From Idea to 20,000 Words: A Step-by-Step Guide to Prepping for a High-Output Writing Challenge
Among Wordmakers, there is a very specific emotion associated with signing up for a fast-drafting challenge like 20kin5Days.
On one hand, it’s exciting—five days of intense, focused writing where you push yourself to get words down fast. On the other hand, there’s that little voice in the back of your head whispering, Can I really do this? What if I crash and burn on day two? It’s such a complex emotion that it takes a mash-up of words to describe it. Nervicited? Terrorenthused? Thrillafied?
That mix of excitement and slight terror is completely normal. Writing 20,000 words in five days is no small feat, but it’s absolutely doable—especially if you set yourself up for success before you even start. The difference between a smooth, productive challenge and one that leaves you feeling frustrated usually comes down to preparation. And no, I don’t mean spending weeks building an elaborate outline or filling out a 10-page character questionnaire. The goal isn’t to over-plan yourself into exhaustion—it’s to give yourself just enough structure so that when you sit down to write, you can dive right in without hesitation.
Think of it like prepping for a road trip. You don’t need to plan every turn or memorize the entire route, but you do need to know where you’re headed, make sure your car has gas, and pack some snacks so you don’t get hangry on the way. The same goes for a high-output writing challenge. A little preparation—defining your story scope, sketching out key characters, setting up your writing space—goes a long way in making sure you don’t stall out halfway through.
So if you’re gearing up for 20kin5Days (or any fast-drafting challenge), let’s talk about how to get ready without overwhelming yourself. Because writing fast doesn’t mean writing blind—you just need the right tools to keep you moving.
Step 1: Define Your Story Scope
When you’re gearing up for a high-speed drafting challenge like 20kin5Days, the last thing you want is to hit the midway point and realize your story is too sprawling, too complicated, or too tangled up in subplots to keep up the pace. That’s why defining your story scope before you start writing can make all the difference.
Shorter arcs and focused story beats are your best friends when drafting fast. It’s not that you can’t write an epic, multi-POV, deeply intricate novel in five days—but trying to do so is like deciding to run a marathon without stretching first. The more contained your story is, the easier it is to keep momentum. This is why novellas, single POV narratives, and tightly structured plotlines tend to work best. They give you just enough room to play without overwhelming you with endless decisions.
So how do you know if your idea is the right fit for fast-drafting? Here are a few questions to ask yourself before committing:
Can I clearly define the main conflict in a single sentence? If it takes a whole paragraph to explain, it might be too complex for a high-speed draft.
Does the story have a clear beginning, middle, and end, or is it more exploratory? Fast-drafting works best when you have at least a loose roadmap.
Am I working with a small cast of characters, or will I need to juggle multiple arcs? The fewer moving parts, the easier it is to keep up the momentum.
Can this story unfold in a compressed timeframe? Stories that take place over a few days, weeks, or even one pivotal night often work well for fast-drafting.
This isn’t about limiting creativity—it’s about setting yourself up to finish. By keeping your story scope focused, you give yourself the best chance of hitting that 20,000-word goal and walking away with a draft that’s actually workable when it’s time to revise.
Step 2: Create a Character Cheat Sheet
When you’re drafting fast, you don’t have time to get lost in character questionnaires that ask about your protagonist’s childhood pet or their favorite brand of toothpaste. You need just enough detail to bring them to life on the page without slowing yourself down. That’s where a character cheat sheet comes in—something quick, simple, and focused on what actually matters.
At a bare minimum, you need five things:
Name – Even if it’s a placeholder, having something to call them helps.
Goal – What do they want? This is the thing they’re actively chasing.
Motivation – Why do they want it? What’s driving them forward?
Flaw – What’s getting in their way? Nobody wants to read about a perfect character.
One defining trait – The thing that makes them memorable. Are they fiercely loyal? Terrified of failure? A flirt who uses humor as a defense mechanism? Pick one core trait to help guide their voice and actions.
This isn’t about creating a full character dossier—it’s about getting just enough depth to make sure your characters feel real without slowing your momentum. A great shortcut is to think about how they handle conflict. Are they the type to fight, flee, or finesse their way out of a tough situation? Do they lash out, shut down, or overanalyze? The way a character reacts under pressure tells you a lot about who they are.
If you don’t know all the details yet, that’s fine—drop in placeholders and keep moving. Instead of pausing to research the perfect last name, put [LAST NAME HERE] and come back to it later. Not sure about their backstory yet? Write [SOMETHING TRAUMATIC HAPPENED] and keep drafting. You can always refine these things later, but in the middle of a fast-draft, momentum is more important than perfection.
The goal isn’t to have everything figured out—it’s to know just enough to let your characters make decisions, create conflict, and pull you deeper into the story as you write. And honestly, sometimes the best discoveries happen while you’re writing, not before.
Step 3: Build a Loose Plot Framework
When you’re writing fast, the last thing you want is to slow yourself down by overthinking the plot. But going in with zero direction? That’s a recipe for staring at your screen, wondering what happens next. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle—having just enough of a framework to keep you moving while still leaving room for surprises.
Think of your outline like a road trip itinerary. You don’t need to map out every turn or plan every rest stop, but you do need to know your destination and a few key landmarks along the way. This gives you the structure to stay on track without making you feel boxed in.
If outlining has ever felt overwhelming, try one of these simple frameworks:
The Three-Act Structure: A solid go-to for keeping your story from meandering. Act One sets up the world and the conflict, Act Two complicates things, and Act Three brings it all to a resolution. It’s like the storytelling version of a beginning, middle, and end—but with purpose.
