When an idea sparks a new novel, your motivation and inspiration might seem endless. You have the idea, and the words start flowing. You race to get everything you can on paper and might let hours slip away unnoticed. However, for most of us, this rush unfortunately doesn’t last. The daily responsibilities of life or writer’s block might slow down your initial progress, but taking care to keep connected to your work can go a long way in ensuring you keep moving forward. 

First, even when you’re not sitting down to write, it’s a good idea to keep a journal or designated notes handy for jotting down flash ideas. Inspiration strikes at any time. Having a fast way to record even a snippet of an idea can save you from desperately racking your brain for that one perfect sentence you thought of while waiting in line for coffee. These notes can be a few words or a few paragraphs, depending on the breadth of the idea and the amount of time you have. Nonetheless, having something to reference when sitting back in front of your novel can make a huge difference in your motivation. 

Keeping a collection of notes can be a great way to passively engage with your novel. Simply flipping or scrolling through pages of little snippets of your work can be exciting, especially when looking at the entire draft seems intimidating. The notes themselves can also spark new ideas and can serve as a great source to reference when adding new material. Also, recording little ideas can be a great way to feel productive when life gets too hectic to dedicate the time you might want to your novel. Notes can help bridge any inspirational gaps between periods of heavy writing sessions, making it very easy to sit down and work again when time allows. 

Additionally, simply re-reading your novel with no plan to edit or write can help re-ignite motivation. If you go into your writing only intending to experience the work, it can remind you how fun the craft is! You can step back and appreciate your writing without pressure and get excited about continuing to create a story you love. It can even remind you of parts of the story you may have forgotten about and now can’t wait to expand! 

Writing and the motivation behind it definitely fluctuates. It’s natural to be drawn away by the demands of everyday life. If you take care to stay engaged with your work, even sometimes minimally, it can make a huge difference in your overall writing process.