how to feel motivated to write an essay

Table of Contents

• 1. Don't Confuse Motivation with Passion

2. Outline First

3. create small, attainable goals, 4. make it a daily practice.

• 5. Don't Be Perfect—Vomit on the Page

6. Focus on the Reader

7. practice self-care, 8. announce the book, 9. recognize and face your fear, 9 ways to boost your writing motivation (that actually work).

No one wakes up every single day with the motivation to write —not even Authors with major bestsellers under their belt (like me).

There will be days when you simply don’t feel like staring at a blank page.

As someone who’s been there, here’s my writing advice : push through and do it anyway.

Even on the days when you don’t feel like it. Otherwise, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of procrastination.

One day of “not feeling like writing” can easily turn into 2, then 10…until eventually, you give up entirely.

I’ve seen so many Authors give up the first, second, or even third time they tried to write a book—mostly because they lost their motivation and gave in to procrastination or fear.

If you want to publish a book , you have to dig deep and find the motivation to write every single day. Even if it’s terrible. Even if you hate it.

The only way to become a better writer—and to finish your book—is to push through those hard moments.

Here are 9 proven ways to motivate yourself to write—even when you don’t want to.

9 Proven Ways to Motivate Yourself to Write

1. don’t confuse motivation with passion.

Forget everything you’ve ever learned about writing “out of passion.” If you wait to feel passionate about what you’re writing, you’ll never finish writing your book.

You can’t rely on passion. It comes and goes too easily. You’re not going to feel passionate every single day.

The same goes for writing inspiration. There’s rarely a bolt of lightning that makes the words flow.

Writing is hard. That’s why a lot of aspiring Authors give up before they’ve finished their first draft.

Motivation doesn’t always mean loving what you’re doing. Sometimes it means digging your heels in and just doing it.

For example, I don’t always love going to the gym, but I do it anyway. And in the end, I’m glad I did (after I’m done).

Don’t confuse passion for motivation.

It’s okay to write when you don’t “feel motivated” if what you really mean is, “I’m not stoked about doing this right now.”

You don’t have to be stoked about it. You just have to start writing.

If you feel passionate, that’s great. But don’t expect more of yourself than necessary.

If you’re writing, you’re motivated. Period. You’re doing it.

At its core, writing is just communicating ideas. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.

Of course, you want the ideas you capture to be relevant to your book. That’s why you should always outline first—so you can capture all your ideas about a specific section before you move on to the next one.

Then, when you do sit down to write, you’ll already have all the relevant ideas gathered. That makes things a lot easier.

An outline is also your greatest defense against fear and writers’ block . It’s a lot harder to get stuck when you’ve got a roadmap guiding the way.

Scribe’s suggested outline is different from the one you might have learned in school. It’s not a bullet point list of every step of the argument.

We’ve found that traditional outlines aren’t flexible enough for most Authors. Plus, sometimes, you can’t get to that level of detail until you’re actually in the middle of writing.

What makes our outline different is that it’s designed specifically to help you write your book.

In fact, our writing process has helped thousands of Authors write successful nonfiction books. It works.

All it takes is 3 simple steps:

• Brainstorm your chapters
• Make a table of contents
• Fill in the outline structure with your chapter’s hook, thesis, supporting content, stories and examples, key takeaways, and a callback to the hook.

If you want a template or more details, you can find them here .

Once you see your book in outline form, writing it will seem easier.

Conceptually, you’re not writing a whole book anymore. You’re looking at a clear collection of ideas and stories, most of which are already in your head.

You’ll be more motivated to write once you’ve broken your book into manageable pieces. It’s easier to climb a mountain when you take it one step at a time.

The reason an outline is so powerful is that it helps you see your book in terms of smaller, more attainable goals. You should do the same with all of your writing goals.

Many people start out thinking, “I have to write as much as possible.” Or, they set a high word count goal, like 1,000 words per day. And when they don’t reach those goals, they get disappointed. They feel like a failure.

That’s the worst way to motivate yourself to write.

With large goals, it’s easy to get intimidated (that’s usually when writer’s block sets in). But attainable goals make it easier to get over that hump.

Remember, motivation has nothing to do with passion. If you’re writing at all , you’re already motivated.

You don’t have to go overboard and shoot for the moon just to show you’re passionate about your book. When people do that, it’s usually because they’re trying to prove something to themselves.

You won’t prove anything by setting unattainable goals.

Rewire your brain and think small. Set goals that will set you up for success.

I recommend writing 250 words per day. That word count is low enough to be easily achievable. It leaves you with no excuses.

You could write 250 words on your phone between meetings. You could even dictate 250 words to your phone while you’re in the shower.

If you do end up writing more than 250 words, that’s great. Keep going as long as you want.

But if it’s one of those days where writing feels like a slog, you can still meet that word count and avoid being disappointed with yourself.

It’s more important to be consistent with writing than to have epic writing sessions.

When I was writing full-time, I blocked off 4 hours a day to write—but I rarely used that whole time to actually write. I read or did other things related to writing.

It’s hard to write for hours on end. And like most things in life, you’ll get diminishing returns.

Aim for 250 words every day, and stick with it. And remember, if you’re doing it, you’re motivated.

Notice that I said you need to write 250 words every single day . That’s because you’ll be much more motivated to write when it becomes a daily practice.

In addition to the 250 words per day, I recommend that you come up with a writing routine to help keep you on track.

Pick a designated writing time and stick to it every day. Are you better at writing in the morning, or do you like to write right before bed? Maybe it’s easier to squeeze 250 words in over your lunch break.

There’s no right or wrong answer. Just pick a time whenever you do your best writing and stick with it.

The same goes for your writing place. Maybe you write well in a quiet office. Or, maybe it’s easier for you to focus in a coffee shop.

We worked with one Author who wrote in his Tesla while it was charging in his garage. He put the same playlist on every day, turned up the volume, and spent the next 45 minutes writing.

The reason you need a writing routine is the same reason you teach your kids to brush their teeth every morning.

They may grumble or whine, but once they get into the habit, they do it anyway—no matter how much they don’t want to.

It works the same way when you’re writing a book. Writing habits keep you motivated to write and do it again the next day.

A writing routine gives you the fuel to keep going, even when you think your tank is running low. When writing becomes an automatic part of your day, it’s a lot harder to procrastinate.

5. Don’t Be Perfect—Vomit on the Page

Don’t intimidate yourself by trying to be a perfect writer.

First of all, there’s no such thing.

Second, if you do that, you’ll never finish your book because you’ll never live up to your own expectations.

I’m dead serious. I’ve seen countless Authors get stuck writing the first draft of their book. They’ll get off to a good start—but then they’ll re-read what they’ve written, delete it, and start over.

They do that 50 times and eventually give up (spoiler: they never finish their book).

Don’t fall into the same trap of unrealistic expectations . Just aim to get words on a page.

In fact, don’t even think of your writing as “writing a book.” You’re not writing a book. You’re just collecting your thoughts.

That’s why I call my first drafts “ vomit drafts .” I spew words and thoughts onto a page. I don’t stop to edit, re-read, or think about how the writing flows.

Like vomit, it’s not pretty. But after you’ve written all your ideas out, you’ll feel so much better.

Plus, it’s a lot easier to motivate yourself to write when you free yourself from the need to be perfect.

When you write a vomit draft, you don’t give yourself time to stare at a blank page. There’s no room for intimidation.

You just start writing and let whatever’s inside your brain come out. It’s not going to be perfect. In fact, it will probably be terrible.

But that’s okay. Most first drafts are terrible. Even books that go on to become bestsellers started as terrible first drafts.

Embrace it. Realize that bad writing is a natural part of the writing process.

A first draft is exactly what the name implies—a first step.

Your book will go through multiple drafts before anyone even sees it.

Of course, you’ll eventually have to wade through the vomit. You’ll have to trim, add, and edit . And you’ll probably have to move things around and rethink the structure of your chapters . That’s normal.

For now, stop worrying about how good or bad your writing is and start capturing your ideas. You can make them sound great later.

Don’t edit as you go. Just write. Vomit on the page.

It’s a lot easier to fix writing when you actually have writing to fix.

Many people find it easier to motivate themselves during the “vomit” phase. Once you get into the groove of spewing 250 words per day, it can be refreshing.

The part that’s harder is when you have to go back through all that writing to turn it into a coherent, well-written book.

Here’s my advice when you reach that phase: hold on to your motivation by keeping your focus on the reader.

You’re writing a nonfiction book for a reason. What made you want to do this in the first place?

At some level, it’s because you want to help your readers solve their problems.

If you’re writing a memoir , it’s because you want to share your story with people who can benefit from hearing it.

If you’re writing a knowledge-share nonfiction book , you’re trying to prove to your readers that you’re the person that can meet their needs.

Whatever kind of book you’re writing, your reader is at the heart of your motivation.

If you feel stuck or don’t feel like writing, remember that. Think about the people you’re going to help and how their lives will change because of your book.

When readers pick up a nonfiction book, they aren’t looking for perfection or a sublime writing style . They’re looking to learn information that’s going to make their lives better.

Here are 4 essential writing principles to help you deliver information in a way readers will appreciate:

• Keep your writing short. Readers tune out when you wander.
• Keep your writing simple. Readers want content they can easily understand, even if the ideas are complex.
• Keep your writing direct. Get to the point, and make each sentence a single, direct statement.
• Keep it about the reader. Ask yourself this question about everything you write: “Why does the reader care?”

Imagine having a conversation with a client or a close friend. What would you tell them, and how would you deliver the information?

Don’t make writing harder than it has to be. To stay motivated, imagine speaking directly to your reader and making an impact on their lives.

If you’re still unmotivated after all that, you might want to reconsider your intentions. If it’s that hard to motivate yourself, maybe writing a book isn’t something you really want to do.

This may seem odd to include in an article on motivational writing tips, but if you want to motivate yourself, you have to take care of yourself.

If you’re super stressed out or exhausted, you’re not going to function well. And you’re definitely not going to feel motivated to write.

I won’t lie. Writing can be a slog. And completing a book will take an emotional, mental, and sometimes physical toll on you. If you don’t take care of yourself, it’s easy to lose steam.

There are many ways you can take care of yourself. For example, you can:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Take nature walks
• Talk to a therapist
• Visit an energy healer or masseuse
• Try acupuncture
• Go for regular float sessions
• Sit in a sauna
• Take a bath with Epsom salts

Basically, take time to do things that will make your body and mind feel better. You want to develop good writing habits, not become a writing machine.

To do that, you need to check in with yourself from time to time to make sure you’re at the top of your game.

Being refreshed will make you a better writer. Self-care will revitalize you so you can come back the next day, ready to meet your writing goals.

While some people thrive on routines and self-care, others are more motivated by external accountability.

If you’re one of those people, I recommend announcing that you’re working on a book.

Tell people on social media. Write a guest post for your favorite blogger. Email your friends and family.

Whatever method works best for you, use it to announce your intention to the world.

And if you’re serious about writing, I recommend announcing your book on the platform that makes you the least comfortable.

Yes, that may seem like a lot of pressure. But it’s important to identify any points of resistance you have and push through them.

You’ll get a lot of positive feedback, which will help you become more motivated. And when your motivation wavers, you’ll be reminded that there are people eagerly awaiting your book.

I believe that every person has a book in them. But one of the major things that holds people back from writing those books is fear .

They’re afraid that their book won’t be good enough, original enough, or meaningful enough. They’re afraid of looking stupid or making people angry.

Those kinds of fears are normal, but you shouldn’t let them get in the way.

You have a story that’s worth telling. The only way to truly motivate yourself to tell it is to conquer your fear.

If you allow those fears to stick around, they only lead to procrastination , frustration, and surrender.

If you want to overcome your fear, I recommend facing them head-on. Write down all your fears about the writing process, self-publishing, or fears about how people will react once they read the book.

Evaluate each fear and recognize what those fears mean. Fear has a point and a purpose. It’s an indicator of risk.

Every Author who writes a book worth reading is taking a risk. If you’re scared, congratulations. It means you have something worth saying.

Fear isn’t the problem. The problem is when you let fears take over.

Keep in mind what your book is going to do for you and what it’s going to do for your readers.

Then, make a plan for facing your fears. For example, if you’re afraid you’ll never finish writing your book, use that fear as motivation. Create a writing routine and resolve to stick with it through the whole writing process.

The Scribe Crew

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How to Get Motivated to Write an Essay: 9 Easy Steps

Writing essays is an essential part of school and college life, but most people dread writing them.

Especially if you’re not a prolific writer, it can be hard to structure them, to put pen to paper, and to get them done efficiently.

Staying focused on homework can be hard enough!

In this guide, I’m giving you my best tips for how to get motivated to write an essay, which assumes that you currently don’t have the motivation now.

Follow these steps to set up each of your essays, and then conquer them one by one.

You’ll find that once you do, you feel more accomplished, more able to stick to a plan, and much more able to stay focused on homework!

Study Tools You Need RIght Now

1. Choose an Enjoyable Topic, if Possible

If you’re going to be motivated to write an essay, the easiest way to do so is by choosing a topic that means something to you.

Sure, some essays already have the topic handed out and in that case, you don’t have much of a choice, but many times you do.

You’ll be confined to a specific area, probably – whether it’s choosing an influential person in history, a book written by a woman, etc.

But within the bounds of what you can choose, make sure to choose something that is meaningful to you and gets you at least somewhat excited to research and explore the topic.

This helps you to feel like you’re motivated to write an essay because you genuinely want to learn more rather than being forced to.

2. Outline the Essay including the Introduction and Conclusion

In this step, you’re going to set up the essay to make it as easy as possible to think about.

This is one of my biggest tips when it comes to sticking to a plan .

This helps get you motivated to write the essay because it makes it seem less daunting.

Most essays have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

You need to work out how many body paragraphs you will need based on the points you are going to make in the essay.

Write this outline down to help you with the next step and to see that you can approach the essay by these individual sections rather than feeling like you need to sit down and just write an essay all at once.

3. Chunk the Word Count Down

Once you have your outline down, it’s time to figure out how many words should go in each section.

For instance, if I were doing a 1000 word essay, I would probably do 100 for an introduction, 200 for 4 body paragraphs each and 100 for a conclusion.

However you break it down is up to you and how many words you want the final essay to be.

This seems like extra work up front, but writing an essay that is properly outlined and has word counts attached to it can give you motivation because you see that it is already starting to come together before you even start writing. Suddenly, it seems a lot easier and that’s what encourages us to forge ahead.

4. Break Down the Work Over Multiple Days

As long as you’re not someone who has waited until the last day to write your essay (and if you have then this is not for you), break down the work over multiple days and plan it out so it’s not all on one day.

For instance, if you had 5 days and 5 sections, you could do a section a day, or if you only have 2 days, you could split it up in half.

Use a tool like Click Up or Trello, found in my productivity tools list , to help you plan.

This means you don’t have to work up the motivation to write your essay all at once, but only have to work up the motivation to write a certain number of words, which some people find easier.

5. Organize Your Research and Notes

Figure out where your lack of motivation to write your essay is coming from.

Chances are, the whole thing seems overwhelming and that’s one of the reasons you don’t start.

I always like to organize my research into easy-to-read notes, and many times I’ve used index cards to write down each fact and then you can arrange the index cards into the structure you want your essay to take later on.

You have to first digest the material you have researched in order to put it into an essay, so make sure to do this crucial step in between researching and writing, otherwise you’ll be left with a pile of books with no notes and trying to write the essay from memory of exactly what the quote was about photosynthesis on page 66 on the book with the blue cover.

