Writing a novel requires a clear imagination of a fictional space. From humans to mythical creatures, the world is your oyster. But pulling off a novel isn’t something most of us can do in a matter of days. It’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed since we’re neither deity nor superhuman. So, how long does it actually take?
Well, you’ll be ambushed with plenty of articles if you run a quick Google search on ‘How long should you expect to spend writing a novel?’ Every source will share a different timeline. The truth is that every novel has its own essence that develops at its own pace. For example, John Boyne claims to have written ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas‘ in 2 ½ days, but ‘Hobbit’ took a staggering 12 years to complete.
Almost all well-received novels are written in different timelines, depending on the author and the plot. The problem is that this ambiguity makes the novel creation process tedious and scary. And with that, authors find themselves face-to-face with the horrors of novel creation.
But there’s nothing to fear, as our experts will walk you through all the details of how to write a novel quickly to make things simple.
A Step-By-Step Guide to the Novel Creation Process
The novel creation process is not an everyday walk to the park. It’s a multifaceted and excessively labor-intensive task. It demands clear planning, a creative approach, and persistence. The journey initiates with a plot idea and moves forward to execution.
The authors engage in extensive research to build up their understanding of that specific theme. Through research and real-life experiences, they curate authentic characters and settings. From then on, all the planning is set up for plot and character development.
Such a long and slow-paced process can be taxing on novelists. Instead of panicking about how to write a novel quickly, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the process.
It comprises the following steps:
- Outlining the Novel
- Performing Research
- Drafting
- Editing
- Formatting
- Publishing
Here’s more on these.
1. Outlining the Novel
The outlining stage can be the trickiest bit. That’s because it’s the foundation of the book and is super important. Once the founding stones are set, authors can proceed with the rest. This builds momentum within the plot and makes it memorable. If done properly, the narrative flows seamlessly. With consistent conceptualization, the author’s vision can be executed perfectly.
2. Performing Research
Most novelists start by researching the location, background, and theme of their book. Moving ahead through research can heavily impact the mood of the book. While researching, look for real-life people that resemble your characters.
This can help you come up with the distinctive attributes of the characters. Basic research builds up the base for character development and plot dynamics.
3. Drafting
Drafting is vital to gaining cohesiveness while working on the novel. Most writers just freehand the first draft to see where their imagination can take them. This approach might seem rushed, but it gives the novel a raw and relatable feel.
Always consider your capacity before setting milestones during the entire process. Remember to stay on the practical side to avoid unrealistic expectations.
4. Editing
Once the drafting is completed, the editing process begins. During this phase, all of the content undergoes detailed reviews. Such evaluations are done to make the content clearer. From structure to punctuation, every element of novel text is checked. For people wondering how much time it takes to write a book, it’s important to consider the editing time.
5. Formatting
Now that every technical and textual issue is edited start formatting the novel. This is where the author has to polish their work. Any issues with formatting are tackled, such as:
- Alignment
- Spacing
- Illustrations
6. Publishing
This is the stage where the main production of the book starts for online and offline distribution. The publishing process has many sub-parts. Here is a list of the main sub-tasks:
- Designing the cover
- Formatting for print and digital formats
- Setting a marketing plan
- Scheduling offline distribution
Factors That Impact the Writing Timeline
Writing a book is different for every author. As the novel progresses and the plot develops, the author can see their vision coming to life. However, things can go south easily. This often stems from issues in the early stages disrupting the overall progress.
Most writers fail to acknowledge and address this. This can lead to a shortage of time, which can affect the write-up quality.
We’ve listed some factors that affect the timeline.
- Faulty Planning Initial
- Inconsistent Writing Routine
- Genre Complexity
Here’s more on these.
· Faulty Planning Initial
There is an old saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This is quite applicable for novel writing as well. A flawed initial plan can easily derail the entire write-up process. When writers fail to plan, their write-up timeline takes a major hit.
The ambiguous story outline becomes their one-way ticket to endless editing sessions and structural issues. Lack of direction not only creates mingled character arcs but also impacts the writer’s headspace. This disruption leads to writer’s block, adding more time to the already late timeline.
So, experts recommend creating detailed plans before diving into the main write. A well-thought-out plan will help the author to gain solid plots and momentum.
· Inconsistent Writing Routine
A consistent writing routine is a building block of writing a novel. It helps the writer manage the novel timeline easily. On the other hand, an irregular writing routine can be a disaster waiting to happen. This inconsistency creates gaps in the timeline, leading to plot continuity issues.
This hinders an author’s progress and creativity. It creates mismanagement and timeline disruption. Without a proper routine, the authors are not able to find their flow and maintain their focus.
· Genre Complexity
Every genre has an essence that requires intense planning and proper execution. Some are easy to execute, while others aren’t. This is due to variations in conventions, structures, and expectations. Genre complexity should always be discussed in the beginning to avoid issues.
For example, the science versus romance genre. Science requires extensive creativity and research, while the romance genre requires more character arc and development. Experts recommend choosing the genre wisely to optimize time for drafting, revising, and editing.
You can focus on these factors to avoid any delays in the completion of your novel.
How Long to Write a Book?
If you’re wondering ‘how long to write a book,’ you need to know there is no fixed duration. Some experts say novels can take about 9-18 months on average. But this can be different for every author. That’s because, as mentioned above, various factors affect the book writing process.
These factors can make or break the timelines for novel writing. Here are some tips to follow:
- Set clear goals
- Write consistently
- Avoid editing while writing
- Use writing sprints
- Minimize distractions
- Prioritize key scenes
- Write what excites you first
- Track your progress
- Get professional help
One of the most rewarding tips for authors in novel writing has been taking external help from professionals like Ghostwriting Proficiency.
We’re a reliable ghostwriting agency that excels at novel writing, among other areas. Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, our writing and editing services are a class apart.
Get in touch with us to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical novel usually consists of 250 to 350 pages. Each page can host about 250 to 300 words per page. The exact number of pages can be different depending on the author. Other aspects that affect the quality of the pages are:
- The genre
- The word count
Novel requirements often differ from each other. This is due to the variation of genre, write-up, and plot of the novel. It also depends on the writer’s approach to the genre. However, there are a few common things one should keep in mind while writing a novel.
- Character development
- Plot Structure
- Picking a suitable POV
A paperback book length is usually 300 to 400 pages. The estimated word count can be between 80,000 and 100,000 words. However, this number can change according to the book’s details. No matter what your ideal novel length is, Ghostwriting Proficiency can offer reliable and smooth novel creation services.
The number of chapters in a novel is not fixed. It varies according to the plot and the author’s discretion. Novels may consist of approximately 12 to 28 chapters. Ultimately, the number of chapters can solely be determined by the structure and writing pace decided by the author.
There isn’t a simple answer to this question. A novel’s timeline depends on numerous factors. However, you can use these tips to write a novel on a set timeline.
- Focus on Initial planning
- Meet deadlines
- Maintain a proper writing routine
- Understand the genre complexity before starting
Still need help, connect with us to learn more.
