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While I’ve always had a journaling writing practice, it has changed over the years. I began with a mini diary with a lock where I would write who my best friends were, who I had a crush on and the names of my future children. Now, my journals are a hybrid of brainstorms, ideas and things on my to-do list. It’s less structured than I would like, but it still helps me make sense of my thoughts and figure out what I think.

A basic definition for keeping a journal simply means recording daily events. And yet we tend to make it more complicated than that! So, whatever your journaling practice looks like these days, as long as you’re marking time passing, then you’re doing it right. A grocery list, a few notes from a lecture you heard or a formal reflection practice, whatever.

The act of keeping a journal is not a new thing, and there are many different techniques you can use to help you develop an effective journaling practice.

5 types of journaling writing

Morning Pages

Here’s what you do: as soon as you get up in the morning, write three stream-of-consciousness pages. Longhand. This is a style of free writing made popular in Julie Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way. Its intention is to help artists break through their creative blocks.

Those who practice Morning Pages swear by it, and there’s even a 5 a.m. Club on Twitter who gathers around the habit of writing first thing in the morning. People tend to congregate at 5 a.m. Eastern Time, but you’ll find #5AMWritersClub posts throughout the day.

Free writing

This is a similar practice to Morning Pages, except you can write at any time of day. Most people write to a timer rather than a page count and the idea is to allow your thoughts to flow without editing or even thinking too hard about it. Follow your curiosity and see where it leads.

You could start with a writing prompt, a problem you want to solve or even with “I don’t know what to write” over and over until you know what to write next. Allow yourself to write uncensored and without judgment. You’re just looking to get things out and off of your mind.

Bullet journaling

This is a simple and practical system with the end goal of being organized and productive. Keeping a Bullet Journal means adhering to a system of bullets and learning a series of shorthand symbols to help you plan tasks, reminders, meetings and more.

This is a flexible system that you can make your own, and works best when used to plan, reflect and keep track of what matters most to you.

Gratitude journaling

You can transform any type of journal writing technique into gratitude journaling and it can be a tremendous aid in self-care, mental health and contentment.

This can be an extremely powerful journaling practice as it helps you stay positive and acknowledge the things you have to be thankful for. The result of focusing on the good? You become a happier, less stressed-out person.

Reading journaling

This is a fun journaling style for writers and readers. There’s no set formula for keeping a reading journal, but most people use it to keep track of inspiring quotes, ideas to ponder or even a list of books to be read later.

Whether you’re keeping a journal to better remember what you read, or using it as a way to respond and analyze what you’re reading, this can be a great way to engage with words in a new way, and boost your creativity.

Five reasons you should keep a journal

Some people may resist keeping a journal, citing it as self-absorbed or even narcissistic, but as someone who has seen nothing but positive results from years of writing things down I wanted to recount five reasons, from my experience, why you should reconsider the practice.

You become more observant

Being in the habit of writing things down trains you to notice what’s around you. You take in the world as an observer, rather than simply floating along.

You become more organized

Writing things down helps you organize your life and your thoughts. Feeling big feelings? Write about it. Break it down into smaller pieces; manageable chunks.

You become more goal-oriented

When you keep track of events and achievements, you’re more likely to notice when you stop moving forward. Once you are aware, you can take control of your personal development.

You become more self-aware

In most cases, journaling writing is a solo activity. It’s quiet time spent reflecting, thinking and dreaming. It can be an important time of growth in self-awareness and maturity.

You become a better communicator

The more you write, the better you become at articulating your thoughts and feelings. And the better you communicate with yourself, the better you’ll communicate with others.

Keeping a journal doesn’t have to be a basic activity, but it also doesn’t have to be overly complex. Make daily reflections, jot down a few notes, practice something more formal or carve your own path. If you’re looking for ways to be more creative then why not give journaling writing a try?

Learning how to end a story effectively is even more important than learning how to start it. 

Both the beginning and end of a work of fiction greatly impact a reader’s level of satisfaction. If the start of your story is weak or unengaging you run the risk of people putting down your book before it even gets going. But a lot of readers are willing to persist even if a story’s opening isn’t really to their taste. A strong middle section and climax can overcome any initial disappointment.

But what if your story finishes on a weak note?

Because it’s the final experience readers have before putting your book down, it leaves a lasting impression. Most people don’t finish books the books they start to read. Those who do are the most invested readers out of everyone who chose your book. It makes sense that they would be strongly let down by an unsatisfying conclusion.

