Why So Many Aspiring Authors Get Stuck Trying to Finish Their Novel

You've got an amazing story idea to share with the world.

But the old ways of understanding how to write a novel don't work the same for everyone.

Most writers don’t give up on their novels because they lack talent. They quit because they’re trying to build a story without a plan.

The traditional advice sounds simple enough: write more, revise harder, fix the sentences, tighten the scenes.

But without understanding their story’s structure, that approach often leads to:

chapters that work on their own but not as part of a whole
long stretches of revision that do not improve the plot
entire sections that get cut after weeks or months of work

In fact...

Drafting and revising start to blur together over time. Progress slows and your confidence fades. Finishing the novel feels farther away instead of closer.

It often looks something like this:

This is how most writers are taught to think about plot: a loose structure with inaccurate pacing. Think: not scaled to map. It doesn't tell you what to write and how to implement it.

You can't get anyone to publish your book...

No matter how hard you try.

Because here's the problem...

One, it's either not written yet because you can't figure out how.

Or two, it's not been revised in a way that ensures you have an amazing plot!

Stories need clear direction. There's only one actual plot point represented in that diagram above!

Here's the thing...

Every novel follows the same underlying pattern, whether the writer planned it in advance or discovered it along the way. When you can see that pattern clearly, it becomes much easier to tell what belongs in the story and what doesn’t.

Instead of guessing your way through the middle or rewriting blindly, you work toward specific plot points that guide the entire draft.

It's both frustrating and disheartening for anyone who's worked hard to write their novel just to find out the plot needs more work than it's worth for an editor to even mention it to you.

Luckily, this is where the Marathon Method comes in.

Introducing the Marathon Method

Imagine being able to:

Know what scenes to write next
Finish a draft without constantly revising the same chapters
Feel like your middle is working
Tell what’s missing in your story
Revise your current draft

This isn't a wish list.

It's the power of the Marathon Method (it's way simpler than it sounds and easier than running a marathon)!

Instead of guessing your way through drafting and revision, you work toward five specific plot points that guide the entire story.

When those points are clear, decisions get easier. You know what to write next, what to revise later, and what you can stop worrying about for now.

And this process works for all genres. Mystery, romance, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi, you name it. Even kids books and memoir!

Now, you may be wondering...

Who Am I and Why Should You Listen to Me?

Hi, my name's Christie Wright Wild. 👋

I'm the founder of Writers Who Run, a company dedicated to helping writers (who also like to run) write novels and follow their dreams of becoming a published author.

I've helped thousands of writers through my books, blog, critique services, challenges, courses, in-person retreats, and my new app, the 10k Club.

And I've been featured on websites like The Writer, Endurance Magazine, The Washington Post, and The Write Life.

You've probably never heard of me...

But I've been helping people who want to write stories and novels to finish their first draft, revise their manuscript, and start the submission process since 2010.

Including Julie Hedlund, author of four picture books and founder of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge.

Along with many more.

But it wasn't always this way.

In fact, I spent years struggling with plot too and trying to land an agent...

I could write strong scenes and interesting characters, but I kept hearing the same feedback:

Great writing, but the story wasn’t working yet.

They said my story had no plot, even though it won 1st place in a regional contest.

I'd show you a picture, but I was so red and puffy from crying that I looked like a swollen marshmallow with a sunburn. 🤣

I revised. I rewrote. I worked harder.

What I didn’t have was a clear understanding of plot.

Back then, I dreamed of getting published and seeing my name in lights.

And I fantasized about getting an agent day and night.

I was so desperate to "become a writer" that I'd slog off to the bookstore or the library and sit amidst the shelves of books, just to pretend my books were on those shelves.

Then I'd shuffle back to my car for the 45-minute car ride to my tiny little computer desk nestled deep in the mountains of North Carolina.

And watch movies to escape reality.

I was stuck in a downward spiral for years.

In fact, at one point, I had even stopped writing altogether for 10 years!

Even though I knew I was capable of so much more...

