As a journalist I’m used to deadlines. If I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t always finish stories. Or even start them.

When you’re working on a book or a bigger writing project you need to create your own deadlines. If you know you won’t stick to them, find someone you can be accountable to.

Here are 5 ways to be accountable

1. Find a friend you trust or a writing buddy or a group of writers. Tell them to give you a deadline.
2. Write out your goals – research suggests you’re more likely to succeed if you do so.
3. Be time specific with your goals – so set a realistic date to finish your story or first draft.
4. If you’re writing book, break down your goals. Make a commitment to write 5,000 words every month or whatever.
5. Email all of this to your friend / buddy / group. You are now accountable to them and if you don’t meet your goals you need a VERY good excuse. (Or you may set yourself a fine.)

This works better if there is an exchange. So if you say you’re going to finish your first chapter and your friend is an artist, she needs to have done the first sketch of her watercolour.

How do you ensure you finish your stories?

Claire Scobie will be teaching at our Writing in a Palace in 2015, held at Palazzo Donati in Marche, Italy. Details to be updated soon.