Planning to Write Your Book in a Month (Novel Sprint Prep)

In this Reedsy Live session, Reedsy’s own Martin Cavannagh shows writers how to set themselves up for success before the first page is even written. He dives into working with your natural rhythm, creating focus-friendly spaces, planning just enough to keep momentum without feeling rigid, and guarding against distractions that can derail even the most determined writer.

This post is a handy guide to Martin’s workshop on planning for your novel — perfect if you’re gearing up for Reedsy’s Novel Sprint this November. To hear the full breakdown, check out the timestamps below and follow along as he walks through every step.

As a bonus, download the slide deck for this webinar right here.

The time trap — find the right window [12:10]

You don’t need more hours in the day, you just need the right hours. Every writer gets the same 24, but what makes the difference is how intentionally you protect them. So start by identifying your peak creative window (it could be early in the morning, during a lunch break, or the late-night witching hour) and treat it like an unmissable appointment. Once it’s on your calendar, guard it fiercely from any interruptions and pesky guilt (the laundry can wait).

Next, keep the math front and center. 50,000 words in 30 days breaks down to roughly 1,667 words a day, or 2,273 if you’re only writing Monday through Friday. By using that number as a compass rather than just a suggestion, you’ll give yourself a little more drive to be disciplined. This way, you’re writing with a clear target in sight — each session becomes a purposeful step towards your goal. 

One focused hour at your creative peak will always outperform three distracted, exhausted ones. After all, consistency matters more than marathon sessions. Don’t forget to celebrate the small wins: every 10k words, every week you show up, is an achievement!

By the end of this stage, you’ll start to understand which days and times actually work for you. So, once the month starts, you’re free to go full steam ahead without any scheduling issues.

 

The space trap – set up for a good flow [21:35]

Your writing space can be more than just a backdrop. The right spot can act as a creative trigger and prime you to enter flow state… but the wrong one can slow you down before you type your first word.

Whether it’s a quiet desk, a kitchen counter, or your favourite café, pick a place you can return to around the same time each day. Consistency builds a subconscious cue for your brain: sit right there every time, and your mind knows it’s time to write. If possible, cut down on sensory distractions where you can — face away from windows or grab your noise-cancelling headphones — to ensure your environment isn’t competing for your attention.

Once you’ve established that rhythm, even the smallest of rituals can do wonders: a cup of coffee or a familiar playlist can become dependable little signals for your writing routine. 

Always think of your space as your collaborator. You want a partner that helps you get into the zone quickly, so try to keep things tidy to help save time.

The plotting trap – map just enough [24:10]

Plotting isn’t about handcuffing yourself to a rigid outline — it’s about giving yourself a map so you don’t get hopelessly lost halfway through the month. With that said, there’s no single “right” way to do it. Do heavy outlines suffocate your creativity? Just sketch broad strokes. Do you thrive on structure? Go ahead and build a detailed plan for your novel. There is no “perfect” plan here; the goal is having enough signposts to keep the words flowing when inspiration falters.

A good starting point is character change. Every compelling story tracks a character’s journey from want to need. What does your protagonist believe in the opening — are they jaded, naive, or conflict-averse? What will they have to face or lose to evolve? Once you can answer that, you’ll know which scenes to include and why.

Next, stress-test causality. Don’t settle for “this happened, then that happened.” Instead, make every event a reaction, a domino effect. ”The Queen died of grief after the King died” is a sequence of events; “the Queen died of grief because the King died” is a story. Those because-therefore connections are what give your narrative real momentum.

As you sketch your outline, “thicken” each section: add complications that force choices, raise the stakes, or test your protagonist’s values. Not only does this build tension, but it also keeps you invested as a writer. Remember: you can adjust your outline mid-month if needed, but when you sit down each morning, it’s helpful to already know what happens next.

Once your foundation is set, the month-long challenge stops feeling like a gamble, and starts feeling like running a trail that you’ve laid out for yourself. 

The distraction trap – protect your creative energy
[43:17]

Let’s tackle the sneakiest saboteur of every writer’s life: distraction. Willpower alone won’t cut it. You need systems that make focus the path of least resistance.

Start with your environment. Declutter your desk, go full-screen, and set up blockers for the usual suspects (email, social media, your video games). If you can, create a separate “writing” profile or device that doesn’t log into distractions at all. Fewer clicks between you and your draft will result in more words on the page.

Then, when you finish a session, put down three or four lines for the next scene. So when tomorrow comes, you won’t be facing an (intimidatingly) blank page; you’ll already have a trail ready to follow.

Keep in mind that distractions don’t just steal time — they can also break precious narrative flow. Every interruption costs you mental energy to reset. Build your system so that focus is easy, scrolling is hard, and the story keeps rolling.

It goes without saying: you’ll slip sometimes, and that’s normal. A sustainable rhythm will take you much farther than chasing after a “perfect streak”. Once you’ve set up these habits, your month of writing will become something steadier — not a battle, but a practice!