Productivity Tips to Finish Writing Your Book Yesterday

So you start writing a book and those first few weeks the words seem to be flying from your mind onto the page - but then the inevitable happens. 

You stop writing. 

This could be because you ran out of ideas or you simply ran out of steam and the thought of dragging yourself to the computer to write even a few sentences is too daunting of a task when the couch and some mindless television written by someone else seems like a much better way to spend your time.

If you're looking to get back into writing to finish your novel, here are some tips to get you back on track.

Set Clear Goals 

Setting clear and achievable goals will be the number one way to make it to the finish line of your novel. 

Instead of simply having a goal of "write a novel" you have an idea of how many words you are aiming for overall or even small goals such as reaching 500 words or one chapter each day or each week depending on the next tip in the list. 

Create A Writing Schedule 

Now that you have a goal of what you want to write, you need to figure out when you are going to write. 

You need to find when is it throughout your day or week that you have the time to spare to sit down and focus on your novel. This could be in the morning before the hustle and bustle of the day and your many other responsibilities, during a planned lunch hour, or even in the evening when everything has been completed. 

The point is to find a time and place to write and stick to it, without anything being able to sway you from your task. 

Break Your Novel Into Smaller Task 

Viewing your novel as a whole project can become overwhelming and can be a reason why many writers take too much time off from writing, they're probably stuck in their story and they're not sure where to go. 

Divide your novel into smaller tasks such as organizing a general chapter outline so you can know relatively what it is you are sitting down to write when the time comes instead of simply sitting down to write without a plan. 

Minimize Distractions 

There's no greater challenge for a writer to overcome than distractions. If every time you sit down to write you suddenly remember that you have a pile of laundry you need to complete- you need to remember that it will still be there after you get your required words in for the day. 

This is also why having a writing schedule and a plan is important so you can schedule these tasks around your writing time, not during it. 

And make sure to leave your phone and the television remote far from your hand wherever it is you are writing, We all know that checking that one thing will turn into three hours of mindless scrolling and no words being written. 

Accept Imperfection 

One major thing that can be holding you back in your writing is thinking that everything you write has to be perfect the first time you write it. It won't be. 

This article you're reading has been rewritten at least three times before I hit publish, and even then I never believed it to be as perfect as it can be, but if I strived for that then it would never get published and you wouldn't be reading it. 

The same goes for your stories or your novel, if you wait for it to be perfect or you try to make it perfect as you write you'll spend the rest of your life working on it 

Set Rewards 

If you're having trouble motivating yourself to write, think of yourself as a dog learning a trick or a child being taught to pick up their toys. The dog gets a treat and the child gets to pick out a bedtime story. 

Just because we've grown doesn't mean we no longer get to be rewarded for our good behavior. 

I tell myself that if I write an article first thing in the morning, I can reward myself with a cup of coffee instead of herbal tea. (which might seem an odd motivator for you, but is something that works for me.) 

Reward yourself with a treat, a break, or something like being able to enjoy an episode of your favorite show, but only if you complete your word count for the day. 

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Writing a book is a mental marathon and sometimes we need to implement strategic thinking to help us get across the finish line with our finished novel, but with determination and focus on the goals and tasks one day and writing session at a time will help you stay on track to having your novel completed.

Now go get to writing. 

With love, 

B. King xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints every Wed-Thurs-Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm EST

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