If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry – here’s a summary of exactly what we did. I’d really encourage you to set aside 20 – 30 minutes to work through this properly. It sounds simple, and it is, but doing it will make a real difference to how you approach the next six months.

Grab a pen and paper, or open a new document, and work through the questions below.

First, a word about goals

Some people love goals. Some people hate them. Some have never tried setting and working toward goals before. It really doesn’t matter which camp you fall into.

I use the word ‘goal’ to mean the thing you are hoping to achieve. In this context, that is the draft you are hoping to finish. We are all here because we want to write something, so that is our goal.

If the word goal doesn’t work for you, try using an alternative: intention, plan, purpose, or any other word that feels motivating to you.

We do need to be specific about what we are working toward, and find an appropriate way to measure progress; this allows us to keep track of how we’re doing, and readjust if needed. It will also help us to get back on track if we get diverted.

And goals are never fixed. They are flexible and will be adjusted as we go. They are personal and should work for you, not against you. A small goal that feels achievable will be more motivating than one that feels overwhelming. So don’t take it too seriously – have fun with this and see how you get on!

Step One: Define your six-month goal

Start by getting specific about what you’re actually trying to finish.

• What is the draft you are committing to completing in the next six months?

• What is your working title?

• Why is finishing this project important to you?

• How will you know when you’re done? Think in concrete, measurable terms. What will you have in six months? A specific word count, a specific number of chapters, a specific number of Substack posts, or simply typing The End?

Now pull your answers together into a single statement:

In the next six months I will finish [draft X] of [working title]. This is important to me because [your reason]. I will be finished when I have [your specific outcome].

Write it down.

Step Two: Break it down

A six-month goal is scary and too big to act on directly. This step turns it into something manageable.

How will you measure progress, month by month? You need a unit of measurement that is both concrete and within your control. For most writers working on a draft, word count is a simple and reliable measure – you either wrote the words or you didn’t. But if your project doesn’t lend itself to word count (a series of essays, for example, or highly research-dependent work), you might measure by writing sessions completed, pages drafted, research notes taken, or chapters finished. Consider the outcome you just defined and choose whatever reflects the actual work of your project and your preferences.

What is your monthly aim? Take your total target and divide by six. For example: if your goal is to write a 70,000 word first draft, that’s roughly 12,000 words a month. If you’re aiming for a shorter project – say, 30,000 words – that’s 5,000 words a month. You might choose a certain number of chapters, essays or writing sessions per month. Keep the maths simple and round to a number that feels reasonable.

What is your minimum weekly aim? Divide your monthly figure by four. So 12,000 words a month becomes around 3,000 words a week. (This is approximate, and that’s fine.) This is your baseline – not your ideal, not your best-case-scenario, but the minimum you’re committing to. It has to be genuinely achievable given your actual life: your working hours, your other commitments, the weeks that will inevitably go sideways or when you need a break.

If your weekly figure sounds impossible right now, adjust your target until it feels like something you can actually do right now. A modest goal you hit consistently will always serve you better than an ambitious one you abandon by week three. You can always adjust later.

Q: But Katherine, my novel is a behemoth and my weekly targets are terrifying me – what should I do?

A: You may need to adjust your six-month goal. Perhaps you could aim to finish 50% of your draft instead of the whole thing. There are no rules here. Play around with the numbers and see what feels good.

Got something that feels achievable? Good – let’s move on.

Step Three: Plan your next move and prepare for obstacles

This is where the goal becomes action.

Look at your weekly aim and ask: what can you do this week to start making progress? Make a list of everything that comes to mind.

Then identify the single most important thing on that list and decide when, specifically, you will do it. A day and time works best, e.g. this Friday between 3-4pm. A deadline at the very least: by the end of Friday.

Next, think honestly about what might get in the way. The day job, unhelpful habits, self-doubt, getting stuck on the story, other people’s demands on your time. Whatever your particular obstacles are, write them down.

Then ask: which of these can I actually control? For most of them, the answer is more than you think. For each one, decide on one concrete step you can take to manage it before it derails you. For example, one of mine is time wasted on social media, so my concrete step is to avoid going on socials until after lunch on writing days. I’ve done this before, so I know it’s possible and I know it works.

Step Four: Now make it public

The most powerful thing you can do right now is post your commitment statement in the comments below. Use the template from Step One. Add your first action and when you’ll do it:

In the next six months I will finish [draft x] of [working title]. This is important to me because [your reason]. I will be finished when I have [your specific outcome].

My first step is [your most important action] and I will complete this on/by [your specific deadline].

Writing it out here makes it real. If you hesitate, ask yourself why. You already have a community of writers who are doing exactly the same thing alongside you!

Everyone is welcome to post their statements below. I’ll post mine there too.

