How to Revive a Stalled Romance Novel

I recently came across booktube videos discussing author Britt Andrews and her failed Kickstarter campaign (here’s a pretty thorough overview of all that’s happened by Book Lover Laura). Some have gone so far as to say she scammed her readers, but considering she’s a successful author, I’m choosing to believe she had every intention of completing her campaign that asked for $5,000 but ended up making $95,000. The campaign ran in Sept 2023 with a launch of January 2024, that was pushed back to Summer 2024 (if I’m understanding it correctly). But now, in May 2025, it appears the book still isn’t written, and the campaign is still not fulfilled.

Britt has been off and on in terms of explaining why the book is unwritten. Let’s face it, life can get in the way and sometimes the obstacles are emotionally challenging. In her case, she invested in a restaurant and went through a divorce.

I’m not here to discuss this situation specifically, but to point out that she set up a Kickstarter with the goal to have a book written and ready for release by early or mid-2024, and in May 2025, it’s not written (none of her updates indicate what, if anything, she’s written).

I get it. Sometimes it’s hard to have the emotional bandwidth needed to write. Every writer I know has an unfinished story collecting digital dust. Maybe it lost its spark. Maybe life got in the way. Maybe you just didn’t know how to fix that one scene that never quite worked.

You’re not alone.

It’s completely normal to set a story aside. Creativity isn’t always linear, and sometimes we need space to return with fresh eyes and new energy.

That said pressure, whether it’s the sort Britt is under, or just from yourself and not liking that you have a story dangling unfinished, is uncomfortable too.

The good news? That story you once loved still has potential. It’s not too late to revive it. Here are tips on how to do that:

1. Reconnect With Your Story

Before you can move forward, you need to remember why you started.

Start by rereading your manuscript, notes, or outline without judgment. This isn’t about editing or criticizing. Just let the story wash over you. Try to experience it as a reader would, paying attention to the parts that still make you smile, cringe, or feel something.

For some authors, just the re-immersion into the story is enough to jumpstart ideas. But if not…

Journal about the story. Why did this idea capture your imagination in the first place? What made you excited to tell this particular love story? What themes, tropes, or characters sparked joy for you? Getting back in touch with your original inspiration can rekindle the emotional connection that’s been missing.

Reacquaint yourself with your characters. Consider writing mini interviews asking them questions like “What do you want most right now?” or “What secret are you keeping?”

Or, write a short scene that doesn’t need to go into the final book. Let it be fun, messy, and pressure-free.

This stage is all about falling in love with your story again without expectations, just curiosity and connection.

2. Identify the Roadblocks

Before you can restart your novel, it’s helpful to understand what caused you to stop in the first place.  Why did you set the story aside? Was it a loss of interest? A plot hole you didn’t know how to fix? A shift in life circumstances that stole your writing time or energy?

Here are a few common roadblocks to finishing a novel:

1. Plot Problems
   • You wrote yourself into a corner
   • The conflict feels weak or unsustainable
   • The middle is sagging or repetitive (this is a biggie for me 🫤)
   • You lost track of your outline or don’t have one
2. Character Issues
   • Characters feel flat or inconsistent
   • Lack of chemistry between the romantic leads
   • Character motivations or arcs aren’t clear
3. Lost Interest or Excitement
   • The original spark is gone
   • You’ve fallen in love with a different story idea
   • You’ve read it too many times and can’t “see” or “feel” it anymore
4. Fear and Perfectionism
   • Fear it’s not good enough
   • Worry about what others will think
   • Over-editing as you go, rather than finishing the draft
5. Life Interruptions
   • Personal or family issues
   • Work or schedule changes
   • Burnout or mental health struggles
6. External Distractions
   • Starting too many new projects at once (this is an issue for me as well!)
   • Comparison to other writers or books
   • Getting caught up in social media or marketing tasks
7. Unclear Direction
   • No clear ending or resolution
   • Not sure how to tie plot threads together
   • Shaky grasp of genre expectations or structure
8. Lack of Support or Accountability
   • No one to share progress with
   • Feeling isolated or discouraged
   • Missing deadlines or feedback loops

Whatever roadblock you face, take a few minutes to jot down anything that feels like a hurdle. Don’t worry about solving the problems right now, just name them.

Once you’ve identified the roadblocks, it becomes easier to map a way around them. The goal here isn’t to overwhelm yourself with a giant to-do list. It’s simply to become aware of what’s standing in your way so you can move forward with clarity and purpose.

3. Re-evaluate with Fresh Eyes

Now that you’ve reconnected with your story and identified what might have gone wrong, it’s time to take a fresh look and assess whether this novel still feels right for you.

Ask yourself: Can this story still work? Does it still excite me?

Sometimes the core idea is solid, but your skills, tastes, or perspective have evolved since you last worked on it.

Look at the tropes, character dynamics, and overall structure. Would updating these elements bring new life to the story? Maybe the grumpy/sunshine pairing needs more tension, or your slow burn could use a bit more spark. If your novel leans into subgenres like historical or paranormal romance, consider revisiting your research or worldbuilding. Time away can reveal outdated references, missing details, or better ways to ground the setting.

This step is all about approaching your work like a developmental editor would. You’re not rewriting yet, you’re simply checking to see what needs refinement so the story can evolve into something even stronger.

4. Create a Mini-Plan

Once you’ve reconnected with your story and evaluated where it stands, it’s time to map out your next steps with a mini-plan. The key here is to keep it manageable and motivating.

