STEPS TO STORY EP 6 - Acountability: How to Get It, How to Keep It

[00:00:00] Nicole Meier: Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting your journey, staying accountable can make all the difference in reaching your writing goals.

[00:00:15] Nicole Meier: Welcome to Steps to Story, a show that helps aspiring authors turn their ideas into action and transform their dream of writing a book into a reality. I'm your host, Nicole Meyer, multi published author and certified book coach. I spent the first part of my fiction writing career desperate for guidance that was unavailable to me.

[00:00:36] Nicole Meier: I wrote draft after draft, flying by the seat of my pants, with lots of passion but little guidance. Thankfully, there was a writing community that opened its arms and welcomed me. This community sustained me. But when it came to strengthening my novel writing process, I was determined to find a better way.

[00:00:57] Nicole Meier: One that didn't involve piecemeal strategies. and confusing courses. Now, more than a decade later, I'm serving my younger self who yearned for support while writing a book. If you're an emerging author seeking guidance, this podcast is for you. Are you on the list to get my novel writing guide? I designed this workbook to take you through five essential strategies that will level up your novel writing process.

[00:01:27] Nicole Meier: Grab your free copy at nicolemeyer. com forward slash crafting greatness. That's nicolemeyer. com forward slash crafting greatness or at the link in the show notes.

[00:01:48] Nicole Meier: Hi there, writers. Welcome back to another episode of Steps to Story. In today's episode, we are talking about a hot topic among creatives. That's the topic of accountability, how to get it and how to keep it. So in today's episode, we're going to look into the crucial aspect of accountability in novel writing.

[00:02:11] Nicole Meier: Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting your journey, staying accountable can make all the difference in reaching your writing goals. But wait, before we go further, I would love us all to pause. Remember to give ourselves grace. I encourage you to acknowledge that the business of life has a natural ebb and flow, so in this regard none of us are perfect when it comes to accountability.

[00:02:40] Nicole Meier: But there's great hope, because there are helpful ways to bring a stronger element of this into our novel writing. So let's explore not only how to get but also maintain accountability in our writing practice. To begin, let's even just stop and clarify what we mean by accountability in writing.

[00:03:03] Nicole Meier: Accountability involves taking responsibility for your goals, deadlines, and commitments. It's about holding yourself answerable for your progress and honoring the promises you make to yourself as a writer. Let me repeat that. It's about honoring the promise. You make to yourself as a writer. In episode number four of my podcast, one of my writing clients talks about how she had to acknowledge this and move past the idea that creating writing time for herself was somehow indulgent or not as important as other life events.

[00:03:42] Nicole Meier: She also had to do a bit of self talk about how the dirty dishes or piles of unfolded laundry could wait while she took a bit of time to focus on her novel manuscript. Once we acknowledge this idea, it's easier to honor the promises we've made to our writer selves. Without accountability, it's easy to succumb to procrastination, self doubt, and distractions that derail our writing journey.

[00:04:11] Nicole Meier: Let's move on to talking about setting clear goals and deadlines. One of the first steps towards accountability is setting clear, achievable goals and deadlines for your writing projects. Note how I said achievable. I don't encourage you to set yourself up with a large, overwhelming goal because that will turn you resentful and feeling like you're underachieving.

[00:04:35] Nicole Meier: Whether it's carving out dedicated time on your writing calendar, hitting a word count goal, or submitting pages for feedback, I encourage you to define specific objectives And then establish realistic timelines to accomplish them. Breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks can make them less daunting and easier to track your progress.

[00:05:00] Nicole Meier: In other words, don't tell yourself you need to craft multiple chapters in an exhaustive eight hour writing sprint. This is way too overwhelming. Instead, consider 25 to 30 minute writing sprints at a time. Or perhaps you want to set an intention to write 500 words per day. Whatever the goal or intention, keep it attainable.

[00:05:24] Nicole Meier: No one needs to burn out early just because they want to overachieve. That sucks all the fun right out of your process. Now, let's explore various accountability systems that can help you stay on track with your writing goals. This could involve finding a writing friend or joining a critique group where you regularly share your progress and receive feedback.

[00:05:49] Nicole Meier: Accountability can also be fostered through online writing communities, accountability apps, or by publicly declaring your writing goals on social media platforms. The key is to find a system that resonates with you and provides the support and motivation you need. There really is no wrong answer here.

[00:06:09] Nicole Meier: Don't have any of these things just yet? Jump over to my Instagram account, at Nicole Meyer Writes. And DM me with your writing goal. I'd love to see this and will help cheer you on. Now let's move on to the idea of cultivating discipline and consistency. Accountability goes hand in hand with discipline and consistency in your writing practice.

[00:06:32] Nicole Meier: Cultivating habits such as setting aside dedicated time for writing, minimizing distractions, and prioritizing your creative work. can reinforce your accountability. Remember that building a writing routine takes time and effort, but the consistency it breeds is essential for long term success. Now let's think about overcoming our challenges and staying motivated.

[00:07:00] Nicole Meier: Even with the best intentions, writers often encounter obstacles that test their accountability. Whether it's writer's block, rejection, or competing priorities, Maintaining motivation can be challenging. During these times, it's crucial to speak kindly to yourself, acknowledge your achievements, and seek support from fellow writers or mentors.

[00:07:26] Nicole Meier: Remember that setbacks are a natural part of the writing journey, and resilience is key to bouncing back stronger. As we conclude today's episode, remember that accountability is not about perfection, but instead about progress. By setting clear goals, establishing accountability systems, and cultivating discipline and consistency, you can empower yourself to stay committed to your writing practice.

[00:07:57] Nicole Meier: Embrace the journey, celebrate your successes, and keep pushing forward in your writing dreams. Thank you for tuning in, and until next time, keep writing and stay accountable.

[00:08:12] Nicole Meier: If you want to check out my coaching programs for fiction writers, That's M E I E R. And if you liked this episode, I'd love you to take a minute to leave a rating and review for this podcast. This will help more writers like you to discover the show and to get going on their writing journey. Thanks so much for listening.

[00:08:35] Nicole Meier: Until next time, happy writing, everyone.