How long does it take to write a novel, really?

Writing a novel is no small task. It is a process that can take anywhere from months to years, depending on how long the novel is and how much time the author has to dedicate to writing.

I have written two full-length novels. One, I wrote in grad school as my thesis project in 2018. The second, which funnily enough I consider my first novel, I wrote in 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic.

Neither are published yet but I learned a lot about myself as a writer and the novel writing process as I worked through each one.

My thesis took about a six months to write, over the course of my final semester. My first novel took about three months. But, so much more behind-the-scenes goes on, including more time than you realize.

So how much time does it take to write a novel, really? And why does it take so long sometimes? I've read interviews with authors who say they've worked on their novel(s) for years.

One of my favorite books, All The Light We Cannot See, took author Anthony Doerr TEN years to write!

If you google this question, you'll receive a generic estimate of 6-12 months for first time novels. But every author has a different process, so really, it will take you as long as it takes you.

New writers, famous authors, and everyone in between will take a different amount of time to write.

Stephen King says he tries to write 10 pages a day, or 2,000 words, which over a 3-month span ends up amounting to 180,000 words. The average length of a novel is about 90,000 words.

Lynn Lipinski, self-published author of the Zane Clearwater mystery series, writes every morning with a goal of at least 500 words before she switches over to her day job as a PR expert. She averages about 3-4 months for first drafts of her series.

For starters, it depends on the type of book you want to write and whether this is your first time writing. A historical fiction book may take much longer than a fiction book if there is research involved.

A fantasy novel may take longer if you're mapping out a series or doing research for it too. The first draft of a book may spill out quickly but the refinement of revisions may take more time. There are many factors that play into novel writing timelines.

How long does it take to write a novel?

Here are some factors that take time:

Preparation:

It takes more than a good idea to get a whole book written. Story ideas on their own need some brainstorming. To execute a full length novel, especially if you intend to publish, you will need a plan.

The novel writing process usually begins with planning and research. During this stage, the author must develop the characters, storyline, and world of their novel.

This process can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the complexity of world building required for the novel.

Once you've completed your research and planning, you can begin writing. The length of time it takes to write a novel will depend upon how much time you are able to dedicate to novel writing each day.

On average, novelists write anywhere from 1,000-2,000 words per day; for a novel of 80,000-100,000 words this could take anywhere from two months to more than a year to complete.

During the writing process, authors may also choose to go back and revise their work as they progress further in their novel.

When I worked on my thesis, I edited as I wrote because I had 1:1 time and feedback from my thesis advisor.

I did not edit as I wrote my second novel, which has made revisions of the first draft more complicated and the second draft is just as precarious. Everyone has a different method and editing process.

First book:

If this is your first book ever, you may take a longer time to write, depending on your writing skills. Writing is an amazing yet isolating practice that can have us doubting ourselves.

Writer's block happens to even the most seasoned writers, and it can bring us to a full halt for months or years. One of the best ways to work through this is accountability or writing groups. More on that later.

As you become a better writer, your confidence and knowledge may help you speed up your writing. If you're working on your debut novel, you may have all the confidence in the world for your idea but get stuck in the weeds during your first rough draft.

Genre:

As mentioned earlier, the genre you're writing in may take more time. A fully realized, well-researched historical novel or biography may take more time to put together than a contemporary fiction novel set in similar places to your real life.

Neither is good or bad, they're just different. Another example: romance novels are usually between 80-100,000 words while science fiction and fantasy novels can range from 90-120,000 words. A picture book has very few words at all.

Length:

Different genres require different lengths. A shorter novel will take less time to write than a longer novel. It may take twice as long to edit, but that's another article for another day, right?

A nonfiction book about someone else's life will take more time to research than a memoir about your own point of view. Though you may have more interpersonal work to do as you write a memoir about yourself.

Short stories can be fast to write but slow to compile, but you can publish them separately until you have enough to publish a short story collection. In general, though, long books take longer to write, and that's ok.

Process:

Every writer has a different process. Some like to draft notes during the week and write scenes during the weekend.

Some like to have concentrated writing sessions where they write for four hours at a time. There is no right or wrong way to do things.

You have to work at your own pace, little bit by little bit. You can't think about the next book you'll write or the previous books you've written. I like daily word count goals as long as they're realistic and achievable.

