Timeframe From Start to Finish?

[Thirdly]

1. What is your general timeframe from the start of a project to its conclusion? - That changes depending on the project. Even short oneshots vary. There was one I was able to crank out in a day, but another that took me months! Months! For a one-shot! OH! Did I mention how I just finished a story after 10 whole years just last week? 🤣 I didn't spend all 10 years on it; it was very much a stilted story. I had some loose notion of an ending 10 years ago, but I never went through with it. I picked it back up because I need to finish a spin-off story in that world, and then the ending turned out completely different than my first ending (and much better, in my opinion, though it's still far from perfect and is flawed up the ying-yang).

Perfection is an illusion. You could have what you felt was the best-written story you've ever written before, and though you felt it was exceptional, it turns out to be a boring flop for a whole generation (or too new and riddled in modern slang to be understood by other generations, the reasons for disconnection are endless). Then, you write something you felt was "easy and quick" and that's the one that so many people love that you question why you put in so much effort in all your other stories in the first place. This happens in art, this happens in writing, this happens in music... it's all an illusion.

You can't make everyone happy. Hell, you don't have to make anyone happy. Just keep making what you would want to see. (that goes for you too, @chris191070)

Just keep going. Getting too wrapped up in trying to please everyone gets you stuck. And, yes, I love your side characters too much. But that doesn't mean I would rather have them be the leads. Your lead is more than fine (I'd squish him between my boobs platonically), and focusing on your lead is a great idea, though that is only my opinion and it does take two to tango, and the "two" I'm talking about don't even have to be romantically involved, it can be any and all interactions the lead has with the people around them. 

2. Do you lack focus sometimes, even (or especially) when you have the time available to you? - Shiny things distract me all the time. Shiny things are distracting me this very second. You are a shiny thing. 😂 I found that when I try to create a "deadline" for myself, it sometimes helps me keep my head in the game. For example, the anthology this year is due in October, I believe. But I have surgery in October, so I knew it needed to be done before then. That helped keep me focused. But there are others that feel like deadlines are so constraining, that it'd be the opposite effect on them. 

3. Do you write everything down first and then section it off into chapters, or do you build it up one chapter at a time? - I am a "hop around to different scenes" kind of writer because my memory is like Swiss cheese. If I don't jot down what comes to my head somewhere, it will be gone forever. I also have many projects and ideas, not just in the form of writing. I draw, I sew, I play music, and I game... if I don't alternate between these every now and then, I'd be filled with too much guilt when focusing on writing. Feels like I'm "turning my back" on the other parts that make me me. So, I alternate. I will never reach the highest level of any of them, but that's okay, because the more important part for me is getting it "decent/polished enough" to put it out there, any of my projects/art/videos/crafts. My biggest drive is to get things completed before I pass away and start all over again as a saxophone soloist in a Salsa band in my next life. 

Find what your biggest drive is. Why are you still thinking so hard about that story that you are so focused on it even when you are struggling? 

Edited August 14, 2025 by Thirdly

[CassieQ]

I volunteer to also be platonically squished between @Thirdlys boobs.

[BendtedWreath]

16 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

1)  My current WIP is 5 years old and right at 200K words.  But I'm also a slow writer and have a full time job in healthcare (if you know, you know).

At 30k a year, I'd only be at 150k words in five years. 😂 You are at the very least not slower than me. 

17 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

2)  Hahahahahahahaha yes.  This is a constant struggle.   The more time available,  the more things I find to distract myself.  The best option, for me, is to eliminate my main sources of distraction...my phone and the internet.   I've had the best results from writing outside or in my car, longhand, during my lunch breaks at work with the phone inside the building.  Leaving the house also works well.  I can't write in silence without my attention wandering, so I usually listen to music that is tolerable, but that I don't love enough to make me stop writing to listen.  Disney instrumentals work well for this, they're pleasant and melodic with no lyrics.  

I research too many things for my stories to full cut myself off from the phone and internet. But maybe I ought to give that a try, as well. 🤔

19 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

3)  I draft everything into one huge document (that I back up in multiple places, I've learned well from past mistakes).   I abhor planning things out beforehand so when I need to double check things for continuity, I just scroll back up instead of having to remember what chapter had what and go looking for it.  I cut the draft into chapters and proof them again before I send them out to editors or beta readers.  This method is good for me but is probably too chaotic for some writers. 

I find your method fascinating, as well, how you're able to write such a big segment that you can then cut that draft into chapters. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I greatly appreciate you, Cassie.

[BendtedWreath]

25 minutes ago, Ron said:

I would love to disagree with @Jason Rimbaud on the subject of discipline but I fear I’d be on the losing end of a stick.

🤣I think I'm much more of a planner than a pantser, so I greatly appreciate @Jason Rimbaud's input. Even beyond writing, his dedication to his restaurant is inspiring. 

27 minutes ago, Ron said:

For whatever reason I usually come up with a title and an ending lickety-split, along with some of the beginning and/or parts in-between, then I’m left with all these blank-spaces that must be filled in. And then I actively muse and muse some more (as opposed to being affected by a muse) thinking that I have lots of time… .

