I hear from a lot of writers, especially after NaNoWriMo who were inspired and whipped out a book in a month. That's amazing. There are certainly a number of writers out there who can write quickly, I have a few clients of my own who amaze me with their abilities to write terrific books quickly. But a month! That's incredible.
And it's probably not done.
More power to you if you can write a book in 30 days or less, but writing the book is the easy part, at least that's what a lot of authors will probably tell you. Once the book is written you start the real work--editing, revising, and perfecting.
And that can take another month, maybe two. Because it's at this stage that the real writing is done.
--jhf
5 comments:
Ha, writing a book in a month is like losing a hundred pounds in a year. Once it’s done you look back and realize, hey that was easier than I thought. Then the hard part begins, revisions and a maintenance plan. I’ve done both.
Book revised but I still don’t have an agent.
My smaller sizes still fit so it’s working. Getting there and staying there are two different things.
Totally agree with Carolynnwith2Ns. Would add the other thing I find hard and that is knowing when you need to stop revising and stop submitting.
I wrote Dark Refuge, the fourth book in my Spirit Wild series, in 36 days--I think that's a record, even for me, because I do tend to write fairly fast--but there are books that are gifts from the muse. That was mine. I only wish they happened more often.
Most of the time it takes me at least two solid months or more of serious work and multiple sets of revisions. Dark Refuge needed those, but the story itself? I don't plot, and it was a complete and absolutely wonderful surprise. On the other hand, there are those books that take me forever, and still don't feel right. If anyone can explain, please tell me!
Too true...writing the book is the easy part. Next - the tear your hair out/eye strain/stress inducing editing.
I've worked months just on a synopsis. I do enjoy NANOWRIMO, anyway, and try to get as much written as I can, but I don't hold my feet to the fire. Otherwise, I'd be toast.
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