Novel by Numbers

An Introduction

A few years ago, I created a curriculum for a weekly class that would guide students through writing a novel in a single year.

I never taught the class, partly because this annoying voice in my head was telling me that I should test this unorthodox method out on myself before unleashing it on students. The problem with that very reasonable plan was that testing it would take an entire year, and every January I’d have other things requiring me to resolve them, like teaching my dog to use voice buttons and getting serious about moisturizer. I had enough exuberance to plan out the whole thing, and possibly take it to a classroom, but apparently not enough exuberance to actually test drive it. So, I put it away.

Until now.

The program is called Novel by Numbers and its central operating principle is that each day you write a number of words equal to the day of the year, starting January 1 with one word and ending on December 30 with 365 words. If you follow this plan, at the end of the year you have a very respectable first draft of approximately 65,000 words. The daily demands are gentle, encouraging a regular practice more than a manic outpouring, because there’s more to writing a novel than just the words on the page.

The first month — with its tiny word count — takes you through some exercises and prompts for planning and riffing. For example, on January 1 you just write down your main character’s first name. On the 24th, you describe three important settings from your character’s past, using twelve words each. Paragraph one of the actual book doesn’t start until February 1, when you write a whopping 32 words. And so on. I’ve got 52 lessons on character arcs, plot twists, driving story with setting, creating great dialogue, sharpening scenes, managing pacing. And on a personal level, I’ve been cooking a big idea for a novel.

So, 2025 is the year I try it out, here, live. I’ll do a Novel by Numbers myself, and share my progress. I usually write in bursts and lulls. Manic outpouring? That’s me. On day 164, will I be able to write 164 words and then stop? Will my Novel by Numbers turn out to have a different voice and style than my past work? Will the results even be readable? Or is this program a set of scales and etudes more than it is instruction for composing a symphony?

I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. You are invited to read along, and if you have the chops for it, maybe write your own novel with me.

As 2025 begins, I’ll post to this free Substack weekly, both to give the upcoming week’s “assignments” and report on my suffering or success. As we drive this crazy route together, I would love to hear about your projects, encourage you along the way, and offer some guidance relating to the lessons I post. Look for Notes and a Subscriber Chat to augment the weekly lessons. Share your thoughts in the comments.

This year is a test drive, and I’ll let you know now: I have a pedal-down state of mind. If you’re coming for the ride, subscribe and get ready to go. I may whine and wail, or I may canter around victoriously, but forward is the only direction once I start. I may declare it all a farce by March, but by November I might want to marry it. Got a writer friend who might want to come too? Drag them along. Spectate the shenanigans, fix your draft, or write a book for the very first time. Let your insufferable brother Xavier know — he’s not the only one who can write a novel! You can too, one word at a time.