Writing Sprints 101: Get Your Words On The Page

Want to write faster without overthinking every word? Try a writing sprint.

A sprint is like a caffeine shot for your creativity — short, intense, and surprisingly effective. Whether you’ve got 10 minutes or an hour, sprinting helps you silence your inner critic and just write.

In this post, I’m breaking down:

✔️ What a writing sprint actually is

✔️ Different ways to sprint

✔️ Tools & websites to help you stay on track

✔️ Tips for getting the most out of every session

What is a Writing Sprint?

A writing sprint is a short, timed session where you write as fast as you can without stopping or editing. It is a fast, focused way to smash through blocks & hit your wordcount goals.

The goal? Quantity over quality — silence your inner critic and just get the words down.

Why Are Writing Sprints Useful?

✔️ Boost productivity

✔️ Bypass perfectionism

✔️ Build writing momentum

✔️ Make the most of limited time

✔️ Helps you enter “flow” quickly

Different Ways to Do Writing Sprints

✔️ Solo Sprints: Set a timer and go!

✔️ Group Sprints: Join other writers online or in person

✔️ Pomodoro Style: 25 min sprint, 5 min break

✔️ Power Hour: 3–4 sprints back to back

✔️ Prompt-Based Sprints: Use a writing prompt to kickstart your scene

Tools to Help You Sprint

✔️ Timers

✔️ 4thewords.com – Gamified writing with monsters + word battles

✔️ ohwrite.co – Sprint with your writer friends

✔️ The Most Dangerous Writing App – Takes accountability to the next level. Your words will disappear (FOREVER) if you don’t reach your writing goal.

✔️ Writing Together at Scribophile.com - free online 1-hour writing sprint

Extra Tips for Success

• Don’t judge your first draft
• Use music or ambient sound (I love the Lofi Girl radio on YouTube)
• Stay hydrated + reward yourself after
• Track your word count to see progress

I have this little analog timer which I use for sprints. I need to see time ticking down in front of me. Digital timers just don’t cut it. There’s something about a physical analog timer that keeps me grounded. Plus, I’m way less likely to forget about it. (Time blindness is real!)

Now tell me, what’s your go-to writing sprint trick?