How Long Does It Take to Write a Novel?

Okay, so I sort of have an answer to this question. Sort of and maybe not so helpful, other than to give some comfort to writers who are in the trenches of finishing that first, or second or however many. I did some research and quite honestly the information did not answer the question. Instead, the authors and their works were scattered all over the place and covered a huge range of time. From two days to fifteen years! (Although, picturing an author sitting at a desk several hours a day, nonstop, for fifteen years is NOT feasible, practical, or healthy. Lol. Most likely took breaks -- months, maybe years in between writing, right?)

Here are some of the authors and their famous works mentioned:

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne: finished in 2.5 days! Wow. Talk about speed writing.

Great Expectations - Charles Dickens: finished in 8 months. A little more along my pace.

The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien: finished in 2 years: Okay, but this one would have been fun to write and I wouldn't want the journey to end!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone -  J. K. Rollings: finished in 5 years. Yeah, but think about all the coffee and conversations interrupting the writing flow. And family stuff. Life happens.

Aaand *drumroll*, those competing for the longest running time to write a novel (on this list, at least) are:

Salinger's Catcher in the Rye and Mitchell's Gone with the Wind - tied at 10 years.

Hugo's Les Miserables - 12 years. (Loved this novel! And even when I had to read it in French during college!)

Tolkien's Lord of the Ring's Trilogy - 15 years. (Really? This shouldn't count since we're talking about 3 books, not one.) 

Those are only a few mentioned in the article, but there is a clear message in answering the question, "How long does it take to write a novel?" Answer: However long it takes. 

Footnote: I spend an average of 4 to 9 months to finish a manuscript. Things to consider -- day job, staying healthy, personal life, inspiration or lack of, plot bunnies, genre vs. literary fiction, and so on, will all affect how much time you have to write and get it done. In other words, don't beat yourself up by comparing yourself to other writers' accomplishments. It's not healthy or productive. Writing is creative and not tied to a timeline...or at least it's that way until you get a book contract. Then the publisher will have something to say about timelines! LOL

Happy writing and reading! Below is a link to the article and chart. I hope it gives you some solace as you dive into your project. 😄

Time to Write a Book

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Book Deals and Treadmills

I'll admit it. I'm a couch potato. A desk chair dud. Find me a place to park my derriere and I'm in it, getting all comfy, cozy. It's the downside of being a writer and retiree. That and binging on junk food. However, I promised myself if a got a book deal (it's been four years since I signed my last one), I'd make an attempt to live a healthier, more active life, i.e. dust off the treadmill and get to walking. To clarify, I've been on the treadmill, take walks with the dog, and such, but nothing regular. I'm determined to change that. Cross your fingers for me. I'll need lots of cheering on!

And yes, the time is here, folks. I signed a deal last week with Black Opal Books, a very nice independent press, stamped with approval by Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. My mystery, BURIED IN SIN, (previously titled Grave Maker Blues), will see the "light of publishing" sometime in 2019. It's been a long road to get here. Lots of hard work and buckets of sweat. And I am excited. Really, really excited!

Of course, the work is never done. Writing is a cycle, an on-going adventure. Sort of like that treadmill. You gotta keep walking to stay alive and healthy. That said, I'm stepping away from the desk and laptop to get my routine started. And maybe while I'm at it, I can plot my next mystery!

Enjoy your week! Happy reading 😀

Authors Love Other Authors: These Are My People.

Today was Author Brainstorm day for our crew of author ladies. Once a month. It's become our thing and we love it! Now, I'm taking the opportunity to talk about the benefits. Gatherings are energy-boosting, confidence-building, and lots of fun. Let's face it. Writing can be too solitary. Reaching out to connect with others who think like you and understand what you're experiencing is the best! 

So, what is there about group gatherings to rave about?  I'll answer that by sharing the details of my day:

9:00 am - Arrive at venue, grab a cup of coffee, engage in a bit of small talk before digging in. (There were only four of us this time, but we have seven in our group.)

9:20: Each of us takes a turn to talk about what we've accomplished since last month. That involves everything from a work in progress -- novel, short story, etc. to works we've been subbing to publishers or querying to agents. We even engage in our share of gripe sessions. Yes, *gasp*. We gripe a lot. Getting published is gruesome, the process moves slower than an ice glacier! It's humiliating -- grow a thick skin, because feedback can be brutal! But we always remain hopeful. It's how we roll! Okay, back to our agenda. Sometimes, one or two of us will have a chapter or two to share for critiquing. (emailed earlier in the month to give everyone a chance to read before the meeting) I had two chapters from a manuscript I've revised. It's so helpful to get feedback. Trust me. SO valuable. 

Today, we reviewed my chapters, another writer's chapter, and a third writer's ideas for a continuation of her WIP. We offer our suggestions to each other. Sometimes, this is an eye-opener. Sometimes, we are just too close to our work to see what might be there. It takes someone else's perspective. Also, stop and think about it. As writers, we are often too much in our own heads. We may be thinking the details about our story, but they aren't always coming out on the page. Readers have that "huh?" moment and can tell us what's confusing to them. We do that for each other. Love that! And finally, one of our authors is a published super star! (We all aspire to be her one day.) She talks about her crazy schedule of manuscript due dates. She is juggling four...yes, count them, different contracts. Some of those due dates are clustered together because, yeah, publishers don't check with each other to coordinate due dates. As IF. She's overwhelmed and vows to slow down to have no more than two contracts on her plate at any one time. I'm sure her family appreciates that. 

