Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting a webinar for writers gearing up for Novel November (formerly NaNoWriMo, conceptually). Thanks to ProWritingAid for hosting the event and sponsoring Novel November. We had about 160 people show up live, and I have to say—the energy was fantastic.
If you missed it, or if you want to revisit the strategies we covered, I’ve got the full recording for you below, along with the slide deck I used during the presentation.
The Big Question: Are You Ready?
Here’s what I know about Novel November: most writers go into it with tremendous enthusiasm and a vague sense that they’ll just “figure it out as they go.” By day 15, they’re exhausted, lost in their story, or both.
Sound familiar?
The problem isn’t lack of talent or dedication. The problem is that writing 50,000 words in 30 days is a marathon, and most writers train for it like it’s a sprint.
So in this webinar, I shared The Four Rules for Sustainable (and Fun) Writing—a system I’ve developed over years of coaching novelists through intensive drafting periods. These aren’t just nice ideas. They’re practical, tested strategies that actually work.
The Four Rules (In Brief)
Rule #1: Start Small, Ramp Up Gradually
Don’t jump straight into 1,667 words per day. Build your creative muscle over the month:
- Week 1: 200-300 words/day (build the habit)
- Week 2: 400-600 words/day (increase comfort zone)
- Week 3: 800-1,200 words/day (hit your stride)
- Week 4: 1,500+ words/day (sprint to finish)
Think of it like training for a marathon. You wouldn’t run 10 miles on day one, would you?
Rule #2: Always Stop Where You Know What’s Next
This is the secret to maintaining momentum. Never stop at the end of a chapter or scene. Stop mid-conversation, just as a character is about to enter a room, or right before revealing important information.
When you sit down the next day, you’ll have hot grease—you’ll know exactly what comes next, and you’ll start writing immediately instead of staring at a blank page.
Rule #3: Map As You Go (The Breadcrumb System)
After each writing session, spend 60 seconds writing 2-3 sentences summarizing what happened in the scenes or chapters you just completed. Keep these summaries in a separate document.
This becomes your map—your trail of breadcrumbs showing where you’ve been. When you need to remember a detail, check your scenario instead of rereading 20,000 words. This saves hours and keeps you moving forward.
Rule #4: Never Go Backward
This is the hardest rule to follow and the most important for completing your novel.
Do not reread from the beginning. Do not revise earlier chapters. Do not polish prose you’ve already written.
When you notice something that needs fixing, write a note in your scenario document: “REVISION NEEDED: Make the gun more prominent in Chapter 2.” Then keep writing forward.
Your goal is to complete a first draft. All that other stuff? That’s what revision is for.
What Success Actually Looks Like
Here’s something important: Success isn’t writing exactly 50,000 words.
Success is:
- Writing consistently for 30 days (5-6 days a week)
- Completing a full story arc (or heading toward the end)
- Developing characters who feel real to you
- Creating a draft substantial enough to revise
- Maintaining your enthusiasm for the project
You might end up with 35,000 words or 65,000 words. The number matters less than having a story you’re excited to develop further—and doing it without burning out.
Watch the Full Webinar
Get the Slides
Want to keep the Four Rules handy while you write? Download the full slide deck here (PDF) and reference it whenever you need a reminder.
One More Thing
If you want additional support for building your writing practice, I’ve created a short email series that walks you through establishing a sustainable routine. It’s free, and you can sign up here.
The magic doesn’t come from inspiration or waiting for the perfect moment. It comes from simple systems that keep you showing up. The more you show up, the better the work gets.
Now go write something.
