After thinking about yesterday’s post on finishing, I’ve decided to make the following commitment:

Monday through Sunday, I commit to working on the Atarraya book by either writing 1,000 words, reviewing 1,000 words, revising 1,000 words, reading and taking notes for 45 minutes, or doing meta work (e.g., planning, reading, or scheduling for the book) for 45 minutes. I also commit to reading the relevant section of the academic self-help literature¹ for 15 minutes, and posting a daily update to my blog and to my public Google Spreadsheet.

If I fail to write for more than one day out of seven, I will donate $250 to the Liberal Party of Canada. If I succeed, I will donate $250 to the Avi Lewis NDP Leadership Campaign (or to the NDP if Avi Lewis wins the NDP leadership, or to another progressive cause if he does not win).

Along the way, I commit to meeting with my writing group every Tuesday at 1 PM during the next 31 weeks, except for April 14, June 30, and July 7—to write, ask questions, and report on my progress.

I am committing to the following positive incentives.

By April 1, 2026, I will submit a proposal to an acquisitions editor at a university press, which includes a letter, a detailed outline, a table of contents, and a sample chapter. If I succeed in submitting a proposal by April 1, I will buy a touring bike, take a weeklong writing retreat from April 11 to April 19, and plan a family bike vacation for June 25 to July 12.

By June 19, 2026, I will submit a full draft of the Atarraya book to my development editor and my acquisitions editor. If I succeed, I will take June 20 to 24 to submit my file for promotion. If I submit my manuscript to my editors by June 19, 2026, and my promotion file to the Faculty by June 24, I will take a family bike vacation from June 25 to July 12.

On July 12, I will receive comments from my editors and work to submit a revised manuscript to the press by August 13. If I submit my revised manuscript by August 13, I will take a family camping vacation from August 14 to August 31.

If I cannot meet this commitment due to prolonged illness or family emergencies, I will inform my writing group and adjust this commitment.

If I fail to meet one of the deadlines (April 1 for book proposal, June 19 for draft, June 24 for promotion file, or August 13 for revised draft), I will forgo the related positive incentive.

References