There’s nothing quite like the excitement of starting a new novel. The rush of inspiration, the characters coming to life in your mind, the feeling that this might just be the story you were meant to write.
But then, somewhere along the way, that momentum slows. The middle gets messy. Doubt creeps in. And suddenly, the thing you were so excited about feels… impossible.
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Finishing a book is hard, but not because you lack talent or discipline. It’s hard because writing a novel is big. It takes time, persistence, and, most of all, a clear strategy to move forward.
Here’s why most writers struggle to finish their drafts and what you can do to change that.
1. You’re Stuck in Endless Revisions
One of the biggest traps writers fall into is trying to perfect the beginning before moving forward. You write the first few chapters, then rewrite them. Then tweak them again. Before you know it, months have passed, and you’ve barely moved past chapter three.
The fix? Write forward. Drafting is different from editing, and the first draft is supposed to be messy. Let it be imperfect. Accept that some sections will need heavy revision later. Your job right now is to finish the draft – polishing comes later.
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” – Jodi Picoult
This is the key to finishing. Give yourself permission to write badly. A messy draft is still progress, but an unwritten one will never move forward.
2. You’ve Lost Momentum
Maybe you started strong, but somewhere in the middle, things got murky. The excitement wore off. The plot isn’t quite working. You find yourself avoiding your draft.
This happens to almost every writer at some point. The trick is to keep showing up anyway. Set small, attainable goals. Instead of saying, “I need to write 50,000 words,” try, “I’ll write for 30 minutes today.” Progress is progress, even if it’s slow.
And if your story really isn’t working? Go back to your outline (or create one) and remind yourself why you wanted to write this book in the first place.
3. You’re Not Sure How to End It
A strong ending doesn’t just happen, it’s built through structure. If you’re struggling to bring your story to a close, take a step back and ask:
- What has my protagonist learned or overcome?
- What’s the emotional resolution of the story?
- How can I create a satisfying payoff for the themes I’ve been building?
Sometimes, clarity comes from talking through your ideas with other writers or getting outside feedback. Writing might be a solitary act, but finishing a book doesn’t have to be something you do alone.
4. You’re Writing in Isolation
One of the biggest challenges writers face is the feeling of going at it alone. It’s easy to lose motivation when you don’t have support or accountability.
Successful writers – those who actually finish their books often have one thing in common: they surround themselves with other writers. Whether it’s a writing group, a critique partner, or a structured program, having a support system can be the difference between a finished draft and one that sits untouched for months (or years).
(If you’re looking for support on this front check out my online writing community – it’s a wonderful group of writers.)
5. You’re Waiting for the “Right Time”
“I’ll finish my book when I have more time.”
Sound familiar? The problem is, there’s never a perfect time. Life will always be busy. Responsibilities will always demand your attention.
The key is to stop waiting for a magical moment of uninterrupted time and start creating small, consistent writing habits now. Even if it’s just 20 minutes a day, progress happens when you commit to the work.
Finishing Your First Draft is Possible
If you’re feeling stuck, remember this: every writer struggles. Every writer doubts themselves at some point. But the ones who finish? They find ways to push through.
Maybe that means setting clearer goals. Maybe it means shifting your mindset around drafting. Or maybe it means finding a writing community that holds you accountable and helps you keep going.
Wherever you are in your writing journey, know this: your story matters. And you can finish your book.
All it takes is the right approach and a little bit of support.
If you’ve been struggling to finish your draft, take a moment to reflect: what’s really holding you back? What would help you move forward?
Sometimes, all it takes is a shift in strategy, structure, or accountability to make the difference between another unfinished draft and finally typing The End.
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