"I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o'clock every morning." — William Faulkner

For many writers, finishing a story is the hardest part of writing (maybe second only to getting started). If there were a market for drawers full of half-finished stories, the wealth of writers would leave the millionaire Internet entrepreneurs in the dust.

Unfortunately, not only is there no market for unfinished stories, those same partial manuscripts are a source of great frustration to many an aspiring writer — and quite a few professional writers, too.

I Can't Seem to Make Myself Finish It. What Can I Do?

There are a few things you can do to help, but one towers above all the others: Plant your rear end firmly in the chair and belly up to the keyboard. Then tickle those keys. Or wield that pen. Or pencil. Or hammer and chisel—the medium doesn't really matter.

Nothing else works if you don't do this.

Do it early and do it often.

Determination. A must.

Self-discipline. Indispensable.

As we talk about techniques and strategies, remember: it always comes back to determination, self-discipline, and writing — not just talking about writing.