Just finished my first draft after 3 years and 2 months. The first chapter was 2 years in the making and very stop start.
My biggest challenge has been grammar. It has never been my greatest strength but i'm working on it and improving all the time.
Now time for some serious editing editing and more editing.
How long did your first draft take?
What was your biggest challenge?
Thanks for sharing Guys. Lucy that's very interesting cause I was thinking of writing a sequel and already drafted an outline for it. I'm confident my next book will take less time cause the first was more about learning and i have a taste for it now.
I totally agree with you about the time and inspiration thing. After a stressful day at work its very difficult for me to switch on to writing mode. I dream of being a full-time writer.
I would say finish the trilogy, you've put so much into it already :)
It is so dependent on inspiration, free time etc, as to how long it takes me to complete a draft! I thought I was being really disciplined and wrote a first draft of a book in ten weeks last year - one which came to 30,000 words. I wasn't feeling inspired, but made myself keep going as I had already written two books of the trilogy and felt I really had to finish it. But then, five weeks ago, I had an idea which took hold of me and wouldn't let go and I have just finished a first draft - at 75,000 words! I had to be quite selfish and beg and borrow time, but I had to do it!
Now wondering if I should just scrap original trilogy or whether it's worth being dedicated and going for that second draft!
Grammar, huh? I see we have things in common (I don't know if this was said just to make us feel better, but apparently the worse you are at grammar and spelling, the more creative you are...?)
I've never completed a book, but... I guess it'll take me a couple of years, 4 at max. (minus the many days I decide to take a break)
Short stories, however, I can do within days, 1 1/2 weeks at most :)
(And poetry, just minutes... but I rarely touch that)