One thing people ask published authors most often (along with how to get a book published, of course) is, “How long does it take to write a book?” Of course, there’s no one right answer. It depends on the book, the writer, and how life is going at the time.
I can say this much, though: if you get my book Blank Page to Final Draft and do one step a week, it’ll take you exactly one year to write a ready-to-publish novel. But of course, you can go way, way faster, or at any speed you like!
That’s right—it’s my release day today, and I’m so excited!
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About the Book
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Blank Page to Final Draft covers a lot of things that took me forever to figure out for myself…for instance, how to write a novel outline. (I include my super-easy novel outline template you can fill out on an index card…it’s for people who hate plotting.) It also gives you a clear way to do manuscript editing, which I based on how we approach novel editing at my publishing job.
As an editor, I see so many writers struggle with the same issues, again and again. In this book, I’ve tried to help authors avoid those pitfalls, so all their hard work doesn’t go to waste. I also encourage writers to confront the psychological issues holding them back…and share a lot of practical tips on how to improve your writing style along the way.
So much writing advice mystifies the process, which can be frustrating when people just want clear answers. I try to simplify it wherever I can, in hopes of saving writers lots of time and struggle. After all, if someone had asked me a few years before I got my first novel contract, “How long does it take to write a book?” I would’ve said, “Uhhh, forever, apparently?” I want to save other people from that same experience!
I designed this book to make it easier for people to fit writing into their busy, chaotic lives. I hope it’s a great resource for anyone looking into how to get a book published…or ready to self-publish with excellence and pride.
If it sounds good to you, I hope you’ll check it out! It’s on sale at the following places (and probably a few more.)
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Buy on Amazon US
Buy on Amazon Canada
Buy on Amazon UK
Buy on Amazon Australia
Buy on Amazon India
Buy on the Barnes and Noble website
Buy on Apple Books
Buy on Kobo
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Celebrate With Me
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Please help me celebrate by making a comment below! In this pandemic, I can’t have a release day party or even go out to eat…here in the U.S., even outdoor dining seems like too much of a risk right now. I’ve bought some of my favorite indulgent “party” foods, and my husband and dogs and I will celebrate on the patio with champagne. Hey, you do what you can, right? Anyone who’s healthy is lucky, and I’m luckier than most, because I can celebrate with all my friends online…like you.
Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!
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Congratulations Bryn! I’ve been a longtime fan of your tips and videos for writers. I’ve found them very helpful. Definitely will be buying this book!
Hi Brooke! Thanks so much…thanks for watching the videos, too! 🙂 If you get the book, I hope you like it! I hope everything’s going well with you!
Congratulations, Bryn! This looks so helpful! I look forward to reading it!
Awww thank you, friend! I appreciate it so much! And thank you for always being so encouraging 🙂 I hope you’re having a good week!
A big congratulations on the release of your book!!!!
Thank you, Carol! I appreciate that so much!
Congratulations on your book release!!! I’ve been anxiously waiting for this one, hopefully it will be delivered today.
I am so grateful for your videos. As a busy mom of four young kiddos I listen to them while I’m folding laundry or doing dishes so I can maximize my writing time when things quiet down – or even when they don’t. Regardless of the chaos, with your expert advise I still know I’m on the right track to write my best book yet. So thank you for being so generous with your wisdom and encouragement and good luck with your book release!
Katrina!! Thank you so much for the kind words. And for getting the book, and for posting on Twitter!! It means a lot. You know…I knew you had four children, and I forgot! And you still have time to write. You’re amazing!
Thanks for the valuable insight. Sounds like info I can definitely use. Congratulations!
Hi, Tanya! Aww, thank you. I hope people find it useful. I hope everything’s going great with you!
Hey Bryn,
Congrats on the new book. I’ve already put it on my Amazon list to buy in my next credit card billing cycle in a few days. I read the “Look Inside” on Amazon and am excited to read more and try out your process. One thing that held me back for so many years was the old adage “Write what you Know.” As a retired computer programmer that was all I knew and no one would be interested in reading old programmer war stories. I eventually got over that and realized that I knew more than I thought I knew. Since I’ve started writing regularly I’ve self-published a novella and have done many short stories and flash fiction pieces. I look forward to reading your book and moving on with novel length stories.
Hi, Bob! Okay, honestly, I bet you have some really interesting programmer war stories! At the same time, I am so glad you didn’t limit yourself and you realized you knew more than you thought you knew. 🙂 Between that knowledge and your imagination, there are hardly any limits! Congratulations on the writing you’ve done so far. I bet you’re going to love attacking a full-length novel, too. I hope you find the book useful! Thanks so much for the congrats!
Congratulations, Bryn!! I’m so happy you’ve released this helpful book!
Aww thanks friend! You know, I wish we could get together. Stupid plague! I hope everything’s going okay with you!