Save the Cat beats: If you need a little more guidance, this method breaks the story down into key emotional turning points—like the inciting incident (what kicks off the story), the midpoint (where everything shifts), and the finale (where it all comes together). Even if you just jot down a few of these beats, you’ll have a roadmap to follow.
Plot in threes: If structure makes you itchy, keep it simple. Write down three major things that happen in the beginning, three in the middle, and three at the end. Boom. Instant guidepost.
The trick is to outline just enough that you’re not fumbling for direction but not so much that you feel trapped by your own plan. And if a brilliant new idea pops up while writing? Follow it. Some of the best story moments happen when you give yourself permission to veer off the map. The outline is there to help you keep moving—not to control every step of the journey.
Step 4: Set Up Your Writing Environment
Your writing environment doesn’t have to be picture-perfect—no fancy desk setup, no candlelit ambiance (unless that’s your thing). But if you’re about to take on a high-output writing challenge like 20kin5Days, it does help to be intentional about where and how you write. A little prep work can mean the difference between getting into the zone quickly or spending half your session doom-scrolling while your word count stays exactly the same.
The first step? Minimize distractions. If you know certain things pull you out of focus—your phone, email notifications, that sudden urge to reorganize your bookshelf—set yourself up to avoid them. Put your phone in another room, use a site blocker if necessary, and let the people around you know that for the next sprint, you are unavailable. Your future, word-count-rich self will thank you.
Next, gather the tools that help keep you on track:
Timers and sprint trackers – Writing in short bursts (like 25-minute sprints) can keep your brain engaged and prevent burnout. A simple timer or an app like Forest or Sprinto can help.
Music or white noise – Some writers thrive on absolute silence, while others do better with a little background sound. Experiment with instrumental playlists, ambient café noises, or even the low hum of a fan. Whatever helps you focus.
Word count goals – Breaking down your daily goal into smaller targets (like 500 words per sprint) makes it feel way more manageable. Watching those numbers climb is also ridiculously satisfying.
But beyond the physical setup, there’s also the psychology of getting into the zone faster—what some writers call “ritualizing” your writing sessions. This doesn’t have to be elaborate, but small, repeated actions can signal to your brain that it’s go time. Maybe you light a specific candle, make a cup of tea, or play the same playlist every time you sit down to write. These little rituals create a mental shortcut that helps you drop into writing mode quicker, saving you from the dreaded warm-up phase where you spend 15 minutes just thinking about writing.
The goal isn’t to create the perfect writing environment—it’s to set yourself up for success in a way that makes it easier to sit down, focus, and get those words flowing. And if that means putting on noise-canceling headphones and bribing yourself with snacks? No judgment. Whatever works.
Step 5: Develop a Survival Plan
Writing 20,000 words in five days isn’t just a creative challenge—it’s an endurance test. And like any intense workout, you need a solid survival plan to keep yourself going. This isn’t about grinding through exhaustion or chaining yourself to your desk. The goal is to write effectively without burning out by day two.
First, let’s talk energy management. Your brain is doing a lot of heavy lifting, and it needs fuel. That means:
Hydration – Writing while dehydrated is a one-way ticket to Brain Fog City. Keep water (or your beverage of choice) nearby and actually drink it.
Snacks – Aim for things that keep your energy steady. Protein, fruit, or nuts are great—though let’s be honest, sometimes you just need a handful of M&Ms to power through. No judgment.
Movement – Sitting for hours will make you feel like a gremlin. Stand up, stretch, take a walk. Even five minutes of movement between sprints can reset your focus.
Next, plan your breaks like they matter—because they do. It’s tempting to keep pushing through, especially when you’re in the zone, but skipping breaks is a fast track to burnout. Try working in sprints (like 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off) or set intentional checkpoints—write 2,000 words, then step away for a real break. Watch a funny video, make a snack, do anything that gives your brain a reset before diving back in.
And finally, let’s talk about tough writing days—because they will happen. Some days, the words flow effortlessly. Other days, it feels like wading through wet cement. When that happens, don’t let frustration derail you. Instead of thinking, I’m behind, I’ll never catch up, reframe it: Today was rough, but I still showed up. Tomorrow will be better. Remind yourself that messy words are still progress. You don’t have to write perfectly—you just have to keep going.
At the end of the day, fast-drafting is a balance of effort and self-care. Take care of yourself, give yourself grace, and trust that every word you put down is getting you closer to the finish line.
Fast-drafting isn’t about churning out a perfect book in record time—it’s about getting words down so you have something to work with later.
Every great story starts with a messy draft, and the sooner you embrace that, the easier it is to push through resistance and keep going. Writing 20,000 words in five days might sound intense, but when you trust the process, focus on momentum, and let go of perfection, it becomes a whole lot more manageable—and dare I say, even fun.
Speed doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. It just means you’re giving yourself permission to write without overthinking. The beauty of fast-drafting is that once the words are on the page, then you can shape them into something stronger. But you can’t revise a blank page, and the more you write, the more material you’ll have to refine later.
If you love the idea of high-speed drafting but need a little more structure, the #20kin5Days Handbook is packed with tips, strategies, and motivation to help you hit your goal. Whether you’re a seasoned fast-drafter or tackling a writing challenge for the first time, it’s got everything you need to make the process smoother. Grab your copy here: #20kin5Days Handbook.
So, tell me—are you a meticulous planner who loves a detailed outline, or are you more of a chaotic writer who thrives on discovering the story as you go?
How do you prepare for writing challenges?