I know that these steps feel like they’re adding more stress to your essay writing experience, I promise that once you do them you will feel so much more motivated to get it done.

6. Look Up Quotes

Especially if you’re writing for a high school paper, a lot of times it can be a good idea to start with a quote in your introduction.

Regardless, looking for quotes surrounding your topic is a great idea to give yourself some inspiration to write an essay and give you the motivation to start.

Remember that the quote doesn’t always have to exactly be about your topic or have the exact wording of your topic, but maybe it’s from an important person that you’re writing about in your essay or they’re talking about a general concept that you’re including in your essay.

We’ve got some great options to get you started in these quotes on staying focused and these quotes on never giving up .

7. Read Related Essays or Past Essays

It’s unlikely this is your first essay, in which case you should read over your past essays to remind yourself how you structured them and look at examples of when you finished essays, including any feedback that teachers gave you.

You can also read related essays on the subject that you look up online or the teacher hands out from past students, but you need to be very careful to only read this and not make any notes that could lead to you plagiarizing, even on accident.

It may be an idea to read essays in an unrelated topic, just so you can get more ideas for structuring an essay but won’t be in danger of stealing someone else’s words or ideas.

8. Plan Writing Sessions with a Friend

If it’s truly the motivation to write the essay that you struggle with and not the difficulty, team up with a friend and plan writing sessions where you set goals for how far along in your essays you want to be by the end of it.

You shouldn’t share notes to the point that you end up with the same essay, but working across from someone who is also working on the essay can be a huge motivator so you don’t feel left behind.

This also works more broadly if you decide to work in the library where other people are also working on various assignments, as the atmosphere of productivity can be one of the things that encourages you to improve your own productivity even further.

9. Choose a Reward for When You Finish

If getting a good grade on the essay isn’t a good enough motivator, choose a reward for yourself for when you finish the essay to help keep you motivated to study .

It could be a cake that you bake yourself, it could be a friend that you hang out with, it could be a weekend trip you plan.

It could be something small like a television show you watch or, if the essay is part of a longer string of assignments, taking an hour break afterwards.

Whatever it is, push yourself through writing the essay in order to get to the reward at the end.

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Motivation to Write: The 7 Fundamental Needs of Writers And How to Leverage Their Motivational Power

by Jeff Elkins | 0 comments

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If you write long enough, at some point you are going to experience a lag in productivity. Whether you call it “writer’s block” or “resistance” or just “a slump,” the moment will come when you struggle to put words on the page, and you just can't find motivation to write through the struggle. One way to overcome that lag is to lean into what motivates you.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

In 1943 in his paper “The Theory of Human Motivation,” Abraham Maslow proposed that our needs fall into a hierarchy. Maslow said that we pursue physiological needs first, then our need for safety, then our need for belonging, then our need for approval and acceptance, and then finally our need for self-actualization.

The basic idea behind Maslow’s Hierarchy is that we are motivated by our needs. Maslow believed that the most basic needs must be met before a person could devote energy to the higher needs.

I think this is true for us as writers as well. We are motivated by foundational needs that drive our desire to write .

But rather than those needs falling into a hierarchy we all share, I believe there are seven foundational needs writers have.

We each experience one or more of these foundational needs. These needs aren't necessarily better or worse than one another. They are simply different.

My goal with this article is not to present a polished theory of author motivations. I didn’t work through a data-driven scientific process to develop these seven needs. I built this list through self-examination and observation of other writers.

Rather, my goal is to provide a potential path out of a slump.

If we understand what our foundational needs are, we can leverage those needs to push through difficult times in writing. My hope is that by reading through these seven categories of needs, you will see yourself in a few of them, and then be able to use those needs as a tool to increase your productivity as a writer.

The 7 Fundamental Needs of Writers

In myself and my friends who write, I’ve noticed the following seven foundational needs driving our productivity:

1. The Need for Narrative Fulfillment

I was told from a young age that I was a good singer. My mother often signed me up for choirs and volunteered me to sing solos in church. When I went away to college, I started as a music major because I had this deep need to know if what I’d been told and what I believed about my musical ability was true. As a child, I’d been told a story — you are a musician — and I needed to finish it.

It took me a year to figure out that I was not meant to major in music and that being a musician was not my story.

The writers I’ve met who feel this way talk about how they began writing at a young age. They started scrolling down stories as soon as they were able to write. This founding story created a need in them to finish the narrative of the young kid who was a writer at a young age.

If this is you . . .

When you hit a slump in your writing and need motivation to write, remind yourself that this is part of who you are. This is your story. You’ve been writing since you were young. This is who you are. It might be hard at the moment, but that will pass. So sit down and get to work.

2. The Need for Self-Understanding

I am a mystery to myself. Often I am surprised by my own feelings or thoughts. Routinely I don’t know how I feel about something until I sit down to write about it. My thoughts crystalize when I write.

In this way, writing is about self-discovery.

The writers I’ve met who feel this way will often talk about writing to discover something about themselves. They feel like there is something beautiful hiding inside of them and the only way to release it is to write it out of its cage. It is as if they are sculptors standing in front of unshaped marble and writing is their hammer and chisel.

When you hit a slump in your writing and need motivation to write, remind yourself that you are just at a tough part of the marble, but that there is something beautiful lurking under the surface, and the only way to get it out is to start banging away at it.

3. The Need to Champion a Cause

The prophet Jeremiah said his prophecy was like a fire in bones. He couldn’t possibly hold it inside. It had to come out or it would burn him alive. Jeremiah had a message that he couldn’t help but share.

The writers I’ve met that feel this way are often obsessed with a single topic. Even if they want to diversify, they can’t. Everything they write eventually comes back to their message.

I’ve heard journalists talk this way about the truth. It is something they have to uncover. They can’t let it alone.

I’ve heard fiction writers talk this way about certain characters. No matter how hard they try, their protagonist always takes a certain shape or battles a specific issue.

When you hit a slump in your writing and need motivation to write, go back to your message. Pretend you are sharing it with someone for the first time. Relish in it. Let your passion for it fuel your work.

4. The Need to Fulfill a Calling

When I was in seminary, I heard a lot of people talk about “calling.” The idea behind calling is that there is some force outside of you (your god, or the muses, or something unknown) that is urging you to do something.

Many of my fellow students at seminary would talk about how they struggled with this call. They didn’t want it at first and wished they could reject it, but the voice continued to urge them forward.

The writers I’ve met that feel this way often can’t pinpoint why they want to write; they just know they can’t escape this voice that continues to call to them. It is different from the need for narrative fulfillment because it isn’t about a story they’ve started with their lives. In fact, sometimes this calling is a diversion from the path they’ve been on.

These writers feel pulled by something outside of themselves.

When you hit a slump in your writing and need motivation to write, ask the force calling you if you are done. If the answer is “yes,” then breathe a sigh of relief. If the answer is “no,” then stop fighting your calling, embrace it, and get back to work.

5. The Need to Measure Up

After discovering I had no business studying music in college, I started preparing for medical school by changing my major to fit a pre-medical studies emphasis. My father was a famous surgeon. He died the summer after my sophomore year and I felt I needed to somehow follow in his footsteps. I had a deep desire to measure up to him.

The writers I’ve met that feel this way have a history of writing. They have family members who write, or they’ve been to school for writing, or they have parents urging them to write.

This need is based on exterior expectations. Those expectations may be tangible or self-applied. Either way, these writers have a need to meet them.

When you hit a slump in your writing and need motivation to write, use those expectations to push you forward. People are counting on you. People believe in you. You have a legacy to fulfill. Like a prince with a kingdom to rule, take your place on the throne and get to work.

6. The Need to Belong

I played football in high school. Our team was amazing. We went to the state championship game multiple times. Several of my classmates went on to play in the NFL.

I, on the other hand, was terrible. I spent most seasons on the bench. I was okay with that because I wasn’t actually there for the football. I was there for the camaraderie. I played because I loved being a part of the team.

The writers I’ve met that feel this way love being a part of editing groups . This doesn't mean they are bad writers like I was a bad football player. Many of them are amazing writers.

It's just not the writing that is driving them.

They love sharing their writing with fellow writers. They love commiserating and discussing ideas. They love message boards and social networking groups.

For them, writing is as much about belonging to a group of writers as it is about the writing.

When you hit a slump in your writing and need motivation to write,  reach out to other writers and ask them what they are working on. Offer to read their work. Let their energy feed your fire. Ask them to hold you accountable. Embrace the fact that writing is a team sport for you.

7. The Need to Serve Others

While I discover things about myself when I write and I have some soapboxes I like to stand on, I started writing fiction as a way to bring extra money into the house.

I’ve got five kids. Four years ago, I lost my job and for a brief moment, I had no idea how I was going to care for their needs. As I searched for a new job, I desperately looked for something I could do that might become a secondary source of income so that if I found myself unemployed again, I wouldn't be stuck with nothing.

Writing was the only thing I was capable of doing.

There are moments I love writing and there are moments I hate writing. I didn’t write as a child and there isn’t a history of writing in my family. I’ve got people depending on me, people I love deeply, and I don’t have many talents besides my ability to tell stories. Writing is one way I serve them .

When you hit a slump in your writing and need motivation to write, picture the people you are writing for. Imagine them and let your commitment to them fuel your writing. Picture them in your mind, remember how much you love them , and then let your writing flow as an act of service.

Motivation to Write

It is likely as you read through this list that you found yourself in more than one of the seven foundational needs. That’s great because it gives you more needs to leverage when you get into a slump. No one need is better than another. They are all simply tools we can use to push us forward.

It is also possible that you didn’t find yourself in any of the needs I listed above. If that’s true, I’d love to hear what is motivating you. Tell us in the comments what pushes you to write and how you use it to motivate your work.

What motivates you to write?  Let us know in the comments .

Take a moment and focus on your foundational need. With that need in mind, give yourself a motivational pep talk. Then, free write about anything that comes to mind.

Write for fifteen minutes . Without editing, share your work in the comments . Be sure to leave feedback for your fellow writers, too!

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Jeff Elkins

Jeff Elkins is a writer who lives Baltimore with his wife and five kids. If you enjoy his writing, he'd be honored if you would subscribe to his free monthly newsletter . All subscribers receive a free copy of Jeff's urban fantasy novella "The Window Washing Boy."

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How To Get Motivated to Write An Essay: 5+ Useful Tips for You

by  Antony W

February 16, 2023

There’s no magic bullet to writing essays that inspire . And that means it’s an assignment that’s easier said than done. But before you find the task boring, let us show you how to get motivated to write an essay. 

Everyday, hundreds of students struggle to write essays, whichever the type. They’ll mostly read the prompt, make short notes from it, do research, and create an essay outline. Then when it comes to the actual writing, they go blank, completely.

Isn’t that a familiar situation? And can you relate with it?

Unfortunately, writer’s block is something every student will grapple with at one point in time. But that doesn’t mean it’s hard to beat.

So in this guide, I’ll give you some handy tips you can use to write comprehensive essays, even when you feel like you don’t have the motivation to put your claims, ideas, and arguments on a paper.

No motivation to write an essay yourself? No problem. Our experts are here to get you the help you need. Click the link below and let us help. 

How to Get Motivated To Write An Essay And Finish On Time

Below are simple tips that can help you write high quality essays in the shortest time possible, even if means you’re in your very last minutes.

1. Create an Essay Outline First

Even if you’ve done the finest research and you have a way with words, your essay won’t mean anything much to your instructor if it doesn’t feature an outline.

It doesn’t matter what type of essay the prompt requires you to write. You’ll need to create an outline to handle the assignment.

Irrespective of the essay word limit, you want to divide your essay into three sections: the opening paragraph, the body paragraphs, and the concluding paragraphs. That's the  perfect essay outline   you will ever need. 

The body section can have as many paragraphs as possible, usually depending less on the word limit and more on the arguments you’d like to present.

And an outline is an important element for one very important reason: It helps you to organize your thoughts in a manner that makes sense, making the essay easy to read right from the introduction to the final full stop.

2. Read the Prompt, Do Research First and then Write, Don’t Do All at the Same Time

Essay writing can be as hard and boring AF if you do everything at once. But since you’re interested in making the process as flawless, engaging, and interesting as possible, consider doing the assignment in parts.

First, read the prompt to understand what your professor requires. The prompt may be long or short depending on the topic in question.

In any case, you want to make short notes in a notebook or notepad so you have only the most important information at your fingertips.

Step away from the assignment for a few hours and then go to the second step.

Second, do your research. Collect as much information as possible from the best scholarly sources. List your primary and secondary sources in a bibliography as these will be your references as you write.

Again, take a break from the assignment for a few hours. Come back later and move om to the third step.

Third, come back and write your essay. At this point, you have read the prompt, made short notes of the most important points, and completed your research. All that’s left is to write your essay.

As you can see, we’ve divided this into three sections, each with a few hours break in between. This is important because it break down the monotony of writing the assignment in one sitting and makes the project interesting to work on.

3. Write Your Essay in Bits

It’s possible to write a long essay on one sitting, but that’s not something you can do if you don’t have the motivation to complete the assignment in one night.

So instead of pouring all your energy to the paper and getting bored when you’re only halfway done, consider writing in parts.

This isn’t about how much time you’re going to spend writing. It’s about how many words you can get down within a given period.

First, use the essay outline and the information collected from research to create a rough draft. Introduce the topic, highlight your thoughts (arguments) in a logical order in the body section, and then write a strong conclusion for the essay.

Take a short break and come back to the essay later. Now write it in-depth, making sure you provide sufficient academic evidence to back up your arguments or support your claims.

4. Ask Your Course Mates to Help You Understand the Topic

Some students lack the motivation to write essays because they can’t understand the topic provided in the prompt.

If this is anything like you, then you should consider asking for help from your fellow students.

While you may not understand the topic in question, there’s a high chance that your fellow students understand the concept. So spend some time discussing the assignment with them.

Don’t forget to ask questions where necessary, as this will not only clear your doubts about the topic but also allow you to collect some strong points that you can include while proofreading your essay .

 5. Write in the Best Writing Spot

Your usual spot may not be fit for writing all types of essays, and especially the more complicated ones.

Maybe sometimes you’re too bored to sit in the same environment and get the essay done. In such a case changing location can be a motivating factor.

It doesn’t matter if you’ll write the essay from under a tree, in your bedroom, in the library, or in your friend’s classroom. Just find a spot that you find comfortable for the moment.

Some students even write better with the music on. This is especially true if you’re around other students and want to cancel out noise coming from the surroundings. If you prefer this option, you can get yourself some noise cancelling headphones.

6. Seek Academic Writing Assistance

 There’s more to writing an essay than just putting words on a paper. And to be honest, the task is almost always overwhelming.

Do you need help with your Essay? 

Get in touch with your professional team of writers. 

So if you lack the motivation to write the paper because it’s too demanding, you can seek for essay writing help from Help for Assessment.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

7 Proven Ways to Motivate Yourself to Write

Cast a stone at those saying that writing is an easy craft everyone can master. After all, everyone wrote essays at school and college, right? What can be difficult in sitting and putting words on paper, huh?

Surprise-surprise: Writing is hard.

Moreover, the process becomes even more challenging when writing for others giving you topics, content formatting rules, and strict deadlines:

You have no time to sit and wait for inspiration to craft a masterpiece about things you know and love.

Instead, you spend time researching assigned topics and thinking of writing strategies for your texts to follow guidelines yet look professional and engaging. You outline texts, write drafts, add references, craft visuals, and polish your works via proofreading and editing.

