Here are 5 tips you need to know to help you stay inspired while you write:

1. Create a writing routine. You’ve probably heard this a million times but it really does help. Whether you can spare an hour a day or three hours, setting aside the same time every day to write really helps with productivity. It can also help you plan out how long it’ll take you to write your novel.
2. Find honest BETA readers. As great as it is for your friends and family to read the first draft of your story, you need BETA readers who aren’t going to be nice because they’re proud of you, but honest and constructive. That’s how you’ll discover what is and isn’t working with your story so you can feel confident you’re releasing the best version of your novel.
3. Don’t over-research. It’s good to research how to write a story, the do’s and don’ts, but make sure you’re not getting bogged down in all of the ‘rules’ rather than actually writing.
4. Plotting vs Pantsing – Why not both? There’s always a lot of talk about if a writer is a plotter (planning out the entire story before starting) or a pantser (just going where the story takes them without a set in stone plan) but why can’t you be a bit of both? You need to find out what works for you. I like to bullet point out the main parts of the story, then as I write I let the characters guide me and if a particular plot point doesn’t work or needs to change, I change it.
5. Appreciate your readers. Show your readers some love. They could spend their time reading one of the other million books in the world, but they chose to read yours. Let them know how much you appreciate them by sharing a free short story, hosting a giveaway, or by simply saying ‘thank you’ once in a while.

Do you do any of the above tips already? Do you have tips of your own? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!