10 Ways To Stay Motivated & Finish Writing Your Novel

Photo by Garrhet Sampson on Unsplash

It is a rare person who starts an artistic project and keeps on going until they know they have completed their work. I say this because I like to think I'm in the majority, that I am one of these people who tend to procrastinate n the middle of a project, lose my  way or lose confidence. Please tell me I'm not alone!
If you're a writer like me who started a new book, hit the ground running and then came to a brick wall, then these ten tips are for you, if you want to get over or around that wall and want to finish writing your manuscript.

1. Remember why this book was important to you in the first place. What did you want to say and what made you switch on your laptop and type the words: Chapter 1?
2. Have a chat with your characters. Either, literally, like call out to them while you’re taking a shower or making the bed. Or you could open your laptop and write about your characters, describe them, ask yourself how this character will change during the course of the novel and what motivates them. Even write out some of the typical things they might say.
3. Decide how the story will end and note down how you will get from where you are now in your story to your ending. What has to happen before you resolve the situation you have created?
4. Turn off the distractions. You know what they are. Maybe try background music for a change or burn incense in your writing room. Change anything that might be holding you back.
5. Take a break from your manuscript and write something else. A short story, a blog, a letter to your Grandma. By keeping your writing chops going you won’t feel so bad about not getting to your manuscript and eventually you’ll want to jump straight back into it.
6. Read your manuscript from the beginning, don’t edit it but take important notes about the plot. Read your notes and decide if something was missing that needs to be addressed. It could be the thing that has blocked you. Resolve this glitch and get going again.
7. Don’t give yourself a hard time. Don’t demand that you write a particular number of words a day. We can’t always achieve these goals and it might make you doubt your abilities as a writer. Remember: one word at a time.
8. Don’t be put off by a writer friend who knocks out a book a month. You are your own person so don’t try to measure up to anyone else. Just be yourself.
9. Spend time away from writing altogether and engage in some other creative or leisure pursuit. Something you’ve perhaps put off for a while, like learning how to make bread. Your manuscript isn’t going anywhere and you’ll be amazed at how doing something against the norm can spark off ideas!
10. Cover your writing area with motivational posters or slogans: You’ve Got This! Believe in you ability! Dare to dream! You know what words motivate you the most so use them, trust them and go with them!

In writing this list I found I could keep on going with the motivational tips. maybe that's another thing you could try. Imagine you are telling someone else how to keep motivated and apply it to yourself. I think that might be number 11.

Whatever you do, stay positive and Good Luck!