How To Write A Novel in 90 Days

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the title. *Ninety days?* But after listening to *How to Write a Novel in 90 Days*, I’m convinced Black’s method could work—for the right person. The audiobook’s strength is its relentless practicality. Black breaks the process into digestible chunks: 10 days to outline, 70 to draft, 10 to revise. No vague “write every day” mantras; he specifies *how much* to write (1,700 words/day) and *how* to structure scenes using a formula that’s simple but not simplistic. The virtual narrator’s flat delivery weirdly suits the content—this isn’t meant to inspire you with soaring prose, but to drill the steps into your brain like a writing boot camp. That said, two things gave me pause. First, Black’s plotting templates feel *too* prescriptive for literary or experimental fiction. If you’re writing a twisty thriller or a romance with clear beats, great. If you’re crafting a meandering literary novel, you’ll chafe at the rigidity. Second, the audiobook’s production is barebones—no chapter markers, no emphasis on key points, just a steady stream of instructions. It’s efficient but lacks the polish of a human narrator who could highlight critical sections with tone. Still, for writers who’ve spun their wheels for years, this might be the kick in the pants they need. Just don’t expect poetry—this is a wrench, not a muse.