Writing a book might seem like a long-haul journey that takes months—or even years—but what if you could finish a draft in just 10 days?
It sounds intense. And it is. But for many writers, especially those tackling short novels, memoirs, or how-to guides, 10 days is more than enough to produce a complete manuscript draft.
This guide isn’t about rushing creativity or skipping quality. It’s about maximizing focus, using proven techniques, and silencing your inner critic long enough to actually finish something. You won’t walk away with a final, publish-ready book—but you will have something solid to build on.
If you’re up for the challenge, here’s your step-by-step strategy for turning a book idea into a working manuscript—in just 10 days.
Is It Really Possible to Write a Book in 10 Days?
Yes. But let’s get one thing clear: you’re writing a draft, not a masterpiece.
This fast-track approach works best when:
- You’re writing a short book (20,000–35,000 words)
- You have a clear idea and outline before you begin
- You’re ready to focus and commit for a short burst of time
- You’re not afraid to write messy
It’s similar to participating in writing sprints or creative challenges like NaNoWriMo—except compressed into less than two weeks. And when done right, it can be a game-changer for writers who struggle to finish what they start.
How to Write a Book in 10 Days – Step-by-Step Plan
Writing a book in 10 days is all about structure, speed, and stamina. Here’s how to do it without burning out.
Day 1 – Plan and Outline Your Book
Before you write a single word, you need a plan.
- Choose your topic or story: Fiction, memoir, self-help? Know what kind of book you’re writing.
- Know your audience: Who are you writing for, and what do they want?
- Create a chapter-by-chapter outline: Keep it simple. Bullet points for each section or chapter are enough to keep you on track.
- Set your word count goal: Aim for 25,000 to 30,000 words. That’s 2,500 to 3,000 words per day.
Bonus tip: Break each chapter into smaller chunks so you’re never staring at a blank page.
Day 2 – Create Your Writing Environment
Now it’s time to remove anything that could slow you down.
- Silence your phone
- Log out of social media
- Tell friends and family you’re unavailable during your writing blocks
- Set up your tools: Use Google Docs, Scrivener, or whatever you’re comfortable with
- Choose a writing spot you won’t want to leave: Coffee shop, home office, cozy couch—it doesn’t matter as long as it helps you focus
Creating a distraction-free space will protect your writing time and mental energy.
Days 3–9 – Write Without Editing
This is where the real work happens.
- Stick to your outline: Let it guide you like a map
- Don’t edit—at all: No backspacing, rewording, or second-guessing
- Use timed writing sprints: Try the Pomodoro technique—25 minutes of writing, 5-minute break
- Track your word count daily and celebrate every milestone
- Write in chunks: 1,000 words in the morning, 1,000 after lunch, 1,000 before bed—it’s manageable when spread out
If you hit a wall, leave a note to revisit that part later and keep going. The goal is momentum, not perfection.
Day 10 – Review and Organize
Congratulations! You’ve got a full draft. Now it’s time to look at the big picture.
- Read your manuscript from start to finish
- Make basic notes on what works and what doesn’t
- Reorder or adjust chapters if needed
- Fix obvious plot holes or contradictions
- Avoid line-editing or grammar fixes just yet
This final day is about gaining clarity. You’re shaping the rough stone, not polishing the sculpture.
Save a copy, breathe, and give yourself credit—you just wrote a book in 10 days.
Tips for Writing Fast Without Losing Clarity
Speed-writing doesn’t mean sloppy writing. These tips will help you stay productive without sacrificing direction.
- Use voice-to-text tools when your hands or energy run low
- Keep a water bottle, snacks, and coffee within reach
- Write placeholders like “(describe scene here)” when stuck—don’t stop to figure it out
- Reward yourself for meeting daily targets
- Don’t try to sound smart—just try to be clear
- Stay off the internet unless it’s essential to your scene
Remember: First drafts are meant to be messy. Your job is to finish the story, not perfect it yet.
What Kind of Books Work Best for a 10-Day Draft?
Not every genre or book type works well for a 10-day sprint. These are ideal choices:
- Novellas or short fiction (20k–35k words)
- Self-help or how-to guides with clear, practical steps
- Personal memoirs or themed life reflections
- Books based on previous content (e.g., your blog, podcast, coaching material)
Trying to write a 100k-word epic in 10 days? Probably not ideal. But writing a tight, focused book? Definitely doable.
Conclusion
Writing a book in 10 days isn’t about racing through the process—it’s about giving yourself permission to focus completely for a short, intense period of time.
You won’t produce a polished, publish-ready manuscript. But you will create something many people never do: a complete draft.
And that’s the most important step in becoming an author.
So if you’ve got a book idea that’s been lingering in your head—or if you’re just ready to prove to yourself that you can finish something—block out the next 10 days and give it a real shot.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need to write all day for 10 days?
Not necessarily. Most writers block 3–5 hours a day. With a 3,000-word daily goal, breaking it into short writing sprints makes it manageable—even if you work a full-time job.
Q2: What if I miss a day? Can I catch up?
Yes. Just increase your daily word count slightly to make up the difference. Writing 4,000 words the next day is challenging—but doable for one or two catch-up sessions.
Q3: How many words should I aim for in total?
Aim for 25,000 to 35,000 words. This is a good length for novellas, nonfiction guides, or short memoirs. If you want to write longer, expand later in editing.
Q4: Can I use this method for fiction and nonfiction?
Absolutely. It works for both—just make sure you start with a strong outline so you’re not winging it halfway through.
