Through Accountability Writers Write

The single best piece of advice a writer can get is to write. Every day.

But let’s face it, it’s hard to get to the chair, hard to carve out time from our busy lives, hard when we aren’t sure how to go about it, and when we haven’t written in a while. Yet as a writer there is nothing more satisfying than finishing. Starting is more fun, to be sure. But finishing is the only thing that will get us where we really want to be.

If you already have a habit of writing, that’s terrific. Keep at it. And, once in a while, refresh yourself by challenging that habit from time to time. I ask my freewriting clients to challenge their time limits. To stretch them so their scenes don’t all have the same arc. Or to shorten them and force the brain to go deeper, faster. Challenge your habits and see what a charge you can get from the new energy you’ll have.

For those of you who don’t write regularly, what stops you from making writing a habit?

• Perfectionism
• Lack of craft knowledge
• The romance of the dream
• Support

Perfectionism will kill your career before it starts. When I was a graphic designer producing creative work on demand and on a client’s schedule it helped me move into the ‘good enough’ space. When you’re on a client’s deadline you’ll let the piece go when the clock runs out. But how do you reproduce that motivation when you don’t have someone tapping their fingers just waiting for you to be finished? How do you manufacture goals for yourself?

Lots of beginning and intermediate writers don’t know how to achieve the effects they’re looking for. They know what they want but they don’t know how to get there. Sometimes the craft hasn’t caught up to the talent. And that’s frustrating. Because it takes talent to see that what you’re doing isn’t what you wanted. That gap is really very encouraging. But until you improve your craft to catch up to your talent you won’t close the gap.

Ah, the romance of it… this is the one that got me. I wanted the myth of the writer. Not the everyday slogging of the writer. I wanted to have written. I wanted the dreamy (and unrealistic) accolades without putting in the work. But the only way into the dream is by creating a daily habit of writing. The only way to any proximity of the dream is through the continuous exercise of the fingers.

Support can come in many forms. I know lots of writers who don’t have the support of their families and who almost have to write in secret. For those whose families support you, be grateful. The stories I’ve heard in my years as a coach of writers whose families don’t support their writing would break your heart. Even if you do have the support of your family, chances are they really don’t understand how writer-you ticks. They may not get how long it takes to write the book you’re working on. They may not think they’re bothering you by sticking their head in the door just as you get into your flow. All they know is that you like to sit in front of a computer and write. To them not much seems to happen with your writing.

The solution to all these problems is, of course, to create a habit. To create rituals, focus on planning, create a support system.

Rituals are a physical signal to your body that it’s time to write.

Planning doesn’t have to be a prison. Planning, even small planning, like what am I going to work on tomorrow relieves the stress of what to write next. It makes getting to the chair easier. And, you can always change the plan if you sit down and get a better idea.

The fact of it is that writers write. They get work done. Everyday. They plan. They don’t wait for the muse. They show up. Group accountability can make your job so much easier, more fun and bring you to the finish. Get my free guide to group accountability.

About the Author: Deb McLeod, MFA, practices novel research immersion. For her novel, The Train to Pescara, Deb journeyed to Sardinia to study ancient goddess worship and spent time in the Abruzzi village her great-grandparents left in 1905. Her metaphysical knowledge for the Angel Thriller, The Julia Set, culminates from four years of studying and teaching meditation, clairvoyance and chakra healing. For over fifteen years, Deb McLeod has been a creative writing coach helping other writers to embrace their passion and get their words on the page. For more, see www.debmcleod.com.

Do You Follow? — A Reader University post

By Stacy S. Jensen

This is the fifth post in a series of 12 ways to help authors (and your writing) by reading.

With so much focus on author platform, you’ll find most of your favorite writers on social media. Here are three ways to follow an author:

• blogs
• social media
• in person

It’s fun to study how published authors use their blog or social media presence.

Are they reaching out to readers, other writers, or book buyers? Do they use a specific social media site like Twitter or Facebook, or do they have a Pinterest board that draws you in for hours?

Some authors share unique details about their books and their characters on their blogs. Some will tweet lines from their books. A Pinterest board may be created to share the inspiration for a book’s setting or a character’s backstory.

Kid lit authors often will share educational materials — how to use their book in a classroom or home setting.

Other writers will share writing tips — how to break through writer’s block, how to deal with bad reviews, or how the rejection never ends.

Some authors are absent from social media, but that’s rare. This is where the in person idea comes into play. Why not attend a book signing or a conference where your favorite author is presenting? This is a good way to learn about the writer’s process and work. Most of these events have a question and answer session, why not support them and ask a question in person.

Years ago when readers wanted to contact an author, they mailed letters to the author’s publisher. With social media, contact can be instant. It’s a good way to show your support and learn a little more about the books and writing you enjoy. 

How do you follow authors?

(This post originally appeared on Stacy S. Jensen's blog on February 3, 2014)

About the Author: Stacy S.Jensen worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for two decades. Today, she writes picture books and revises a memoir manuscript. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and toddler.