How To Finish Your Manuscript: Eliminating Distractions and Maintaining A Steady Pace

"It's not how you start, it's how you finish."-Gordon Ramsay

This line from Hell's Kitchen really resonates with me whenever I'm working on my manuscript. The more I think about this line, I couldn't agree more with this Michelin chef.

Think about it--when you first start writing the first draft of your incredible novel, you get pumped with ideas. you know exactly who your characters are, and what's at stake for them. You think of an elaborate setting that will draw the readers into your world. You even think of clever plot twists that will blow your readers' mind.

In other words, you start off strong with your blazing confidence.

But...when it comes to the revision process, things start to get bumpy. You have to actually study each chapter, each page, and each sentence. There are times when you read your passage and wonder if you were drunk while writing it. There's that dreaded question in the back of your mind: does this scene even serve a purpose?

 Self doubts even creep right into your consciousness, and you feel like you're falling behind. You think there's no hope of actually finishing this story, because the light seems so far away.

I know you must be overwhelmed with the revision process. Trust me, I get it. But I can assure you, there is no need to rush. You're not competing in America's Next Top Model, and you're not competing in Hell's Kitchen for that matter.

The thing about the revision process, is actually caring about the details. It's about making your story so much better. Yes, you can start off strong, but it's not as important as finishing stronger like Ramsay's quote.

Don't worry, you got this! Here are the four things that can help you finish your manuscript on a strong note. 

1. Invest in a desktop computer
Nowadays, laptops and tablets are ubiquitous objects in this modern day. It's easy to take our laptop with us at a cafe, as you sip on mocha with your manuscript in front of you. There's no doubt that a laptop will cure your boredom while waiting for your flight. Heck, we can work on our stuff while sitting in front of the television.

But...as you're on your laptop at a fancy cafe, what are the chances that you're checking your email? Or going online shopping because the discounts are too good to be true?

Hey, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I do it, too. Let's face it, any place that offers free Wi-Fi is hard to resist.

A desktop computer is worth looking into, because they are not expensive like they used to be. You can find some sweet deals online and in stores. Their styles have changed over the years, too, so why not take a look around? 

Not only is it cost efficient, it forces you to stay in one place. You can't drag the desktop with you to a public place. They have wires that need to stay connected, so you have no other choice but to set your butt down in front of your manuscript and write.
And write.
And write.

I have my desktop set up in a den, and I've been treating it like it's my personal office with my own writing hours. I think in a way, the desktop helps me treat this space like it's sacred. It's like a bubble that keeps off the distractions away, and as long as you claim your space, it will keep you disciplined.

And here's the ultimate secret--I actually don't have the internet access on my desktop computer. What!

Yes, it's true--there is no internet access on it. This is a bonus trait that has helped me stay in one place. Without internet, you won't watch a chain of videos in YouTube land, or get involved with online gaming.

I know you're probably thinking that we need the internet for research purposes, so I can't argue with that. If you want to install internet on your desktop, go for it. I personally use my laptop to do some research if I'm going to a public place.

The choice is yours.  

2. Limit your time on social media
Okay, we all have to keep in touch with our friends and family--that's reasonable. We can't help ourselves; we stare in awe at our loved ones' vacation photos, wedding engagements, graduations, and other bundle of joyous posts across our feed. Who doesn't love a cute pet picture?

But the main problem is that social medias can be addicting. Very addicting.

Several months ago, I realized how bad my social media addiction was, especially Instagram. Even though it was great to check out my favorite band's photos, or what my favorite authors were up to, I saw more and more photos of my friends' successes all over the feed. Even friends from my creative writing classes found agents, or made great announcements about their book release.

Don't get me wrong, I was happy for my friends. I was excited about their amazing accomplishments, but eventually, guilt swallowed me up. I punished myself for not finishing my manuscript faster. I was stressed out and wondered if people were judging me because I was taking forever to catch up. Instead of a connection, I felt so isolated from everyone, and I couldn't help but wonder if I was worth anything to their eyes.

