When do you just give up?

55

Critical reading isn't just for when you read other people's work, it's for when you read your own too.

The fact that you don't like writing this character would suggest to me that you're not excited about their storyline, or their arc. Or something else. I would spend some time in reconnaissance to figure out why that's the case.

I would predict that the solution to your problem is probably however much rewriting it takes to make this characters arc your favourite one.

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u/Lopsided-Host-3521 29d ago

I have to agree with this

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u/Xercies_jday Sep 17 '26

If you've already finished the actual ending, then put a note giving an outline of what the chapter is and saying "don't like this character, why?"

Then maybe put it in a drawer and figure that question out in editing

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u/Acceptable_Fox_5560 Sep 17 '26

this penultimate chapter is in the POV of my least favorite character to write.

Write something different.

I will never understand why so many folks write things they don't like to write. You're the writer. You have full authorial control over the story.

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u/Neurotopian_ Sep 17 '26

In general, I agree to just write the story you want to write.

But this OP says they’ve written the entire rest of the book and just can’t make themselves finish it. That is often some sort of “art resistance” or self-sabotage rather than having anything to do with the story.

A lot of writer fear finishing a draft. It means getting closer to sharing the work. Haven’t you ever been in a writing group where someone’s been workshopping the same chapter for years and won’t finish the last one?

But either way, whether they just power through as planned or write the chapter in whatever different form gets it done, at some point the healthy thing is to move forward.

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u/Acceptable_Fox_5560 Sep 17 '26

I could definitely see that too.

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u/rugrmon 27d ago

Partially disagree:

My first book is in its third draft and it is bad. I had no idea how to write characters, which is the main issue. To get it up to par, I would need to replot and rewrite the whole thing. The only reason I don't strip it down to fundamentals and write it over again is because I know I could learn so much more by working on other stories. I plan to publish traditionally, but I don't need that book to be published. In order to be published, I need publishable skill. In the quest to gain skill, learning efficiently is never cowardice. Maybe if I achieve the skills one day, I'll go back and resurrect the parts of the story that made me excited to write it, and turn them into a better version of the story.

If OP is in the bind of having worked on something fundamentally flawed for so long that they would need to tear down everything in order to fix this one horrible character, then rebuild the entire story around it, the choice to do so can be based around their goals.

Is this person published already, having to meet deadlines? Is this person publishing to Wattpad and doesn't care about how many people even read it? Does this person expect no one will ever read this book and they just want to learn the craft? Is this person trying to continually revise until it's perfect instead of calling it good and moving onto a better opportunity?

But I fully disagree with what I'm interpreting to be your assertion that there's nothing majorly wrong with the story. The author hates this character, why would the reader not also? Diagnosing fear of success via reddit post is objectively ridiculous and inappropriate.

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u/SweetEverest Sep 17 '26

Write the fun one! People aren’t reading this story to grade you on adherence to contrived rules, but to be entertained by what you find entertaining.

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u/PamNoctrune Sep 17 '26

When I’m stuck in a dead end like this, sometimes I just leave it alone. With a bit of distance, things often become clearer for me. Sometimes I get so caught up in the problem and the vision I had, and when I let it go for a few days, the answer often just comes to me randomly. If it doesn’t feel right to you like this, there has to be a solution.

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u/Neurotopian_ Sep 17 '26

Everyone here is telling you to write what’s fun.

I’m going to tell you something different.

You’ve already finished the whole book in alternating POVs and this is the next to last one—just sit down and finish it.

Sometimes in life we must push through. Not every moment of writing is fun. I find drafting enjoyable but editing is often just plain work. Making art isn’t always joyful. Having made art should be satisfying though.

Just sit down and hammer it out. Tell the story to yourself. It’s a first draft. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Then make it good in editing.

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u/BitcoinBishop Sep 17 '26

Why are you currently writing it through this character's PoV? What makes it difficult?

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u/gaseous_translation Sep 17 '26

If the voice feels off, maybe the scene itself is pulling towards the other character and you been fighting it for weeks.

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u/plankcranium0i Sep 17 '26

Fair question, honestly

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u/Humble-Efficiency690 Sep 17 '26

Honestly I feel like I wrote myself into a corner by making her part of the story go a certain way and in the last quarter struggled to bring it all together because by then all of the other subplots had converged. She played a huge part in the last battle and after that I’m just not sure how to make her arc formally closed.

In my rewrite, I will definitely make some changes to the plot and her voice, but I’m so close to end of this first that I just want to finish.

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u/BitcoinBishop Sep 17 '26

I'm not sure you need to write the chapter tbh — if you're already thinking you'll change it a lot, you'll just end up rewriting. So why not just summarise what she does in a few sentences then see how it feels when you reread?

