How to Create Unstoppable Writing Momentum and Finish Every Book You Start

Author: Sandy Vaile 


In the 17 years since I began writing fiction seriously, I've learnt a lot about the benefits of consistency in finishing novels and building an author career. Creating a consistent writing habit not only gives authors a real chance of finishing their books but enables them to do it without losing all hope and quitting all together. 

Writing a novel is a loooong process that requires significant effort, persistence and resilience. I'm sure we all know someone who has been writing the same book for 10 years (maybe we are that person), and sympathise with how soul-crushing the whole process can be if we don't see results. 

Writing consistently is a challenge ... enter confusion, overwhelm, procrastination and self-doubt. The problem is, the longer we go without writing (I mean actually progressing our book, not moving commas around), the harder it is the pick up the pen again, get into our character's personas and remember the whole plot. 

There are five things you can do to break the cycle of not finishing books, and you might be surprised what they are.

First of all, I want you to know that you're not the only one struggling with these things. All authors - yes, even multi-published and famous authors - suffer with imposter syndrome, wondering if they are a good enough writer to finish this book, and hating the whole project so much they consider giving up. 

But ... 
Successful authors don't give up!

So, what can you do to prevent yourself from slipping into the hole (or to give you some purchase to climb back out)? 

1. Stop believing the myth of inspiration, so you can write consistently, not just when the muse shows up. 
2. Start building a writing habit, because forward motion builds confidence and creates results. 
3. Trust your process, so you can quit second-guessing yourself and write your vision. 
4. Stop shying away from meaningful tasks, which leads to finished stories that resonate deeply. 
5. Get expert guidance early on, to avoid costly mistakes and inefficiencies.  ​

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