So, you’ve been working on your book, and you want to know when it is finished? Well that is fairly easy.
A book is complete when the writer has taken it through the planning (inspiration, outlining), the execution (drafting), the editing (line editing, and developmental editing), and the exhibition stage.
If you’ve completed all these stages, then your book is probably complete. You may begin working on another project. However, if you want a more detailed breakdown, then please, read on good sir/sir-ess.
How Long Does It Take To Write A Book?
6 months is how long it takes to finish writing a book.
A simple way of figuring out whether your book is done could be observing the time you’ve spent on it. Though I should be honest, I’ve seen some other stats that align with my situation, however, some great books have take years to write. For example, Stephen King’s It took 5 years to write.
There are multiple stages when it comes to writing a book. So as I talk about a finished book, I am referring to a book that is past the first draft, and is ready to be given out to others to read.
If we are referring to a book like that, then I’d have to say that it probably took me 6 months to do.
My first complete draft of a book took my 2 months to write, when I started on the 12th of June, and finished on the 29th of April. The book was about 200 000 words. At the time, I did not know about editing, so I just left it as is.
Another book I drafted took me about 1 month to write. I started on the 7th of November and finished writing it on the 29th of January. Or I guess that’s 2 months.
Between these 2 books, I wrote one complete book. I wrote that one from January to late June. This was the one that took me 6 months to write and it included all the editing, and rewriting.
What Makes You Write Quicker?
Free time, and ability to concentrate will drastically impact your writing speed.
1. Free time
There are a number of factor that can impact your writing speed.
One is school, and job commitments. I finished the 2nd 2 months book because we had a holiday from November to January, so I was stuck at home the whole time. The first book that I managed to write from August to June I could manage because I was doing home schooling.
In those two cases, I’d wake up early in the morning, and I’d write literally throughout the whole day. Then I’d fall asleep, wake up the following day, and repeat. This is why I could write the books so fast.
Meanwhile for the 6 months book, I was going to a proper school at the time I wrote that one. I set apart the evening to write. I’d write from 05 to 08 pm. So, it took me about 6 months to finish, and edit.
So depending on your time situation, then it could take 2 to 6 months to write your book.
2. Concentration
There’s no point in having free time if you do not spend it. That’s where concentration comes in. This entire blog revolves around being productive when you are trying to write. There are many articles you can read on how to do just that.
However, if there was a summary of my teachings, it would be the words ‘concentration maximization’.
A study published by SAGE of National Library of Medicine found that concentration shields against distractions. Undesired processing of the background is reduce, and the locus of attention becomes more steadfast when one is concentrated. Click here to learn more benefits.
A simple way of increasing your concentration is through the use of music in your writing session. However, you need to be careful how you do this.
Dangers of Background Music
A study conducted Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, tried to do a study on Attention Drainage effect. They were trying to discover if music could distract students from studying, and here is there conclusion. “According to the results of the study, the findings yielded some important information. It showed that playing music such as hip hop in the background has a greater effect on the concentration during the reading comprehension task when compared to light music or no music.” The study then concludes that it would be better to study in a silent room. Learn more here.
However, for me, music has worked very well. I bring up this study that shows contradictions to my advice to show you something. There are unique situations to everyone. Don’t do anything you do on this blog if it brings no results to you.
Test it for a few days first, then make your own unique mix.
Anyway, there is also another study that somewhat agrees with my position.
Proper use of Background Music
A study published on pubmed was studying the effects of background music on concentration of workers. “This study attempts to understand how background music listener fondness for types of music affects concentration.”
They discovered that that background music affects the listener. “Compared to situations without background music, the likelihood of background music affecting test-taker attention performance is likely to increase with the degree to which the test-taker likes or dislikes the music.” For more information on the study, click here.
This is why I listen to 70s and 80s greatest hits instead of modern day songs. The music stays in the background, and above all, it helps me keep track of time. I know how long an album is, and what time a certain song plays at.
How Do You Know When You Novel Is Done?
1. Your Novel Is Done If You’ve Made It Past The Planning
The first sign that you novel is complete is when you final finished all the planning that comes with the making of a novel.
Of course, there are famously 2 types of writers; the gardeners and the architects.
The architects are also called plotters. They are the writers who will plot the novel before beginning to write. Then you have the second type of writer, the gardeners. These writers are also called the pantser, because they write of the seat of their pants. It means they have no plan.
So does that not mean I am wrong in saying that the planning stage is the first stage to finishing a book?
The thing is, people do not completely never plan. That is impossible. The difference between gardeners and architects is not planning vs not planning. It is deep planning vs vague planning. George R.R. Martin, who is a pantser, drew the map of Westeros, and the family dynasty tree of the Targaryens before he wrote A Song of Ice and Fire.
