After it's done, you could take a break and then come back to it with fresh eyes for a final review. You could also start planning your next story based on what you learned from this one.
Try changing the point of view or the setting. It can breathe new life into your story. Or start writing a different scene and see if that unblocks your creativity for the stuck part.
You'll know your novel is finished when you feel the story has reached a natural conclusion and all the plot points and character arcs have been properly resolved.
One way to tell is when you've reached the conclusion you planned from the start and all the main plot points and character arcs have been resolved. Also, if you can't think of anything else substantial to add without it feeling forced or unnecessary, that's a sign it's done.
Maybe self-publish it on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and promote it through social media and author websites. Another option is to keep it for personal satisfaction or share it with a small group of friends and family for feedback.
Maybe introduce new subplots or side stories to expand the story's scope. Also, you could delve deeper into the characters' backgrounds and motivations to make the story more substantial.
Maybe you should think about whether the content of your story wasn't engaging enough or if there were presentation issues. Then make improvements for the future.
Try adding some unexpected twists or humorous characters. Maybe introduce some comical situations or witty dialogue.
You could consider seeking feedback from fellow writers or readers to gain different perspectives and identify areas for improvement.
When submitting your short horror story, you should think about the style of writing. A unique and engaging writing style can make your story stand out. The atmosphere you create is also crucial. A good horror story should be able to build a sense of dread and unease. Additionally, make sure your story has a clear plot and interesting characters. If the readers can't follow the story or don't care about the characters, they won't be interested in your submission.
The encounter was both terrifying and fascinating. The alien's communication methods were complex and its intentions were unclear at first. But as the story unfolded, I discovered a whole new perspective on life and the universe.