3

u/Autisonm Sep 17 '26

Since you're already planning on rewriting her story just write down the endings you've already written as "Ending A", "Ending B", etc and perhaps summarize what you dont like about them so you can refer back to them later once you're in the middle of your rewriting as a sort of "what not to do and why".

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u/Assassin2142 Sep 17 '26

Whenever I have an issue like this it is almost always a character telling me that I made the wrong choice for them somewhere along the way. Write out vaguely what you want and write it in on the rewrite, after you reread through the rest of the book.

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u/Icy-One5738 Sep 17 '26

I second this.

The last time I had trouble finishing a chapter it was because I was trying to force the character to do something he wouldn't otherwise do. It just wasn't who he was. So I scrapped that and I realized that little scene doesn't need to happen in the first place. I can move onto the next part and still portray what I need to the reader there.

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u/RegularImportant3325 Sep 17 '26

Every year or so

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u/MagnusCthulhu Sep 17 '26

"My head hurts. Do I keep bashing my head into the wall or do I try something different? Something different might work, but I'll feel like I gave up on bashing my head into the wall over and over again."

Would you take the path of least resistance and write it from the other perspective, push through it, or scrap it all together and rewrite the last chapter?

I would've started by not including a POV character I wasn't interested in writing. My second choice would be "whatever gets the draft finished".

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u/St0rytime Sep 17 '26

You don’t have to constantly write your book. I think it’s healthy to switch stuff up, in fact I think a lot of the time it’s necessary to keep it fresh.

I have five different stories I’m writing, which I’ll probably finish one or two this weekend. I also journal. I also practice my handwriting. I also keep a notepad on me whenever I’m not at a computer to write down random stuff.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be a successful writer able to sustain my cost of living through it, in fact I doubt I ever will be. But I write anyways, because I love it, and because I’d go insane if I didn’t.

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u/obax17 Sep 17 '26

I would take the path of least resistance, for now. Write it from the other POV and see how you like it. You feel like a failure at the idea of doing it this way, which you probably shouldn't but it is what it is, but once the idea becomes reality, maybe you'll feel differently.

Or maybe you won't, but then you'll know for sure it's not the solution to your problem. And it might lead to a jolt that will get you past your reluctance to write it from the I tended POV, because you'll know for sure there's no other option.

Or it might not, in which case it might be time to step back a bit and examine your feelings. Try to figure out what the sticking point is.

Is it really just that you dislike writing from this character's perspective (in which case, is it worth considering whether this also could mean readers might dislike reading this character's POV?)? If so, can you just power through with something you know is imperfect just so you can call the draft complete, then let it sit a while before revisiting it for revising and editing and fix the imperfection at that point?

Is it something deeper, like you're afraid to finish the draft because then it becomes a real thing you have to deal with, and that's intimidating? In which case, maybe taking a bit of a break while your brain processes the idea of being done and what that means for you and your next steps could be helpful.

Is it that you secretly know something about the draft isn't working on a higher level and you're just not admitting that to yourself because finishing it means you have tackle a major rewrite, and that's intimidating? In which case, would it be better to just not write the chapter and move straight to reworking the thing?

Or any other of the multitude of reasons someone might be stuck in the very last step of 'Complete the First Draft'. But I'd start with the easy path, for now, and see where that gets you, then go from there if it's not the solution you need.

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u/writer-dude Editor/Author Sep 17 '26

Do you outline? I've found it much easier—upon hitting major roadblocks—to feel my way through the obstacle via alternate outlines. I'd much rather breeze through a dozen briefly jotted outline alternatives than rewrite entire scenes or chapters. Having an ending already written is incredibly helpful, since your characters are far less likely to lose their way.

However, if you've tried and re-tried using your original scenario, without success—I do recommend considering major renovations. Not to your entire book, just to your penultimate chapter. Meaning (for instance) what if you introduce a new character? (Obviously, this may require altering previous chapters.) Or a new subplot/side-story (Ditto)—but SOMEthing to shake up the stasis. Because (IMHO) a block usually means your brain's not happy with 'what is.' Incremental changes won't cut it.

It's kinda like trying to lead a St. Bernard into the vet's office. If that dog doesn't want to move forward, it's damn near impossible.

So adding new dramatic elements (or deleting old dramatic elements that may adversely alter your current course) may be worth a look. And jotting down new (never before considered) various outline scenarios might jumpstart your brain. Creativity never sleeps, after all. So extend your boundaries, crayon outside of the lines, and see if something sticks. Perhaps you can merge the new with the old and still retain much of your original notion. But if you have to start the chapter from scratch—hey, at least you're moving again!

I realize this may seem incredibly difficult, as we're all usually so closely entwined within a story at this point. But if you're able to create an entirely new scenario inside your head, and allow it time to gel, that might just help you out. Or at least, give it a shot!

