How to plan your word count so you can hit your goal

Embarking on the journey of writing your first novel is both exciting and daunting. One crucial aspect of ensuring you reach the finish line is setting realistic writing goals. Knowing how many words you need to write and how often can help you manage your time effectively and keep you motivated.

I recently started writing a new series and because I have already got an editing date for September booked, I needed to make sure I was hitting a specific word count each day in order to get this book ready for editing.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you map out your writing schedule.

Step 1: Set Your Total Word Count Goal

First, determine the total word count for your novel. This can vary depending on the genre. For example:

• Young Adult: 50,000 - 80,000 words
• Mystery/Thriller: 70,000 - 90,000 words
• Fantasy/Science Fiction: 90,000 - 120,000 words
• Romance: 50,000 - 100,000 words

Research your genre to get a more precise target. Let’s say you’re aiming for an 80,000-word novel.

Step 2: Establish Your Timeline

Next, decide how long you want to spend on your first draft. A common goal for many new writers is six months. However, some may prefer to stretch it out over a year, while others might aim for a more aggressive timeline of three months. For our example, we’ll use six months.

Step 3: Calculate Your Weekly and Daily Word Counts

With your total word count and timeline set, you can now calculate how many words you need to write each week and each day. Here’s how:

1. Total Weekly Words: Divide your total word count by the number of weeks in your timeline. For an 80,000-word novel over six months (approximately 26 weeks):

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80,000 words ÷ 26 weeks ≈ 3,077 words per week

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2. Total Daily Words: Decide how many days per week you’ll write. Let’s say you plan to write five days a week:

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3,077 words per week ÷ 5 days ≈ 615 words per day

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Step 4: Adjust as Necessary

Keep in mind that life happens, and your initial plan might need adjustments. Missing a day or even a week doesn’t mean you’re off track; just reassess your goals and make the necessary changes to get back on course.

Step 5: Monitor Progress and Stay Motivated

Regularly track your word count to ensure you’re meeting your targets. Tools like writing apps, spreadsheets, or even a good old-fashioned notebook can help. Get my FREE Word Goals Tracker here.

Celebrate your milestones to stay motivated and reward yourself for your progress.

By breaking down your writing goals into manageable chunks, you’ll find the task of completing your first draft much more achievable.

My current word count goal is 2,400 words per day. This doesn't include writing on weekends. I can usually hit that word count in around 2-3 hours.

What are your goals? DM me or email me and let me know!