Have you ever dreamed about accomplishing something, yet you lacked the motivation to actually get it done? Sometimes it can be easier for me to dream about the day I'll hold my next printed book in my hands, but it can be a whole lot harder to actually push through and finish what I started. It's times like those that I desperately need motivation. Can you relate? If so, here are a few tips that I have to help you find motivation, for even the hardest of goals. 1) Take it one step at a time. One way that we lose motivation in writing is when we shift our focus to the big picture and get overwhelmed. There is a time to think big picture, but when you're lacking motivation for your project, keep your thoughts on just your next step. Your goal is 50,000 words for NaNo? Don't focus so hard on the 50,000 words and just focus on writing 500 words in the next hour. Take small steps and just focus on the next step in front of you. 2) Experience something new. A lot of times when we're lacking motivation in writing it's because we lack inspiration. A great way to inspire new ideas and increase your motivation is to do something you've never done before. Try new things, sing a little bit louder than usual, taste a different meal. Broaden your experience and watch as your inspiration and motivation flourishes. 3) Stay consistent. Sometimes motivation just doesn't come. At times like these, it is important--vital in fact--that you keep on writing. By staying consistent you're developing writing as a habit and not a hobby for just when you feel like it. Motivation may come and go, but that is not what makes you a writer. Writing makes you a writer. So keep those fingers flying on that keyboard. What are some things that have helped you find motivation, even when you didn't feel like writing?
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Happy Friday, friends! I am so excited to share with you all a special interview with Tessa Hall, a young author and Associate Agent at Hartline Literary Agency. Tessa is an inspirational writer and she's also the founder of Pursue Magazine. It was an honor to chat with her about writing, and I can't wait for you all to read her encouraging words here today. Don't forget to leave a comment and show Tessa some love! Bella: Thank you so much for joining me here today, Tessa! It’s an honor to be featuring you in my blog. Would you please start off by just sharing a little bit about yourself? Tessa: Sure! My name is Tessa, and I began my writing career when I was 16-years-old. Since then, I’ve had two books release, titled PURPLE MOON and UNWRITTEN MELODY. My next book is a non-fiction devotional for teen girls, titled COFFEE SHOP DEVOS. This will release September 2018 with Bethany House. I work on the publishing side of the industry as well. I’m an associate agent at Hartline Literary Agency and a YA acquisitions editor for IlluminateYA, teen imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. I also love encouraging teens to pursue their God-given calling through my magazine, PURSUEMagazine.net. Bella: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Why is writing important to you? Tessa: I first discovered my love of writing when I was 3-years-old. I loved the freedom writing gave me to use my imagination to become someone else and go on adventures. Once I first fell in love with it, I knew there wasn’t anything else I’d prefer to do with my life than to write books for a living. Writing is important to me because it’s what I feel called to do. I believe God has given each of us gifts, and He wants us to use them to expand His Kingdom. Even though I would write for the pure joy of it, even if it meant never finding publication, I still find motivation to write when I think about the people who could someday be reached by my words and stories. Our time on earth is short. There’s no better way to spend our lives than to love God, love others, and use the tools He’s given us to reach the lost and build the Body of Christ. So to me, writing isn’t simply a hobby or a self-focused pursuit. If I don’t pursue it—especially when I believe God is calling me into this field—then I risk impacting lives for eternity. That might sound “overly spiritual”, but hey, aren’t we spiritual beings who are called to live with an eternal mindset? (See 2 Corinthians. 4:18.) Bella: I love that answer. Great advice, Tessa. So do you keep a strict writing schedule or do you just write whenever you have a chance? What advice do you have for young writers on consistency? Tessa: My life is too sporadic to keep a regular schedule. However, when I’m on a deadline, then I have to make sure that my writing time is protected. In these seasons, it does help to have a specific time that I plug away at the project every day. This helps my brain to stay focused during that time and it forces me to devote my entire attention on the project. Sometimes this time is in the morning, since this is my favorite time to write—but sometimes this time might come at night before bed. I’d advise young writers to discover what time of the day they work best. When I was a senior in high school, it helped for me to wake up early before school and get writing done then. Personally, when I was a teen who was serious about my writing, I had to make sacrifices and cut out some social activities in my life in order to finish my book. I’d advise that you understand what it is that you want to accomplish as a teen. Are you hoping to write for a hobby or pursue writing seriously? Do you have any concrete goals? (For instance, my goal was to have my first book published by the time that I graduated high school.) Then, analyze your time. Where can you fit writing into your daily schedule, and are there any sacrifices you might have to make in order to see this through? Your sacrifice might not be cutting out social activities, but it might come in the form of cutting out excess free time—such as time spent on social media or binge watching shows on Netflix. Whatever it is, be intentional with your time. You’ll never get back the