As a writing coach, I spend most of my time teaching clients how to create sustainable writing habits. We work on reasonable daily word counts. We track progress methodically. We emphasize consistency over binge-writing.
But sometimes?
Sometimes you need to throw out the rulebook and just blast.
The Signs You’re Ready to Go All Out
In a recent coaching session, I found myself giving advice that surprised even me: “Throw out everything about the log and all the rules. Just write every moment that you have.”
Why would I suddenly abandon my usual structured approach? Because I recognized several key indicators that my client was primed for a writing sprint:
- The well was full. My client had been thinking deeply about her story for months. She had characters, plot, scene ideas, and dramatic moments all mapped out in her head. She knew what was going to happen; she just hadn’t gotten it on the page yet.
- She had unusual time availability. An upcoming work trip meant strange hours, hotel rooms, and solo time—perfect conditions for an unconventional writing surge.
- Her energy around the story was palpable. Every time we discussed the book, she practically vibrated with enthusiasm, blasting out plot points and character developments faster than I could track them.
When these conditions align, a different approach isn’t just possible—it’s optimal.
The Power of the Temporary Sprint
A writing sprint isn’t a permanent change to your process. It’s a strategic, time-bound acceleration that serves a specific purpose.
Think of your writing project as a cross-country road trip. Most of the journey requires careful navigation, steady pacing, and regular maintenance stops. But sometimes you hit an open stretch of highway in perfect conditions. That’s when you put your foot on the gas.
The temporary nature of a sprint is what makes it effective. My client wasn’t going to sustain this pace forever—just for two crucial weeks where her circumstances aligned perfectly with her story momentum.
When to Consider a Writing Sprint
Not every writer should attempt a sprint, and no writer should sprint all the time. Here are situations where a concentrated burst makes sense:
- You’re close to the finish line. If you can see the end of your draft but can’t quite reach it, a sprint can help you push through.
- You have temporary ideal conditions. Perhaps you have a week off, a quiet retreat, or an unusual stretch of unscheduled time.
- The story is fully formed in your mind. When you know exactly what happens but haven’t had time to get it on paper, a sprint lets you catch up to your imagination.
- You’ve been consistently showing up. Sprints work best when they’re built on a foundation of regular writing practice, not as a replacement for it.
- Your energy for the project is at a peak. Writing enthusiasm isn’t constant—capitalize when it surges.
How to Execute an Effective Sprint
If you’re ready to blast your way forward, here’s how to make the most of your sprint:
- Clear the Decks
Remove as many non-writing responsibilities as possible during your sprint period. Meal prep, suspend social obligations, set up auto-replies if needed. Your single focus is getting words on the page.
- Set an Ambitious but Achievable Goal
For my client, our target was adding another 10-15,000 words draft in two and a half weeks to complete the manuscript. That’s aggressive but doable for someone who knows their story and has chunks of dedicated time.
- Embrace “Good Enough” Writing
During a sprint, perfect is the enemy of done. Write knowing you’ll plan to revise. If needed, insert brackets with notes like [ADD DESCRIPTION HERE]. The goal is forward momentum—to the extreme.
- Write Multiple Times Per Day
Break free from the one-session-per-day mindset. During a sprint, write whenever you can—morning, lunch break, evening, middle of the night if inspiration strikes.
- Track Your Progress
While you’re suspending many of the usual rules, do keep track of your daily word count. Watching the numbers climb provides motivation and helps you assess if you’re on track to meet your goal.
- Don’t Look Back
Resist the temptation to reread and edit during a sprint. Move forward relentlessly. There will be time to refine later.
After the Sprint: Recovery and Revision
Once your sprint is complete, two phases follow:
Recovery: Give yourself permission to rest. A writing sprint is mentally and physically demanding. Take a few days off before diving back in.
Assessment: With fresh eyes, evaluate what you’ve accomplished. What areas need expansion? Which scenes feel thin? Where did you use shortcuts that now need development?
Remember, a sprint produces a different kind of draft than steady, measured writing. It might be more skeletal in places, requiring you to “add meat to the bones” with visual details and deeper character moments.
This might be the perfect time to get outside feedback. In my coaching, I know I can give the feedback a writer needs to know what’s really made it to the page and what’s still in the ether. Working with a writer over the long-term, it’s great to be able to see exactly what’s needed and deliver that feedback to a writer.
The Special Joy of Sprinting
There’s a unique satisfaction in watching your word count explode during a sprint. When I encouraged my client to blast away, her immediate response was, “I’d love to crank out 10,000 words!”
That enthusiasm is part of what makes sprints valuable. Writing doesn’t always feel exhilarating—sometimes it’s just work. But a sprint can reconnect you with the pure joy of creation, reminding you why you started writing in the first place.
As writers, we need both discipline and occasional abandonment. Structure and wild energy. Steady progress and magnificent bursts of productivity.
Know which one you need right now. And if the conditions are right for a sprint? Drop the rules and blast away.
Need help deciding whether it’s time for structure or a sprint in your writing life? My one-on-one coaching helps writers develop personalized strategies for both steady progress and powerful breakthroughs. Contact me to schedule a consultation.
