Hi there, viewers! You can read an adapted text version of this video on Medium: medium.com/@quotidianwriter/how-to-motivate-yourself-to-write-every-day-67ba7ef9f6e8

There's nothing wrong with daydreaming. Daydreaming is our deepest imagination on flow, but action has to also take place.

"The root of the problem is perfectionism. Sometimes we're so in love with our stories that we want them to be born into the world as perfect beings." Wow, that sums me up more than I want to admit.

1. Establish a routine 2. Write everywhere 3. Set Daily Goals 4. Try Alternative Forms of Writing 5. Enter Writing Contests

As a writer myself, I find that we suffer from resistance. Our brains are wired to avoid risk or take chances. Our own thoughts work against us because of fear. Recently I had to purge distractions. I deleted a few video games that were sucking my time, and stop debating politics on Facebook. No one will write for you. If you want to finish your novel you have to stay disciplined and focused, removing distractions ruthlessly, then you need to sit down and actually write.

"We know we are supposed to write, but instead we watch TV" ...or video essays on KZfaq, full of really great writing advice, so I can tell myself that I am not wasting my time, since I am watching something that helps me learn how to write. The worst lie I tell myself every day for years now >.< (this is NOT a jab at your video! It's amazing! :) )

I find it’s best to commit to only write one sentence per day. This is an easy goal and you won’t have trouble sticking to it. This helped me to write my novel. When I sat down to write the one sentence, it often turned into paragraphs.

"You have to be okay with ugly babies." I Haven't laughed so hard in a while XD

As an author with 20 books under my belt, traditionally published and self-published, I can absolutely state the "writing every day" is the worst advice if you have a life, a job, a family. Set weekly targets. Then it doesn't matter if you miss a day. And it will keep you motivated.

I'll be honest- my motivation for everyday writing is the need to have power over anything (fictional world) and the fact that I have hardly any friends and writing is the only thing I'm pretty good at.

Who'll are watching it in 2020 after four years from which the video is made? I'm here in the quarantine time!!

This genuinely brought me near to tears. Trying to push blindly through blocks that have lasted from just a month to well over two years has honestly destroyed my confidence as a writer. This video is an incredible breath of fresh air. This may be five years late, but thank you.

The one part I disagree with is morning-writing. I'm sure this is a great tip for some, but this is the worst for me. I cannot write in the morning because my mind is cloudy and I'm usually planning out my day with everything I have to do and in what order. What I'll have for breakfast, what time I have to go to work, etc. Making time in my already busy morning would be unproductive because it only pushes off my bigger responsibilities and I would stress the entire time about other things. Writing before bed is the best for me because it's easier to stay up another half hour to do my goal of writing than go to sleep early thinking I'll have to write first thing in the morning.

I can't do early. I do my best work from midnight to 3am. Setting daily goals is good. I like rewards after, too. (candy)

I tell myself, I can do this, I have a story to tell, and that I have the skills. You have to believe in yourself. These tips were very helpful. You have to find the help and motivation wherever you can find it.

It would be nice if I could make a friend that was really into writing. My motivation hasn't been that well lately, but I think if I had a friend that loved to write and encourage me, I could be motivated to continue writing. I do try to ask my friends how one of my chapters sound and all I get is a simple "Oh, I really love it! You shouldn't change a thing," which is good for a confidence boost, but not that good when I'm looking for constructive criticism to improve my writing. I've always had a problem with making and staying on a schedule, but I'm definitely going to try some of the tips on here, as I'm tired of sitting at home all day not wanting to do anything productive. It's really frustrating when you want to finish a big project, but you don't feel like it! So, thanks for the video, I'll try these! 😊

Perfectionism has affected me for so long!

Writing competitions work wonders. I joined a writing competition this year on fanfiction, and I wrote 75k words I wouldn't have otherwise.

I used to write as I will, with no routine and I enjoyed writing. Then I started trying to push myself hard, I guess I pushed way too hard and I stopped enjoying what I was doing. It started feeling stressful and frustrating when I couldn't finish it. Now I flushed my routine down the drain and was brainstorming happily after a long while. I don't know what to say for a situation like this. It had started feeling like I would have to cut out the small pleasures of life if I wanted to be a writer.

