Your 30-Day Novel Blueprint: How to Plan Fast Without Burning Out
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One of the biggest mistakes I notice writers tend to make when trying to write a book in 30 days is either overplanning or not planning enough at all. Being stuck in the prep phase will prevent you from ever starting to write. Having no preparation at all primes you for burn out by the second week into your challenge. But the good news is that there’s a sweet spot and a way to create a fast, flexible planning method that helps you get started without feeling so lost. So, here is your 30-day novel blueprint and how to plan fast without burning out fast.
Want to start writing your next book? Want to get it done in one month? Pick up a copy of Sprint to a Novel in 30 Days and start your challenge with the right tools today!
Step 1: Know What You’re Writing (Before You Start)
Before you dive into characters or plot, take some time to figure out these three things:
- Genre: Are you writing fantasy, romance, thriller, sci-fi, etc.?
- Subgenre: Are you narrowing in on grimdark, romantasy, dystopian, paranormal, etc.?
- Vibe: Is your tone dark and brooding? Light and cozy? Epic and tragic?
This helps you align your brain with the kind of story you’re writing and saves you from writing something that doesn’t match your style and what you like.
You can pair Sprint to a Novel in 30 Days, my 30-day novel guide, with a free copy of my genre quiz. Sign up below and get immediate access to my genre quiz which asks you guiding questions to help you figure out what genre is right for you:
Step 2: Choose a Target Word Count That Fits Your Life
Let’s be real, writing 100,000 words in 30 days sounds impressive, but for most people? It’s just not realistic.
Instead, reverse-engineer your word count:
- How many days a week can you write?
- How many words can you write per day without burning out?
Here’s a quick breakdown of common targets:
| Word Count | Words/Day | Notes |
| 50,000 | 1,700/day | NaNoWriMo standard |
| 75,000 | 2,500/day | Ideal for most genres |
| 90,000 | 3,000/day | Push goal, better with weekends |
| 100,000+ | 3,300+/day | Only for seasoned or full-time writers |
If you’re working full-time, start lower and build up momentum.
Step 3: Outline with Speed and Flexibility
You don’t need to map out every chapter, but what you need is to have a sort of roadmap.
There’s a lot of different ways writers like to plan their stories out. I personally use the three-act structure, but some also like to plan chapter by chapter what the biggest points and goals are in each chapter.
I go through a few structure styles in my guide on writing a novel in 30 days, so if you want to get more help with that structure, then I recommend you check it out.
Step 4: Build Only the World You Need (For Now)
World building is where a lot of writers get stuck and it’s not an easy process. I’ve been world building for years and it took me some time to find a system that worked for me. I’m actually working on releasing a new Ultimate Guide to World Building based on my entire workflow and system. Sign up for my newsletter so you can get updates on what it’s releasing!
In a fast planning phase, try to focus on the most important things first and then expand on the world in later revisions.
My 30-Day Planner includes fast world building questions specifically designed for 30-day drafts.
Bonus Planning Tips:
- Give yourself a pre-writing day: Use Day 0 (the day before you get started) to gather your outline, schedule, and tracker.
- Use timers and sprints: Try 25-minute Pomodoros to stay focused during writing sessions.
- Set up your space in advance: Clean desk, snacks ready, distractions off.
Conclusion
If you want my entire toolkit and workflow in your hands for writing a book in just one month, Sprint to a Novel in 30 Days is a great way to get started right away. The entire guide is over 200 pages and includes an entire section to help you plan your book before you get started.
Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get insights, exclusive discount codes, and updates on any guides and products that launch in my shop!