{"id":14402,"date":"2016-01-11T01:00:57","date_gmt":"2016-01-11T09:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=14402"},"modified":"2016-01-14T16:32:57","modified_gmt":"2016-01-15T00:32:57","slug":"the-writers-reward-by-catharine-bramkamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/11\/the-writers-reward-by-catharine-bramkamp\/","title":{"rendered":"The Writer’s Reward by Catharine Bramkamp"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Let\u2019s<\/a>Let\u2019s welcome back monthly columnist\u00a0Catharine Bramkamp<\/a> as she shares with us \u201c The Writer’s Reward.\u201d Enjoy!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

During one of our Blab conversations<\/a>, <\/strong>a\u00a0listener, Angela, asked Beth and I what do we do to reward ourselves for writing.<\/p>\n

My first instinct was to deliver\u00a0one of those obvious, pandering answers, like writing is its own reward, but that answer is not only too obvious and trite, it\u2019s also false.<\/p>\n

We love writing.<\/strong>\u00a0We are passionate about writing.<\/strong> But that does not mean we like writing.\u00a0 Some days are difficult; the work is hard, but necessary. Some days are devoted to the second draft, or the third. This writing\u00a0is devoted to wresting with individual sentences, trying to make sense of what poured out of your heart and mind, but didn’t quite translate on the page.<\/p>\n

This work is difficult.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And I believe that yes, you need some kind of reward system to keep you at your desk and focused on the project at hand, because this stage of writing is not, really, its own reward.<\/p>\n

Deadlines are motivating of course.<\/strong>\u00a0And a deadline can help start the project and encourage you to stay with the project, but rewards in-between can be truly helpful.<\/p>\n

So aside from rewarding yourself with a trip to Hawaii once the manuscript is finished, here are some ideas to help motivate you through the slog that is the second, third and fourth drafts of your book:<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rewards are more effective if they are not computer based.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rewards are effective if they are simple.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Set a reasonable goal, even a very low goal. Sometimes a huge goal is as frustrating as considering your huge project. Break it down.<\/p>\n

After I edit\u00a0500 words I will reward myself with:<\/strong><\/p>\n