For example, as I was writing my second novel, my word count goal was 1,000 words a day. The average writing time for that length was about 2 hours for me, and I was able to work on my novel in the mornings and work on my day job in the afternoons.

Available Time:

If you have a day job, or a family to take care of, or chronic health issues, you may not have the amount of time you'd like to dedicate to writing.

Some people can only write in the very early mornings before their families wake up. Some have high-stress jobs and they only write on the weekends to decompress.

Other people may be able to write full-time and devote 40+ hours a week to writing. The key is carving time out for yourself, even if it's just 30 minutes a day.

Or 30 minutes a week! Though, if you're only able to write for 30 minutes a week you should expect to take more time over the long term to finish a full novel.

Editing:

Depending on your qualification of "done" you may consider time editing as part of the novel writing process. After you have completed your first novel draft, you may choose to self-edit or work with an editor.

The editing process can be time consuming and tedious, but it is necessary for novelists who are aiming for a high quality novel.

Depending on the size of the novel and its complexity, editing can take anywhere from two weeks to several months. Authors should be prepared to invest additional time into novel editing, as it can significantly improve the quality of their novel in the end.

How many revisions do authors need to make? The number of revisions novelists need to make to their novel depends on the type and quality of feedback they receive.

Depending on the complexity of their novel and the degree of revision needed, novelists may need anywhere from two or three revisions up to 10 or more. Novelists should be prepared to make numerous revisions in order to ensure that their novel is the best it can be.

The good news? Speed does not make a successful author. Commitment, practice, and patience does.

Overall, novel writing is a long process that requires dedication and determination. Even after the novel has been written, it may take additional time for it to be edited and published.

Authors must be prepared for this lengthy process when embarking on the journey of novel writing!

There are a few different ways to help yourself as you write and edit. Accountability plays a huge part, and we all already know how solitary writing can be.

There are groups, programs, and contests you can join to help keep you motivated as you write.

NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a great way for novelists to challenge themselves to write their novel in the space of one month.

During NaNoWriMo, authors commit to writing 50,000 words within the span of 30 days—no small feat! With dedication and discipline, novelists can use this event as an opportunity to complete their novel in a timely fashion.

The official NaNoWriMo takes place during the month of November, but you can have your own version at any time of the year!

Writing Coach

Writers who are looking for help or guidance during the novel writing process may choose to hire a writing coach. Writing coaches can provide novelists with novel development advice, feedback on their work, and even personal accountability and motivation.

Working with a writing coach can be helpful for novelists of any experience level, as it allows them to receive personalized attention and feedback to their specific needs. If you're interested in learning more, schedule a chat with me!

Writing Groups

Writing groups can also be a great way to stay motivated and accountable during the novel writing process. Writing groups are usually comprised of other novelists who meet regularly to discuss their work, provide feedback, and get encouragement from one another.

You can usually find writing groups through your local library, or online. There are groups that meet in-person or remotely. If you have more than one writer friend, you can also make your own writing group.

Some writers groups work through slack, while others email, text, or meet at said local library.

Writing Sprints

No matter how you choose to tackle novel writing, it is important to remember that novel writing takes time. If you have a separate full-time job, you have to make sure you make that time for your writing.

One way to do that is to schedule time on your calendar. I love attending writing sprints. I host them, too. A writing sprint can be done as an individual or in a group.

All you need to do is set a timer for a specific chunk of time when you'll be writing, and challenge yourself to write the entire time. No distractions, no checking social media, just writing.

Even if that writing is you typing "I don't know what to write" over and over again. Helpful hint: start with a creative prompt and write for 10 minutes as a warm up.

At the end of the day, novel writing is a process that takes time and effort. Authors should be prepared to dedicate plenty of time and energy in order to produce their novel to the best of their ability.

With patience, determination and creativity, novelists can create amazing works of art that will stand the test of time. The best books aren't just a bestselling novel, but a book that reaches the audience and touches them to the cores.

The novel writing process can be daunting, but the reward of seeing your novel in published form is truly worth it! It's important to remember that the novel writing process may take months or even years - so be patient and stay dedicated to the novel writing journey.

Don't judge yourself or set unreachable goals. You are allowed to take as much or as little time as you need. Good luck!

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