Do These Things In 2024 To Finish Your Novel

We're now halfway through February and by now most of us have abandoned those New Year's resolutions and have begun muttering the phrase "I'll try again next year."

If your goal for 2024 is to write a novel there is still time for you to complete it.

However, just like you blinked and suddenly found yourself in the middle of February the next time you do it will be the middle of June and then in an instant, the fireworks and champagne will be out to welcome the next year. You'll be sitting there scratching your head wondering where all the time went and that you'll do better to write that novel next year.

Isn't that exactly what you did last year?

Let's fix that and make this the year you complete your novel.

Let It Take Up Physical Space

You've heard the phrase out of sight out of mind before, right?

Well, this is true for the idea of writing a novel.

Don't let it just sit in a dark corner in your mind where you only think about it every once in a while.

Make it front and center in your life.

Write your ideas down on a Post-it note, and make it the background image of your phone or your computer. Make playlists that match the feel of it.

You can even replace one of those picture frames on your desk with images that remind you of your novel. I'm sure your family will be only slightly offended and you're dog won't know.

Make your novel idea more than an idea, give it a physical place to live outside of your head so that you have a constant reminder to work on it.

Use That Notebook

I know you have a secret hoard of notebooks you've been waiting for a special occasion to use.

Now is that time.

Take one of those notebooks, or go out and buy one. This doesn't have to be an expensive one, you can get a notebook for less than a dollar if you shop the back-to-school sales.

Write in big letters, either on the front cover or the first page, a working title for your novel. Then fill that notebook with everything you know about it.

This isn't an outline, but there will be plenty of pages for you to make one if you choose.

This is a place where you put all those thoughts about your novel from the most random things such as your character's favorite foods, their likes and dislikes, what their childhood was like… etc.

You may never use most of the information that's in this notebook, but it will give you a place to start to bring your characters and your novel to life.

Keep this notebook on you wherever you go, pull it out of your bag or your pocket instead of reaching for your phone when you have downtime.

This will make it so that when it's time to write you'll know what you're writing and you'll be able to make the most of those sessions.

Just Start

Stop waiting for the stars to align or for a special creative fairy godmother to come bop you on the head with a story idea or the inspiration to write.

The hardest part of writing a novel is starting.

Once you put those first few words down on paper (or screen) the goal to write a novel becomes much more achievable.

If you have an idea for a novel in your mind right now open up a new document in your notes app, or grab a piece of paper and write something down about your novel.

This could be just the idea of it or everything you know about it, but you'll be making the first step and then the rest of it… well, it will still have its ups and downs.

But you can't unstart the race so you might as well keep heading towards the finish line

Go get to writing.

With love,

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints most days at 10:00 pm EST

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