It doesn’t sound motivational, right?

If you are among those writing a lot (whether for college or work), here are some proven ways to motivate yourself to do the job when you don’t feel like it.

These actionable tips come from the personal statement writing service at AdvancedWriters whose experts couldn’t be better to understand the pitfalls of writer’s block. Assisting college students with writing assignments daily, they’ve mastered the art of motivation boost by far.

So, here they go!

How to Motivate Yourself to Write When Lazy or Stuck

These tips and suggestions will help you organize your writing routine so that you can catch the muse and meet deadlines every time your motivation fades away.

1. Find Your Perfect Writing Place

Where do you write your books, articles, or college assignments? While many believe a writer needs nothing but a laptop with internet access, it’s not true:

A writing area influences productivity by far! To boost motivation, find your perfect workspace. Where do you feel most comfortable to write? Is it a cozy cafe with background music? A library? Coworking spaces?

Go there when you need to write. Ensure you minimize distractions: Turn off smartphone notifications, put on earphones, tell your family not to disturb you during your writing hours, etc.

2. Make It a Habit

When writing is your habit, you don’t need to wait for motivation or inspiration to come: It’s your daily routine now, another item in your to-do list, like going to groceries or a gym.

How to make it a habit?

Start small. Set a daily goal – 100 words, one draft, 15 minutes – and commit to it. Freewriting, journaling, or the Morning Pages technique by Julia Cameron will help here.

Write every day, even if it’s one short paragraph. Note down ideas and thoughts coming to your mind. The only rule:

Shut off your inner critic when writing; pay no attention to grammar, style, or content; write! You’ll have time to re-read those writings later (if you want!) and find some ideas for your future work there.

3. Try the “Bird by Bird” Principle

Writing looks daunting when you realize how much time and energy you’ll need to complete one project. Topic research, outlining, drafting, editing…

The human brain is lazy , so it’s no surprise you feel stuck and unmotivated to do such heavy tasks. To “cheat” your brain, don’t do all work at once:

Break up your writing into smaller tasks and make each step clear and specific. For example, you can outline an essay today, write its introduction tomorrow, and finish the draft the next day. Plan writing hours and set attainable writing goals:

Authors know this trick as the “Bird by Bird” principle. Introduced by Ann Lamott in her book of the same title, it teaches us to start small and take one step at a time to get closer to accomplishing our goals.

4. Go for a Walk

Did you ever notice how relaxed and enthusiastic you felt after a walk? We have a scientific explanation for this:

When walking, the brain gets more oxygen and improves performance. According to studies, people who walk longer distances weekly preserve more of the gray matter influencing their cognitive functions and creativity.

So, inspiration comes, writing ideas come, and you (magic!) find words to describe a character, write a dialogue, or start an essay! Ensure you write them at once! (Trust us, you may forget them when you get back to work.)

5. Find Your Productivity Trigger

Take a seat and listen to yourself for a minute. Try to figure out what inspires you and give motivation to create, act, and grow. Is it a person, art, or maybe sports?

Explore rituals triggering you to write. Try simple practices like going to a museum, affirmations , exercising before writing, meditation – whatever sets you in the “creator” mood.

Switching your writing locations from time to time can help, too. Why do you think so many creative people choose to work in coffee shops?

New surroundings and background noises activate the brain; you feel motivated to follow the lead of those working around you and create something.

6. Take Breaks

University of Illinois psychology professors proved that brief breaks enhance our abilities to focus longer. The catch is that it can be challenging to take breaks when writing.

(Especially when ideas flow, and you don’t want to interrupt for fear of losing that train of thought.)

When unmotivated or stuck, breaks are a must. They bring your work back to the forefront, and it would help if you took a 10-15 minutes break from writing every hour. Set a timer to control the process better.

Look at a window and explore the outside: It’s a nice trick to sharpen attention and brain power.

7. Reward Yourself

As a writer, you may feel satisfied only when you complete the project, your novel is in a bookstore , your article gets published at Forbes, your essay is on a teacher’s table, and so on. Why not change this perspective?

Promise yourself a little reward for reaching small milestones throughout your writing project. A sweet treat after finishing a book chapter or a cup of a favorite drink after outlining a research paper never hurts.

(By the way, did you know that caffeine boosts focus and creativity? If you’re not a coffee addict, no problem: tea or chocolate brings the same effect.)

When the reward is in sight, you’re more likely to be motivated to work hard. Celebrate your accomplishments, whether big or small. Give yourself breaks to recharge your writing “battery” so you don’t get burned out.

Over to You

None of the above suggestions are hard to implement, agree? Start practicing them when unmotivated – and you’ll see their transformative power influencing your productivity and writing routine.

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10 Steps to Find Your Writing Motivation and Inspiration

September 28, 2023

Writing is an art that requires creativity and inspiration to produce great content. For new authors sometime finding motivation to write and inspiration is difficult but crucial to your success. The process of writing can be challenging, and writers often face many obstacles that can hinder their creativity.

These challenges can range from writer’s block to a total lack of inspiration.

When writers lack motivation and inspiration, their creativity and productivity suffer. They may find themselves struggling to come up with new ideas, and their writing may become dull and uninspired. This can lead to frustration and even burnout, which is obviously detrimental to a writing career!

To overcome these challenges, new authors need to find ways to stay motivated and inspired. In this article, I will cover ten steps that can help new authors find their writing motivation and inspiration.

By following these ten steps, new authors can spark inspiration and turn finding your motivation to write and produce great content into second nature.

Writing is a journey, and it is essential to find ways to stay motivated and inspired along the way.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Set Clear Goals:

The first step is to set clear goals. Having clear goals is essential in writing. It helps you as a writer define your objectives and stay focused on what you want to achieve. Whether it is finishing a novel, writing a blog, or submitting articles to publications, setting goals can give you a clear direction.

Make sure to establish short, medium and longer-term goals so that you have something to work towards. Don’t be afraid to add milestones along the way too, for the longer goals, so that you know you’re on track. Seeing progress can help with your motivation.

Once you have set your goals, you need to break them down into smaller, achievable tasks.

This helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed and makes the process more manageable. For example, if the goal is to write a novel, you should break it down into chapters or scenes and set deadlines for each section.

With a clear direction and purpose, you can stay motivated and inspired to achieve your writing dreams.

Create a Writing Routine:

Establishing a consistent writing routine is essential as a new author to stay motivated and inspired. When you make writing a habit, it becomes easier to get into the flow of writing and overcome writer’s block.

Setting aside dedicated time for writing each day or week can help you establish a routine and create a sense of discipline. It is essential to find a time that works best for you, whether it is early in the morning, late at night, or during your lunch break.

Creating a designated writing space can also help establish a focused mindset. Whether it is a home office, a local library, or a coffee shop, finding a space that works for you can help you get into the writing zone.

Make sure your writing space is free of distractions and equipped with the tools you need to write effectively, such as a comfortable chair, a desk, and a computer or notebook.

In addition to setting aside time and creating a designated writing space, it is crucial to establish a plan for the actual activities in each session.

This can include activities such as brainstorming, outlining, and editing, in addition to actual writing. Setting targets to establish a routine that becomes a habit is a key to success for many new writers.

By breaking down the writing process into manageable tasks and incorporating them into your routine, you can stay motivated and inspired to achieve your writing goals.

Explore Different Writing Prompts:

Writing prompts can be a powerful tool for authors to overcome writer’s block and find inspiration. Writing prompts are short, open-ended statements or questions that can help writers generate ideas and start writing.

They can be used to explore different genres, styles, and perspectives and challenge writers to think outside the box. Many successful authors have used writing prompts to jumpstart their creativity and develop their writing skills.

There are many sources of writing prompts available, including books, websites, and apps.  Many author-focused websites provide writing prompts and Reddit’s Writing Prompts community offers a wide range of prompts for writers to explore.

Writing prompt apps are also available for your phone or tablet to provide daily prompts and writing exercises to help writers practice their craft.

New authors especially should experiment with different types of writing prompts to find what works best for them. Some writers may prefer prompts that are specific and detailed, while others may prefer more open-ended prompts that allow for more creative freedom.

Try different types to figure out which style works best for you. Trying out different prompts can help you discover your strengths and weaknesses and develop a unique writing style.

Incorporating writing prompts into a writing routine can also be a helpful way for you to stay motivated and inspired. By setting aside time each day or week to work on a prompt, you can develop a consistent writing practice and build momentum towards your writing goals.

Overall, exploring different writing prompts can be a valuable tool to overcome writer’s block and find new inspiration for their writing.

Read Widely:

As a new author, reading widely can be an excellent source of inspiration and motivation. When you read different genres, styles, and authors, you expose yourself to different writing techniques and ideas. It can help you develop your unique writing style and voice.

Reading is also an excellent way to learn about the writing craft and techniques. It is important to explore diverse genres and styles to broaden your horizons and avoid getting stuck in a writing rut.

For example, if you mostly write fiction, try reading some non-fiction or poetry to gain a new perspective. Similarly, if you mainly read classic literature, try reading some contemporary authors to see what’s trending in the industry.

Keeping a reading journal can also be a useful tool for new authors. You can jot down your thoughts and ideas as you read, which can inspire you to write something new or develop an existing idea.

You can also use your reading journal to track your progress and set reading goals. For example, you can challenge yourself to read a certain number of books in a month or a year.

Reading widely is an essential tool for new authors to find inspiration and motivation. By exploring diverse genres and styles and keeping a reading journal, you can develop your unique writing style and voice.

It is a great way to learn about the writing craft and techniques and keep up with the latest trends in the industry. So, make sure to add reading to your writing routine to stay inspired and motivated.

Find a Writing Community:

Connecting with fellow writers can be an excellent way for authors to boost their motivation and find support in their writing journey. Joining writing groups, workshops, or online communities can provide numerous benefits, including the opportunity to receive feedback, learn new skills, and share experiences with other writers.

One of the most significant advantages of joining a writing community is the chance to receive feedback on your work. Sharing your writing with others can help you identify areas for improvement and gain valuable insights into your writing style.

Additionally, feedback from other writers can help you refine your work and make it more engaging for readers.

Apart from feedback, connecting with fellow writers can also help you find support and encouragement in your writing journey. Writing can be a solitary activity, and it is easy to feel discouraged or unmotivated without the support of others.

Joining a writing community can provide you with a sense of belonging and camaraderie, which can boost your confidence and motivation to keep writing.

Finally, being part of a writing community can give you access to shared experiences and knowledge. You can learn from other writers’ experiences, gain insights into the writing industry, and discover new techniques to improve your writing.

By connecting with other writers, you can expand your knowledge and skills and take your writing to the next level.

Joining a writing community can provide numerous benefits for new authors, including feedback, support, and shared experiences. Whether you join a local writing group, attend a workshop, or participate in an online community, connecting with fellow writers can help you stay motivated and inspired in your writing journey.

So don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with other writers – you never know what opportunities and insights may come your way.

Overcome Writer’s Block:

Writer’s block is a common obstacle that many writers face at some point in their writing journey. It can be frustrating and disheartening to feel stuck and unable to move forward with your writing.

However, it is important to remember that writer’s block is a natural part of the creative process and can be overcome with the right strategies.

One effective strategy for overcoming writer’s block is freewriting. This involves setting a timer for a set amount of time and writing continuously without stopping or worrying about grammar, spelling, structure or quality.

The goal of freewriting is to generate ideas and get your creative juices flowing. By allowing yourself to write without judgment or expectation, you may be surprised at the ideas that emerge.

Another strategy is to try mind mapping. This involves creating a visual diagram of your ideas and how they connect. By organizing your thoughts in this way, you may be able to identify new connections and ideas that can help you move forward with your writing.

Sometimes, changing your writing environment can also help to overcome writer’s block. This could mean moving to a different location, such as a coffee shop or park, or simply changing the position of your desk or chair. By altering your surroundings, you may be able to shake off any feelings of stagnation and find a new perspective on your writing.

Ultimately, the key to overcoming writer’s block is to keep writing. Even if you feel like your writing is imperfect or not up to your usual standards, it is important to keep pushing forward.

Remember, writing is a process, and it is okay to make mistakes along the way. By embracing imperfection and continuing to write, you may be surprised at how quickly you can overcome writer’s block and get back to creating your best work.

Seek Inspiration from Everyday Life:

As a writer, it is essential to find inspiration from everyday life. There’s a wealth of potential story ideas all around us, waiting to be discovered.

While you are out doing everyday activities, observe the people, places, and events around you. It could be as simple as taking a walk around the neighborhood or sitting in a coffee shop and people-watching. By staying curious and open to new experiences, writers can find inspiration in unexpected places.

One way to find inspiration is to pay attention to the details. The way someone walks or talks, the colors and textures of a building, or the smells and sounds of a particular location can all spark ideas for a story.

Take note of these details and use them to create vivid descriptions in your writing. By incorporating sensory details, you can make your stories come alive on the page.

Another way to find inspiration is to draw from personal experiences. Think about moments in your own life that could be turned into compelling stories. It could be a childhood memory, a difficult experience you overcame, or a moment of joy or triumph. By tapping into your own emotions and experiences, you can create stories that feel authentic and relatable.

Finally, remember that inspiration can come from anywhere. A news article, a conversation with a friend, or a random thought that pops into your head can all be starting points for a story. Always keep an open mind and be willing to explore new ideas.

By staying curious and open to new experiences, you can find inspiration in even the most unlikely places.

Experiment with Different Writing Techniques:

It is important to experiment with various writing techniques and styles to keep your work fresh and exciting. Trying out different narrative structures, perspectives, or genres can help you spark your creativity and motivation.

By breaking away from your usual writing routine, you might discover new ways to approach your work and develop your writing skills.

One technique you might try is changing the narrative structure of your story. Instead of starting at the beginning and moving linearly through the plot, you might choose to start in the middle or even the end and work backward. This can add an element of surprise and keep your readers engaged.

Playing with different points of view can also be a fun way to experiment with your writing. Try writing from the perspective of a minor character, or switch between multiple narrators to add depth and complexity to your story.

Another way to experiment with your writing is to try out different genres. If you typically write romance, try writing a horror story or a sci-fi adventure. This can challenge you to develop new skills and flex your creative muscles.

You might even discover a new favorite genre that you never would have explored otherwise.

Overall, remember that experimentation is key to keeping your writing fresh and exciting. Don’t be afraid to try new things and take risks with your writing. By staying open-minded and curious, you can continue to grow and develop your craft as a writer.

Take Breaks and Rest:

As writers, we often push ourselves to the limit in pursuit of our writing goals. We may spend hours at our desks, typing away at our keyboards, fueled by the passion and excitement that comes with creating something new.

However, it is important to remember that our minds and bodies need rest and rejuvenation to maintain our motivation and creativity over the long term.

Taking breaks is essential to keeping our writing fresh and exciting. When we’re constantly pushing ourselves to write, we can quickly become burned out, and our writing can suffer as a result.

By taking regular breaks, we can give our minds a chance to rest and recharge, allowing us to return to our writing with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

But what should we do during these breaks?

Engaging in other activities, such as walking, meditation, or pursuing hobbies, can be an excellent way to rejuvenate the mind. These activities allow us to step away from our writing and focus on something else entirely, giving our brains a much-needed break from the creative process.

In addition to taking breaks throughout the day, it is also important to take longer breaks regularly. This could mean taking a few days off from writing each week or taking a longer break between projects.

