# Free Writing Deadline & Word Goal Planner > Turn a word-count or page goal into realistic writing-day targets, weekly pacing, buffer time, milestone dates, and a copyable schedule. Turn a word-count or page goal into realistic writing-day targets, weekly pacing, buffer time, milestone dates, and a copyable schedule. Your schedule will appear here Add a deadline, choose realistic writing days, and build the plan. ## Worked example: a novel-writing schedule This example uses fixed dates, weekday writing sessions, and three days reserved before the deadline. Choose your own deadline in the planner above. - Example start Jan 5, 2026 - Current words 12,000 words - Target words 90,000 words - Remaining 78,000 words - Your writing-day target 1,858 words - Planned finish Mar 3, 2026 - Real deadline Mar 6, 2026 42 sessions Useful output, not a score ## What this tool gives you ### Writing-day target Distribute only the remaining words or pages across the weekdays you can realistically write. ### Buffered finish Reserve calendar days for revision, missed sessions, or delivery prep instead of finishing on the deadline. ### Milestone map Get quarter, halfway, three-quarter, and finish dates plus a compact weekly pacing preview. ## How to use it 1. 1 ### Set current and target totals Plan in words for prose or pages for a screenplay, using whole numbers for an easy-to-follow schedule. 2. 2 ### Choose the real writing days Select the weekdays you can protect, enter the deadline, and reserve optional calendar buffer days. 3. 3 ### Build and copy the plan Use the daily ceiling, weekly pacing, and milestone dates in your calendar or project notes. ## How to read the result The daily target is a pacing aid, not a verdict on productivity. Rebuild the plan when your current total or available days change; the schedule intentionally uses only selected writing days and keeps the buffer untouched. ## Questions writers ask ### Does the planner skip weekends? It skips whichever days you leave unselected. Choose weekdays, weekends, or any mix that matches your actual routine. ### How do buffer days work? Buffer days are calendar days removed from the end of the schedule. Your planned finish moves earlier while the real deadline stays visible. ### Can I plan screenplay pages instead of words? Yes. Switch the unit to pages and enter your current and target page totals. The planner distributes whole pages across the selected sessions. ## Keep working with the draft ### [Free Fountain Screenplay Outline Extractor](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-outline-extractor) [Turn Fountain sections, synopses, scene headings, and opening action into an ordered visual story map with clean Markdown export.](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-outline-extractor) [Open tool](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-outline-extractor) ### [Free Screenplay Table Read Time Planner](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/table-read-planner) [Estimate a cast table-read session from dialogue and action word counts, then tune reading pace, directions, setup, breaks, and scene timing.](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/table-read-planner) [Open tool](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/table-read-planner) ### [Free Screenplay Analyzer](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-analyzer) [Analyze scene pacing, dialogue/action balance, character share, and locations from a Fountain screenplay—privately in your browser, with free CSV reports.](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-analyzer) [Open tool](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-analyzer) ### [Free Screenplay Length Checker](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-length) [Check a feature, pilot, or short against page-count practice, official contest windows, and a published feature corpus — then export a memo you can send with the draft.](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-length) [Open tool](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-length) ### [Free Period Character Name Generator](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/character-names) [Pick a birth year or period, then roll a cast of era-accurate given names from US birth records and English period lists. Private in your browser.](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/character-names) [Open tool](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/character-names) Start writing toward your goal in Plot. [Start writing in Plot](https://app.inkwell.software/signup) --- Canonical page: