Before you dive into 90 days of writing, a little preparation goes a long way.
Novel90 is about momentum, but it’s also about sustainability — and the best way to protect both is to start with a plan!
Here’s your step-by-step checklist to make sure you’re ready when Day 1 arrives.
1. Block Your Writing Time on the Calendar
Writing only happens if you make room for it. Decide now when your writing sessions will be and block them on your calendar like appointments you can’t miss.
- Choose 4–6 sessions per week.
- Each session: 1–2 hours (or shorter sprints if your schedule is tight).
- Pick times when you’re least likely to be interrupted.
👉 Treat these blocks as sacred. If life interrupts, reschedule — don’t cancel.
2. Set Up Your Word Tracker
Tracking is motivation fuel. Watching the numbers climb makes progress real.
- Use AutoCrit’s word tracker in the Writer’s Desk [link/graphic] or a simple spreadsheet.
- Set your daily goal (~1,500 words during drafting weeks).
- Add milestone markers: 10k, 25k, 50k, 75k. Celebrate each one.
👉 Visual streaks are powerful — don’t break the chain.
3. Plant Your First Scene Seed
Don’t wait until Day 1 to decide what to write. Give yourself a “scene seed” — a concrete starting point.
Ask yourself:
- Who is my main character at the start?
- What’s happening around them?
- What do they want in this first moment?
Write a few bullet notes or lines of dialogue. This seed will grow into your first 1,000 words when the challenge begins.
4. Create a Backup Plan
Even the best plans get tested. Build a safety net now so you don’t lose momentum later.
- Minimum fallback: 100 words a day when life gets rough.
- Catch-up blocks: Add one extra sprint to your weekend if you fall behind.
- Zero-guilt reset: Missing a day isn’t failure. What matters is getting back in the chair tomorrow.
👉 A backup plan turns obstacles into detours, not dead ends.
Final Word
Novel90 is about more than speed — it’s about creating systems that carry you all the way to the finish line and beyond! With your calendar blocked, your tracker ready, your first scene seeded, and a backup plan in place, you’re set up for success.
On Day 1, you won’t be scrambling. You’ll be writing.
The challenge is set. Your story is ready. The only question left: are you ready to write?