By giving ourselves time to rest and recharge, we can come back to our writing with a fresh perspective and renewed motivation, ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.

So don’t be afraid to take a step back and prioritize self-care and rest in your writing practice.

Your writing (and your mind) will thank you for it.

Celebrate Achievements:

As writers, we often get so caught up in the process of creating and perfecting our work that we forget to celebrate our achievements. However, taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate our progress is essential for maintaining motivation and building confidence in our writing abilities.

One way to celebrate milestones and achievements is by setting specific goals for ourselves. Whether it is completing a certain number of pages or chapters, reaching a certain word count, or submitting our work to a particular publication, having clear goals can help us stay focused and motivated.

Once you have reached your goals, it is important to take the time to acknowledge your accomplishments. This could mean treating ourselves to a special meal or activity, buying ourselves a small gift, or simply taking a moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved and why it matters.

Celebrating achievements can also be a great way to connect with other writers and build a sense of community. By sharing our successes with fellow writers, we can inspire and encourage one another, as well as learn from each other’s experiences.

In the end, celebrating achievements is not just about recognizing our own progress and hard work, but also about cultivating a positive and supportive writing environment.

So let’s take the time to celebrate our achievements, big and small, and encourage others to do the same.

After all, writing is a long journey, and every step forward is worth celebrating.

So there you have it, 10 steps to get (and keep) your writing mojo!

Finding writing motivation and inspiration can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible.

By implementing the ten steps outlined in this article, new authors can develop a consistent writing practice and build momentum toward their writing goals.

Persistence and self-discovery are essential elements of the writing journey, and by consistently applying these steps, you can enhance your writing skills and nurture your creative spirit.

It is important to acknowledge and appreciate our progress and achievements, big and small. Celebrating our successes can help us stay motivated and build a sense of community with other writers.

By sharing our achievements with fellow writers, we can inspire and encourage one another, as well as learn from each other’s experiences.

Finally, it is essential to remember that writing is a journey, and every step forward is worth celebrating. Even if we face challenges or setbacks along the way, it is important to stay focused and committed to our writing goals.

So, let’s take the time to celebrate our achievements and encourage others to do the same.

With persistence, self-discovery, and a supportive writing environment, new authors can achieve their writing dreams and create meaningful works that inspire and entertain readers.

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Writing Motivation: 7 Proven Ways to Get Motivated to Write Instantly!

Are you looking for writing motivation?

In this article, I’ll share 7 working tips that will help you get motivated to write or reach your writing goals.

Feel free to skip this intro and jump directly to the tips by clicking here .

Imagine …

It’s 31st December, the year’s end, or 25th December, or any other day of celebration you can think of.

You are sitting beside the dinner table, with your family; mom, dad, your little brother, your elder sister, and your best buddy whom you have invited to celebrate the night with you.

You were narrating an incident when you did something amazing in class, and the table is dead silent, all lending their ears to you.

There is laughter and some aww moments on the table based on your style of narrating and overall they are enjoying your story to their heart’s content.

You finish up the story. All have a great round of applause for you, and you feel like you are on top of the world.

You think you have surpassed Shakespeare in terms of storytelling.

You go to bed smiling and patting your back.

Imagine once more …

Seven friends (including you) are going on a long journey car (okay, a spacious car!) ride and there is so much silence in the vehicle. All clung to their smartphones.

Now, suddenly you remember a story when you went to a picnic with your family. Yes, the picnic where you saved a girl from being molested and also helped her find her way back home.

Fantastic story; all seven had their cell phones back in their pockets and were glued to your words.

You conclude by taking a selfie with your friends all looking so nostalgic.

Feeling elated, you write the event in your diary and create a Facebook life event for keeping the moment alive.

Now take it this way…

You are sitting at your table writing on your blog. You decide to narrate both the stories (or anyone, no problem), and do a fab job describing the event.

You also get 7 to 8 comments on your blog, thanking you for filling their day with positivity.

You check analytics and find that post had not seven, not eight but twenty views that night and the other day after it.

But, still, you are not happy this time, you are disheartened.

You think you are no better than a dumb-ass.

You humiliate yourself by saying you are nobody in the blogosphere and you hate to be like this.

You start complaining that you are not as rocking as your fellow bloggers and competitors are. After all, they get thousands of views on any post they write!

Frustrated, you go to sleep promising to never blog again, ever.

Now answer my questions :

• What had significantly changed during both your storytelling events?
• Did you not get the seven people in your car or five family members going crazy with your narrative style?
• Did your post not garner much more appreciation when you repeated the story on the internet?

You even got twenty pairs of eyeballs on your content which was roughly three times compared to your first two attempts.

So what went wrong?

Why do you feel you now have no motivation to write?

Is it because this time it is twenty people sitting on the other side of the computer, each separately at their dinner table?

Does that make a difference?

Change your mindset…

Changing your mindset about the results will help you find that writing motivation.

Even if your blog has one reader, respect them.

If someone (in the other corner of the world) decides to spend 3 minutes of their valuable time reading what you have to say, respect their efforts.

If twenty readers of yours think you have helped them in gaining confidence and are grateful to you, DON’T humiliate them by saying, “Ah, you are not the 5000 visitors the other shitty blog is getting, and I don’t want to appreciate your gratitude”.

If you have one reader , take it as a friend who is giving you his time. Don’t get disheartened. One friend is invaluable.

If you have six readers , take it as a dinner table where everyone appreciates your words.

If you have 50 readers , take it as a cafe where everyone is sipping their coffee for sure, but lending their ears to you too.

If you have 500 visitors , it is equivalent to your community hall , where all are listening to you with all their hearts.

If you have 5000 visitors , take it as if you are addressing a football audience and they are all for you. Cheering and applauding.

Never underestimate your audience, never underestimate your ability.

• Learn what is blogging (the beginner’s guide)
• Learn how to start a blog

If you still need writing motivation, here are 7 proven ways that will help you get motivated to write instantly.

Writing motivation: 7 ways to get motivated to write

• Discover your why
• Write for your target audience
• Tips to create a reader persona
• Tips to keep the ideas flowing
• Focus on providing value
• Tips to find & fix underlying issues
• Tools to help you boost your writing motivation

If you want daily writing motivation, just remember “ some people dream of success while others get up in the morning and make it happen “.

You might get stuck or run out of ideas but you have to stay positive and keep writing no matter what.  Consistency is the key to avoiding writer’s block .

If you’re motivated by rewards, you can also consider the benefits of blogging to motivate you.

Here are 7 ways to stay motivated to write:

1) Discover your why

Henneke from EnchantingMarketing suggests that connecting with your “why” helps you get inspired to write. When you know why you do what you do, it becomes less of a chore and more of a pleasure you want to stay indulged in.

Jot down why you write, and what benefits writing has on you (personally and professionally) and these reasons will become your motivation to write.

Think about your writing goals, and the mission you want to achieve with your content.

For me, it is to help people realize the potential of blogging and help them get started.

This is helpful in increasing a long-lasting intrinsic motivation for me to blog.

2) Write for your target audience

Another most common blogging mistake beginners make is trying to be a people-pleaser.

To hit the bull’s eye, you need to focus on writing for your target audience.

You have to accept the fact that not all will relate to the story you have to tell.

Creating content on a broad topic will only boost your bounce rates.

With that said, let’s find the perfect target audience..

3) Create a reader persona

Now that you know who your target audience is, create a reader persona (a simple profile of your ideal reader, the problem they face, the solution they’re looking for, etc), and then start writing for that single persona.

That way you know what pain points your reader has.

What are their interests and how you can help them with your writing process?

Here’s a guide to creating a reader persona easily.

Did you notice how you felt like we’ve been talking one-on-one all this while so does another reader sitting in front of their laptop (reading this exact article)?

How did this happen?

By a single trick of using conversational writing style and using words like “you”, “us” and “your”. These words make the reader feel like you’re talking to them one-on-one.

4) Keep the ideas flowing

Ideas don’t have to strike you when you want them to. You can get ideas at the weirdest places and at the oddest of times.

The best way to harvest all these ideas is to jot down as they come and write on them at your own pace. Sometimes, certain ideas will not make sense, later on, discard them and cultivate newer ideas.

If you’re still stuck, here is a massive list of blog post topics to keep your creative juices flowing.

Here are some tips to help you blog more consistently. Take a thorough look:

Please note: Don’t forget to go through my best writing hacks that I mention after this graphic.

5) Focus on providing value

In the first two assumptions, did you notice both your family and your friends were happy with your story?

The reason is you provided each of them a value they wanted and could relate to. When you were with your family, it was an obedient student’s story and with your friends, mostly teens, you talked about a girl.

This is what will help you in your content too.

Research what your audience wants. And then craft blog posts that provide some value to them.

Solve their problems.

Pro Tip: Perform keyword research to write about queries that people search for

6) Fix your underlying issues

It’s always safe to run a scan and see if there is an issue that needs to be fixed rather than hoping all is fine.

If you’ve tried all the writing tips & leveraged all the writing tools for writers out there but still not seeing visible growth, you need to think about the other areas you’re missing out.

Take time out to reflect on your writing routine.

The best way to get free website readers is via search engines . Make sure your blog is optimized & indexed for search engines .

If bots don’t get what you’re writing, they can’t rank it, and then you lose out on all those potential readers that type the query you’re writing about.

I highly recommend you to check out these easy yet effective on-page SEO techniques  that will help you boost your search engine rankings .

Another important aspect is to make sure you’re not making any blogging mistakes that might be crippling your blog on the inside.

Check out these common beginner blogging mistakes  ( #3 on the list kept my blog growth-deprived for a year or so until I discovered it ) and double-check if you’re making them.

If you’re making any of those listed mistakes, follow the solutions listed there to fix the loophole in your content writing strategy.

7) Use tools to boost your writing motivation

Still can’t get out of that writer’s block?

You can use certain tools to help you gain back your motivation to complete your writing project. Heck, you can even have AI content generation tools to do all the heavy-lifting for you.

a) Use browser extensions to block social media sites

If you see how many people use Instagram or any other social media site for that matter, you’ll know it does more harm to productivity than good.

Extensions like StayFocused (for Chrome & Edge) can be used to block social media sites completely during your writing sessions or after a certain amount of time (like say 15 minutes per day).

This will keep you from being distracted from these sites and prevent you from unintentionally going down the rabbit hole of Instagram reels.

b) Use a daily planner

A daily planner app like Serene can not only help you block distracting sites but also help you focus by setting one primary goal (remember the book Eat That Frog ?) for the day and then breaking your day into sessions in order to achieve it.

It also plays your music to boost your writing motivation.

c) Use a distraction-free writing app

Here is a list of the best writing app and here’s another that lists the best blogging apps. Make sure to choose something that lets you write distraction-free.

I have tried Ulysses, Bear, and even the plain old Google doc. Choose something that is minimal and doesn’t spoil you with a lot of customizations so you can focus on writing rather than customizing.

There are times when I get the motivation to write and I can’t think of anything and open Apple Notes. It serves the purpose and doesn’t let you do too many things. That’s what a distraction-free writing app should do.

However, as complex as content creation in the current online marketing scene is, I prefer tools like Google docs that help you with collaborative writing. You can take input from team members, and share your feedback, and sometimes that’s the only thing that you need to bring back your writing motivation.

You can also use tools like Hemingway editor or Grammarly to boost your writing skills (Pro Tip: Use Grammarly student discount to save money).

d) Keep your phone away

Research shows that smartphones negatively affect productivity and overall daily lives.

Try switching your phone off or keeping it across the room (for the duration of your writing time) so that you don’t get drawn towards it after writing a little or when even in the tiny timing that a page takes to load.

Over to you: How to get motivated to write or blog

I hope this post gave you a different perspective on blogging and helped you gain some motivation to write and blog consistently.

What are your thoughts?

Here’s a writing motivation quote that I strongly believe in.

Believe in the process and don’t focus on the results. If you’ve followed the process with all honesty, results will automatically come.

How do you get motivated to write? What writing activities do you follow to keep gloomy days away?

Let us know in the comments below…

If you liked this article, consider sharing it on your favorite social media platform.

FAQs on finding your writing motivation

What motivates a writer to write?

The number one reason that motivates a writer to write is the mission that led him to start writing in the first place. Whenever you lack the motivation, just try to visualize the writing goal that you had before you began. That will help you push through and get motivated to write.

How to get daily writing motivation?

Daily writing motivation becomes easy when you have a set daily writing routine. That way, you know when to do what and don’t have to waste time thinking about your next steps. Having a set writing process also helps you connect one task to another (like making coffee taking it to your work table and then drinking it while writing) and which makes the flow easy. Other things like setting a daily writing goal (like 500 words), not editing while writing, switching off distractions, etc also help. Just remember, not to go overboard with anything.

How do you write when you are not in the mood?

Writing when you’re not in the mood will result in mediocre content but don’t let it stop you. You can work on setting your mood by taking a break, going out on a walk, creating a writing routine, setting up an ambiance (burning essential oils, clearing the writing table), etc. can help.

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Swadhin Agrawal

Hi, I'm Swadhin Agrawal, founder, and editor-in-chief of DigitalGYD . DigitalGYD is a multiple-times award-winning blog where we aim at helping bloggers how to start a blog and grow it into a profitable online business.

I'm a professional blogger for a decade now and am the founder of Value Intent Media Pvt. Ltd., a media company that creates content for a multi-million-sized audience across various verticals.

Our research & content on DigitalGYD is often referred to by brands like The Telegraph, Forbes, Times of India, Yahoo! Finance, HuffPost, Bluehost, Neil Patel, The Next Web, etc.

23 thoughts on “Writing Motivation: 7 Proven Ways to Get Motivated to Write Instantly!”

Good advice Swadhin. Blogging is like telling a story to friends. I think some bloggers make the mistake of writing like they are talking down or reporting news. It comes across kind of boring instead of engaging and helpful.

Hello Swadhin, The above article is very informative and useful, Thanks for sharing such helpful articles .

Hi Swadhin,

Most of the times I read blogs very fast and very little pieces of information I keep in my mind. But in this article, it’s well narrated and a lot of things inspired me to continue blogging as my passion.

Thanks a lot Sajeesh

Hello Swadhin,

It is really very great post and it is very motivational also and thanks for sharing this article.

Regards, Marya

Thank you! I definitely needed to read this! This way of thinking is what I need to keep in mind.

It was really helpful blog for me, really capturing one , and also loved the detailed explanation with the dinner table story narration. I just started blogging and I am definitely going to save this blog for future references.

Best regards, Sushila Nepal

Hey Swadhin,

Wow. What a riveting write up my friend. It definitely felt like you were talking directly to me.

I agree we should treat our readers with care no mater how many we have.

Off to share this one!

Thank you soo much for such an encouraging blog post. It definitely puts blogging into perspective. One reader is no different from 5000 readers – we should be appreciative that they came to our site and enjoyed our entry. Love that!

Love the “seven friends at the dinner table” analogy. Thanks for this alternate point of view.

Very encouraging and inspiring, Swadhin. Thanks for sharing! Christa

Thank you for this post. I agree with you completely. I was listening to a podcast recently and the guy said that if you have the ability to make a different for even 40 people, you are changing the world. My blog is small right now and of course, I wish that I had more traffic but I care a great deal about the traffic that I do have.

I have been considering email each subscriber individually and asking them, how I can help them. Do you think that is a good idea?

