Are you tired of staring at a blank page, wondering how to finish your novel? It’s a common feeling—hope you’re not alone! But don’t worry, sticking to some simple tips can help you stay motivated and actually get that story written.
If you keep reading, I promise you’ll learn practical ways to set clear goals, develop habits, and create lively characters—all while keeping your voice front and center. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to finishing your book and sharing your story with the world.
In just a few tips, like planning with a loose outline and writing scenes that matter, you'll find the process less overwhelming and more exciting. Ready? Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Set a clear goal for your novel and commit to finishing it, breaking it into smaller milestones to stay motivated. Accountability helps when motivation drops.
- Write regularly, ideally every day, even for a short time. Consistent habits build momentum and make completing your book possible.
- Use a simple outline with key plot points to keep your story on track and avoid writer’s block. Think of it as a guide to reach your goal.
- Develop quick, impactful characters and settings instead of perfection. Refine details during revisions, so the story keeps moving forward.
- Finish your first draft, then review it with fresh eyes. Seek feedback to improve and strengthen your story, focusing on clarity and pacing.
- Understand your publishing options—self-publishing or traditional publishing—and invest in marketing, like eye-catching covers and promoting on social media.
1. Set a Clear Goal and Commit to Finishing Your Novel
The most crucial step in completing your novel is deciding exactly what you want to achieve and sticking to it. When you set a clear goal—like finishing a 70,000-word story—you give yourself a roadmap to follow. Commit to that goal, even on days when motivation dips, because almost 97% of writers never finish. Break your big goal into smaller milestones, such as completing a chapter each week, to keep momentum going. Think of it like a marathon, not a sprint—pace yourself, stay focused, and remind yourself why you started. For extra motivation, tell someone about your goal or join a writing challenge. This accountability makes a difference when the going gets tough.
2. Develop Consistent Writing Habits to Keep Moving Forward
The secret to finishing a novel is writing regularly—preferably every day—even if it's just for 15 minutes. Consistency beats sporadic bursts of effort, which are easy to abandon. Create a routine that works for you: maybe early mornings, lunch breaks, or late nights. Use timers or dedicated writing sessions to stay on track. Skipping days can make it hard to pick up the thread again, so aim for small, manageable chunks of writing. Consider setting a daily word count goal; for example, 500 words can add up quickly. Over time, these small daily habits compound into a completed manuscript. Find a cozy spot, turn off distractions, and make writing a non-negotiable part of your day.
3. Plan Your Story with a Simple Outline and Key Beats
Having a rough plan keeps your story on track and prevents you from getting lost in the details. Start with a basic outline: who are your characters, what’s the central conflict, and how does it resolve? Identify key beats—major plot points or turning moments—that mark the story’s rhythm. You don’t need a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline unless that helps you, but knowing your story arc saves time and writer's block. For example, know your protagonist’s goal, the obstacles they face, and the climax scene. Think of your outline as a GPS—sure, you can detour, but it guides you toward the finish line. It’s especially useful for tackling complex plots or multiple subplots.
4. Focus on Creating Strong Characters and Settings Quickly
Characters and settings are the backbone of a compelling story, so don’t spend hours perfecting every detail before you start. Instead, aim for quick, impactful sketches—know your protagonist’s biggest trait and what motivates them, along with a vivid sense of your main setting. Imagine you’re describing a character or place to a friend; keep it simple but memorable. Strong characters react naturally, and authentic settings add depth without overloading yourself. Use quick character questionnaires or setting descriptions to get ideas flowing fast. This approach allows you to immerse readers immediately, without getting bogged down in never-ending world-building. Remember, details can be refined during revisions, but the story’s core needs to move forward now.
9. Embrace the Power of Self-Editing and Feedback
Once you've finished your first draft, it's time to step back and look at your story with fresh eyes.
Self-editing can reveal plot holes, awkward scenes, or inconsistent character behavior that you didn't notice while writing.
Read your work aloud; it helps catch sentence flows that sound unnatural or clunky.
Consider printing out your manuscript—sometimes, seeing it on paper makes issues easier to spot.
Don’t be afraid to cut scenes or even entire chapters if they don’t serve your story anymore.
Getting feedback from others, like beta readers or writing groups, can provide new perspectives.
Ask specific questions, like “Does this character seem authentic?” or “Is the pacing right?” to get useful insights.
Take their comments seriously but decide what fits your vision—your voice is what matters most.
Remember, editing is a process, and each round makes your story stronger and clearer.
10. Understand the Business Side: Publishing Options and Marketing
Before hitting that publish button, it helps to understand your publishing route—self-publishing or traditional publishing—and what that entails.
Self-publishing platforms like **Amazon KDP** give you control but require you to handle your own marketing.
Traditional publishers often handle distribution and marketing, but securing a deal can be tough—only about 3% of writers get there .
Think about genre trends; for instance, romance makes up around 40% of self-published books on Amazon, so there's a market for your story.
Invest time in creating eye-catching book covers and compelling descriptions—these influence sales more than you might think.
Use social media, author websites, and mailing lists to reach readers—marketing is key to turning your manuscript into sales.
Research successful authors in your genre to see what works for them and adapt those ideas.
Pricing your eBook wisely—too high can turn buyers away, while too low might undervalue your work—consider researching average prices .
It’s worth exploring tools like **book description generators** and **keyword research** to optimize visibility.
11. Keep Learning and Growing as a Writer
Writing a great novel isn’t a one-time effort; it’s a skill that improves with practice and study.
Read widely across genres to understand different styles, structures, and what appeals to readers.
Participate in writing courses, webinars, or workshops—these can offer fresh inspiration and new techniques.
Use prompts regularly, like winter (https://automateed.com/winter-writing-prompts/), to keep your creative muscles flexed.
Analyze successful books in your genre—what makes them work? Is it the pacing, character depth, or dialogue?
Keep a writing journal or blog to track your progress and learn from your experiences.
Don’t shy away from experimenting with styles or genres—that’s how you discover your unique voice.
Find a writing community or accountability partner to stay motivated and share tips.
Remember, every story written, no matter how imperfect, brings you closer to mastering the craft.
12. Celebrate Your Achievement and Prepare for Your Next Project
Finishing your novel is a huge milestone—give yourself credit for that!
Share your victory with friends, family, or fellow writers to boost your confidence.
Reflect on what you've learned during the process—what worked and what didn’t.
Update your author bio, website, or social profiles to include your new achievement.
Start thinking about your next project—whether that’s a sequel, a new genre, or refining your current story further.
Consider submitting your story to contests, literary magazines, or pitching to small publishers.
Keep writing regularly; the more you practice, the better your stories become.
And most importantly, enjoy the journey—each book is a stepping stone in your writing adventure.
FAQs
Set a clear goal, break the work into manageable parts, and celebrate small progress. Staying consistent and reminding yourself of your passion keeps you motivated to keep writing until you finish your story.
Create concise character sketches, define their goals early, and focus on traits that influence their actions. This helps you build strong characters without hours of detailed planning.
Set aside specific times daily or weekly, eliminate distractions, and create a routine that makes writing part of your habit. Consistency builds momentum and helps you finish your novel faster.
Focus on plot coherence, character development, and tightening scenes. Prioritize clarity and flow, and don’t hesitate to make major changes to strengthen your story before final editing.