So how can you write an ending to your story that leaves readers satisfied?

6 Ideas to Consider for How to End a Story

Here are six types of story endings that have stood the test of time along with some general tips on ending a story the right way.

Conclude your story in a neat and tidy way

Sometimes, the best way to end a story is by offering a clear resolution that neatly ties up all the loose ends and plot points. 

If you’ve ever felt a plotline has been forgotten about or ignored, you’ll know how irritating it can be. Making sure the fate of everyone in your book is clearly explained can avoid that dilemma. 

Examples of this type of ending include romances where the characters get together and have no threats to their happiness or unity on the horizon. Or adventure stories where good triumphs over evil and any villains have met definitive defeat. 

This type of story ending can be seen as a bit unimaginative but it is the safest option. Going this route avoids the possibility of annoyed reviewers leaving comments along the lines of “but what about so and so character” or “it wasn’t clear to me if there’s still a chance of this or that happening”. 

Leave your reader hanging from a cliff

Cliffhanger endings leave some elements of a story unresolved. Deciding to end your story on a cliffhanger is important if you want to leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in a fiction series.

It’s important to note that a cliffhanger ending should be a conscious choice. The majority of plot points should be resolved and the ending should not feel like a disappointment. You need to strike a balance between leaving your reader feeling they’ve reached something of a climax while still leaving some story aspects intentionally open.

If you have a rough or even concrete idea of what your story sequel will look like then make sure your cliffhanger ending will segue naturally into the next installment. Or, if you’re unsure of whether a follow-up book is the right route, you can leave the possibility open without committing to it. For example, when George Lucas chose to freeze Han Solo in Star Wars it was due to not knowing whether Harrison Ford would be available for the sequel.

A cliffhanger ending runs a higher risk of leaving readers disappointed than tying everything up neatly. However, when written well, they are some of the most exciting endings possible.  

Provide a twist in the tale

A twist ending is a great choice if you can pull it off effectively. This type of story ending can have the highest level of impact but is also very difficult to get right.

Twist endings typically run into two problems. 

First, readers may be able to spot your twist coming a mile away. There’s nothing more annoying than a big ‘reveal’ at the end of the story that you predicted back in the first act.

The second common issue is a twist ending that is too unbelievable. If something happens out of nowhere and there was no hints in hindsight readers may fail short change. An effective twist ending, therefore, needs to work on both an emotional and a logical level.

To write an effective twist ending, you want to give a few clues that foreshadow the twist without being heavy-handed or obvious. Ideally, your reader won’t figure out their significance at first, but when looking back will notice there were subtle clues in place. You can also play around with red herrings that hint at an altogether different ending, but be careful about using too many and confusing your reader.

Twist endings are incredibly hard to get right, but if you can manage to write a good one, you’re sure to leave readers thinking about your story long after it ends. 

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Play around with ambiguity and unreliability 

Some readers detest not knowing exactly how a story ends. Others love the chance to come to their own conclusion. 

The suitability of an ambiguous ending is also partially down to your choice of genre. For example, romance readers typically want a clear ending where the outcome they’ve been rooting for the whole time is given to them clearly. Readers of a gritty psychological thriller, however, might enjoy having their minds messed with by an ending that doesn’t spell everything out for the reader.

Unreliable narrators are a great fit for ending a story on an ambiguous note. Consider American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis (spoiler alert!). 

Throughout the story, we are shown events through the eyes of Patrick Bateman. However, there’s a lot to suggest the ways he’s telling things may not be exactly how they’ve gone down. Ellis doesn’t resolve things either way and allows the reader to reach their own conclusion.

Sometimes, ambiguous endings are truly divisive. Just ask any Sopranos fan. This type of ending is a good choice if you’re confident in both your ability to write it and the likelihood that your readers won’t hate you for it. It’s probably the wrong choice for the majority of stories though. 

End on an epilogue 

Epilogues can be an effective way of adding a sense of realism or depth to your story. By suggesting that events carried on far after the main action ends, it gives your reader the feeling that the story took place in a believable world rather than one that existed purely to serve the plot.

However, sometimes epilogue endings can feel a little unwieldy and almost tacked on as the author couldn’t think of another way to conclude. For example, Ender’s Game has an epilogue that adds a ton of detail that sort of feels rushed and brief in comparison to the main tale told. 

