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Saturday 17 January 2015

7 Ways to Finish Writing the Book


Richmond, Surrey
I’m lucky to be on the RNA New Writers’ Scheme again this year, and I have to get Book 2 finished. Draft five is underway and I’ve just changed my 18thc main character's ("mc") name to one which suits her perfectly.

Here’s my plan on how to finish writing the book:

1.Work on my manuscript every day (well, of course) 

Scribbling notes about how my mc feels about her father’s death doesn’t count.

2. Exchange chapters with a writing friend (have arranged)

Something that's worked well in the past with this particular friend. We haven’t exchanged work for a few years and I think it will help us both.

3. Don’t get bogged down by research

I still have piles of research books, which I shall use when I need them ONLY.

4. When I get stuck, work on another bit of the book and return later

I shall not abandon my manuscript and wallow in ‘I just can’t write’ self-pity; and suddenly find clearing out the cupboard under the stairs a good idea.

5. Use my spreadsheet outline to plan ahead and monitor how much I’m achieving

If I apply the ‘treat writing like a job’ technique, it seems to work well for me.

6. Set weekly and monthly targets re word count or editing a number of scenes

When I’m drafting new words, to set a word count; and when I’m editing, to set a number of scenes to edit.

7. Keep moving forwards!

When I don't reach my daily target, treat it as a 'one off'' and continue the next day as if I did.

Wishing you a belated Happy New Year, and the best of luck with your writing in 2015! 

One more thing…

I have a new neetsmarketing blog about social media for writers and here’s my first post:

My Beginner’s Guide to Twitter for Writers.

Plus I have fabulous guests to follow on the neetsmarketing blog, including ‘Alison Morton on Twitter’ on 6 February 2015, and ‘The Romaniacs on Blogging and using Social Media as a Group’ on 6 March 2015.

18 comments:

  1. Hi Anita, that is an impressive list of things to keep you on track. I write goals for myself every week, and try to stick to them as much as I can. Good luck with getting your novel finished.

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    1. Thanks very much Maria! Best of luck with your writing in 2015.x

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  2. Excellent advice, Anita. Will try to follow it if I ever get to that stage!

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    1. Thanks Wendy! And for the retweet on Twitter.

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  3. Excellent tips and ones that I should follow, especially number 3.

    Good luck with your new marketing website. x

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    1. Thanks very much Georgina! Oh yes, number 3-research, do tend to get lost in that quite a bit :-) Best of luck with your writing and books in 2015.x

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  4. It looks like a very good plan, Anita - I do hope you achieve all you want to in 2015. And I completely agree about only doing the research you need, when you need it!

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    1. Thanks Rosemary, best wishes to you for a fantastic 2015!x

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  5. Hi Anita, these are great goals and I hope you get to hit all of them this year. Best of luck with the novel and have a fabulous 2015!

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  6. You sound like you are getting on really well with the novel, Anita. I think it's great you've set yourself goals to work towards (I sometimes get very distracted from my longer pieces of work so should probably get more of plan in place too!). Best of luck with it x

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    1. Thanks Vikki, best of luck with your work in progress!

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  7. Spreadsheets and writing don't go well together, at least in my world, but you do have some other good tips here.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Sage. I'm a big fan of using an outline spreadsheet when planning and editing, as it helps me apply a business-like approach to the creative process :-).

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  8. Good luck with no 2. I am working on my 4th or 5th one for the NWS. Not been that serious about it before but this year I am, and intend to complete it this year and send it in.

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    1. Thanks very much Julie! Best of luck with yours too.

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