My problem is I read so many amazing novels with brilliant writing that I’m used to reading quality. I read stuff that’s been drafted, revised, and written by someone who has been practicing constantly. Meanwhile, when I read what I’ve written myself I end up cringing. It doesn’t meet the mental standard I have when reading. Eventually I end up getting demotivated from starting up writing again. I end up thinking about all my mistakes instead of just continually practicing and revising. It’s a big chore to plow through the mental roadblock of not constantly stressing over the bad, and to just keep writing until it’s good.

Write while summoning the dead. 😂😂😂

I am 13 and I used to have a very bad problem with getting my self to write.I used to write at school but now that summer is here I am bored all the time.Thanks a lot!

Really an original and imaginative presentation. Will bring a lot of creative matter out and thanks a lot for sharing the stuff. Keep Going.

I struggle so much with perfectionism. It’s so annoying. I really appreciate this!

The best part of Diane is she replies, thanks, involves and appreciates her viewers. Nice video as usual. It worked!!!

I'm so glad I found this video! It's just so timely as I have to write a novel as my thesis. And as a Creating Writing major, your channel helped me a lot. You just gained another subscriber. More power to you and to your channel!

This is such gold! I was doing 3 - 4 of these, but it's nice to have 'em refocused. Your graphics, editing, and esp your voice and enunciation are wonderful! I'm glad I subbed. Thank you!

I like to motivate myself by watching talks from writers I admire. Ideally, their passion for writing and the quality of their stories will spark my enthusiasm and ambition and get me to want the same. And it will remind me that the only way to get there is to write.

Writing your first draft as a script can be a useful option. That way you will not write slow or get stuck.

Another excellent lesson. Always clear, concise and professional. You are appreciated, Diane.

The metaphor about the painters is so good. I’m a painter as well and it hit me really hard. Now I can apply it to writing

This is really fantastic! So many helpful tips and exciting ideas. Presentation is clean, clever, and visually appealing. Thanks for the inspiration! I can't wait for the next video.

I watched this years ago and I'm surprised how much of this advice stuck with me all that time. Thank you!

i never considered stopping just when i know what will be happening next. that is so helpful. normally, i just write what i know, and then the next day, i'll stare at my laptop screen unsure of where to go next.

beautifully delivered... Really stirs and sparks the vibes of writing in me. Thankyou. I'm just starting my own writing from today!!!

"Night owls are going to hate this, but morning is the best time to write" As a night owl, I definitely do not hate this. Early morning feels like late evening for me, so I get the benefits of comfortably writing towards the end of the "day", but also get the benefits of writing at a time where I don't have distractions. It's perfect! Also, to some degree I find myself disagreeing with the music thing. I'm not a picky listener, though, so it doesn't really take all that long for me. Thing is, I personally have to have some kind of white noise because I have an overactive mind. Even if it's some lo-fi buzz that means nothing to me, it works far better than silence because my brain starts messing around with me. "Hey, remember when baby shark was making its rounds around the internet? Well you do now, and you're going to have that song stuck in your brain now until you finally cave and put some music on." "Oh, hey, working on a scene there? Lets think about all the next scenes instead of this one so we can run ourselves into a writing corner!" For me, listening to music means that I can shut off my main brain and let my subconscious do the work. I'm a decent beta reader so when I've gotten the content down, I can refine it later. Works best for me, especially as a pantser who actually finds it less beneficial to plan ahead!

That 'perfectionism' and 'painter' part really hit me hard XD I'm really glad I saw this video

Your voice is so relaxing I love it. I could listen to you read the dictionary and it would still be great. I’m listening to your videos at 2am, laying in bed, and as I’m listening, all I keep thinking about is how relaxed and intrigued I am by your videos.

