One thing I learned about myself is that I wasn’t good at recognizing the wins in regard to my writing. Unless it was something big, like getting a piece published in a magazine, getting a request for a full from an agent, or publishing a book. But those wins can take time or maybe not even happen. So what’s a writer to do to stay motivated?
Celebrate your wins – big and small.
Here are some of the wins I’ve celebrated in the past couple of years:
1. Joined an online writing program
2. Made new writing friends
3. Started developing my author platform on social media
4. Wrote consistently (3 times/week)
5. Sent out queries for 2 different manuscripts (psychological thriller/domestic suspense)
6. Completed a draft of a new novel
7. Revised 2 novels
8. Learned how to create things in Canva
9. Prioritized reading more books in my genres
10. Started an author newsletter and sent out 10 issues to date
11. Blogged weekly for 41 weeks straight
12. Entered my 1st book in a contest to be adapted into a film (didn’t win)
13. Worked with a VA to create my author website (https://jacquelinemcmahon.com)
14. Submitted my psychological thriller to a publisher
15. Signed a contract with this publisher
I’m very happy with this list of accomplishments, but I do credit giving myself rewards each step of the way for helping to keep my momentum going.
So what were some of the rewards I gifted myself?
*new colorful post it notes in varying sizes
*a set of pens with writing sayings on them
*a new tote bag
*stickers for writers (for laptops/notebooks)
*colored pens/highlighters
*several new notebooks
*A coffee date with a friend at the beach
*A dinner out with friends
*A day trip with my BFF
I’ve even sorted my rewards into groups:
1. Small reward for a small task
2. Medium reward for a bigger goal
3. Big reward for a big achievement
So, for example, if I wrote consistently for the entire week, I might celebrate with some sort of treat (hot chocolate/a favorite candy/a movie)
Rewards for completing my weekly blog post and my weekly social media posts might include some new stickers, or a pen or pencils.
Bigger achievements, like completing a full revision on a novel might result in a new book (or two), or a new notebook.
After sending out twenty-five queries, I went out for lunch with my BFF.
When I received a request for a full from an agent I had queried, I went out to dinner with friends.
When I signed my contract with my publisher, I went on a road trip for the day.
I’m not one to need a reward every time I sit down and write, but I do enjoy knowing that at the end of the week, if I’ve completed my tasks, I can plan a fun social activity like hanging out with friends for a game night or having a movie night.
This reward system has been very inspiring and kept me writing when sometimes life would have had other plans for my time.
Have you tried treated yourself to rewards after a writing win?