It always starts with a question… how long does it take to write a book? That question lives rent-free in the mind of every aspiring author. Perhaps you’ve been nurturing an idea for months, or maybe you’ve already taken the first steps and just need to know if you’re doing it right. Every writer has stared at a blank page, wondering if this thing will take weeks, months, or years to finish.
Here’s the short answer: it depends on your goals, your lifestyle, and your writing habits.
Truth bomb: writing a book doesn’t have to be a never-ending grind. You don’t have to vanish for months or put everything on hold. What you do need is to know yourself as a writer and map out a realistic path forward.
Today, I’ll break it all down in the simplest way possible. I’ll cover average timelines, what slows people down, what speeds things up, and how to create a schedule that works for you without losing your mind in the process.
Let’s start by understanding what really affects how long this journey takes.
What Affects How Long It Takes to Write a Book?
No two books share the same path, and that path isn’t defined by typing speed alone. If you’re wondering why some writers finish in a few months while others take years, it all comes down to five main factors. Once you understand them, you’ll stop comparing your timeline to someone else’s and start building one that works for you.
1. Genre Shapes Your Timeline
How long it takes to finish a book depends heavily on what kind of book it is. Genres come with built-in expectations. A romance novel might be 70,000 words. A fantasy epic could easily cross 130,000. If you’re writing a short self-help book, you may only need 50,000. The bigger the word count, the more sessions you’ll need to get there.
The more complex the story, the longer it usually takes. World-building, research, and emotional depth all add time, even when the book isn’t any longer on paper.
2. Your Writing Speed Is Unique to You
Some writers knock out 2,000 words in an hour. Others carefully shape 500 in the same time. Neither is better. It just means your pace will set your timeline.
Pro Tip: Try a few sessions to see how many words you write in one sitting. Don’t guess, actually track it.
3. Everyone Starts Somewhere
If this is your first book, you’re learning everything from scratch. And that’s okay. Writing a book for the first time is a skill-building process. You’re figuring out how to shape your voice, build a structure, and stay motivated when life gets loud.
So yes, beginners may take longer but they also gain the most. You only get to write your first book once. Take your time if you need it.
4. Time Available Makes or Breaks Momentum
A full-time writer with an open calendar will finish faster than someone juggling a day job, family, and limited energy at night. You’ll need to be more intentional with your writing schedule.
Don’t base your deadline on someone else’s life. Look at your own week. Can you commit to three sessions? Five? Even two? That’s enough, as long as you keep showing up.
5. Revisions Can Double the Timeline
Most writers think about the first draft when they ask, “How long will this take?” But the editing phase adds a significant chunk of time.
Average Timeframes for Different Authors
There’s no average time to write a book that fits everyone but there are patterns. Once you understand how different types of writers approach their books, you’ll start to see where your timeline might fall. Think of it less like a stopwatch and more like a guidepost. Some books fly out in weeks. Others unfold over years. The key is finding your pace, not someone else’s.
First-Time Authors (6 to 12 Months)
Writing your first book? Plan for six months to a year! That includes time for figuring things out, fixing false starts, and learning how to stay consistent. There’s a big mental shift that happens when you go from “I want to write a book” to actually sitting down and doing it. That part takes emotional energy too.
Intermediate Writers (4 to 6 Months)
Once you’ve written a book or two, you know what works for you. You’re better at planning your time, handling blocks, and sticking to your schedule. Writers at this stage can often finish a draft in four to six months, especially if they have a solid outline and writing routine.
Fast Writers (2 to 3 Months)
Some authors know how to lock in and write daily without hesitation. If that’s you, writing a book in eight to twelve weeks is completely possible.
Slow Burners (1 to 3+ Years)
Then there are writers who take their time, and that’s perfectly okay. Some projects need years, especially when they’re emotional, research-heavy, or incredibly ambitious. There’s no shame in taking your time.
Planning Your Book Timeline Step by Step
Idea? Check. Rough timeline? Check. Now it’s time to get practical. Build a plan that’s realistic and personal to your life. That’s how you move from dreaming about a book to actually writing one.
Step 1: Choose Your Target Word Count
The first thing you need to decide is how long your book should be. This depends on your genre, your goal, and your audience. Nonfiction guides tend to be shorter, often around 50,000 words. How long can novels be? They typically stretch to 70,000–100,000 words.
Not sure where to start? Go with 50,000 words as a baseline. It’s long enough to feel complete, but short enough to keep things moving.
Step 2: Test Your Average Writing Speed
Sit down for a real writing session. Set a timer and write under the same conditions you’ll use during your book-writing process.