If you want to use an epilogue as a device to end your story, take the time to read a wide range of stories that ended in this way. Read those that are well-reviewed and those that are hated alike. This breadth of reference will allow you to identify the type of endings that work well so you can try and apply their principles to your own story. 

Choose a cyclical ending 

If your story begins and ends similarly, giving readers the feeling that events have come full circle, you’ve employed a cyclical ending. 

A cyclical ending isn’t the same thing as simply ending things as they started. Even though the story might begin and end in the same place, the readers should have been on a journey alongside the characters who have developed or learned something along the way.

One example of a cyclical ending that many people will be familiar with from school is Of Mice and Men. The story starts and ends in the same location which is said to be symbolic of the inescapable fate of its main characters constrained by the lot life dealt them.

Now that you know six proven ways to end a story satisfactorily, let’s look explore the concept of effective endings in more detail.

Story Ending FAQs

How do you end a short story?

You can end a short story in all of the same ways that you can end a full story. An epilogue ending is perhaps a less likely choice due to the constraint on length you’re working with but is still technically possible. 

What is the ending of a story called?

You might see the ending of a story referred to as its climax, conclusion, denouement, or simply ending. These terms are all slightly different in meaning although they are often used interchangeably. 

How do you write a sad ending?

Sometimes, sad endings linger in our hearts and minds in a way that happy endings don’t. Think about the power of Romeo and Juliet’s ending, for example, or the movie adaptation of Stephen King’s The Mist. Writing a sad ending to a story requires the readers to care about the characters. A sense of avoidable tragedy can often increase the emotional gut-punch of this type of ending. 

How do you end a children’s book?

The end of a children’s story should be appropriate for the age of its readers and the overall tone of the book. Gritty twists or sad endings are, unsurprisingly, not the way to go here. Younger readers often prefer a neat ending that leaves them feeling as if everything has been explained. You can still use a surprise ending, but it should be a fun and happy surprise!

You now have six different answers to the question of how to end a story as well as some tips for different genres and styles of writing.

It’s important to remember that there’s no right or wrong way to end a story. Multiple types of endings could work for your story. It comes down to your ability to write them well and to satisfy your readers. 

If you’re unsure of the right type of ending for your story in particular, feel free to jot down ideas for each of the six different types but applied to your work of fiction. Which feels most suitable? Get feedback from people whose opinion you value and see which type of ending they feel would work well. 

Take as long as you need to write and rewrite your ending. Getting it right is crucial if you want to get good reviews and leave your readers with a positive impression of you and your work. 

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Asking “What is good writing?” sounds a little like the start of an unsolvable riddle. 

After all, one person’s definition of good writing would be the kind of prose that would repel another reader. Just look at the popularity of authors like Stephanie Meyer and Dan Brown. While a lot of readers and writers heavily criticize their work, surely they’re doing something right to sell so many copies and win so many fans?

In fact, the difference in opinion on what constitutes good writing is the answer to the question itself.

While there is no universal definition of good writing, any writing that pleases the person reading it can be considered good.

Of course, the matter is a little more nuanced than that. While we can agree that satisfying an intended readership is the hallmark of good writing, how exactly does a writer achieve that aim?

Let’s take some time to consider why good writing matters before delving deep into what good fiction and nonfiction writing looks like.

Why does good writing matter?

It’s easy to be self-deprecating about working as a writer.

This attitude stems from several places. You can look around at people working as doctors and other professions that get a lot of respect from society and feel like your work pales into insignificance in comparison. Writers are also often the punchline of jokes about low-paying careers.

But while it’s vital to stay humble and retain a sense of humility, it’s also important not to do yourself and your craft a disservice. 

Good writing matters.

Stories can give people a breadth of experience that they would be unable to achieve in the course of their everyday life. It creates empathy with types of people we would never meet. We can visit places that we would never otherwise travel to – including those that don’t exist in reality. 

Think about the beautiful moments of escape provided by getting lost in a fiction book. They offer relief and joy for people living tough lives severely lacking in either. That matters, and should never be dismissed.

Nonfiction is also just as important in changing and enhancing people’s lives. 

People have regained a sense of hope and purpose after picking up works of nonfiction. Whether through a self-help book that speaks to their pain points in a way that no one in their real life ever could, or a memoir or autobiography that opened their eyes to a successful path in life, nonfiction offers countless avenues for making life better.

