tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post4674166377014869033..comments2023-09-14T01:40:03.927-06:00Comments on Peggy Eddleman: Will Write For Cookies: How Long to Draft?Peggy Eddlemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241451940725996650noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-73140026060542149792011-08-25T15:27:23.905-06:002011-08-25T15:27:23.905-06:00I have wondered about the correlation between revi...I have wondered about the correlation between revising and pre-planning too, Linda! I'd love some good hard facts. :)Peggy Eddlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241451940725996650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-63062468735193602042011-08-25T09:36:16.627-06:002011-08-25T09:36:16.627-06:00Ooh, I wish I can participate in this one! But I&#...Ooh, I wish I can participate in this one! But I'm still in the planning stages for my first project (I never finished any of the others I started). So envious of fast drafters! I wonder if there's a correlation between time spent drafting and time spent revising, and how much pre-planning affects those numbers? Thanks for the interesting survey!lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16524291742541007382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-49590192019150662872011-08-25T08:39:16.014-06:002011-08-25T08:39:16.014-06:00Dawn-- I got your numbers counted. And I'm com...Dawn-- I got your numbers counted. And I'm coming over to check out your blog after I get kids off to school.<br /><br />meandmythinkingcap-- You're not wrong. :) But that doesn't mean it's not worth it (usually).<br /><br />Doralynn-- I totally understand that! And thank YOU for the follow. :)<br /><br />Hannah-- I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Jeff-- I think the revising process should take exactly as long as it needs. And finding a better way and learning so much to make the next one easier are such great things! I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />E.D.-- Congrats on being done! It can feel like you are almost there so many times, the feeling of actually being done is priceless! I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Lan-- You sound almost exactly like me! We can be slow together. :) I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Kelley-- Thanks for coming and following my blog, too! And you're impressively fast! I've got your numbers counted.Peggy Eddlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241451940725996650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-41861594539611761982011-08-25T06:19:52.350-06:002011-08-25T06:19:52.350-06:00GREAT post on a question I wonder about all of the...GREAT post on a question I wonder about all of the time. I love this blog too, btw. And the graph. I like to fast draft (2wks to a month), but it takes me longer to revise (though still quick on this scale). I'd say 3-4 months of revision. Again, great question!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I am definitely a follower now! :)Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03237422917705115205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-80869806792097935452011-08-25T02:30:42.120-06:002011-08-25T02:30:42.120-06:00It probably takes me about 9 months to write the f...It probably takes me about 9 months to write the first draft (with life generally getting in the way) and another 3 months to revise till my fingers are sore. Although this doesn't include the months of pre planning where the characters take over my brain! So I guess I'm pretty slow :)Lanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00002224549199474383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-53962768282816283292011-08-24T22:08:42.295-06:002011-08-24T22:08:42.295-06:00The first draft of my 80,000-word novel took me al...The first draft of my 80,000-word novel took me almost 10 months to write (at about 1-2 hours a day) and I have been revising it for 12 months. Finally, I think it is "done."E.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08362521696011839816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-28569349035735307422011-08-24T21:28:50.272-06:002011-08-24T21:28:50.272-06:00My 120K manuscript took my 3 month to complete… I ...My 120K manuscript took my 3 month to complete… I am working on 2 years revising. <br /><br />But I had a lot to learn: so my new revising process should take twice as long as the first draft does.Jeff Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00667419764890599092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-78802358354247639562011-08-24T20:48:51.117-06:002011-08-24T20:48:51.117-06:00Well, the manuscript I'm working on now took a...Well, the manuscript I'm working on now took at least a year to draft out. I've been in edits so long, I'm not quite sure on the exact timeline, but I know that it was at least a year, maybe a year and a half.Hannah Hounshellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07532704190227652913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-37981683910345965192011-08-24T20:42:37.143-06:002011-08-24T20:42:37.143-06:00Hi Peggy, I'm slow too. I have periods where I...Hi Peggy, I'm slow too. I have periods where I write fast and prolifically -- then I hit a wall and go into a long mode of unconscious working... don't know how else I can explain it. Then the way over the wall comes to me, and I start writing again. Thanks for the follow.Doralynn Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10828906983819258042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-74567232092929960402011-08-24T20:32:03.438-06:002011-08-24T20:32:03.438-06:00I havent thought about writing a book yet, the tim...I havent thought about writing a book yet, the timeframe sounds pretty scarymamtchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01695425892749695527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-8234868539527822272011-08-24T19:48:40.422-06:002011-08-24T19:48:40.422-06:00I took me 1.5 years for my first rough draft.
