Motivation is an important force in the creative process.

It’s one thing to have an idea, but without the proper push to actually make it happen the idea is worthless.

Last year, my friend AV (of Godfather advocacy fame) and I both started writing novels that quickly made it into the “I should really start working on that again” portion of our lives. I even signed up for the National Novel Writing Month project in an attempt to make me focus. But due to certain circumstances — mainly that November is a terrible month to work intensively on anything — I stopped writing after just a few days.

For those of you who are looking for two good books to read in the future, I have good news. AV and I are committed to making 2011 a successful writing year.

Our plan is simple: discuss each other’s projects, set deadlines and nag/inspire the other to write. Story outlines and character sketches will be done by April 1. Intensive writing is scheduled for the three-month period beginning June 1.

I’m not sure yet when our Pulitzers will be awarded, but I’ll keep you updated.