A YEAR-LONG GUIDED WRITING JOURNAL
365 Gentle Steps
to a Novel
A Guided Daily Writing Journal to Discover, Draft and Finish Your Novel — One Small Step at a Time
You don’t need to write thousands of words a day to become a novelist.
365 Gentle Steps to a Novel turns the enormous task of writing a book into 365 manageable steps — with no daily exercise asking for more than 200 words.

A novel is a large thing.
This journal makes it smaller.
Instead of asking you to find the perfect idea, map every plot point or write thousands of words at once, 365 Gentle Steps to a Novel breaks the process into one approachable task at a time.
You begin with small observations and story sparks, then gradually build characters, setting and structure before moving into drafting and revision.
365
manageable daily steps
200
words or fewer in every daily exercise
1
complete journey from first idea to finished novel
THE JOURNEY
From a first spark to a finished novel
You don’t need to know your whole story before you begin. The journal introduces each stage gradually, allowing your novel to take shape as you move through the year.
01
DISCOVER
Ideas, characters and possibilities
02
DEVELOP
World, conflict and story shape
03
DRAFT
Build the novel scene by scene
04
REVISE
Strengthen the story from big picture to final details
INSIDE THE JOURNAL
A year designed to keep you moving
Each week introduces a new stage of the writing journey, with clear guidance, small daily exercises and enough space to think on the page. Regular reflection days and broader waymarks help you step back without losing momentum.
About Lanchbery Press
Good stories begin with small steps.
Lanchbery Press is an independent publishing imprint built around a simple belief: writing should feel like an invitation, not an obligation.We believe that everyone has stories worth telling, and that the journey from a first idea to a finished piece of writing doesn't have to be overwhelming. A little encouragement, some gentle structure and the freedom to explore can make all the difference.That philosophy is at the heart of 365 Gentle Steps to a Novel, a guided writing journal designed to help aspiring authors discover their ideas, develop their stories and find their own way to the final page.At Lanchbery Press, it's not about writing perfectly. It's about finding the confidence to begin, the curiosity to continue and the satisfaction of seeing where your imagination takes you.
Begin Your Writing Journey
Every novel begins with a single step.Find your way from the first spark of an idea to the final page, one gentle day at a time.
Get in Touch
Have a question about the journal, an idea to share, or simply want to say hello? We'd love to hear from you.
Lanchbery Press
Good stories begin with small steps.
© 2026 Lanchbery Press. All rights reserved




