How I Stay Motivated as a Writer (and How You Can Too!)
Heart Happy
Audio By Carbonatix
I still remember the first time I dreamed about becoming a writer. In the 1990s, I was a young mom balancing diaper changes, homeschooling, and cooking meals when a small but persistent dream began to grow in my heart. Could I really write books that would impact others?
I decided to go for it and attended my first writer’s conference—and I was hooked! Many years and over 90 books later, I still love to write, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. There are days when motivation is hard to find, and distractions creep in. But through the years, I’ve learned a few strategies to keep going even when the excitement fades.
If you’re a writer (or want to be one!), here are five ways I stay motivated that can help you keep writing, too!
1. Write to Encourage Just One Person
When I first started writing, I received a letter from a friend named Jessica after publishing my first parenting book. She included a picture of her and her family, and that simple gesture changed how I wrote. Instead of thinking about writing for the masses, I wrote to her—one real person who needed encouragement and hope.
Even today, when I see someone struggling in my Facebook community, I imagine writing just to them. This simple mindset shift makes the work feel more personal and meaningful.
📖 “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” — Proverbs 16:24
➡ Try this: Think of someone in your life who needs hope and encouragement. Write as if you were writing to them!
2. Focus on One Small Goal at a Time
Writing an entire book can feel overwhelming. When I first started, I had moments where I stared at a blank screen and thought, Where do I even begin? I’ve learned that instead of focusing on the entire book, I just need to focus on one small goal at a time.
Before bed, I decide on one writing task I will complete the next day—whether it’s outlining a chapter, researching for 20 minutes, or hitting my word count goal. Small steps lead to big progress!
📖 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3
➡ Try this: Set one writing goal for tomorrow. Just one! It could be as simple as journaling for ten minutes or writing a single paragraph.
3. Remember Why You Started
It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of writing—marketing, deadlines, and editing can steal the joy if we’re not careful. When I start feeling uninspired, I remind myself of what first made me love writing.
I remember reading a WWII novel as a young mom and thinking, How amazing would it be to write a novel like this? That dream fueled me then, and it fuels me now.
📖 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4
➡ Try this: Take a moment to reflect on why you wanted to write in the first place. What excites you about writing?
4. Write with a Friend
Writing can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be! I’ve co-written many books with other authors, and it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my writing journey. Having a writing partner makes the process more fun and keeps me accountable.
If you don’t have a co-writer, find a writing friend who can encourage you, brainstorm with you, and keep you moving forward.
📖 “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9
➡ Try this: Reach out to a friend who shares your passion for writing. Ask if they’d like to be your accountability partner or brainstorm ideas together!
5. Picture the Finish Line
When I feel stuck, I imagine the finished book—holding it in my hands, seeing it on a bookstore shelf, or picturing a reader flipping through its pages. I think about the people God will reach through my words.
If God has placed a desire in your heart to write, He has a purpose for it. Trust Him with the process!
📖 “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
➡ Try this: Close your eyes and imagine your book finished. What does it look like? Who is reading it? Let that vision fuel your motivation!
You Can Do This!
Writing isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. If God has called you to write, trust that He will equip you. One sentence at a time, one small goal at a time, one encouraging word at a time—your words matter.
💬 How do you stay motivated as a writer? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share them in the comments, and if you need encouragement in your writing journey, let’s connect.
Let’s keep writing for Him! ✍️📖❤️
Also, check out some of the books God put on my heart!
Tell Your Story: How to Sell What You Believe in By Being Authentically You
Additional Resources
Daily Bible Podcast
We’re Tricia and Michelle, two friends inviting you to join us in reading through the Bible chronologically this year. Reading the Bible every day can be a challenge. We’re here to summarize each day’s passage and provide action steps … in under 15 minutes. Grab a buddy and join our community. Take the plunge, and let’s read through the Bible together. We’ll be cheering you on all the way!
You can join us using your own One Year Bible© (if you’d like to purchase one, you can grab your preferred version using the links below). Or you can print up the One Year Chronological Reading Plan. If you don’t have a copy of the One Year Bible©, we will have the exact passages for the next day in the show notes. You can also subscribe to the One Year Chronological Bible Reading plan on the YouVersion Bible App.