I love the idea where you stop riding at an exciting scene so that way you won't get stuck also like to write early in the morning good. Good advice thank you

I've just finished watching your new video and now I'm in the process of going back to relearn (rehash) some of your past lessons that I've taken to heart, the ones that have served me well when it comes to self-improvement as an amateur and writing everyday is one of the most important. Writing daily keeps a certain level of "flow" maintained. I write using a keyboard only, never really did the pen and paper thing, at least not that much to were it would matter. Nevertheless, learning to type as fast as I think has helped me stay "in the moment", capturing the power of improvising as well as spontaneity that has added to my skills in producing content. Now the object is to make sure that, that content is good, meaningful as well packed full of emotion. Thanks for putting out a new video, your writing channel is by far my favorite, it has inspired me at times when I've run out of "fuel" to write and I hope to see more "new stuff" soon!

I can relate to everything you mentioned.. it feels good to find someone who understands.

Your voice is really relaxing and is like AMSR. I just sit back and relax, yet I'm learning and remembering 🙏

Your voice is so calming, I'm watching video after video just because it's lovely to listen.

I love story writing! I got to a creative writing group and it's so fun and also really interesting to see other people's work too!

I really like the painting simile. It's a metaphor that's been sticking in my mind recently.

Thank you a million times for this! I would of never though; your writing doesn't have to be perfect, just write. Can you say this is probably the BEST tip I ever heard. So simple, yet nobody has ever mentioned. Thank you

Wonderful! Thank you so much for this excellent video! Keep writing!

This wad brilliant, in all eays: content,graphics,audio. Thank you.

Great video! This definitely helped me remember techniques I used when I started off writing in grade school. Imagination is key!

Thanks for the tips. I can use these tips to keep me motivate to write my novels and short stories.

I look forward to your uploads and think they're probably the best inspirational tutorials out there. I find that the way you deliver and construct the whole piece is exceptional and the tone of your voice is like listening to a relaxation CD. I'm attempting to write a trilogy. I know where it begins and how it finally ends with detailed episodes in-between but I just can't seem to string them all together or focus on how each individual book ends and leads into the next - do you have any advice that may be of some help? Keep up the amazing work and I look forward to the next 👍😊

Thank you for the insight! Motivation 💪🏽

Honestly ever since I found my first video of you I found myself writing from morning to my bed time, minus the breaks for eating, chores, and affection exchanges with my family. Your voice is absolute perfection, easy to listen, learn, write, and even think to. The very moment I wake up I look through your videos to find something i'm stuggling with or know i'll struggle with in the future, once I find one I sit at the kitchen table and just listen as I figure out the languages i'll use and where I want the story to go from where I am at the moment. You've motivated me to write, and I thank you for that. Even if you never see this😊.

I'm working on a plethora of different stories, some of my own creation and some from books and movies that I love. My most recent work is about J.K.R's Harry Potter series. I am trying to imagine it differently than it was written in outcomes , trying to imagine the "what if's" that could make the story more interesting while following the storyline and keeping true to the characters. I'm finding it hard to write anything these days, not sure if I'm blocked or not but I am trying to work through it! These tips will be a sure fire way to help me through that!! Can't wait for your next video!!

Wow, the 2 painters analogy hit me hard. I'm so freaking obsessed with making sure the writing is top-shelf that sometimes it can take me an hour to write 3 sentences. It doesn't take a genius to realize that will never lead anywhere. I love that you encourage writers to allow themselves to write sub-optimal content. It is such a hard thing to do for some of us but absolutely vital for growth and maturity as a writer. I imagine it almost always leads to important new discoveries and qualities about your writing and storytelling that you didn't even know you had. My biggest problem is throwing everything away after only a few pages because I think it's garbage. So I start over new and the cycle continues. You give such lucid and coherent guidance that it becomes impossible to argue with your logic. Thank you so much for this channel. You keep me going.

Loving this channel.

This was really well done. Thank you for sharing!

What a soothing voice. It made listening to this video very relaxing.

Late to the party but I just found your video and this is so helpful and informative, without being boring. Thank you for creating this!

Great advice! Tyvm ma'am!

Thank you very much! You dissected the issues pretty well, in and out, in a wholesome way. That is what gave me a unique insight into the techniques. The last anecdote was a real gem. Thanks again!