Hi Renne I am replying to your comment because you have a question in it. I think that podcast was a powerful one. We should always respect people who teach such positivism. Yes why not, I think thats a incredible one. You are not going to have subscribers after this tough. They will all be converted into your friends. Its an awesome idea and I think I should also follow it.

It will surely boost your engagement rate. So go forward :)

This was a very engaging post. I love that way you have given examples based on the number of readers in a blog. I totally agree with your thoughts. Even if a single person is reading your content, you are obliged to keep writing and providing useful content for him. You just have to be focused and good things will come your way.

Keep sharing your amazing posts with us. Have a wonderful week ahead :)

Hats of to you for motivating me, so many times I have same feeling and depressed about blog traffic comparing with other people, You said right, even if you have single reader to your blog, we should respect him because he is spending his valuable time to read your article.

I liked the way you compared readers into audiences like dining table, community hall, cafe centre, and Stadium, keep up the good work.

Loved this post and what you have shared is a nugget of wisdom. You remind of a post I wrote where I advised that we should not be rank conscious but provide value and what better way to provide value to your audience than to treat them like a special GEM.

I agree that we should not be disheartened or sad because we don’t have much followers as every blogger has a voice and If 1 reader believes in you then such reader should be treated with care and respect.

Loved the headline, story and the finish. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Swadin bro, What a great post. Its 100% true that blogging is nothing rather than a story but you need to provide a value in your story to your reader. The explanation you have made, is really impressive. Thanks for such kind of inspiration. Have a great day!! Naveen Kumar

Magical beginning and super magical ending I rarely observe ever because either a post has a great start or an impressive ending; but at both sides never happens commonly.

Your posts reminded me my visit to a recreation place in my city with my family where we also watched a magic show. The hall was completely empty when we entered into it. The show organizers waited for more audience but no one came up. We were thinking then he would refund our ticket and we would go away but to our utter surprise they started the show just for four persons of my family. They didn’t skip any item and fully conducted the show from start to end and even while winding up the show the host finished it with a typical way as mostly hosts do like “do take of yourself and people living around you, stay positive and love animals” type of phrases.

It thought then they were the real sellers either they have just one buyer or thousands and thousands. So this mindset should be of a blogger as well, as you mentioned how a blogger should treat a specific number of visitors at his blog.

Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful post.

I agree to Nirmala ma’am that this is an unique post. Completely enjoyed reading it. You have got a nice point, in order to impress the reader we need to make them feel special.

Also if you see around these days everyone is trying to copy other’s style. I have seen people adopting the same boring styles and topics which were so 2015… Having a unique tone would surely make us stand out!

You are so right on providing value. I think this should be the top-most priority of any blogger or writer. Thanks for sharing this exceptional post with us. Have a nice week ahead. :)

Regards, Rohan Chaubey.

Nice post full of great motivation.

Actually blogging is an area where you have to start from the zero visitor count.

That was a wonderful post indeed and a much required one :)

You are absolutely right in giving the wonderful examples you gave as comparisons, about the story or incidents we share with our loved ones and how they are all ears to what we have to say. It’s the same case with bloggers – even one reader matters, and you should be happy for the views you get.

Like you mentioned, I’ve often heard bloggers talk of 5000 page views or much more in a day, or they talk of how much they earned, and share their income, reports etc. But where does all this lead to? Perhaps it makes you sad or depressed – and is what they share really true? If you are the kind to make comparison, not realizing the value of the single view, a single reader who takes time to spend time reading your post, commenting, and perhaps sharing it further. So, write for that one reader, and I am sure it would bring you as much happiness and contentment as writing for many.

Your post reminded me of the time when I was a new blogger too, and hardly got any visits and comments. But I never gave it all any thought, as I loved to write and took blogging as a platform to express my views with an aim to help others, and I just wrote and shared it with people. Slowly, they started liking what I wrote, and started visiting my blogs. And there’s been no looking back. I’d say, subscribers or no subscribers, traffic or no traffic, just keep writing and blogging.

If you can help just one person – you are on the right path. We need to rise above the numbers and counts, isn’t it?

Thanks for sharing this inspirational piece with us. Have a nice week ahead :)

hmm.. unique post for us Swadhin :)

Seriously, I got frustrated after reading several blogging type posts like how to get blog comments, how to drive traffic, some smartphone reviews etc. I felt hungry and thus decided to shut down my lappi for lunch break. That time, you shared Rohan’s interview post on Google plus (kindly note, you haven’t shared your post). I thought about Digitalgyd and assumed that I would get a good post to read (may be something on writing) and theus headed over here.

The crafting style of the post with asking so many questions is really good and it would nudge the readers to share their views here. I really liked the way you’ve explained under “Change your mindset” subheading. Agree with your opinion in respecting even a single reader and I too write the posts by imagining that I’m speaking to my beloved readers.

Nice post, keep sharing your advises :P

This was really an awesome and unique post. Now I will treat my blog as a football stadium and will help my readers in enjoying reading my each and every post of blog. I had learned even if I have one visitor i should blog for him also. As he was here for seeking some knowledge and I should not waste his efforts at all.

Thanks for sharing Regards Suprabhat

Comments are closed.

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Writing Motivation: How to Get Students Inspired to Write

Demme Learning · October 7, 2022 · Leave a Comment

Well, here you are again. You just sent your student off to start a writing assignment, and you notice they’re staring at a blank page with their head in their hands and a frown on their face. You ask them what’s wrong, but they just shrug their shoulders and mumble, “I just don’t feel like writing.” 

Does this scenario sound familiar? Writing is a critical skill to teach, but it isn’t always easy to motivate your students to write. That said, there are several practices that you can put in place to make writing really enjoyable for your students. In this blog, we’re sharing some practical ways you can boost your student’s writing motivation even if it isn’t their favorite subject. Read on to learn more!

5 Ways to Maximize Writing Motivation

Wondering how to get your students inspired to write? Consider these five simple tips.

1) Switch Up Your Assignments

Do you have one student who loves creative writing and another who prefers to write nonfiction?

Unfortunately, many writing curriculums are limited to just a few genres, and restricting your students to book reports or five paragraph essays crushes creativity and stifles writing motivation.

Instead, give them a chance to dabble in different genres by varying their writing assignments. Your students won’t always like every type of writing you assign , but they’ll appreciate you mixing things up. Not only will it expose them to a wide range of writing styles, but it will also motivate them more than sticking to the same genre.

Here are a few ideas for writing assignments to try out with your students:

• Have teens try descriptive writing , using vivid sensory details to describe people, places, and objects.
• Invite younger children to use their five senses to write descriptively.
• Play around with expository writing by encouraging students to explain a process, write short reports or biographies, or create their own newspaper complete with articles, opinions, human-interest stories, and comics.
• Teach your student to write a narrative from varying points of view or in a different voice or tense.
• Help them write a description of an imaginary land .
• Teach older teens how to write a well-supported research paper.
• Invite students of all ages to have fun writing poetry, such as a haiku or cinquain poem .
• Throw in an occasional writing prompt just for fun .

2)  Provide Freedom of Choice

Not only is it important for students to write in different genres, it’s also important to give them flexibility of choice within those genres . Nothing crushes creativity like saying, “You MUST write about this topic in this way.” If the topic seems irrelevant or uninteresting to them, your student likely won’t feel very enthusiastic about writing.

Now, we’re not saying that writing instruction should be a complete free-for-all where students write whatever they want to. You should still establish parameters for them to work within. But whenever possible, give them some choice . For example, if you’re teaching how to describe a place, let each student choose the place they want to describe rather than making them describe their home. They might pick a sports stadium, coffee shop, mountain cabin, or the moon, but they’ll still be practicing the skill at hand. Providing structure and guidelines while offering some freedom of choice gives you the best of both worlds. When students have some ownership of what they’re writing, they’re much more likely to enjoy the experience.

3) Choose High-Interest Topics

While giving opportunities for students to pick their own topics is beneficial, we understand that it isn’t always feasible. There will be times when you’ll have to assign a specific topic to write about, but you can do this in a way that doesn’t cause your student to become disengaged.

To maximize writing motivation in these instances, choose a topic that your students are likely to enjoy. Take their interests into account when coming up with an assignment and consider incorporating age-appropriate current events or trends into your instruction (if you’re comfortable with it). 

Then, once you’ve assigned a topic, get your students excited to write by letting them share what they already know about it or any relevant experiences that they’ve had. You can also show videos, read articles and mentor texts , or even go on a virtual or in-person field trip for inspiration. 

Getting your students hyped up to write about a topic is crucial when you’ve chosen it.

4) Let Them Share Their Writing

Professional writers would probably agree that there’s no greater feeling of pride than what comes from getting to share their work with others. Sharing a piece of work that you’ve poured a lot of time and energy into with people who will appreciate it and offer praise is a great way to stay inspired. 

So, don’t let your student’s writing submission stop with you! Come up with ways that you can allow your students to share their finished pieces if they want to. Some examples of how you can accomplish this include:

• Entering a writing contest
• Reading their piece aloud to their classmates or family
• Making a digital newsletter or e-book and sending it to extended family members
• Joining a local writing club and sharing it with other members
• Creating a “class blog page”

It’s important to note that you should never force your student to share their work if they aren’t comfortable, as this could lead to feelings of stress and anxiety regarding writing.

5) Establish a Positive Learning Environment

If you’re wondering how to get students inspired to write, one of the best ways is simply to create a positive environment for them.

Aside from being disinterested in topics, one of the other main reasons students struggle with writing motivation is insecurity. When a student doesn’t feel confident in their abilities and considers themself a bad writer, they probably won’t feel motivated to write. Sharing encouraging words and promoting a growth mindset can make a world of difference.

When editing their writing, always communicate their strengths first and try to keep critiques positive and constructive. Then, gently offer pragmatic suggestions. Writing can make some students feel very vulnerable. A positive attitude really helps to encourage and inspire them to find their voice.

Motivating students to write can be challenging at times, but there are plenty of ways that you can make writing an enjoyable experience. We hope you find these tips helpful for your students!

Looking for a fun and effective writing curriculum to motivate your student? Check out our award-winning program—WriteShop ! 

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How to Motivate Yourself to Write a College Essay

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Do you sometimes wonder where all those famous personalities got their motivation from?

For instance, would physics be what it is if Albert Einstein was not motivated by his curiosity to determine the defining laws of modern physics?

Would Michael Jordan be one of the best basketball players of all time if he was not motivated enough to succeed and get past his failures?

Would the United States be united if Abraham Lincoln was not motivated and determined to preserve the Union? Come what may?

..and here you are, unable to even start your college essay!

If you are lacking the motivation to start your essay or are struggling to stay motivated because your essay does not seem to end, first of all - stop stressing. You are certainly not the only student to be in this situation.

It’s true. It would be best if you were charged up and motivated about something to do an excellent job at it. Motivation is the fuel that drives you - it pushes you to stay committed to your goal despite hurdles and challenges along the way. It stems from vision and your willpower to turn it into reality.

Believe it or not - there is a science behind motivation .

Finding the Motivation to Write Your College Essay When You Hit a Dead End

You have an essay to complete, but you are nowhere close to starting it. The fact that you might have to put together a last-minute essay is no longer enough to get you started because you are deeply demotivated and unenthusiastic to begin working on it.

Don’t worry - we have put together a list of tips and tools that will get you out of this phase and jumpstart your motivation.

Why are you Losing Motivation to Write an Essay

There are many reasons that might be contributing to your lack of motivation. The first step is knowing why you are not motivated enough to complete your essay so you can arrest it and get beyond it.

Here are five common reasons behind losing the motivation to write -

Not Interested in the Topic

If you find yourself saying, “but I hate the essay topic” or “I couldn’t care less about the topic,” it’s inevitable that the core reason behind your lack of motivation is your absolute disinterest in the essay topic.

We agree - it’s challenging to write when you don’t relate to something or worse still, dislike the subject. How do you start? How do you express your thoughts? How do you begin the research?

..but you gotta do what you gotta do.

At such times, what helps is knowing that this particular writing assignment will take you one step closer to your academic goals. Remind yourself that doing well here has long-term benefits. So, put aside your aversion and get onto it.

Lack of Confidence in your Writing

This reason is unfortunate - when you second-guess yourself to the extent that you start doubting your writing abilities which takes a hit on your confidence and jolts your motivation. The next thing you know, you are struggling with all the writing assignments that come your way.

You don’t have to deal with the entire essay in one go. Doing that will just scare you more and take you further away from finishing it. Instead, break it down and take it one step at a time. You are likely to maintain your sanity and motivation when you do so.

So, set aside time for research, outlining, writing, editing, and proofreading. Even in the writing stage, don’t aim to write everything out together. Break it down paragraph-wise and let yourself do justice to each one of them instead of rushing with it.

Keep a Strong Writing Schedule

How will you regain your confidence if you don’t give yourself a chance?

For a moment, forget what your teacher will say after reading your essay or how you will be perceived. Just write with the aim of pushing your limits and doing the best you can.

Read more books. Ask yourself what it is that you want to communicate—plan and practice writing. Most importantly, stop letting your fear and anxieties from telling you that you cannot write - be more significant than that.

Tips on building confidence as a writer from Reedsy community

Cannot Stop Procrastinating

Ask any student what their biggest enemy is, and they will tell you it’s procrastination.

That’s your story too? Then the only way to battle that is to plan well. Yes, get all those productivity apps and tools out and get disciplined. That’s the only way to get around your assignment.

No one said assignment writing is fun but it’s necessary to take it up with all seriousness to get the scores you want. So, stop procrastinating and just START.

Feeling Overwhelmed

Considering the number of assignments a high school, college, or university student deals with on a daily basis, it is extremely common to feel overwhelmed and intimidated. When this overwhelming feeling is not tackled early, it takes over one’s thought process and becomes a deterrent.

This is primarily in the case of college essays because there is so much pressure riding on them. Essay writing is a cognitive, time-consuming process that requires an extensive amount of planning and work, but when you take it one step at a time, it helps to feel less overwhelmed and re-ignite your motivation.

Too Focussed on Grades

A study suggests that when students are overly focused on grades, it affects learning.

..and we agree.

The same applies to writing college essays. When you start obsessing over the grades you will get, you are likely to work under immense pressure, which affects the quality of your writing.

While grades do matter, it’s important to shift focus from the final outcome to getting immersed and enjoying the process. Try it!

So, what’s your reason? Accept it to overcome it.

What to Do When You Lack the Motivation to Write a College Essay

Contrary to what people think, no one is “born” motivated. You can make changes in your life and mindset to become motivated and at the same time, if you are not persistent enough, your motivation may even start to fade.

So, if you are stressing over the fact that you are losing motivation to write your college paper, here are ten hacks that can help you get out of that phase and get started on your essay -

Write and Revisit your Goal

“Does that even help?”

Oh. It does.

When you write down your goal, it registers better. Whether it’s finishing your essay in a given amount of time or aiming for the grades you want - when you write your goals down, however big or small, it remains in your subconscious and ignites renewed passion in your mind to go after that goal.

What’s more, on days when you are not particularly charged up or are feeling listless and demotivated, revisiting your goals is an essential reminder and helps you get back on your feet.

So, get a journal, write your goal down, and maybe even stick it on your study table, so you never lose track.

Watch Mary Morrissey deconstruct the power of writing down your goals

Break Down the Writing Process

Earlier, we spoke about how writing assignments tend to get overwhelming. In such cases, you know what helps? Breaking down the writing process.

You don’t have to deal with the entire essay in one go. Doing that will scare you and take you further away from finishing it. Instead, break it down and take it one step at a time. You are likely to maintain your sanity and motivation when you do so.

