Okay, let’s be real for a second. Starting a story? Easy. SO easy. You get this super cool idea, you grab your notebook or open a new doc, and you just know this is going to be the one. The book that makes you famous, wins awards, and maybe even gets turned into a Netflix series (hey, it could happen).
And then... you hit the middle. Or you get distracted by another “even better” idea. Or you suddenly realize writing a whole story is, um, a lot of work.
So how do you actually finish what you start? Here are some tips from someone who’s abandoned more stories than I’d like to admit. (But hey, I finished this post, so that’s progress, right?)
1. Stop Waiting for Motivation
If you only write when you feel like it, you’re never finishing that story. Trust me, inspiration is a LIAR. It shows up all excited in the beginning and then disappears when things get tough. The trick? Write even when you don’t feel like it. Even if it’s just a sentence. Even if you’re convinced your story is terrible (it’s not). Progress is progress.
2. Set the Smallest Goals Ever
“Write 500 words a day” sounds great until you’re tired, or busy, or just don’t want to. Instead, set a ridiculously small goal. Like, “Write 5 minutes.” Or “One paragraph.” Half the time, once you start, you’ll keep going. But even if you don’t, you still did something.
3. Skip the Boring Parts
If a scene is making you want to throw your notebook across the room, skip it. Seriously. Jump to the next exciting part and come back later. Writing should feel fun (at least some of the time).
4. Make a “Distraction List”
Ever notice how EVERYTHING seems more interesting when you’re supposed to be writing? Like, suddenly you NEED to clean your room or research how long a snail can survive in space (it’s 10 minutes, in case you were wondering). Keep a notebook or doc open where you dump all your distractions. You can look them up after you write.
5. Bribe Yourself
Yes, like a little kid. “If I write 200 words, I get 10 minutes of YouTube.” “Finish this chapter? Ice cream.” Your brain likes rewards, so use them to your advantage.
6. Tell Someone You’re Finishing It
Announce it. Tell your friend, your sibling, or even your dog. Just knowing someone expects you to finish makes you more likely to do it. (Bonus: If they keep asking, “Hey, how’s your story going?” you’ll want to avoid the awkward ummm… and actually write.)
7. Accept That Your First Draft Will Be a Mess
It’s supposed to be bad. First drafts are like pancakes—the first one is always kind of weird. Just get the story down. You can fix it later. You can’t edit a blank page.
8. Remember Why You Started
You had a reason for writing this story. Maybe it was a cool scene in your head. Maybe you love your main character. Maybe you just wanted to prove you could do it. Whatever it was, remind yourself. The beginning-you would be so proud of the finishing-you.
Final Thought: Just. Keep. Going.
One word at a time. Even if you only write a little each day, you will get there. And when you finally type “The End”? It’ll be worth it.
Now go finish that story. 🚀✨
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