Maybe you have days like me. Some days, I am not motivated at all. Some days, I tell myself (and my husband), “I’m too tired to cook dinner. I have too much going on to do the dishes.” And that’s how we ended up eating out almost every night that week. Some days, I tell myself, “I have a little headache tonight. I’ll fold the laundry when I feel better tomorrow.” And that’s how the laundry didn’t get done for five days. Some days, I tell myself, “I am too busy tonight to write a blog post. I can do next week when things slow down.” And that’s why it’s been almost a month since my last blog post!

Maybe you’re like me and you have a hard time being consistent with your writing goals, but you want to be better. Here are 9 tips on how to be consistently motivated to write:

1. Write even when you don’t feel like writing. This is probably the most basic tip, and the hardest one for me. When I don’t feel like writing, I just make up an excuse, but then it’s even harder the next day to get back into the habit. So write even when you don’t feel like writing and you’ll maintain your habit of writing.
2. Start with just 15 minutes at a time. You don’t have to write massive amounts of words every time you sit down to write! Just start with 15 minutes and see how you feel. If you want to keep writing, great! If not, at least you got 15 minutes of writing done!
3. Participate in a writing sprint. Writing sprints are really awesome. You can do them as a group or individually. Set a timer for how long you want to write and race against the clock. Get all the words out onto the paper (or screen) before time runs out. Set aside the time for a sprint, or do an impromptu sprint while your dinner is in the oven or in the last 15 minutes before you leave for work.
4. Make writing a part of your daily schedule. This is what helps me the most! If I make writing part of my daily schedule, it is much more likely to get done. Take a look at your schedule and see when it will work for you. Will you write after breakfast but before you answer emails? Will you write during your lunch break? Will you write after you brush your teeth but before you go to bed? Once you decide on when you’ll write, set yourself a reminder on your phone so you can be consistent.
5. Make writing special. When something is special, you are more motivated to do it. Design a special spot that is reserved for writing, or sit in a special (and especially comfortable) chair. Make yourself a special playlist to listen to while you write. Whatever you decide, make writing a special time in your day that you look forward to.
6. Just write. It doesn’t matter if you spend one day writing your novel and the next day is spent writing poetry or a short story. The important thing is to write each day to stay in the habit. If you are hitting a slump with your novel, work on something else. Come back to it later with fresh eyes! Just write.
7. Don’t criticize while you write. This is closely related to the last point. It doesn’t matter if your writing is good. First drafts rarely are! Get your words physically out into the world. Don’t spend the time now agonizing over the perfect sentence construction or the best dialogue. That’s what revisions and beta readers and editors are for!
8. Give yourself credit for what you have done. If you just don’t get around to writing one day, it’s okay. But don’t let that discourage you from writing the next day! Give yourself credit for all the days before that you were able to write, and let that motivate you to get back into the habit.
9. Reward yourself when you meet a goal. When you reach a goal, celebrate it! Figure out what you want to accomplish and decide what your reward will be. Let that motivate you to reach your goal and be consistent. If you don’t reach your goal, keep trying! It’s never to late to start again.

While you’re working hard to keep up a habit, don’t be afraid to take a rest day or reevaluate your writing system. Do what works for you so that you can be the best writer. There’s no shame in making the adjustments you need to succeed.

What’s your advice to help others stay motivated in their writing?