, but writing in any form exercises the mind. There is something to be said for the discipline of maintaining a blog and the ability to hold an audience. So, how do you stay motivated? Here are a few tips and tricks to try:

1. Create a Schedule

By setting a specific day and time when you sit down with your blog, you'll be less likely to accidentally go long periods without an update. Readers may also find it useful to know that you have a given day when fresh content will be up.

2. Slow Down

Some bloggers can write a daily blog post. I admit that I started this way during my first few months of blogging. But sustaining that kind of content long-term may not be realistic. Try setting a goal of weekly updates, and if anything extra comes up you can always add it in or schedule the post so you're ahead.

3. Drop the Guilt

There are so many fantastic blogs written by amazing people. It's not possible to visit them all, much less comment on all of them. When you do find a moment to read a blog, sometimes clicking the Share button is faster than commenting, and you can still show the author that you enjoyed their content. And the bottom line is, if you don't have time to get to other people's blogs, that's okay. They'll understand, just as you do.

4. Take a Break

Taking a step away from blogging can leave you feeling refreshed and ready to come back. If you know when you'll be back, leave a message on your page letting your readers know. If after some time you see that you're still not motivated to come back, you can always set your blog to "subscribed readers only" until you return. Your blog and all of its content will be right where you left them whenever you come back.

5. Redesign

Giving your blog a new look or adding a themes to posts ("Friday Faves", "Music Monday") can make your blog feel fun and new again.

6. Out of Ideas?

This might be the biggest hurdle to overcome. In most cases, people find websites in order to get something out of them.... specific information. But with most writer blogs I've seen, blogs are places to share about oneself; a mix between a living resume and a reflection of what's going on in that writer's life. The times I'm drawn into someone's blog voice, I tend to remember them and return. I want to be entertained. Think about why you visit someone's blog. Did you click a link on Twitter because the blog post sounded interesting? Did you want to hear opinions, or find out what a new follower was like? Did you just want to find another writer to relate to? Use these questions as jumping off points for your own blog posts because your blog is being treated similarly by other writers-- let's face it, our audience for our blog is the writing community. Take a look at your stats and see which pages have gotten the most traffic. It might surprise you.

7. Ask Yourself Why You Blog

Do you blog because you feel you have to? You may want to read this post by agent Mary Kole:Do Unpublished Writers Have to Blog? I've read other agents who differ in opinion, but the truth ultimately is, your novel matters more than you do in fiction. Blog about your cats or knitting or a day at the beach if it brings you joy, but not if it's because you feel it's the only way you'll get a book deal. Writing a great book is the only way any of us will get a book deal.

In case you're wondering, here's why I blog (pulled from my blog's sidebar):

I'm reclusive in the non-online world. I have to force myself to interact with others, though I can fake it convincingly in social settings. The truth is, I'm always drawn more to the world in my mind than the world around me... I prefer it here. I'm comfortable. But I do still want to share. I do enjoy community. I like the understanding that comes from talking to other writers. I want to find others like myself and commiserate, offer companionship, experience camaraderie and ultimately feel like I'm not all alone. So that's why I blog. And tweet. :P

~ ~ ~

Diana Paz is a web content writer and aspiring YA author. She was born in Costa Rica, grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she's a beach bum, but she did graduate from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a caramel frappuccino. Find her at her blog:dianapazwrites.blogspot.com or on Twitter @dianapazwrites

Creative Pursuits to Stimulate the Muse

Some writers have no problem coming up with new ideas, and may have so many they could never write them all. Other writers might stare at a blank screen for hours hoping for genius to strike but the muse just doesn't want to cooperate.

In either case, a mindset of creativity can often lead to inspiration. After all, if like begets like in life, maybe creativity begets creativity... whether it's directly related to our writing or not.

Creative Pursuits to Stimulate the Muse

1. Music-

• listen to music outside of your normal genres; it could inspire new ideas
• pay attention to the lyrics and think of a story the song could be telling
• sing out loud, make up songs, or try playing an instrument
• compile a playlist of music that goes well with your WIP or that inspire your writing in general

2. Art-

• search the internet for great works of art to ponder
• create your own art: pencil sketches, clay, painting, graphic design or chalk on your back patio-- the point is artistic creation
• find artwork that seems to fit your characters and what they would draw or hang on their walls
• design your WIP's cover art, or create visual interpretations of scenes from your story

3. Writing- ...not in your WIP and without an audience in mind, but writing for its own sake:

• flash fiction (either using a writing prompt or just with whatever comes to mind)
• characterization pieces that won't go into your WIP, but will help you get to know your character, either as backstory or reactive writing (what would your character do if she saw someone drowning? How would your character react to being pulled over? How about if someone asked to copy his homework or do something illegal at his or her job?)
• descriptive writing for the sake of the art of writing, and that won't go in any WIP you're working on; a paragraph about clouds or honeybees or pebbles on the beach-- the freedom of writing something no one will see can often lead to work you're proud enough to show off.

