Wordslinger Podcast, Episode 292
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🎙️ In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson tackles a topic every writer understands: when (and why) we abandon books before they’re finished. Should you push through the muddy middle, press pause and return with fresh eyes, or shelve your project for good? Kevin Tumlinson opens up about his process, shares practical strategies for overcoming creative roadblocks, and invites you to rethink your relationship with unfinished work. Whether you’re on your first novel or your fiftieth, this episode will help you navigate the emotional and strategic choices behind finishing—or leaving behind—your books.
Show links:
- Plottr — https://plottr.com - Visual book outlining software, mentioned as a tool for plotting and story organization
- Kevin’s Substack — https://kevintumlinson.substack.com - Where Kevin Tumlinson shares regular writing insights and updates
- Find Kevin and his books - https://kevintumlinson.com
Important Topics & Timestamps:
00:07 - Introduction: Why we abandon books
01:14 - When to push through vs. when to pause
04:07 - Tools for outlining and the muddy middle
07:17 - Shiny Object Syndrome and how to avoid it
09:02 - Taking productive breaks and using reminders
13:16 - Signs it’s time to abandon a book
16:19 - The sunk cost fallacy in writing
20:19 - Repurposing unfinished work
24:05 - The power of finishing (even bad) first drafts
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