The 5 Steps to Getting Unstuck:

How to Finish Writing Your Book When the End Is Not Near

by Corey Radman

Beginnings can be fun, especially with creative projects. You’ve got a killer idea and a burst of fresh vigor. You’re tippety-typing away, contentedly creating. Somewhere towards the middle, your flow bogs down and you don’t know what to do with this ball of knots you’ve made. It’s a common problem—especially for “pantsers.”

What’s a Pantser?

In the writing world, there are generally two ways to approach a new project: outline it (my fav) or follow your whims—write by the seat of your pants—and see what happens. In fiction, the pantser is contrasted with a plotter. Because my specialty is non-fiction writing and editing, I’m talking about outlines for the types of self-development, biography, and business books I work on.

Neither approach is right nor wrong; both have drawbacks and advantages. An outlined book can feel a little predictable and stodgy while a whim-driven one zags where readers expect a zig, which can be exciting. An outline helps the writer (and the reader) follow a logical line of reasoning. A pantsed book—especially a non-fiction one—can become labyrinthian with circular tangents and fragmented arguments. Writers need to be aware of their style so that they can avoid the common pitfalls.

Either way, once you’ve gotten to a stuck spot, the solutions are the same. In fact, this general approach works no matter what your creative medium is. Painting, sewing, auto repair… when baffled, pull out these steps and follow them.

The 5 Steps to Getting Un-Stuck

1.        Walk away. Take a break from your misery. Frustrated energy will not yield a happy text. Set a deadline to return, and when you come back…

2.        Break the book (or project) into its parts and analyze. Yes, I’m suggesting a mid-book outline of sorts. Write down a shorthand version of each chunk, then look at it from a high level.

o   Does this line of reasoning point the reader in the correct direction?

o   Does this organization lend itself to easy absorption—if you had to teach it to a group of 12-year-olds, is this how you would approach it? Often the simplest explanation is the best one.

o   Is there a part that you love but does not lead readers in the best direction for the message? Cut it.

o   If you explain the concept to your friend (or your dog), are you including any facts/processes to fill in blanks that you’ve omitted from the writing? Add them.

3.        Consult comparable or reference projects. This isn’t to copy someone’s writing, per se; it can be helpful to see how an expert has tackled the same issue you’re having.

o   What structure did they employ?

o   Did they tell a story as they transitioned to a new topic?

o   Did they re-explain, use a graphic, juxtapose a contrasting idea, etc?

4.        Ask for help. Pass the work to a trusted friend and ask for their honest thoughts. Say, “I won’t be offended if you tell me what’s wrong. I want your ideas on how to make it better.” Caveat: it is possible to have too many opinions. Choose your reader(s) carefully.

5.        You’re the boss. After you’ve examined the work from a number of angles and gotten feedback, you get to decide what to do. Sometimes the logjam breaks up and you’re back in the easy-flowing waters again. Sometimes, it’s a “wrap it up and move on situation.” Not every creation you make will win blue ribbons at the fair. That is normal. Learn from this one and try again. The more you write, the better you get.

Hire a Book Editor

There’s one more option available, of course. You can call in expert assistance. When you have a snarled manuscript, asking help from someone who does this for a living isn’t a bad idea.

For work at this stage, I usually recommend a developmental edit, which is a high-level analysis of what you need to fix. I read and make comments, then we meet and discuss what you can do to get to the end. You walk away with a roadmap that will show you the way out of the wilderness. Then, apply butt to seat, and work it through, step by step.

If that sounds like the next right thing for your book, please reach out. I can help.

About the Author

Corey Radman is a ghostwriter and book editor who, since 2015, has helped dozens of authors write captivating, informative business books, self-development books, and memoirs. Learn more at www.coreyradman.com.