I wish I could say this idea is mine. It's so simple that I'm almost embarrassed that it isn't. But then again, we've all used something similar, right? A trip to Borders when you've finished a chapter? A peek at emails when you've finished a scene? A mark in the diary for every day you write? A bourbon and coke for every 20 words?   Oh sorry. That was just private one that slipped in… Or out…

Well actually for all that I've listed physical rewards so far, this article isn't about those so much as it's about building a strong writing habit.

You'll see when you click on the link that this is Jerry Seinfeld's motivational tool. He uses this as emotional self leverage, motivation to keep from breaking 'the chain' which is the number of days in a row that you actually write.

This is a chart, containing 365 little squares, each representing a day in the year. It doesn't matter what time of year you begin, you just start at # 1, because that's when your new writing year began.  And the good news? It's free at Writers Zone!

For each day you write, you get to colour a square, or place a bright sticky star (mine!), or smiley face - or heart or whatever. Naturally, if you miss a day then you can't reward yourself with a marker. Of course you could cheat, but I wonder who you'd actually be cheating …? Yourself?

I haven't yet actually worked out what might happen if I *do* break the chain. I haven't been game to risk it! I suspect it's bad. Maybe a hatch opens and a swag of hairy spiders fall down on me… Or worse. Maybe the world runs out of bourbon…

Because I warn you, this chart-thing can be addictive! I absolutely hate not getting my star! Yes, I could be an overachiever, or maybe I was sticker-deprived as a child - both very possible. But I suspect I'm just in the groove  - and I'm going with the flow while I can. I love it!

The beauty of this chart is that it's not confined to use for writing per se. Make several copies and use them for:

Additionally, the teacher in me sees this as a brilliant tool for the young people in the house:

But just as I hinted at the beginning, this can also be a reward chart. Ten stars means? 

However, I think the reward become incidental after a while. I don't think it ultimately means as much as the amazing satisfaction of seeing how much you've achieved.

Okay, if you're seven years old, that may not be as thrilling as the promised ice cream or trip to the park or whatever. But for us as adults, as especially us as writers, it is quite empowering. It's fostering a Can-Do attitude that makes us almost unstoppable. It's building a strong writing habit and that's the greatest reward of all. 

Ideally the 365 day chart would be filled except for just a few days - like Christmas or some other significant holidays. But that's not realistic, so download this chart and have fun with it, but don't make yourself ill, unpopular or become burned out or manic about it. It's a tool, that means it's supposed to help us.  Good luck!