You started creating a book, short story, life story or memoir, completed a first draft, now don’t know if it’s truly ‘finished’? Even seasoned writers can struggle with this question of when to stop. As well as writing amazing stories (he he!), I run a full-time creative support business. It includes editing, mentoring, teaching, book layouts, and other publishing and creative support for authors and publishers. I’ve recently seen so many clients so utterly stuck with this question, it’s time to speak up and add to my ‘Writing Rockface’ collection of advice. Other blogs in this series include:
- The Filter Word Infection
- The Point-of-View Disorder
- The Over Blight
- The Starting Ache
- The Continue Condition
Definition
The Finish Fright involves fear of finishing a writing project and sending it into the world (in whatever form that might be for the project). Writing is a process consisting of:
- Concept creation
- Drafting – beginning, middle and end
- Structural revision
- Editing
- Testing
- Polishing
- Publication
‘Finishing’ involves the latter five of these steps: structural revision, editing, testing, polishing and publication.
Symptoms
If suffering from Finish Fright, you will tend to keep your writing project(s) safe, silent and still in a drawer or desktop folder, unread and unloved, rather than risk being read and perhaps criticised by strangers, family or friends. However, this also risks wasting all your efforts in writing the project. Since no one will read your carefully crafted words, this will also deprive them of the chance to enrich their lives with your wisdom and/or entertaining creation. You are likely to experience disappointment and develop a feeling of failure that gnaws at you, spoiling your enjoyment of other aspects of life.
Causes
Finish Fright can be caused by a perceived lack of overall quality in a writing project, leading to uncertainty about when and how to share it with others. This can be caused by a lack of relevant reading, creative writing experience, or receiving useful feedback. Perhaps the writer hasn’t taken enough or the right classes on creative writing? Perhaps they’ve never been edited or edited well, or even read? Perhaps they’re reading the wrong type of books?
Luckily, as soon as most of my clients understand the causes of Finish Fright, they usually treat their manuscripts easily enough, or seek out one-on-one help to talk it all through.
Treatment
Assure yourself
This can be achieved by reading more books! You will then be able to correctly perceive the quality of your writing project, and what you might need to do to improve it. Be careful to select modern options in the same genre of your writing – because writing is continually evolving and we write very differently now compared to thirty, fifty, a hundred years ago (for example, see The Filter Word Infection and The Point-Of-View Disorder).
It can also be achieved by taking a creative writing class, which can teach you how to structure, edit and polish your words:
- Does your beginning hook readers? Is it engaging enough for readers to turn the page?
- Does your middle sag? Middles generally involve several shifts:
- from being reactive to proactive,
- from facing old selves to embracing the new,
- there’s also often a shift in stakes.
- Does your ending fulfill promises made to the reader in the beginning?
Your writing project might require structural revisions and editing prior to being shared with others.
Others’ Assurance
It can also be achieved by seeking feedback on your writing from a trusted advisor, someone who will be genuinely constructive and helpful, to make sure your project is ready to be sent into the world and give you the encouragement and editorial feedback you need. This can be a professional editor, or a knowledgeable friend.
This is the ‘testing’ phase of the writing process. Most writers test their work to some degree.
Realistic Achievement
Also, ask yourself: what are you actually trying to achieve with your writing project? Do you want to:
- create something you are proud of, which you can share with a close circle
- see your book on the shelves of a bookstore
- reach readers with your words, print or digital
- sell 10,000 copies
- win a literary prize and receive critical acclaim
- make a full-time living with your writing
- create a body of work you are proud of over your lifetime
- supplement your career or business
If your answer is ‘all of the above’, you’re probably expecting more from your writing than you should!
Look forward
Once you’ve done everything you can to finish your writing, it’s time to put the fright aside and set your words free.
They’ll likely never be as perfect as you want them to be. But at some point, set yourself a deadline, then send it out!
Whether it’s to a publisher, releasing it online, or sharing it with your close circle, sending your ideas into the world will bring it beauty and wisdom!
Then, look forward to the next writing project – not back to the last.
Exceptions
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule.
Sometimes we’re absolutely right about our writing not being ready. In sending it into the world too early, you risk putting off readers for both this project and potential future projects.
So another option is to hold your current project back for now, start a new project, and look at the current one again in a few months.
Just make sure you do set a date to return to and review it, otherwise you will never face your Finish Fright!
Exercise:
Review the list above under ‘Realistic Achievement’. If you could only pick one from the list, which would it be?
Once you’ve made your decision, search online to find an image that represents your end goal, then set it as your desktop background.
Every time you go to advance your writing project, use the image to remind yourself of your goal, and drive your focus.
Questions?
Do you struggle with finishing and releasing your words? Do you have any exceptions to share? Let me know in the comments below! Need writing help? Send me a message!
