Easy methods to end your novel sooner: four classes from (nearly) missed writing deadlines
This guest post is from Demi LeJeune. Demi is a science fiction writer of the near and far future mixed with a dash of thriller and lots of character. Its aim is to send readers on what-if escape adventures. Find out more on his website at demilejeune.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter (@DemiAuthor).
How long did you think when you started your novel until it was finished? Have these initially estimated writing deadlines come and gone? More importantly, did you finish your novel during this time?
If the answer is no, don't fret. You're not alone. Like me, you might fear that you will never finish your story in time.
Maybe one day you will lack inspiration. Next time you don't know where your story has to go. You may hesitate or feel low on energy.
You know the struggles all writers go through.
I suffered from these and other problems during the 100-day book program at The Write Practice. And for a while I thought I wasn't going to finish my novel by the deadline.
Let's move on to the end: I finished the second draft of my book on time.
Barely.
But I learned four valuable lessons in combat. Lessons to help you meet deadlines and get through the writing process.
I want to share them with you now so that you can write your finished novel a lot faster than you think possible.
Time is running out to finish your novel
During the 100 day book process, there were several weeks where I published only 1,500 words instead of the 4,000-5,000 words it takes to complete my novel (my novel is about 90,000 words).
A chapter in which I should have written at least three or four.
With less than two weeks until December, I was desperate. I had fourteen more chapters to revise and, in some cases, to write from scratch.
I had only done four chapters a week at my best. I resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't be finished in time.
Then something happened.
I remembered that if I missed my deadline, I would be missing out on the $ 100 100 Day Book Program. Also, a friend sent a check I wrote to a political party that I didn't want my money to go to.
I had also told my daughter, friends, and everyone in the Write Practice community that I was working towards this goal.
I realized that if I pushed myself to write quickly, I could finish in time.
So I made a plan and did what it took to make it happen.
Here's what I learned:
The 4 lessons I learned when I almost failed my book
Nobody likes to waste time writing their novel, and everyone has experienced this feeling – at some point – when they are disappointed in themselves for failing to meet the writing deadlines they set.
But the mess is nice. All of the barriers we face in completing our novel before time is up are increasing.
I learned this firsthand – struggling to meet deadlines that were difficult to meet – and learned four crucial lessons that resulted from almost failing my book.
And still do everything possible to meet my writing deadlines!
Lesson 1: You Can Achieve A Lot More Than You Think
I finished five of fourteen chapters until I got to the last four days before the deadline. For the past four days, I've been dealing with revision, planning, and writing time. On average about ten hours a day.
Line by line, I asserted myself and achieved my goal. It was an act of perseverance that I didn't think was possible until I had to do it.
And to be very clear, I don't recommend waiting until the last minute to write (seriously, get this work sooner).
However, the work of meeting my writing deadlines under the (dwindling) clock has shown me how much time I wasted during my daily writing sessions. How I could force myself to write even when I was feeling low on energy or uninspired – with an end result that still turns out to be pretty good.
As writers, we suffer from writer's block or obstacles that are sometimes inevitable. Life finally happens.
But ask yourself how much could you write if you really pushed yourself to meet your deadlines? What would happen to your writing life if this exertion became a more normal habit?
Would a little more daily discipline help you finish your novel?
It helped me.
You can write more than you think you can in a short period of time. Do not you believe me?
Try it.
Lesson 2: guess your way through story blocks
Do you know the nights when you have to get up early the next morning? If you only have a few hours to rest, are you determined to make the most of it? Of course, you can't fall asleep.
I have had a similar fate with my writing every day.
Although I had no time to waste, I was worried about how to shoot a scene. Should I let my characters do this or that? Or I was paralyzed because the chapter didn't work.
Something was wrong with my story that made me quit.
But because I had an appointment, I had to try something, even if it wasn't perfect for my character, plot, or scene. Since it was no longer an option to sit around and not write, I wrote.
I wrote my best guess about what was going to happen on the scene. Or what could fix it.
"
You'll never finish your novel if you spend every writing session dealing with not-so-perfect scenes. Instead, try to set writing deadlines – and force yourself to meet them. It's okay to have a messy first draft.
And once something was on the page, my brain could see where the problem was. Only then was the solution clear.
Sometimes it took two or three "guesses" to find something that worked.
Making these guesses on a separate document or sheet of paper will keep my manuscript clean instead of being cluttered with unworkable ideas. I strongly recommend keeping your distance from your main manuscript.
This breakup can help you try something new, knowing that if it doesn't work, it can be easily tossed.
I know this sounds simple and obvious. But how often do you stop?
Give yourself permission to “fail” early and often when faced with a story block. Seeing what isn't working is often the fastest way to find out what is happening.
Finally, you cannot edit a scene that does not already exist.
Lesson 3: Lower Your Expectations
On the surface, it sounds like terrible advice to lower the expectation of completing a manuscript. After all, we want our story to shine so that readers will love it.
