I work on my fiction regularly (daily, when I’m being good!), because I find that pushing myself with creative writing helps me write better. Sure, there is plenty of crap that comes out in between, but when I just sit and wait for inspiration, I tend to not write at all. Like you said, we each have our own way!

By the way, my current daily goal is 750 words per day .

In the final analysis, we are really responsible for ourselves. I would not enjoy someone holding me “accountable” because it would put me under pressure to perform. If I am writing poetry or fiction, that is a task that only my muse can prompt and control. If I am writing for a client, that is a bit different. I think it is really our responsibility as writers to do what works for us, for if our prose seems forced and contrived, our readers will know. An old mentor told me this – “Never let the reader see the author at work.” My habit is to work hard for several hours and then let what I have written simmer on the back burner. when I take it out and look at it, I can instantly tell if my muse has spoken. Therein lies my accountability.

I think each of us has a way of getting the job done. When I was writing fiction full time, My goal was 750 words per day. A good writer can hammer that out in an hour. What to do with the rest of the day? Take a nap? Visit friends? The choice really is your own. I think it ties well into your post about time.

Peace,

Alden~

Alden Smith´s last blog post..On Being Thankful This Day

@ Matthew – Those sound like some pretty good accountable-holders .

@ Urban Panther – Love the dinner party trick! I’ll have to try that next time I can’t motivate cleaning… hmm, maybe it would encourage me to start unpacking…

@ Trina – So, is that why you keep him around ?

@ Lisa – Fitness is a big one for this. For me, having someone to work out with makes a huge difference.

@ Caren – Ooh, so I suppose I can’t visit your classroom and tell them how you *really* are… !

@ Alain – It’s certainly not a bad thing. Whenever I announce that I’m making a big move, or a big change, it usually pushes me to do really good things Knowing it matters to your wife too is a wonderful motivation.

@ Grant – You make a good point…it’s easy to make excuses to other people. In the end, I think having someone else hold you accountable really just means that they revive your personal sense of need/want/aspire.

@ CJ – Luckily, Mr. J just likes to bust my chops. He’s actually a wonderful critic/editor of my writing, so I cannot really complain

@ Writer Dad – I definitely know where you’re coming from… that urgency is a bit addictive, I think!

@ TJ – It sure does help to have someone around who can see when you need some soft prodding.

@ Kim – Yup, it just makes you feel like you should stick to what you said you’d be doing. Sometimes even without words.

End of the day, I’m only accountable to myself.

Not being narcissistic, rather real, truthful and true to myself.

I have to be able to look myself in the mirror (excuse the cliche) and feel good about what I’ve done, answer to myself for what I haven’t, and assess how I can do better (or more or more relevant).

Only I really know me, I’m pretty much the only one I can make excuses to and contradict those excuses.

Boils down to personality, honesty, integrity, passion and commitment.

I’m Grant Simmons, and I’m accountable for this message

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For me, my readers are also one of my methods of accountability. Plus, I try to hold myself accountable.

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