How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?

Posted on April 9, 2007
Filed Under Writing |

How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?

One of the questions I get asked most often about writing a book is how long does it take to write a book? In a nutshell and without any sugar coating, the answer is very simple: as long as you decide it’s going to take.Whether you are writing your book to build your business, something you have always wanted to do or a dream you want to fulfill, the length of time that it will take you to write a book all comes down to 3 simple things: preparation, commitment and dedication. For some people, the idea of writing a book is as formidable a task as climbing a mountain. For others, it’s not the work itself that is so daunting, but the time required to complete it. After all, who has time to sit down and write a book?

I’ve asked hundreds of people, “How long do you think it takes to write a book?” The typical answer is anywhere from 3 months to a year. I then ask, “How long do you think it would take YOU to write YOUR book?” These responses are very different. “Oh, I don’t know, 6 months, 1 year, a decade. I would love to write a book, but I don’t have the time! People are always surprised to learn that writing a book doesn’t have to take a long time and amazed when I tell them that they can complete their book in just a few weeks.

I recently attended a writing class and one of my classmates asked, “How long will it take me to write my book?” The instructor, a published and well-known author, responded, “about 2 years”. As I was squirming in my chair, pressing my lips together, she went on to say that she devoted 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, to writing her book. Yikes! Who has 7 hours a day to write? 

I have found that for many aspiring authors, writing a book seems like a giant monster and believe they need to set aside a big block of time to capture it. The truth is, you can write your book in just 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week. Honestly, it doesn’t have to take huge blocks of time, a summer vacation or a sabbatical.

It all comes down to preparation and planning. Have you ever heard the riddle, “How do you eat an elephant?” — one bite at a time. It’s exactly the same for writing a book, you write your book one bite at a time. I’ve helped authors write more than 90 books in the last 28 months, most of them in as little as 3 days, the rest were written over a period of 4, 6 or 8 weeks.  

For bloggers, even a shorter amount of time!  How long do you think it will take to write yours? 

To your writing success! Ann McIndoo

Your Author’s Coach 

Comments

3 Responses to “How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?”

  1. Jason Miller on April 16th, 2007 3:58 am

    Hi Anne,
    This is Jason Miller, i had a class with you last week ( which was awesome!!!) Anyways, i was hoping you could email me your eWorkbook so i could read my lessons that you gave us :P I’m excited to get this cookbook published!! Hope you’re doing great and hope to here from you soon :)

    Jason M (Author)

  2. Timothy Fish on July 25th, 2007 5:52 pm

    I am fascinated when people say that it took them a year, two years, four years or even decades to write a book. I don’t see how they do it. When I write a book, I want to get it done as quickly as possible. Even though I normally have some kind of outline to work from, I like to keep the whole story in my head. I want to have as clear of a memory of the story as the reader will have when he reaches that section of the book. If I don’t remember something about one of the characters then it is a safe bet that the reader won’t either. I have found that when other things distract me and draw me away from the book I have to work harder in later drafts to tie the pieces together properly.

  3. xanaxanax on October 18th, 2007 5:13 am

    Great .Now i can say thank you!

    xanax

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