If you’ve been signed up to the Creativity’s Workshop mailing list (no longer available as of 2016) for the past month or two, you’ll know that we’ve been looking at how to write yourself a personalised pep talk.

There are plenty of pep talks of every description on the internet, freely available to get you motivated and writing again. But the most effective pep talk is the one written specifically for you – the one tailored to your personal writing needs.

Unless you have a writing coach (which isn’t a bad idea if you want to take your writing seriously) the only person who can write that pep talk is you.

The process of creating a personalised pep talk involves identifying:

• Your biggest fear,
• What you need to hear,
• What you wish someone would say to you,
• Your favourite motivational quotes,
• The most inspiring/comforting thing you could be told right now, and
• What you feel you need in order to continue.

I asked those on the mailing list who participated in the exercise to send through their finished pep talks so I could publish one on Creativity’s Workshop.

The pep talk I’ve chosen comes from Tristan, who felt he needed some ‘tough love’ and decided his imaginary Mr T was the best person to give it to him. Without further ado, I present to you Tristan’s pep talk.

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Biggest Fear: I haven’t completely worked out what’s happening in my story

What do you need to hear: That it will be written some day.

What do you wish someone would say to you: “I can’t wait to read your story.”

What are some of your favourite quotes: “Those who can – do. Those who can’t – teach. Those who can’t teach – become critics.”

What would be the most inspiring/comforting thing you could be told right now: “If you won’t write this story, then I will.”

What am I looking for: Someone to share my story with.

Pep Talk:

Hey you! You sitting in that chair looking all self-pitying. I know what ‘cha thinking. You got this story in ‘yer head that ‘cha know is the best idea you eva’ had and you’re just waiting it out until you understand the sucker.

Well how long you gonna wait, fool? Once you know what ‘cha story’s gonna do, why would you write it? It’ll be boring man. Like driving down a highway wich ‘er elder sister who don’t let ‘cha turn off the road and frolic in the sissy flowers. Stories aren’t written on brain stems, fool! Stories are written on paper! Now get those words ‘offa your brain and onta that E-lectronic device.

Get it done man! Before I come and <use your imagination here>!

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Well, I don’t know about you but I’m certainly feeling motivated. I either want to write or run away and hide. I’m not sure which yet.

I want to say thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thank you to Tristan for letting me post his pep talk.

Now, what do you wish someone would say to you? Why not try writing yourself a pep talk in the comments?