So, set aside time for research, outlining, writing, editing, and proofreading. Even in the writing stage, don’t aim to write everything together. Break it down paragraph-wise and let yourself do justice to each one of them instead of rushing with it.

Once you have broken down the writing process into smaller steps, allocate a definite period to each of them - that includes the exact dates because only then can you hold yourself accountable for it.

Another aspect of keeping a solid writing schedule is knowing when you are your productive best and when your ideas are flowing. For some, it can be early morning, for others, it can be late at night.

So, find your favorite writing period and maintain an intense writing schedule wherein you can get most of the writing done. Try and write at least something every day, so you don’t lose touch and go back to square one.

Create the Essay Outline

One of the most overlooked aspects of writing essays is creating outlines. “What has created an outline got to do with being motivated,” you may ask.

It helps because when you work on a solid outline, you realize that the next step is just populating the essay, knowing that you are not going off-track and following a logical sequence.

Creating an essay outline makes you feel closer to the end result because you know you have your research, notes, and outline in place - now, you can get onto the writing part.

Conquer Writing Anxiety

Writing anxiety is when you are filled with fear and tension when you are met with any writing assignment. It may have arisen due to a bad experience wherein you were dissed for your writing - and then this perception just stuck on.

Well, guess what? That’s not helping your “motivation” at all. It’s crippling.

Firstly, stop comparing your work to others and set unrealistic expectations aside. For a change, don’t look at the bigger picture and just focus on the task.

Read the assignment instructions, reach out to your instructor if you have concerns, and start the process. Every time you second-guess yourself, identify it and reason it out instead of giving in to it.

As Antoniou and Moriarty stated, “the most important lesson in developing one’s writing is to WRITE.”

Practice Freewriting

Sometimes, instead of feeding your demotivated self, you need just to put your foot down and start writing. This is what freewriting is - writing whatever comes to you.

It helps you to overcome your mental blocks and gets you started on something you have been delaying for the longest time. Once you get the ball rolling, you can always come back to polish your essay and make it worthy of submission.

Here are five tips to free-write successfully

Write the Introduction Last

When we started writing essays in school, we were taught to create essays with introductory paragraphs.

Yes, introductions do come first, but that does not mean they need to be written first.

Let’s face it - introductory paragraphs face the most amount of pressure. Starting with an interesting hook , engaging the reader from the word go, and ensuring your essay begins with a bang is the kind of pressure we are talking about.

Someone who is not too motivated to write is bound to crumble under this pressure. Hence, it’s a good idea to start with the body paragraphs and even write the conclusion before you can come back to write the introductory paragraph with a calm, composed, and confident mind.

Find your Perfect Writing Space

Many might think this is overrated, but we beg to differ.

You might think you can write on the couch today and tomorrow and get the writing down while sitting on the bed, but that’s where you are making a mistake.

A dedicated space to think and write helps because you create a motivating and safe environment for yourself. From ensuring you sit in the correct posture and having easy access to your tools and resources to maintaining a distraction-free space - sitting there to write is enough to get you in the ‘writing zone.’

So, find your perfect writing space, and you will see a spike in your productivity levels.

Reward Yourself

Do you remember how as kids, our parents gave us chocolate to tidy up our room or took us to the amusement park to score well in our exams? It helped. That’s because we were told we would be rewarded for doing something.

Not much has changed. You can try the same thing for yourself even today.

Rewards boost motivation because who doesn't love getting rewarded? So, every time you finish a chunk of your writing, celebrate that small win and reward yourself. It can be as simple as catching another episode of your favorite show on Netflix or anything else that brings you joy.

Take Breaks

Talking about joy, taking regular breaks is extremely important to remain motivated because otherwise you just turn into an unhappy machine and you certainly don’t want that, do you?

Take a break from your writing - watch a movie, spend time with friends and family, go to your favorite restaurant or just head out for a walk in the park. Do anything to get away from your books so you can come back to your essay with a fresher mind.

Practical Tools to Stay Motivated While Writing your College Essay

If there is anything more complex than finding motivation, it is staying motivated. But hey, why fear when technology is here?

Here are four practical online tools to help you stay motivated right through the essay writing process -

WriteMonkey

Today’s most prominent online distractions come from social media channels, Netflix, and e-commerce websites. How is one supposed to even begin writing, given these circumstances?

This is where WriteMonkey can come to your rescue. This tool does not let anything come between you and your writing. It displays an empty screen, letting you stay focussed on paper and nothing else.

The organization is critical - all the more when it comes to writing college essays. Trello is a planning tool that makes organization fun.

From keeping track of websites and planning drafts to creating a to-do list and adding priorities - this tool lets you arrange your assignments well such that you don’t miss anything.

Remember the tip about breaking down the writing process we spoke about earlier? Yes, Trello has a feature that lets you create subtasks and track their progress.

Focus Keeper

As the name suggests, Focus Keeper is meant to keep your focus going. This easy-to-use app needs you to plug in the tasks that need to be completed, set the timer, and start writing. It also allows for timely breaks to prevent you from reaching burnout .

Cold Turkey

Let’s face it - you cannot possibly finish your essays without the internet, and where there is the internet, there is bound to be a distraction.

Downloading Cold Turkey lets you maintain discipline because it turns your computer into a typewriter and allows you to set a time limit and word count goal. You are literally locked into this app - unless you don’t meet the daily goal, you won’t be able to log out.

While we agree it is not easy to be motivated to write a college essay, it is not impossible either. So, follow the tips, hacks, and tools we have put together for you to supercharge your motivation and write a brilliant essay!

However, if everything else fails and you are still struggling to start your essay, we have a sure-fire solution for you and that is reaching out to essay writing experts.

Writers Per Hour is one such expert that can help with your college papers, no matter the type or length of time you have in hand. Just write to us with your requirements, and we will get our professional writers on the job, guaranteeing to deliver superior quality, 100%-plagiarism-free, and authentic essays.

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How to Motivate Yourself to Write an Essay

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Introduction: The Purpose and Importance of Motivation

Writing an essay can be an intimidating and challenging task. It is necessary to be motivated when writing an essay in order to remain on task and complete the project within the given timeline. In this guide, we will discuss the importance of motivation and how it can help achieve success in writing essays .

Motivation is key for any task, but especially for writing assignments. If you are not motivated to write your essay, it can take longer than necessary or may not reach its highest potential. There are many ways to stay motivated, from setting achievable goals to rewarding yourself for completing small tasks. We will discuss these strategies in more detail later on in this guide.

It is important to be aware of the purpose of writing an essay before starting the project . Once you understand the goal and the expectations, you can set clear objectives with step-by-step guidelines that will make the writing process easier and more enjoyable. It will also help you stay focused and motivated throughout.

Completing an essay on time requires dedication, focus and discipline, but most importantly, motivation. Being able to motivate oneself is critical for achieving success in any task, and this guide will provide helpful tips and advice on how to stay motivated during the writing process in order to reach your desired outcome.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves lacking motivation or even forgetting about an essay due soon. When this happens, it can be stressful and overwhelming to try and catch up on the work. However, there is a solution that can help alleviate this stress and ensure that you submit a high-quality essay on time: using our IB Writing Service​ .

One of the main benefits of using our service is the ability to work with tight deadlines. Our team of expert writers is skilled in working efficiently and effectively, even when time is limited. Whether you have a few days or just a few hours to complete your essay, we can help ensure that you meet your deadline without compromising on quality.

Another benefit of using our service is the expertise of our writers. All of our writers are highly trained and experienced in writing IB essays, which means that they understand the requirements and expectations of the IB program. They can help you craft an essay that meets the standards of the program while also showcasing your unique voice and ideas.

Finally, we understand that confidentiality is important to our clients. That’s why we guarantee absolute confidentiality. No one will ever know that you used our service, which means that you can submit your essay with confidence and without any concerns about your academic integrity.

Set Your Goal

Getting started on a big project can be intimidating, but setting a goal prior to beginning is an incredibly important step that helps you stay motivated and organized. When it comes to writing an essay, in particular, setting a goal allows you to break the task down into achievable chunks, rather than being overwhelmed by the project as a whole.

Start by understanding the purpose of your essay and the expectations for it. Knowing what is expected of you will help you determine the scope of your project and better define your goals. When you have a good idea of what needs to be done, it’s time to set an attainable deadline. Giving yourself a timeline helps you stay focused and stay on track, so make sure you are realistic and create a schedule that works with your lifestyle.

After you have a timeline in place, it’s time to set specific and measurable goals along the way. Breaking down the steps needed to complete your essay into smaller tasks can help keep things manageable and make achieving your goals feel more attainable. For example, you may start off by setting a goal to simply “draft an outline”. This could be accomplished within a day or two, and providing yourself with small successes like this can help keep you motivated throughout the entire writing process.

Lastly, make sure you are writing down all of your goals and creating an action plan for how you will achieve them. Visual reminders are also a great way to help keep track of your progress and stay motivated. Whenever you hit a milestone or complete a task, celebrate your success and reward yourself for all of your hard work!

By setting specific and measurable goals before beginning your essay, you can break down large tasks into achievable chunks and remain motivated and organized throughout the entire writing process. Doing this will also help you understand what is expected of you and give yourself a timeline that works with your lifestyle. And don’t forget to reward yourself for all of your hard work – it will give you even more motivation to finish strong!

Break it into Pieces

Nobody likes to be overwhelmed. When you’re looking at a large project like writing an essay , it can often feel so daunting that you may not even know where to start. The best way to tackle a large task is to break it down into manageable chunks. Think about the specific tasks you need to complete in order to finish the essay – research, writing, and editing. Rather than trying to work on all parts of the essay at once, focus on one task at a time. Setting goals that are achievable and achievable manageable can help make the job feel less overwhelming.

Taking frequent breaks can also increase productivity. Working on an essay for several hours straight can be quite draining and will ultimately leave you feeling unmotivated. Stop working after each session to take a few minutes to relax and clear your mind before returning to the project. This will help you stay focused and energized as you work through your essay.

Finally, celebrate your achievements! Rewarding yourself for completing small milestones along the way can go a long way in terms of keeping you motivated. Whether it’s taking a break for a snack or treating yourself to a movie once you’ve finished a section, staying positive and recognizing your progress can encourage you to keep going.

Prioritize Tasks

When it comes to writing an essay, one of the most important things you can do is prioritize your tasks. This means dividing up the different tasks that need to be completed into sections and allocating specific days to them.

For example, you could have a “research” day in which you gather all the information you need, a “writing” day in which you draft the main body of the essay, and an “editing” day in which you go through it and make any necessary changes or corrections. By having separate days dedicated to each task, it will help you stay focused and organized throughout the process.

You can also break down the essay writing process into smaller chunks, like researching for one hour, then writing for one hour and so on. Making the job seem less daunting by breaking up the large task into smaller ones will help motivate you to finish it.

It is also important to give yourself breaks in between to refocus and recharge, as this can also help boost productivity. Taking short breaks every hour or two to get some fresh air and stretch your legs can help refresh your mind and help you stay motivated throughout the writing process.

Rewarding Yourself

Writing an essay can be a daunting task, especially when you’re not feeling motivated. But one way to increase your motivation levels is by rewarding yourself for completing small milestones. Rewarding yourself can give you that extra push you need to keep going and reach your end goal.

Breaking your essay down into smaller tasks can help you to set achievable goals that you can reward yourself for completing. For example, if you have an essay due in a week, you could break it down into each day of the week with a task, such as researching and outlining on Monday, writing on Tuesday, revising and editing on Wednesday, etc. Each time you complete a task, you can reward yourself with a treat, like a snack, a few minutes of online gaming, or a quick walk outside.

Rewarding yourself can also help to boost your confidence, reminding you of your accomplishments and how far you’ve come. This can help to build self-esteem and a sense of control over your work, which can be beneficial when trying to stay motivated.

It’s important to find a system that works for you. While some may prefer treats as rewards, others may prefer more tangible outcomes like a break from work, finishing a chapter in a book, or a night out with friends. The important thing is that you set rewards for yourself that are exciting and motivating, and that you stick to them!

Rewarding yourself for completing small milestones can have a significant impact on your overall motivation levels. Taking the time to set achievable goals and rewards can help to make the process of writing an essay less intimidating, and more rewarding. So, be sure to find a system that works for you, and get writing!

Taking Breaks

When working for long periods of time on essays, it’s important to remember to take a break every now and again. Taking breaks can help you stay refreshed and energized, resulting in higher levels of productivity when writing. There are a few different methods of taking breaks that can be helpful.

Get Up and Move

One of the best ways to make sure you stay energized while writing is to get up and move around. Take a short walk, or do some stretching or yoga poses. This helps to get the blood flowing, which in turn will leave you feeling more energized when you sit back down to work.

Do Something Unrelated

When you take a break, don’t spend it on your phone or laptop; instead, try to do something completely unrelated to work. Whether it’s reading a book, listening to music, or spending time with friends, be sure to step away from your essay so that you can refresh your mind.

Set a Time Limit

When you are taking a break, make sure to set a timer for yourself. That way, you won’t get distracted for too long and end up falling behind in your work. A break should be a chance to reset and re-energize, but should also be brief enough that you can get back to work without feeling burned out.

Reward Yourself

Finally, it can be helpful to reward yourself during breaks. After finishing a task or reaching a milestone, give yourself a small reward such as a snack or a quick game. This will help keep you motivated throughout the writing process.

Taking breaks is an important part of staying energized and productive while writing essays. Make sure to follow these tips while working, and remember to stay focused and have fun!

Creating an Optimal Working Environment to Stay Motivated Writing Essays

Creating a productive workspace is essential when trying to stay motivated while writing an essay. A clean and organized workspace can help to minimize distractions and make it easier to stay focused and on track. Here are some simple tips for creating an optimal working environment that will help you stay motivated:

• Choose a comfortable spot: Find a comfortable spot in your home or office to work that is quiet, distraction-free, and away from any potential interruptions. Make sure the temperature and lighting are comfortable.
• Clear your desk of clutter: Ensure that your desk or workspace is free from distractions such as papers, books, and other items. An uncluttered desk can lead to an uncluttered mind.
• Create a comfortable atmosphere: Take the time to make your workspace as inviting and comfortable as possible. Ideally, it should be clean, quiet and have minimal distractions.
• Make sure you have all of the supplies you need: Make sure that you have all the necessary supplies within reach such as paper, pens, highlighters, etc., so that you don’t have to search for them when you need them.
• Plan your snacks and meals: Have healthy snacks and meals planned out for when you take breaks. Having healthy food available will ensure that you don’t get distracted by hunger or unhealthy cravings.
• Designate a specific start and end time: Setting up a schedule or timeline for when you start and finish your essay will help you stay accountable and committed to the task.

By creating a productive workspace and following these simple tips, you will be better equipped to stay motivated and focused on the task of writing an essay. Doing so will help you to achieve success and make the process more enjoyable.

Putting It Away: Avoiding Procrastination & Overwhelm

Finishing a complex essay task can be overwhelming. After all, it’s one large assignment and it’s important to get it done right. That’s why it’s so important to keep unfinished essays away from yourself. By doing this, you are eliminating the feelings of procrastination and overwhelm.

An effective way to keep unfinished essays away is to store them in a safe place. Put the essay in a drawer or on a shelf and make sure it’s out of sight. A great tip is to store the files in a cloud service such as Google Drive or Dropbox so you can access it online anytime you need to.

