Claire Wingfield Editorial and Literary Consultancy

 How to finish writing your book

I don’t know the exact percentage of people who start writing a book and don’t finish it, but I’d wager it’s high. I’ve also mentored a lot of writers who first started writing their manuscript a decade or more ago. Together, we make a plan to finally hit the finish line. Here’s some of what I’ve learnt.

Part of the solution is time management. How much time are you truly setting aside for writing your book, and how do you ensure it’s ringfenced for your goal? Some writers spend periods of time in ‘writing jail’ where writing takes priority over most social events or even domestic commitments. 

For most, a regular achievable timeslot, marked on a diary or calendar is key. Whilst hour slots may be all that’s available in a busy life, many writers find a window of at least 4 hours is ideal to really make progress and allow creativity. Less can feel too rushed for the deep thoughts, flights of fancy and occasional doubling back needed in creative endeavour. It can be rewarding to find that 4-hour slot in your week, plan how many weeks of the year you will write, and consider a sum of writing time that could be very respectable.

Once you hit a rhythm of working to your writing schedule, you will make good progress.

If you find the outside world is stealing your writing time, consider changing days if possible, or the time of day. Doing the thing that’s most important to you (the writing you’ve made a commitment to) the earliest you can manage can work well; as can picking a quiet time where you are less likely to be interrupted. (Hence the trend of authors rising before the rest of the household.)

Supplementing a regular writing schedule with the boost of a writing retreat (which could be as simple as you like – a weekend at home or away, in the company of other writers or alone) can work well. When working on my own novel, Saving Francesca Maier, I found taking part in writing workshops kept me motivated when I was flagging, as well as social events with other writers to remind me about the ‘buzz’ of writing and being surrounded by people passionate about books.

As a writing coach and mentor, I have been told the accountability of our deadlines really helps my writers. This can be replicated by having a reader waiting on your next instalment – one reason why writing groups flourish.

Whatever method you choose, in the course of writing a book of many thousands of works, you will sometimes stall. What worked so well may suddenly fail. The key is to be flexible. Perhaps you’re sick of your desk and need to schedule a walk or other activity during your writing time. Perhaps you need to take your writing outside or find some exercise for your imagination such as at an art gallery or museum. (My creative-writing guide 52 Dates for Writers is full of writing exercises to take you away from your desk in order to keep your writing fresh and your imagination engaged.) Perhaps you need to work with a pile of post-its and have some fun considering the consequences for your characters if you re-ordered your plotline.   

Sometimes there’s an issue of writing craft that’s keeping you stuck. That’s the ideal time for editorial feedback, a manuscript assessment or period of writing mentorship. This professional engagement can invite a radical overhaul of your work, perhaps in a guided revision period to maximise efficiency. Sometimes it’s a relatively small shift in thinking that’s needed or some comparative text work to look at aspects of the writing craft in a selection of published books. My own editing and literary consultancy service takes on projects big and small and can offer professional feedback on the opening chapters or outline of a book. This investment in professional development can really help your mindset in finishing your book, too. An industry professional engaging with your work is a sure-fire way to help you to view finishing your manuscript in a professional manner. The publishing know-how of a good editor or literary consultant can also bring you closer to your fulfilling your goal of finishing your book.

Fear, perfectionism, or too much attachment to your work can also sabotage your writing and make finishing your book a pipe dream. These emotional barriers can take some unpacking – perhaps with a therapist. It can help to see the book as just one distinct project. It’s not the ‘last word’ on your writing career, but one step of many. In order to learn from the process and ultimately the reader response to our work, we have to let go – we have to finish. 

Final word

If you’re having trouble finishing your book, ask yourself:

• Are there emotional blocks in your way? Are you able to pursue your goal with clarity of purpose?

• Are you truly committed to your goal? (Is writing a book a goal that motivates you, or something you feel you should do?)

• Have you made a clear plan, allowing you enough time to dedicate to the task? Have you blocked off your diary for the necessary hours and ensured this time is protected?

• Have you allowed time for fun, creativity and exploration in the writing process?

• Have you allowed time and looked for opportunities to connect with fellow writers and enthusiastic readers?

• Have you invested in developing your craft, perhaps including professional feedback and support from an editor / literary consultant / book coach?

• Have you scheduled time off and, importantly, when you will return to your writing following this?

• Have you remembered to reward yourself along the way? Completing your first chapter, your first full draft, your first scene that truly ‘flows’ as you write are all big achievements. Making sure you enjoy the process is half the battle to reaching the finish line.