Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A Writer’s Life: Motivation

This will be a relatively short ROW80 check-in, since my semester is definitely ramping up and the projects quickly building. But despite my busy schedule, the past week has been one of major breakthroughs and increased motivation when it comes to my work in progress.

Last week, in a welcome burst of inspiration, I decided to make some big changes to the plot structure and historical underpinnings of my story. Though I’m still sticking with the same basic time period, setting and main events I initially envisioned, the new changes bring the entire work together in a way that I feel is more uplifting and better suited to my style as a writer – something that I'm still working to definitively identify. These changes have not only made me more motivated to complete the story, but have also helped solve some of my research-related frustrations, since the new elements allow me to better focus on those aspects I’m already knowledgeable about.

Image Source: mollyrider.com
My confidence increased, I’ve since written 10 additional pages of material and am continuing to round out my research with extra components as needed. For the first time since I undertook this project, I have a real sense of things coming together and the belief that I can indeed succeed at this, though I still have quite a long way go.

Have you ever experienced a memorable “breakthough” moment that renewed your motivation to move ahead with a project? 

17 comments:

  1. congrats!! Sounds like this is such a positive, and great learning experience for you!

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  2. Aww Heather, yay! I'm so glad you were able to bust out 10 more pages! that is crazy-amazing!
    When I couldn't get my headpiece to work for the wedding last year I realized that I just had to keep changing it to get it to work and ended up with something awesome. Keep going girly!

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  3. Great work! Sometimes it really is best to re-group and re-assess. This happens with my legal writing all the time - sometimes I just have to step away and take it in a completely different direction. Congrats on 10 more pages!

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  4. Keep up the good work, look like you are on the right track!!!

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  5. Good for you Heather! I can't wait to see it all come together. I've mentioned before that I'm an avid reader, and now you've got my curiosity way up there!

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  6. Sounds like you're on the right track! A breakthrough is probably one of the best feelings in my opinion. Good luck with your writing (and semester)!

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  7. Woohoo! Glad to hear you're making progress. :)

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  8. i'm excited you're making such progress! keep it up girly!

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  9. Very exciting to hear about your breakthrough. I'm happy for you and your increased confidence.

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  10. SO happy for you Heather, what an awesome accomplishment..and ten pages..wow!! :)

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  11. YAY! Heather I am so glad to hear you found some renewed confidence and motivation! I had a breakthrough moment recently that was related to my blog.... It's a challenge each and every month to create something new and different from the prior month and ways to engage readers :)

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  12. i love it when i pound out a bunch of posts or ideas

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  13. congrats!! that is such an awesome feeling Heather..keep it up!

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  14. Go Heather and congrats on your breakthrough moment! I'm searching for something else and working on the breakthrough now!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  15. hooray for continued work and inspiration and a breakthrough. for me, if i keep active and keep creating, breakthroughs occur and i'm happy :)

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  16. AWESOME!!! Yay for inspiration!! Keep up the great work!!

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