So by all means retain a sense of humor about writing and the lifestyle it entails. But never dismiss it as unimportant.

Writing matters. With that being the case, isn’t it worth striving to write well?

Let’s take a look at some practical aspects of good fiction and nonfiction writing.

What makes a good fiction writer?

Good fiction writing is dependent upon the genre being written, but some aspects are universal to almost all genres. 

If you take a moment to think about the fiction that has most captivated you, you might bring to mind stories that feature the following elements.

A gripping plot

Without a good plot, fiction falls flat. 

There’s nothing worse as a reader than being intrigued by the premise of a novel but finding its plot to be confusing or lacking in structure. 

Lovers of the written word can debate all day if a book’s plot or characters are more important. Try having that discussion next time you’re around like-minded people. It’s an interesting way to pass time.

Truthfully, some books are considered classics based on a great plot but relatively shallow characters. Others have incredible, lifelike characters but a less than exciting plot. That’s to say that fiction can rely on either, but to be truly great, it should feature both.

Different story structures can be used to strengthen your fiction plot, and different schools of thought on plotting VS pantsing. 

No matter how you go about it, find an approach to your book’s plot that works for your style of writing and keeps your readers engaged.

Memorable characters

The best fiction characters are written in a way that makes them seem almost real. They take on a life of their own in the mind of the reader. People truly care about their fate and think about them long after the final page has finished. 

Writing a good character is partly reliant on the genre of story they feature in. For example, the protagonist of a work of literary fiction is likely to be portrayed very differently than the main character in a fantasy epic. 

But regardless of genre, memorable characters often share some commonalities. The main character in a story is often relatable and someone the reader is likely to root for. There are of course exceptions, but often the reader can see themselves as similar in some way to the protagonist, creating a sense of empathy and investment.

No matter what type of character you write, aim to give them depth and a sense of coherence. There is nothing more jarring for a reader than when your character does something that seems, well, out of character! It breaks the suspension of disbelief and sense of emotional investment a reader has. 

Good pacing

Have you ever read a story that seems to end kind of abruptly? How about one that drags in the middle leaving you deeply bored? Or what about a book that takes an inexcusable length of time to get going?

If you’ve ever experienced bad fiction pacing as a reader, you know just how detrimental it is to your enjoyment of a book, even if the other elements are solid. Sadly, as a writer, it can be a little harder to spot.

When writing, it’s easy for us to get caught up in overexplaining certain parts of our story. We sometimes have a lack of faith that our story will make sense unless we over-explain it. This is understandable but needs to be guarded against. 

Good pacing is far easier to achieve with someone helping you out. At the very least, try and find alpha readers and beta readers. At best, seek out the highest level of professional editing you possibly can. Your pacing, and your readers, will benefit immensely.  

The satisfaction of genre expectation

Fans of genre fiction are looking for certain expectations to be met.

That’s not to say that effective writers shouldn’t play around with genre conventions to surprise and delight readers. But the fact of the matter is it’s far easier to satisfy genre expectations than it is to skilfully subvert them.

So how is this done?

It’s almost a prerequisite for good writing to read widely in the genre you wish to write. This is the only way to get a feel for the tropes and moments that epitomize what readers love and crave. 

Aside from reading widely in the genre you write in, take the time to check out reviews. Look at glowing reviews and also one and two-star reviews. What did people love? What did they hate? Getting a sense of these things will allow you to satisfy genre expectations in a way that will please your intended readers.

Emotional engagement

The very best fiction writing engages readers on an emotional level. 

This is true regardless of the genre that is being written. The term emotional might bring to mind certain styles, but it’s widely applicable. For example, consider how:

• Good horror writing causes the reader to feel genuine fear and suspense.
• Romance writing, or romantic plots in other types of fiction, makes the reader yearn for the characters they care for to work out romantically. 
• Effective fantasy writing makes the reader feel a sense of despair, hope, and satisfaction over the ebbs and flows of the hero’s journey.

You could take almost any genre out there and realize how it impacts readers on an emotional level. Ultimately, fiction readers want to be entertained, but they also want to feel something. Give them that gift and you will have them coming back for more. 

An effective ending

How often do fictional works fall flat due to a lackluster ending?

Even if people have enjoyed a story up until its closing stages, that can all be for nothing if the ending leaves them with a bad taste in their mouth. 

