Fast Writing, Slow Writing, and the 21-Day Novel Writing Challenge

Guest Post by Ines Johnson

I’m beyond excited to introduce one of my dearest and most trusted author friends, Ines Johnson, with this special bonus post in honor of her Pageturner Pacing Kickstarter.

We may be complete opposites (she’s #1 Discipline, and I’m #1 Chaotic¹), but we somehow get mistaken for each other all the time at conferences. (Hint: if you’re unsure IRL, she’s the tall, warm, and concise one with dark sister locks, while I’m the short, loud, and rambly one rocking Jem & the Holograms-style, non-natural color highlights in my extensions.)

But seriously, when it comes to writing, Ines has a unique superpower: she writes fast. Not slapdash or rushed, but efficiently and with a clear system that produces high-quality, bingeable books her readers adore.

In this guest post, Ines dives into the myths surrounding fast writing, introduces her Page Turner Pacing system, and breaks down how to finish a compelling draft in just 21 days. Whether you’re a seasoned author chasing a pre-order deadline or a new writer finally ready to stop stalling, this post is a must-read.

I’m actually in a “write-it-fast” mood myself, so I can’t wait to try out her 21-Day Novel Writing Challenge for my next story.

Take it away, Ines!

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Challenging the Myths:

Fast Writing, Slow Writing, and the 21-Day Novel Writing Challenge

Have you ever heard someone say that books written quickly must be bad? Or maybe you’ve told yourself that you’re just naturally a slow writer and there’s no way around it?

While the exact percentages can vary depending on the source, it's often said that 55% of Americans believe their life story is worthy of a book or movie, yet only a small fraction—around 15%—ever start writing. Of those, just 3% finish a manuscript, and less than 1% navigate the path to publication.

The numbers don’t lie: finishing a book is a feat in itself, and for those who do, the real question becomes not how long it took but how effective and engaging the result is.

When I started my writing journey, my first book took me years to finish. My second book took a year. But as I kept going, I got better. Over time, I developed a system that helped me produce novels faster while keeping quality and reader engagement high. That’s how I went from earning a few thousand dollars a year to consistently hitting six figures.

Once I started thinking of books as scripts with a lot of prose, it all just fell into place for me. 21 days, start to finish, is my natural rhythm. That's actually writing and revising the book. These books are anywhere from 30K (which are my bestsellers) to 75K. Length doesn't matter in terms of production. It's the exact same process each book.

I write fast. But I don't publish fast. Publishing is the hard part -we already had that talk last week. (But, hey, there's a bonus marketing segment in the Page Turner Pacing course which is part of my Kickstarter -link below!)

The 21-Day Novel Writing Challenge

The 21-Day Novel Writing Challenge in my Page Turner Pacing system isn’t about rushing through your story or cutting corners. It’s about using structured pacing and strategic planning to stay focused, make progress, and produce a complete, compelling draft in just three weeks. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:

Week 1: Setup

· Brain Dump: Start by jotting down everything you know about your story—characters, scenes, snatches of dialogue, you name it.

· Organize Your Plot: Use genre beats, tropes, and pacing points to create a framework for your story. Hey! I said framework, not outline. Unless I'm co-writing, I rarely outline my stories.

· Introduce the Ordinary World: Show your protagonist in their everyday life before the conflict kicks in.

· Define the Story Question: What does your protagonist want, and will they achieve it?

· Plan the Next Steps: Outline how your character will move forward—and what challenges they’ll face.

Week 2: Confrontation

· Develop subplots to add depth and complexity.

· Showcase character growth through adversity.

· Create setbacks and moments of regrouping to build tension.

· Use Try-Fail Cycles to keep your story dynamic and engaging.

Week 3: Resolution

· Write the climax, where your protagonist confronts their greatest challenge.

· Tie up loose ends, resolving subplots and character arcs.

· Craft a satisfying resolution that leaves readers fulfilled.

· Open a door for future stories, hinting at what’s to come.

Why This System Works for Everyone

If you’re a pantser (discovery writer), you might worry this system will stifle your creativity. But it doesn’t require a rigid outline. Instead, it provides guideposts to keep your story on track while allowing for those magical, unexpected moments of discovery.

If you’re a plotter, this system will feel like a dream come true. It gives you a clear framework for planning your novel, from the beats and tropes of your genre to the pacing techniques that keep readers hooked.

And if you’re somewhere in between—what I love to call a pantyliner—this system will help you balance structure and spontaneity, giving you the best of both worlds.

Are You Ready to Take the Challenge?

Writing quickly doesn’t mean skipping important steps. It means writing efficiently, staying focused, and having a system that supports you every step of the way.

Whether you’re a seasoned author looking to level up or a new writer struggling to finish your first manuscript, the Page Turner Pacing method will give you the tools, structure, and confidence to succeed.

Best of all? You’re not in this alone. I’ll be your guide, sharing the exact process I use to write bingeable novels that readers devour and recommend to their friends.

If you’re ready to transform your writing habits, finish your manuscript, and take your storytelling to the next level, back the Kickstarter campaign today and join the challenge.

1. For my fellow Becca Syme Strengths devotees, I know Chaotic is not a strength—but shouldn’t it be? For the record, I’m actually #1 Futuristic, which is fantastic in many ways but renders my present-day pretty chaotic at times.