How long does a first draft take you?

[Kristina]

How long does it take you to write a first draft of your book?

For me, it varies. I completed an original first draft of What Happens in New York in two months, but then I rewrote it XD That took me another few months, so I'm going to say it took me about six months.

The sequel (which I'm editing now), took me five months to write. Mostly because I wrote 15,000 over Christmas, then stopped until book 1 was out and resumed writing it in May. By the end of May/June I had a VERY early draft of about 70,000 words.

The novella I'm working on took me about a month to do, but that was only about 20,000 words.

What about you?

[Amanda]

It really depends for me. On the story. What's going on in my life. The reason I'm writing it.

Last year, I wrote a story for Christmas. It came out roughly to 52,000 words and I started Dec.1 and got done with it a few days before Christmas (which was my goal). That was with a new chapter every day and basic edits as well. I've since edited that book on and off (and it's waiting its fate with a publisher) so we shall see.

My other books, like I said it depends. When I really get into a book, that puppy comes out fast. It's the editing that takes a while...and I don't mind editing. *grins*

[Annie, The Mistress]

Eeeek, Miss Kristina! Fan-freain'-tastic question!!

Sooo I'm a terrible example...

But I didn't write a 1st draft. Here's my super pro steps to publishing...

1) Serialize chapters online as I write them
2) Finish story
3) Have readers ask for ebook version
4) Agree and promise it within 3 weeks WITH extra content (cuz I'm not smart)
5) Realize that 3 weeks is really short (cuz I don't think)
6) Google all the things in the land and make 3-week-self-imposed-dealine-of-death
7) First draft? Umm. Only one draft LMAO!!

Okay, I just wanted to share. To actually answer your question...

The first 40K were written in ~8 weeks. But I took a 3-month hiatus cuz of some huge opportunities to make moolah (my real work tee hee). Overall, 80K words took me about 9 months to complete when all was said and done. I reckon it was roughly 4 or 5 months of actual writing?

Hugs,
Ann

P.S. - I am loving your participation!

*runs off to make a new superstar pin*

[Kristina]

Annie wrote: "Eeeek, Miss Kristina! Fan-freain'-tastic question!!

Sooo I'm a terrible example...

But I didn't write a 1st draft. Here's my super pro steps to publishing...

1) Serialize chapters online as I wr..."
Thanks :)

Wow, that's mega fast!

Thank you :)

I used to spend a lot of time on forums. Since most of those have closed, groups like this are my new hideout!

Amanda wrote: "It really depends for me. On the story. What's going on in my life. The reason I'm writing it.

Last year, I wrote a story for Christmas. It came out roughly to 52,000 words and I started Dec.1 and..."
I'm the same. I spend FAR longer editing than I do writing. I'm totally different to you though - I ADORE writing first drafts and despise editing. I'm getting better at it, but I have a lot of ideas in my head, so I have to be careful I don't use those as excuses to not edit.

[Alexa]

Sooooo my original first draft of Avalon Dreams was about 125 000 words, that took 3 months with working full time. Then the typing and editing was another 3 months (ripping my hair out - gritting my teeth - kind of months...), for the final version of 158 000 words. Don't even get me started on the extra 30k words.... and where they came from. LOL

But I agree with Amanda, it depends on what's going in my life and the story. Working on the sequel now, I can't really focus with my wedding being less than 2 months away lol. So I'm taking a bit of a break until after :)

[[deleted user]]

Kristina wrote: "Annie wrote: "Eeeek, Miss Kristina! Fan-freain'-tastic question!!

Sooo I'm a terrible example...

But I didn't write a 1st draft. Here's my super pro steps to publishing...

1) Serialize chapters ..."

Considering everything that was disclosed here, I'd better keep my mouth shut!

[Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger)]

Alexa,
Wow! That's a lot of productivity in such a short time. Wonderful! Congratulations!

I'm working on a YA PNR series of 3 books. While writing book 1, I often stop to write a scene that pops into my head for books 2 and 3, so it's taking longer than expected. I guess it takes as long as it takes until you are satisfied with it.

[Kristina]

Sue (Dog Mom) wrote: "Alexa,
Wow! That's a lot of productivity in such a short time. Wonderful! Congratulations!

I'm working on a YA PNR series of 3 books. While writing book 1, I often stop to write a scene that pops ..."
I totally agree Alexa! I do the same when I'm working on mine. While I was working on book 1, I wrote 15,000 of book 2, and made a few notes about a spin-off. I think I did a scene from book 3 and another spin-off too.

I think it's worth getting the ideas down if they're in your head, though. If you don't they can niggle away and interrupt the writing sessions of your main project.

[Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger)]

Kristina,
Yup, that's exactly why I take the time out to do it. If I don't I'll forget it, I know I will. I also make a note as to which book the note or scene belongs to, so when I start writing book 2, I don't have to read everything. : )

[Nicole]

It really only takes me a few months if I really dedicate the time. I've found that mapping out an outline to start with, drastically reduces the amount of time it takes me to finish. I've written over 50K words of my current WIP in less time than it took me to complete my first book, which was only a novella of about 26K words.