4. Poetry-

• read poetry from classics or contemporary poets. It's actually quite beautiful
• try writing poetry, even if no one will see it
• try different styles of poetry. Poetry can be fiction (a poem about a kitten alone in the woods, a poem about a girl lost at sea, a poem about a boy on his first day of school) or non-fiction (nature poems, or poems about something you've experienced personally); it can rhyme or not; it can have rules about syllables, cadence and iambic pentameter or not; it can be stark, descriptive, flowery, emotional-- basically it can be anything.

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Indulging in our own moments of creativity outside of our WIP might help us tap into new thoughts and ideas, so share some creative pursuits of your own. Is there anything you do to foster the creative process?

~ ~ ~

Diana Paz is a web content writer and aspiring YA author. She was born in Costa Rica, grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she's a beach bum, but she did graduate from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a caramel frappuccino. Find her at her blog:dianapazwrites.writespot.com or on Twitter @dianapazwrites

Music and Mood, and Explosive by Bond

Music is a great way to inspire creativity, and often overlooked way to help you grow as a writer.

Capturing the Cadence

One aspect of writing that many writers overlook is cadence, rhythm, and flow. This is something that comes instinctually to some writers, but it can always be improved on. The way our sentences sound matter as much as what they’re saying, both on their own and as a part of the whole scene and story. When you listen to music, pay attention to the lyrics and how the words sound as you say them. Tune your ear to hear the way words work both in and out of music, and your writing will begin taking on a lyrical quality to it as well.

Character Playlists

What kind of music do your characters listen to? Putting on music that your POV character would listen to can help you keep your writing in his or her head. It also helps you understand your character better, especially if you ask questions-- why does your character like a certain band or artist? Is music a big part of your characters life?

Music to Set the Tone

Don’t confine your music-listening to only the songs your characters would create. Your recalcitrant teenager might not be into sad love songs, but you as the writer might draw inspiration from them during an achey, heartbreaking scene you’re trying to perfect. An epic movie soundtrack might inspire you while you write your story’s climax, or classical music might be what taps into the creative part of your brain that allows the words to flow.

How do you use music to influence your writing? Do any specific songs or artists inspire you to write?

I leave you with one of my very favorite songs to listen to while I write emotion-packed, high-intensity scenes: Explosive by Bond. I like how the music goes from fast-paced action to softness and subtlety. What do you think?

~ ~ ~

Diana Paz is a web content writer and aspiring YA author. She was born in Costa Rica, grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she's a beach bum, but she did graduate from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a caramel frappuccino. Find her at her blog:dianapazwrites.writespot.com or on Twitter @dianapazwrites

You Are Not Your Character

No matter what genre you write, one of the biggest things you have to be sure comes through clearly to readers is the motivations for your characters—why they are doing the things that they do. And I think one of the hardest parts about that is the separation between what YOU, the writer, would do and what your character would do because they are not, or at least should not, be the same.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked about a book or even one of my manuscripts with someone, and their response is “Well, that’s not what I would do.” And my response is always, maybe with a little frustration, “Okay, but that IS what the character would do.” This difference might seem obvious, but it comes up very often. Because while you do have to stay true to the characters, you also have to pitch it in a way that readers can step outside of who they are, and get into who your character is. You have to give them the reasons to believe that yes, that really is what the character would do. The flip side to this is, of course, not letting a reaction stay in your book just because it’s what you would do, or even what you want, be it your character’s decision to have sex to the way they finally come to terms with something major. But for the sake of this post, we’ll ignore both that and focus just on putting the motivations in.

It’s not just a motivation to do something that I’m talking about either. This also includes a reaction to something, the speed of things, and all those other aspects that hinge on the realism of the book, even in the paranormal/fantasy. Just because you would blow up at the person who insults you doesn’t mean the character would. Just because you wouldn’t let someone use your head as a punching bag day after day doesn’t mean the character would. Just because it took you a year to truly love the person who is now your spouse doesn’t mean a character is incapable of falling, and knowing it, faster.

