First Draft Pharmacy: Why Can't I Finish My Darn Book?

Many aspiring authors struggle to finish their books. They have all the ideas in their head but they just can't seem to put them down on paper. In this video, I'm going to show you five common reasons why people get stuck and how you can overcome them so that you can finally finish your darn book! Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:57 - 1. There's not a big enough question at the heart of your story 3:51 - 2. You have the wrong writing process 5:45 - 3. When you hit a wall, something needs to happen in the story 8:25 - 4. You're mixing up the writing and revising mindsets 9:53 - 5. You may be trying to write the wrong kind of book 11:21 - Conclusion Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template: http://bit.ly/3wGmMTc A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/nove... Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator in just 5 minutes with no obligation to enroll and get my free 60-minute training HOW TO WRITE YOUR DREAM BOOK WITH A FULL-TIME JOB (AND A LIFE): https://bit.ly/3wEwrJQ ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!). When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: Instagram:   / book.incubator   ======================== #writingtips #bookwriting #writer #authortube