4 Common Myths Aspiring Authors Face When Struggling to Finish Their Manuscript
4 Common Myths Aspiring Authors Face When Struggling to Finish Their Manuscript
Writing a book is an incredible journey, but it’s not without its challenges. As a book coach to well over 100 published authors, I’ve seen many aspiring authors struggle to get their manuscripts over the finish line. Here are four common myths that hoodwinked me before I published my first book, and the truths I discovered that helped me overcome them.
1. I Will Finish My Book if I Work Harder
If you’re a new writer, telling yourself to ‘work harder’ or ‘don’t be lazy’ is TERRIBLE advice. Here’s why:
Telling yourself to work harder might get your ass in the chair on day one, but if you miss a few days, it turns into a guilty project. Then, your book becomes this BIG THING you’ve got to do. Like any hard task, you’ll procrastinate, put it off, and forget about it.
Yes, writing a first draft is tough, but don’t make it harder than necessary. Once I discovered telling myself to “work harder” wasn’t helping me write and would never help me write, I found a solution that helped me get better results.
Instead of “working harder,” focus on building a consistent writing habit. Set small, manageable goals and celebrate your progress. Remember, it’s about steady progress, not heroic efforts.
2. I Should Write Different Things at Once
Social media posts, blog posts, essays, articles, newsletters — there are so many exciting creative writing ideas to explore. Often, new writers work on different writing projects and struggle to organize their ideas. That’s fine if you’re Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, or a pro author who has been at this for over 10 years, but it’s a mistake when you’re starting.
Here’s why: When you switch from one project to the next, it takes between 20% and 40% of your creative energy to associate yourself with your new creative project.
It gets worse 🙁
Because you’re getting distracted and working on multiple projects, you’ll delay finishing your book. You’ll postpone the feeling of accomplishment that comes when you publish your first book. This feeling is an essential reward if you’re finding it challenging to create a writing routine that lasts.
To avoid this pitfall, commit to one main project at a time. Finish your manuscript first, then move on to other writing endeavors.
3. Good Writers Work Only When Inspired
If you wait all day for inspiration to strike, what will you do if nothing happens?
A novice athlete who wants to run 26.2 miles for the first time can’t turn up on marathon day and expect to finish the race. They have to train when they don’t want to, practice when they are tired, and squeeze their sessions into their otherwise busy weeks. They have to practice like a professional.
When you turn up before a blank page, it takes precious creative time to warm up and figure out what you’re trying to say. And if you haven’t practiced writing in days or weeks, it’ll take even longer.
Look, inspiration is nice. There’s nothing better than sitting in front of a blank page with a hot idea and an urge to write your book. But if you wait all day for an idea and inspiration to strike, what will you do if nothing comes? Will you wait till tomorrow, next week, or next month for inspiration to tap you on the shoulder and say, ‘Hey, it’s time to write?’
Because that’s a sure-fire way never to finish your book. Believe me, I’ve been there.
Instead, develop a writing routine. Write every day, even when you don’t feel inspired. Over time, you’ll find that inspiration often follows the act of writing.
4. I Can Write a Book on the Weekends
I discovered that waiting until the weekend to write messed up my output. If I missed a weekend writing session, it’d be another week before I could progress my draft.
Sure, there’ll be the inevitable Saturday morning when I’d write for two or even three hours, produce 1000 great words, and say, “That was a morning well spent.” But more often than not, I was putting 7, 14, or even 21 days between good writing sessions.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait that long to finish what I started, so I changed how and when I write.
Good writing demands consistency. Instead, I tried writing a little EVERY DAY to get into the rhythm and momentum of writing a book.
By writing consistently, you maintain your momentum and stay connected to your story. Even if it’s just 200 words a day, that consistency will build up over time and get you to the finish line.
If you need the support of other writers, reply to this email, and I’ll tell you about an affordable community I’m launching this month. Together, we can bust these myths and get your manuscript finished! Give me a connect at SkinnyBrownDogMedia.com
Eric G Reid
Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder Skinny Brown Dog Media
