Whenever I'm out and about, get talking to people, then answer the inevitable question of "What do you do?" people light up and tell me they've always wanted to write a book. The few who have an idea for their book usually start telling me all about it, too. And that's fine—I love talking about stories—but I might see them months or years later, ask how their book's going, and they proceed tell me all the reasons why they haven't started.
Then there are those who had started a book but hadn't finished—and their excuses are usually the same.
Needless to say, a lot of people dream about writing a book, but for every finished manuscript, countless others sit unfinished, gathering dust. Why? It’s not because those stories lack potential—it’s because the writing process is chock full of points where it seems easier to give up than work through.
The good news? With the right mindset, strategies, and support, 2025 can be the year you finally achieve your goal of starting—or finishing—your book.
From the discovery calls I have with potential clients, I've gathered together the five most common reasons writers fail, and how you can overcome each one.
1. They Lack of Clarity About the Story
Pretty much all writers dive into their manuscripts brimming with enthusiasm—and why wouldn't they?—only to find themselves lost somewhere down the line. Maybe they're not sure what their protagonist wants or how the story should end. Perhaps their subplots feel tangled, or they're struggling to decide what’s most important in their narrative. Without clarity, progress stalls, and the excitement they felt at the beginning either starts to fade or winks out of existence completely.
How You’ll Succeed: Before you write—or continue—your story, invest time in getting clear on your story’s foundation. Ask yourself:
Why am I writing this story? Is it fame, because you want to claim your voice, or bragging rights at dinner?
What do I have to say? Do you have a unique point of view about love, murder, or how vampire cats from outer space have shaped human history?
Who am I writing for? Is it a middle-aged woman from the USA who loves reading about men who love men, a teen who's struggling with feelings they don't know how to express, or a white guy who's struggling to find a place in a world that he now feels lost in?
What is my protagonist trying to achieve? Are they looking for love, considering murder, or exposing the truth about vampire cats from outer space?
What obstacles will they face, and, most importantly, how will those obstacles shape them? Will they accept they deserve love to find love, need to find the right size axe to murder their nemesis, or put out a distress call to the dogs in outer space who are handy with wooden stakes?
Does the core of my story hang together in terms of cause and effect? Do they achieve their goal in a way that's believable and has logic and momentum?
If you’re kicking around an idea, unsure whether your story holds together as you envisioned, or you know there's something not quite right with the story you're trying to tell, this is the perfect time to seek help with foundational story development. With that in mind I recommend Jennie Nash's series of "Blueprint" books. There's one for fiction, one for nonfiction, and one for memoir. Jennie trained and certified me to become a book coach using her methods and methodologies. Her books are the closest you'll get to working with me... apart from actually working with me.
Blueprinting your book gets you thinking about what’s working in your story idea, what needs strengthening, and how you can bring clarity to your story’s direction. Armed with this understanding, you’ll feel confident tackling your first—or next—draft.
2. They're Overwhelmed by the Scale of the Project
The sheer scale of a novel-writing project can be daunting. Once the honeymoon phase of starting fades, it’s easy to feel paralysed by how much work's still left to do. Writers get stuck asking themselves, Where do I even start? They might turn to a beat sheet or take classes or join a writing group as a way to convince themselves that they'll find the elusive answer on where to go next. But I talk to those writers all the time, and many of them still feel a sense of overwhelm.
This is especially true of writers during revisions, when it can feel like every word needs attention, when it's actually stepping back and looking at the story that's the key in understanding where to start. Without a clear strategy, starting or revising a manuscript can feel like an impossible mountain to climb.
How You’ll Succeed: Break the process down into manageable steps. Instead of thinking about the entire book, focus on one element at a time. For example:
Spend a week getting clear on whether your opening and closing chapters sit well together. Does the ending mirror the beginning in some way? Did your main character get what they wanted? If they did, how did getting it change them? If they didn't, what did they learn about themselves—and what will they do better next time?
Spend a weekend evaluating just your character development. Who are they as they go into the story? What do they believe about the world and place in it? How does their arc of change influence how they react to each scene? Is their reaction believable? Does their next decision make sense?
Dedicate a week to pacing or scene transitions. Are you giving your character enough—but not too much or too little—space to breathe between intense scenes? Are you orienting the reader in time? Are you orienting them in space? (I'm not talking about the vampire cats again, but the same questions apply.)
Set specific goals, like revising two chapters per month.
