Dear Megan: I Can’t Seem to Finish Anything I Start
How to get to the finish line even when it seems impossible.
Today I am answering a question that I have only recently just overcome myself, which is both serendipitous and also a relief as it means all is not lost for this person and anyone else who might be experiencing this same issue.
Dear Megan,
I have a problem, and it’s been bothering me for quite some time now. Every time I begin a new writing project, I’m full of excitement and ideas. I dive into it headfirst, but before long, the enthusiasm fades, and the project just sort of fizzles out. I’ve started countless stories, essays, and even novels, but none of them have ever made it past a few chapters, or pages in some cases.
It’s not that I don’t care about these ideas, or that I lack the talent to finish them. I know that’s not the issue. The problem is that once the initial rush of inspiration fades, I just can’t keep going. It’s like I lose momentum, or maybe I’m afraid it won’t be as good as I imagined.
I’ve tried different approaches, like setting deadlines or breaking the work into smaller chunks, but nothing seems to work. Is there some mental block that’s keeping me from finishing? Or am I just chasing that initial burst of excitement rather than the real work of writing?
Do you have any advice on how to push through and finish what I start? I feel like I’ve got a lot of unfinished potential, but I just can’t seem to bring it all to fruition.
Best,
Chronic Starter, Never Finisher
Dear Chronic Starter, Never Finisher
Oh boy, have I been where you are right now…
I think I must have at least five or six unfinished projects, some that never got past the first three chapters, others that never made it past the mid point.
That heady feeling of starting something with excitement and energy, only to lose steam halfway through, is something many writers experience. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.
The rush of inspiration that accompanies the beginning of a project is exhilarating, but when that initial burst fades, it can feel like the work becomes a chore. You’re not alone in this, and there are ways to overcome this challenge.
The first thing I want to say is this: It’s okay to not finish everything you start. I know that might sound counterintuitive, but hear me out. Sometimes, projects lose their spark, and we realize they weren’t meant to be completed. That’s a normal part of the creative process, and it’s something all writers experience.
The sooner I realised this, the better I felt. Not every story idea is the one, but we often need to start writing it to find that out.
Some of my unfinished projects really should stay just that, unfinished. They just don’t have enough legs to sustain the type of novel I want to write.
But others, they’re good. It was me that ran out of steam.
As someone who recently got over this problem here are a few strategies that might help you push through those moments of doubt and burnout.
Establish a Writing Routine
Consistency is key when it comes to finishing what you start. Even if you can only write for 15 minutes a day while having your morning coffee (this is what worked for me), doing it consistently will help build momentum. The act of showing up, even on days when you don’t feel like it, helps train your brain to expect writing as part of your daily routine.
Break It Down into Smaller Chunks
The bigger the project, the more overwhelming it feels. Instead of thinking about finishing an entire novel or a long piece of writing, break it down into small, manageable pieces. Focus on one chapter, one scene, or even one paragraph at a time. Small goals feel more achievable and help keep you moving forward.
Embrace the messy first draft
The fear that your work won’t be “good enough” often prevents writers from finishing. But writing doesn’t have to be perfect in its first draft. If you are anything like me your first draft will most likely resembled a malformed fever dream, with entire chunks missing and very underwritten.
In fact, my first drafts are never usually longer than 45k, which is half what they should be. For a long time I resisted this, slowing myself down to add more because otherwise the first draft wasn’t finished.
Now if my frankendraft contains a beginning, middle and end with some sort of character arc, I am happy. Not because its anything close to what i want it to be. but because it exists.
Give yourself permission to write badly. The goal is to get the words down on paper, and you can always revise later. Sometimes, simply allowing yourself to finish a draft (no matter how rough) can help you break through the wall of self-doubt.
Set a Deadline:
Even if it’s a self-imposed deadline, having one can create a sense of urgency. I recommend setting a deadline for completing a section or chapter, as well as an overall deadline. For example, I try to do 2-3 chapters a week, an act a fortnight and an entire draft in two months.
The deadline doesn’t have to be rigid, but it helps create a clear sense of purpose. When you’re working without a timeline, it’s easy to procrastinate or get distracted by other projects.
Accountability:
Telling someone (whether it’s a friend, a writing group, or a mentor) that you’re working on a project and setting a completion goal can be a powerful motivator. Having someone check in with you can provide the encouragement you need to keep going.
For example, my friend Alice and I keep a running accountability chat open when we are drafting and send each other daily messages letting each other know what we have done for the day and what we plan to do the next day.
Don’t Be Afraid to Let Go:
Sometimes, a project is simply not meant to be finished, and that’s okay. Don’t feel guilty for abandoning something that no longer excites you. The key is to move forward with projects that do light you up, and learn from the ones you’ve put down. Every project teaches you something.
Finishing what you start doesn’t mean completing every single draft you begin. It means learning to recognize the projects that are worth finishing and giving yourself the tools to see them through. Trust yourself and embrace the process.
If you try all the above and it still isn’t clicking, my last piece of advice to you would be to take a break. A long one. Chances are that you are burnt out and that doesn’t change over night. It took an almost year long break from both work and writing to get me over some pretty severe burn out I didn’t even realise I had.
And remember, rest is productive too.
To my readers: how do you figure out if a project has legs without spending too much time writing it? Tell me in the comments ⤵️
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