Until one day, I realized...

The path I was on was NEVER going to lead me to the kind of writing life I'd always pictured for myself...

Multiple books published (I have 3 out now)
Helping other writers with their own books (I've helped 1,000s)
Quitting my 9-5 and making writing my full-time gig (I'm almost there)
Having a literary agent (I've had two! Still with my second...)
Hosting a writing and running retreat (it's every August/September)

I decided enough was enough.

The time for daydreaming was over.

The time for radical action had come.

So around 2014, I figured it out!

I discovered the missing link in my own misunderstandings.

Once I understood how plot structure actually works, everything changed. Not because I followed more rules, but because I finally had a map.

And within 3 months, I signed with an agent!

That gave me the conviction to go all-in on this new path.

Helping other writers understand in weeks what it took me years to figure out.

Now I'm about to download my experience helping other writers not only finish their first drafts, but start submitting and actually get agent interest into you so you can reap the same rewards.

Plot Outline Secrets is the guide I wish I’d had back then.

It’s the starting point I now give writers who want to finish what they’ve already begun.

All you have to do is follow the simple 5-step Marathon Method.

Here's why this works so well when everything else has failed.

Running a marathon is the exact same process as writing a novel.

Runners take action, plan, practice, commit, and eventually cross the finish line.

It's the same thing for your stories.

Most plot frameworks are different ways of describing the same underlying structure.

Three-act structure. The Hero’s Journey. Save the Cat.

They all hit the same essential points in a story.

So why do so many authors STILL struggle to finish their novels?

I’ll tell you why…

Because none of these popular plotting approaches give you an easy to understand and easy to remember approach.

The Marathon Method is even how our ancestors told stories before the 26.2 mile marathon ever existed.

The Signup - when your boss signs you up for the company 5k

The Gunshot - you start training so you can actually finish the 3.1 mile race

The Halfway Point - you're in the middle of the race and you just crossed the halfway point

The Wall - your legs want to quit moving; they're on fire and feel like rubber; your mind goes places it shouldn't

The Finish Line - you cross the finish line and get your medal

Instead of trying to remember dozens of beats or rules, you work with five clear plot points that give your draft direction from beginning to end.

That’s why this approach works whether you plan ahead or figure things out as you write.

The structure is already there. This just helps you see it.

Think about all the books that exist today:

Why so many writers stay stuck in revision and what they’re actually fixing instead of the plot (pg. 21)
The editing trap that keeps talented writers rewriting for months without getting closer to “The End” (pg. 21)
Why plot outlines aren’t optional if you want to finish a novel even if you’ve always resisted structure (pg. 32)
What most plotting methods get right—and why they still confuse writers
(Save the Cat, Hero’s Journey, Three-Act Structure included) (pg. 38)
Why all plot structures overlap more than you’ve been told and how to stop getting distracted by labels (pg. 38)
The surprising reason plot outlines don’t kill creativity and often make writing feel easier instead (pg. 38)
Why flexible structure helps you write faster, not slower especially during the messy middle of a draft (pg. 38)
The truth about story structure most writers never hear every complete story follows the same underlying pattern (pg. 38)
Why the Finish Line should be the first thing you understand and how it shapes every other plot decision (pg. 50)
Where your story actually begins and how to tell if you’re revising pages that don’t belong yet (pg. 59)
The moment your character stops reacting and starts choosing and why this point is often missing or misplaced (pg. 66)
What’s really supposed to change halfway through your story and why so many middles feel slow or unfocused (pg. 73)
How to identify the lowest point before the ending and why this moment matters more than most writers realize (pg. 80)

Ultimately, you'll learn how to spot these plot points in stories you already know and place them into your own draft without starting over.

And the best part?

You don't need to be a college graduate with a literature or writing degree.

Ready to see how you can duplicate the entire system for yourself in less than 100 pages so you can finally truly finish your book?

