Author Secrets #4: Writing Time

Hey peeps!

I get asked a lot about writing habits. 

I write about 4-6 hours every day, and then I spend 2-4 hours either handling the business end of things (advertising, newletters, mailing stuff out, answering emails, etc.). I typically write between midnight and 6am, and I don't usually wake up until the crack of noon. 

>.>

That's just a normal schedule for me. 

I need to be able to write really fast if I want to put out all the books I want to this coming year (like 5, to be real). 

I write chapters, submit them to my author group, and then give them to beta readers. I try to complete the entire story before I give it to anyone but those people. 

This Patreon is actually the first time I've ever given out chapters before they've gone through that process (which is why I'm slowly putting out Master Arcanist - I'm trying to get it through the hoops before posting, but I fear I might be taking too long for some people ' tastes...)

The rest I submit to people ahead of time is so that I can get author-feedback on structure, story flow, etc. I tend to write fast-paced adventures, and I like the tone and speed of story to stay consistent. 

If YOU want to be an author, I highly suggest writing every day. Start with a low number of words you think you can achieve: 200 words a day. And slowly get used to having "writing time." Once you've master that habit (give it two weeks) move the word count up. 

500 words a day.

1,000 words a day.

2,000 words a day.

I write about 5,000-8,000 words a day. That's average, if I'm just writing and not editing. Right now, I'm currently editing a lot of things (including John's next novel. The Warring Core). 

I'm writing:

Master Arcanist

I'm editing:

The Warring Core

Star Marque Vendetta

Dread Nexus

As a super secret thing for Patreons: I've also finished outlining "Academy Arcanist" the first in the sequel series to the Frith Chronicles, which will be its own series called "The Knights of Frith." So, I'll probably add that to things I need to write as well.

When I write, I'm typically sitting at my computer (or on the couch) with music playing in the background. Right now, I'm listening to the soundtrack of Deltarune Chapter 2 while I work on Master Arcanist.

It really is important to write every day if you want to be successful as an author. A lot of people never become an author because writing seems daunting. 

I like to say, "I didn't write a book. I wrote 1,000 words a day until I had a book."

Oh, and just to show you what happens when I edit...

When I posted the first chapter of Dread Nexus, it started with:

For the last seven days, Alex Kellan had felt the same set of eyes watching him no matter his destination, even while inside his car during heavy traffic. Kellan didn’t know why, but he could make an educated guess. The US government kept tabs on their “at risk” special operators, after all.

After some edits and feedback, the name of the novel is now "The Nexus Games" and the opening paragraph looks like this:

Alex Kellan wasn’t the type of person who stalkers typically targeted. He carried a loaded .45 handgun in his shoulder holster and regularly bench pressed two hundred pounds. Most thugs could do the math—he wasn’t worth the inevitable hospital bill.

Obviously, I need to make the best opening possible, so this part of the novel I'll tweak a billion more times before I'm satisfied. 

Most people never see the "before and after" because it's a long and lonely process. Hopefully this shed some light on the process of being a full-time author. o.o