Freelance Writers NEED Accountability

It is time for me to build a better blog. Darren Rowse over at Problogger.net has challenged me to build a better blog in just 31 days. I figured I was already doing a “100 articles in 100 days” challenge so why not add more fuel to the fire.

Jumping into these challenges gives me some accountability I can’t seem to find on my own. I have good intentions about my blogs but I don’t follow through. My plans and schedules are GREAT but I don’t always follow them. For some unknown reason, participating in challenges pushes me to do more and to do it better (my husband would tell you I’m a little on the competitive side but that’s just because I beat him at all the games 😉 ).

Tips for Finding Accountability in Your Writing

1. Enlist a friend – I recently set out to write my first eBook and asked a friend (and fellow writer) to take the role of editor. She has my permission to nag me about what I have completed or not completed until I am done. So far she hasn’t gotten the chance because just the knowledge that she has expectations helps to spur me on.

2. Sign up for contests – a few months back I signed up for a contest with Men with Pens that helped me better define my own websites but also my life goals. I also turned the challenges over to my husband to help him work out his own websites.

3. Get involved with others – there may be hundreds or thousands of people involved with the HAHD challenge or the Build a Better Blog challenge, but I still feel like Jeff and Darren are watching me personally (maybe that’s my paranoia coming out). Being involved with a group helps me to stay focused on the task at hand.

4. Start a local group – a writers club or group that meets once a month will give you one more place to be held accountable with your writing. Be sure that you are all actively trying to create a writing career or become working writers. You need other people that are working towards the same goals.

5. Attend conferences and workshops – the first item I had published came because a yearly conference was coming up and I wanted something to show for my year of “work.”

Doing anything alone is tough. It helps to have a support system and a cheering squad. The great thing about the internet is that you can uncover these support systems literally all over the world! No matter when you like to work you can find some one that will encourage you to do more and to do it better. Signing up for challenges through the internet is just one more way to help you create accountability in your writing that will push you to the next level.