Finding the inspiration to write

I've had many conversations with failed writers, and I've found a trend in why many people don't write.

Writing can be seen as a holy act, and many writers lose momentum because they can't find the inspiration or their muse has been silenced. Or, they can't do what they want to write justice, so instead of practicing the craft of writing, they silence their pens and keyboards.

When I write, I don't wait for inspiration or an act of God. I sit down and plow through the words until I'm done or need a break. This approach has served me well for fiction and nonfiction alike. However, I realized there is one motivational factor that determines how likely I am to finish, or sometimes even start, a project.

This factor is money.

When I'm getting paid, I have a terrific turnaround rate. The same was true in school, when I was turning stories in for a grade. I'd have my work done in no time and move on to something else.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, there are different currencies to worry about other than money. For beginning writers, having a body of clips and experience are important in an industry that judges writers on past publications.

I write all week long, but when it comes to writing articles I'm not getting paid for or writing fiction stories I have to submit on spec, my ability to churn out a few thousand words dips into the negatives.

Here are a few pointers I have for writing stories when the incentive to do so isn't as motivational as cold, hard cash.

• Find a website or magazine that publishes reviews, then write in exchange for free stuff. (Publications often receive special copies of books, DVDs, and CDs just for reviews, and live venues from concerts to plays and even films at the movie theater offer special tickets for the press.)

• Write for links back to your personal or professional blog. It will drum up traffic to your site.

• If you network,find a prospective publication and talk to a representative about a project you would like to work on. You'll be more likely to finish it if someone is expecting it.

• Trade a press release for special discounts or services from a local business.

These are just a few of the ways you can trick yourself into being productive. Does anyone have other tips?