More than 80% of Americans say they want to write a book. According to a survey of 2,000 aspiring writers, over half claim they already have a great idea for a novel. But here’s the catch: only 15% have actually started writing. Just 6% make it halfway through, and only 8% reach the finish line.
Pretty wild, right? But here’s the good news: you can be one of those rare few who actually get to the end. To help you push through procrastination, writer’s block, and all the chaos of finishing a manuscript, we’ve put together a list of practical (and sometimes a little unexpected) tips. Let’s dive in!
Tip 1. Accept that your first draft will be garbage
Maybe even the second one, too. And that’s okay. Chasing perfection from the start only slows you down and kills momentum.
Most writers will tell you the same story: their first draft was a total mess. There’s the wrong POV, clumsy dialogue, chaotic worldbuilding, and characters who didn’t even survive the rewrite. And yet, that messy draft was the stepping stone to the book they’re proud of today.
Tip 2. Don’t lock yourself into a daily word count
We are not all Stephen King, who writes up to 2,000 words per day. It’s tempting to think, I’ll write 60,000 words in two months. That’s only 1,000 words a day — simple enough.
In reality, it rarely works that way. Unless you’re exceptionally disciplined (and if you are, you probably don’t need this advice), such strict goals often set you up for frustration.
At first, you might easily reach or even exceed that daily target. But soon, the pressure builds, the excitement fades, and the very thought of opening your laptop feels discouraging. That’s not a healthy or sustainable approach.
So, what’s a better alternative?
Tip 3. Instead, commit to writing at least one word every day
Literally one word. It also could be a sentence, a paragraph, or even just a single pronoun tapped into your phone before bed, but do it every day.
The truth is, you’ll rarely stop at just one word. Most of the time, once you start, you’ll keep going and write more. Track that progress, no matter how small. When you see a long streak of writing days piling up, you’ll feel less inclined to break the chain.
Give it a little time, and your writing engine will warm up and start gaining momentum — faster than you expect.
Tip 4. Outline your plot at least a little
George R.R. Martin once said there are two kinds of writers: architects and gardeners. Architects plan everything in advance, blueprinting every detail before they begin. Gardeners, on the other hand, plant a seed and see what grows.
But here’s the thing: many writers start out convinced they belong to the first group… until they hit the dreaded middle of the book. They know the ending, maybe even a few key scenes, but the path between them? Total blank. Does it sound familiar?
That’s when even the most “free” writers often realize the value of a simple plan. It doesn’t have to be complicated: a single page in a Google Doc with a rough estimate of chapters and a short note on what happens in each can be enough to keep the story moving.
The truth is, real art isn’t just chaos, flow, and hardcore passion. Structure doesn’t make you less of an artist. And the best part? A plan is never permanent — you can always change it or toss it out the window.
Tip 5. Tell people you’re writing a book
Share it on social media, for example. By doing so, you’re making a kind of promise to your audience that one day they’ll get to read your book.
Don’t be afraid to post about your writing journey, the ups and downs, or even the funny quirks of being a writer. Even if you put the project aside for a few months or crawl along at a snail’s pace, it doesn’t matter. Everyone has their own rhythm, and sharing your progress helps keep you connected and accountable.
Plus, there’s a hidden bonus: showing those behind-the-scenes moments is actually a smart book marketing strategy. It builds curiosity, grows your visibility, and helps you gather an audience of future readers long before your book even hits the shelves.
Tip 6. Look at book covers
Seriously. Open Pinterest, type in your genre + “book cover design,” and start scrolling. This not only helps gather references for a future cover but can also spark fresh inspiration.
Many writers find that simply browsing cover designs unlocks new story ideas, sometimes even entire plot twists. It’s a surprisingly effective trick that comes up again and again in writing advice.
And honestly, Pinterest in general is a goldmine of inspiration, no matter what stage of the process you’re in. By the way, Miblart also has its own board where fresh covers across different genres are posted regularly. You can subscribe to it here.
Tip 7. Try group writing sessions
For many writers, joining a group session can be a real productivity boost. When you’re sitting in a room with others typing away, it feels harder to waste time, especially if you’ve hauled your laptop across town just to be there. The shared focus and accountability often push people to get words on the page.
Another option: YouTube. There are tons of immersive writing session videos with atmospheric music, and sometimes even live streams. They usually run for an hour or two, and they can be surprisingly motivating to write along with.
For example, a writer and writing coach, Abbie Emmons has a full list of such sessions on her YouTube channel.
Tip 8. Share your manuscript with beta readers when you’re 80–90% done
When writers are close to finishing — just a couple of chapters or scenes away — procrastination often hits hardest. At the same time, the next stages of publishing are waiting: editing, proofreading, and polishing.
That’s the perfect moment to send the draft to a few trusted beta readers. Their feedback, comments, and even funny notes can give you a fresh burst of motivation. Many writers find that reading through those reactions flips a switch. Suddenly, the writing speeds up, and they finish the manuscript long before the betas reach the final page.
Oh, and by the way, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how to work with beta readers effectively. It’s packed with tips to help you get the most out of their feedback.
Tip 9. Don’t compare yourself to other writers
So what if he writes a book a year, and she manages three? Did we all secretly sign up for some mandatory writer’s marathon that no one told you about?
The truth is, writing a book can take a year, two years, or even half a lifetime, and that doesn’t make anyone a better or worse author. Everyone’s journey looks different, and that’s perfectly fine.
Tip 10. Talk through your book out loud
If you’re stuck, try explaining your story to someone else, or even just talking it out to yourself. There’s something about speaking the words aloud that kicks your brain into gear. As you ramble, new ideas and solutions often pop up on their own.
Just don’t forget the most essential step: write those ideas down before they vanish.
Tip 11. Write scenes out of order
Sometimes the story refuses to move forward step by step, with events flowing neatly one after another. When that happens, forget it. Write the scenes you can clearly picture in your head, even if you don’t yet know exactly where they’ll fit.
Think of them as anchor points on the canvas of your manuscript. Later, you’ll connect those dots and fill in the spaces between them.
Summing up
Finishing a book is no easy task, but it’s absolutely possible. Remember, you don’t have to be in the 92% who give up along the way. With the right mindset and a few practical habits, you can make it to the last page.
Here’s a quick recap of the tips:
- Accept that your first draft will be messy
- Don’t set rigid daily word counts
- Write at least one word every day
- Outline your plot (even minimally)
- Tell people you’re writing a book
- Look at book covers for inspiration
- Try group writing sessions
- Share your draft with beta readers before the end
- Don’t compare yourself to other writers
- Talk through your story out loud
- Write scenes out of order
Stay consistent, experiment with what works for you, and most importantly — keep writing. Because the only way to finish a book is to keep moving forward, one word at a time.
Which tip did you like the most? And what other tricks have worked for you? Share them in the comments!