So we love it.
That is not wrong to want. It's just inconvenient during the early drafts of your story.
If you expect too much from these early drafts, you will inevitably be disappointed if the outcome on the page doesn't live up to your hopes. If you do this, you won't finish your novel. Guaranteed.
This leads to discouragement and more postponement.
And the biggest problem with this is that most writers need these messy drafts before they can write the draft they have in mind. Ideally, a version of their story that turns out even better than they imagined.
There are exceptions to how many drafts it takes to make a publishable novel, but I've found that most writers need at least three drafts to get to a satisfactory end product.
Expect your first draft to be sloppy and full of plot holes to avoid disappointment and falling self-esteem. Especially if you are a newer writer.
Then in your second draft, expect to clean up that structure and fill in some of those holes.
But not all of them.
For example, the first draft of my novel was almost illegible. My revision notes went on for pages, listing holes for action and changes needed.
In my second draft, I fixed most of these problems, but added a few new, if less blatant, ones. I now also realize that my characters are flat and need to be concretized. So I'll address these issues in the third draft.
Make sure you can't do everything in one draft. Making multiple revisions seems like a more time consuming way of writing. In practice, however, this is often faster because it is more efficient to focus on fewer elements with each revision.
That is, this is MY experience. It couldn't be for you
To find out, try this process of working through your first draft quickly, with the expectation of major revisions later. If it doesn't work for you, find out what works.
There is no way to be a writer like there is no way to finish your novel.
But that way, at least your first draft, won't take years that you can't get back – and you could have written your next books.
"
First, meet your writing deadlines. Finish your novel. You can fix any problems in your novel in your second draft.
Lesson 4: Set Deadlines and Consequences
Without a doubt, I would not have pushed myself to meet my deadline had there been no consequences for missing it. Or even if I didn't have a deadline at all.
As I told my daughter (and others) about my manuscript goals, I knew that if I missed, I would have to admit defeat.
The check my friend had ready to send to the political party with which I disagree also spurred me on.
The $ 100 incentive I was going to miss on The Write Practice was another motivator.
I lost more with the work day that I set out to meet my deadline. Even so, these consequences turned out to be just enough leverage to move me to action rather than complacency.
This shows how invaluable the negative consequences of failing to meet deadlines can be, as well as rewards for hard earned work. However, the two together gave me the drive to finish my manuscript.
So don't underestimate the ability to set deadlines and consequences for your writing. It can seem unnecessary or drastic. It may feel like a fluff that you commit to at the beginning, but that you don't enforce if you fail to meet your writing goals.
But as writers, we are often our own worst enemies.
When you have that extra oomph to achieve your goals, you can cut years of writing down to months.
I hope these hard-won lessons help you with your writing goals for the year ahead.
Remember, you can get far more results than you probably think possible. But don't expect your quality to make Shakespeare best from the start.
If you set deadlines and consequences, and then guess your way through difficult situations, you will get to the end much faster.
As the 100 Day Book taught me to finish my novel
Before 2020, I was struggling to complete my creative projects. The years went on and I had nothing to show, although from time to time I worked on my story ideas.
Then, in the spring of last year, I took part in the 100-day book program with The Write Practice. I'm not exaggerating when I say it made all the difference.
The strategies for using deadlines and consequences are built into the 100 day book system. I just followed suit and did my best to keep the Friday deadline every week. I ended those 100 days with a finished first draft.
I rejoined in the fall and despite the difficulties listed above, I now have a finished second draft.
Simple? No.
But it was that simple.
In addition to the deadlines and ramifications of 100 Day Book, I was inspired by the camaraderie of other writers concurrently going through the program. And their helpful reviews were a reward for my hard work.
When I participated in their troubles and realized that I was not alone in my struggles, I reassured myself that I was on the right track.
All of this means that if you are also having difficulty getting your novel out, I cannot recommend the 100 Day Books program.
It gave me the habit of writing consistently and meeting deadlines. These are skills that will serve any writer throughout their career.
Because of this discipline, I finally see the light at the end of my publishing journey. And I know that experience will help me finish many more novels.
I am sure the 100 Day Book can do the same for you.
What obstacles prevented you from finishing your novel? Let us know in the comments.
If you want to write a book, 100 Day Book is the way to go.
Attend our next semester and get the deadlines, ramifications, and team you need to finally get done.
Write your book »
WORK OUT
You can achieve a lot more than you think. And now you can prove it to yourself.
Set a timer for fifteen minutes. Then challenge yourself to write as much as you can. Don't get involved in quality. Remember, initial drafts are meant to be messy, and the goal here is to get the highest word count you can muster.
What should you write Something! Write for free, pull out your work in progress, or write a new story based on this prompt:
The truck had spilled its contents all over the highway.
When you're done, share your exercise letter and word count in the comments below. And be sure to leave feedback for your note-takers!
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