9. Drive (100 Theme Challenge)
I'm sure many of you know, whether you're a writer or not, that writing is hard. It requires a lot of time, creativity, discipline, and exceptional communication skills. This applies to all forms of writing, and isn't limited to just one or two. While there are some skills you learn when writing one form, for example, a better vocabulary from writing poetry, they can be applicable to others, an expansive vocabulary can be used effectively in technical writing. But I'm not going to focus on the technical aspects of writing, or praise for how beautiful it can be; I want to focus on a something I've always struggled with as a writer: motivation and the drive to write.Being in college and working two jobs currently, I'm a busy tiger. Not only that, but I'm a Biology major, so many of my classes tend to be on the logical side of things rather than the creative side. There have been times I get so caught up in what I'm learning and studying in my classes, all that scientific logic blocks my creativity (and in some cases, makes my brain hurt). Also, working two jobs sucks, especially if one of them doesn't allow you to work on anything else, making you feel trapped there for your shift. (Granted, the benefit of a part-time job is having flexible hours, so you're not necessarily stuck with what you're initially given.)
Despite my busy schedule during the week, I want to block out some time during the weekend to write. At the very least, it'll be a weekly ritual: write for one hour, minimum. If this is the only time I write during the week, then that's fine with me. If I end up writing for longer during that block or earlier in the week, that's even better. Writing is one of those skills that you can quickly lose if you don't practice; just like drawing, playing an instrument, learning a foreign language, playing a sport, etc. I know I won't be able to write every day, but I know I can write at least once a week.However, a schedule will only get me so far. There are so many distractions that aren't relevant to college or work that I need to keep in mind: social media's a big one, but so is depression. With social media, you can't help but obsess over what everyone else is doing or saying, or have that burning desire to reply to any and all messages sent to you. With depression, you don't want to do anything except hide yourself away, curl up in a ball, and die. This past week, I got pretty depressed because I'm still a bachelor cat (surprise, surprise). I didn't want to talk to anyone, I tried to write but didn't have the desire, and I didn't want to go to class or work at all. I have been feeling a bit better, but I'm still healing. Even if I wasn't depressed, I would want to hang out with my friends; but, just like social media, it can be a distraction. Both of these I have to cut back some. As a writer, you need all the time you can get, and that might mean sacrificing a bit of your social life. However, having a
social life, especially if you have writing friends, can aid you in keeping that motivation, and might give you some inspiration for a story or character. It opens you up to new experiences and different types of people; just don't let it derail you from your writing schedule.
Now, while those are big changes you can make, there are some minor changes that I currently implement to keep me writing. First and foremost: coffee. I drink it almost every time I sit down to write, and I generally keep writing until my cup is empty. If it's not coffee, it's some other caffeinated drink. Secondly: I try to go someplace else other than my dorm (or bedroom if I'm home from college) to write. Generally, I go to a study room, library, student center, or a local coffee shop. If I'm in my room, I don't want to do anything. Also, having that different atmosphere can help keep me focus and think to myself, "I'm here to work, not mess around." Because at the end of the day, writing is work. If you're not working, you're not writing.One more thing before I wrap this up with a nice bow for you. Something I haven't considered to help keep that drive to write is getting in some physical activity. I'm not a gym rat (I'm not even a rodent), but I know doing the simple act of going for a walk in nature can be refreshing. I love to do this when I can, and I might give it a go despite the cold and snow; I may be feline, but I'm not a snep or a Siberian tiger. Not only is there a physical benefit, but I know it has helped me just clear my head if I'm stressed. Who knows? It might give me a few ideas in the process.
Hopefully some of these ideas I presented help keep yourself motivated in your creative endeavors. Maybe you already implement them, maybe you don't, maybe you have other methods to keep yourself motivated to create. Whatever method works for you, don't stop writing! (Looking at you, human self).