How much time does it take to write a novel?

How do those people who write a book in a month do it?

IMO, they harness either consciously or unconsciously a technique used by professional writers who are always under deadline. They just write.

A professional writer under deadline is always setting goals and figuring out how to get to them. The Nano writer (writes without a publisher) takes the month, decides on the word count, divides by thirty and writes that amount per day. For instance if you have a 60,000 word goal then 30 divided into 60,000 equals 2000 words a day. Of course family, friends, lovers get in the way so let’s say you only have twenty days in a month. That’s 3000 per day. This is more realistic. But how to do it. Well, have a morning and then an afternoon session of 1500 each.

The Nano writer must have a goal for their characters, must have conflict in mind for every scene, must know the general direction and try to picture the path to get there. And most of all, the writer must have perseverance. Why? Because in the end she has no agent, publisher, or editor.

A professional writer has it all but still must perform. Their product will be more polished because they have and will go through the editing process with an experienced pro who had or will work for the publisher of their previous and present efforts.

So how can a Nano writer score? It is not a taboo if you have a favorite agent who has tried for you in the past or likes your idea and says the magic words, “let me see it when it is done,” you’re on your way. But it is so much better if you have an editor that can fit your timeframe. Hey, you could always take two or three months (or more). Many professionals do. Include time for a turnaround with an editor that you might hire.

The more you commit, Nano or not, to a writing speed and stick to it, the more professional you become and the more likely your story will get published.

On another note, some authors take a year or two but who has the time? Tighten it up. If you can’t now you will next time.

Correspondence between the sexes.

A female friend and writer has been having a discussion with me about The Bachelor Franchise and I thought you'd like to dive into the reality of our conversation, the other person to remain nameless.

HER: The show I was watching about "reality" tv also asked Jason & Molly if they made love in the FS [fantasy suite] and Molly had a coy look on her face and said something about not wanting to buy a car without a test drive. When asked if he and the one he dumped had sex, he declined to answer out of respect for her privacy. NOT like that's a big surprise to many of us, but it does seem a bit nasty IMO. Not nasty per se, but that he is having his cake and eating it too, just like during MYYYYY formative years. A few friends and I have often discussed how we allowed ourselves to be taken advantage of back in the day... Be thankful you weren't born with a P*****Y - all the boys were always after it!!!!

HIM: I remember a girl who on first sitting inside her dad's parked car, we necked. Then she stroked me without me asking. I didn't know to ask anyway and it was on the outside of my pants. Nothing came of it, lol. I wasn't ready yet.

Maybe they should change the name of the show to Having your Cake and Eating it too. Nah, too long.

I believe it is just human nature. If you hang with a girl or two or three for three months straight and visa versa you are going to have very strong feelings. For instance, pick a movie star or two, let's say you had to work everyday for three months with George Clooney and Denzel Washington or better yet you're stuck on an island hoping to be rescued (but maybe not too much) for three months. How would you feel and what would you do especially if the men told you they loved you?

I'd say you'd fall faster then Newton's apple.

Confirmation Bias

Noun: a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion, especially one that is preconceived or unreasoned:

illegal bias against older job applicants,

the magazine’s bias toward art rather than photography,

our strong bias in favor of the idea,

unreasonably hostile feelings or opinions about a social group prejudice.

Luckily, as writers we have a huge advantage. The reader is with us at least for the length of the book. They consider your story themes, or purpose because they are alone, have empathy for your characters who are making the main point which is factually based if during that time you are writing for good, not evil, or for truth not falsehood. The reader is likely to be mulling over the premise all the time, especially if the reader identifies with the protagonist(s) struggle.

Where do we see bias in everyday life. There are people who believe vaccines cause autism with overwhelming opposing scientific evidence. People don’t change, at least not quickly. This is why you have a unique chance to write a story of virtue. Write the next To Kill a Mockingbird. Just don’t be heavy handed. Heavy handed is telling whereas a great novel shows. It casts light on the path to truth. Is there any greater truth than true love and the mount of good it does for two people and those around them?