Before the Words Begin: How to Build a Writing Plan That Actually Works
October is here, and for writers, that means one thing: Prep-Tober. A fresh month, a blank page, and a chance to ready ourselves for the whirlwind of Novel November.
But let’s be honest—most of us have been here before.
We’ve made detailed calendars, highlighted word-count charts, and promised ourselves this will finally be the year. And yet, somewhere between the second week and the second-guessing, we stall out.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need a perfect plan. You need a plan that works for you.
⚠️ Why Most Writing Plans Fail
It’s not because you aren’t motivated enough or dedicated enough.
It’s because most writing plans are built on shoulds instead of sustainables.
“I should write 2,000 words a day.”
“I should have my outline finished before November starts.”
“I should just push harder if I get behind.”
But “shoulds” pile pressure instead of building structure.
What you really need is a plan rooted in grace, flexibility, and the rhythms of your actual life.
📝 3 Steps to Create a Writing Plan That Works
Here’s how to design a Prep-Tober plan that doesn’t just look good on paper but actually helps you show up in November.
1. Start with Your Real Life, Not the Ideal
Look at your calendar for November. Highlight holidays, family commitments, and work deadlines. Instead of pretending you’ll have uninterrupted hours every day, ask: Where can writing realistically fit into my current season?
2. Set Rhythms, Not Rules
Instead of “2,000 words daily,” try: “I will write for 30 minutes after dinner” or “I’ll aim for 500 words during my lunch break.” Rhythms anchor you; rules shame you when you inevitably miss a day.
3. Build in Margin
Plan for missed days. Plan for off days. Plan for life. (Because it’s going to happen.) Give yourself permission to pause without guilt so that you can start again without shame.
✨ My Own Prep-Tober Plan (And How You Can Steal It)
I don’t want to just tell you this—I want to show you what it looks like in my own world right now.
Here’s how I’m prepping for Novel November this October:
🕰️ Blocking my rhythms → I’ve chosen three non-negotiable writing windows each week that I know I can actually honor, even on busy days.
📖 Revisiting my story bones → Instead of re-outlining everything, I’m taking one hour per week to review character arcs and stakes so I step into November with clarity, not confusion.
(This is also great anytime you are writing a series. Taking moments in between to sit with each character and evaluate their growth so that the next book continues building on them smoothly.)🌙 Planning rest → I’m marking one day a week as a “no-writing day” to give myself space to recharge and listen. Consider this my Sabbath day, where I give it to The Lord who has gifted me this story.
Your plan doesn’t have to look like mine. In fact, it shouldn’t.
It should look like you—your life, your capacity, and your season.
💡 A Final Word Before You Plan
Novel November isn’t about perfection. It’s about commitment to your story, your rhythm, and yes, even to God, who placed these words on your heart in the first place.
Before the words begin, take a deep breath and ask yourself:
👉 What plan will actually support me?
👉 What rhythms will carry me, even on the hard days?
That’s the plan worth making.
🚪 Next steps
Comment below or share with me: What’s one rhythm you’re setting in October to prepare for November?
And if you know you need accountability and support to stay on track, stay tuned—my 30-day sprint, “Flip the Script” opens soon. It’s where we’ll walk through this, together.
