How many weeks does a first draft take with this plan?

If you average 10 000 words per week, an 80 000-word novel reaches “The End” in roughly eight weeks, plus two weeks for focused revisions.

Can I swap the days around my work schedule?

Absolutely. Keep the sequence (outline → draft → review → revise), but shift days to match your peak energy windows.

What if unexpected research questions pop up mid-draft?

Jot them in a running list and defer deep dives to Friday's research block. Momentum first, detail later.

How detailed should Monday's outline be?

Include scene purpose, protagonist goal, conflict, and intended length. Leave dialogue and description for drafting day.

Is one rest day enough?

For most writers, yes. If you feel drained, split Day 6 revision across Saturday morning and Sunday evening, keeping Sunday afternoon free.

From outline to revision: a structured weekly plan that keeps novels on schedule

Struggling to move from a sparkling idea to a polished manuscript? A structured weekly plan gives you clarity, momentum, and measurable progress. Follow the seven-day rhythm below to keep your novel on schedule—without sacrificing creativity or burning out.

Why drafts derail—and how structure fixes the problem

Pantser energy feels thrilling at first, but most novels stall when motivation dips or plot holes appear. A structured weekly plan counters these obstacles by front-loading goals, batching similar tasks, and building in review sessions. The result: fewer rewrites, steadier word counts, and a realistic path to “The End.”

The 7-Day Novel Workflow

Day 1 – Map goals and micro-milestones

Start Monday by revisiting your outline and defining realistic targets—scene list, word count, or emotional beats. Break the week into micro-milestones you can tick off. For extra momentum, combine this step with focused writing sprints in 25-minute bursts.

Day 2 – Deep scene design

Sketch each upcoming scene's purpose, conflict, and exit point. Use index cards or a spreadsheet. This concentrated design session reduces on-the-spot decision fatigue during drafting.

Day 3 – Draft fast, silence the inner editor

Wednesday is for raw generation. Disable spell-check, put phone on airplane mode, and aim for 1.5–2× your usual pace. Treat speed as research—you are discovering the story's true shape.

Day 4 – Mid-week quality check

Print or convert yesterday's pages to e-ink and read like a first-time reader. Highlight logic gaps, cliché metaphors, or pacing drags. Do not line-edit yet. Capture issues in a “fix” column so Friday's revision is laser-focused. If you work with an accountability partner or editor, share a short progress report outlining clear deliverables.

Day 5 – Research and enrichment block

Your brain needs a drafting pause. Use Friday to verify historical facts, deepen sensory details, or interview a subject-matter expert. By batching research, you avoid rabbit holes during writing sessions.

Day 6 – Revision sprint

Saturday belongs to targeted fixes: patch plot holes, sharpen dialogue, and strengthen point-of-view. Limit each pass to one craft element so quality climbs without spiraling into perfectionism.

Day 7 – Rest, review metrics, plan next week

Reflection cements growth. Compare weekly targets to actuals: words written, scenes completed, hours logged. Reward yourself—maybe by calculating potential earnings with author day rates—then adjust next week's milestones.

Tools and templates that power the schedule

Kanban board—visualise scene status (To Do, Drafting, Revision, Done).
Time-blocked calendar—reserve 90-minute deep-work slots when your energy peaks.
Progress tracker spreadsheet—auto-sum word counts and draft percentages.
Mentor feedback loop—weekly 15-minute voice notes exchanged with a peer. Unsure which support suits you? Compare options in mentorship vs self-study.
Author training resources—explore structured courses and live workshops via the curated author training hub.

Measuring progress: key metrics

Data removes guesswork. Track at least three indicators:

Weekly word count – shows raw momentum.
Scenes completed vs planned – flags outline drift early.
Revision depth – light, moderate, or structural. Prevents endless polishing.

Indicator	Ad-hoc writing	Structured weekly plan
Average words/day	450	1 200
Weeks to first draft (80 k)	28	12
Revision cycles	5+	2–3
Missed deadlines	Frequent	Rare

Common pitfalls and quick fixes

Over-planning – Limit outline tweaks to Monday. Excessive changes mid-week sap drafting energy.
Perfection paralysis – Use the Wednesday reading to list issues, but forbid edits until Saturday.
Research spirals – Batch on Friday with a timer. Capture new questions in a parking-lot doc.
Skipping rest – Day 7 downtime prevents cognitive fatigue and nurtures fresh insights.

Quiz: Is this weekly plan right for your writing style?

FAQ

How many weeks does a first draft take with this plan?: If you average 10 000 words per week, an 80 000-word novel reaches “The End” in roughly eight weeks, plus two weeks for focused revisions.
Can I swap the days around my work schedule?: Absolutely. Keep the sequence (outline → draft → review → revise), but shift days to match your peak energy windows.
What if unexpected research questions pop up mid-draft?: Jot them in a running list and defer deep dives to Friday's research block. Momentum first, detail later.
How detailed should Monday's outline be?: Include scene purpose, protagonist goal, conflict, and intended length. Leave dialogue and description for drafting day.
Is one rest day enough?: For most writers, yes. If you feel drained, split Day 6 revision across Saturday morning and Sunday evening, keeping Sunday afternoon free.

Take the next step

Ready to put theory into practice? Download the free “Novel Week Planner” template, pin it above your desk, and commit to one structured cycle. Share your progress with peers or in a professional forum—momentum loves company.