Unfinished Work

I feel like, in the writing world, there is this unrealistic expectation of how much finished work a writer should have, especially among those who are not writers and don't realize the challange writing actually is.

When I first started writing, I thought every writer had tons of finished books. Of course, I was only 11 and I didn't know all the ins and outs of writing a book—I still don't. But I feel like we don't often talk about the fact that finishing books is hard.

I feel that sometimes the unrealistic expectation I'd come to know as a child is often pressed upon writers. There can be a push to finish books and sometimes it takes the fun out of writing.

I’m talking to everyone. This is for you, young writers out there, and even the more experienced ones.

I want to dispel any expectations you've come to believe or hear about unfinished work with this blog post.

You do not have to finish every book.

And let me tell you why.

As a young writer, or a writer starting out, you don’t have to finish anything.

If you are a student or anyone young, still trying to find your writing voice, or even someone more experienced, do not feel pressured to finish your books.

Remember, unfinished work isn't bad. It's actually quite the opposite.

Unfinished work is still useful.

Any ounce of writing is helpful.

Especially when you are starting out.

When you write, even something as simple as an essay, it helps you.

Because one, the more you write the more your individual writing voice will come out. And two, the more you write, the more you will be able to write and the better your skills will get.

Yes, I’ve talked about this before because it’s so important.

Any writing, whether it’s bad writing or good writing is good for you, because you can learn from it.

From the bad, you can learn what not to do. From the good, you can learn what you should do and what you're capable of, as well as how to make it even better.

Now that we understand unfinished work is still useful, let's talk about writing a book.

Don’t write a book to finish it.

I know we all get to a certain point in a book when finishing it becomes the thing we are most focused on. That’s actually great. If we have the goal to singularly finish the first draft, not worrying as much about skill or writing style, but more about the story, we get it done.

This is beneficial and it helps us finish our writing, especially if it’s only the first draft.

But if you start a book and your number 1 goal from the beginning is to finish it, how is writing that book going to go?

This cannot be your only goal. If finishing a book is your only goal, you should not be writing that particular book.

When writing a book, you should want to write it. You should have the desire to write the book because you want to bring that story to life. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy the process at times, you should want to write the plot.

If you are only writing the book to finish it, you aren’t going to be inspired. Your writing could turn out flat.

Yes, if one of your goals is to finish the first draft, just finish it, that is good.

But if your only goal for the book is to get it done, then that book isn't going to turn out very well, is it?

It's not always a bad thing to start something new.

I know many writers, including me, have this bug: the "new project syndrome" or whatever you want to call it. Our brain gives us ideas for new books while we're busy working on one—or multiple—already.

Some people will tell you to ignore that and finish what you're working on, but I disagree.

You want to write what inspires you.

Sometimes, the best way to do that is to start a new project.

It may result in unfinished books, but you can always come back to those later.

The biggest way to write well, is to be passionate about what you are writing. That is where the good plots and characters come from and where writer's block is more distant.

Sometimes, what you are working on can get boring and the best way to solve this can be to start working on something that inspires you.

I do this all the time.

Don't feel guilty for having a million ideas at once and not being able to finish them all because that's better than having no ideas at all and one finished book.

Don't feel like because you haven't finished a book you aren't a good writer.

Most writers don't finish a book until they're furthur into writing and more experienced.

Why?

Because it's hard.

Finishing books isn't a piece of cake.

I struggle with this all the time.

Don't let anyone make you feel guilty or not as good because you can't seem to write the end of your stories.

All writers struggle with this. It's not abnormal to have trouble completing work.

Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and remember that any writing, finished or not, is good for you. It both helps you practice and helps you learn.

You guys, it is completely normal to have trouble finishing work. I do, and most writers do as well. You are still good writers. Read those words again:

You are still good writers.

And hey, don't forget to celebrate when you finish anything! Even if you finish a chapter. Celebrate! It's hard to write. Make sure to allow yourself to have those little victories.

I hope you all enjoyed today's blog post. If you have any questions, just contact me below.

Happy writing!

-Jocelyn