Writing Tips: How to Finish Your Book

You have always wanted to write a book, and now you know what you want to do. You have already started and you are so excited, but it is week two and suddenly the words don't flow quite as easily as they did before and you just feel demotivated and depressed. It seems like you will never get there and soon you convince yourself that this is all fruitless and you put your precious manuscript away. Wake up buddy, writing is hard work and you need to treat it like that. Here are some tips you can use to actually help you finish your project. We will start at the beginning so you can go back and fix those things you should have been doing right from the start.

I would start with reading various books on writing. My favorite is the book "On Writing" by Stephen King. I would go as far as saying this might be his best book ever. He is candid and straightforward and coming from a guy who has published so much, I think I could take his word as gospel when it comes to what excites publishers and what does not, don't you agree? This will probably help you get back your excitement in that period when words just aren't coming anymore.

Now you need to look at your outline, your plot summary and the characters you wanted in your book. Are they real to you and could you continue to write an original take on your particular story line, because believe me, nothing is new anymore. Take some time to work on this outline and discuss it with friends and family who could probably become the best editors you could ever hope for. Keep them updated through out your book and ask for help when you get stuck.

Make sure you see this as a job. This is something you will need to do every day and if inspiration does not come then just use freewrite exercises to get those creative juices flowing again. Get a number and make sure that you write that number of words every day and do not stop until you have finished. Read what you have written out loud without changing it. Put it away in a folder and go back to it after you have finished the book. Then you can start editing.

Just like you have given yourself a word count for daily writing, you need to plan a word count for your completed story. It helps with your plot if you know how many words you are aiming for and will not take you into little sub plots you have no hope of ever escaping from. This is vital to your sanity as well.

Look for a quiet place with a comfortable, well designed chair that you can associate with work and that will automatically place your focus there. Keep the radio and television away from you. Television is a drain on your muse in any case. Make sure that friends and family do not interrupt you while you write, as this will interrupt the flow of thoughts. Let your friends and family know when you are writing, turn off the ringer on your phone and stay away from the Internet while you write.

Do not do more than your planned goal every day unless you feel really inspired and make sure that you do emerge from your self-imposed isolation at least once in two to three hours. Your body needs some rest too and will only improve chances of inspired work after a brisk walk or a set of push-ups.