It may surprise some people to realise that I am an expert procrastinator. What I mean is that I avoid doing many of the things that I want to do due to any number of reasons. Things such as keeping up to date with my blogging, reading, writing, and numerous other activities. And, yes, teaching does take up a significant amount of time but I use it as an excuse as well.

Lately, however, I have set myself a goal of reaching 80 000 words by August. Before you ask, it’s 80 000 words to a novel I have been trying to write for a couple of years now. (YA fiction if you were wondering…)

I don’t know why I have fixated on 80 000 but I know that I can write 50 000 in under thirty days. I do that every November for NaNoWriMo. And then I never look at what I’ve written, which is rather silly.

I have my goal. I have the rough idea. Now it’s just getting the motivation to sit and write.

So, of course, I find myself perusing quotes about motivation and writing. Then I find myself on Goodreads or looking up new technology…anything to avoid actually writing.

I confessed to my friend that I’m scared that my writing is terrible to which they replied “your first draft is supposed to be terrible.” Strangely enough, that was incredibly motivating.

Part of the reason for me writing this post is:

a) I pay for a personal domain and may as well try and get my money’s worth.

b) I really do want to be a better blogger

c) By writing out my goal on a public forum (kinda…) I hope to motivate myself to write every day. (My mini aim is 1000 words per day but I’ve not meet that at all this week…)

I am now going to go and do some writing toward my novel…and, undoubtedly, get distracted by several shiny things. Before I go I leave you with some inspirational words from one of my all time favourite authors:

Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.

Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Until next time.

XXJaime