One example of the latter that comes to mind is Leah Clifford’s A Touch Mortal. Yes, Az and Eden seem to fall fast for each other, but at the very opening of the book, right on page one, Eden is contemplating suicide. Think of just how far under and how dark a place you have to be in to be seriously contemplating it, to not see reason to keep going. Yes, understanding that mindset is something that a lot of people struggle with, but it’s also something that is heartbreakingly real. And then comes along Az, someone who cares for her, talks to her, makes her laugh. Put those good emotions on the backdrop of the harder ones, and is it really that hard to believe that she would fall fast, and fall hard, and love him in just a few months time?

Or what about Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard, about Grace, who wants so bad to be like Mandarin, a girl a few years older than her? That seems okay in just that statement, except from an outsider’s perspective, Mandarin is anything but a role model. Maybe your first response is “of course Grace wants to be like Mandarin, she has that bad note to her.”And maybe you were exactly the same way you were fourteen, striving to be this enigmatic outcast that you looked up to. But truthfully? In this book, it is so much more than that, more than looking up to Mandarin because she’s older, more than just thinking an action or two of hers is cool, and more than Grace simply being a manifestation of Kirsten. If you ever want an example of how to do motivations in all the right ways, even when maybe the outcome of what the character wants isn’t ideal, this is where to turn.

From the emotional part to their personal history to the parts of their personality that lead them to their reactions or desires, every bit of that, however subtly, has to be put into your book. As a reader, I want to understand, without being blatantly told “and this is why I let him hit me again,” why the character is behaving that way. And not just for the protagonist, but for the side characters and every other person in that story who has a role and impact. Because the important thing when writing any kind of situation is that the readers can understand why your character reacts the way they do.

This doesn’t even only apply to the bad stuff, but the good as well. From when the character makes that realization that they have to put themselves first in something, even if it hurts someone else, to telling everyone they can that the person they love loves them back… I want to get why they do it, and I want to know without a doubt that it really is their character. And when you get that in there, as a reader, I won’t say well this is how it should have been because it’s what I would do. I’ll believe it, because I’ll believe your character.

That's it until next time, and if you have any tips of your own how you make sure those motivations are in there, let me know!

~*~ 

Kari is a querying YA writer and book blogger who currently works a day job with a radiologist group and lives in Dallas. She enjoys badgering her dog Toby, meandering around the internet, and reading lots and lots of books. Currently juggling three manuscripts, she’s dreaming for the day she can stay at home and write full time, preferably with a charming boy to cook and clean. You can find her at http://agoodaddiction.blogspot.com/.

Motivated or What?

Hi Everyone!
It's Friday. Finally! Whew, that took way too long. Did ya know it snowed this week. Yeah. So that about sums up how I feel about that. On to more happy non-snowy topics.

Motivation.

It comes, it goes, it stays. For me? Real and true motivation happens about as often as the sun shines in Michigan. I'm kidding. Sort of. Well, I, like so many others, need a push every once in a while. When I read a good book or see a great movie it happens more. Recently, I've been in a book coma with every novel Jennifer Echols has written. Yes, I get a little obsessed. Big surprise. She writes great romance, so vivid and real. I flew through her books and am eagerly awaiting the next one in July! Yes, the title of this post is a shout-out to Adam from Echols' The Boys Next Door *swoon*

I'm going to go ahead and admit something.

I am not a romantic writer. My characters are snarky and have attitudes. They are not romantic. So reading Jennifer's books really helped me see the distinction. Now, I feel like I could write snarky romantic characters at least. It [word of the day] MOTIVATED *scream real loud Pee Wee* me! I was like, Oh, I can use this in my story!

This happens when I watch a good show or movie. I pick up little tid-bits I can use. No, no, not ACTUAL dialogue or scenes, just feelings that spark my own ideas. I'm sure this happens to you, too.

Things that motivate me (in no particular order)
Music, a good conversation, talking with other writers. Food Network (don't laugh), Playing my guitar, driving. Basically anything that can get me thinking. My mind is always creating new characters and storylines. I was talking to a guy I work with recently and somehow we got on a subject of stem cells and what they would do to a body if injected. I was like *ding* story idea!

I know. I'm strange.

What about you? What motivates you?

erica m. chapman is a YA writer by night, workin' for the cause by day. Fan of football, especially Lions and Michigan. She loves alternative music, Foo Fighters, animals, reading, golf and playing her guitar. She resides in Michigan where she sits quietly typing her next story on her macbook in her Detroit Lions Snuggie. You can also find her at ericachapman.com.





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