Ask the Author–How long does it take for you to write a book, and what is your process like?

Spring is almost here! Does it look like it where you are, or is winter still clinging to everything? I always start getting a bit of spring fever around this time of year. I want to get out and start working in the garden and watching things grow. However, that has little to do with this blog, so I’ll try to focus on that. Time has come for another author question. I don’t think this requires any huge explanation. This month the question is…

How long does it take for you to write a book, and what is your process like?

As far as how long? It usually takes at least a year, if not more for me to finish the first draft. That is usually because I have a lot of other things I have to do besides just writing, so I have to squish writing into a lot of tiny spaces. I think a good chunk of Gateway to Aviandria got written in the five to ten minutes I had before classes. I carried a notebook everywhere. It takes a while, but they all got done. Then I had to edit them and fix things to be able to get it to work well as a book. I tend to ramble a lot in first drafts. The length of time for this varies depending on the draft. The first took a lot longer than the second. I fixed it a lot more times, and just because it was the first, it was probably the worst, so it needed it. So, writing takes me a while. I’m not one of those people who can pump out several books a year.

My process seems to be the same, no matter how much I try to switch it up, I always end up coming back. No matter how many times I try to outline, I almost always end up just starting to write. My brain doesn’t work in outlines. As I go I’ll take little breaks and develop characters, or make maps of the world, and things like that. Sometimes I’ll skip ahead if there is a scene that is really prominent in my head then go back and fill in the gaps. However, I just pretty much write the first draft as it flows into my head.

After the first draft is done, I’ll give it a little time to sit while I work on something else or do something besides writing. Some parts I just nip and tuck a little. Others I rewrite entirely. I’ll take parts out that are just my ramblings. I’ll add details. I’ll fix plot holes. Sometimes this all takes more than one draft. Usually, it doesn’t take as long to write these drafts. The framework is already in place, so it goes more quickly. Sometimes I feel the second draft is good enough to move on to the next big step.

After I have a draft I feel is fairly well put together, I like to send it to some people for beta reading. I ask them questions about all sorts of things. Because I’m so close to my writing, I’m bound to miss some things they will catch. After I get their responses, I take those responses and make adjustments where needed. After that, I send it off to be edited by a professional, because I am not always super great at grammar, punctuation, etc. After that, I feel ready to publish. I’ll let my ARC readers read it for reviews (so far I’ve done this at the same time it was being edited) and then I get it formatted and publish it!

For those of you who are worried that the third book will be years out, it’s not as bad as it looks. The first draft is already done. It was already finished before I ever published my first book. I’m in the process of rewriting right now. Hopefully, that doesn’t take forever. If anybody wants to be a beta reader, contact me and we can see about getting you on the list.

How do processes help you with things? Do you always do things the same, or do you like to switch it up?