Dear Editor…
I just started writing a story, but I want to know how I can be motivated to write a novel!? Make it long, and beautiful. Every time, I think, It’s never going to be good. Is there any way I can lose this feeling, and continue on writing it?
Sincerely,
Xena
Dear Xena…
Stop trying to motivate yourself to finish a novel and instead motivate yourself to finish your story. “Complete a novel” is a task to check off a list. Bleh. A story, though, that’s something you can get jazzed about. A story has characters you grow to care about, and problems that threaten them, and relationships that make them laugh, cry, mourn. You continue writing a story because you want to see how your fictional friends’ lives work out. Try writing with the aim of discovering just a little more about your characters each day. Eventually you’ll know what happens to them and can type “The End.” Story (and novel) accomplished.
Happy writing!
The Editor