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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