General Questions

What are writing sprints?

Writing sprints are focused, timed sessions where you write as much as possible without distractions or edits.

How long is a typical writing sprint?

Most sprints are 15, 25, or 30 minutes, but you can adjust the length based on your preference.

Do I need to participate in a group to do writing sprints?

Not at all! While group sprints are great for accountability, you can do them solo.

Getting Started

What do I need to participate in writing sprints?

Just a timer, your writing tools (laptop, notebook, etc.), and a quiet space to focus.

Can I use writing sprints for any stage of my writing?

Absolutely! Use them for brainstorming, drafting, or revising—it’s all about focused progress.

How do I track my progress during sprints?

Use our Writing Sprint Calculator to log your word count after each sprint and see your growth over time.

What if I don’t meet my word count goal?

No worries! Writing sprints are about building momentum, not perfection. Every word is progress.

The Writing Studio’s Writing Sprints

How does The Writing Studio support writing sprints?

We offer tools like the Writing Sprint Calculator, a leaderboard for tracking points, and an online community to keep you motivated.

What is the Writing Sprint Calculator?

It’s a Google Sheet template to log your daily word count for the month and for the year.

How do I use the Writing Sprint Calculator?

We’ve created a short video tutorial to guide you through the process. It’s easy and beginner-friendly.

What is the leaderboard?

The leaderboard ranks writers based on points earned from daily sprints. It’s a fun way to stay motivated and celebrate progress.

Motivation and Accountability

What if I lose focus during a sprint?

It happens! Just pick up where you left off and keep writing until the timer ends.

Can I do writing sprints with others?

Yes! Join our in-person events or connect with members online for group sprints and accountability.

How do I stay consistent with writing sprints?

Set a daily goal, log your word count, and celebrate small wins. Consistency is key.

What if I miss a day?

No problem! Just jump back in the next day. The goal is long-term progress, not perfection.

Results and Benefits

How many words can I expect to write in a sprint?

This varies, but many writers average 300–800 words in a 30-minute sprint.

How do writing sprints improve my writing?

They build discipline, help you overcome procrastination, and encourage faster drafting without overthinking.

Can I use sprints to finish an entire book?

Yes! Many writers use daily sprints to hit word count goals for novels or long-form projects.

What is the Book-in-a-Month Challenge?

The challenge is a month-long writing event where participants aim to write a complete first draft of a book, typically targeting 50,000 words or more.

Who can participate in the challenge?

Writers of all experience levels are welcome! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned author, this challenge is designed to inspire and motivate you.

Who is in charge?

Community members are in the driver’s seat. We provide the tools. Take the initiative to invite members to do the challenge with you, use the templates we provide and get to it. That said, there are times when community organizers will join the challenge as well, and we have workshops slated for later in the year. Stay tuned for those. But just like National Novel Writing Month, you don’t need to be an expert writer to take on the challenge. You just need to be willing to go at it and bring a few friends along the way.

Do I have to write a specific genre?

No! You can write in any genre you prefer—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, or anything else.

What if I don’t finish my book in a month?

That’s okay! We encourage you to stay the course and finish what you’re writing. Do not join the next BIAM challenge because it won’t be a good measure of your ability to write a first draft in a month. Instead, maintain or adjust your daily word count goal and join the Writing Sprint channel to find accountability partners. This will help you keep the momentum going and finish your draft sooner rather than later. When you’ve wrapped up your draft, and if you’re ready to work on another book, jump on the next BIAM bandwagon.

Can I use AI to write for me? 

You shouldn’t. This exercise is about leveling up your ability to write, not your ability to edit AI written text or your ability to prompt AI for natural-sounding results. These need to be words that spring from your creative ability. That said, we fully support using AI for pre-writing tasks like brainstorming ideas, outlining stories, conducting research, and post-writing tasks like proofreading, editing, etc.

Do you have any way of detecting AI-written text? 

While we could use AI detection software, we’re not going to. This challenge runs on an honor system; to cheat the system is to cheat yourself. So many writers suffer from imposter syndrome as it is; we would hope that our members will never endanger their self-esteem by committing acts of deceit. Give yourself the satisfaction of evolving from crappy writing so you can look back at your progress months from now or years from now and take note of the indisputable gains you’ve made.

Logistics and Rules

When does the challenge start and end?

The challenge typically begins on the first day of the month and ends on the last day.

Is there a word count goal I need to meet?

While the traditional goal is 50,000 words, you can set a personal target that fits your project and schedule.

Do I need to write every day?

Not at all, but it is a good idea. Making a daily habit of writing can build momentum and make your goal manageable. Some participants still prefer to write in larger chunks on fewer days. Regardless of which approach you use, the important thing is to make progress.

Can I work on an existing project?

This challenge is meant to test your ability to draft a book from start to finish in a month, so the short answer is no. 

However, we understand that some literary projects might be too large in scope for a BIAM challenge. That is why we created the Writing Sprint channel. Participants in the Writing Sprint channel set a daily word count goal and hold each other accountable for it. That goal can be met through any way the writer sees fit, writing short stories, blog posts, or chipping away at a massive novel. The purpose of the writing sprints is to instill a habit of writing daily and making steady progress on their projects one day at a time until the work is all done. 

So, if you know for a fact that your project is too large in scope for the BIAM challenge, stick to writing sprints and stay the course until your project is finished. If you start the BIAM challenge and realize halfway through that your project is too big to be completed in a month, stay the course. Get as much done as you can, then switch tracks to the Writing Sprints channel and keep going.

Tools and Resources

Are there any resources to help me succeed?

Yes! Participants get access to:

• Writing prompts (we post them every Friday on our site)

• Planning templates (Click here for access)

• Tips on overcoming writer’s block (check out our blog)

Do I need specific software to participate?

No. You can use any tool you’re comfortable with—Google Docs, Scrivener, Word, or even pen and paper.

Will there be community support?

Definitely! You’ll have access to online forums, critique groups, and your accountability group to help you stay motivated.

Motivation and Rewards

What if I lose motivation during the challenge?

You’re not alone! The community is here to support you with pep talks, accountability check-ins, and encouragement to help you get back on track.

What happens after the challenge?

After the challenge, you can:

• Revise and polish your draft

• Join critique groups for feedback

• Explore publishing options or continue writing if you haven’t finished.

How do points and levels work during the challenge?

If you would like to receive points for your work, submit your daily or monthly word count via this form. All leaderboard scores will be updated within the first week of the month.