Finishing Your Almost-Finished Novel: A Guide for Writers

Once you're almost finished with a novel, you might be tempted to abandon it, especially if you feel it is not up to par. However, finishing your novel can be a valuable experience that opens up numerous opportunities for growth and improvement. In this article, we will explore the benefits of completing your novel and walk you through the process of modifying your approach to ensure its quality.

Why Finish the Novel?

Deciding whether to push through to the end of your novel can be a challenging decision, especially when you begin to doubt its quality. Here are some considerations to help you make a more informed decision:

Learning Experience

Completing a novel provides invaluable experience that can only be gained through the writing process. Even if you feel that this particular work is not your best, every piece of writing helps you enhance your skills. This novel might provide the necessary push to refine your technique, refine your narrative voice, and expand your storytelling abilities.

Revising Potential

A first draft is not a final draft. Finishing the novel gives you a complete manuscript to revise. Sometimes, ideas that seem weak can be transformed into powerful narratives during the editing process. Consider the story of Jane Austen. She went through numerous revisions to refine her works, and those revisions often resulted in timeless classics.

Closure

Finishing the novel can provide a sense of closure, allowing you to move on to new projects. Without the lingering feeling of an unfinished task, you can focus on fresh ideas and creative challenges. Closure can also be a mental milestone that helps you gain confidence in your writing abilities.

Feedback Opportunity

Once your novel is complete, you can share it with others for feedback. Readers may provide insights that you might have missed. Constructive criticism from others can help you identify areas for improvement and gain a fresh perspective on your work. This feedback is invaluable for honing your craft and ensuring that your novel reaches its full potential.

Personal Satisfaction

Finishing a novel can bring you joy or satisfaction, which is a strong motivator in itself. If the process of completing your novel brings you happiness, that alone can be a compelling reason to finish it. Personal satisfaction can be a powerful driving force that keeps you motivated even when you face doubts and challenges.

Understanding the Writing Process

It's important to recognize that writing is an iterative process. You've already completed the hardest part – recognizing that changes are required. As soon as you reach the end, the real work of transforming your draft into a polished piece of writing begins.

Did you know that the average book undergoes at least 9 full rewrites? These rewrites don't just involve changing a few words; they involve a complete reevaluation of the story, from the beginning to the end. This means reordering scenes, revealing hints earlier, saving crucial details for later, and making substantial changes to characters and their arcs. This process is crucial for refining your narrative and ensuring that each element supports the overall story.

When to Let Go

It's also important to recognize when it's time to let go. If after completing a couple of full rewrites you still feel that your novel is not good, it might be time for a proper burial. Some works are destined to remain in the waiting room, collecting dust on the shelf. There's no shame in moving a work-in-progress to the waiting room. Sometimes, the stories just won't come together, and it's wise to prioritize your creative efforts on projects with greater potential.

Remember, the writing process is not linear, and not every project will succeed. The key is to invest your time and energy in the projects that feel the most rewarding and that you can make better through revision and dedication.