Can’t Finish Writing Projects? Here’s What That’s Really About
Maybe you have multiple novels written to 90% on your hard drive. Maybe you get stuck at the halfway point. Or—you have a magnum opus that’s been in progress for 10+ years.
And when you do finish a project, you may notice your pace slows just before the final stretch.
What’s that about?
Any time you feel frustration or resistance in life (or writing), it’s because you are a “house divided.” There are multiple parts of you with competing objectives.
In the case of finishing writing projects—your subconscious is smart! It knows what (often) comes next.
Feedback.
Criticism.
Rejection.
Failure.
No wonder it delays.
On top of that, completing a project means severing the intimacy you have with the story. It’s like being on a beautiful vacation and not wanting to leave. Revisions simply aren't the same as the act of creation.
Nervous System Regulation
When I'm finishing a big project, I like to take myself out for a treat. Maybe my favorite coffee and pastry.
To honor that moment as sacred.
This regulates my nervous system, as well as allowing me to transition into the next phase with the project.
Start With Small Wins
For those who chronically don’t finish, something else I recommend is practicing with writing very short stories.
This forces you to practice the writing mechanics of character and plot resolution (something else you may subconsciously resist).
It also lays neural pathways of completion, which creates motivation and muscle memory.
And, you can always expand these stories into longer pieces.