Effective endings should work on a logical and emotional level. Logically, the story shouldn’t leave loose ends or unanswered questions that will frustrate readers. Unless it’s an intentional choice setting up a sequel, but even then, there should be a sense of climax. 

Emotionally, readers shouldn’t be left feeling short-changed. Romance readers deserve to see their hopes realized. Fantasy fans should have a sense of epic fulfillment after closing the final page.  

Just like writing the start of a story, learning to get the ending right is difficult. It takes time, patience, and intentional practice. 

Study the endings of stories that are almost universally praised, and practice these principles in your own writing. The ending of a fiction story carries far too much importance to be left to chance. 

What is good writing for a nonfiction writer?

In some ways, being a good nonfiction writer is simpler than being a good fiction writer.

Fiction is very much an art form. Even the bestselling and most widely-praised fiction books have people that hate them and are very vocal about their feelings. It’s a lot rarer to see that level of vitriol aimed at nonfiction.

Ultimately, good nonfiction writing is about fulfilling a promise to the reader. From a book’s title, subtitle, and description, the reader should have a clear idea of the benefit they will gain if they take the time to read a book. 

For example:

• A self-help book should clearly define the problem it will solve, the person it will serve, and the positive outcome achieved by finishing the book.
• A memoir or autobiography should explain the life story it will share, why it matters, and the lessons the reader will learn along the way.
• A how-to book should explain why its writer has credibility in that area, the subject matter they will teach, and which type of reader will most benefit from choosing it instead of other competing books of a similar type.

Of course, effective nonfiction writing requires familiarity with genre conventions, writing tone, and the expectation of readers, similar to fiction writing. 

But if you’re able to clearly state a promise to the reader before they start your nonfiction book, and fulfill that promise throughout the book, you can consider yourself a good nonfiction writer. 

How to become a good writer

Now that we’ve taken the time to consider what good fiction and nonfiction writing looks like, let’s end with some thoughts on how to become a better writer.

It’s important to realize, in the words of Ernest Hemingway, “we are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” There’s always room for improvement. Don’t become disheartened by comparing yourself to other writers, for they are fellow apprentices on their unique journey, just like you.

Instead, make sure you’re always getting incrementally better. 

The two keys to good writing are consistent reading and consistent practice. Writing courses and writing groups are useful, but unless you’re reading and writing consistently and intentionally, everything else is folly. 

Hopefully, you agree that good writing matters to the world. 

So don’t you owe it to yourself and your readers to be the best writer you can be? 

Keep that thought in mind after you finish this article. 

You matter as a writer. Your words can change lives for the better. Never forget that.  

Are you running low on writing motivation?

It happens to the best of us, so no judgment here! In fact, if you didn’t feel ebbs and flows in your desire to write, you wouldn’t be human.

The important thing is to recognize your lack of motivation, refuse to dwell on it, and seek a solution to get through it. The worst thing you can do is start tweeting about your lack of motivation and making writer’s block a part of your identity. 

While you don’t always choose to feel unmotivated, it’s always a choice to push through it.

Here are 33 doses of writing motivation to get you back on track. 

Write somewhere different

Writing in the same location is an important part of productivity for some writers. However, switching up the place you write in can give your brain a sense of novelty and spike your creativity.

This can be as simple as writing in a different room in your house or as elaborate as taking a vacation to an inspirational location. You can always choose a middle ground and work in a cafe you’ve never been to before.

Try a new writing app

There is a vast number of specialist writing tools and apps out there. Making a switch, even temporarily, from your usual choice can help you feel more motivated.

If you write in a fairly conventional app, why not try a fun, gamified writing tool instead? Or if you find the businesslike environment of Google Docs or Word to be uninspiring, give a minimalist, zen-like writing tool a try.

Use a new writing device

Sometimes, sitting down at the same old computer feels tedious. If you want to experience something new, try outlining some work on your phone or tablet. 

It’s not ideal for long writing sessions, but using a mobile device can give you the impetus to start outlining, allowing you to then return to your main writing device to continue your project once you’ve made an initial breakthrough. 

Set a writing streak

Some writers find setting an unbroken streak to be an effective way to stay productive. Try marking all your writing days on a calendar or a whiteboard. 

Even when you find yourself low on motivation, you might find your desire to keep your unbroken streak outweighs your desire to stop writing.

Write by hand

A lot of writers swear by the power of writing by hand, especially if they usually write using a computer or other digital tool. 