By putting your essay away, you are allowing yourself the opportunity to take breaks from it and come back to it later with a clear mind. This helps you to be more productive in getting it done. It also helps you to take a step back and look at the essay objectively, which can be useful for revising and editing.

It is important to remember that taking breaks from an essay does not equal procrastination. In fact, it can help you to better focus on the task when you come back to it again. Breaks give you the chance to recharge and refocus on the task at hand.

If you find yourself stuck and struggling to finish an essay, try putting it away. Taking this necessary step will help you to stay focused and motivated while writing the essay. This is a great strategy to avoid procrastination and overwhelm.

Decreasing Distractions

We all know how easy it is to become sidetracked and distracted when we’re trying to write an essay. It can be hard to stay focused and motivated in order to get the job done. But there are some simple strategies you can use to help you fight off distractions, such as social media or electronics.

Here are a few tips to help decrease distractions:

• Set a Timer: Watch the clock and limit the amount of time you spend on non-essay related tasks. Set a timer and use that as a motivation to stay on track.
• Turn Off Notifications: Turn off any phone notifications or pop-up notifications that may be distracting. This will help you stay focused and on task.
• Find a Quiet Space: Find a spot for yourself where you can work in peace. Make sure it’s away from the TV or people who could be distracting.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay alert and energized.
• Break it up: Take little breaks every once in a while to give your mind and body a rest.

You can also try implementing positive self-talk into your writing process. Tell yourself that you can do it and you will do it! By doing this, you can refocus your energy and stay motivated.

Above all, it is important to remember that distractions are inevitable. The key is to recognize when they are happening and take the necessary steps in order to get back on track. With the right strategies in place, you can increase your productivity and finish your essay on time!

Writing an essay can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! One great tip to help motivate yourself and stay on track when writing an essay is to work with a group. Working with others on a project can bring lots of energy and positivity to the process.

By working together with your peers, you can combine different strengths and skills to create an amazing essay. For example, if one person is a great writer and the other is a natural proofreader, you can combine your talents to create an essay that is well-written and error-free.

Another benefit of working with a group is that it can help break down the project into smaller tasks. This can make the essay seem less daunting and can give each person an opportunity to contribute in their own way. You can also use the time collectively to check in with each other and encourage one another.

Finally, working with a group can help take some of the pressure off of having to do it all yourself. Knowing that you have friends and peers working with you on the project can help you stay motivated and enthusiastic about completing the essay.

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed with an essay assignment, don’t hesitate to enlist some friends and form a group. It might just be the perfect thing to help get the job done.

Creating an Accountability System

Writing an essay can seem like a daunting task and it is important to stay motivated in order to complete it. One way to help you remain focused and on track is by creating an accountability system. This means setting goals and milestones that you will commit to in order to make sure you are staying on track.

The first step in establishing an accountability system is to decide what your goals are. For example, do you want to finish your research by a certain date? Do you have a target for when you would like your essay to be completed? Once you have set these targets, you can create a timeline of milestones that will help you stay accountable.

It is also important to identify an accountability partner who can help you stay on track. This could be someone you can talk to about the progress you are making or even just a friend who you can share your progress with. Having someone to report to can help keep you motivated and on track.

Finally, it is important to set up rewards for yourself when you reach certain milestones. This could be something as simple as taking a break or treating yourself to a snack. This will help to reinforce the notion that you are doing a good job and will help to keep you motivated.

Creating an accountability system is an important part of staying motivated while writing an essay . It is important to set clear goals and milestones, to find an accountability partner, and to reward yourself for reaching those goals. This will help you stay on track and ensure that your essay is completed on time!

Conclusion: Summarizing the Benefits of Staying Motivated to Write an Essay

Writing an essay can be a difficult and overwhelming process. With proper motivation, it can be much easier to stay on track, focused, and ultimately, successful. It is important to set achievable goals, break tasks down into smaller pieces, reward yourself for completing the tasks, take frequent breaks, create an orderly workspace, put away unfinished work, and avoid distractions. Working with others or having an accountability system can also help to ensure success.

Motivation is key when it comes to writing an essay. By setting precise goals, working in manageable chunks, rewarding oneself, and creating a work environment that allows for productivity, one can stay motivated throughout the process and reach their desired results.

• Develop achievable goals.
• Break writing down into smaller tasks.
• Reward yourself for completing each task.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Create an orderly workspace.
• Put away unfinished work.
• Avoid distractions.
• Work with others or have an accountability system.

By applying the strategies outlined in this guide, you will be able to remain motivated while writing an essay and complete your task successfully.

Nick Radlinsky

Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.

Nick's article, featured in Routledge's " Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization ," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.

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9 Tips for Writing a Brilliant Motivational Essay

Whether you are a high school student caught in the crossroads of your educational journey or an undergraduate debating on a graduate degree, several steps must be taken, from choosing a college or master’s program to applying for your dream job.

On the other hand, choosing is the easy part; getting into the college of your choice is a different story. Most colleges and universities require students to have excellent grades and write a motivational essay describing why they want to pursue his\her desired major at their university.

Writing college motivational essays is a required part of any educational institution’s application process. Then again, some employers require job applicants to submit inspirational articles along with their resumes.

A motivational statement allows you to show off a little more of your personality and explain why you are qualified for the university course or job position in question. This is an opportunity to stand out and demonstrate your integrity and your ability to turn your knowledge into a successful career.

This article will teach you how to write a motivational essay that will help you get into your dream university or land your dream job.

Table of Contents

9 Tips to Write a Motivational Letter

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing inspirational statements to help you write a good paper. Many students struggle to find the motivation to write an article or are simply stumped when asked “What motivates you in life?”. Motivational papers are not as complicated as you may believe. To write a perfect inspiration paper, use the following tips:

1. Research the Institution to which you are applying

It is not in your best interest to simply copy and paste motivational essay examples or templates from the internet. The first step is to learn how merit-based admissions work at your preferred college. If you already have outstanding grades, you have to figure out what other aspects of your life could boost those grades.

Many universities, for example, seek students who have good grades, participate in extracurricular activities, have some volunteer experience, and are involved in social initiatives in school and their community.

Researching your preferred university will assist you in writing a tailored inspirational essay that will showcase all of your personality and goals. It’ll also broadcast how your social and volunteer work will continue to be a factor when you get into the university. Knowing about the university and including that information in your inspirational paper will be a breath of fresh air for the reader. It will give them the impression that you are confident in your decision.

Be sure to sprinkle some positivity and determination in your motivational statement.

2.  Be Creative

I know this may seem obvious to most people but it is still critical. The first two or three sentences of your motivational letter are crucial to the reader. Remember that the person reading your inspirational statement has most likely read thousands of others before it. Keeping the reader’s attention early on will thus benefit you.

Assume your college motivation letter isn’t exciting and doesn’t hook the reader from the first sentence. The reader is likely to close the letter and decline your application at that point.

You want the first paragraph of your motivation essay to keep them guessing and interested in reading until the end. You can include a mysterious story about your motivations and leave the culmination until the end.

3. Get Personal in your Motivational Essay

Make your motivation letter specific to the employer or university to which you are applying. Your letter should reflect your distinct style and personality. Your employers or university are interested in getting to know you better and no one knows you better than yourself. So, don’t just look up some motivational essay examples and use them as your own. The inspiration article should include the things that make you tick, your passions, and more!

Many students prefer to entrust the writing of motivational letters to a professional writing service. However, I can assure you that this is a bad option because you should write the motivation essay yourself.

4. Adopt a Straightforward and Succinct Tone

The objective of a letter of motivation, as the name implies, is to demonstrate your motivation for attending college to the school board or the reasons why you deserve a job to an HR manager who will read it. Avoid using long phrases and, instead, get right to the point. Explain in simple terms what you’re looking for and what you have to offer. Concentrate on what is vital; the rest will be addressed later.

5. Clearly Explain your Motivation

Make it a point to convince the school board or recruiter that this is the right college or job for you. Hit the nail on the head as many times as possible. Demonstrate that this is, without a doubt, the best place for you. Make use of all of your persuasion skills.

If you’re a student who can’t seem to motivate yourself to write the letter, think of it more as your motivation for earning a degree paper. This way of thinking will make you come up with points that are straightforward for your motivational letter.

If you’re writing an inspirational paper to apply for a job position, make sure it includes all of the qualities listed in the job description. Explain how each of the qualities relates to you.

6. Share your Professional Goals

In your inspirational essay, don’t be afraid to put yourself in the future. Outline your career goals and how the university or job offer is a step in the right direction. Also, talk about what you’ve accomplished and what you’re proud of.

7. Find The Right Balance

Of course, you must present yourself in the best possible light and persuade the recruiter that you are the right person for the job but don’t be too smug. At the same time, don’t undervalue yourself or appear overly modest. Try to summarize your accomplishments but avoid bragging about them. Please keep it simple; don’t fill the entire page with your achievements; instead, choose the ones that are relevant to the university or job requirements.

8. Back up what you’re saying

Simply stating that you are organized or that you have a sense of responsibility is not enough. Avoid overused phrases and explain why you’re organized. In your inspirational letter, provide some examples. When writing your motivational paper, one approach is to write as if you were a narrator. Narrating allows you to see yourself through the eyes of another person, telling the story of your life and goals.

9. Ensure that your Essay is Grammatically Sound 

When it comes to writing motivational letters, grammar errors are a no-no. So, double-check and have someone else read your inspirational paper because they may spot grammatical errors that you’ve missed. Also, it would be best if you avoided abbreviations and technical jargon. Do not try to sound like you’re writing a school assignment; instead, use the most elegant yet straightforward language and tone to make your point.

Don’t make writing a motivational statement more difficult than it should be. Focus on the essential things and let the rest go. Keep in mind that the college or company is curious to learn more about you. So, stay relaxed and make use of the tips we have mentioned above and you will be on your way to a brilliant motivation letter.  For more information on college writing tips and essay writing services, check other articles on Essay Advisor .

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8 Tips for Students Struggling to Find Inspiration for Essay Writing

Posted by Sponsored | Oct 5, 2020 | Classifieds | 3

Academic writing might be challenging for many students. One needs strong writing and analytical skills, not to mention inspiration to even start. And it is completely normal if you feel a bit dull about completing an essay sometimes.

After all, college paper writing is not the most exciting thing to do. Yet, there are several ways to find inspiration without extensive effort. If you need a little bit of that, follow these simple tips and writing will be a breeze!

1.   Take a Walk

Sometimes, a healthy break is what can boost motivation to continue or start. Walking is going to refresh your energy and give some time to think.

Listen to yourself and think about the factors that restrain you from writing. Maybe the case is in perfectionism, as it can be a reason for procrastination . Remember that there is no such thing as being perfect and it is not the goal of essay writing. Let yourself be imperfect and understand that the first draft will probably be quite bad. It is all a part of the process.

Walking also helps as it changes the scenery and lets the brain explore ideas at the same time. Go to a park or just stroll around the block, do whatever works for you.

2.   Clean Your Space

Cleaning has therapeutic power as you organize things and your thoughts at the same time. It also gives one a fresh feel and motivation to do more. It increases productivity and gives you a feeling of achievement.

Another benefit of the clean workspace is that there will be fewer distractions. This is important to keep the focus on an essay.

3.   Find a New Place to Work

Changing location can also boost your creativity. Maybe it is just the next room or kitchen, or maybe you prefer working outside. There are plenty of places to go – cafes, libraries, or parks. Take your laptop and notebook with you and try to do some writing outside of your comfort zone.

4.   Listen to Music

Music has great power over our emotions and overall mood. And it also helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which makes it quite beneficial . Writer’s block can produce a lot of stress and the more you think about it, the worse it gets.

Try to take your mind off it and listen to the songs you like. Some of them can help you relax, while other tracks are energetic and give you motivation. Find inspiration in it; feel like you can accomplish anything.

5.   Talk to a Friend

Another great way to get a new perspective on your essay is to talk about it. Firstly, it helps to put your ideas in order as you discuss them.

When one needs to present argumentation in the conversation, they will automatically try to find the best arguments. Besides, you can get a second opinion, a new perspective on the issue. Maybe there is something you’ve missed and your friend can point it out.

And also it makes the subject of the essay more practical. Sometimes, it might seem that academic assignments are purely theoretical and giving them practical value can help.

6.    Read Other Essays

Writing is a form of art. And when artists want to be inspired, they look at the works of other artists. The same applies to the completion of an essay.

Look up great examples of essays online, there are plenty of them. You can also read a scientific magazine or other publications.

Pay attention to the structure, sentence construction, and use of terms. A well-written essay might just inspire you to work.

7.   Work for 15 minutes

If nothing helps, it is time to force inspiration that comes in the process. For many writers, starting the work is what actually brings the motivation along.

Try just to work for just 10 to 15 minutes without interruption. Concentrate only on this task and look at how much you can achieve in such a short period. Maybe, after these 15 minutes, you will want to continue. And the task won’t seem so huge and overwhelming once you’ve already started.

8.   Try Exercising

Physical activity helps to recharge the brain and give you additional energy . There is no need to go anywhere; you can just do a 15 minute-workout at home. Sports will help you release endorphins, bring you more motivation, and make you feel better.

Finishing a workout is an amazing feeling that can be very inspiring. And it is also extremely useful for overall mental and physical health. Studies show that regular exercises influence academic performance beneficially.

A lot of times to find motivation and boost creativity, one needs to change focus and try something new. It will recharge the cognitive abilities and help to acquire a new perspective. Try finding a fresh place to write, cleaning the desk, listening to music, or going for a walk. One of these tips will definitely help you to master that essay

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6 Unique Tips for Writing a Brilliant Motivational Essay

Fortunately, in the contemporary world we live in, we can pursue have numerous education paths.

However, choosing college and career path is only half the battle.

The hard part is gaining admissions into the school of your dreams. Make no mistake: this is not an easy task. Most schools require not only outstanding grades, but also a thorough motivational essay explaining your motives for pursuing your chosen major at their institution.

This is the opportunity to stand out and show your character and ability to turn your education into a successful venture.

In the following article, we will give you some writing tips and practical advice on how to write a superb essay for college admissions and earn that acceptance letter.

1. Do your research

One of the most common mistakes people make when writing a motivational essay is creating a template piece for every college they apply to. This is a huge no-no, and here’s why: each academic establishment has its own agenda and preferences.

Some appreciate social initiatives and volunteering experience, some look for passion and determination to succeed, while others pay more attention to grades and test scores.

Try to research your chosen school as much as possible and write a unique essay accordingly. Sometimes colleges provide specific questions they want to see answered in your essay, so be sure to read the instructions carefully. Edit your work so the readers will feel the school’s spirit in your essay. It’s a good start to help your application stand out from the crowd.

2. Be personal

This part may surprise you: you don’t need to be an excellent writer. Sites like EduBirdie might save you some time, but they skip over the real reasons colleges want a motivational letter. Colleges want to get to know you — the person behind the application forms, documents, and numbers.

They want to see what your aspirations are, what you like to do, why you decided to pursue this particular path, and what you consider your strengths to be.

A generic, standard letter with no personality simply won’t. Don’t just repeat your application verbatim — embrace your life and interests and show off the real you! Try to present yourself in an informal way; don’t worry about formalities.

Let the university staff get to see your unique character and way of thinking; perhaps you can include a relevant joke or an anecdote from your life that is connected with your choice of profession, etc.

A strong personal approach goes a very long way here — trust us.

3. Drafts are important

First impressions matters. In the case of college applications, your first impression is in your motivational essay . Of course, you want to give a good first impression. Proper grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation are the key. This is why editing and revising your text is crucial.