I&#...I took me 1.5 years for my first rough draft.<br /><br />I'm still in revision, so I can't tell you that one.<br /><br /><a href="http://thewritesoil.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">The Write Soil</a>Dawn M. Hamsherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17782257750640888264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-4976300694171025732011-08-24T19:40:17.748-06:002011-08-24T19:40:17.748-06:00Leigh Ann-- YOU'RE lightning fast! I've go...Leigh Ann-- YOU'RE lightning fast! I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Eagle-- Thanks! I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Carrie-- I didn't even realize that's what they looked like until you said it! It was probably subconsciously why I did it. :) I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Michael-- Thanks! I've got your numbers counted.Peggy Eddlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241451940725996650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-89609456015333301162011-08-24T16:05:33.989-06:002011-08-24T16:05:33.989-06:00From four to nine months.From four to nine months.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-2562500802016895222011-08-24T15:59:25.361-06:002011-08-24T15:59:25.361-06:00It took me three months for the first draft and I&...It took me three months for the first draft and I'll probably finish revising in about six. By the way, those smiley faces are adorable. I feel like I'm getting a sticker on a chart in some classroom! :D I love these posts!Carrie Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01540590799406170410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-49266400073718136202011-08-24T13:17:24.493-06:002011-08-24T13:17:24.493-06:00It took me 17 months to finish the first draft o...It took me 17 months to finish the first draft of the first novel I finished. (Does that make sense? :P) Revision . . . well, I haven't finished revising that one, and I'm currently working on another novel, which I hope to get down by November, three months after I started.Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-22851735622704025892011-08-24T12:40:36.036-06:002011-08-24T12:40:36.036-06:00Well...It took me 7 months to write the first draf...Well...It took me 7 months to write the first draft of TT, but I wasn't taking it seriously at all.<br /><br />I started the first draft of ONE 24 days ago, and I'm about halfway through it. But I'm working on it hard core now. It'll probably take me 2 months, all told, to write this draft.<br /><br />Revising is another 2 months, but that's concurrent with crit partners, so it depends on their speed. My first CP is lightening-fast, and she's also the one who helps the most with revisions.<br /><br />Great idea! :)Leigh Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06334466390148315624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-61009708449246764082011-08-24T12:21:46.205-06:002011-08-24T12:21:46.205-06:00Ryan-- It's amazing how much you learn from ev...Ryan-- It's amazing how much you learn from every single book. I have your numbers counted.<br /><br />Jessie-- I wasn't talking about Paranormalcy (although I don't think it took her long to write it, either). I was talking about her latest book- the start of a new series. But seriously. Nine days. I have your numbers counted.<br /><br />Shilpa-- 8-10 months is totally in the range of normal for revising! So I'd say yes. You're doing it right. I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Cynthia-- I know, right? I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Tara-- I put you down in the majority, like it or not. :)Peggy Eddlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241451940725996650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-1890899606848096602011-08-24T11:14:25.502-06:002011-08-24T11:14:25.502-06:00i would have to join the majority on both, but i h...i would have to join the majority on both, but i hate being in the majority! oh well...<br />lov the graphs!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-51878029575228383132011-08-24T10:53:01.642-06:002011-08-24T10:53:01.642-06:00I with you, Peggy--I am amazed by people who kick ...I with you, Peggy--I am amazed by people who kick out a first draft in days. I need about 6 months to outline and write the first draft. And then an additional 6 to 9 months to revise. And that's if all goes well.