1. Participate in NaNoWriMo. NaNoWriMo is an annual challenge for writers all over the world. It challenges you to write a 50,000 word novel in ONE month. NaNoWriMo is a community challenge. There’s something energizing and inspiring about a group of like-minded people holding each other accountable. Check them out at nanowrimo.org.
  2. Write when you feel like writing – when it’s best for you. My first book was written mostly in the late night/early morning hours. The children were asleep and the house was finally quiet. My most recent book was written mostly at Starbucks. What’s your best, most productive writing time?
  3. Do something that forces you to write for public and private accountability. Start a blog. Start a newsletter. Take a creative writing class. See number one above. Find a writing partner and provide accountability for each other. Do something that eliminates excuses for not writing.
  4. Write on a computer that is NOT connected to the internet. Email, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter become more fascinating in direct correlation with the amount of work you need to do. Or go the old-fashioned, but proven, route and put pen (or pencil) to paper.
  5. If you need a quiet place to work – find one. Some writers thrive in an environment with plenty of background noise. If the hustle and bustle of Starbucks is too much for you, check out local writing lofts and co-ops. Do a Google search for writing rooms. There are lots of affordable (sometimes free) places where you can have quiet space and comfortable surroundings in which to write. Check out your local library where you might even snag a private room to work in.
  6. Connect with a writing group. Search Meetup, Google, Craigslist, etc. From brainstorming to writers block, writing groups are comprised of a network of people who understand the joys and angst’s of writing. These same cohorts are able to give objective feedback and constructive criticism where needed and privacy where warranted.
  7. Set frequent deadlines. Deadlines help break your book down into manageable chunks. Self-imposed deadlines are great because they can be customized to fit your needs. For instance, give yourself 3 days to finish your table of contents; one week to finish your outline; one week (or two or a month or a quarter) per chapter. To make this really work, tell someone else your deadline(s) and have them hold you to it!

Patrice Turner is the owner of Book Coach 101 where she helps Business Owners and Professional Speakers write a profitable, marketable book that brands and expertizes them. She also helps Every Day People tell their story. For more information and to receive a free registration to one of her Writers Cohorts please visit: http://www.bookcoach101.com