“Because of my new plot outline, I was finally able to finish a rough draft of my memoir.”
— John

“I knew I’d never get going on my idea for a novel unless I could work out a plot. I now have a complete outline to work from.”
— Vicki

“You make the plotting process straightforward. My finished story will flow better and be more interesting.”
— Tammy

“I was able to validate the plot in my current novel, as well as solidify the outline for the sequel.”
— Karen

“At first, the running references bothered me because I don’t run. But after using them in my outline, I found they work really well. Very clear to use.”
— Sharon

“I’m so glad you got to my novel before I started seriously writing it. That would’ve been a monster to rework.”
— Malissa

“Really broke open some parts that I was stuck on.”
— Beth

“I was impressed with Christie’s skills, knowledge, teaching methods, and support. This was exactly what I needed to find clarity and direction. I finally learned how to plan properly.”
— Dianne

“I’ve taken several premium high-dollar courses that I haven’t gotten this much out of as I did from the Marathon Method! Highly recommend.”
— Angie

“Before learning the Marathon Method, I had only a thought of maybe writing a middle grade novel. NOW I have a title, characters, and direction for sub-plots.”
— Sylvia

“I finished my outline and now I’m ready and excited to finally write my novel.”
— Melody

“I wanted to apply my ideas and skills to completing something that’s uniquely my own (instead of freelance work). I now have a strong sense of what it takes to truly complete a novel, from start to finish. I have a strong outline for my first novel and have the confidence to move forward to completion.”
— Suzanne

“My first draft was done, but it was a hot mess! The work I’ve done brought clarity and a new excitement to this project. I crafted a clear plan that helped me move forward without feeling overwhelmed.”
— Kathy

“The Marathon Method made a big difference in my being able to finish my novel. I now have a detailed plot and I’m working to fill in the holes. I feel sort of like a Lego builder, writing and plugging in scenes based on my plot outline.”
— Wava

“I finished the novel I was writing and queried an agent. She wants me to send it to her!”
— Mary

Now You've Got 2 Options

True story:

There's not a lot you can get for $3 anymore.

But just for kicks, I did an Amazon search and found this pack of pens:

Now they won't help you learn how to write and plot your novel...

But I promise you that the Marathon Method inside Plot Outline Secrets will.

And since you're still reading this, I'm guessing you're serious using a proven step-by-step system to help you write your novel.

Yet I'm not here to twist your arm over $3.

So at this point, you have two options:

OPTION A: Do nothing and go back to struggling with knowing what scene to write next, constantly revising scenes until they're unrecognizable, and getting rejection letter after rejection letter. Or worse, freezing... and never even writing your book to begin with.

OPTION B: Invest $3 and learn how to duplicate the Marathon Method plotting system into your own stories so you can finally finish your first draft, revise your manuscript, and start submitting it to agents and editors so you can see your book at your local book store one day.

Imagine turning your story ideas into irresistible novels editors can't put down that:

Entertain and delight your readers
Create an "I gotta have that book" feeling
Turn casual readers into raving fans

This isn’t just another creative writing tactic.

It changes how you think about plot so you can apply a story structure that’s easy to understand and remember.

Don’t let this opportunity slip away.

In less than 100 pages, you’ll have a different way to think about writing that makes finishing a novel feel possible again.

The choice is clear.

Complete your order below to grab your copy:

The Simple 5-Step "Marathon Method" to Help You Write Your Novel & Get Off the Revision Roller Coaster

Why So Many Aspiring Authors Get Stuck Trying to Finish Their Novel

Introducing the Marathon Method

Who Am I and Why Should You Listen to Me?

Here's What You'll Learn Inside Plot Outline Secrets:

What People Are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now You've Got 2 Options

OPTION A: Do nothing and go back to struggling with knowing what scene to write next, constantly revising scenes until they're unrecognizable, and getting rejection letter after rejection letter. Or worse, freezing... and never even writing your book to begin with.

OPTION B: Invest $3 and learn how to duplicate the Marathon Method plotting system into your own stories so you can finally finish your first draft, revise your manuscript, and start submitting it to agents and editors so you can see your book at your local book store one day.