Play around with word choice, ensure the paragraphs are clear and concise, and pay close attention to sentence structure. You can even use an Online Word Counter Tool to help you size up your draft properly.

Online programs like Grammarly are great for checking spelling and other possible issues in your writing. If the admission committee reads an essay with a clear sense of purpose, excellent grammar, and determination, they will see the applicant as a good fit because they understand the applicant’s goals and abilities. Don’t underestimate the power of proper styling and grammar.

4. Survey your essay

This may seem like an odd tip, but it can help with your essay quite a lot. If you’re unsure about the motivational essay you’ve written, or maybe you’re looking for ways to make it more memorable, try creating an online survey. You can put it out to the masses on social media, or even ask a few close friends to take a read and give you their thoughts.

Ask their opinion on your writing: what points are the strongest, what areas did you struggle, and how could you improve. This will provide you with real feedback to identify any issues you may have overlooked.

5. Get to the point

It may seem alluring to include every seemingly-relevant detail in your motivational essay. However, this can make the whole piece come across as vague and all over the place. Pick a couple of routes to follow, assess your best qualities, and decide what areas of your life and background you wish to include.

Don’t try to cram in every idea that crosses your mind; this will only clutter your essay! One good suggestion is to ask your friends and family to list your best characteristics, skills, and talents, then pick a few of most common to include in your essay.

6.Professional goals matter

While showing personality in your essay is essential, don’t forget to talk about your professional goals. Clearly state your motivation for choosing this career path and why you’re most suited for it. Explain why you are the best candidate for the program. Don’t overdo it by showing off or praising yourself too much.

Instead, talk about what personality traits will help you success, and where you plan on going with the degree you earn.

Remember, balance is the key to a good motivational essay; putting less information than needed is just as bad as putting too much. Getting too personal and informal will harm your application,but so will being too bland and official.

The secret is to maintain balance, and include only the points that matter. The most important advice is be yourself and be inspired.

For more great college tips, check out the other blogs on College Basics.

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Essentials in Writing

Where learning to write well has never been so easy

How to Motivate Students to Write

Teaching writing can be tricky, especially with reluctant or struggling writers. Some students resist writing with every fiber of their being. Unfortunately, sometimes a well-intentioned homeschool teacher’s attempts to help can backfire, making some students feel demotivated and defeated. How can homeschool teachers offer hope and inspiration to their students and avoid sending the message that they are “bad” at writing? 

Why is Writing so Difficult for Some Students?

To start, the teacher should try to see the task of writing from an inexperienced writer’s perspective. When it comes to writing, there are so many moving parts. Most homeschool teachers cannot even remember a time when they couldn’t read and write fluently. It’s easy to forget that young students are still developing the skills experienced writers take for granted. For some students, especially early elementary-aged students, writing can seem like a daunting task.

At this age, students are still cultivating the fine motor skills that allow them to grip a pencil with ease. While experienced writers automatically know to start a sentence with a capital letter and end it with a punctuation mark, young students may need reminders. To them, this process may feel more like translating from a first language to a second language. They have to come up with what to write. Then they have to remember or figure out how to spell each word and how to make all the letters. But they can’t forget about the mechanics of a grammatically correct sentence. When it comes to writing paragraphs and multi-paragraph essays, there are even more rules and guidelines to remember. It’s no wonder that students, especially struggling writers, often feel overwhelmed! Luckily, there are many ways that you can help them let go of the stress and get in touch with their creativity.

What Are Some Ways to Motivate Students to Write?

Offer effective and engaging writing prompts.

Students have an easier time writing when they are inspired by quality writing prompts. Choose writing prompts that provide clear expectations and guidance and also allow some student choice. That way students will feel confident that they know what is expected and excited to write about something meaningful to them. 

Model the Writing Process

Teachers often tell students “show, don’t tell” when it comes to writing. The same advice applies to teaching composition. Teachers should model each step of the writing process and then have their students immediately apply the step to their own writing project. Think aloud as you model to show students how to work through each step. That way students know exactly what to do when it’s their turn to write.

Break the Writing into Bite-sized Chunks

For best results, have the students work on one piece of the writing at a time over several days. 

• Introduce one or two writing concepts or skills at a time so that students can better retain the information.
• Allow students to dedicate plenty of time to the prewriting phase so that they will feel prepared to move on to drafting. 
• Let them work at a comfortable pace while drafting and allow them to take breaks when you see them getting frustrated or fatigued. 
• Once they have completed their first draft, let it sit overnight before asking them to work on revisions.

Breaking up the work into small do-able steps helps students make incremental progress without overworking or overwhelming them. In turn, the students will feel more motivated to write.

Provide Mentor Texts for Inspiration

When they get stuck, one of the best ways to motivate students to write is to have them read quality mentor texts, readings that are similar to the kind of writing they are attempting. As they read, encourage them to notice and discuss the elements that make the writing successful. Then they will feel motivated to try some of those techniques in their own writing. 

Use Graphic Organizers

Find or create graphic organizers, especially during the prewriting phase, to help your students stay focused. For some reason, filling in boxes is less intimidating than trying to fill a blank page. Using graphic organizers helps students to work more independently because they provide a roadmap of what to include. Graphic organizers work well for most students, but they are one of the most vital writing strategies for students who have learning challenges or who tend to struggle with writing. With a graphic organizer, students can focus on one thing at a time and avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Respect the Students’ Autonomy

Students work harder and get more fulfillment from their work when they feel that they are in charge of their own learning. Sometimes the best course of action is to withhold writing advice and constructive criticism, even when it seems counterintuitive. Writing is an especially personal process. Allow students to make their own writing decisions even when those decisions seem like mistakes. Just like in life, students learn best by correcting their own mistakes. With effective teacher modeling of the writing process, most students will be able to identify and correct any major issues on their own.

Encourage Students to Self-Assess

As students approach the revising and editing phase, give them the opportunity to evaluate their own work using the checklist or rubric you will use to assess their final draft. Ask them to read their own work with their “teacher hat” on so that they can ensure the required elements are present and try to identify errors to correct. Answer all their questions, as honestly and accurately as possible, whether they’re about content, format, or mechanics. Giving struggling writers an opportunity to fix their own mistakes and make their own improvements to their work will build their confidence and sense of independence.

Allow Students to Rewrite Assignments When Appropriate

When the final draft doesn’t meet the mark and the students wish to improve it further, by all means let them do it! Even professional writers get a do-over if their work doesn’t satisfy their editors. There is no harm in allowing students to re-write an assignment in order to improve it. In fact, it’s a cause for celebration and a sign that they’re invested in the work. Additionally, it reinforces the writing process and allows students to do as many revisions as they need to reach success. When teachers allow students to revise again, the rubric or checklist becomes a teaching tool rather than a “gotcha.” In turn, the students begin to see the writing process as constructive instead of punitive.

Find Authentic Ways to Publish Student Writing

One of the most effective ways to motivate students to write is by providing an opportunity to share their work with a real audience. When they know their work will be read by someone who isn’t their teacher, students feel a deeper sense of purpose for their writing. Provide opportunities for your students to:

• write letters to friends, family, or government leaders.
• host a writer’s cafe (in real life or virtually) in which students can read their work to one another.
• participate in a writing contest.
• create and regularly contribute to a newsletter or literary magazine within your homeschool co-op.
• write a blog or social media post (with careful supervision and attention to safety, of course).
• write letters to the editor of a newspaper to share concerns or simply to thank someone in the community.
• interview family members and create a book of family memories.

Be Sure the Writing Task is Appropriate for the Student’s Writing Level

When planning a writing project, the teacher should take the students’ writing level into account. If the writing task is too simplistic, students may lose interest or feel insulted. If it’s too difficult, students may become frustrated and give up.

If you’re looking for a complete homeschool writing curriculum , consider Essentials in Writing. Offering complete writing courses for grade levels 1-12, EIW will keep your students motivated and take the burden off the homeschool parent. EIW has it all: engaging writing prompts, short-but-sweet video lessons that model the writing process step-by-step, graphic organizers, rubrics and checklists, and more. Check out the EIW Level Wizard today to find the perfect level for your homeschool student.

Kristy Robins

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4 ways to get students excited about writing

Growing up, I liked to write. More specifically, though, I liked to write about things I liked. While I could crank out a decent enough essay like the best of them, my real passion was in creative writing. Buried in the depths of my office closet is a box holding over a dozen spiral-bound notebooks and hundreds of loose pieces of paper (all adorned with my middle-to-high-school handwriting) spinning elaborate tales of drama and adventure, mostly inspired by my favorite fantasy novels.

A few pieces, though, stand out. There’s the short story I wrote for my honors English class in tenth grade, when we were studying the works of Edgar Allan Poe. My teacher gave us the option to either write an essay comparing the themes in multiple examples of Poe’s work or to demonstrate our understanding of the class material by writing an original short story mimicking Poe’s style. I chose the latter. And I got an A.

Looking back at my high school career, I realize how extremely fortunate I was to have English teachers who understood the importance of “leaning in” and getting to know me as a person. The Poe assignment was one of many in which my teachers found ways to tailor writing tasks so that they felt more interesting and relevant. It was their ability to create buy-in on my part that resulted in my not only wanting to write for school but also in my learning to see myself as a writer both inside and outside of the classroom.

There’s a great deal of focus in writing instruction on making sure students consider their audience. Just as we want students to know their audience, however, we, as teachers, need to also know our students so that we can empower them to use their writing voices. Here are four tips on how to go about this in your classroom.

1. Assign authentic writing tasks

My colleague Julie Richardson recently wrote about engaging student interest with authentic writing tasks . Namely, she calls out the importance of having students consider what they want to accomplish with a particular piece of writing, in addition to what their teacher wants. This callout is in keeping with research by scholars including Steve Graham and Sarah Freedman , among others, that demonstrates the importance of considering what sorts of writing tasks students might engage in outside the classroom. Authenticity is an excellent way to get students excited about writing.

By integrating authentic writing tasks into your curriculum, you can help your students see the value in school-based writing. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Making a thank-you card for a friend or family member
• Using picture books to write simple stories
• Creating comic books or graphic novels
• Summarizing and critiquing movies or episodes of TV shows
• Documenting a family story or recipe
• Reporting on the unexpected origins of an everyday item
• Leaving effective online reviews for products
• Writing a cover letter for a potential job
• Drafting requests to state and local representatives

2. Get to know your students

To get started identifying authentic writing tasks for your students, ask yourself: who are my students? What drives and motivates them? What are their strengths? What are their opportunities for growth? Why should knowing how to write—and to write well—matter to them?

One simple way to start the getting-to-know-you process is by asking students to complete a writer reflection survey. This not only allows you, as the teacher, to learn more about how your students view and approach writing, but it also gives them a chance to self-reflect and consider, perhaps for the first time, how they view and approach writing.

To gauge shifts in students’ perspectives, I recommend administering your survey multiple times (e.g., once at the beginning of the year and once at the end, or between major writing assignments). Some examples of potential statements you might include, asking students to indicate their level of agreement from strongly disagree to strongly agree , are:

• I can stay focused when I write.
• It’s hard for me to remember how to spell words.
• I write differently depending on who will read my writing.
• I like adding extra features to my writing, like illustrations or labels.
• I know who I can go to for help with my writing.
• I usually understand the directions in school writing assignments.
• I see myself as a writer.
• I believe writing is important in everyday life.

For younger students, consider adapting your survey into a classroom activity that gets students up and moving around the room. Designate certain parts of the classroom as “response areas,” then read each statement aloud and ask students to walk to the response area that best matches how they feel about the statement. For example, students who strongly agree with the statement “I can stay focused when I write” might go stand by the back wall, while those who strongly disagree might go stand up front by the whiteboard, while those somewhere in between could stand in the middle of the classroom.

Note, however, that a survey such as the one described here is simply the beginning of an ongoing conversation you’ll need to have with your students as you discover more about who they are and how you can help them feel more confident as writers.

To keep the conversation going, consider asking students to keep a writing journal that they regularly share with you and in which you can provide feedback and answer questions. You might also incorporate peer review sessions into your lessons, as these sessions allow students to hone their writing skills and share their work with peers. Both of these approaches can get students excited about writing and help them begin to see themselves as writers who understand and appreciate the value of writing in their everyday lives.

3. Prioritize an asset-based approach

When getting to know your students, take particular care to use an asset-based approach; that is, do not mistake difference for “less than.” For example, you may have students in your classroom who are more comfortable and fluent expressing themselves in a language other than English. You might have students with disabilities like dyslexia, which can make accurate spelling a challenge. You might have students with ADHD for whom the act of sitting down and quietly drafting a paper is difficult. Does that mean these students have less potential as writers than their peers? Of course not! It simply means that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing instruction.

Multilingual students, for whom weaving together words from two or more languages can be as natural as breathing, should be allowed and encouraged to incorporate translanguaging into their writing process. Students with dyslexia or for whom spelling is otherwise a challenge should be provided access to accommodations like spell check and speech-to-text, which research shows can lead to improved writing outcomes. Students with ADHD, meanwhile, may benefit from more explicit guidance on what is expected, prewriting activities such as mind mapping, and having a larger writing task broken down into smaller micro-assignments, as noted by educator Tracy Collins on Edutopia .

The importance of an asset-based approach can’t be overstated and is an invaluable way to get students excited about writing.

4. Aim for inclusivity

Consider that you may also have students whose lived experiences are such that they don’t find some popular assigned prompts relevant. For example, a student who spent their summer at home or working to help support their family probably isn’t going to feel particularly seen if asked to write about what sort of vacation they took while school was out. A student with same-sex parents, if tasked with writing about their family, may wonder if the instructor has considered the possibility that not everyone’s family includes a mom and a dad and whether it’s safe (or even allowed) to talk about their home life at school. Similarly, a female student of color might roll her eyes at being assigned an essay on yet another book written by a white male author who lived in England hundreds of years ago and who never had to deal with the intersection of racism and sexism she faces on a daily basis, or to consider how living at that intersection shapes one’s lived experiences.

Once you’re aware of the multitude of identities in your classroom, you can tailor your writing assignments appropriately. For example, instead of asking students to write about where they may (or may not) have gone on summer vacation, you can ask them to write about the ideal summer vacation, that is, what would they like to do? Where would they like to go, and why? Similarly, if asking students to write about their families, make sure you’ve established that your classroom is a safe space in which diverse family structures are celebrated and are well-represented in the books or other written texts you analyze with your class. Finally, do an author audit of the books assigned as part of your curriculum. Are they all (or mostly all) white male authors? If so, look into alternative books that you could use instead that might be more interesting and relevant for your students. Not sure where to start? Try your school librarian, who will more likely than not be happy to help!

It can be challenging to get students excited about writing. But as those delivering and differentiating the curriculum, it’s vital that teachers consider the needs, interests, and identities of their students. It is only by knowing them well that you can assign truly authentic writing tasks.

When choosing prompts and designing assignments, I encourage you to make a habit of asking yourself, how can I make this something my students want to write about? How can I cultivate a sense of community in my classroom so that each student-writer can show up comfortably and confidently as their whole, authentic self?

You may also wish to read through NWEA’s stances on writing , which contain a wealth of research-backed information demonstrating what effective, equitable writing instruction looks like.

As noted at the beginning of this article, it can be difficult to get students excited about writing. But if you’ve ever seen that spark in a student’s eyes the moment they realize they’re a writer, then you know it’s well worth the effort to try.

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