- The Weird Circular
- Posts
- Ten Ways to Finish (Really, Finish) a Writing Project: Part Three
Ten Ways to Finish (Really, Finish) a Writing Project: Part Three
Sprint to the Finish Line: Trick Yourself into Writing More, Silly Jester
Holly Lyn Walrath
January 03, 2025
Welcome back to my series on practical ways to finish your book using the power of psychology. Each one of this ten-part series presents a different method you can try to finally just GET IT DONE and WRITE THE FRIGGIN BOOK. If you haven’t read the other articles in this series, you can check them out below:
Trick Yourself: The Art of Self-Deception and Writerly Chicanery
They say if you don’t want to go on a run, the solution is just to put on your running shoes and go for a walk. It’s a mental trick that forces your brain to think: “Well, my shoes are already on, and I’m outside, so I might as well run…” You may not run, but at least you tried. Most of the time, this works like a charm on me, and I end up running.
One thing that surprised me about running is how psychological it is. I found myself getting trapped into cycles of negative self-talk, my inner doubter telling me, “You can’t do this,” “You suck at running,” or “BUT RUNNING IS SO HARD, HOLLY.” However, the more I practiced running, the better I got at pushing away those negative thoughts. (I say practice because it’s not really a habit. It’s something I have to practice at.)
The same thing works for writing. If you can trick your brain into getting past all those negative thoughts, then you can just sit down and get the writing done. Here are a few ways I’ve learned to trick myself into writing (Quick, someone forward this to George R.R. Martin):
Sit down at your writing space: Having a dedicated space to write can really help put your brain in the mindset of writing. I actually have several writing spaces in my house. The primary spot is my office desk, but I do most of my nonfiction, editing, and revision there because my computer is a big distraction. The other space is my writing chair. It’s a delightful vintage leather chair that’s tucked into a corner of my living room. I have adorned it with a vintage, cozy lamp, and whenever I sit at it, I feel content. That’s where most of my imaginative first drafts happen. Having multiple spaces is good if you struggle to switch between different modes of writing—from drafting to revising.
Write for five minutes: Freewrite for a few minutes to loosen up your brain and creative mind. Don’t worry about writing anything important or even good. You might be surprised what you come up with. Freewriting is a common exercise because it works—it frees up the brain to write.
Write about your writing: I call this meta-writing. I come back to this exercise again and again. Spend five minutes writing about the project you’re working on. You’d be surprised how quickly your brain can figure out the problem in that time.
Turn off the internet: Trick your brain into thinking it can’t look at Twitter or Facebook by shutting off the Wi-Fi. Some writers use an app that turns their internet off at certain times. Putting away those distractions can really help.
Play music: I find that ambient music helps me concentrate and focus on my words.
Write by hand first: There’s something satisfying about writing in a notebook. Even if it’s just for the draft or journaling, writing by hand can help your brain enter a different creative mode.
Record audio notes: There is no rule that says your writing has to be on a computer or paper. Record audio notes to yourself while driving or while doing anything—washing the dishes, etc. Some writers swear by this as! (For me, I get distracted by my own voice, so it doesn’t work, sadly.)
Engineer a deadline: Find a journal or submission call you’re interested in, put it on the calendar, then submit. This works for me with short stories—I often write stories geared toward themed submission calls for anthologies. I’ve had a few stories published this way!
Wake Up Early: Your brain is more effective when it’s fresh. Join the 5am writers club on social media, start an early-morning critique group, or just set your alarm a bit earlier with the goal of writing.
Stay Up Late: Similarly, you can try writing at the end of the day. Lock yourself away and write into the wee hours. See which works for you—early or late—but don’t get too precious about the time because there may be a period in your life in the future when you can’t pick the time to write.
Find Writer Friends: Trick your brain by getting a little competitive. Find friends to form a critique group or writing check-in weekly or even monthly. Having other people on the journey makes it that much easier.
They say starting a habit is just doing the same thing every day until it becomes a habit. I’ve found that the key to tricking yourself is just making writing a habit. But to be more specific—it’s a process. A process is something you go through, and it can change over time. The beauty is you can be flexible. There’s no wrong or right way to write.
What tricks do you use to get yourself writing? Leave me a comment; I love hearing about other writers’ processes!
Here’s a journaling exercise: Write a few paragraphs about your process and what personally works for you. Try one of the tricks listed above and take note of whether it helps. Now, give yourself permission to do weird, quirky things even if they seem strange. You do you.
Upcoming Workshops from Your Host with the Most Writing Prompts, Holly Lyn Walrath
 30 Genres in 30 Days for Fiction Writers Get ready to discover the magic of different genres in this fun and interactive 30-day workshop tailored for short story writers. Whether you’re into mystery, romance, horror, or science fiction, this workshop will help you grasp the unique elements and essentials of each genre. With 30 engaging prompts, you’ll master how to seamlessly blend popular genre traditions into your stories, no matter if you usually write microfiction, flash fiction, or short stories. This workshop is the perfect opportunity for fiction writers aiming to enhance their craft by gaining a deeper understanding of genres.  Confessional Poetry Where does the line between poet and poem blur? The poetry of Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Robert Lowell, Randall Jarrell, and Elizabeth Bishop in the 60s, 70s, and 80s became iconic for its controversial use of the “confessional voice.” This genre has arguably shaped contemporary poetry today. In this workshop, we’ll explore what it means to write a confessional poem, but also, how poets can harness personal experience to reach an ideal reader. This workshop juxtaposes classical confessional poetry with contemporary poets who have harnessed the power of trauma to make the private public. Break down barriers, write with authenticity, and embrace the catharsis of confession.  National Flash Fiction Month: 30 Short Stories in 30 Days This generative workshop is chock full of 30 writing prompts for short story writers. Whether you write micro fiction, flash fiction, or short stories, these 30 prompts are meant to inspire and support you in this unique writing challenge. You've heard of NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month), where poets write 30 poems in 30 days, and you've probably heard of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), where writers try to write a novel in a month. Now, you can do the same with short stories. Whether you're writing to a specific theme, assembling stories for a collection, or want to try writing a series of connected stories, this workshop will explore new contemporary structures like The Tryptich or The Wikipedia Entry. Open to writers of all genres--from realism to memoir to speculative fiction. Please note: This class has sold out every time I have offered it. I suggest you register early! |  Self-Editing for Writers The best editor for a story is the author who wrote it. Every writer is different, and how you approach revising your work can vary based on the project. The key to self-editing is to see the bigger picture. Explore techniques for self-revising with step-by-step guidance from a freelance editor. Learn about the different types of editing, from developmental/content edits to copy/line editing and proofreading. You'll develop a personalized editing checklist that you can take with you from project to project, tweaking as you go.  Writing the Speculative Novel Learn how to write (and finish) a speculative novel from outlining to revising to submissions.  DATE: 4 Weeks Starting September 9th, 2025 Publishing survives on the work of editors. If you’ve ever considered becoming a freelance editor, this workshop will give you the tools needed to get your business started. Learn about the different types of editing, how to structure your editing business, and what resources exist for freelance editors. A nitty-gritty, in-depth guide to becoming a guide for writers. |
Self-Paced Workshops (Sign Up Anytime!)
 Self-Paced Course: 30 Poems In 30 Days  Self-Paced Course: Journaling for Poets |  Self-Paced Course: Queer Poetics  Self-Paced Course: Writing Resistance Through Erasure, Found Text & Visual Poetry |
Reply