How to Stay Focused While Writing a Book

    When you first get an idea for a book it is usually an exciting time in a writer's life.  You generally can't wait to get started in writing this book.  In the beginning, your ideas are flowing and your excitement is energizing you.  But, then as time goes on the newness starts to fad and your book starts to feel somewhat like a chore in writing it.  You might even start to wonder why you even decided to write this story in the first place, right?  Hey, I've been there and questioned that. This is the time when it becomes extremely hard in staying focused on your book to be able to finish it to its completion. Believe it or not, this is the biggest reason most people who start a book never finish it.  The excitement turns into a struggle, and as a creative person, it can become somewhat daunting to your everyday life.  This is when an author will generally abandon their story for a new idea and start down the same path to writing a new book, only to repeat this cycle over and over again.  I have had several authors tell me they are sitting on many unfinished manuscripts because of this.  So what's an author to do when you experience this?  (Here is a video that discusses this topic and some of the things you can do).

     One of the things I've started doing is writing the scene in my book where my idea originates.  I know this might seem strange but a lot of times when we get an idea and start a book, we just want to get to the part where our idea comes into play; at least that's what I want.  But, trying to get to that part is usually the thing that trips us up.  I say this because in the current book that I am writing, which is a historical romance my main idea comes towards the end and I found I was having trouble starting this book because of this.  So in the end, I just decided to start my book towards the end where my idea originates and work my way to the front.  I know this might sound really strange to start a book at the end, but it seems to be working for me so far and I am enjoying my story as it is taking shape.  And since this is the first historical romance novel I have ever attempted to write this seems to be working out for me.

     The other suggestions I can offer to you is try to find something that will inspire you every day to write.  I have certain music that I listen to.  When I hear this music it makes my brain wake up to the knowledge that it is time to write, and this seems to work for me also.  (Here is the music video I listen to with my headphones when I am writing).

Also, see if you can find some pictures on Pinterest which might inspire you as well.  I found this video on youtube from the movie "Pride and Prejudice" that helps me get into the historical mood when writing my current, historical novel. (See below). 

  

    These things do help me and just might help you.  Just find something to inspire you so that you can get back to writing. There has never been a better time than now with all of the technology around us that is just a click away to inspiring your writing.  So stay focused and get back to writing now!

    In my next blog article, I am going to discuss a site called Trello, and how it can help you in outlining your book or logging in other story ideas and keeping track of it all.  For a writer, I feel this site is just what the writing doctor ordered. lol

    So stay tuned!