Sounds like one of the trainings I coordinate for corporate clients at work. It is also important to people who freelance, or work from home, or write novels...
I have a job in real life. But as a writer who has written for the educational market and published a hand full of nonfiction books, I consider my writing a real part-time job.
It can feel very solitary. And it is hard for me to self-motivate sometimes. That's usually when I call or email my critique group, or arrange to go sit in a coffee shop next to my sister, or reach out through the internet to other writers.
It's important to be accountable to yourself, whether you're writing a newspaper article, your first novel, or a work for hire assignment. What are your writing goals? What do you want to be "when you grow up?" Are you hoping to be a full-time writer? Or are you content writing for yourself or your children?
After myself, I feel accountable to my writing group. I trust them--we consider the successes of each other as successes for ourselves. I feel accountable to my spouse and child--after all, the time I spend writing is often time I spend away from them. I'm accountable to my editor. Thinking those to whom I'm accountable sometimes helps me pull myself off the couch or away from twitter to get back to the work of writing.
Who are you accountable to? And does it help?
6 comments:
Right now I feel obligated to my critique partners--I try to do each critique in a timely manner and not skimp on comments, because that's exactly what I would want.
I was just ruminating about accountability this morning. I need to step it up before the conference!
Hi! I hopped over here from Amie's blog. I'm accountable to my writing buddy and my critique group. It definitely helps me too. It's harder to say, "It'll wait 'til the next day." when someone wants to read it and believes in your dream.
hey - just in case you didn't know - YOU WON!!!! stop on over to find out how to claim your prize!
I have this living creature inside me that when I fall behind he starts drooling and gnashing his teeth and green slime oozes from his pores - and that affects my mood. and I always like to be pleasant with people so that's who I'm accountable too - along with my crit group.
Hey!
I really like this post--it's just the reminder that I need today. I'm accountable to my editor and agent. But, today, I feel most accountable to my main character--although, he's being a bit stubborn lately!
Anyway, thanks for the post. Sometimes, it's helpful when someone points out something that *should* be obvious! ;-)
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