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How To Write A Book In 13 Weeks

September 15, 2023 | 3 min read

Mina Maguire, "The Witchy Author," wrote her first completed novel in 13 weeks on her Freewrite Traveler. A history fanatic with a minor in classic civ, Mina writes adult fantasy and romance on Traveler, which she loves because it's easy to store and lets her draft anywhere — on the couch, on the train, or at a desk. That's crucial when you've got a deadline to hit!

We sat down with Mina to chat about her writing process and how others can learn to draft fast.

You drafted a book in 13 weeks. Take us through that journey!

I'm currently revising my second book — my first completed book. I tried to draft my first book through a traditional computer word processing program, and I found, like many, that I could not concentrate because of how distracting my computer desktop was and the easy access to the internet (ahem, social media). I did not finish that book as the lack of concentration led me to lose interest in it.

For my second (current) book, I began drafting my story on a different word-processing program specifically for writers, but I still could not concentrate on my story. When I was about 2,000 words in, I saw an ad for Freewrite about an author who wrote 45,000 words in 45 days and I was sold on the product. I purchased my Freewrite Traveler the following week.

What was your writing schedule like?

I committed to drafting between 500-1,000 words per day, and before I knew it, I had amassed about 75,000 words. It was incredible to watch my progress. Some days I wrote 500 words and others I pushed myself to write 3,000 words.

As a mom, schedules during the day can be unpredictable but I set time aside every night from about 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. to write. At times, it was not easy to find the energy, but Freewrite helped me focus. I knew that as soon as I sat down to draft, I had a limited time to get my word count in.

The word counter on the bottom of the screen helped me keep going!

What advice do you have for others trying to draft fast?

Build a habit by setting time aside each day, even if it's thirty minutes, to draft. The Freewrite Traveler has a timer option on the screen to let you know how much time has lapsed — it’s a nice feature!

Also, good hydration (whether it be water or a margarita, or two) and a playlist while drafting also go a long way.

Somebody else in your household likes writing time, too, don't they?

My dog! He likes to lay next to me while I draft because he knows it provides quiet time in a busy household. It’s our Freewrite time!

How can we follow along on your writing journey?

You can learn more about my work at www.darkromanceauthor.com, and follow me on Instagram @Mina_Maguireauthor. You can also follow along on my writing journey at my Postbox Profile


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Mina Maguire is a Latina paranormal romance writer who loves a good ghost story. She is a witchy woman who loves Fleetwood Mac, paranormal star-crossed romances, ghost hunting shows, and grew up in a haunted house. For her debut novel in 2024, Mina is taking her love of Egyptian Mythology into a romantic-paranormal twist bringing obscure characters to life in a time-bending fantasy loop of magic and self-discovery.

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What's a romance author to do when a global pandemic hits?

For Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro, the answer was to start writing horror.

Carolina was writing romance when she first signed with her literary agent six years ago. But, Carolina explains, when the pandemic hit, she pivoted to horror.

"There was something about being isolated at home, living through the literal nightmare that COVID-19 was, that made me want to dive into a haunted house book," she explains. And it's a good thing she did.

That horror novel, Bochica, sold to Simon & Schuster at auction. (Trust us, it's a big deal.)

In fact, switching genres changed her life in more ways than one. "Writing Bochica made me want to move to an old manor in the woods," Carolina says, "so I now live in a house that I’m pretty sure is haunted."

Read on to learn how this Freewriter uses her four-year-old Freewrite Traveler to draft.

ANNIE COSBY: What does your writing process look like?

CAROLINA FLÓREZ-CERCHIARO: My writing process varies depending on the project, but generally, I start with some brainstorming before drafting. I’m not a heavy outliner, but I do make a rough roadmap — usually marking where the character starts, the midpoint, and a general idea of the ending.

It’s often just a list of bullet points to give me some structure. I don’t always know how I’ll get from point A to point B, and the outline changes as I go. I usually re-outline after drafting to make better sense of the story. I don’t treat the outline as strict — I let myself get lost in the story once I’m in it.

It’s really important for me to get the words on the page, even if they’re messy. You can’t edit a blank page, and revising is actually my favorite part of the process. So I focus on finishing that first draft so I can dig into the part I enjoy most.

For projects like Bochica where the historical backdrop is essential, I research before drafting, and continue to do so while writing and revising.

"I don’t treat the outline as strict — I let myself get lost in the story once I’m in it."

AC: How long did it take you to write Bochica?

CFC: The first draft took me about three months to write, and I revised it for another six to eight months with my agent before we sold it to my editor.

AC: That's really fast! How did Freewrite factor into your writing process?

CFC: My Freewrite Traveler is an essential part of my writing process, for every project I work on. It helps me get the juices flowing when I’m stuck, but it also helps me get those words on the page faster. I call it my little magical device!

I not only use it when I draft, but also when I’m revising, and I need to rewrite or add new passages, chapters, or scenes. I use it ALL the time.

"I call [Traveler] my little magical device!"

AC: Why do you prefer to draft on a Freewrite?

CFC: There’s a literal freedom that I get from using it as I’m drafting, similar to when I write by hand, but way more convenient. It’s quick, it keeps me off the internet, and I can easily upload it to my computer!

AC: Let's dig into your publishing journey. How did Bochica get published?

CFC: Bochica isn’t the first book I ever wrote, and it’s also not the book that got me my agent. I was actually writing romance when I signed with my literary agent almost six years ago, and when the pandemic hit, I decided to pivot into writing horror which had always been my favorite genre to read.

When the book was ready for editors, my agent sent it out, and I got an initial offer within days, then we got more offers, and the book ended up selling at auction to Simon and Schuster.

"Writing Bochica made me want to move to an old manor in the woods, so I now live in a house that I’m pretty sure is haunted."

AC: How has the publishing process been so far?

CFC: It’s been quite an experience; you go from hitting the lowest point to feeling on cloud nine the next second.

To sum it up in one word: WILD.

I’m lucky to have an amazing team behind me, both with my literary agent, and with my publishing team at Atria/Primero Sueño Press, to help me navigate this road, to get through the good, and the bad.

"[Publishing] has been quite an experience; you go from hitting the lowest point to feeling on cloud nine the next second."

AC: And before we sign off, what is Bochica about?

CFC: After her father is accused of murder, a young woman returns to her haunted childhood home — turned luxury hotel — and is forced to face the sinister shadows of her past, and unearth the truth of her mother’s mysterious death.

Think Mexican Gothic meets The Shining.

AC: Wow. I'm in!

If Bochica sounds like a wild ride to you, too, check it out here

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