Why Not Reward Yourself?

Feb 4

Writing a novel is a long road, and writers often get distracted or discouraged. An external system like having a rewards plan in place can help you endure.

Who doesn’t like rewards? If humans didn’t like them, every store known to man wouldn’t use them as a way to entice patrons to keep coming back for more. Rewards have been woven into the fabric of our lives.

• Buy nine sandwiches, get the tenth free.

• Shop at the pharmacy, find a $5 coupon in your in-box.

• Use your credit card and receive cash back at the end of the month.

Rewards are basically small (or large) gifts that we give ourselves for good writing behavior.

If you find it hard to sit down at the writing desk on a regular basis, rewards may be a strategy you want to incorporate.

An enticement-style system taps into the psychology of your mind and can provide you with the habit-forming inspiration you need.

Writing rewards are the equivalent of a “cheat day” when you’re on a diet. It’s much easier to live through six days of saying No to pizza when you know you can have your favorite tomato pie on Sunday.

Or, another example, children in classrooms are promised recess once they finish their math problems. They want that prize, so they get right to the addition and subtraction.

You might put in place short-term rewards, such as “write three hundred words today and go to Starbucks for a latte,” or longer-term goals like “Finish your novel and take yourself and your family on a ski weekend.”

How to Organize Your Prize System

Break the task of writing a novel into milestones and plan for a reward each step of the way:

Mini goals: finish a chapter, hit word-count targets, make it through a difficult scene or dialogue

Weekly/monthly achievements: complete a full draft, edit a chapter, or finish a set number of writing sessions

Long-term rewards: finish a novel or complete a series

The reward itself may be big or small. The important thing is for it to sound good to you. You have to want whatever it is in order for it to tempt you into tackling the task at hand. So make it something tempting!

Ideas for Rewards
Movie Night (out or at home)
Hardcover Book You've Been Wanting to Read (or several)
Golf Lessons
Manicure or Spa Day
Phone Call With a Friend
Lunch or Dinner Out
Special Drink or Mocktail on Friday Night
Bike Ride or a Hike in a Park That’s Not the Usual
Afternoon Wine Tasting or Visit to a Gourmet Market
Trip to the Mall
Chocolate (or other food treat)
New Glasses
Tickets for a Concert or Show
Party in Honor of Your Book Launch
Day of Binge-Watching a Favorite TV Program
New Notebook or Writing Tool
Field trip to a Writer-Related Place (such as a favorite author’s historic home)

Writing a book is hard work, no doubt about it. You deserve a special treat when you reach the end—and many small ones to tempt you along the way.