Track how many words you produce in one hour. Do this three times to get a realistic average.
Say your writing speed is 800 words per hour. That number lets you figure out your total timeline for the draft.
Step 3: Calculate How Many Sessions You Need
Divide your total word count goal by your average writing output.
With a 60,000-word target and 800 words per writing session, you’re looking at roughly 75 sessions to finish.
Step 4: Decide How Many Sessions You Can Do Weekly
Now comes the part where you make it real. Look at your weekly schedule. Be honest.
Can you write three times a week? Four? Five?
At three sessions per week, 75 sessions will take about 25 weeks, a little more than six months. Bump it up to five days a week, and you’ll be done in roughly 15 weeks – under four months.
Step 5: Add Room for Breaks and Life Stuff
Even if you’re motivated, you’re still human. There will be holidays, sick days, off days, emergencies, and life interruptions.
Take your best estimate and add a cushion: four months turns into five, six turns into seven.
Step 6: Set Milestones Along the Way
Break your word count into chunks. Celebrate when you hit 10,000 words. Then 25,000. Then 50,000. Milestones help you feel like you’re making progress.
Pro Tip: Reward yourself for progress along the way. A nice meal, a break, or a fun purchase can help keep your momentum strong.
What Helps and What Doesn’t
You don’t need to race through your book, but a smarter approach can help you finish sooner without compromising quality.
Build a Routine That Fits Your Life
Consistency is more powerful than intensity. Writing for 30 minutes a day beats waiting for that one perfect weekend that never shows up. A routine turns writing into a habit. It lowers resistance, builds momentum, and takes away the daily decision of “when should I write?”
Outline Before You Start
Having a loose outline helps more than most writers realize.
Knowing where your story is going (or what your nonfiction chapters will cover) means you don’t waste time figuring it out as you go. It reduces backtracking, and you’ll spend less time rewriting entire sections.
A simple list of major points or chapter ideas can save weeks down the road.
Protect Your Writing Time
Momentum disappears fast when you’re distracted by texts, calls, or browsing instead of staying with the page.
When it’s writing time, treat it like a meeting. Turn off notifications. Close all unrelated tabs. Put your phone out of reach. Even one focused hour can produce more than three distracted ones.
Track Your Progress
Use a spreadsheet, calendar, or simple notebook to log your daily sessions.
Even if you only write a few hundred words, those numbers add up. And when you see that progress, it becomes easier to keep showing up.
Don’t Wait for Inspiration
Inspiration usually shows up once you’ve started, not before. The more consistently you sit down to write, the more often those great sessions will happen.
The Publishing Timeline
After writing and editing, publishing adds more time to your timeline, especially if you’re self-publishing. Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Revisions: 1–2 months
- Professional editing: 1–2 months
- Formatting and cover design: 2–3 weeks
- Proofing and upload: 1 week
- Marketing prep: 4–6 weeks
Total time from final draft to published book: 3–4 months.
If you’re wondering how long does it usually take to write a book, you should plan for a total timeline of 6–12 months to complete and publish your book.
It Takes As Long As It Takes
The pace doesn’t matter as much as your commitment to finishing. New writers should focus on building a strong writing habit rather than rushing to finish.
And if you’re in this for the long haul, give yourself grace. Writing a book is about doing something meaningful. And that’s always worth the time it takes. If you need help staying on track or turning your draft into a finished manuscript, Mayfair Publishers can guide you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long did J.K. Rowling take to write a book?
J.K. Rowling spent about six years writing the first Harry Potter book. She started planning the story in 1990 and published Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997.
2. Can I write a book in 3 months?
Yes, you absolutely can write a book in 3 months if you stay focused and consistent. Many authors aim for around 1,000 words per day. That gives you 90,000 words in 90 days. The key is to plan your book well, avoid distractions, and write on a regular schedule.
3. How long does Stephen King take to write a book?
Stephen King often writes the first draft of a book in about three to six months. He works fast but he’s also been writing for decades.
4. How long does it take to write a book for beginners?
For first-time authors, it usually takes six months to a year to write a book. That includes writing the draft and going through a few rounds of edits.
References
[1] Gatekeeper Press. How Many Words in a Novel? https://gatekeeperpress.com/how-many-words-in-a-novel/
[2] KDP Community. Define Novel Length. https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/question/0D5f400000FHcSICA1/define-novel-length?language=en_US
[3] Reedsy. How Many Words in a Novel. https://reedsy.com/studio/resources/how-many-words-in-a-novel
[4] SelfPublishing.com. How Long Does It Take to Write a Book? https://selfpublishing.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-write-a-book/