Start by setting a realistic goal. Maybe you commit to revising one chapter a week or writing 500 words a day. Choose something that fits your current schedule and energy level. Remember, consistency matters more than speed.

If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, use a romance-specific beat sheet or outline to rebuild your roadmap. These resources give you a clear path to follow without boxing in your creativity.

Finally, decide what “done” means for this project. Are you aiming for a completed first draft? A polished manuscript ready for querying or self-publishing? A story you plan to release in serial format? Knowing your destination will help you stay focused.

5. Make It Fun Again

When a project has been sitting for a while, it can start to feel like a chore instead of a passion. To shake off the pressure and rekindle your excitement, focus on bringing the fun back into your writing process.

Try changing formats to re-engage your brain in a new way. Dictate scenes while walking, jot ideas on index cards and shuffle them around, or write out-of-order to explore moments you’re excited about.

Maybe finding a new writing nook will help get your creative juices flowing. Sometimes just breaking the routine or scenery can spark fresh inspiration.

Write “missing scenes” that might never make it into the final draft. These scenes don’t need to be perfect or polished. They’re meant to reconnect you with the emotional heart of your romance. Plus, later when the book is published, you can use them as bonus content for your fans.

6. Protect Your Progress

Once you’ve restarted your novel, the key is to keep going, which means protecting the momentum you’ve worked so hard to build.

Start by creating a writing routine or ritual that signals it’s time to focus. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Maybe it’s playing the same playlist, lighting a candle, pouring your favorite drink, or writing in a specific spot. Small rituals can train your brain to shift into creative mode more easily.

To stay accountable, consider joining writing sprint groups or participating in challenges. Whether it’s a daily word count goal or a weekend writing marathon, having a community cheering you on can help you push through resistance and show up consistently.

Finally, track your progress visually. Use a word count tracker, calendar, or even a sticker chart to celebrate each writing session. Seeing your progress build over time is a great motivator, and a reminder that you’re moving forward.

7. Get a Fresh Perspective: Hire Help or Ask for Feedback

Here’s a confession… When I was writing book three of my cozy mystery, I was stalled out. It was the middle of covid and I just couldn’t figure out whodunnit and why. As a ghostwriter, my client sometimes sends me plots created by someone else and I decided that maybe I could hire a plotter to help me. I sent what I had already written about the book and my characters, and received a chapter by chapter outline for the unfinished chapters back. Interestingly, only a handful of the ideas were used in the final book. But what the plotter provided was enough to get my muse musing again and for me to get the book finished.

I tell this story because sometimes we’re so stuck, it’s like we have blinders on. We can’t see a way to make the story work. That’s where a fresh perspective can make all the difference. If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain, getting outside input might be exactly what your story needs to move forward.

There are several options depending on your needs and budget. You can hire a book coach, developmental editor, or freelance editor to review your manuscript, critique your outline, or help you shape your story’s structure. Or do what I did and hire a plotter, which was less expensive (I think I paid $70). Professional feedback can offer clarity, encouragement, and actionable next steps.

If you’re not ready to invest financially, reach out to a trusted writing friend or critique partner. Ask them to read a few chapters or your story summary and tell you what stands out, what confuses them, or what they want more of. Sometimes, just talking through your ideas can unlock a new path.

Don’t forget the value of writing communities, both online and local. A supportive romance author group can provide everything from quick feedback to long-term accountability.

And note that sometimes the help you get won’t work, but those ideas can help trigger new ones that will work.

8. Use AI as a Creative Partner

Okay, so this might be controversial, but if you don’t have the money or time to find an editor or writing buddy, AI can make a good brainstorming partner.

There are several ways to use AI to breathe new life into your story idea. You can ask it to summarize what you’ve written so far, helping you refocus on your plot and themes.

If you’re struggling with structure, you can generate plot beats or outline ideas tailored to your current draft.

Stuck on character development? Ask for suggestions on emotional arcs or how to deepen a character’s motivation and conflict.

You can also use AI to map your story to popular romance framworks, or even a specific trope structure. This can help you spot gaps in pacing or plot and give you a clearer sense of direction.

Autocrit has a story analyzer that looks at timelines, character arcs, conflicts, plot progression, potential contradictions, foreshadowing and more.

Or, if you just need a brainstorming partner, you can use use ChatGPT or Claude, or if you use NovelCrafter (sort of like a Scrivener-lite but with chat feature), the AI can easily use your codex (story bible) and already written chapters as a reference so that you get ideas best suited to your story.

Of course, AI can’t replace your unique voice or emotional insight, but like a human writing buddy, it can give you ideas and the creative spark you need to keep going.

9. Know When to Let Go (or Transform It)

Not every story is meant to be finished in its original form, and that’s okay. Sometimes the best way to revive a neglected novel is to let it go, rewrite it from a new angle, or transform it into something completely different. My mafia romance in New York idea has morphed into a secret society romance with a little woo woo in New Orleans.

If you’ve tried reconnecting, revising, and planning, but the story still isn’t clicking, take a step back and ask: Is this still the story I want to tell?

Maybe the characters deserve a different plot. Maybe the premise would work better in a new subgenre. A contemporary romance could become a romantic suspense. A single POV could shift to dual. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

And if you do decide to move on, don’t think of it as a failure. Every draft teaches you something whether it’s about your writing style, your voice, or your process. You might reuse a side character in a future book, or discover a plot twist that inspires a whole new series.

Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means making room for something better to grow.

Tell us in the comments—what’s your forgotten story about? Or your tips for reviving a story after you stall.