The 12 Week Year for Writers: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Your Writing Done

by A Trevor Thrall, Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington

Get more words on the page with this proven and popular system

The 12 Week Year for A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Your Writing Done is an easy-to-implement and practical framework for writers to get more work done in less time. You’ll answer big picture questions—What is my vision for the future? What are my writing goals?—while enacting a comprehensive system to plan and execute your writing.

You’ll create a 12 Week Plan and a Model Week, collaborate with a weekly writing group, keep score, and learn to stick to a weekly execution routine. The book will also show you how

Manage multiple writing projects at the same time Develop a prolific writer’s mindset and increase your output with the 12 Week Year system Deal with actionable specifics, like when and where to write Ideal for writers in all genres and fields, The 12 Week Year for Writers is the perfect hands-on guide for academic and business writers, authors, students, columnists, bloggers, and copy and content writers who seek to increase their productivity and get more quality words on the page.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Productivity, Self Help, Business

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2021

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the examples primarily draw from academia, the structure is also applicable to fiction writing. This book won't help you figure out the steps of your writing project, but does seem very helpful for *accomplishing* the steps. I have some quibbles about his emphasis on grit, but agree with his overall philosophy of time >> writing and planning >> better, easier, faster writing.

I am excited to try out this approach in conjunction with Sarra Cannon's Plan Your Writing Schedule workshop on YouTube, which starts by going through your calendar and identifying all the days you *can't* write so you know exactly how many days are even available to you.

[Sean Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing is hard enough. I can only imagine how much more hard it is to get your writing published; so well done to Mr. Thrall. To be "reviewed" by a non-published, non-peer (like me), especially if that review is less positive, might be annoying. Here we go anyway.

I read this because I had just finished (the original) _The 12 Week Year_, which the author references explicitly. I also feel wrong when I don't at least try to write, and often am encouraged by books about writing. Plus, since I started my first 12 weeks five weeks ago, I thought whatever overlap there might be would work as prods and reminders.

I did get a few of those general reminders. Chapter 13 on “The Writer's Mindset” was the most writing-centric content. But if I knew on page one what I know having finished it, I wouldn't have bought it. The original 12WY -- which I thought was good and useful -- will do you well. If you can understand the ideas and plan in general (which you can), then you can understand how to plan for writing projects specifically without reading this.

[Matthew Essner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read many other writing process books, so as an introduction to the genre, this seemed like a pretty good start. Lots of actionable strategies, some that don't really apply to my writing style, but definitely going to try some of these techniques.

[Bridgitte Rodguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in an attempt to create a writing plan. He has lots of great tips, and his how-to plan is super involved. He breaks the process down into easy to digest steps. It’s an easy read, easy to follow, makes a lot of sense. He includes lots of examples, from his own work/life and provides worksheets, etc. If you are looking for a way to create a writing plan/process to get things done, this is certainly a method you can try!

But, alas, for me, I think I have finally come to the realization, that I like my own method, my own process, which, is that anything goes, whereever and whenever and however. I can’t follow a process, I can’t create a routine, or a method, it just makes me feel bad when I don’t stick to it! That I am somehow lacking. So I will continue to do what I’ve always done, which is no process is my process.

[Rubina G Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the sub-title suggests, The 12 Week Year for Writers is indeed a comprehensive guide to
1) understand how you function as a writer,
2) create your 12 week plan accordingly (instead of a year plan), and
3) crush your writing goals while staying disciplined and motivated, all while having fun.

I know this system works because coincidentally and unconsciously I have been practicing a version of this 12 week since 2021. Now after reading this book I know where to fine-tune my writing process even further for better results. 😁

Highly recommend this book to writers who are trying to figure out time management and productivity - that is, how to finally make the time to get your manuscript done, and do so efficiently and effectively.

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Includes the basics of The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks Than Others Do in 12 Months and adds deeper, more detailed information for writers. Much of what the book has to say is useful for writers on a more general level. I think I'll be rereading this again soon.

[Iconic Greatness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Book takes the 12 Week Year even further by giving us more examples on how to apply it. You get to see the 12 week year in action.

This book is great for anyone regardless if your a writer or not.

The 12 Week Year is a game changer for it forces you to be extremely focus and take action.
Pick one thing you want to accomplish than you will reverse engineer to achieve it in 12 weeks or 90 days by breaking it down into small actionable goals.

Commitment = Dedicated to a cause.

[Aurelio Guerra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole 12-week year program, which is nothing more than a wishful productivity scheme, is actually ok, but as such: as a productivity scheme. This book offers nothing substantial beyond what is presented in the original 12 Week Year book. If the only thing you have to do is write, I guess this book is fine, otherwise, get the general productivity book.

[Harding Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writer’s Mindset

This is a great book for setting yourself into a writer’s mindset — perfect for people who want to write, but feel they don’t have the time or discipline to get it done.

[Jon Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much of this book came from "The 12 Week Year" with additional information for writers. Importantly, you do not need to read the original before this one, as there is no vital information in the original that this book doesn't cover.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good tips on figuring out how to schedule your writing in order to get it done. I like the idea of breaking down goals into smaller increments, but this was too detailed an approach to work for me. Very repetitive too. I will take and utilize some pieces.

[Katherine Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might try this system but there is nothing groundbreaking here.

[Ray Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple to understand and I expect a useful tool to get more writing done. I'm looking forward to implementing it to see how it works for me.

[Babe Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was looking for. It may help some people but not useful for me personally.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was really valuable, but the second half got pretty repetitive. I think I'll use the strategies I learned in the first half though.

[Epeeblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful information here. Let's see if I can make use of it.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

new perspectives on get the writing's done

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for your writing with practical tips to help you know your "why" as a writer, then to set and meet goals. Rather than planning for a year, they help you plan for 12 weeks at a time. If you've read productivity books before, this likely has similar principles, but it's honed in particularly for the writer. I benefited from the principles and would recommend it.

[Jaye Rochon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another blazing fast read. The implementation works for creative projects too (I’m using it for my YouTube content creation calendar and blogging). I couldn’t quite connect The 12 Week year to how to use it for creative work, so this book was the missing link I needed.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you read the 12 week year, then it's really nothing new. So I like the content, but a whole new book isn't really necessary.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read through the book once (and I have read the 12 Week Year already) and love the plan. I will be sitting down and working through the book now, making plans for the end of the year and incorporating this into my plans. I see a finished book in my future.

[Sunday Dutro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced nonfiction book for writers trying to do it all. The formula (allegedly) allows writers to fit all their necessary writing into their days to also allow for some semblance of a balanced personal life as well. I’ll let you know if I institute what I read and if it works.