Finally, if you’d like more regular contact, accountability and a space to write together, come and join us at The Inkwell. Paid members get access to Coffee & Co-writing, our weekly online writing session every Wednesday, 1–2.30pm UK time. It’s a lovely, friendly space to write together and connect with other writers and will be a brilliant compliment to First Draft Club for the next six months.

Join here

Don’t forget to pop your statement in comments. I can’t wait to hear about your project!

We kick off today! Grab your notebooks and a cuppa and get comfy. I’ll see you there!

Tuesday 23rd June, 3pm-4pm UK time.

Check the time in your time zone here.

How to join:

Simply follow the Zoom link below, or use the Meeting ID and passcode.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87894701837?pwd=vcNZy0J9eFh9CD3W0yRtzLgFqYjfUa.1

Meeting ID: 878 9470 1837
Passcode: 358963

Note: This is a private space for First Draft Club members. Please respect our community and keep the joining details safe. 🙏

Me too.

I’m embarking on the first draft of my next novel and I want to finish before Christmas. I’m giving myself six months to knock out a shitty first draft. To make sure I do it, I’m practicing what I preach, committing to this publicly, and inviting you to join me. Because, if I make myself accountable to you, I know I’ll actually do it! 🙀

How it works

First Draft Club is for anyone who wants to finish a draft of something before the end of 2026. It doesn't matter if you're writing a first draft, a second draft or thirty-seventh, the point is we have six months to finish.

We’ll meet once a month for an hour on Zoom. Each month we’ll check in on progress and set intentions for the month ahead. The vibe is relaxed and supportive. This isn’t a challenge – it’s a space to hold each other accountable and cheer each other on.

It’s perfect if:

• You’re working on a long form writing project of any kind

• You want tangible deadlines and accountability

• You are already working on something, or have a good idea what you want to write

• You don’t want to do this alone

It’s completely free to join. You just need to subscribe to The Inkwell and make sure you’re signed up for First Draft Club emails. Shitty first drafts, here we come!

How to join

New subscribers will automatically be subscribed to receive First Draft Club emails. To change what you do and don’t receive go to your Substack Profile > Settings > Subscriptions > select The Inkwell > scroll to Notifications and slide the toggles.

Existing subscribers have not been automatically subscribed to First Draft Club emails, as the last thing you need is more email you don’t want. If you would like to join, go to your Substack Profile > Settings > Subscriptions > select The Inkwell > scroll to Notifications and slide the toggle for First Draft Club on. See video below for demo. If you have not yet set up a Substack profile, you may need to do this first.

Video kindly provided by subscriber, Elaine R. Frieman.

On The Inkwell homepage you’ll also find a link to all posts in the menu.

First Draft Club Dates:

My aim is to finish my draft before the Christmas break on 23rd December 2026. So, we’ll start on 23rd June and meet on 23rd of each month (or on a weekday as close as possible to that date):

Tuesday 23rd June, 3pm – 4pm UK time

Thursday 23rd July, 3pm – 4pm UK time

Monday 24th August, 3pm – 4pm UK time

Wednesday 23rd September, 3pm – 4pm UK time

Friday 23rd October, 3pm – 4pm UK time

Monday 23rd November, 3pm – 4pm UK time

Wednesday 23rd December, 3pm – 4pm UK time

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How this fits with The Inkwell membership

First Draft Club is in addition to our weekly Coffee & Co-writing sessions and quarterly reset group coaching sessions. Coffee & Co-writing is for paid members and is a brilliant way to connect and write together every week. These weekly community meets will support your progress and I strongly recommend joining us inside the membership as you work on your draft!

Join The Inkwell membership

We start 23 June 2026

We’ll meet on Zoom at 3pm-4pm UK time.

Check the time in your time zone here

We’ll define our projects and set some gentle goals to get us started. If you’d like to join on the day, make sure you’re signed up for First Draft Club emails and you’ll get the link direct to your inbox on the morning of 23rd June. These sessions will not be recorded.

What do you think? Am I mad? Are you in? Let me know in comments!

FAQ

Can I join after 23rd June? Yes, you can join any time.

Do I need to be writing a book? No – any long form project is fine. For example, it might be academic writing or a series of Substack posts.

What happens if I can’t make the live meet-ups? No problem. You’re still welcome to join. I’m trying to make this as minimally time intensive as possible (for you and for me), so there’s no replays or group chats etc. If you can’t make the live sessions you have the option of joining the Inkwell membership and using Coffee & Co-writing to check in, too.

What happens in the lives? I’m purposefully keeping this flexible so we can develop as we go, but we’ll check in on progress and do some simple goal setting for the coming month. There will be time to chat too.

How do I get the joining link and First Draft Club emails? go to your Substack Profile > Settings > Subscriptions > select The Inkwell > scroll to Notifications and and slide the toggle for First Draft Club on. If you have not yet set up a Substack profile, you may need to do this first.

I have more questions! Great! Pop them in comments 🙂