What Kicks Your Butt?
What gets you inspired in the morning? I set up my start pages so that every morning, I’m geared up to write.
First, I Faviconize and PermaTab my to-do lists and my personal journal, so they’re always there and so they don’t take up much room (easily ignorable that way 
). I have two to-do lists: Todoist and MyToDos.com. (No logical reason; I just do.) Then Penzu is my journaling spot. After that, I have one more “to-do” list called “Two Goals,” which is where you put your most important two goals of the week/day/month/whatever. (I list first goal as today’s focus, and the second goal as this week’s focus.)
After that, I have my inspiration tabs. There is the announcement of Patterson’s 17-book deal to keep me from being lazy; all three parts of J.K. Rowling’s Harvard Commencement address (part 2, part 3); and a Biography Channel biography on Charles Dickens.
And now a new addition: Moonrat’s post about the emotional and energy drain of fearing failure.
I don’t read every one every morning, but they get me in the mood. Sometimes I’ll go back to one during the day. Often I’ll head for the books for my midday inspiration. But this is how I get started.
Now just don’t ask me how quickly I can close all those tabs and get on Facebook…
What about you? Any favorite inspirational links to share?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats. She is currently enjoying the lizards and desert heat in Arizona.
That’s the kind of stuff that would derail me. I have to put on music and headphones, grab a cup of coffee (presuming I’ll be drinking it again) and shut off the internet. Then I can work. It’s the getting started that’s difficult, so anything that allows me to dither is dangerous!
The getting started is the biggest challenge for me, Written, definitely!
I go to Erica Orloff’s blog. Her lessons either make me think or teach something new. That’s always inspiring!
I do love her blog, Kath!
I just write! I have a word count goal, and I go for it.
But I’m going to read Moonrat’s post. I haven’t read it before.
That’s fantastic, Edie! If I get up real early, like 4:30am, I can just sit down and write. Otherwise I get distracted by needing to see what’s going on out there.
I’m with Written and Kath — Erica’s posts are like my treats and I often save them for when I’m lagging because they give me a good kick in the pants. I’ve also discovered that I work best if I DON’T read anything else –facebook, the news (which I always read before FB or emails), blogs — and just start writing.
Lately my inspiration has been my own mind. I try to think about where I left off in my wip and what scene I need to write next, then jump to the computer as soon as the first line comes to mind. Or at least that’s what I did this morning.
I “settle” in to my day too much, Melanie! For example, it’s 1:30, and I haven’t started yet! (Well, we fixed a bit of the ceiling, did a couple errands, and now I’m at the bookstore to write.)
I love what you say about your inspiration. I’ve been taking longer showers, and that’s been helping me.
Let’s see … my routine if first ungluing my eyes at 4:30 a.m. From there everything is gravy. LOL. If I can manage to boot up the ‘puter and find my latest WIP, I’m a happy camper. Don’t have any routine or inspiration. I just write and/or edit and/or revise. Whatever I happen to be working on at the moment.
Liz, I love 4:30 am. There is something odd about that hour. I get so much done, if I can just get myself up then!
A SEVENTEEN book deal? Now I hate my life.
It gives me a swift kick every morning, Kate!
I am seriously computer challenged. I’m lucky to use Google Reader. It’s really bad when it makes me sign in anew, because I’m lucky to remember my password.
LOL, Robin! Awww!
Oh gee…Basically I get going by drinking coffee and checking the weather online. Hey, our local weather guy puts an inspirational quote in front of his forecast on the webpage!
As for seventeen book deals…well, Patterson’s to do list says: Tell lackey to write book.
I wish I had coffee in the morning, Eric! That is so cool about your weather guy!
You’re right about the lackey, but still… Just to get his career to that point had to take an enormous amount of work.