ROBUST discussion

The question is raised by an aspirant, L.S. Engler at
http://lsengler.com/tag/andre-jute/

How long should a proper novel take to write?

NaNoWriMo = one month.

About 6 months preparation than ---> out it pops.

Kidding, really.

I've only finished the two. The first one took 10 years, the second one 30 days.

The second one proves you didn't waste your ten years.

Oh, you read it already? LOL

It is funny the pieces of the puzzle that I needed. Like learning how to outline before you write.

Or as Steven Covey said: Begin with the end in mind.

Now I find that outlining is fun, because I get to twist things around.

In my admittedly limited experience, it takes as long as it takes...

Sharon wrote: "In my admittedly limited experience, it takes as long as it takes..."

This.

It's hard to say how long it takes as I'm never sure when I start a novel. I started a short story about 15 or 20 years ago. I have no idea when. It went too long so I quit halfway through. I always thought about it in the back on my head. Last year I decided it might make a fun novel. I 'popped' out what will likely be 3 novels in 6 months with a 2 month break in amongst that. So did it take 4 months or 20 years? I have a feeling it's the latter. lol. I might even publish it.

That's a good one Amos. I've got another rattling around in my head. When I get at it I will be really into it and mega disciplined. For me it is organic...

I think of 'starting' when I get it printed out, sit down and say 'time to finish this one.'

There is no fixed answer. Novels aren't necessarily even done when you think they are. I am needing about a year and a half each although the first one I published took five years -- mainly because I often wasn't working on it.