How to finish a book

Writing a book is a long-term task. You have to have an idea, you have to weave a story around it, but most of all you have to write it from cover to cover. And that’s where we often fall short. The first few pages are written as we think, we manage to line up the chapters, until the day when the motivation drops, and the writing stops. It doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some tips on how to finish a book.

1)     How to finish a book: find time

Take the time to complete your project. A daily routine will allow you to make regular progress, proofreading will certainly help you to refine the rendering, but what improves the quality of a text is hindsight. And that’s something you don’t get by keeping your head in the sand.

2)     Have confidence

The advice may seem simple, but it works. Usually, at the beginning of a project, confidence and motivation are there. You move quickly and well. But, inevitably, during the writing process, doubt sets in. It is therefore necessary – at least as much as possible – to have confidence in yourself and in the project you are carrying out. Give a personal meaning to this book, which will motivate you and help you to enjoy completing it.

3)     How to finish a book: set goals

It’s not a bad thing to create a routine. For example, so many words a day and so many pages for back to school or Christmas. However, there is no need to put pressure on yourself. Goals are meant to be readjusted. Nevertheless, this is what keeps you on track with what you have in mind.

4)     Be realistic

A good way to limit your doubts and not experience writer’s block is to simply minimize the stakes. At the risk of sounding a bit crude, the book you’re working on now is probably not your masterpiece. Chances are, the next one will be better, and the one after that even better… and so on! So there’s no need to feel anxious about writing it, nor to seek absolute perfectionism, which might prevent you from putting a period on it.

You’ve done a great deal of work. Your first draft is finished and now you can meet your next goals and achieve that victory: your urge to finish a book is now completed.