The Great Writing Mirage: Turning Half-Finished Fantasies into Realized Masterpieces
The writer's pain: Unfinished writing projects. The gain: A solid way to complete every writing project--read on and learn the secret
When I'm all puffed up with a tremendous new story idea, I dash to my keyboard, my mind packed with rainbows, inspiration, and that sweet dopamine hit of typing the first sentence. You know, the one that makes you feel like the literary lovechild of Hemingway and Austen.
And then I might stare at the typing and go blank. Like Barton Fink of Coen brothers renown. Days pass. The once-brilliant idea now stares at you from your drafts like a judgmental ex. What the heck?
Well, my writing colleague, what happened is inconsistent writing habits, the writing equivalent of signing up for a gym membership in January and ghosting it by Valentine’s Day. But fear not—I have the cure, and it doesn’t involve sacrificing your social life or your sanity.
Develop a sustainable writing routine with a tiny sprinkling of discipline. If your half-finished projects multiply like rabbits, a routine is the way to finally put a ring on—err, finish—your manuscripts.
The problem: Writing in spurts (or the lure of impulse)
I might once have awakened at 3 a.m. with a divine idea. Fueled by coffee and hubris, I wrote for five hours straight. And stopped for a nap. For days. Maybe weeks. When I finally revisited the project, I had forgotten my main character’s name, the plot’s purpose, and why I ever thought I should be a writer.
This on-again, off-again relationship with our craft is unproductive and downright cruel to creativity. Writing in spurts is like trying to build a house by laying a brick occasionally. By the time you’re done, the early bricks have weathered so much they’re ready to crumble.
The solution: Commit to your writing, don’t ghost it
Consistency, not obsession, is the key here. A sustainable writing routine is the difference between being a writer and someone who "has an idea" for a book or story. You don’t need to write for hours every day to make progress. You just need to write regularly. Even if it’s 15 minutes a day, that’s 91 hours a year—and believe me, your writing career will thank you.
To make it happen, I have to set realistic goals and forget the delusions of cranking out 5,000 words a day. I aim for something manageable, like 300 words. That’s one page. You can write one page, right?
Then, create a writing schedule once you identify your golden hours. For me, it’s early mornings with a cup of green tea—you might prefer late nights when the world is quiet. Either way, it has to be non-negotiable. Pencil it in like it’s a hot date.
Rituals help—hey, humans have glommed onto rituals since the dawn of time. Writing rituals are like foreplay for your creativity. Light a candle, put on a playlist, or brew a cup of your favorite coffee. The brain loves cues, and these rituals signal it’s time to get down to business.
Ban perfectionism; the number one killer of creativity is the obsessive need to make every sentence flawless on the first try. Spoiler alert: No first draft is perfect. Messy is inventive. Clean up the chaos later.
Celebrate your little successes. Finished a chapter? Reward yourself! Whether it’s a piece of cake or a guilt-free Netflix binge, celebrating small wins keeps the momentum going and gives you a logical respite.
The inevitable writing reward: Completed projects that earn revenue and don’t haunt you
When I authentically embraced a sustainable routine, I witnessed magic. Consistent progress. My stories took shape, and my writing voice evolved shape. I went from constantly telling my peers, "Oh, I'm developing something," to bragging, “I just finished another final draft.”
Sidebar—there are lots of mental health benefits that translate into real life. Writing consistently reduces the anxiety of looming deadlines and helps you build confidence. You’ll no longer live in fear of the dreaded question: “How’s that project coming along?” You've heard it, right? From clients, co-writers, and family members make it clear that no sane, mature person relies on scribbling for their livelihood. Balderdash, I say.
Out of chaos and angst comes consistent success and earnings
Writing doesn’t have to feel like chasing a mirage. Committing to a sustainable routine means you’ll finish every project on time and enjoy the process more. Ditch the spurts, embrace the steady flow, and turn your half-finished fantasies into polished realities. The next time inspiration strikes at 3 a.m., jot it down, go back to sleep, and tackle it in your regular writing time. There's no downside.
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I don’t drink coffee, but I’d sure love a cup of good green tea.
This is so good Maryan. I can relate to 3am surges and digital piles of unfinished files.
Not writing for pay, I have somewhat of a different sense. The backlog of unfinished work is like yummy food in the fridge with no expiration date. Waiting for my appetite to return for just the right leftover to finish. No pressure.
While writing discipline or rhythm is great, I don’t push it. When it flows ride it. When not so much, go do something else. Once again, this sensibility may be luxury of a passion writer not attempting to make a business out of it.
I have several projects going, plus volunteering at a food bank, cleaning up my son's many years of unkept yard work, plus the story of my life for my children and grandchildren. Also reading too many writings of other people on substack.com. Some of those may have to go since I read slowly to catch the meaning of what is written.