How long does it take to write a book? That’s a question I’m
often asked in interviews. It’s also a question I ask when interviewing an
author. The simple answer is: as long as it takes. In reality, it’s a lot more
complicated. I used to think the answer varied according to the writer. Some
people are slow writers. Others can produce a novella (under 40,000 words or
approximately 160 double-spaced pages) in a couple of weeks.
It also depends on the author’s outside-of-writing life—a
job, young children, other demands on the writer’s time. I’m always amazed by
the dedication of those writers who can balance family, outside job, and
writing. Writers who rise at 4:30 a.m. to write for two hours before their
regular day begins. Or who sacrifice sleep to write after the family has gone
to bed.
I’m fortunate that I’m retired from outside jobs and have an
understanding spouse. The only “demands” on my time are the grandchildren who
don’t spend near enough time (according to moi) visiting. When they do, my
writing is set aside. So why haven’t I finished the darn novella I started three
years ago?
I’m more inclined to believe how long it takes to finish a
book varies according to the book. Some stories won’t let go. And some are
pains in the rear. The latter is the case with what was originally “Christmas
in Space.” It started as a short story for The Roses of Prose 2014 holiday “anthology”—a
month of short stories posted on the blog.
Turning a short story into a novella should be a piece of
cake. Right? You have the basic plot. You have the characters. Easy? Wrong. Like
many writers, I’ve discovered (the hard way) it is easier to start fresh than
to rework a piece, whether it’s a novel or a short story. After three years, I
am still working on this novella.
What’s wrong with me? The story? Not really any one specific
thing. I’ve left it to write three full-length novels and two more holiday
short stories as well as many, many blog posts. I’ve also “finished” it several
times. Still, I wasn’t satisfied with the completed work.
Then I went to my local RWA chapter’s Retreat From Harsh
Reality. In a previous post,
I mentioned how our speaker Christie Craig told me what was wrong with this
project. No, she hadn’t read my story. In one of her talks, she reminded me
what I hadn’t done—delve deeply (or more deeply) into my main characters.
Did that ever spur me on. I thought I knew my characters.
Since the story is told through one person’s point of view, I delved into her
character. What I hadn’t considered (enough) was her second in command and her
lover. Why would he devote eight years of his life to go on a one-way trip to a
new planet? Was he a thrill seeker? Was he escaping a difficult life or event?
Did he have pioneer spirit? Why would he leave everything and everyone forever?
Was Marsh like Sara an only child whose parents were dead?
Answering those questions gave me a better handle on Marsh and, more importantly, the story. As much as I like action-adventure, I’d forgotten one important (the
most important) aspect of my work. Character.
Going back to my original question. How long does it take to
complete a story? How about as long as it
takes the writer to remember the tenet of a good story. It’s the character,
stupid.
Now retitled, Christmas
in Paradise is the story of six astronauts embarking on the adventure of a
lifetime. They are the hope for the future. Pioneers setting off to establish a
new home for the inhabitants of an over-populated, depleted Earth.
The book I've struggled to finish is finally drawing to a close. I won't say how long it's taken me, but it started out as a short story that didn't sell many years ago. Yep, some just take longer than others. Christmas in Paradise sounds like an exciting story. Glad you were able to finish it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lucy. Good luck with yours.
DeleteThat's why I struggle with writing on deadline. I've done it twice now, and I will forever wonder if the stories would've been better if I'd had longer to get to know my characters. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThe time it takes to finish a book depends on all those things you mentioned. I'm a slow writer. My stories used to be action first and character second, but over the years, I've learned the importance of character development, and now I make sure my stories have equal parts of both. Congrats on finishing your story!
ReplyDeleteI think every book is different. My first book was written in 3 months. The second one has taken me more than a year and I'm still not done. Christmas in paradise sounds like a good read. Well done, Diane.
ReplyDelete