Try finding a nice pen you enjoy the feel of using and a notebook that gives you joy to write in. This can unlock your creativity and give you the motivation to make progress on your writing projects. 

Make a bet

If you’re the type of person who’s competitive and hates the thought of losing, consider making a bet with another writer or even a friend or spouse. 

This bet doesn’t have to be financial. In fact, it probably shouldn’t be. Instead, have some fun and offer to buy them a cup of coffee if you can’t achieve your writing target for the day. This should only be used sparingly as you don’t want to come to rely on betting to feel motivated to write!

Partner with another writer

Having a writing partner is a great way to feel motivated to write. It’s a little like if you have someone to exercise with. It’s a lot easier to simply not do something if you’re the only one who will know or be effective. If you’re impacting someone else then it’s a lot harder to not show up, even if you’re feeling unmotivated.

Some writing partnerships are simple and consist of sending each other a quick text along the lines of “let’s both write for x hours and check-in after”. Others involve meeting up and writing together for a defined time. Find what works for you and your partner.

Set a low bar

Setting yourself a very low bar for success can almost trick your brain into feeling motivated to write. 

If you know you need to write 2000 words or for three hours, you might feel too overwhelmed to even start. However, if you tell yourself you only need to write 100 words or for 10 minutes, and then you’re allowed to stop, you’re likely to end up getting some initial momentum and writing for far longer than the short target you set yourself. 

Use a writing prompt

The simple act of writing something, no matter what it is, is often powerful enough to let your writing flow again. 

Using a writing prompt removes the burden of having to think of what to write. Find a writing prompt that intrigues you, or failing that, commit to choosing one at random and working on it no matter what.

Reward yourself

Although some writers might have an unrealistic view of writing as some kind of pure art form that should be pursued for its own sake, that’s just not how things are. Like anything else, we are motivated by rewards. 

You can motivate yourself by setting external rewards for your writing. For example, if there’s a TV show you enjoy, you’re not allowed to watch it until you hit your writing target for the day. This only works if you’re self-disciplined or have someone else on hand to make sure you don’t cheat!

Restrict yourself

The opposite of rewarding yourself also works. You can restrict yourself from things you enjoy unless you do them while writing. 

For example, if you love going to Starbucks, make it so that you are only allowed to go to Starbucks to write. No other times. Of course, this only works if you keep the bargain with yourself and write while you’re there!

Listen to motivating music

Some writers love working to music. Others hate it. 

If you’re the type of writer who finds motivation through music, consider making a special playlist of songs that get you in the zone to work. You might have different playlists for different types of writing or just a general writing playlist. Also, if you don’t like listening to music while you write, you can use music exclusively before writing to get you in the zone. 

Set public targets

The pressure of making a goal public can have a motivating effect for many writers.

When people have a big target, such as running a marathon or losing a certain amount of weight, they often find that making the goal public is helpful. That’s because we want to appear consistent in the eyes of others. Try this approach for your writing goals. 

Leverage social media

When the only ones watching out for your writing motivation ( or lack of it) are your cat and coffee cup, you might feel like it doesn’t make a difference if you write or not.

Social media gives you access to writing partners, communities, hashtags, and advice, all at the click of your mouse or touch of your screen. Just make sure to avoid falling into the addictive trap of endless scrolling instead of writing!

Take some exercise

The mind and body work in harmony.

If you’re feeling unmotivated, a quick burst of exercise might be the solution you’re looking for. Ideally, get out into the fresh air and enjoy the benefits of exercising outdoors. However, even just a quick run on the spot, several pushups, or a quick YouTube yoga routine can do the job.

Visualize success

A lot of motivational thought leaders such as Tony Robbins recommend the power of visualization.

Picture yourself completing a writing project. If you’re working on a book, picture holding the finished copy in your hand and the pleasure associated with that. This might motivate you to take action to move towards that outcome.

Picture the pain of failure

Some people are more motivated by the fear of failure than the possibility of success.

If that sounds like you, then make the vision of failing as realistic and painful as you can. Think about how disappointed you will feel in yourself and how others will see you as an underachiever. This technique should only be tried if you have the right emotional disposition for it!

Hire a coach

If you have the money, a writing coach can help keep you on track. 

Some writing courses come with built-in coaching components. Or you can simply seek out a writing coach among your network. Even an informal accountability relationship with a writer a little more advanced than you can work wonders.

