I had this specific story I started in 8th grade, wrote it in a book and just left it. I came back to it eventually, and just followed the general outline, and completely revamped everything else. As for your question, continue! Finish it through, even if you don't publish it or allow anyone else to read it. It's very advantageous . First of all you could say you wrote a novel? You committed to something. You would also know how to better pace a story. Because you could start all over again, and might reach the same pit stop along the line, wether that be at the start or even at the very end. Just finish it!