I am about to start writing my second novel in the next week or so and I remember from when I was writing my first novel that I had to be in a certain mood / mindset to write.

Is there something that you do or something you could recommend that would possibly help me get into the right frame of mind to write?

Any and all input would be appreciated

Ask a plumber how he gets into the right mindset to mend a tap.  He'll look at you as if you were mad, and finally point out that he does it because it's his job and he quite enjoys being able to eat.

You're thinking of writing as a hobby, and you need to start thinking of it as a job.  It's meant to be difficult.  If you hit problems, you don't tell yourself you're in the wrong mindset - you buckle down and solve them! 

A blank page is always a bit intimidating, but it won't fill itself.  Write on it.  It doesn't have to be wonderful: you can go back later and improve it.  In fact, if you're doing this properly you'll go back and improve it several times.  That's how good books are written - not in ink, not even in pixels, but in blood, sweat and tears.  Welcome to my world.

I agree with everything Jo has said on this subject, but may be able to add a little bit more for anyone who is transitioning from hobby writer to professional.

Jo comes from a journalistic background, where if the editor asks for 200 words on a specific subject you just get on and do it.  On time.  Correctly.  Ready to use.  If they then ask you to cut it 150 you do it.  You learn not to be 'precious' about your words.

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Be your own study object for a while.  Make notes, mental or written, about the times or locations where you feel most inclined/inspired to write.  Make them happen more often. if you rely on random inspiration you're likely to spend a lot of time feeling sorry for yourself.  An unproductive writer is a melancholy soul.

If you find that you want to write most when you're bored, then hunt down the places or people who bore you ;-)

But never let them become a 'lucky place' or a 'vital tool', because that puts your writing output in the hands of fate rather than your own.  People who feel they can only write with a particular type of pen, or in a fancy leather covered notebook, or with an Apple computer are handicapping themselves before they even start.

If you're part of a family it's ideal to set aside a time which is yours alone, when you will write no matter what.  Apart from the house burning down, or your partner chopping her hand off in the liquidiser. That kind of thing is a nuisance, and has to be dealt with before you can get back writing.  But if you're a real writer you'll find yourself making mental nots of the event which can be used later in a story.  This may make you feel uncomfortable at first, but after a while it's second nature.)

Sometimes a few words scribbled on a paper napkin when out to dinner is enough to capture a idea.  This idea can then be worked on at home without interruptions.

Eventually you'll reach the state which I think of as having a switch in your bum.  As soon as you sit down at the keyboard your writer's brain switches on and distances itself from ordinary life.

Partners sometimes have trouble accepting that you can be physically present but in a totally different world.  Some are better at coping with this than others.  My ex-wife used to refer to my typewriter - yes, I've been doing this a long time - as being 'like a bloody mistress'.  "I've thought about taking a hammer to it, but I know you'd just buy another one."

She also said that when I died she was going to round up everything I'd ever written and make a massive bonfire.  Had no problem helping me spend the money when the magazine cheques came in though ;-)

In summary, if you really want to write you'll find the time and place, and accept that half a dozen variations on the theme are pretty inevitable before you're really satisfied with it.

Gyppo

Thank you to Jo and Gyppo for the motivational advice.

Moving forward I think I will take the best of the advice you both have offered me.

From Jo I will take onboard the idea of forcing myself to write regardless of what mood or mindset I am in.

From Gyppo I will take onboard the idea of making physical or mental notes whenever I have an important or creative idea.

Thanks again

John

You're welcome.

Good plan, John.  Best of luck.