How Long?

People ask me, “How long did it take to write your novel?”
I answer, “Over twenty years, and it’s not done yet.”

I drafted my novel in the summer of 1998. I read Oscar Collier’s How to Write and Sell Your First Novel, took his advice, and set a writing goal. I decided to write three pages a day, at least. I’m good at setting and meeting SPAM goals, you know, SPecific, Achievable, Measurable.

After finishing a draft so rough I could have scoured the tub with it, I put the novel away, wrote some short stories, attended poetry slams, got a job, enrolled in a masters program for social work, graduated, and worked at real jobs with real pay. I didn’t entirely give up writing, but I didn’t take myself seriously as a writer. Why would I? Yes, I’d placed third and second in local writing contests, but not first. And the novel sucked. I knew that. So I helped people manage their lives, received positive feedback, and made money. All was well.

Fast forward about fifteen years. My brilliant twenty(ish)-year-old daughter read my draft and said something like, “It’s not so bad.” High praise from someone as discerning as my daughter. Her extensive reading list includes both popular and literary fiction. She’s a bit like Rory on Gilmore Girls.

My mother-in-law read the draft and offered advice. I attended a lecture at the local library where author and editor Carol Cartaino spoke about writing, editing, etc. I liked her, so I hired her to give the novel a read. She liked it well enough to send it to an agent. Stephanie Hansen at Metamorphosis Literary Agency liked it well enough to sign me. And then the real work began.

After multiple rejections, feedback from one publisher to “just tell the story” resulted in a complete re-writing of the novel. Originally set in 1998 with a prologue set in 1955, I expanded the prologue and added sections for 1962, 1975, and 1983, to illustrate what leads up to the end of the story which still happens in 1998. I threw out Mallory’s point of view and limited the storytelling to the viewpoints of Grace and Sam. (Mallory will have her say, another day. ) I wrote and re-wrote and never felt bored or burdened. Telling this story is the most fun I’ve ever had.

I received an offer from one publisher; they would not provide editing assistance and they would publish online only. I turned it down. I could do that on my own.

I waited another two years, until Touchpoint Press made an offer. I read the staff bios and liked them. They offered both print publication and editing. I signed. And then the work began again.

Following my daughter’s advice (she’s in an MFA program now, for poetry) I read the entire novel out loud and made changes. I gave copies to numerous friends who offered feedback. I made more changes. I did all of this in preparation to send the novel to my assigned editor. When she returns it to me, I will make more changes.

How long did it take to write my novel?
I started it in 1998 and plan to be done with it this year.
This one took a long time.