Ever since Franzen’s Freedom landed much has been made of the length of time between its release and his last novel, The Corrections. Nine years! As someone who’s cranked out a contracted book in six months I’m amazed. Not that any of my offerings can compete with Freedom but still… nine years seems excessive. On the other end of the spectrum are genre authors who sometimes write five books a year. I have no idea how they keep up the pace
So how long does it take to cook a book? My debut novel took me two years and I was a single mom and teaching fulltime. Books two and three whizzed by in six months. Then I wrote book four and it took two years. The difference ? Book two and three were parts of a series; book four was not. When you already know your characters and setting, the writing is considerably breezier.
When asked how long it takes me to write a novel, I have to say, “I dunno know. It all depends on the book.” Nowadays I like to mosey along, and I especially appreciate time away from drafts. Ideally, I’d like two years.
Publishers usually want writers to shoot out a book a year, which is somewhat reasonable when the author’s writing a series. But sometimes I think writers who pen stand-alones need more time. Lately, I’ve read several novels from authors who could have used more cooking in the oven. In terms of editing and plotting, they were way too raw. That might not matter so much to big-time writers but I’ve seen it kill the careers of some mid-listers. Also poorly written books tend to bring down the industry as Kassia Krozser at Book Square points out in this must-read article.
Happy Labor Day!
Karin
I really, really wish I was more prolific, but I have a process that in the most perfect of scenarios takes at least a year. I started my second women's fiction novel in January and plan to have it done in January. But I definitely agree that later is better than rushed.
ReplyDeleteI have an author friend who made a big splash with her high-concept debut novel. She was pressured to make the next two novels just as high-concept, and they came out feeling forced. Also they were rush jobs and naturally didn't sell nearly as much as her debut. She quit writing a couple of years ago. It's too bad because she's very talented.
ReplyDeleteErnessa, did you get my e-mail about Terry McMillan recommenidng your book in USA TODAY. THat is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to do 3 a year, but now that I'm back to the day job grind, probably just 2.
ReplyDeleteMy first manuscript is still in revision stage. But I call it my learning novel. I can write a short book in three months. But I work full time, commute 7 hours a week, and watch too much reality TV. (Did you see Top Chef?)
ReplyDeleteAs an unpublished author, I'd like to say I could write three books a year (contemporary series) but I'm projecting from goal setting, not actual practice.
I find that the time it takes me to write a book varies so much depending on what else is going on in my life . . . and what it is I'm writing. I wrote the draft of my first novel in two months (while I was on summer break). But I then chipped away at it for three more years. I worked on what I thought was going to be my next book for a couple years, only to finally have to agree with my agent that it wasn't working and I needed to shelve it. The book I think/hope will be my next book took my about 9 months to write.
ReplyDeleteBut, I've never been under contract to write one . . . I can only imagine how that would change things.
Judy, I also shelved a book that took me two years to write. That really hurt!
ReplyDeleteI've written a book in six months and I wouldn't do it again. There's just not enough time between drafts for me to look at my story objectively. I think a year is a much better time frame.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! My first novel took me about a year to write, although I had the idea in my head for a year or two before that. I was under contract for the second one, so I wrote that in six months. I have to agree with Maria that I would not do that again. It was just so much pressure and I think I lost a little of the love for process along the way.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that a lot depends on whether we're writing full-time, versus trying to fit writing into an already full schedule.
ReplyDeleteI write full-time and under contract, and find that one book a year feels somewhat slow, now that I've been in the biz for a few years and understand the rhythms of book production. And I happen to work better when I have a deadline, though I understand why others may not.
Nine years (or seven, or five) seems indulgent to me, but the lit world tends to ascribe great value to books that were apparently so laborious--even those that I've found boring/unreadable.
But I also agree that many perennial books could have used more time/focus.
So much depends, too, on the genre, the writer, and readers' expectations.
I say, whatever works is what a writer should do--even if "whatever works" varies or changes over time.
I admire you, Therese, for being able to do that. Plus your books aren't short and they have lots of depth.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I've only written non-fiction, two of them for contract, with terms of less than four months. Which is crazy. The first book I wrote took four months of actual writing, but two years of research. I cannot imagine plotting, writing, rewriting, and editing fiction in less than at least a year, and am just gobsmacked to know that some people actually write four (and more) of such books a year. When do they sleep?
ReplyDeleteI've read a couple of books that went along for hundreds of pages, meandering along, telling a story. And then, whammo, in the last 10 pages they wrap everything up as if their deadline came upon them faster than they thought it was going to. Grisham's Playing for Pizza is like that, with a very unsatisfying ending, I thought. It always leaves me with a "Wha...?" kind of feeling, when a book ends so abruptly.
Great topic!
My five books have been published every other year, beginning in 2002. So, my goal has become to have one published in the even-numbered years. In other words, it's a two-year process from start to finish. Actual writing time is NOT two years, of course, but the time frame is reasonable and it takes away the pressure.
ReplyDeleteA book a year from my favorite authors is great, but I wouldn't not buy an author if she didn't publish every year. My hope for each book I purchase is a good read.
ReplyDeleteDebra
I'm not an author, but I am a lover of books. I love these posts that talk about what it takes to create a book that will eventually end up in my hands. There is nothing better than cracking open a new book for the first time! Thanks to all of you for that!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! The topic is so different and interesting to talk about.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of reading books by the same author. I feel that once I enjoy the first book and like his/her writing style, I will enjoy the others to come. More so than not I have been right.
My favorite authors (Elin Hildebrand, Nicholas Sparks, Emily Giffin, Alice Hoffman, Ellen Meister) that consistently write fabulous books and I think they all get better with age! However, there are some authors that I truly enjoy reading that produce a book that is not nearly as fabulous as their previous (Adele Parks, Jane Green, Jodi Piccoult).
I would love for my favorite authors to come out with a new books every few months if it were possible!! But considering that it is not, I would rather wait two years for a book just as good if not better than their previous work, then to have a new book sooner that doesn't live up to the last.
Oh,I was just thinking about this! I keep a little chart for each book, so I know exactly...
ReplyDeleteWell,except for PRIME TIME, the first book, which took two years. But I had no idea--absolutely NO IDEA!--what I was doing! Such a funny part of my life to look back on.
The other three (so far), under contract, took--6 months each? Seven? Which was at first terrifying, and then reasonable. (Which is terrifying in itself.)
I'd love to have 10 months. But I could do it, happily but high-tension, in 7. I still have a full-time job as a tv reporter, so that takes a huge chunk of time and creativity. But it does teach me about productivity!
Happy Labor day weekend, all! I'm writing, of course..
Hank, you amaze me. It's like you're super human, Justine, I agree with you about Emily Giffin. That girl has yet to write a dog. I totally love her work. And Ellen isn't capable of writing anything less than stellar.
ReplyDeleteI agree, how you guys write a book in 7 months while holding down a job is beyond me! My shortest book was 9 months according to my contract. That felt like a lot of pressure and I developed tendonitis that still hasn't completely healed. But on the other hand, I was on the board of Sisters in Crime and writing a billion emails a day too. Ten to twelve months seems like a good number to me--time to have a life while writing, and then time to let others read the manuscript and work on their suggestions.
ReplyDeleteJustine, you are the winner. Please email at kgillespie@knology.net so I know where to send the book.
ReplyDeleteMy first book took nine months, and my second one took about 14 months - but I had a baby while writing the second one! I think some books just take longer than others. I do like having a deadline because otherwise it might be too tempting to turn off the computer on a slow day.
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