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-69954656959212908562011-08-24T10:48:31.849-06:002011-08-24T10:48:31.849-06:00Interesting...I take about 3-4 months for my first...Interesting...I take about 3-4 months for my first draft. I just write as it comes through. Then revision takes forever! About 8-10 months. I haven't been published yet(not looking to either in the near future) and am still revising. So, not sure if I am doing it right. :)Shilpa Mudigantihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11244220263379263042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-90069050592139194212011-08-24T10:38:15.557-06:002011-08-24T10:38:15.557-06:00Huh??? Kierston White wrote Paranormalcy in 9 days...Huh??? Kierston White wrote Paranormalcy in 9 days? Seriously?!! <br /><br />I take 6-9 months on first draft. <br />Revisions can be endless though. I have no idea on that one. But let's say theoretically 1-2 months.Jessie Humphrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11096043821002254348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-90039265153241328072011-08-24T10:24:24.319-06:002011-08-24T10:24:24.319-06:00My current WIP took me a full year to write the fi...My current WIP took me a full year to write the first draft -- and another six months to reach a second draft. (beta readers pending)<br /><br />When I begin a second project, I expect my time to go a little faster -- a lot of time spent on this first project included dead-end writing or overwriting or writer's block that could've been avoided by a little better planning. :)Ryan Stuart Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16799427691983018249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-70736235738264920582011-08-24T10:20:57.857-06:002011-08-24T10:20:57.857-06:00Eileen-- My guess? It says that you are getting to...Eileen-- My guess? It says that you are getting tons better at first drafting every time. And you're right. Writing isn't for the faint! I've got your numbers recorded.<br /><br />Manda-- I spend a lot of time thinking before I start writing, too. It doesn't make me nearly as fast as you, though! Maybe I need to think, think, think more. :) I've got your numbers recorded.<br /><br />East Coaster-- I think it's good to let a book sit for a few months to get distance. Plus, the 8th draft would drive us even more bonkers if we didn't! I put you down for 2 months on drafting, but I don't know what "a bit" translates into. I'm guessing 2 weeks to a month. If I'm wrong, correct me.<br /><br />Jenifer-- I could spend months just revising emails, too! And the thing about a book in 9 days... Most of the time they AREN'T bad. Surprising as it is, they are usually amazingly good. Kiersten White is the one I referred to on the nine day thing, and she writes well enough that her books are huge. I like to think that people who write that fast a) spent months and months and months thinking through the story before they started writing, and b) end the sprint-writing with a REALLY messy house and whiny kids. The thought gets me through the nine months it takes me. ;)<br /><br />Kelley-- Wow! That's fast! You must be on a roll! (Please tell me that your house was a total wreck through that week. :)) I've got your numbers recorded.<br /><br />Richard-- I love to hear when someone has spent forever really pushing a book to be it's best. You have a lot of numbers that didn't give a clear "usual," so I marked you in a couple of categories.<br /><br />E.R.-- So good to hear I'm not alone! I am a perfectionist, too. And I swore that I would always make sure my family's needs were met, so that totally slows things down. And it's totally okay. I don't know what your numbers are, though... Since you said I'm not alone, I'm going with my numbers. If yours are different, let me know and I'll change them.<br /><br />Stacy-- Nothing like a deadline to speed things up. :) Okay, so I put you down for 5-9 months on writing, but I'm not sure on revising. Since you said it took a year to write AND revise, I'm assuming it takes 3-7 months to revise. If I'm wrong, let me know.<br /><br />David-- You get extra props for relearning to write! That's seriously amazing. And good luck on finishing by the end of the year! I've got your numbers counted.<br /><br />Abby-- I wish you all the best in meeting your goal! I've got your numbers counted.Peggy Eddlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241451940725996650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-50539901595652662992011-08-24T09:49:03.543-06:002011-08-24T09:49:03.543-06:00Oooh - good questions! I bet it takes me at LEAST ...Oooh - good questions! I bet it takes me at LEAST 4-9 months for the first draft (I am still in the process but that would be my goal!) And I'm hoping I can do editing in 1-3 months, but you just never know! At least I don't know yet. We shall see. :)Abby Fowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567978659174723198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314030690340539256.post-49480724574290910182011-08-24T09:38:36.171-06:002011-08-24T09:38:36.171-06:004 to 9 months is my usual time frame for both draf...4 to 9 months is my usual time frame for both drafting and editing. My last one took a while longer (2 years) because of an accident. Had to re-learn how to write. I'm back now, and will hopefully have a new novel done before the new year. :)David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.com