Comments on Ink and Beans: How Long Does It Take to Write a Novel?

It is interesting to hear from a writer about the ...

2012-02-07T15:53:46.539-05:00

It is interesting to hear from a writer about the writing process. As for me and many of my more technically inclined friends, writing is a means to an end, an objective that need to be completed quickly while still getting the job done. Prose on the other hand, is much more organic, and as you put, takes on life of its own. From this I can only assume something that takes life must be given time to grow, and I encourage you to be patient, and allow the gifts you know you have to speak. Good luck with all your future writing endeavors!

I agree with your writing/editing timeline. Mulli...

2009-10-13T08:38:05.824-04:00

I agree with your writing/editing timeline. Mulling over ideas and putting the pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) it took about a year to do all the research and get the ideas organized (into one amazing plot!). And its been about a year doing revisions and rewrites. I hope to finish up in the next couple months which would put the entire process under two years... but that's not including all the work it takes to find an agent/publisher and actually set it in print. For that, it will take years. Finding an agent will be a miracle in its own right. Good luck!

Max is exactly where he's suppose to be. His...

2009-08-27T08:12:35.420-04:00

Max is exactly where he's suppose to be. His story will be done when the last person, place or thing has worked its way into your mind for inspiration. Max will not have it any other way.

So far as I was aware this is a hobby, a pleasant ...

2009-08-18T11:41:48.866-04:00

So far as I was aware this is a hobby, a pleasant pass time which could (hopefully)lead to more. Kick back and enjoy the ride, but always remember you have to be doing it to enjoy it.

I started my blog to develop a web presence right ...

2009-08-12T10:12:42.957-04:00

I started my blog to develop a web presence right around the time I expected to finish my book. I figured another couple months, and I'd be shopping it around.

That book took another year.

The second one went quick (for me, given the full-time job and all) at 13 months. The third one, well, I'll tell you when it's done. But there's one lesson I seem doomed to learn over and over again: they take as long as they take. Each one is different, and fretting over the timeline ain't gonna help.

If you realize your goal of publication, you'll be staring down deadlines for years to come. This is the only one that, during the writing process, you're beholden to no one. Push aside the expectations of others and enjoy it...