'How long does it ACTUALLY take you to write a book?' | #AskAbbie

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Welcome back to #AskAbbie​, where I answer YOUR writing questions and help you make your story matter! In this episode I'm answering some really good questions:
- Can you have a theme in the first book of your series WITHOUT an "aha moment"?
- How do you decide whether you should scrap a book or rewrite it?
- How long it actually takes me to write a book (from the first idea to the finished product)

You don't want to miss my answers. :)
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✨T I M E S T A M P S✨
00:00 Writing Update
02:38 How AskAbbie Works
03:18 How do I write theme without an aha moment?
06:33 Should I scrap this book or rewrite it?
09:30 How long does it actually take you to write a book?
13:50 Submit your questions for AskAbbie!

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Subscribe for weekly episodes of #WritersLifeWednesdays! Make Your Story Matter™ and make your author dreams come true… new videos every Wednesday.

✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨

MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE:

→ WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEAS

→ A PANTSER'S GUIDE TO PLOTTING

→ MY SCRIVENER SETUP

→ HOW TO WRITE A SHORT STORY

✨F O L L O W ✨

✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.

Story isn’t about “what happens” — it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel – and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!

[rlima]

"that i dont run away, screaming and crying... and eat waffles instead" is the most relatable thing I've heard this week.

[ashtraylol]

Okay, so I'm writing a book currently, I'm only 14, but I think I can do this! The main plot is about 6 children who are tasked with saving their fantastical world, Iddenu, while being on the run from the country trying to destroy it all. I made the first book a few months ago, but then I switched computers and it didn't save, so I started over on it. Currently rewriting the first one and started writing the second. I really hope that someday it becomes a bestselling series like Harrry Potter and Percy Jackson, but probably not. It's fun anyways!

[lorireiff]

I am having such a hard time sticking to a writing routine, I haven’t written in a long time. But I feel as if I have so much to tell so much to create but I just don’t have the discipline to accomplish my dreams.

[shanthi]

I've just started to outline act 2, I've be frustrated here and there but it's going fairly well!

[Maidaseu]

How long does it take to write a book?

GRRM: About 10 years

Brandon Sanderson: 10 minutes give or take

[ritishabagchi]

The timing couldn't have been more perfect! I was just having my pre-bedtime brainstorming session and wondering how long it would take me to finish my current project lol. Thanks, Abbie❤️

[bunothebrains]

Abbie: It takes me 10 months to write a book.
Me, someone who is working on the same book for 8 years and has barely achieved any progress: well...

[barter]

Just finished first draft of a spiritual road trip story. I thought it was ultra long until I word counted it 55, 000 words 🤓. Longest thing I’ve written though. So such fun

[splatterdaynightmares]

I keep seeing these traditionally published authors say "don't self publish, it doesn't work" but then I see so many successful authors on amazon who are loving what they do! I'm thinking these traditional guys are so pampered in their ways they aren't understanding that amazon kindle and trade paperbacks are what is happening these days. Am I right in saying this? Sure, everyone wants that million-dollar grocery store shelf book, but I don't even buy those anymore. If I really, really like something then I will buy a paperback of the book just to support the author and have it on my shelf, but ebooks are fun and easy.

[playlist_queen]

I'm currently working on a Japanese-inspired fantasy trilogy that I've been brainstorming on for almost a year now. I nearly gave up, but then I discovered Abbie's channel and that inspired me to keep going!
I've only been writing it for a few days now, but I'm already close to 10 000 words!
Thanks, Abbie❤

[andrewbeeco]

From personal experience it depends on word count and how thorough a person edits, proofreads, and focus groups a novel. For me, it takes me 1 months to write a 15, 000 words.

[zenebornman]

Any dislikes on this video are people that can't handle the power of Abbie's amazing advice. 😊❤

[supernaturalsillyness]

25 years later I'm re-writing it, a fantasy/action/romance novel: Among the Damned with 3 main characters who need each other to realize their own internal conflicts and strike down their foolish fears to find their own individual truth and happiness. When it comes to how long to write it... hopefully it only takes 26 years to finish it, a new version, and self-publish it.

[starwing]

The last question and answer gives me hope. I've been outlining for months, I haven't started my first draft. It makes me feel like I'll never get done. It kind of depresses me little. It's my first book I'm dedicated to finish. It's a action fantasy. But overtime I tried to lessen the internal pressure I feel with the help of writing podcasts and videos.

[rozlundquist]

Hey all! I've *officially* finished the FIRST DRAFT OF MY ROMANCE NOVEL (the first time I've ever finished a first draft - ever!) I've let it sit, and I have started the re-write! I have a few questions haha. #1. It's a romance, but I based it off another couple I love and their story. it follows the same structure, but I've changed some, but I want to change more to make it unique so are there any sub plots or little ideas you can suggest?? #2. How do I develop friendships between my characters, along with a relationship. #3. How do I make this to be the cutest, most innocent and LEAST TOXIC relationship like EVER? and a bonus - my novel takes place at camp. there are 20 CIT's, and in the first draft I mentioned like 5 of them (oop). How do i make all the characters seem more natural and not just kinda THROWN IN THERE ya know? If someone would respond, I would love that, I am extremely excited to continue my writing project! Rock on! (lol)

[greenwrightsauthor]

It is making me insane not knowing what the plot of "The Lighthouse Book" is.

[margobarrett]

Your shirt!!😍😍

Thanks so much, Abbie!

[multidinero]

I’m in the second part of my novella trilogy. I had originally thought of it as a novel trilogy, until the first book ended at around 25k words. I outlined the second part, but not the third. I’m never been frustrated with my progress, nor have I ever experienced writer’s block. Yet, in this particular book I feel the need to reread more. I think the bigger the book becomes, the more possible you are to inadvertently take it off of the rails, so to speak.

Outlining is all good, but things sometimes come to mind and without level setting periodically you lose track of where you are heading. Sometimes, you just need to slow down. That’s what I’ve learned on this most recent project. I’ve completed 6 book projects so far, and the ideas keep coming. I’ve got a good groove.

[meghalidutta]

I recently found your videos and I gotta say thank you so much! They really helped me in figuring some things out ! Also, can you pleaseeee do a video on how to pick a genre? It's something I really struggle with 😭

[tantaloss]

My writing update is that I got distracted and started producing music for 5 years....
But your videos have re-lit the flame of that old novel I started writing some time ago and now I've been working on outlines and finalizing some worldbuilding stuff in my Notion database for it.