You want to be a successful writer, but you lack self-discipline, right? We’ve all been there, fellow scribes. These tips for increasing your motivation to write will ramp up your productivity levels and help you achieve your writing goals…

Before the tips, a quip from Charles M. Schulz. 

“Sometimes I lie awake at night, and ask, ‘Where have I gone wrong?’ Then a voice says to me, ‘This is going to take more than one night.’ ” – Schulz. 

At the end of the day, don’t lie in bed wondering where your writing dreams and goals went, and why you never made it as a writer. Never let it be said that you were too lazy to write! If you’re struggling with writer’s block, you might find The Write-Brain Workbook: 366 Exercises to Liberate Your Writing helpful.  And, here are ten tips for increasing your self-discipline to write… 

Writing Discipline – 10 Tips for Increasing Your Motivation to Write

1. Create a need to write, find an agent, get published. One writer I know had to write to pay the bills. She was a single mom, desperate for income but unable to afford childcare. She was literally too hungry to be lazy — and she certainly didn’t need to increase her motivation to write! She needed to pay her bills and feed her kids. If you don’t have a need to write, create one. Do you need Starbucks frappucinos? Write 750 words first, then reward yourself with a coffee. Do you need to pay your car insurance or health care bills? Send three article pitches to editors that could result in an article assignment that will pay those bills.

2. Figure whether you’re internally or externally motivated. Do you write because it makes you feel good, accomplished, or creative (internal rewards)? Do you write for money or recognition (external rewards)? To increase your motivation to write, find your driving force and tap into it.

3. Pay now, play later. I love to write articles for my blogs, and don’t much care for pitching ideas to magazine editors. But, I like to write articles for print magazines. The solution? I have to find a new market or send a great query before I can blog. Today, for instance, I sent a Valentine’s Day pitch to Chatelaine….and my reward is writing this post about writing discipline! Hold off on what you love to do until you’ve achieved a writing goal.

4. Confess your sins. When darling hubby comes home from slaving away in the salt mines, it’s time for me to ‘fess up. How many queries did I send? Did I watch Oprah and The View? Sharing my accomplishments increases my discipline and motivation to write. If I wasn’t accountable to my husband, I’d find someone else. An “accountability partner” doesn’t have to be a fellow writer; it can be anyone with writing goals. To be a successful writer, you need to set goals, confess slothfulness, and celebrate your writing achievements.

5. Share your writing. Schedule weekly “writing drop off” dates with people who are willing to read your writing. When I know my friends, family, or editors will be reading my articles or blog posts, I’m motivated to start early and write well. Sharing your work is one of the top tips for increasing self-discipline and motivation to write because it (theoretically) gives you a reason to work.

6. Book a writer’s conference. I’m all signed up for the Surrey International Writer’s Conference in October, and this in itself is motivation to write! Lazy writers don’t attend writing conferences – and they especially don’t meet the deadlines for writer’s contests. Acting as if you’re not a lazy writer increases your motivation and discipline to write.

7. Take a writing class. Maybe you’re struggling to write because you don’t feel good enough! To improve your writing skills, enroll in an online writing class or an editing class through your local community college. Join a writer’s group, or find books that motivate you to write.

8. Write in baby steps. When you don’t feel like writing, just work for 15 or 20 minutes. After your writing time is up, then you Tweet or FaceBook. Or, maybe you’ll want to keep writing for another 15 or 20 minutes….this tip for increasing your motivation to write can establish solid habits and, ultimately, publication.

9. Read books about writing. The more I read about freelance writing, the more I want to write! Find books about writing that inspire you; Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott is fantastic. Get in the writing mindset by reading a passage or chapter before you turn on your computer.

10. Create a writing ritual. Some writers do squats; others put on their special writing hats and galoshes. Me, I check my email, my blog stats, my writer’s forums, and my Suite101 particulars….and then I’m ready to write. Creating a writing ritual can prepare you mentally and physically to work, which will increase your writing productivity.

If you have any thoughts or questions about these tips for increasing your motivation to write, please comment below…