49,000 Words in 20 Days: What I Learned

This felt like an impossible sprint, but by leaning on my support system, using tools I already had, and making time for rest, I made it to the finish line.

When the November 2024 version of me signed a contract to delivery a complete manuscript by January 20th, I thought I knew what I was getting into. After all, I was receiving exactly what I longed for, prayed about, and felt that I deserved.

I already had another manuscript percolating with a revision deadline in mid-December, and I’d wrestled for several months with pitching a dual-timeline women’s fiction idea to my agent. So even though I had a lot of irons in the proverbial fire, and deadlines are a part of life, there were definitely days when I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish writing this particular book on time.

Spoiler: I did. But I didn’t do it alone, and I didn’t do it perfectly. Along the way, I picked up lessons I hope will encourage you, whether you’re working toward a big creative goal, tackling a deadline, or just trying to make progress in the middle of a busy life.

Here’s what helped me survive an intense season, submit my proposal to my agent, and deliver my manuscript on time.

1. I wasn’t alone in this.

If I’d tried to hide away in my (nonexistent) writer’s bungalow and shut out the world, I don’t think I would’ve accomplished my objectives. That probably sounds strange, but it’s true. Staying immersed in my daily life (holiday fun, groceries, meal plans, hanging with my fam) forced me to map out my word count goals and then slay them. Every day. And then I’d get up and do it again, until I reached The End.

I’m definitely in a season of balancing family, friends and productivity. So for this particular project, I worked closely with my editor who gave me the generous gift of her time and creativity to thoroughly brainstorm the plot before I even started writing. My writing friends believed in me and kept cheering me on. My family stepped up to support me in so many ways, as they always do. And friends prayed for me and sent words of encouragement exactly when I needed them.

💡 Lesson: You don’t have to do everything alone. Lean on your people, whether that’s your family, your online pals, or your community. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it AND it’s okay to admit when we’re struggling.

2. I leaned on tools I already had.

I say it often, and I’m just going to keep preaching this message until every writer hears me: Using dictation has changed my life. Right now, I use Evernote on my laptop and phone to crank out the first drafts of my manuscripts. Yes, it still feels a little awkward talking to myself, so that’s why if my family’s around I hide in our closet. But once I get into the rhythm, it’s so efficient and I get my thoughts out quickly.

💡 Lesson: Don’t get caught up in finding the perfect tools. Start with what you have and make it work for you. Also, don’t be afraid to try something new.

3. Rest and self-care are essential—even on a deadline.

When I committed to writing more books this year and increasing my creative output, I promised myself that I wouldn’t burn out. That means actively choosing things that help me recharge—exercise, healthy meals, and yes, even rest. I feel the difference on the days when I prioritize listening to my body.

Our world is very loud and overstimulating. I have to be super careful about what I consume, or else it feels like someone pulled the plug on my creative juice and drained the well.

💡 Lesson: Productivity doesn’t have to mean pushing yourself to the brink. A well-rested, well-cared-for you is far more capable than a burned-out version of yourself.

4. Be flexible when things don’t go as planned.

Because life doesn’t stop for deadlines, right? Things came up that I didn’t anticipate, and I had to adapt. Progress didn’t always look like the perfectly organized plan I had in my head, but I learned to let go of perfection and keep moving forward.

Something that really helped is using a word count tracker. I wrote down how many words I generated every day, and I use a tool (StoryOrigin) to map out my progress on a graph. Then I can see a real-time snapshot of how I’m doing and what I’ll need to continue to do to meet my deadline.

💡 Lesson: Adaptability is your superpower. Unexpected events can derail you—sometimes we have to set our writing aside and care for someone, solve a problem, or respond to a genuine emergency. Just don’t stay off-track. Use little pockets of time to make incremental progress. You’ll be surprised how the words stack up.

My Takeaway for You

Looking back, I’m amazed by how much I was able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. But more than anything, I’m grateful for the people who supported me, the tools that made the work easier, and the grace I gave myself when things didn’t go as planned.

Whether you’re working on a new novel, chasing a big dream, or trying to balance the chaos of everyday life, I hope this encourages you: You don’t have to do it perfectly. Lean on your people, use the resources you have, and take care of yourself along the way.

💬 What big goal are you working toward right now? I’d love to hear about it—drop me a comment below and let me cheer you on!

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Thank you for being here—it means so much to me that you’d take the time to read my post. 💛