Stop Overthinking, Just Write: A Quick Guide To Getting That Book Finished

Stop panicking. It’s just an empty sheet of paper. It doesn’t judge you. It doesn’t have expectations you can’t meet. It’s not sitting there waiting to reject you. It’s actually waiting—patiently—for you to show up and fill it.

So, stop overthinking.

Whether you’re a Christian writer, one of many indie authors, or stepping into self-publishing as an independent author, the hardest part is the same for all of us: getting out of our own way.

Stop Being Afraid

When that creative grim reaper shows up—the one whispering doubt in your ear—tell it to take a hike.

Seriously.

That voice telling you you’re not good enough? That you don’t have what it takes? That you should wait until you’re “better”? It’s lying.

Most of the time, we are our own worst critics. We talk to ourselves in ways we would never allow someone else to talk to a friend. Constant criticism, constant doubt—it shuts everything down before it even starts. So, stop listening to it.

Here’s something simple that works: put a notebook by your bed. Before your feet hit the floor in the morning, write one sentence. That’s it. One sentence.

It doesn’t have to be deep. It doesn’t have to be good. It just has to be written. Think of it like priming the pump. Or like taking out the trash. Your mind is full of noise, and sometimes you’ve got to clear it out before anything useful can come through. Once you get past that initial block, things flow. And the more you do it, the more your confidence builds.

Make the Time

We all get twenty-four hours. No one’s getting extra.

On average:

• 8 hours of sleep
• 8 hours of work
• 8 hours left

Somewhere in those 8 hours, you can find twenty minutes. Twenty minutes a day. That’s it. In seven days, that’s almost two and a half hours of writing. That’s how books get written—especially for independent authors and those in self-publishing. Not in huge, perfect blocks of time, but in small, consistent chunks.

Most people can find twenty minutes. The real question is—will you?

Here’s a trick: if you’re writing and have to stop, leave your sentence unfinished until the next day. When you come back, your brain will naturally want to finish it. It makes starting again a whole lot easier. Prioritize your writing time. Protect it. Don’t let distractions steer you off course.

Speak Life

Pay attention to what you’re saying to yourself and out loud.

• “I’m overwhelmed.”
• “This is too much.”
• “I can’t do this anymore.”

That kind of talk drains your energy and shuts down your creativity fast. Complaining becomes a crutch. It gives you a way out. It makes it easier to justify not showing up. But if you’re serious about writing—if you’re serious about growing as a Christian writer or building something through self-publishing—you’ve got to cut that out.

Pause. Breathe. Get your bearings. You don’t need to pretend everything is perfect, but you do need to stop feeding the negativity. Try this instead:

• “I’ll take it one step at a time.”
• “I just need to start.”
• “Let me write one paragraph.”

Treat your writing like a relationship. If you don’t show up, nothing happens. If you only show up occasionally, it stays inconsistent. But if you show up regularly, something builds. Momentum. Clarity. Even excitement.

Show up like it matters. Because it does.

Just Write It

I said write it—not edit it.

This is where a lot of writers get stuck. Especially indie authors trying to do everything at once. You sit down to write and immediately start fixing everything. Backspacing. Rewriting. Second-guessing every sentence. You can’t be the writer and the critic at the same time. When it’s time to write, just write. Let it be messy. Let it be imperfect. Let it be incomplete. Get it out first.

There’s plenty of time later to go back and clean it up. But if you keep stopping yourself mid-sentence to fix things, you’ll never build any momentum. And without momentum, writing feels like a chore.

Here’s a quick exercise: Take 10 minutes and write a list of things you saw yesterday. Just a list. Then pick one thing from that list and write about it.

That’s it. It’s not about the topic—it’s about getting the motor running.

It’s Okay to Be Bad (and It’s Okay to Step Away)

Let’s be honest for a second. You might not be very good right now. That’s okay. Every writer starts there. Every single one. No exceptions.

You don’t get better by waiting. You get better by writing. If your work feels rough, scattered, or all over the place—that’s part of the process. Stick with it. Progress matters more than perfection.

But what about those days when nothing is working? You sit there staring at the screen. You rewrite the same sentence ten times. You’re getting nowhere.

That’s your signal. Step away. Take a break:

• Go for a walk
• Listen to music
• Read something
• Sit quietly for a bit

You don’t need to force it. You don’t need to feed in to your frustration. Sometimes you just need a reset. Come back later and try again.

Your Story Matters

Here’s the thing that sets you apart from everyone else: your story. As a Christian writer, you bring a perspective, a voice, and a way of seeing the world that no one else has. That’s your edge. There are plenty of books out there. Plenty of voices. But none of them are yours.

Readers aren’t looking for perfect—they’re looking for real. Something they can connect with. Something that feels honest. So don’t try to sound like someone else. Don’t try to write what you think people expect. Write what’s yours to write. That’s what will stand out. And if you’re looking for more guidance on how to create a professional book, check out this CIPA guide:

Stay the Course

This isn’t about waiting until you feel ready. You probably won’t. This isn’t about waiting for motivation either. That comes and goes. This is about showing up.

Write when you feel like it. Write when you don’t. Write when it’s flowing. Write when it’s slow. If you keep showing up, something will come out of it. That’s how independent authors finish books. That’s how people move from thinking about writing to actually doing it.

Start messy. Start unsure. Start with a brain dump if that’s all you’ve got. Just start. Because that blank page? It’s not your enemy.

It’s your opportunity.

About the Author

Griselle Paz is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer with nearly a decade of experience at major networks, including ABC, Univision, NBC, and CNN. A published poet recognized for her work in literary magazines, she brings a powerful storytelling voice shaped by her Master’s in Journalism. Learn more at Life Light Press.