The #1 Reason people abandon their books

Are you working on a book?
Do you want to abandon it?
Maybe you HAVE abandoned it?
Do you want to know the #1 reason why people abandon their books?

I’ve been working with writers and their books since 2004…so I’ve seen some pretty consistent patterns over the years (and I see them in myself, too).

It’s not lack of time or the day job or any of those very real logistics–because we all know if something is really important we will find a way to make it happen.

It’s not lack of talent or lack of good ideas (although we could have a whole conversation about having too many ideas for one book).

It’s not lack of discipline or follow-through.

There’s always a perfectly good reason we’re avoiding something, including:

Reason #2: the material is still too raw,

or its opposite, Reason #3: the material no longer holds an emotional charge (we’ve moved through it),

or even Reason #4: you thing you’re working on multiple stories (spoiler: it’s usually the same story).

No. The #1 Reason people abandon their books is because they know too much.

Picture this: you’ve spent hours, days, or weeks brainstorming and outlining this story in your head. Maybe you’ve even made an actual outline: color-coded, story-boarded, Scrivnified. And it works: this happens, then this, etc.

It’s perfect. On paper.

So what happens? You start writing, the Muse descends, she tries to take over (which is a good thing!), but since her direction doesn’t line up with the beautiful outline you’ve spend so much time creating, you resist.

The problem: you “spent” all your creative juice on the outline! Now you find yourself in a standoff with the Muse, who is trying to ignite the idea, but you are way too attached to the outline, to how it’s supposed to go. So you block the Muse, she abandons ship, and you are left to write what now feels like a shell of an idea .

But then you find yourself resisting the process of actually doing it. Why? Because you know too much. There’s no room for the manuscript to surprise you, no questions built into the itinerary, no opportunity for the Muse to come in and take over.

And so you start avoiding it, beating yourself up, taking more classes, giving yourself an ulcer, etc..

The most important thing when making art, but especially when engaged in the long-term relationship of a book, is to cultivate a healthy sense of curiosity and release control of how you think it’s supposed to go.

Releasing control–even throwing out your beautiful outline–requires you to not only trust the book, but to also enjoy the process of not knowing, to delight in the mystery of your story unfolding in real time.

When you show up to the page with genuine wonder and awe–it comes across to the reader. Conversely, when it’s all planned out and you feel like you’re just punching a time clock–that comes across, too. The reader isn’t as easily fooled as we think.

We must inhabit the emotional landscapes of the book; we must be surprised, afraid, angry, and delighted alongside our reader. This also puts you in your right and proper position as a writer: in service to the work, not the genuis. In collaboration with the muse, not the boss of her. A chosen and grateful midwife to the creative process.

I talk a lot about this “proper position” in my teachings–-and it can be easy to forget when we are trying so hard to “figure it out” with our brains.

So, how about you? Are you alligator wresting with your manuscript? Are you blocking the muse?

Or are you listening to the story with a healthy does of humility, wonder and awe?

I started The 12-week Flash Novel Mastermind in 2021 to deal with exactly these issues (and more), and over the last 4 years, it’s been an honor and a privilege to get a front row seat to the creative process of an amazing group of writers and friends. And it’s working: books that started in the Mastermind are being finished, solicited and published.

Whether your book is a flash novel, novella, memoir or creative nonfiction, if you are a dedicated writer, drawing on the skills of flash fiction, this is the container of inspiration, motivation, community and support you have been wanting to bring your ideas to fruition.

Here is all the information:

Open Your Art: The Mastermind

**NOTE: We will officially begin on March 3, but new members are welcome to join the Community Zoom call this Friday, February 28, at 11:30 am MST.

I am capping the mastermind to keep the space intimate–which means we have just 6 spots left.

The journey of a book can and should surprise us: Flash novels decide to become traditional novels, novels become short stories, realism becomes surrealism, flashes become scripts, and many, many other joyful pivots. This is good and normal!

I hope you saw my message to creatives last week, because it goes for you, too: We need you to be making art, especially now. Whatever it looks like.

And we all need support. Especially now.

Get the support you need to make the art we need.

Reach out!

I’m happy to answer questions or jump on a zoom call if necessary.

In solidarity,

Nancy xo