3… 2… Done! 3 must-do tips to finish your novel this year + affirmations card!
If sharing your story with the world was one of your resolutions for the year, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of people determine to finally write a book, but only a few get it done. Maybe you actually started, but the enthusiasm is slowly fading and you’re afraid this year’s story will end up in the “did not finish” pile like all the others.
I know the feeling all too well. I was a pantser which means I’d jump right into the fray without having a clear idea of where I was going.
I’d get to more than 30k words only to find that I didn’t actually have a story, or I’d end up in the vicious start-stop cycle because I didn’t trust myself enough to stick to the decisions I’d make about the story.
It wasn’t until I took a moment to ask myself what was really going on, that I was finally able to breakthrough and finish what I started.
After analyzing my writing process and that of my clients, I discovered 3 strategies that helped them get words on the page, meet their deadlines and ultimately finish their book!
#1: OUTLINE YOUR STORY…SERIOUSLY!
Outlining may seem like a creativity killer, but I’d argue that’s because you haven’t found the method that works for you. There’s no rule that says your outline has to be a 40-page overly detailed description of your story—unless you want it to be!
Your outline is exactly that—yours. It can be as detailed or as loose as you want.
Whichever you choose, make sure it has enough information to guide you from chapter one to “the end”.
If you’re a pantser that finds yourself constantly getting stuck and frustrated, don’t be afraid to give outlining a try. If structured methods like the Three-Act structure or Snowflake method aren’t for you, try using a detailed mindmap.
Another option is to write one-page synopsis then create note cards for each of the scenes to help you stay on track as you write.
Finding the right outline for you might come down to trying a few, or merging several together, but determining the major points of your story before you start writing will absolutely propel you to a faster finish.
#2: CREATE A WRITING SCHEDULE + WORD COUNT GOALS
Having a writing schedule is important in reaching your goal of a finished story because as studies show, we’re more likely to get things done when we make plans. It’s also important because writing consistently is key if you want to finish.
The best way to do this is to look at both the times you’re most creative throughout the day, and the time you have available (or will make available) to sit down and write. Once you’ve chosen your time, show up on time—every time!
If you’re saying, “That sounds good and all, but I don’t have chunks of free time to devote to writing,”—stop!
It must be said that the idea that you don’t have time to write is an excuse. We all make time for things we really want to do—binge that series, read your favorite author’s latest release, scroll through Instagram feeds, etc.
Whether it’s 15min, 30min, or an hour, we all have spare moments of time in our day that we can commit to writing. The important thing here is knowing what to write during that time (hence an outline), and having a way to keep track of your progress.
This is where having a word count comes in. Setting word count goals is useful because it forces you to get the words down instead of second guessing every sentence. It also helps you see the progress you’re making which in turn serves as motivation for you to keep going.
Tracking your words also provides a clear picture on how much you can actually write within a given time frame thus allowing you to schedule your time more efficiently.
Not sure how to set a word count goal? An easy way is to track how much you write during your sessions, average it out and use that number as the goal.
If you want to give yourself more of a challenge, try this:
1. Decide on the total word count for your book.
2. Divide that number by the number of months you’ve assigned for writing.
3. Divide that number by 30 (# of days in the month).
That will give you the total number of words you need to write per day!
#3. GET AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER, OR COACH
Once you know what you’re writing, and have set your schedule and writing goals, having the right person to hold you accountable will help you keep everything on track!
I say the “right” person because it’s important to have someone who understands your goals, is rooting for you to reach them, and is willing to give you those nudges of encouragement and correction when needed.
An accountability partnership is one in which two people commit to support each other in accomplishing a similar goal. These partnerships work best when both parties can rely on one another to show up, and have clear expectations on when and how progress will be tracked.
A writing coach works in a similar way, with the main difference being they have a higher level of experience than either you, or an accountability partner would have. They have first-hand knowledge of the steps needed to accomplish your writing goals, and can provide clear directions on how to reach them faster and more efficiently.
Whether choosing a partner or a coach, adding accountability to your writing process will add productivity and make it less likely for you to “give up” when things get hard. Always choose someone who can commit to supporting you in the way that you need support, and be ok with releasing the partnership if you find it’s not working out.
You could stop right here, and be well on your way to completing a more impactful and engaging novel this year. But there’s one more element you should add to your process if you really want to level-up your writing this year…
Bonus tip…
MASTER YOUR MINDSET
One of the biggest hurdles you might be facing as a writer is believing in yourself and your story. Once the writing process starts, it can be easy for negative thoughts to creep in and tell you all the reasons why you’ll never finish that book.
In a previous post, Writer’s Block is a Sham!, I discussed the top 3 obstacles standing in the way of putting words on the page, and how to break through them. One of the obstacles, lack of clarity, is directly linked to your mindset.
Being unclear about your story can quickly devolve into a loss of faith in your writing abilities. For many of the clients I’ve worked with, this was the number one issue that put a halt to their writing process.
It’s hard to prevent these thoughts from popping up, but you can stop them from derailing your story. Overcome them by using what I call the “real or release” method.
When these negative feelings arise, don’t ignore or wish them away. Take a moment to stop and acknowledge. Then ask yourself whether it’s based in truth—is it real—, or if it’s irrational.
A thought like “I just can’t figure out what happens next,” likely has some truth in that you might not have all the plot points of your story figured out. While thoughts such as “I’ll never finish this book,” are irrational as they have no basis in truth.
Understanding which of your thoughts are true and which are not is important because it helps you distinguish between an issue within your story that needs to be fixed, and an issue with your mindset that needs to be addressed.
If your negative thought is based on something real and tangible, ask yourself what specific story issue you’re having trouble with then look for tools and resources to help you through it.
When your negative thought is based in irrational thinking, again, acknowledge the thought then release and counter it by creating a positive affirmation.
For example,
Negative thought = “I’ll never finish this story.”
Positive affirmation = “Every word I write brings me closer to a finished story.”
Do this for all the irrational thoughts that come to you throughout your process then read through your affirmations before you begin writing!
Over time, you’ll see a shift in your mindset that allows you to power through the tough moments and get more words on the page.
THE “WRITE” AFFIRMATIONS
Studies show that daily repetition of affirmations can positively influence thought patterns, behavioral habits, and moods. I created this affirmations card as a way to combat the fear and self-doubt that often creeps into the writing process, and to build confidence in your ability to write a story of impact.
Get the most out out of these brain-building declarations by reciting them every day for at least 3-5 minutes! Grab the “write” affirmations postcard!
Ready for feedback, accountability and guidance from a coach that cares about your story as much as you do? Sign up for your free Discovery Call and let’s see how I can support you!
What helps you write more productively? How do you deal with the peanut gallery in your mind? Share your tips and thoughts in the comments!