Episode Twelve: The Twelve-Month Draft
Welcome back to the blog! Today we’re diving into Episode Twelve of the podcast, and since twelve feels like such a neat number, we’re exploring the idea of the twelve-month draft. And no, this is NOT about football 🙂
Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. While some writers thrive on fast-drafting their stories in thirty days, many of us need a gentler, steadier pace. That’s where the twelve-month draft comes in, a timeline that’s both practical and achievable.
Why Twelve Months?
A year feels doable. It allows for real life to happen while still giving you a deadline to work toward. It’s not so rushed that burnout takes over, and it’s not so drawn out that your story grows cold.
A Sample Breakdown:
- Months 1–3: Brainstorming, outlining, and world-building.
- Months 4–8: Writing the bulk of your draft.
- Months 9–10: Wrapping up and filling in the gaps.
- Months 11–12: Self-editing before sending your book out for feedback.
Watch Out For:
- Perfectionism that stalls your early chapters.
- The middle-of-the-book slump.
- Life interruptions—which are natural! That’s why smaller goals help keep you on track.
The Beauty of a Year-Long Draft
This approach gives you time to grow with your characters, refine your world, and discover your writing rhythm. At the end of twelve months, you’ll have a complete draft ready to polish, share, and maybe even publish.
Want to hear more? See below for Episode Twelve of Writer Groupie for the full discussion. And if you’ve ever written a twelve-month draft (or are planning one now), I’d love to hear your experience—drop a comment below!
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