Finishing a novel is no easy feat. Many aspiring authors start out energized, crafting elaborate outlines and writing page after page. But when the initial excitement wears off, the hard work sets in. Before you know it, you’re staring at a half-finished manuscript that seems destined to collect virtual dust in your documents folder.

If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Perfectionism, procrastination, and plain old writer’s block often derail writers on the home stretch. But there is a proven trick that can get you back on track to typing those magical words “The End.”

Break Your Novel Down into Mini Milestones

When you first set out to write a book, the mammoth task of completing an 80,000+ word novel can seem daunting. That’s why the key is to break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Aim to set firm weekly word count goals that you can realistically achieve. For example, 1,000 words per week will get you a complete first draft in about a year and a half. Bump it up to 2,000 words per week and you could be done in less than a year.

If a set weekly goal still seems overwhelming, break it down even further into daily targets. 500 words per day will get you a good chunk of writing done.

The important thing is to quantify your progress so you have concrete mini milestones to work towards. Celebrate hitting each milestone before moving onto the next one.

Outline Thoroughly Before Writing

It may be tempting to jump right into writing pages when inspiration strikes. But having a crystal clear outline mapping out your entire story will make the writing process infinitely easier.

Take the time upfront to detail your characters, brainstorm plot points, and structure your chapters. Make sure you know exactly what major events need to transpire to get your characters from point A to point Z.

With an outline guiding you, you’ll waste less time staring at the blinking cursor wondering what should happen next. When you sit down to write, you’ll simply be filling in the details for scenes and chapters you’ve already mapped out on a high level.

Commit to a Consistent Writing Schedule

Sporadic writing in quick bursts is far less effective than sticking to a regular schedule. Figure out what times you are most productive and inspired, and dedicate those times solely to writing.

Ideal times may be first thing in the morning before your brain gets cluttered with the day’s events, or late at night when the house is quiet and distractions are low. Schedule your writing session on your calendar and treat it as seriously as you would a meeting.

Once it becomes a habit, the inertia will help propel you forward during the slog of the middle chapters. Even if you can only spare an hour a day, consistency is key.

Set a Firm Deadline

Nothing lights a fire under your writer’s butt quite like an impending deadline. When you have a set date the book must be finished by, you’re much more motivated to get it done.

Avoid vague targets like “sometime this year.” Instead, pick a firm end date maybe 3-6 months out. Enlist someone to hold you accountable to the deadline if possible.

Use backward planning to map out intermediate milestones leading up to your due date. Identify high-level tasks and estimate how long each will take. Build these major tasks, with padding for the unexpected, into your timeline.

The time pressure will force you to focus and make progress steadily, avoiding long gaps between writing sessions. Use tools like deadline countdown timers to stay on track.

Write With Other People

Writing alone means hitting walls of procrastination with no one there to give you a push. That’s why writing with others provides built-in accountability.

Set up regular co-writing sessions with a writing partner or group. Meet at a cafe or library and commit to staying for a set time period. Or form an online group that checks in daily or weekly on word count goals and helps brainstorm plot dilemmas.

Even when you’re not actively writing together, knowing you’ll have to report in on progress will spur you to put in the time solo. Having people to reach out to when motivation lags can help re-energize you.

Mix Up Your Writing Environment

Too much time in your regular workspace can breed procrastination. The same old desk where you surf social media and pay bills might not get your creative juices flowing.

Try writing from different settings like a cozy chair at the library, a quiet park, or a sunny cafe patio. Use your laptop’s mobility to your advantage.

Or create a separate writing space, like a spare room or corner desk solely dedicated to your craft. Decorate it with inspiring quotes, books, and objects related to your novel to get you into a writing headspace.

A new environment can help stimulate your senses and provide a change of scenery when you’re stuck in a rut.

Set a Pomodoro Timer

The Pomodoro technique uses a timer to break down work into focused 25-minute chunks separated by short breaks. This timed method trains your brain to focus for short bursts on a single task.

Set a timer for 25 minutes, put your hands on the keyboard, and start writing. Ignore everything else vying for your attention. When the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break to stretch and clear your head before the next 25-minute interval.

After every few sessions, take a longer 15-20 minute break to recharge. The forced intervals help boost your productivity and regular breaks prevent mental burnout.

Celebrate Small Wins

Setting mini milestones is useful, but remember to celebrate actually achieving them too. Everyone needs motivation to keep chipping away at a monumental task.

Go out for dinner after finishing a chapter, buy yourself a gift for hitting a word count milestone, or post an update on social media. Take a moment to be proud of your progress before diving into the next writing session.

Having small rewards to look forward to will give you mini boosts of dopamine to stay motivated. Mark major milestones by doing something bigger like taking a weekend trip.

Staying disciplined through the long slog of writing a book isn’t easy, but having the right strategies can help you power through. Stop viewing your novel as an enormous, unattainable goal. Break it down into bite-sized pieces and tackle them one by one. Soon, you’ll be motivated by your mounting progress rather than paralyzed by the scale of the task.

Keep your eyes on the prize and take it one word, one paragraph, one chapter at a time. Before you know it, you’ll be typing “The End” and holding the completed first draft of your novel in your hands.