Someone that understands. Thank you. Now I feel quite normal. Perfectionism for my ideas is definitely one of my faults. ;c A lot of good tips for writing. But I absolutely love the story of the painters at the end. :)

Wow, this is so true for me. I've been rewriting my second book for ten years. Ugg!!

Thank you so much for this amazing and great video. It helped me a lot. I mean... A LOT. It even helped me not to think about my writing as stupid or something abstract that no one could ever understand what my story is all about. I felt so inspired after watching this video. I truly am.

My best time to write is past bed time

Lovely presentation and video editing, good tips!

This helped me more than I expected. I thought I already understand about writing enough but not effective for me. It turned out, I still a lot more to learn. Hopefully, after this I could write daily.

Excellent advice! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm working on my first novel, and I'm learning writing craft. I'm hoping to get my book published in 2019 if not sooner. Looking forward to more of your videos, new subbie here! :)

I am the 3,333rd person who will be watching this. I wonder, if the next couple of years, this video will got many views, and also how many people will be needing this. Thank you! :D

Your voice is so perfect for this type of content. Love it.

This is really helpful! I'll definitely keep all these things in mind, and try to practice as many as possible. God... who knew dorky rps with my friends were actually helping me as a writer lol

It was so spot on. Rarely happens.

This extremely helpful and I am so glad u made it I have been struggling on a story and this made it easier to write 😁

Excellent video! I am motivated to get started thanks so much very helpful tips

It was marvellous. Maybe the best video I have ever seen on KZfaq. Congratulations.

You are Awesome! thanks for sharing what you have learned.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!! even though I'm now a 4th-year highschooler I still can't come up anything for my future, but then it hit me I realize that I enjoy reading things and yes I admit I mostly read anime manga and other stuff b, but every time I read that I seem to have no interest on reading a book somewhat makes me feel complete and then I realize it, I finally found what I want in my future is to be a novel author I realize being a novel author is not an easy job, and I also realize that it can also consume my time, but then my mother suggested something to me, she told me "Why not just make your dream of being an author as a side career?" I was surprised at first, but I think my mom is actually right so that way to choose a course that will suit my taste so that's I'm thinking to choose the journalism course, that's right I will challenge myself to get the life I always wanted. sorry if I took your time by reading this

Thank you so much for this video! Much appreciated

your editing is amazing. awesome tips :)

Excellent and very practical tips!! Well thought through...Thank you...

U are helping us so much, thank you

You have a really attractive voice and soothing way of reading. You do good work!!

This video is great. I appreciate the upload. Thank you 🙏🏾

Excellent Video, you make a positive difference in our lives through your videos. Thank you so much.

I usually write during my free hour at college. Sit down in the cafeteria and my thoughts just flow through my hands onto wherever I’m writing. My routine goes into writing short stories of about 3,500 words every day during that free hour, forcing myself to come up with something different, different vocabulary and etc. Once I start writing, I get swallowed by my imagination. I set myself in the shoes of the characters and makes me feel so inspired and motivated that I simply can’t stop writing! Sometimes I really love using prompts and from there pull off such story. Finally I consult with my ex- english teacher (since I already graduated from high school) so she could help me out with better suited words and such. Normally I get my ideas during the night. I lock myself in a room and imagine it as if it was my reality. I set myself in the character’s place and play out their way of talking, judgement and such. I’d recommend you guys to try some of these methods since they’ve helped me out so much!

This really helped. Thanks for this.

I loved your tips, i am going to apply them I also like your presentation. Thanks a lot. :)

I didn't expect this to be so relatable

Thank you so much, I found you. This video inspired and helped me. I’m subbing.

Why am I in love with your voice?😍

Thank you I need this.

Great video with great advice for any wannabe writers out there like myself! Thank u

A very practical and realistic suggestion on how to be a disciplined writer...

Thank you for your advice.

Hi Diane, excellent advices. Routine + daily goals seems a nice road to experiment. See you ;)

Thanks for this motivation.

I Love this!! Thank u! 💖😊

Thanks for the practical tips.

Excellent suggestions. Thank you!

Very nice video !! these are the best tips i have found after watching thousands of writing tips videos !thanks 😸😸