Set a writing goal, then tell someone about it

It's one thing to tell yourself you're going to write, it's another when you tell someone else who will call you on it. ("So, how is it going? Did you write? Did you? DID YOU?")

Accountability is the best motivator.

Set a writing goal and tell it to someone who will ask you about it the next time you talk—in person, on the phone, or even online. It doesn't matter where, what matters is that they'll ask you about it.

In my case, about six years ago, when I was just beginning to write, I set a...