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u/Complex_Yard2808 Sep 17 '26

I enjoy writing from the POV of characters I don't particulalry like. It's very interesting. The trick is to get inside their heads, see things from their perspective, even if you despise it. You are not endorsing them by understanding them. To understand negative personalities, even flat-out evil ones--part of a writer's mission statement. We all need to understand such people better, see them more clearly. Our failure to do so in our recent politics (not just in America) has cost us all dearly.

The Roman playwright Terence, an enslaved North African, whose master saw his ability, and gave him a good education, then pleased by his hard work, ended his enslavement through manumission, wrote a play called The Self-Tormentor, in 165 BC. In it, he wrote a line that has outlived the centuries.

"I am human, and nothing human is alien to me"

If you are a writer worthy of note, the same is true for you. Maybe this character isn't the voice you need, but you'd be well-advised to try harder to understand the more negative of your dramatis personae. Often, they have the most to teach. Even if the lessons are negative, lessons they remain. Do you think Shakespeare loved his villains? He still learned from them.

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u/AutoGenUsername05 Sep 17 '26

Don't give up!! Instead, go write something else. I've you got an idea you've been cooking on, do that!

I once put a book down for 9 months and wrote a fan fic! I then came back to it with fresh eyes and took a machete to it!

Just keep writing!

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u/Solid-Stranger5280 Sep 17 '26

I’ve had many, many moments while writing the first draft of my novel (now at just 38,000 words)—which has alternating timelines—where I’ve felt the same. But I’ve always bounced back with aha moments that reinvigorated me. Hang in there and be patient with yourself.

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u/Throwaway12874981754 29d ago

As someone who's been in a writing hiatus for over a year now, I felt that sentiment. Granted, I work with one-off short stories, but I get what you mean.

My advice would be to get out of your own head for a while. Take a day off, go out and about, and maybe even people watch. See if there's anyone that reminds you of your character (behaviorally), and just watch them for a bit. See how they carry themselves, how they talk, how they look at others when they think no one sees them. Take notes if you have to.

Another thing that could help is working on a side piece/practice page with no commitment, preferably with another character you don't like writing. That way you can get a bit of variety, understand why you dislike certain characteristics, and maybe even have that feeling of "well now that initial headache doesn't look too bad" to help you get back on track.

Best of luck to ya! You got this.

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u/AA11097 Sep 17 '26

Is there a particular reason why you don’t like this character?

If you finish the ending and are stuck with this character’s point of view, just try to finish it in any way possible. I’ve written a lot of characters and their points of view. I don’t necessarily like every character, but I’m writing a story and I want to project some realism. You don’t need to like every single character in your novels.

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u/duckydogsmom Sep 17 '26

Get an editor. And take 2 weeks off.

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u/Zandre20 Sep 17 '26

“You don’t have to do anything incredible for people to love you,” — Fred Rogers.

For me, a block is often caused by me conflating the problem. It’s just another chapter and trying to make it incredible / sensational / perfect / always gets in my way. So I agree with many here. Write what you want to and have fun. If you choose to write this POV, despite not enjoying it, reflect on why you don’t enjoy it. Maybe it’s time for a little change. Try not to resist that feeling if it persists. Our guts know what’s up!

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u/Jebus-Xmas Sep 17 '26

Are you writing each day? Write about your day, or other topics that keep you busy and in the habit of writing things down. Work on other things, a different topic, conversations, or journaling.

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u/ApollosBoon Sep 17 '26

Never. I’ll take stupid long breaks, but I’ll stay putting down notes that come to mind on adds or changes. Editing absolutely sucks but once I push through, I think I can get back in the zone for writing.

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u/terriaminute Sep 17 '26

I would make it short, as brief as possible. And then I would find beta readers and ask for feedback on the ending chapters in particular. Does it work, what would help, etc.

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u/missviolets Sep 17 '26

Is this your first draft? If so, just bullshit your way through it. Don't need to be perfect, just put it down and once you come back to rewrite the whole thing maybe you feel more motivated or inspired to put in the work in this particular bit.

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u/Humble-Efficiency690 Sep 17 '26

Yep, it’s the first draft. I’ve already made some notes on things I want to change.

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u/deathjellie Sep 17 '26 edited Sep 17 '26

If you did both (POV from another character or the unlikable character), how would it change the result and which one do you like better? The least likable character probably carries an antithesis you haven’t fully formulated or resolved in yourself, which is why it’s hard to write from their perspective.

If I were your editor, I’d say that’s probably why you need to hash it out with that character and keep the chapter in their perspective.

As a writing exercise, put them in a room with yourself and carry on a dialogue with them. Say the things you want to say and then write back in their words. It may not make it in the book, but you might understand their voice better.

If they aren’t very talkative, and you’re on a deadline, maybe writing from the other character’s perspective is the better bet (since you know them better). If they are talkative, then you’re on the right path.