The Time It Takes to Write a 100,000 Word Novel

Making the decision to write a novel is both exhilarating and daunting. One of the most significant questions is, 'How long does it take to write a 100,000-word novel?'

Personal Experience: One Year Effort

Personal experience can vary widely. I took over a year to write a 100,132-word novel, a journey completed just a few nights ago. However, for established authors who have the luxury of time, the pace can be significantly faster. They might complete three to four novels a year. This is in stark contrast to those who need to work, manage personal life, work on various projects, or overcome constant distractions and a challenging environment, who might take approximately a year to write a 100,000-word novel.

Average Time: 150 Days

For the average person, it takes about 150 days to write a 100,000-word novel. This period, divided as 150 x 1000, offers a concise endpoint. Stephen King, for instance, would write at a faster pace, completing 2000 words per day, so he would likely finish in less time. Writing a less complex text, such as the 85,000-word Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets or the 77,000-word Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, would also take significantly less time, around 2 months of word-for-word transcription.

Factors Influencing Writing Time

While the above timelines may give a rough estimate, the actual time it takes to write a novel varies widely. This is because each novel has its unique elements such as the research involved, the complexity of the narrative, the development of characters and conflicts, and the need for extensive rewriting. Rushing a story may produce an initially satisfactory draft but never as satisfying as one that has time to properly 'age.' Writing is a process of rewriting and revising, and the final edited proof often takes more time than the initial draft.

First Draft vs. Final Draft

First drafts are rarely perfect. In the process of writing, making a first draft can take a considerable amount of time. For instance, taking into account the time splitting between working on multiple books, it can take around 380 days to complete a first draft of a 150,000-word book. However, the final draft can take even longer due to the necessity of revisions. We saw this in our own experience, where the first draft of The Brazen Altar took 403 days, while the final version took an additional 245 days. Another example is Unyielding Devotion, which took 259 days to write the first draft and is now in its third draft.

When focusing on a single book, the process is accelerated. With only one book at a time, it might take about 110 days to complete a 150,000-word first draft. However, the time it takes to finalize the novel can still be quite long, averaging around 392 finished first draft words per day. It is worth noting that first drafts and revisions are not linear and can take more time than initially estimated.

Conclusion

Writing a 100,000-word novel is a significant undertaking that can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on an author's experience, projects, and life circumstances. While there are general guidelines, the true essence of writing is in the continuous process of revising and refining. The time it takes is as unique as every writer and every story.