Are you staring at your unfinished manuscript, wondering, How long does it take to write a book?
I want to let you in on a little secret: You’re not behind.
One of the writers in my Unstoppable Writers Collective recently asked me, “How long does it take you to write a book?”
I smiled, because the real answer is… it depends.
Here’s how long it’s taken me to write my books:
- Living with Dragons came in about 6 months after starting as a blog series.
- Adrift (the first book in my memoir series) took me almost 20 years—grief doesn’t rush.
- When God Calls a Writer took about 7–9 months…
- Story by Story was a 3-month community project.
- And When God Equips a Writer? Over a year.
Some books come quickly. Others have to steep and simmer, especially when our healing is bound up in the writing process. They arrive when your soul is ready, and at least for me, when I’ve had a chance to live out the answers and stories in the pages.
So if your writing feels slow…
you are not behind or broken.
You are still showing up.
You’re present in the story,
wrestling and waiting
word by word and page by page.
And the story is still being written,
not just on the page,
but in you.
I recently finished Geneen Roth’s My Messy Magnificent Life. It took her six years to write, and she’s written numerous best-selling books.
In a world of instant publishing and rapid releases, it’s easy to think something’s wrong with us when the writing doesn’t come fast. But writing is not a race.
Writing is an act of obedience.
A partnership with God.
A journey of discovery and growth.
Here’s what’s helped me self-publish six books:
Having a small, trusted group of writers walking and writing with you, offering feedback, encouragement, and accountability. It makes the journey easier and even life-giving as we laugh, cry, and celebrate each step forward.
That’s precisely what we do in Momentum Mastermind. We gather as Christian writers who believe fully in God’s message stirring within our hearts, but we are also humans who get stuck from time to time.
Life is full. Many of us are juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, and it’s easy for doubt and discouragement to creep in.
But in a faith-focused writing community, we remember we’re not alone.
We take small steps.
We write in faith.
We gain momentum, together.
If you’re carrying a book in your heart and long for clarity, connection, and accountability, click here to learn more about Momentum Mastermind.
It’s not about writing fast, but writing faithfully.
Stay curious & keep writing! Your words matter.
Deanne
Writing Coach & Spiritual Director