So if you're going through the same thing, you're not the only one. Social media has a way of making you feel like you always have to compare yourself to others online. It's a very toxic issue, and that's something we all need to learn to detox. 

So earlier this year, I made a pact to not spend as much time on social media. Instead, I made myself use up all that energy towards my novel. Remember the desktop computer advice? That's what I did the entire time when I shifted my attention on my story instead of checking on my phone every fifteen minutes. 

The result? Nowadays, I only check out Instagram once a week, or even every two weeks. Heck, I've gotten to the point that I don't remember having a Facebook! It's lovely to connect with friends through text messages and emails. (Recently, I've been obsessed with sending my friends postcards!) 

I'm not suggesting to completely delete your social media. You can still keep them if you want. Just take it in small doses, that's all. So if you plan to write for an hour, commit yourself to putting your phone on silent. 

I promise you, the cute cat pictures will still be there when you're done.

3. Make small, realistic (and creative) goals 
Another reason why it can be hard to finish the manuscript is life itself. We all work full time just so we can pay our bills. We have families and pets to take care of. Moving to a new home can be stressful.There are days when you don't feel like writing because so much bad things are happening in your life. 

First of all, breathe. Life does throw unexpected curve balls without warning. Life will always be full of ups and downs, but it's just the matter of how we handle them. Even if it means not writing for a few days because of the stress and anxiety, it's totally okay.

Here's the thing, you can still have your daily, weekly or even monthly writing goals. It doesn't have to be huge goals like revise a chapter a day, or write 5,000 words per week. They can be teeny tiny goals, and you can make them extra fun, too!

What I like to do is use a planner to make small plans for my writing. And here's a thing, they don't have to be writing related! Yes, we write the words to flesh out our stories, but we can still use our creativity to make a different approach.

My manuscript has ghosts and monsters in it, so sometimes I like to make a goal of drawing one monster a week. This is especially helpful whenever I'm taking long bus commutes, or if I have a short lunch break at work. 

Are you having trouble with your setting? Do you find yourself losing track of the street names, or where the buildings are suppose to be located? Other than drawing a map, you could look through some travel magazines. Why not go for a hike somewhere and take pictures? Pop by a local museum if you like. 

Is there a certain band that your main character loves? Why not add that to your writing goal? Whether you're visiting your love for bands you grew up with, or introducing yourself to another band you've never heard of before, music has a way of sparking your imagination. I like to think that music opens up another creative road for you, and when you hear a song that resonates with you, you might see your story in a different angle. 

So whether you're using a planner, a phone calendar, or if you're too spontaneous for those things, have fun with your goals! Don't treat your manuscript like it's torture. Find different ways to color your story, your characters, and everything else from all the artistic goals that you want to accomplish.

Or as Neil Gaiman would say, "Make good art."

4. Take care of yourself
I will share an important advice that Zumba teacher always announces in her class: listen to your body. I always take this advice to heart, because your body is the only vessel you have in this life. Yes, it's great to work hard, but we shouldn't have to push our bodies past their limits.

Keep in mind, it's not always a good idea to sit for long periods of time, so make sure you get up and stretch. Take a nice stroll around your home, so you can get some fresh air and your blood moving around.

Since we are constantly using our computers to write, always remember to visit your friendly optometrist. We have to take extra care of our eyes especially after the strain of the writing, reading, re-writing, and editing.  

If you had a long shift at work, and all you want to do is sleep--just do it. It's totally okay. You don't have to be like Edgar Allan Poe and his insane late night writing sessions. No one is expecting you to finish your novel in a night.

Make sure you visit your dentist for check up. No, trust me. These are the kind of visits you don't want to hold off for millions of years. Take it from someone who has experiences. Eek!

If you feel a pain somewhere in your body, and your gut feeling tells you something isn't right about it, go get it checked out. Don't ignore your body's cry for help.

In other words, you can't finish your novel if you're dead.