How Long Does It Take to Write a Novel: Realistic Goals
Last updated: September 2026
"How long does it take to write a novel?" It's often the first question people ask an author, and the honest answer is always the same: it depends. What's actually useful is understanding exactly what it depends on, so you can set a realistic goal instead of repeating a number you once heard somewhere.
The first draft isn't the finished novel
A lot of people confuse "writing a novel" with "writing a first draft." An 80,000-word first draft can be wrapped up in three months with good consistency. But then come several rounds of revision, often taking as long as the writing itself, before you have a manuscript ready to show anyone. Setting a goal only for the first draft gives a far more realistic picture than asking "how long until my novel is done," full stop.
Do the math with your own pace, not an average
A writer who writes 500 words a day, five days a week, finishes an 80,000-word first draft in a little over seven months. The same goal at 1,000 words a day takes about four months. There's no universal right number: yours depends on your actual availability, not on what some author you follow online is doing.
Consistency matters more than speed
A writer who writes 300 words every day moves faster, over a year, than one who waits for inspiration for 3,000-word sessions once a month. It's not a question of moral discipline: it's simply that consistency avoids wasting time getting back into the story every time you sit down.
Genre and length change the math
A 60,000-word romance and a 150,000-word epic fantasy obviously don't take the same amount of time, even at an identical writing pace. Before setting a goal, check the typical length for your genre instead of aiming for an arbitrary number.
Track your progress to adjust along the way
A time goal is meant to give you a direction, not to punish you if it's not followed to the letter. Keeping an eye on your weekly word count lets you adjust your pace before falling too far behind, instead of discovering it all at once six months in.
Happy writing!
Frequently asked questions
Is it realistic to write a novel in a month, like NaNoWriMo?
Yes, for a first draft of around 50,000 words, if you can put in time every day that month. It'll be a rough first draft, not a manuscript ready for publication, but that's already a solid base.
What if I take a lot longer than planned?
Nothing wrong with that. A time goal is a reference point, not a professional deadline. Plenty of published novels took several years between the initial idea and the final manuscript.
Is it better to write fast or write well the first time?
Write fast, for the first draft. Quality is built during revision, not by perfecting each sentence before moving to the next. Slowing down to polish too early is one of the most common reasons people abandon a manuscript partway through.