It's Like I'm a Translator…for a bunch of People on Speed
Thanks for having me here during my Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour, which launches my award-winning contemporary romantic suspense, Lancelot's Lady. I'm often asked how long does it take me to write a novel and do I use an outline, so today I'm going to share with you my very professional writing process.The writing time varies per novel. My first novel Whale Song took 3.5 months; Divine Intervention took 4 months; The River took 5 months; Lancelot's Lady took 5 months; Children of the Fog (not yet published) took 6 months; and Divine Justice (also not yet published) took 6 months. Books that need more research will generally take longer for me to write as I sometimes get caught up in the research and in trying to make things work my way.
I don't do full outlines. I make notes and save them in a file when I get a "plot burst", but other than that I don't write with an outline. Before writing the first word, I mentally see the opening scene and many in the middle (turning points) and I always know how it will end. While writing, the movie plays out in my mind like a movie and I have to type really fast to keep up, which is hard because I never learned how to type properly.
It's like I'm a translator...for a bunch of people on speed. These hyped up characters tell me the story and I try to keep up. Sometimes I have to tell them to slow down or speak more clearly. Sometimes I have to question them: "What do you mean you want to_____?" Sometimes I have to take a break and let them chatter by themselves. Later, I get them to start at the beginning. Some days I feel like I'm their psychologist; other days I feel like I need one.
Yes, I hear voices in my head. But they're not mine. Really. I am an author. And there's no 12-step program for me. Now I must leave you for today as I have a woman (she's trapped in a car underwater) who's yelling at me to finish writing her story. But I invite you to check out Rhianna and Jonathan's story. Their voices are quiet whispers now…
Lancelot's Lady ~ A Bahamas holiday from dying billionaire JT Lance, a man with a dark secret, leads palliative nurse Rhianna McLeod to Jonathan, a man with his own troubled past, and Rhianna finds herself drawn to the handsome recluse, while unbeknownst to her, someone with a horrific plan is hunting her down. Lancelot's Lady is available in ebook edition at KoboBooks, Amazon's Kindle Store, Smashwords and other ebook retailers. Help me celebrate by picking up a copy today and "Cherish the romance..."
You can learn more about Lancelot's Lady and Cherish D'Angelo (aka Cheryl Kaye Tardif) at http://www.cherishdangelo.com and http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com. Follow Cherish from September 27 to October 10 on her Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour and win prizes.
Writers, what is your writing process? Full outline? No outline? Fly by the seat of your pants? Readers, how long do you think it takes most authors to write a novel?
Leave a comment here, with email address, to be entered into the prize draws. You're guaranteed to receive at least 1 free ebook just for doing so. Plus you'll be entered to win a Kobo ereader. Winners will be announced after October 10th.
I figured it took most authors about a year to finish each book. I had no idea. I'm not sure I could get an entire book written in a year. lol
ReplyDeletemiztik_rose@yahoo.com
honestly i figured takes thema whle to finish writing abook some shorter then otehr is why i respect authors for their creativity
ReplyDeletemortalsinn@yahoo.com
Didn't Kerouac write The Subterraneans in three days?
ReplyDeleteduncan.tim49@yahoo.co.uk
Many authors I know take a year or longer to write a novel. But most writers I know take less than a year. Publishers want a book a year, sometimes 2.
ReplyDeleteI probably could write a novel in 3 days but it wouldn't be readable. lol :-)
Cherish
Being an author sounds like it would be a lot of hard work. I'm glad you do it.
ReplyDeletemom1248(at)att(dot)net
I have read that it takes different authors different times (from a week to a year)to write a book.
ReplyDeleteForgot email.
ReplyDeletekissinoak at frontier dot com
I think it takes authors a while to write a good book. Until they get their ideas together and their story and then their draft and then they have to proof read and mark up. Alot of time goes into their books. Please enter me in contest. I really want to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThank you all for visiting. I appreciate each of your comments and your impressions of what it takes for an author to write a novel/book.
ReplyDeleteI know I strive to put out the best possible story. In the end, it's a mix of blood, sweat, tears and brain matter. lol
Cherish
Well I know how long it takes to write a letter so to write a book would take me forever...
ReplyDeleteAn experienced writer I would guess a year or more what with the research and all.
great interview.
alba47@gmail.com.
I was hoping you'd do a post on this somewhere along your tour. :) Always know the ending is probably one of the best pieces of advices I have received from many authors over the past few years.
ReplyDeletejmfictionscribe at yahoo.com.au
Great post!
ReplyDeleteI think the amount of time it takes to finish a novel varies greatly per author and per story. I am guessing the average is about 6 months maybe?
Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com
Hey Anna! Just popping in to say hello! ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely post! I guess it takes 9 to 11 months to finish a book, not counting the editing and stuff. Just raw product.
ReplyDeleteYou can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com
Thanks for the great post. This book sounds great. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeletejellybelly82158 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the great post, this book sounds great. Wow, 3 days, it would probably take me 3 years to write a book. LOL, I appreciate authors for everything they do, they get me through my days. I write a lot of poetry, and have tried my hand at writing stories, but loose interest before I make the halfway point. Kudos for everyone out there who stick with it and make an amazing story for all us readers to enjoy :)
ReplyDeletejune111@att.net
Some authors finish their books faster or slower than the others, so I believe it depends on the author!
ReplyDeletevicky.vak8(at)gmail.com
Chai is cute, reminds me of my Min Pin, Molly! (I love the drink, too!) I respect authors of fiction more than any other professionals. Creativity is too under-rated. Love your books, so far! :D
ReplyDeleteI'll see what I can do at NaNo ^.^
ReplyDeletetessaquin@gmail.com
I am playing catch up!! I had a wedding to go to and got behind. Sometimes even stalkers take a break!!!
ReplyDeletesarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com