12:00 - break for lunch. Oh yeah! We must eat. :-) Today it's delivery from Panera. Okay, so we continue talking about our work while we eat. Yes, we can multitask. LOL.

1:00 pm - We talk about upcoming events - author-related. We all belong to our local chapter of Sisters in Crime. Another valuable idea for writers -- belong to a writers' organization. When you get published, this connection can help promote your work, network for you and put you in touch with writer conferences, maybe give you discounts on costs. And if you're trying to get published -- an organization can be your cheerleader, a "tour" guide in the publishing world, and so many other services. 

2:30 pm - wrap up and schedule a date for next month's gathering. I head home and crash. My brain is both psyched and exhausted. Lots to digest. Loads of inspiration to dig in and do more...right after I take a nap! Haha. 

Until next month, when more fun will be in store!

Happy writing and reading :-) 

December Challenge: Day 16 - Holiday Favorites

Holiday favorites. Everyone who enjoys the holiday season has them. Traditions, food, music and all give us memories, many sensory ones. So, what are your holiday favorites? I'll share if you will!

Holiday song: Carol of the Bells, but really I like them all!
Holiday cookie: cut-out sugar cookies, but only my mom's recipe which calls for powdered sugar instead of granulated
Holiday drink: eggnog, spiked
Holiday decorations: the stockings, definitely. They have our names, growing from two to five with our kids, and now we add one more with our grandbaby Henry!
Holiday tradition: Christmas Eve party with family and friends.
Holiday movie: Christmas Vacation

Okay, your turn!

Enjoy the rest of your evening!

December Challenge: Day 15 - Guess Who's Coming to Christmas?

   Guess Who's Coming to Christmas?

No, it's not Sidney Poitier. Don't know the movie reference? Look it up. Having special people, your family and friends gather together makes the spirit of Christmas come alive. And if you could invite any three people to your house on Christmas day, who would they be? I've been giving this some serious thought. I mean, we're talking about Christmas, right? My favorite holiday must have the perfect trimmings and people to enjoy the moment. So, who would I pick? Besides the ones already coming, that is 😊. For this list I'm going with people who are no longer among us. Kinda like ghosts of Christmas Past. Ho, ho, ho, E. Scrooge!

1) My parents. I'll count them as one since, well, they're a set. The last time they were alive and together was 1990. It would be nice to chat, share stories, give them hugs and kisses, introduce them to their great grandson Henry. Just be there. Yeah, I'd really like that.

2) Claude Monet because I love his paintings and I love French. Maybe we could parler en francais while he paints an impressionist scene of my family Christmas gathering. Cool gift, don't you think? Oh, and I could ask him about his obsession with painting sunsets, lily ponds, and hay mounds. 😉

3) John Lennon because for one, he's my hubby's absolute favorite musician, and second, he'd sing his "This is Christmas" song to add to the holiday spirit. Then of course we'd introduce him to our son, Sean, named after his son Sean. I'm sure Johnny would share his stories of Christmases with the Fab four and his days in Liverpool. What could be better?

So for NEXT year...

That's my list. Now, what's yours?

Have a great evening!

December Challenge: Day 14 -- When You're Too Tired and...

I'm sorry but I'm about done for the day. I addressed and made out thirty cards. That counts as writing, doesn't it? No? Maybe just a little, tiny... Ok. I give. How about a photo of my trees? They are awesome and should be recognized even if they have absolutely nothing to do with writing, but I did decorate, lots of decorating. *Puffs out chest*. Hey! How about this? If I list how to say Merry Christmas or happy holidays in other languages, would that count? Just a few, though. Like I said I'm done, pooped, finito.

Merry Christmas!

Felice Navidado
Joyeux Noel
Buon Natale
Frohe Weihnachten
God jul

December Challenge: Day 13 - Are You Happy Yet?

Time to write and I haven't any ideas in mind. This has been a pretty big challenge, posting everyday this month. It's like anything you do over and over until it loses the same effect. Right? I mean, how many times can you listen to the song "Happy" before you're not so happy? 

(Yeah.You KNOW I have to go there!)

            

Cause I'm happy.🎵

Clap along if you feel like Christmas is in the room.🎶

Cause I'm happy.🎵🎵🎵

Clap along if you feel that holiday is here for you.🎶

Cause I'm happy.🎵🎵🎵

Clap along if  you hear those steps up on the roof.🎶

Cause I'm happy.🎵

Clap along if you believe that Santa is really true.🎵🎵🎵

Here come bad news, my Christmas cards aren't sent.🎶

Well, that's okay, I've got days, but no more than ten.🎶

Yeah, and all those gifts missing under the tree. 🎶🎶

No matter what, I'll be fine, just wait and see.🎶

Here's why...

Cause I'm happy.🎵🎶

Clap along, if you feel like Christmas is in the room.🎵

Cause I'm happy.🎶

Clap along, if you feel that this holiday is here for you.🎶🎶

Cause I'm happy.

Clap along, if you hear that sound of steps on the roof.🎵

Cause I'm happy.

Clap along if you believe in the spirit of Christmas too.🎶🎶

Yes, enough silliness for one evening.

Hmm, hmm, happy🎵, happy🎵, happy🎵...