Can't Finish Your Book? Don't Panic – Use My 5 Basic Writing Hacks for Authors

These Are the Ultimate Writing Tricks to Finalise Your Manuscript 

5 minute read

A couple of weekends ago, I met up with one of my best friends. Let’s call him ‘Jason’ to protect the innocent. Jason and I got chatting over a nice long lunch, as you do. But good old Jason wasn’t himself.

Oh, the Author Is Stuck

“Hey, are you ever going to ask me about my damn book?” he grumbled irritably. “Errr, ok, … : how’s your book coming along, Jase?” I carefully ventured. Now, Jason's been working on his business book for about three years, but I hadn’t seen a single written word that far. So I mostly try and keep quiet on the subject – unless he brings it up.

Life Against Author

Once you’ve started writing your book the hardest part can be finishing it. Life (like becoming a dad, as in Jason's case) tends to get in the way. Confidence crumbles, doubts creep in: what if I actually have nothing worthwhile to say….? And the old faithful, writer’s block, pops up for most authors, too.

Jason has had a full-blown case of the latter since bubba was born four months ago. So that day over lunch, he asked for my advice to “get that bloody book finished!”. Turns out, he has already written about 19,000 words – and they are rather good! Yes, he finally showed me his manuscript that day, and I cannot wait to read the finished book.

Here is what I told Jason:

#1 – Write Often, Write Enough

19,000 words does not a book make (maybe an ebook, but that’s another story). For your book to have the wow factor you desire and make a real impact on your reader you need a minimum word count. And, remember, your final draft manuscript will likely shed some words in the editing rounds.

Therefore, you have to (over)write. And write a lot.

The minimum length for a business book to raise your profile is about 30,000 words. Any less and it will look sad and skinny in its printed version. The average non-fiction book, though, that you may have bought in a bookstore is between 50,000 to 100,000 words long. If you’re still stuck at the 19,000-word mark, you still have a bit of ground to cover.

What you need to do, is to get consistent.

• Pick a writing spot where you feel relaxed
• Switch off all noise and online distractions: no wifi, no phone
• Every day, ideally at the same time, sit down to write
• Even if you have no new ideas, stay put; stick with the routine (the famous authors do)
• Each day, quickly read your work from the previous day, lightly edit or mark up anything that needs revising, then move on to today’s writing goal
• Set yourself an achievable goal of, say 1,000 or 3,000 words per day

Before you know it, your word count is soaring and you have a full first draft manuscript completed – congratulations!

#2 – Write to a Deadline

While it works for many, other writers aren’t really motivated by word count goals. That leaves them a bit at a loose end. To them I recommend: try and write towards a deadline. Jason has a speaking opportunity at an international conference in six months' time and wants to promote his book then.

For him, and anyone writing to a deadline, breaking down the writing schedule into book sections and chapters, plus allocating space in the timeline for research, creating a glossary, dedications, acknowledgements, etc. is essential:

1. Make molehills out of mountains – create a deadline for timeline item
2. Hit that goal – add rewards for deadlines met
3. Repeat

#3 – Writer’s Block? Just Keep Writing!

Writer’s block is rarely about lack of inspiration or knowledge, but much more about fear of not being good enough, saying the wrong thing, and a perfectionist’s way of procrastinating.

The remedy then?

Allow yourself to just enjoy the writing – and to potentially only create an average first or next draft. Most famous authors have areas they are terrible at (e.g. many have research assistants doing the leg work). That’s why they have editors to polish their valuable raw rocks into shiny diamonds.

Only you can offer your unique knowledge, perspective, IP and voice – let the world hear it! Your editor will help you with the rest.

For now, simply get your head down and …. write.

#4 – Write Around Distractions

Now, writing to a schedule is all fine and dandy, but your brain and life will throw you the odd curveball. Distractions are as certain to creep up as the next deadline. “Must not forget to pick up Fran from basketball at 5pm!” your brain might scream at you, right in the middle of crafting a beautiful sentence. Quickly followed by, “oh dear, I forgot to shop for dinner!”

Humans are wired to be distracted. Our minds constantly work away in the background, ask us questions and make us aware of things. Ignoring your own brain only works for so long; you’ll have to give in in the end.

But you can outwit your busy mind:

1. Jot down the things your brain shouts at you and that you must not forget to do later
2. Distractions dealt with, hurrah!
3. Relax back into writing
4. Work on the to-dos in your breaks or when they’re due otherwise

 Author 1 : Distractions 0 … Nice work!

#5 – Don’t Just Write, Hit Refresh

Creativity needs a fresh mind and a hunger for discovery. Working for 8 hours solid on your book manuscript might work on the odd occasion. Generally, though, and when done repeatedly for too long, this produces crappy writing. And a lousy posture and mood besides.

No matter how long your dedicated writing period is each day, you’ll need regular breaks to stay fresh and keep your writing fun and interesting. There’s not much point in you exhausting yourself to the level of hating your own book or writing process, right?

Without you looking after your mind and body, and creating a balance between them, you cannot produce an outstanding book:

• I write (and generally work) in 37-57 minute blocks, then take a 7-17 minute break away from the desk and screens; every four cycles I take a longer break. Why these odd times? Because I love the number seven. It makes me happy. Plus, half an hour is too short to seriously get into the zone and produce a solid chunk of fabulous content.
• No, reading news on your smartphone is not taking a break!
• Instead, walk up and down the stairs; put on the laundry if you’re writing from home, or feed the cat; call a friend to say hi
• Engage with the world, get moving and tick off things from your to-do list to feel good. Get out into nature (even on a dark, rainy day); go to the gym for a longer break and a dose of happiness hormones
• Have proper, healthy meals

Wrapping Up …

After Jason and I talked through my list of tips and ideas to get him through the daunting task of finalising his business book, I sat back.

“So … how do you feel now about completing your manuscript draft, and in time?” I asked him, crossing my fingers under the table, out of his sight.

He thought for a moment or two.

“You know what,” Jason said, “I still feel it’s going to be a bit of a challenge, of course. But … now I know I can live up to being a decent author – and write an excellent book before bub will drive me bonkers!" Happy Jason, happy me …

I made him pay for lunch – and sent him home to his writing desk.

Need help getting your book idea onto the page – and out into the world? Get in touch, let's chat!

About the Author: Daniela Cavalletti is an accomplished copywriter, editor and ghostwriter who heads the international tribe of wordsmiths at Cavalletti Communications ('CavaCom'). They help business owners, authors and brands find their unique voice, boldly stand out and become leaders in their marketplace. A bookworm since the tender age of three, Daniela feels lucky to have spent most of her life as a creative content and communications addict who connects people and makes words work.