[Jane]

I wrote book one in the trilogy that I've been working on in 5 weeks, its 75,000 words, I was super surprised, that's the quickest I've ever written anything!! Book two in the trilogy which I finished about two weeks ago took me about 6-7 weeks I believe but I haven't gone and checked!

[Eva]

Wow! You guys make me look bad!!
It took me over a year to finish my first draft. And it sucked, really bad! Then it took me about six months to make it decent.
I write on my phone on the way to work, 20 minutes a day. It isn't much, but when I get home after work I have the kids to take care of, and after they've gone to bed I'm so tired I can't think straight.
Let's hope that my next book doesn't take as long...

[Anna]

Eva, I'm about the same as you, perhaps a bit longer and I don't work full time.

I like to make sure all the historical details are correct so I'm checking as I go along. When I wrote my time travel book, I could write the contemporary bit very much quicker than the historical bit. However, I like writing the historical sections very much more.

I am amazed by how much other writers achieve. Well done all!

[Nat]

I write most of my first drafts during NaNoWriMo, so about 30 days. But then, on the edits, they often expand by at least 40,000 words. That's what takes me more time, the editing editing editing.

The first drafts are 'easy' and fun and zip right along (usually.) But, I'm maybe not that picky on my first drafts, either.

And remember, writing one book is awesome, no matter how long it takes! Most people who say they wanna write a book, never get past page 1.

[Amie]

Roughly 14 months. I was working full time and really sacrificed a lot of family experiences to get that draft done.

[Erin]

Eva wrote: "Wow! You guys make me look bad!!
It took me over a year to finish my first draft. And it sucked, really bad! Then it took me about six months to make it decent.
I write on my phone on the way to wo..."

On an iPhone?? iWhoa!! You are a rockstar. That is all.

[Angel]

18 months to two to two and a half years. Life and being a mom gets in the way. Also because I'm an obsessive and meticulous person.

[D.J.]

For some reason I seem to always start out super strong. I'll bust through the first 20-30k in less than a month and then it just goes downhill from there. I really need to try to do more plotting and less pantsing.
My first book took almost a year to complete, because I revised it so many times I could probably quote it in my sleep. The second one took me about 3-4 months (60k words) to get out a draft I felt comfortable letting others read, but then it still took several months after that to actually publish.
The one I'm working on now, I started at the end of August, and I'm still not done (only in about 50k words), but I've started two others in the meantime and have 30k combined on those. I obviously get distracted too easily.

[Stephanie]

That depends for me. It took way too long because life ( work, kids, animals ect ) got in the way and then I started to edit...And revise over and over again never feeling quite right.

[Jane]

My current goal for writing is one scene a day, which means I can finish a first draft in two months or less if I stick to my schedule, which I often don't! I'm a huge planner which usually means editing and revising doesn't take me too long because I have story worked out before I start

[B.A.]

Writing the first draft isn't all that hard but it takes me up to a month to plot it out. That includes getting my characters fleshed out and even some conversations written. Once I start the draft, I can to 100k words in a month. It is the editing that takes me so long...at least four months of polishing so my editor doesn't have a lot to do.
My first book took a long time because I'm a new writer and there was so much to learn. My first book isn't all that great, but it was fun to write. I'm editing my second book now and am on the 12th chapter so am doing three chapters a month..that is slow. I'm one who works on four or five things at a time, so I finished the first draft on one book, did the second rewrite on another and start two more plots and outlines ....my goal is to have the second book out in June and the third I. Dec. of this year.

[Abigail]

Man, you guys at the beginning were freaking me out. A few months??? I should be so lucky! *laugh* I'm in the over-a-year camp for the most part. I'm working on book 1 of a trilogy, but Nov. 2015 and 2016 I did a modified NaNo for book 2. So when I get to that one, I'll already be half done.

Editing can take me just as long.

My second book, however, was under contract and I had it written and edited in 11 months. But even reading it now there are things I want to change.

[T.L.]

I'm in the 'it depends' camp.

My second book would not leave me alone. It kept insisting I write, even in the middle of the night once. So, despite a full time job and other personal commitments, that 1st draft took me a few months.

But my book about an abused girl took me over a year. I wrestled with my courage to write it, and walked a fine line of balancing info with tmi.

My WIP? Well, started it Christmas 2015, but I was poorly a lot and my day job last year got really stressful. Just starting to see daylight now, after two months of hard writing. 31k words written just in January!! (I've given myself a career break so I have more spare time right now)

There is no set time.
It takes what it takes.
One of the joys of being indie; no publisher deadlines ;)

[Eva]

Erin Lee Daniels wrote: "Eva wrote: "Wow! You guys make me look bad!!
It took me over a year to finish my first draft. And it sucked, really bad! Then it took me about six months to make it decent.
I write on my phone on t..."

Lol! If it wasn't for my phone I would never be able to write a novel.

[A.]

Hi everyone! It took me about a little over two months to write my book. I don't have any kids, so after work, I'd have free time to work on it. I also would write during my down time during the day (when quiet at the office or during my lunch break). I just couldn't stop writing! Then it took me about a week or two to edit/reread it a few times. Since it's published now, it's all about promotions. Haha.