free time you have as a teen, so use it wisely to plant seeds that could cultivate into a future career and/or ministry. Bella: Where do you get inspiration to write when you’re dealing with things like writer’s block or lack of story ideas? Tessa: It depends on what the cause is for the writer’s block. Most of the time, I’ve discovered that this is due to feeling overwhelmed or working too much. When that happens, I give myself permission to take a break. I might go on a walk, hang out with friends, work out, go to the park, go to a coffee shop, etc. I just need my brain to focus on something that does not involve being on the computer or working with words. Then, when I return to my project, my brain usually feels fresher, and I can see the WIP through new lens. However, there are times when I am lacking inspiration/ideas. When this happens, I turn to the sources of my inspiration. Most of my ideas come from listening to music, looking at photography/artwork, watching films, or reading books. So again, when this happens, I’ll take a break from my WIP and expose myself to other forms of art. This is usually enough to get the creative juices flowing again. Bella: What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned through your journey with writing, getting published, and then launching your career as an Associate Agent at Hartline Literary Agency? Tessa: This might sound like a general statement, but I think the most surprising thing I’ve learned through this journey has been how difficult it is to succeed in this industry. It’s rare that I was able to gain the attention of a publisher at the first writing conference I attended when I was 16. Since that happened so quickly and easily, I almost expected the rest of the writing journey to be that way as well. But I soon had my own taste of the struggle that most aspiring authors experience when they attempt to pursue publication. Writing a book in itself is hard work and a long process that requires determination, passion, belief in oneself, and self-discipline. The editing process is often even more time-consuming and discouraging. Then, when the book is finally shopped to agents or publishers, it can take months—if not years—to receive interest. Finally, when the book is contracted with the publisher, then the book usually releases 1 – 2 years after the contract is signed. That’s only the beginning. Once the book is contracted with a publisher, you have to go through an editing process with your editor. Then you have to market your book so you can actually find readers to read this book you’ve poured so much time and energy into. All of that to say—those who don’t have a true passion for the field of writing/publishing don’t usually make it far in this industry. ;) However, the highlights of the writing journey—such as the anticipation of a book release, receiving literary awards, hearing from readers, garnering good book reviews, seeing your book in print, etc.—makes the journey worthwhile. Bella: When did you first decide to launch your own magazine, and would you please share with us a little bit about that journey? Tessa: Sure! When I was 11-years-old, I launched an online Christian newsletter for tweens with one of my friends. We ran this newsletter for about two years. During that time, I fell in love with the process of managing Christian content that encouraged girls to pursue Christ. That’s when I first made it my goal to someday start my own Christian magazine for teen girls. Then, when I was either 14 or 15, I came across the scripture Ecclesiastes 11:9 (MSG), which states: “You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. Follow the impulses of your heart. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.” After I found that, I wrote in my notebook, in big, bold letters: PURSUE Magazine. I knew what I wanted my magazine to be about from that day forward: I wanted to encourage teen girls to make the most of their teen years by pursuing their God-given calling while first pursuing a relationship with Christ. In January 2016, that vision became a reality when I launched the PURSUE Magazine blog (www.PURSUEMagazine.net). Our first digital issue released on Amazon in April 2017, and our second issue will release spring 2018. Bella: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given as a writer? Tessa: The best advice I hear over and over from authors is this: Keep your priorities in balance. I do believe that aspiring authors should treat their writing time with respect, especially if they hope to see success; however, our love for our art should never take the place of our love for God, and the time we spend writing should never be as sacred as the time we spend with our family. I believe that writing is part of the work God has called me to do while I’m on earth, and I will continue to do this out of obedience. But if my passion for writing, or if my drive to succeed, ever comes before my loved ones—and especially God—then my life will be out of balance. Bella: If you could only give one last piece of writing advice to any young writer, what would you share? Tessa: My advice would be summed up in one word: Persevere. The process of seeing your publication dreams come to fruition isn’t necessarily quick or easy. The writing journey in itself is a long, winding, bumpy road. It’s often filled with stumbling blocks, dead ends, and forks in the road. And once you reach a milestone, there’s always going to be another milestone to strive toward. Writing a book in itself is not an easy feat by any means—much less the process toward seeing that book published. But if your passion is big enough—and if you can be patient and wait on God’s perfect timing—then you’ll have what it takes to persevere. Keep the big picture in mind, and enjoy every step along the journey. Strive forward. Learn the craft, write multiple books, attend writing conferences, find critique partners, understand how the publishing industry works, etc. The only way you’re guaranteed failure is if you quit. Bella: For a more fun question to end, what’s one genre you think would be fun to write, but you’ve never ventured out in it? Tessa: I would love to try writing speculative fiction in the future. I absolutely love James L. Rubart’s works, and I think it’d be so fun to incorporate supernatural and fantastical elements into a contemporary genre. I’ve always been interested in writing a dystopian book as well. I love that both of these genres offer plenty of room for the imagination. Writers aren’t limited by historical events or the boundaries of reality; instead, they can invent a story world that readers have yet to experience before. I definitely think I’ll experiment with these genres someday! Bella: Thank you so much for joining us today, Tessa! It's been a joy to have you here. Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic YA fiction to show teens they’re not alone. Her passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as an Associate Agent at Hartline Literary Agency, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. Tessa's first teen devotional will release with Bethany House in 2018. She's guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 116 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating her insulin pump, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: www.tessaemilyhall.com. Ah yes, NaNoWriMo. How are we doing with this incredible, somewhat daunting task, dear writers? I'm afraid I'm a bit behind schedule, but I have been known to write 7,000 words in one sitting so hope to catch up very soon. What word count are you at? This is my first year participating in NaNo and it's been so much more difficult and crazier than I first anticipated. The first ten days in and I'm wondering exactly how I'm going to get this massive word count finished before the 30th. Never fear however, because there are definitely ways to keep your sanity while still participating in NaNo. Want to know how? Lots of coffee and/or chocolate. Pretty self-explanatory. Snacks and fuel make for happy writers. I'm not a fan of coffee, but love the way it feels to write in coffee shops. Chocolate is my NaNo go-to treat (fairly traded, of course). And peanut butter sundaes. Anything with sugar in it really... Great music to have a dance party to. Music is always an emotional motivator to inspire you to reach your word count for the day, or to inspire you into a dance party that causes you to procrastinate your word count. Either way, music is my favorite way to get my creative juices flowing. Friends to write and party with. Get together with your writing friends and have a party! Have a blast writing away...or getting distracted by conversation--either one works. Encourage each other through the difficult middle story parts, rejoice in the exciting plot twists, and cheer each other on to the end. Never give up. It all comes down to this, fellow writing friend. NaNo may be hard and you may wonder if you'll ever make it to 50k. Let me tell you: you can make it. But you have to keep going. You can't give up. You have to press on. Now enough of reading this post. Sit back down at your keyboard and write. I thought it would be fun to do a different kind of writing post, geared specifically towards fiction writers. :) This seemed like an even better idea considering NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) began this week! During the month of November, I may be doing even more fiction writing tips here on this page. For those of you who don't know, I began writing when I was about eight years old and I started out with writing fiction. My stories were my whole world. Creating characters and developing plot twists was what I thrived on. My characters were my friends and naming them was my favorite part. But sometimes a character in a story or novel is so complex that it can be hard to pick just the perfect name for them. A name that fits them like it was made for them and a name that readers will fall in love with. To help you along, I've listed out three tips I have for creating the best character names ever. 1) Do something unique. When I first started writing I would use really common character names, such as Sarah. Using a common character name isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it doesn't give much depth to your character. It doesn't make that character feel unique and special to your story. Craft a name that hasn't been used as often. It doesn't have to be some weird, out-of-this-world kind of name either. I'm just saying use variety and uniqueness. 2) Create a character name list. Sometimes, for me, when I would sit down to write, I would find it hard to come up with a name right on the spot. Something that assisted me with this was creating a character name list that I could reference back at any time. If, for example, I came up with a great character name but didn't have a story for it at the time, I would write it into my list and save it for another time. Sometimes I would just write down every name I could possibly think of so that I could use them in the future. 3) Know your character. In order to be unique, your character's personality should flow with their name. If they're a very unique person, give them a very unique name. If they're a minor character who doesn't say a whole lot, a more simple name should do. For your main character, figure out who she/he is before naming her/him. This will help tremendously with picking just the perfect name. Have fun writing! Do you have any tips for character naming? Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? |
About this page:
This page of my blog is dedicated specifically to writers. I've been writing for over half of my life. I live and breathe writing. Because of that, I'm passionate about helping other writers grow, develop, and succeed. This section of my blog will include blog posts dedicated to writing, encouragement, and resources. Feel free to read through some posts and my contact form is always open if you ever have any questions or need encouragement! ♥ Archives
April 2018
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