I came across a fun post from Clarissa Draper yesterday. She mentioned that designing a cover for a WIP can put her in the mood to write it.
I think designing a cover would be an exercise in frustration for me, since I’m graphically-challenged (I picked the ‘minimalist’ blog theme for this blog, for example.) :)
But there are other ways I put myself in the mindset to start a new project:
Put a deadline on my calendar—I have an official deadline (publisher-set) and I have an unofficial one that I shoot for.
Write the back cover copy for the book. Can’t imagine why, but the copywriting department never seems to use my copy! I enjoy writing it, though, and it helps remind me where I’m headed with the plot.
Come up with a title for the book. Even if it’s changed later, it makes the project more real for me if it has a title.
Make an official home for the book on my laptop. I have a folder with the working title of the book. In that folder goes a cast of characters document, a document of brainstormed ideas, and the WIP itself.
Start thinking of it and referring to it as a real book. Even if I’ve only finished the first two paragraphs. Because it is…it’s a book in progress.
How do you make your WIP real? How you put yourself in the mindset to write it?