For writers who feel overwhelmed by revisions, my story revision service is designed to make the process more approachable. With tailored feedback, a clear roadmap, and accountability, you’ll move through the revision process step-by-step, gaining clarity and momentum as you go. You'll know what needs tackling first. After all, what's the point of tinkering with a chapter when it doesn't serve your story and needs to be cut?
3. Struggling with Self-Doubt
What if my writing isn’t good enough?
What if nobody cares about this story?
What if I’m wasting my time?
These are questions most writers ask themselves at some point, and all the foundational questions of the Blueprint will answer them. But it's important to acknowledge that self-doubt is a natural part of the creative process. It can also be paralysing. When left unchecked, it can stop you from moving forward—or make you second-guess every decision.
How You’ll Succeed: Start by recognising that self-doubt is normal. Everyone—no matter how experienced they are—has moments of uncertainty, and that's just as true (if not more so) for creatives.
I've been commissioned to write a play, and I'm absolutely doubting my playwriting skills. Am I going ahead? Damn right. I know how to tell a story. What I don't know are the intricacies of telling stories on stage. Once I get a handle on that, and with the help of a dramaturg (an expert in the study of plays) my self-doubt will be crushed.
So, instead of letting self-doubt derail you, use it as motivation to seek out constructive feedback. Understanding what’s working in your story and where it could improve can transform doubt into determination.
Through a manuscript evaluation, you’ll gain a professional perspective on your work. This isn’t about tearing your manuscript apart—it’s about helping you see its strengths and identifying opportunities to make it even better. With this clarity, you’ll be able to revise with renewed confidence and purpose.
4. Losing Motivation Over Time
Writing a book takes time, and life easily gets in the way. What starts as an exciting project can slowly lose momentum as other responsibilities pile up and as the initial flood of endorphins wears off. Without a clear plan or accountability, it’s all too easy to put your book aside “for now”—only for months (or years) to pass without progress.
How You’ll Succeed: Motivation comes from setting achievable goals and having someone—or something—hold you accountable. Here are some strategies:
Set small, specific goals, like writing for 20 minutes a day or completing 500 words per session. (And if you tell me that you can't make 20 minutes in your day, you need to have a look at your life.)
Join a writing group or find a critique partner to share progress with.
Work with a book coach who can provide structure, feedback, encouragement... and deadlines!
If you’re struggling to maintain momentum, consider asking me for my off-menu, ongoing submission service, which includes deadlines, consultations, and guidance tailored to your story. If I've worked with you on any of my other services, and I really love your story, I can be persuaded to take pages from you on a regular basis. Having clear milestones and regular check-ins can make all the difference in staying motivated and on track.
5. Focusing Too Much on Perfection Early On
Revising the same few chapters over and over, trying to get them “just right” before moving on and finishing is a waste of your time. While perfectionism comes from a well-intentioned place—the desire to create something excellent—is usually leads to stagnation. Trust me, I know. I've been there at least twice.
How You’ll Succeed: Give yourself permission to write imperfectly. It's fine if your first draft is a bit messy, just make sure it's based on a Blueprint that'll make it cohesive. The goal is to get your story down on the page. Once a full draft is complete, you can get the perspective you need to revise with precision.
When it’s time to revise, a service like story development or story revision can help you focus on the big picture. Instead of getting bogged down in small edits, you’ll gain clarity on the structure and flow of your story, ensuring your revisions have the maximum impact.
Your 2025 Game Plan
Starting—or finishing—a book is no mean feat, but it’s absolutely achievable with the right approach. Here’s how to set yourself up for success in 2025:
Set Clear Goals: Decide what you want to accomplish, whether it’s completing a first draft, revising your manuscript, or preparing for submission.
Make Writing a Habit: 20 minutes a day adds up over time. Even a single sentence a day can get you to a 80,000 word novel in roughly 11 years, and plenty of famous writers only wrote one book—just look at Emily Brontë, Margaret Mitchell, and J. D. Salinger. Create a writing routine that fits your life. You don't necessarily have to write every day, but it's best if you write often.
Seek Support: Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely process. Whether it’s through a writing group, a friend, or professional feedback from a coach, having someone in your corner makes all the difference.
If you’d like expert guidance along the way, I offer story development, manuscript evaluation, and story revision services designed to help you gain clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward.
2025 IS YOUR YEAR. Make it happen—one word at a time.