Thursday, April 7, 2011

F is for finishing

So often people say they want to write a book, or that they could write a book, yet they never do. Then there are those who start one but never finish it. There are also people so start working out every January but don't keep it going. And what about those who begin projects at home but never finish them. (don't even get me started about the bathroom downstairs that has been waiting for nine years to be completed AND I'm married to a plumber.)

Why is it that we lose the excitement of the quest? I have a few books on my computer that are gathering dust. What was it that stopped me from completing them? Bad plotting. Time. Desire. I will say one thing. I usually start what I finish. I've never been one who gives up easily. I may change direction, change ideas or change priorities, but I normally pull myself up by the boot straps and continue on. It takes years sometimes, but that's okay. What else have I got going for the next fifty years?

So get going. Get something finished. That book, that workout, that project. You can do it and you'll feel so good once it's done!

12 comments:

mshatch said...

I've gotten better at finishing those projects but I'll admit I still have a few (ok, more than a few) unfinished works on my computer.

Heather Hellmann said...

Some of the greatest writing advice I ever received was to just start. Begin at page one and go forward. Great post!

Kittie Howard said...

Great post, Melissa! A friend said once that those dusty scripts were experience that made the next project better. Hope so!

Deborah said...

My current blog post is about determination to write...but you have to want it enough.

Unknown said...

Very true. I'm putting things off - beginning my next children's book, I mean. Have to do research into 793 AD and spending time on that instead of getting on with the story....

Old Kitty said...

Oh how true!!! When I was younger I'd get most impatient with myself for not finishing anything but these days - I know time doesn't mean much so long as I get one thing done, one step closer to the dream! What else am I gonna do in the next 40 odd years?!? :-) Take care
x

Laura said...

That told me! This is just what I needed to hear tonight. I never finish anything... Time for a new leaf, and much better that it isn't January i reckon. Nice to meet you
Lx

Liz P said...

Great post! It's so true that once you finish, you are met with so many good feelings. Even with something like exercising - it's so hard to get started, but once you do it, you feel great!

Angie said...

Finishing is so important! Great post.

erica and christy said...

I've written the same novel...twice. The rewritten version is much better than the original, but I really hope I don't have to do it again. I hope the plot filling I'm doing now will be enough! However, I'm two credits away from finishing my master's...and have been since my second son was born three years ago. Scrapbooking, um. I have the first two weeks done of my five year old's life (paper version) and the first two weeks of my three year old's life done (online version). Yup. I'm not always a finisher. BUT I try! christy

Sylvia Ney said...

It's easy to get distracted or give up. The trick is not to let yourself. Thank you for sharing. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to reading more from you.

NiaRaie said...

It is very, very difficult to get to the end but a feeling of elation is present when you get there!