6 Tips for Finishing Your Novel

By Rhiannon Winner on August 26, 2016

You can see it now. The gritty or uplifting character arcs that will play out in your epic trilogy, the profound or witty one-liners that deserve to be emblazoned on artsy backgrounds, the heart-wrenching climax – it’s all planned out perfectly in your head. The only problem is that most of it remains in your head and not on paper. Fear not, fellow novelist! You’re going to get those ideas out if it kills you (and, as most writers know, it probably will. On the inside).

1. I’m sure your mixtape is bomb. Now turn it off.

I know, I know. You have the perfect sappy playlist for that heartbreaking moment, or the right combination of action movie scores for that intense one. Jam to them before and after you write if you need to get into a certain mood, but not while your fingers are actually on the keyboard (or on paper, for you traditionalists). Studies have found that when you’re doing something that requires a lot of brain power – aka writing – music decreases your productivity.

2. I see what you’re doing. Liar, liar, pants on fire!

I can’t keep writing until I reread the last chapter! I can’t go on until I finish editing what I’ve written so far! Stop making excuses. Yes, it’s tempting to go back and revise even when you’re so far from being done. Maybe you really want to read that foreshadowing scene from the beginning again. But you’re going to have to fight the urge to do so, because it’s only going to make finishing even harder. You’ll never get to the end if you’re hung up on the beginning. So keep writing until your first draft is finished, and then go back.

3. Don’t overestimate yourself

It’s often suggested that writers set deadlines for themselves. Finish 1,000 words a day, or even 100. There are people who might be able to pull that off, but if you’re cramming for a test tomorrow or working overtime or frankly, just need a nap, you’re going to feel guilty when your schedule is thrown off. Know that sometimes, you might not be able to fit in time to write. We can’t all be professional novelists, and that’s okay. Just set realistic goals for yourself. Tell yourself, okay, I’m going to write twice this week. I’m going to finish a chapter this month. I’m going to write the dinner scene this weekend. Make sure it’s something that you can realistically attain, and something that you will work steadily towards (but won’t make you feel guilty if you’re unable to write for a little while).

4. Goals are for New Years, not writing

Your novel does not have to be exactly 90,000 words. It does not have to span seven books. It doesn’t have to be any kind of ridiculous goal you set up before you even began writing. Your story is going to take on a life of its own, and maybe it doesn’t want to be so long. Maybe it wants to be even longer. Do what feels natural, and don’t feel compelled to stick to some original idea you had if it clearly isn’t panning out well.

5. “Rules of Writing?” Get over yourself

You’ll probably stumble across mentions of the “rules of writing” at some point, but take them with a grain of salt. What is groundbreaking is groundbreaking because it breaks rules. You’ll find conflicting advice to writers all over the place. To use adverbs or not to? To write in first or third person? To use the oxford comma or not? Screw everyone else and do what works for you, even if you’re breaking somebody’s sacred “rules.”

6. Don’t take yourself too seriously

As a society, we gobble up tragedy porn. We love it when a character’s tragic past is revealed, or when they’re beaten down to the point of breaking. But not only is too much suffering exhausting to read, it’s also a pain to write. If when you sit down to write you’re engrossed in a world of heartbreak, you’re not going to have much motivation to get your butt in the chair next time. Writing tragedy can be enjoyable, but not if it’s all that you do, and the last thing you want to do is turn your hobby into something that depresses you. Make sure to mix in some fun scenes, or take a break to write something goofy. You’ll have a greater incentive to write in the future, plus you won’t traumatize your eventual audience.

Remember, writing is about having fun. Don’t waste your time on something you don’t love. When you’re freaking out over your novel for one reason or another, remember that the reason you do this is because it’s your passion. There’s no need to impose unnecessary stress upon yourself. Get up, dust yourself off, and write again tomorrow. You will finish.

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