Take a course 

Investing in a writing course can give you the financial and emotional investment you need to feel motivated. 

Make sure the course is a good fit for the stage of your writing career you are at, and be sure to take action on what you learn. Learning for learning’s sake is not the objective here!

Use an accountability service 

Accountability services exist to help people feel enough motivation to achieve their goals, no matter what those goals happen to be.

Consider using a service like Stickk or another specialist accountability tool to keep your writing on track even when you lack motivation. 

Commit to a group

There are plenty of writing groups out there that offer a wide range of benefits, with motivation being only one of them.

While some writing groups are pretty casual, others are somewhat demanding, requiring a certain level of participation to remain a member. The latter type might be the precise motivation you need to succeed. 

Take a limited break

Sometimes, trying to power through times of low motivation is counterproductive. 

If you truly feel like you can’t write, and nothing’s working, forcing yourself to stay seated at your laptop can be the wrong move. Instead, give yourself a limited break. For example, you’re allowed to go and do something else for 10 minutes, but only 10 minutes. After that, you have to try to write again.

Make a routine

If you’re a student of success and the science of achievement in general, you’ll soon realize that a lot of the leading thinkers in this field talk about relying on routine rather than motivation.

Committing to a routine almost takes motivation out of the equation. Rather than waiting for writing inspiration to strike, you simply follow your routine. Establishing a routine takes time, so don’t expect to fall into one over night. 

Switch between fiction and nonfiction

Feeling stuck often comes from allowing your writing to become somewhat stagnant. 

For example, you might have only ever written nonfiction, even though you love fictional stories. If that’s the case, permit yourself to try something entirely new. 

Try a new genre 

Even the most successful writers sometimes tire of writing the same old style.

That’s why bestselling authors will sometimes adopt a new pen name and write in a different genre just to keep things interesting. You don’t have to be famous to try something new! Pick a genre at random or select one that intrigues you. Try writing it to see if your motivation returns.

Copy a writer’s style

When we write in our own voice, we inevitably have a certain level of ego invested in our work. Even though no one else is judging us, we are almost certainly judging ourselves. 

If that sounds familiar, give yourself permission to try and copy the style of another writer. For example, write a chapter in the style of Stephen King or J.K Rowling. This is a fun way to work and similar to covering another musician’s song rather than composing your own. 

Write in an existing fictional world

If blank page syndrome is causing serious stress in your writing life, try writing an extension to a story you love.

For example, you could write the next stage of a famous character’s life. Or, you could play alternate realities, such as writing The Shining as a comedy. This removes the burden of coming up with a fictional world from scratch.

Write about your life 

Your life is a source of writing inspiration that is uniquely yours. 

Why not write about your own life when you’re feeling unmotivated? You can recall the best of times or the worst of times. You can even embellish your own story. After all, no one is going to check unless you choose to share your words.

Go people watching

The best fiction writers often advocate for using people watching as a source of writing detail.

You can go to a cafe and observe people (without being creepy, of course!). Write about what you imagine their lives to be like. You can also do this purely online. Check out some random photos on news sites or dedicated image sites. Use them for inspiration to start writing. 

Listen to an audiobook

There’s something about listening to an audiobook that can set your creative wheels in motion.

This could be an audiobook of writing advice or a spoken version of a fiction story. Sometimes, the rhythm of hearing good writing spoken aloud will activate your creative impulses.

Read a writing guide 

We’re blessed to live in an era when the best writing advice of all time is available instantaneously. 

Spent a few dollars to purchase a writing guide from an author you admire. Or simply check out a free blog post or podcast episode. Getting inspiration from external sources can be just the motivation you need.

Use writing as procrastination

You’ve almost certainly experienced the desire to procrastinate instead of getting down to writing. 

But have you ever strategically used the converse? If there’s something else you really should be doing, like some dull chore or task, permit yourself to write as a form of procrastination. You might find your writing motivation has suddenly returned!

Enjoy a special writing beverage

You can use the principles made famous by Pavlov to boost your writing motivation.

Select a special beverage that you’re only allowed to consume while you write. This will differ from writer to writer, but a special type of coffee or tea is a popular choice. Eventually, your brain will automatically associate the taste and aroma of the drink with the activity of writing, resulting in automatic motivation. 

So there you have it. 33 quick doses of writing motivation! Next time you feel stuck, give one of them a try. It might just be the jolt you need to get back on track.