If you’re anything like me when I first started writing, you’ve probably dreamed of holding your finished book in your hands. But somewhere between the excitement of starting and the reality of typing the final chapter, things get messy. As someone who’s been through the first draft process more times than I can count—including for my three published novels, When You Read This, Palm Beach, and Privilege—I’ve learned a few things that make writing a little smoother.

There’s no one magic formula that works for every writer, but there are some book writing tips I can share that will help you push through and finally finish that draft. 

Whether you're just starting out or have hit a block halfway through, these tips for book writing will help you smash your writing goals.

#1: Set small, achievable goals (and celebrate them!)

One of the first pieces of advice on writing a book that I wish I’d received early on is to set realistic, bite-sized goals. When I started my first novel, I had this grand vision of writing thousands of words every day. Spoiler alert: It didn’t happen. At first, I felt like a failure when I didn’t meet these unrealistic targets and that feeling of failure almost totally derailed me.

The truth is, writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. Aiming for something more manageable—like 300 or 500 words a day—keeps you moving forward without burning out. Trust me, every little bit adds up. When I was working on Palm Beach, I often found myself writing just a few paragraphs on my notes app some days. But over time, those paragraphs turned into chapters, and the chapters into a full manuscript.

Here’s another trick I’ve learned: Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small. 

Wrote 300 words today? That’s amazing—treat yourself to something you enjoy, like a nice cup of coffee or a quick break in the sun. These small victories keep you motivated and create positive momentum that will carry you through the longer drafting process.

#2: Embrace the messiness of the first draft

I’ll let you in on a secret: No one’s first draft is perfect. Not even the bestselling authors you admire. When I started writing my first book, I had this idea that my sentences needed to be polished before I moved on. I’d spend hours tweaking a single paragraph, and guess what? The endless editing slowed me down. I wasn’t making progress because I was too focused on getting it right the first time.

One of the most freeing tips about writing a book is to let go of perfectionism. Your first draft is supposed to be messy, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s better that way. There’s a reason why the saying “You can’t edit a blank page” is so popular among writers. You need to get the ideas out, even if they’re not perfect.

As I’ve become more experienced as an author, I’ve started to give myself permission to write scenes that were rough around the edges. Whole chunks of dialogue were clunky, descriptions felt half-baked, and transitions were sometimes nonexistent. But that draft wasn’t meant to be the final product. It was just the starting point. The real magic happens in the revision process, but first, you need something to revise. So, embrace the mess!

#3: Write at the same time every day

Establishing a writing routine is key to making consistent progress. One of the most valuable tips for book writing I can offer is to write at the same time every day. The specific time doesn’t matter—what’s important is that your brain starts to associate that time with creativity. Besides, setting a schedule and sticking to it helps you prioritize that time as important.

I understand that not everyone has the luxury of writing at the same time every day, especially if you have a full-time job, kids, or other commitments (I’m there, too). That’s okay. But try to find a window, whether it’s 30 minutes or an hour, that you can dedicate to writing as often as possible. Even if you can’t write daily, a consistent routine helps your brain get into “writing mode” more easily.

I’ve found that having a set time to write makes me more productive because I’m not waiting for inspiration to strike. Instead, I knew that when I sat down at my desk at 8 a.m., it was time to write, whether I felt like it or not. Often, the act of starting triggered inspiration to follow.

#4: Don’t get stuck in the middle—skip ahead

Ah, the dreaded middle. Second acts are TOUGH.

I’ll be honest: Every time I write a book, the middle is where I get stuck. The excitement of starting has worn off, and the ending still feels so far away. It’s easy to get bogged down or feel like you’ve lost the plot—literally.

Here’s my advice on writing a book when you hit that mid-point slump: Skip ahead! It might sound counterintuitive, but you don’t have to write your book in order. There are so many times when I’ve been drafting where I lost steam halfway through. 

To break this writer’s block, instead of staring at the blinking cursor, I jumped ahead to scenes I was excited to write. Whether it was the climax or just a really fun scene I had planned, writing those sections gave me the energy to keep going.

You can always go back and fill in the gaps later. Sometimes, writing the more exciting parts will give you clarity about how to resolve the slower middle sections. Skipping around is one of those tips about writing a book that seems simple but can completely change how you approach your draft.

#5: Use writing sprints to break through writer’s block

When writer’s block hits, it can feel like you’ll never move forward. One technique that has helped me get through stuck moments is the writing sprint. Writing sprints are timed sessions where you write as much as possible without stopping to edit or second-guess yourself. I usually set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes and go as fast as I can.

The beauty of this technique is that it forces you to focus on quantity, not quality. The goal isn’t to produce perfect prose—it’s to get words on the page. This is one of the best book writing tips I can give you for pushing through writer’s block because it takes the pressure off. You know that you’ll have time to edit later, so you can just focus on moving the story forward.

I use writing sprints whenever I hit a wall. They are truly a game-changer. By the end of each sprint, I often find that I’ve broken through the block and rediscovered my flow.

#6: Give yourself permission to take breaks (but don’t lose momentum!)

Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. And like any long-distance race, you need to pace yourself. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of giving myself permission to take breaks. In the past, when I’ve been drafting,, there were times when I pushed myself too hard, and the result wasn’t pretty—I burned out.

Taking breaks doesn’t mean abandoning your project. It’s about recharging so that you can come back to your manuscript with fresh eyes and renewed energy. That being said, it’s important to balance breaks with momentum. A break should be restorative, not an excuse to procrastinate. Set clear boundaries for yourself. Maybe you take the weekend off, but you commit to coming back to the draft on Monday.

One of my favorite tips about writing a book is to use your breaks to refill your creative cup. Read books that inspire you, take walks, hang out with loved ones, or spend time in nature. These activities can spark new ideas and help you return to your writing desk feeling refreshed and ready to dive back in.

#7: Keep your “why” front and center

There’s a reason you decided to write this book in the first place, and when things get tough, you need to remind yourself of that “why.” For me, every book I’ve written has been driven by a deep love of storytelling and a desire to connect with readers on an emotional level.

When the going gets tough—and trust me, it will—come back to that initial spark. Why did you want to write this book? What story are you dying to tell? Keeping that motivation front and center will help you push through the tough parts and keep going when doubt creeps in.

Writing Privilege taught me that the hardest moments are usually right before a breakthrough. When I felt like giving up, I reminded myself of the bigger picture: I wanted to share a story that would resonate with readers, and I wasn’t going to let temporary frustration stop me from doing that.

Final thoughts on finishing your draft

Finishing your first draft is no small feat, but with these book writing tips, you’ll be well on your way. Remember, writing a book is a journey, not a race. Be kind to yourself along the way, and keep showing up, one word at a time.

By setting small goals, embracing the mess, establishing a routine, skipping ahead when needed, using writing sprints, taking breaks, and staying connected to your why, you’ll reach the finish line before you know it.

Happy writing—and I can’t wait to read your story!

Are you ready to finally write your book?

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When I’m not busy writing, I’m passionate about helping others bring their book ideas to life.

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