Charles G - August 6, 2010 writes:

Have no complaints about the course, but in six months I have completed 2 assignments and to date (paying by installments)paid £188 - which makes the feedback on each assignment a heafty £94.

So I need some get up and go or something. It sounds like a bleat, but there always seems to be something else more pressing or important that has to be done.

Any words of wisdom - I'll accept 'a good kick up the pants,' but don't think that is going to be too successful.

Charles Gardiner

Vicky B - August 7, 2010 replied:

Hi charles, I try and write every day as i write in my spare time, i allow two hours each day.I hope that's helpful.

Pranav L - August 7, 2010 replied:

Charles, Why did you take up the course in the first place? Think of that reason to motivate you to finish the asignments. They are a lot of fun to do and some of the research can be quite taxing but it is all worth it.

Charles G - August 7, 2010 replied:

Thanks Vicky and Pranav, I shall take advice from you both - reset my resolve and start with the aim of writing for at least one modest hour a day, and another hour around research and review. I shall definitely re-begin that tomorrow - maybe even tonight! CPG

Stuart F - August 14, 2010 replied:

If it makes you feel any better, I'm in the same boat (but an assignment behind!) Trouble is I enjoy the reasearch too much and sometimes don't get round to writing up (I find the hardest part is finding a magazine for publication). I'm getting motivated again though, and finding some success by spending more time researching during the day at work (lunch breaks, etc) then spending the weekend time writing and finding places to publish. Good luck!

Lee F - August 19, 2010 replied:

I recommend getting a blog or microblog (like Twitter) and writing in it everyday.

Wendy C - September 4, 2010 replied:

Charles, I know exactly where you're coming from - and I'm in the same situation except I am also an assignment behind you (although I've nearly finished N2 now - honest!) I've told myself I'm just a little behind because I've recently moved house and my son's just started school, etc. but if I'm completely honest with myself it's because fiction is what I love to write, and like most people on this course I'm doing it the default, non-fiction-modules-first way. So somewhere deep inside of me, the rebellious little kid is going "Don't want to write this boring article, don't like non-fiction stuff, want to write my stories instead... boo!" This is precisely WHY I chose to do the non-fiction stuff first; it's like getting to the fiction modules is the treat I'm promising myself for doing all the stuff I don't have much interest in. I certainly concur with writing every day - have you heard of 'Morning Pages' at all? It's a concept I learned from doing The Artists Way course, and it has helped me a great deal in keeping me motivated. You basically write three pages each day in a notebook, in longhand, without stopping to think about what you're writing or trying to make it 'good.' If you can't think of anything to write, just fill up three pages with "I don't know what to write" over and over if you like - it doesn't matter, because it's designed to be an act of meditation, of clearing out your 'brain junk' rather than a serious attempt to produce something of any quality. If it's mostly boring trivialities and rants and whinges that's great - that's pretty much what it's supposed to be. The other thing you shouldn't do is read back what you've written - not until at least a couple of weeks later anyway. Then you'll find it slightly cringeworthy, hilariously self-indulgent - and, in between all of that, you'll find flashes of brilliance where you solved a tough problem or had a moment of revelation without even realising it. I can highly recommend the Morning Pages - they are the best Brain Aerobics around. If all of that fails to keep you motivated, there is always, of course, the Cynic's View: The Writer's Bureau make their money from those who 'fail' the course by not completing it - 'cos they're the ones who don't get to claim on the money-back guarantee. D'you want to be one of them? ;^)

A N - September 9, 2010 replied:

Wendy you truly have inspired me to get on it.I'm stuck in Asssignment 2 and lacks the motivation, but having read your advice on this thread, I now feel rejuvenated to pick up where I had left and carry on.Firstly I'll start by exploring your Morning Pages concept to wax my brain to rid off the 'junk'. To Charles don't lose focus and you too can make use of Wendy's invaluable advice. Thanks Guys

Michelle H - September 15, 2010 replied:

I am the same Charles. I am in the process of moving house and everything seems to be up in the air. I am finding it hard to get focused. I know it is an excuse and try as I might I cannot seem to get myself motivated. I am part way through Assignment 2 NF, research is not one of my favourite things to do, I do understand its importance though. I am sure once I have settled in my new home I will find focus again

Charles G - September 15, 2010 replied:

Hi Guys, thanks for all the encouragement, but like it is in trying to lose weight - difficult, I have failed to get back on track. I have plenty of excuses: we had the grandchildren for six weeks; stuff to do on the house; getting ready to fly off for a month. I am convincing myself that everything is just on hold! But I am still getting to write in between pieces of my own. But I fear that if they don't address the course assignments in hand, it may be no more than a form of laziness. Am still positive. Good luck everyone with your own problems.

Fiona J - November 13, 2011 replied:

Charles, I hope you are still with us. Here is a tip, one do not beat yourself up too much as it makes it more difficult for the more pressure you put yourself under, the more difficult it gets as you cannot think clearly. Get into the habit of course writing but the idea is to enjoy it, not make it a chore or there is no point in it. If you fly away on a holiday again, use the boring journey at hand, to write, study the people around you, I defy you not to have an idea. Good luck for the future