Many congrats Bryan!
Ahh, thank you R.L.!
I’m so excited this is now available. If it’s even half as good as Master Lists for Writers, It will be on of the books I keep on my desk for constant reference. I love your no-nonsense , yet conversational style.
Mary! That is so nice of you to say…you warmed my heart. 🙂 I’m so glad Master Lists is useful! I hope your writing is going great…and everything else, too!
Congratulations on your book Bryn! I decided to take all of next year to write my full book, rather than doing NaNoWriMo, and also to complete the screenplay (the first draft of the latter is done and I’m working on the feedback I got from my screenwriting coach) at the end of next year as well.
Your book came out at the perfect time, as I’m ramping up on writing skills over the next two months, and your book is at the top of my reading list of several titles I’ve picked out to help me along the way.
Again, congrats and hopefully you can find a good way to celebrate at home during this unfortunate pandemic.
Congratulations, Bryn! I think a year is a good span of time to write a book. Everyone needs a roadmap on their writing journey.
I wish you every success.
PJ, you have a new pic! 🙂 I am reading your book this weekend—so exciting! I can tell it’s my kind of thing! Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate it!
Dear Bryn –
One of these days, I’ll post a real photograph of me…
I feel quite honored that you are going to read my book. Thank you,. It is my deepest hope that you enjoy the pages. Seriously, you have made my day. – PJ
Congratulations, Bryn ! Looks like another winner !
Oh, thank you, Paul. I hope people like it!
Dear Bryn – How very kind of you to take the time to read my book. As much as I have enjoyed reading your books, I can only hope that you will like what you read. Seriously, you have made my day. – PJ
Congratulations on your book release!
Thanks, Zannnie! Hope you’re doing well!
Congratulations, Bryn! I’ve loved getting tips and advice from you through your blog over the years, and this book sounds like a concentrated version of your wisdom. Sounds like you’ll be having a wonderfully intimate release party at home. Hugs!!
Aw Lisa, I’ve learned so much from YOU over the years! And I truly appreciate it. Thanks for the well wishes! Mr. Donovan fixed some party for me and we did have a nice celebration. 🙂 I hope everything’s going well with you!
Tom Crepeau, Long-time fan. My copy is coming from Amazon as I write this. Congratulations! SO looking forward to reading this.
Thank you. Your advice is always carefully, understandably, well-written and often EXTREMELY helpful.
Hi Tom! It’s so good to hear from you! Aw, thank you so much for getting the book. I hope you enjoy it. And thank you for the nice words, too…that really made my night! I hope you’re having a good week!
Congratulations Bryn! I’m anxious to order your book! I bought two copies of Master Lists for Writers. The first one I bought from Kindle, but the one I love best is the paper book because I can write in the margins, add lists from your web site and customize it to my heart’s content. I have a feeling this will be another of my Best Loved Bryn’s Books!
Hi, Jessie! Wow—I’m so glad you like Master Lists. And thank you for the kind words about this one! It’s especially a compliment coming from such a creative and prolific writer. Hope you’re having a good week!
Congratulations! Looking foreword to reading it!
Thanks so much, Andrea! Hope everything’s going well with you!
Congratulations! Happy Book Release Day!
Thank you so much, Denise! Hope you’re having a good week!
Thank you so much for this post! I am considering buying your book. I am struggling with the revision part. To revise and to edict a book are the most difficult parts of writing a book.! At least for me 🙂
I wish you an happy Book Release Day!
Hi, AVR! I agree with you completely—revision is the hardest part, and I don’t think there’s a lot of good advice out there! A lot of what I share in the book is how we approach it at my day job in publishing. Thanks for the good wishes! I hope everything’s going well, with your writing and everything else!
Hi Bryn,
Congratulations. I look forward to reading your book and using it as a guide. My goal is to have a finished manuscript in 2021. Thanks to being a mentor to all.
Hey Bryan,
Your emails are giving me a lot of inspiration as I struggle between my busy exams and continue to write my book. It’s my first ever book and I believe that time does not matter as long as the work is good. Although I am quite young ( a teen, precisely) , I like writing a lot so I decided to write my own book. It’s difficult as I struggle to do a plan…but what is a plan exactly? Is it a summary?
Hi, Malika! I’m so glad you like the newsletter! 🙂 It can be hard to balance creative writing with school, I know, but yes, it’s not a race and it’s all about the quality in the end. In the book, I go over a few different ways to plan a novel. I hope you’re doing well!
I always enjoy writing an outline. You can see the whole story at once and make changes so easily that it’s fun. It makes it possible to concentrate solely on the structure and plot points and afterwards it’s even easier to focus on the actual writing without having to worry about structure anymore.
Hi Bryn,
I just got your latest books. I love them! They are such great resources. I was wondering if there is a group set up to keep accountability on the from blank page to final draft book?