How Long Does It Take to Write a Fiction Book?

For every aspiring writer who has ever sat down to tackle the monumental task of writing a novel, the same question echoes in their mind: “How long is this going to take?”

The answer, as anyone who has completed the journey will tell you, is both simple and deeply complex. The simple answer is that it takes as long as it takes. The complex answer is that the timeline is a deeply personal and variable process, influenced by a multitude of factors, from your writing style and daily habits to the very nature of the story you’re trying to tell.

There is no one-size-fits-all formula, but by breaking down the process and understanding the key variables, we can get a much clearer picture of what a realistic timeline looks like.

The Factors That Define Your Timeline

The journey from initial idea to a completed first draft is a multi-stage process. The time it takes is not just about the hours you spend at the keyboard, but also the time spent thinking, researching, and revising. Let’s look at the elements that have the biggest impact on your schedule.

1. The Writer’s Discipline and Routine

This is, arguably, the single most important factor. The most prolific writers are not necessarily the most talented; they are the most disciplined.

• The Snail’s Pace: Writing for just a few hours a week, or whenever inspiration strikes, will naturally result in a much longer timeline. If you write 500 words on a Saturday morning and then don’t touch your manuscript again for two weeks, your book might take years to complete.
• The Steady Drip: Many writers find success with a consistent daily word count goal. Aiming for just 250-500 words a day can feel manageable, even on the busiest days. At 500 words a day, you can have a 90,000-word first draft completed in about six months. This method builds momentum and keeps the story fresh in your mind.
• The Sprint: Some writers prefer to write in intense, concentrated bursts, often during events like National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November, where the goal is to write a 50,000-word draft in 30 days. This method is high-intensity and requires a significant time commitment, but it can be incredibly effective for getting a first draft down quickly.

It’s not about being a “fast” or “slow” writer; it’s about finding a routine that works for you and sticking to it.

2. The Genre and Word Count

The type of book you’re writing has a direct impact on the time it will take. Genres have standard word count ranges, and the more words you need, the more time you’ll require.

• Genre Fiction (Sci-Fi, Fantasy, etc.): These genres often demand a lot of world-building, which is a significant time investment. A 120,000-word epic fantasy novel will take far longer to write than a 75,000-word contemporary romance.
• Literary Fiction: While often shorter in word count, literary fiction can involve extensive character development, nuanced prose, and deeper psychological exploration, which can be a slow, painstaking process.
• Thrillers/Mysteries: These genres require meticulous plotting and careful pacing to ensure every clue and red herring lands exactly where it needs to. A writer who is a “pantser” (someone who writes by the seat of their pants with no outline) may take longer to write a thriller than a “plotter” (someone who outlines everything in advance) because they will have to go back and reorganize to make sure the story works.

3. The Planning Process: Plotter vs. Pantser

This is a classic debate in the writing world, and your approach will have a huge impact on your timeline.

• The Plotter: A plotter spends weeks or even months outlining their entire story, from character arcs and plot points to scene-by-scene breakdowns. While this pre-writing phase takes time, the actual drafting process is often much faster and more efficient because they know exactly where the story is going.
• The Pantser: A pantser, or discovery writer, prefers to start with a character and a premise and see where the story takes them. This approach can lead to a sense of freedom and discovery, but it can also result in dead ends, tangled subplots, and significant revisions or rewrites later on. This is where a lot of writers get stuck and feel like they’re not making progress.

Neither method is better than the other, but being honest about your natural inclination will help you set a more realistic schedule.

4. Life Happens: The Unpredictable Variable

This is the most common reason writing timelines get derailed. Writing is a side hustle for most people, and it has to fit around a full-time job, family responsibilities, health issues, and, of course, the occasional creative slump.

• Writer’s Block: It’s a very real phenomenon. Sometimes, the words just won’t come. Pushing through it can be exhausting, and taking a break to recharge can be the best path forward.
• Burnout: Trying to maintain a high-intensity writing schedule can lead to burnout, which can make you resent the very project you once loved. Listen to your body and your mind, and take breaks when you need them.
• Life Events: A new job, a move, a new baby, or a family crisis can bring your writing to a halt for weeks or even months. It’s important to be kind to yourself and understand that your writing will be there when you are ready to come back to it.

A Realistic Look at the Timeline: The Three Key Phases

Instead of giving a single number, let’s look at a more realistic breakdown of the entire process, assuming a consistent writing habit.

Phase 1: Pre-Writing and Planning (1-3 Months)

This is the phase of research, brainstorming, character development, and outlining. It’s the groundwork that makes the rest of the process possible.

• For the Pantser: This phase may be shorter, focusing on a basic premise and character sketch.
• For the Plotter: This is where you’ll spend the most time, meticulously mapping out your story.

Phase 2: The First Draft (6-12 Months)

This is the most celebrated part of the journey. This is where you actually write the story from beginning to end.

• A disciplined writer who hits a daily word count goal of 500 words will finish a 90,000-word draft in about six months.
• A writer with a less consistent schedule may take 9-12 months.
• This phase can be as short as 30 days for a NaNoWriMo participant, but it’s important to remember that this is often a “zero draft”—a very rough version that will require significant work.

Phase 3: The Revision Process (6-18+ Months)

This is where the real work happens, and it’s often the most underestimated part of the timeline. The first draft is just the clay; revision is where you sculpt it into something beautiful.

• Self-Editing: You’ll read through your manuscript multiple times, correcting grammar and spelling, improving pacing, strengthening character motivations, and fixing plot holes. This can take months.
• Critique Partners and Beta Readers: Once you’ve done all you can, you’ll send your manuscript to trusted readers for feedback. This process can take several weeks or months, and their feedback will likely require another round of revisions.
• Professional Editing: If you plan to self-publish, you will hire a professional editor, a process that can take a few weeks to a few months, followed by another round of revisions. If you are pursuing traditional publishing, this phase happens after you have secured an agent and a publishing deal.

So, What’s the Magic Number?

If we take an average of all these factors, a good, rough estimate for a new writer with a consistent writing habit to complete a polished, submission-ready manuscript is 18 to 24 months.

• 6-12 months for the first draft.
• 6-12 months for revisions and feedback.

This doesn’t mean it can’t be done faster. There are authors who write and publish multiple books a year. But for a first-time novelist, setting a more realistic two-year goal can help you avoid burnout and enjoy the process.

Ultimately, the goal isn’t to write the book as fast as possible. The goal is to write the best book you can. And that takes time, dedication, and a lot of patience. So, start today, keep going, and let the process take the time it needs.