Even after you finish a book it can be hard to repeat the process. Perhaps you're wondering if 100 Day Book can help you finish your draft, once and for all. But does 100 Day Book work?
Today we hear from an author who drafted her second novel in record time using 100 Day Book. Read on and see if the ways 100 Day Book helped her can help you finish your first (or second or third) book, too!
When I started writing my first book, Love, Camera, Action, I thought (foolishly), This’ll be easy! I’ve got a basic premise, two amazing characters, and an awesome setting. I’ll be done in six months!
Three years later, I’d only finished my second draft.
So many things got in the way of writing: work, kids, lack of inspiration, watching TV, other books, and on and on. Honestly, I’m amazed I finished that first book at all, let alone got it published. I’m still in grateful shock.
When I began my second novel, I had a very similar thought: This’ll be easy! I get how this writing thing works, how much effort it takes. I’ll be done in no time!
But after a few months of slow/no progress, I realized I was going down the same path. And I couldn’t face it.
I had to find a better way.
That’s when I found The Write Practice and 100 Day Book. Initially, I just liked the idea of getting my book done in 100 days. The title alone was enough for me to sign up.
I ended up discovering so much more.
The 6 Ways 100 Day Book Accelerated My Progress
1. A book plan
Before I even started, The Write Progress gave me a template for a book plan, something I’d never even considered. Since I had to submit it as part of the program, the book plan forced me to outline my idea in concrete terms, as well as answer questions about my story I didn’t even know to ask.
TWP assured me I didn’t have to stick to that book plan, and to be honest, I veered away from it big time as the writing progressed. But the plan gave me a place to start, sparked ideas about where my story could go, and became something I could refer to when I got lost in the weeds.
2. A clear process with deadlines
I love a deadline. 100DB taught me how to set weekly, manageable goals I could then break down into daily deadlines that were within my grasp to achieve. Writing x amount of words every day was a lot easier to tackle than, “Write a book by August.”
3. Accountability
Like I said, I love a deadline that someone else checks. I can make my own deadlines all I want, but it doesn’t mean I’ll hit them.
Being accountable to The Write Practice community and the book coach each week tapped into a key drive for me: living up to obligations with other people…consistently.
In the beginning, it was easy to meet my word count. But as the weeks slogged on through the dreaded middle, I began losing steam and focus. I kept going because I had to be accountable for my word count to a community. A community who was kind and supportive, regardless of how many words I eked out.
The surprising result? Because I had to make my word count in order to be accountable, I made quick decisions instead of mulling over plot points for weeks.
4. Book coaches
Everyone who signs up for 100DB gets a coach they can contact when things get rough. TWP coaches know exactly where you are, mentally and emotionally, during each week of 100DB. Why? Because they’ve been there.
They’ve written books in 100 days themselves. Having a cheerleader/motivational coach in your corner, someone to reach out to with any doubts, week after week, was a huge boost.
On my second round of 100DB, I leveled up my tier and got a book coach with feedback. My book coach, Jamie Biggs, talked through my book plan with me, critiqued my work, emailed me every week to see how the writing was going, and met with me to discuss plot points and roadblocks.
The second draft came out more polished and focused than I would’ve ever been able to achieve on my own.
5. Reward incentive
I don’t know about you, but I love money. Getting it, saving it, counting it. TWP offered every writer on 100DB a $100 incentive to finish their manuscript. I was not going to leave that 100 bucks behind.
6. Resources
When I signed up for 100DB, I didn’t realize the program came with tons of writing resources. There were training videos, articles, and blog posts on how to create a great character, to build compelling story arcs, understanding the hero’s journey, writing sparkling dialogue, editing . . . you name it.
And I was doubly surprised to find I was using them—especially when I was stuck. They not only got me out of my writer’s block, but taught me a ton about writing.
All of this resulted in two finished drafts in two sessions of 100DB. What had taken me three years to achieve with my first novel took me only seven months with my second. Just this past January, I handed in the polished draft of that manuscript to my agent, and am on to my third novel.
So if you’re looking for a way to stop thinking about how good your novel is going to be and actually finish a pretty good novel, sign up for 100 Day Book. Join for the community, the resources, the deadlines and ultimately, a completed draft.
If you want to see all the details about 100 Day Book and get your manuscript done in record time, check out the full program here and get started today!
This article is by guest author and community member Noël Stark. Love, Camera, Action is Noël Stark’s debut novel. She’s worked in almost every position in the film/TV industry, both in front of and behind the camera. She lives in LA with her young son, gets most of her real world intel from her three stepkids, and likes chocolate milk in her coffee. Follow her writing adventures at her website: www.noelstark.com and on social media: TikTok: @noelstarkauthor IG: @noelstarkauthorPRACTICE
What book idea do you keep thinking about? Today, spend fifteen minutes writing about your book idea (or brainstorming a new one).
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If you're ready to turn your great idea into an even better book, we'd love to see you in the 100 Day Book program! Learn more about the program here.
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