Why are you writing? Why do you write in the genre you’ve chosen? Why continue working through the slog of drafting, of revising, of editing?
It would seem like these are stupid questions. The answers should be obvious. But are they?
Most people would throw out the answers that society expects. They have a story in their head that cries out to put put to paper. The world needs the message they’re sharing. They couldn’t find the story they wanted to read on the shelf, so they had to write it. These kinds of reasons are all you need. Right?
Wrong.
Everyone has a story inside them. Everyone believes the world will benefit from their message. How many people do we know that don’t read because they’ve never found the book that catches their interest, but they still don’t go write on. If these reasons were truly the ‘whys’ that authors have deep down at the foundational core of their motivation, everyone would write. And we all know this isn’t the case.
So why?
Too often, the question is the answer. I learned my ‘why’ when I learned about the Human NEXUS from Chris Behnke. You can learn more about it through this link, and I’ll give you a code at the end for a discount.
Too often I’ve seen an author or editor explaining to another writer their own why, and getting mad that the other person isn’t motivated by it. Ever hear the phrase one man’s meat is another man’s poison? Do you know what happens if you put diesel fuel into a car that needs regular gas?
If you try to motivate someone else with what motivates you, if that is not the motivation that fuels them, you will lock up their engine and freeze them.
There are four main ways that people are motivated. Forward progress through momentum. Connection through group dynamics. Problem solving through understanding. Justice through the details that create stability.
So if someone needing connection goes to someone who needs forward progress and says, “Write this story for posterity and your children!” then they have not addressed the greatest stumbling block. The person has no momentum. They likely are overwhelmed with all the details of what needs done, and don’t even know where to start. Instead of shaming them for not creating the book they want for their children, that they would like to leave as a legacy, get them started and let them see progress.
We do this to ourselves more often than others do it to us. If you’re someone who needs problems to solve, but you’re focused on the fact that your work environment isn’t balanced enough to empower your writing, you’re not focused on what will help you improve the situation.
Which of these four types best fits you? Keep in mind, nobody is only one singular type. All of us are some combination of all four. Some of us will have very little of one or two of these motivators, but be massively oriented on another. Then there are people who are pretty evenly balanced in two, three, or even all four.
Personally, my own biggest motivator is forward momentum. If I see progress, it puts a smile on my face and makes me want to do more. I will finish a writing project for the sake of moving on to the next far easier than I will finish for the sake of completing the project.
My secondary motivator is problem solving. If there’s a problem, like a plot hole or character discrepancy, it’s fairly easy for me to jump in and fix that problem so that it doesn’t slow down forward progress in completing the manuscript. To put it one way, I’m someone who solves problems to create momentum for the completion of projects and goals.
Other writers? Not so much. Some writers are far more motivated to get a book to the market so that others can enjoy it. Some are more motivated by following the step by step outline they’ve created, making sure that no details are left unaddressed, with a flow and balance that satisfies their craving.
So what motivates you? Why do you write what you write? How to you keep yourself going when you’re bogged down by the work required to get past the soggy, boggy middle? Or the revolting revising? Or the endless editing?
Most of motivation is in the mindset.
One of the fastest ways you can learn what mindset best motivates you is a simple, free test created by Chris Behnke using the Human Nexus. Drivers need momentum. Influencers need connection. Solutionaries need riddles, puzzles, and problems to solve. Stabilizers need the stability that creates fairness.
Which one are you? How does aligning with it affect your writing process?
Find out your strongest motivator by clicking the link and taking the Human NEXUS test. Take the free version for a short synopsis, or enter code ROlson10off for a discount on the paid version for all the information. Tell us if it reinforces that your writing process is perfect for you, or if it needs readjusted.
For even more information, or assistance in using this system for character creation, join the newsletter here.
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For contact, you can visit our website, find us on Facebook, on X Rebekah Olson @Author_R_Olson, or on Truth Social Rebekah@RebekahOlson.
