Finishing a draft is a milestone many new writers never reach. Not because they lack talent, but because finishing requires stamina, stubbornness, and the ability to ignore the seductive whispers of New Story Ideas that show up precisely when your current project becomes difficult.
The middle of a manuscript is a swamp. The ending feels miles away. Your plot makes no sense, your characters are sulking, and you’ve accidentally given three different people the same name. This is normal.
The trick is simple: keep going, even when the writing feels awful. Remind yourself that no draft is wasted. Even a messy, incoherent draft teaches you structure, pacing, and persistence. And once you finish, you gain something more valuable than perfection: momentum.
Set a deadline. Bribe yourself with snacks. Tell friends you’re “nearly done” so pride forces you to follow through.
When you finally reach the end, whether with applause or exhaustion: celebrate. Finishing is rare. Finishing is brave. Finishing is what turns hobbyists into writers.
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