Is it really possible to write a book in 28 days?

Question

I saw a book for sale that supposedly teaches this skill (?) and it has piqued my interest. Not wanting to pay the $50 for the book, I thought maybe someone else might have some information about this to share.

Answer 1

I quite seriously doubt it. Unless it is a 50 dollar book about how to write a book in 28 days. I cannot imagine how anyone could do that and still produce some kind of quality. Pax-C

Answer 2

There's some authors out there who can write ten thousand words a day. Obviously, at that rate, you can have a novel done in 28 days. Five thousand a day would give you a first-draft in twenty days.

Most writers I know, at least the non-professionals, usually turn out about five hundred words a day.

If you're looking to buy any book on writing, I'd recommend you read Stephen King's ON WRITING. The first half is memoir and the second half is the actual part on writing. One of King's suggestions is to aim for two thousand words a day, and he's got a ton of practical advice about storytelling in general. I bought the book in hardcover when it first came out and it's probably the best money I ever spent learning to write.

Answer 3

Sure. It is also possible to make a million this year, or build a house in a week.

In other words it depends on your skill and your dedication. You must already be a proficient writer though. You are not going to learn to write well and do the book both in that short time.

If you are confident of your writing, and if you communicate well, then it should be no problem if you give it the time and energy required.

I would not buy a "how to" book though. I'd just start writing.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Some authors have churned out some entertaining stories in less time than that. But they're gifted and know how to write a story. Most people today have never been taught how to write a story (schools stopped teaching this in the 60s) and there are few people who can do this. Even when a few authors could do this, these weren't very soul-searching stories but they were entertaining. You have to ask yourself what your goal is.

Don't waste your money. Spend time learning how to write a story. Start writing basic scenes and build-up into a full story. It *should* take a while.

storyentertainment.com

Answer 5

It's possible for a gifted writer with nothing else to do. Whatever you do, though, DON'T buy the book -- I don't believe that just anybody could be taught to turn out a quality manuscript in 28 days. The best thing I heard in college was when a poetry professor admitted that he could not teach us how to write -- he could only coach us. And he's a relatively well-known (regionally, I suppose) author. (Not that I personally think his poetry is any good -- I don't.)

Have a great day!

Answer 6

Sure, depending on what type of book.

I could write a romance novel easily in 28 days if i spent 40 hours a week doing nothing else. And I might be able to publish it. Anything that follows a formula might be doable.

Or if it is a book that I had worked out in my head for many years and just needed to put in on paper - maybe.

But anything that had originality, complicated plots, rich characters, etc. out of the clear blue. No way.

Answer 7

I suppose it's possible if you're writing one of those formula books, like a romance novel. If you're writing your own thing, forget about the time element. Excellent writing doesn't "punch in and punch out." This is a craft where your words have to seize the mind and make an impact. Sometimes it'll take 28 years to do that.

Answer 8

Sure you could write a book in 28 days, if you had nothing else to do like eat, sleep or breathe, and sections of it might even be worth your effort. But seriously, save your $50 or use it on something useful. Writing, like other creative processes, takes time and shouldn't be rushed--particularly if quality is your goal.

Answer 9

Anything is possible. Would it be a great novel? I have my doubts. I'm sure a really good novelette or short story could be written in that time. There is a site I found that supposedly teaches you how to write a novel in 100 days. You might be interested in checking this out: http://peacecorpswriters.org/pages/depts/resources/resour_writers/100daysbook/bk100da.html

Answer 10

You can, if you are writing a book with 10 pages for 4 year olds.