If you planned to your satisfaction, no matter the degree of planning, than you have completed this stage.
2. Your Novel Is Done If You’ve Had The Inspiration
The second sign that you have completed your plan is when you have had an inspiration, and have milked it for all its worth.
I feel this one is the first step of the planning.
The inspiration can hit you from any direction. A picture, someone saying something, a song, or a sudden thought of what would happen if a, b, and z.
Wherever it comes from, you know inspiration when you see it. And when you finally get your inspiration, and set it down, then you should know chances are high your book is done.
3. Your Novel Is Done If You’ve Suffered the Flood Gates
The next stage you will have to look for is when the flood gates of scenes come pouring and you write them down.
J.K. Rowling famously got the idea of Harry Potter when she was on a train heading home. She says that the story came to her almost complete.
This is the flood gates.
When you get your inspiration, it is often followed by a flood of scenes. You start to see characters that you do not know doing things you do not understand with items you’ve never scene before.
For my first book, I saw a boy in a high school uniform, flying through an empty school, pulling a chain wrapped around his body. Behind him, there was a dragon, with a chain around its tooth. It roared but was helpless as he flew through the halls with it. Then, he flew into the open hall, and flew to the flew head first. On the last second, he flew up, and the dragon slammed into the floor, where more chains erupted from the carpet. There were school medals on the sides of the hall which broke to pieces, and the carpet had a sort of school crest.
That was the first picture I had and nothing else.
I proceeded to write my first YA fantasy story, which ended with this very scene. The point is, you will get these images.
If you have gotten these images, and have written them down, then you are probably closer to finishing the book.
4. It Is Done If You Have Done The Sorting
The fourth stage is when you have completed the sorting of the scenes.
The scenes that come to your mind come in a flood. As a result, you usually do not know where what goes. You will then begin writing your story world, your characters, and finally, you will get a feel of the character development.
This will give you an idea of where the scenes you got in mind are supposed to go.
If you’ve made it past this stage, and know where everything goes, then your book is finished.
5. Your Book Is Finished If You’ve Made It Past The Outlining Stage
The fifth stage is when you have finished the outlining stage of your book.
After you have had your inspiration, your flood gates, and sorted them out, then it means you have a strong sense of the story and characters. As a consequence, you are probably ready for the next stage. The outlining.
Now, this is where the pantsers, and the architects go their separate ways.
If you are a pantser, you may find you do not want to outline, and if you are an architect you may want to outline. Well, to the architects, have you already completed your outline? Then there is a high chance your book is finished.
6. Your Book Is Finished If You’ve Completed The Execution Stage
The sixth thing you must look out for is if you’ve completed the execution stage.
Sadly, I am not implying there will be rolling heads here. Instead, I am talking about finished the draft for your book.
Many people have inspiration for stories, and may even get characters in mind. They may even have scenes. But few actually sit down and write their book. The question is, have you written yours?
This does not have to be an edited book. Just the first draft. If yes, then the chances of your book being finished bump up again.
7. Your Book Is Finished If You’ve Made It Past The Preparations of the Stage
The seventh thing to look for is if you’ve implemented any of the execution techniques, such as time management, productivity harvesting, and writing.
This sounds a bit more complicated than it actually is. You have a plan to write a book. This is the step by step process to doing the plan. First, you will obviously need time management techniques.
When you have completed that, you will need productivity harvesting techniques. These are things like listening to music, rewarding yourself for your work, and all sorts of techniques you can use to harvest your productivity, and consistency in order to write and finish this book.
We talk a lot about those in this blog.
When you’ve done those until you completed your plan, then we can be sure that your book is finished.
8. Your Book Is Finished If You’ve Made It Past The Creation Stage
The eight sign to look for is whether you have given your book to people for seeing.
The importance of giving your book to people for them to read comes in two fold.
Firstly, it is important because it shows you have a lot more confidence in your work. if you are willing to show your work to people, then it means you are absolutely sure of its completion.
Secondly, this is what I call the creation stage. Writing a book is about creating. Not creating a piece of art outside in the world, but creating experiences for yourself. In this way, it is about creating yourself. The readers reaction helps create you, whether negative or positive.
It is a necessary part of the writing of the book.
9. Your Book Is Finished If The Main Art Is Complete
The ninth stage of writing your book is trying to make sure that the main art is complete.
When you’ve received your criticism, you can then get back to the book. you can read it again, and continue working on the book. If you are proud of your improvement with the book, then it is complete.
When the book is finished, then the main art, your character, will be complete.
If you have gone through all these stages, I don’t think it would be fair to say you have not gotten closer to mastering mastery.