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A huge percentage of people want to write a book, but the success rate for this goal is crazy-low! It’s not from lack of motivation or writing abilities. It’s almost always because ya ain’t got a proper plan to stick to, aka: a book writing accountability partner.
Why Can’t I Just Write My Book?
Unless you have a book deal with a publishing company, there’s no one strict deadline for that book you want to write. For most authors, your goal of writing a book is completely “internal,” meaning there’s no one “external” (outside of you) waiting on you to get ‘er done. This means you’re writing in isolation without clear deadlines.
I don’t have to tell you what happens next because you’re probably already experiencing it, but just so we’re all on the same page (heh), here’s how things usually go down:
- Life gets busy. Other people need your time and energy, which you give them instead of spending those limited resources on your goal of writing a book.
- Perfectionism halts any progress you make. You want it to be just right, worry about how friends and family will react when they read it, or just plain question everything.
- Motivation comes and goes. Cuz that’s what motivation does. If you’re relying on staying motivated, it’s not going to happen.
If you’re experiencing one or all of these, there’s nothing wrong. You’re simply human. But that’s ok, because robots don’t write good books anyway 😉.
Habits That Help Authors Write a Book
Set a Consistent Writing Schedule
We’d all love to spend the entire summer writing solo from a cozy cabin in the woods, amiright? But that’s not realistic for pretty much anyone, so you need to build a writing habit. Little by little, with a consistent writing schedule, your book will get done.
Ideally, we’re talking about spending time writing three or more times per week. You can measure your success through words or time (ie: writing 500 words each day, 4 days a week OR writing for an hour each day, 5 days a week). Whichever feels best to you.
Track Progress Visibly
There’s nothing like being able to see your progress. I’m a huge fan of sticker charts for tracking progress. There are endless habit tracking worksheets, apps, etc.
My recommendation is always going analog for tracking habits. Something printed and posted on your wall in a noticeable location in your house, like a sticker chart on the fridge.
Celebrate Small Wins
Progress and momentum should always be celebrated, no matter how small. It’s easy to say that you didn’t do enough or should be further along than you are, but being hard on yourself gets you nowhere. Give yourself a little positive every step of the way.
Sidenote: make sure that anytime you’re rewarding yourself that you give yourself something that supports your goal instead of undermining it. (Read more about that here)
Schedule Regular Check-Ins
The gold-standard way to finish your book: accountability! Authors can get accountability through writing groups or an accountability coach (like me 🙂).
But can’t my friend or partner be a good accountability partner? 99% of the time… No. An accountability partner who is too close to you will often let you off the hook too easily or forget to check in. OR you just won’t listen to them because they’re so close to you that you hardly consider them to be “external” accountability. Either way, the book won’t happen.
How Does Accountability Work for Authors?
A study done by the American Society for Training and Development found that having regularly scheduled check-ins with someone about your goal increases your chance of success by up to 95%.
I truly don’t know of any other method that has such an epic success rate.
Accountability coaching for authors works by creating external expectation for your project. You have someone helping you create a plan for when you’re going to write and how much. You have check-ins to see how things are progressing as well as help working through bumps in the road that inevitably come along. Accountability does just work by seeing if you finished your book six months from now. It works by checking on your progress every step of the way, monitoring your actions, not just the end result.
What Does Accountability Coaching for Authors Look Like?
Working together looks like eight weeks of daily support from a real person, not an app, not a workbook, not a vague promise to “check in soon.”
We start with a 60-minute Jumpstart Call, where we map out your goals, your obstacles, and a plan that actually fits your life (not someone else’s idealized writing routine).
Monday through Friday, you’ll get daily text check-ins over WhatsApp, so you’re never more than a day away from a little accountability and a nudge in the right direction.
Along with daily text accountability, you’ll have four 30-minute Momentum Calls, spaced every other week, to check in on progress, talk through whatever’s getting in the way, and adjust the plan as your book (and your life) evolves.
How Does Accountability Help Authors, Specifically?
Writing a book can be a lonely, confusing journey. Accountability gives you the structure to keep moving forward toward the finish line.
Here’s what that support actually looks like:
Strategy. Together, we’ll create an action plan that accounts for the inevitable bumps in the road (writer’s block, a chaotic week, a chapter that just won’t cooperate) so you keep making progress no matter what life throws at you.
Support. I’m here to encourage you, celebrate your wins with you, and help you through the tough moments, because writing a book is hard enough without doing it alone.
Mindset. A lot of what keeps authors stuck isn’t the writing itself; it’s the story they’re telling themselves about the writing. I’ll coach you through how to shift those thoughts so they work for you instead of against you, and reduce the resistance that shows up every time you sit down to write.
Fulfillment. Along with the very real benefit of making progress toward finishing your book, you’ll experience the fulfillment that comes from leading a more intentional life, one where you follow through on what matters to you instead of letting it sit on the back burner.
For authors specifically, accountability closes the gap between “I should be writing” and actually writing. It turns a vague, someday goal into a plan with real momentum behind it, and it gives you a person in your corner who’s just as invested in your finished book as you are.
How to Find an Accountability Coach for Authors
Ya just did! For serious though, I’m here to help!
If you’re ready to actually finish your book, accountability is probably the missing piece.
Schedule your free Meet & Greet call so we can get to know each other and I can answer any questions you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you helped authors before?
Yes. I’ve worked directly with authors on accountability, including one who used my process to finish his first draft. My background also includes two years at a literary company, where I got an inside look at the publishing world, from interviewing authors to ghostwriting for a book editor. That experience gave me a real understanding of what it actually takes to move a book from idea to finished draft, not just the writing itself, but the mindset and momentum behind it.
What’s the difference between an accountability partner and an accountability coach?
An accountability partner is usually a peer, someone who’s also working on their own goals and checking in with you along the way. That can be helpful, but it often comes with the same struggles you’re having (inconsistent motivation, busy schedules, letting things slide). An accountability coach brings structure, strategy, and consistency to the table. It’s my job to show up for you, ask the right questions, and help you problem-solve when things get hard, not just trade updates back and forth.
How long does it take to write a book with accountability support?
It depends on the book and the writer, but the honest answer is that accountability tends to speed things up, not because I’m adding pressure, but because you’re no longer stuck in the start-stop cycle that eats up so much time. Instead of losing weeks to procrastination or self-doubt, you’re making steady, consistent progress. My program runs eight weeks, and while that might not get every writer to “The End,” it’s often enough to build a sustainable habit and real momentum that carries you through to the finish.
Is accountability coaching only for full-time writers?
Not at all. Most authors working with an accountability coach are writing their first draft of their first book. They’re writing around full-time jobs, families, and everything else life throws at them. This program is built for real life, not for someone with unlimited free time. The daily check-ins and flexible calls are designed to meet you where you are.
What if I fall behind or have a bad week?
Then we talk about it. Falling behind isn’t a reason to hide; it’s exactly what the check-ins are for. Life happens, motivation dips, and weeks go sideways sometimes. That’s not failure. That’s just being human. Part of my job is helping you figure out what got in the way and how to move forward anyway, without the guilt spiral.
See More FAQs about Accountability Coaching Here
