how long does it take to write a bestselling novel?

Question

And whats a good story line?

Thanks! and see me on the best seller list!

Answer 1

On the average, about a year to 18 months. That is about how long it is between books for most bestselling authors. They usually come out with a hardcover, the paperback follows about 6 - 8 months later and about 6 - 8 months later, their next book comes out. In some cases like Dan Brown's new book or JK Rowling's books, it is taking a lot longer.

How are we going to see you on the best seller list if you don't know a good story line? Just wondering. Pax - C

Answer 2

How long? It depends on your stamina and motivation. A year at the least, maybe, but more than that at the most. How many exactly, I can't say, because I wouldn't really know.

From your comment "see me on the best sellers list" it seems you have a lot of confidence. That's good. Keep it. Do not get frustrated when things don't go your way (you get writer's block, your computer screws up and you lose pages of work, publishing companies don't accept your book so easily, etc.). I mean you probably will get frustrated, but don't lose hope. Just keep going. And have a back up of your story saved to a floppy or a flashdrive so you don't lose it so easily.

As for a good story line, that's something only you can come up with. I can give you ideas on how to get story lines, but that's as best as I can do....

1. Look at a picture of anything. A nature scene, one with people doing something, etc. and ask yourself the who what where when why questions. Who are these people? If there aren't people in the picture, then who would use this place or come here? The answer to that one could be 'someone trying to forget something or heal internal wounds,' or something. Doesn't have to be entirely specific. What would they be doing? Where, exactly? A new country you're creating? Scotland? Australia? Antarctica? etc. Then when and why, and after that, create a plot to form around this, or just write a scene to go along with this and see if the scene you write out inspires you at all. You may have to do this quite a few times to get something you're happy with.

2. Do the same thing as above, only you're not looking at a picture. You're writing the first line and it could be anything, like "She heard nothing but the sound of hooves pounding on the hard Earth coming closer and closer to her." Who is She? What is she doing? Hiding? Looking for help? Innocently picking berries for jam? Where is she and when? And why is this all happening? Usually, the why leads into the plot or just the scene. This will do the same thing as the first thing will, but it's different if you're not a visual person, which maybe you aren't.

I hope this helps. And good luck.

Answer 3

You'll only be on the best sellers list if you know how to write. Writing isn't as easy as it may seem to you. It takes many years to hit it big and some writers never get to that point. If you want to be a writer then you need to come up with your own idea. Write from what you know as the old cliche says...No one can write for you is what I say. Try some writing courses. Experience life and then maybe you'll be able to write that one novel that makes your heart quiver.

And on the literal meaning of "how long does it take to write a bestselling novel?" Be ready to spend at least a year on your novel and that's about a page a day...that's not including editing and re-editing and then throwing it away and beginning again...so don't get your hopes up about selling a novel...just begin to write and see where it takes you.

Answer 4

If you want to get on the bestseller's list--then you're going to have to bust your tail for a long time.

Bestseller's are the hardest books to dole out--because no one knows which book that will be. Every book that becomes published has the *potential* to become a bestseller, but it all depends on the advertising, marketing, and exposure.

Not to mention a healthy dose of luck.

Storylines can be anything in a best-seller. From space opera-themes to your classic murder mystery/who-done-it.

It's all about what you want to write.

Answer 5

Writing the book is the easy part, and that first book can take six months to a year to write. Then you have to do all the edits and rewrites, and after a good critiquer gets hold of it, you'll have to do a couple more rewrites...total YEARS, to write a salable book. And after a publisher or agent has accepted it, the rewrites start all over again. And after the publisher is ready to put it into print, it get another line edit... and another year till its ready to put on the shelves.

While your waiting to get that first one out, work on the next and the next... never stop writing...

Answer 6

It depends on how motivated you are, and how much time you have to devote to this project. Some novels are years in the making, and others are hot off the press in a matter of months. Just beware of writer's block. A good story line should be eye-catching and based on personal experience or that of someone you know. They say that truth is stronger than fiction. I believe that.

Thanks, and let us know when the book signing is.

Answer 7

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