When to stop writing your book

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How do you know when you should walk away from a project? There is no one answer for every writer. But there are some basic "gates" you should think about before you give up on a story. 

I always know the first line of a book. The idea will have germinated in my mind for a few weeks, and then “BAM!” The first line falls into my fingers. It’s about the only magical thing that happens in my writing process.

An outline with beats flows out of the first line. I never have all the beats, but the main skeleton gives me a structure to put all my words on.  

I’ve written seven books. I can only think of two or three ideas that didn’t make it past the first chapter. That’s the “tell” for me. If I can’t get the first three scenes on the page, then the book will not work.  

cottonbro

How do I know if a book will work? It’s an odd paradox since I dislike finishing things. Like the last cookie in the jar, the last book in a series, and the last episodes of a show I love. I make up my own endings. In writing, I finish. Every time. If I’ve gotten past the first chapter, I’m off to the races.  

Where are you in the book when you decide to leave it? The beginning or the middle? Almost no one chucks a project in file thirteen when they are past the Act II hump. Because new ideas are always out there, it's easy to fall in love with a new concept. Don’t let your heart lead you astray. Finish your book.  

Are you up against an unforeseen problem? Something you never saw coming? If so, take a few days to see if you can brainstorm past it. For me, skipping a scene and moving on cuts off the movie in my head. I write chronologically even though I’ll probably reorder scenes during editing. So, fix the issue. Finish your book. 

Did you get criticism? A low contest score? A critique that hurt? Wallow for a day, and then get back to it. There is a reader for your work. I promise you. Have your pity party, eat ice cream, watch movies and curse the earth. Then move on. Finish your book. 

If it’s your first book, finish the book. There is so much to be learned from finishing. Writers write. Give yourself the gift of getting all the way through a project. No matter what you think of it, finish the book. 

Sometimes you should walk away. Is the concept not working? Example. If I’m writing fantasy and I keep wanting to murder a few people, that’s a concept issue. Hey, murder mysteries with dragons, fairies and vampires. Why not? You could finish it out, but maybe you 're writing the wrong book? Walk away and leave it for another time.  

Dane Deaner

Are you working with an industry professional who gave you advice? Maybe you sent in the first couple of chapters and a working synopsis. The agent isn’t pleased. They get paid to sell your stuff. If you believe in the project, finish it on your own time. Most of us want to get paid. Time is precious. Maximize it by giving your readers something to buy. 

I’ve known writers who never finish. They have twelve books with only the first three chapters and a synopsis written. These writers panic when an agent or editor asks for the full book. When you’ve sold, you can start sending submissions in the early stages of writing. But young writers need to have their ducks in a row. Finish the book. 

You’ll run up against problems. The book has ideas you didn’t know about. There is no problem with stepping back and letting it percolate. What you want to avoid is never getting back to your project. You can’t edit what you don’t write. Please finish the book. 

Are there times you have trouble finishing your writing project? I would love to hear from you.