If you’re trying to write a novel but you’ve come to a point where you don’t know what happens next, don’t worry.
Here are several strategies to help you keep moving forward with your story.
Try some of these:
#1. Work on Character Development.
Focus on your characters.
Delve deeper into their personalities, motivations, and backstories.
Ask yourself how they would naturally react to the situations you’ve already written.
Sometimes, understanding your characters better can reveal the next steps in the story.
Create a few questions to ask your main characters and journal their answers as if they were telling them to you.
#2. Write Freely.
Allow yourself to write freely without worrying about the coherence or quality of the writing.
Just let the words flow, even if they seem disjointed or unrelated to the main plot.
This can help unlock ideas and insights that may lead you in unexpected directions.
#3. Experiment with Plot Ideas.
Brainstorm different plot possibilities, even if they seem far-fetched or unlikely.
Don’t censor your ideas—write them down and explore where they might lead.
You can always revise or discard them later, but they might spark inspiration for the next plot twist or development.
#4. Set Small Goals.
Break down your writing tasks into smaller, more manageable goals.
Instead of focusing on completing the entire novel, aim to write a certain number of words or pages each day or week.
Setting achievable goals can help you maintain momentum and overcome feelings of overwhelm.
It also gives your subconscious mind time to figure out where things need to go in your story.
#5. Look for Inspiration.
Try some activities that inspire creativity, such as reading books in your genre, watching movies or TV shows, taking walks in nature, or listening to music.
Sometimes, stepping away from your writing and immersing yourself in other forms of storytelling can reignite your imagination and provide fresh ideas.
#6. Connect with Other Writers.
Join writing groups or online communities where you can share your struggles and exchange ideas with fellow writers.
Sometimes, discussing your story with others can provide new perspectives and solutions you hadn’t considered.
#7. Enjoy the Editing Process.
Remember that writing is rewriting.
Even if you’re unsure of where the story is going, keep writing and trust that you can revise and refine it later.
Editing is often where the true magic of storytelling happens, so give yourself permission to write imperfectly and focus on getting the words on the page.
By combining these strategies and staying open to new possibilities, you can overcome uncertainty and keep moving forward in your novel.
And if you haven’t subscribed to The Morning Nudge, be sure to do that now, so you get our Law of Attraction Checklist for Writers and free access to our Private Resource Library for Writers, as well as a short email every weekday morning to help you manifest your writing dreams!
