Tricking the Muse

I’ve gotten myself into a habit of writing on my lunch hour. This is a great system for me as I take my HP Mini, my thumbdrive, my mini mouse and head down to the building’s lobby. I sit in front of the windows and type away on my latest WIP.

But sometimes, I have a problem staying motivated. I know. Shocker.

One day this week was particularly dismal where I only managed about 400 words. EDepressed and defeated, I went back to my afternoon and thought about it all night, trying to figure out what to do about that issue.

The next day, I devised a plan to trick the elusive Muse into keeping the words coming. I wrote out a motivational phrase that was very personal to me. Something that would give me a kick in the ass and make me get the words flowing. I even typed out a word count goal that I have to reach in 60 minutes or less.

So far, it’s working.

I look up and read that motivational phrase to myself, shove away the doubt and the fear, and start writing again. I’ve managed just over 2500 words since Monday. In the month of December, I wrote over 10,000 words (the end of the book). I’m halfway through with the first draft of the book. Not a bad haul, eh? (The first week of January was kind of a lost week…)

So, my goal of having it drafted (80k) by the end of the month just might be attainable. I think I’ll keep tricking the muse.