Why some books take years to write, and that’s ok

Who wouldn’t say it’s OK? Let’s start by thinking about that. Certainly, an agent may not think it’s OK. Imagine this scenario. You have just been taken on by an agency that loved the first book in a series you intend to write, and you announce that book 2 could take several years to complete, as you don’t believe in rushing. I can only imagine, with a certain amount of jealousy, what it must be like for a writer to be in that situation.

I suppose I must be a jealous person, as I find it incredible that writers can churn out several books a year, while at a push I can come up with two at most. I suppose it’s all down to an individual's imagination, something I perhaps lack. Getting back to that green-eyed monster, yes, I am jealous of fantasy writers, who sit down and create a huge manuscript full of faerie folk, dragons, knights, magic, and evil folk who threaten the goodies with apocalyptic destruction. I confess I wouldn’t have a clue where to start.

Then there are the romantics who come up with numerous romantic scenarios. I know of an author who completes a book almost every month, and her readers love them. I suppose I must say, well done, though it’s definitely sticking in my throat to say it.

The same goes for the incredible authors who can think up the scenes and the story for an edge-of-your-seat thriller or horror. Well done, you guys too.

I can hear you saying, “So what’s your problem?”
My problem is that I am absolutely crazy about history. See, the story is already there, so it matters less that I am somewhat devoid of imagination. But if you are writing historically, you have to get the history right, and the only way to do that is to research it, which, as you can imagine, is time-consuming.

My latest book, which will be published at the beginning of September, has taken me eighteen months to write; most of that time has been spent checking and cross-checking facts, and it’s no good relying on a single set of facts. With early history in particular, you can read one set of facts and find something quite different elsewhere. All my fault for being a history nerd.

I do wonder whether some books wait to be written or published, perhaps until the time is right. I’ll finish by sharing a couple of little stories about two of my books.
My first book was written in my thirties but wasn’t published until I was 72. It’s the first book of a WW2 trilogy called War Torn. I tried to publish it once it was finished, but in the seventies and eighties there was very little interest in WW2, I think because it was still fresh in the memories of so many people. I put the manuscript in my wardrobe, where it stayed for thirty years, until my daughter asked if she could read it. We were both surprised that it was better than we had expected.

I edited Book 1 and found I had written more than half of Book 2. I looked up more facts, and the characters wrote themselves. Books 1 and 2 were self-published and still sell well, though whatever happened to readers leaving reviews? I completed the trilogy last year and was sad to let go of my characters.

Whilst writing Book 3, I also wrote a stand-alone paranormal romance called Fragments of Time. There has to be history. I based it on the village where we lived and where my children grew up. It was a so-called modern village, built on the site of an army barracks. I could feel the presence of those soldiers for all the years we lived there. I wrote that story in my head before I put a word on paper. I lived with it for ages.

I think a story is written when it’s meant to be. Does it matter how long it takes? It depends on what you want from your writing. If you want to make a shedload of money, keeping a book in your wardrobe for thirty years is not the way forward. If you want to write a story that’s factually correct, it’s going to take you much longer, but does that matter?

I am just about to publish my fifth novel, which tells the story of Arbella Stuart, cousin of Elizabeth I. It’s taken me eighteen months, and I am pleased with how it’s turned out. On top of that, I have learnt a great many facts I didn’t know before… Nerd that I am.

Time isn’t important. The main thing is producing something you’ve enjoyed writing and can be proud of, whether it’s taken you ten weeks, ten months or ten years.

Enjoy your writing all.

Closing Note

Perhaps that is the real lesson: a book doesn’t become more valuable because it was written quickly, or less valuable because it took years. Every story has its own pace, and sometimes the time spent researching, waiting, rewriting, or simply living is part of what allows the story to become what it was meant to be.

At Hidden Voices, we’d love to hear from more indie authors about the realities behind their writing journeys. If you have a story, experience, or perspective you’d like to share, get in touch with Roberta at hiddenvoices.contact1@gmail.com. Your piece will be published under your own name as part of our Indie Life contributor series.