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, as well! Sometimes the title comes to me first, but most of the time, I have to hunt some kind of title down from what I had written. I think it's amazing that the ending comes to you first. Even strong beginnings are challenging for me. 

25 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

Daydreaming while performing physical tasks also helps me.  Going for a walk, taking a shower, driving, etc.

I'd have to sacrifice my focus to daydream. I can pretend to multitask all I want, but I can't. I hyperfocus so hard on whatever it is I'm doing, I tend to block too much out. That's why I try to be strict with my time, and set many alarms on my phone, otherwise I'd ignore everything else that needs to be done. I try to allocate time to "aim" my focus on one set of tasks over others throughout the day.

[Thirdly]

18 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

I volunteer to also be platonically squished between @Thirdlys boobs.

I would squish you between my boobs whenever you want. 🤣Likely while brushing and braiding your hair. 

[kbois]

54 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

Daydreaming while performing physical tasks also helps me.  Going for a walk, taking a shower, driving, etc.

Oh lord girl.... we're dangerous  

🤣🤣

[BendtedWreath]

37 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

1. What is your general timeframe from the start of a project to its conclusion? - Your lead is more than fine (I'd squish him between my boobs platonically), and focusing on your lead is a great idea, though that is only my opinion and it does take two to tango, and the "two" I'm talking about don't even have to be romantically involved, it can be any and all interactions the lead has with the people around them. 

I know you were just joking, but your hugging implication just brought something to mind. That character likely never had a genuine hug from a female familial figure. If he received that kind of hug from someone he knew and cared about, it would break him. You mentioned that interactions aren't always romantically linked, and I had completely missed that fact (the interaction regarding a female familial figure)! 😲Thank you, Thirdly!!

49 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

2. Do you lack focus sometimes, even (or especially) when you have the time available to you? - Shiny things distract me all the time. Shiny things are distracting me this very second. You are a shiny thing. 😂 I found that when I try to create a "deadline" for myself, it sometimes helps me keep my head in the game. For example, the anthology this year is due in October, I believe. But I have surgery in October, so I knew it needed to be done before then. That helped keep me focused. But there are others that feel like deadlines are so constraining, that it'd be the opposite effect on them. 

I tried creating a "deadline" of sorts regarding seasons, as it would have been fitting to have the story completed by some seasons better than others. But it hasn't worked thus far for me. I get what you mean, though. 

54 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

3. Do you write everything down first and then section it off into chapters, or do you build it up one chapter at a time? - My biggest drive is to get things completed before I pass away and start all over again as a saxophone soloist in a Salsa band in my next life. Find what your biggest drive is. Why are you still thinking so hard about that story that you are so focused on it even when you are struggling? 

If I had to say what I feel would be the closest thing to my "drive," it would be to portray a character worth remembering. I also write as part of my therapy in recent days. So, perhaps another of my drives is to see a change in the character that I'd like to change in myself, as well. Thanks again, Thirds.

[Thirdly]

23 minutes ago, BendtedWreath said:

I know you were just joking, but your hugging implication just brought something to mind.

Happy accidents lead to happy little trees? 😂 You can do it, Bennie.

[ReaderPaul]

One thing online versus traditional print publishing is -- Online, there is rarely a monetary contract requiring you to deliver x number of words by time-frame y.  I have a friend who has published two print books and is working on a third, to be self-published, so as to retain total control.  He has been stuck on chapter 4 of his novel for a long time.  I am going to suggest to him that he use the technique of @Jason Rimbaud -- placeholder sentences for that chapter and go on to chapter 5, and 6, and possibly more.  The references back to the missing chapter will start to fill it in.

I don't agree what one must always outline in great detail.  If I ever write to publish, it will probably be as a "plantser" -- someone who has a plan outlined, but with flexibility to add relevant bits to the story.  (A combo of planner and pantser.)

I have read stories by authors who planned in great detail, and others who started writing with no concrete plan.  Both ways CAN produce a good story, but not always.

I also think beta readers are important for many writers.  But a beta reader (or an editor, for that matter), should not be a cheerleader.  They must be willing to say to the author "Hey!  What's going on here?"

One friend insists on being edited ONLY by himself.  This can make for boring stories at time.

My opinions only.  As a friend once said, "Opinions are like noses.  Everybody has one, and few are the same."

[kbois]

I agree with @ReaderPaul that beta readers and editors should be able give it to you straight. 

Having a good support team behind you is tantamount to having a successful story. I'm fortunate to have a team that will never pull a punch. They've hit me in the solar plexus plenty of times. 

You have to be able to take criticism for what it should be.... something to make your story better. 

Editors are not your friend. Just ask @Mrsgnomie. 

Well, maybe occasionally they are lol. 

So, yeah, finding the right team will help you become a better author, no doubt about it. 

[Krista]

I'm of the philosophy that one needs to spare time to write everyday being a complete fallacy. One doesn't need to write everyday to be skilled at writing, or to complete goals, or learn good habits. Do I think practice helps? Yes. You're not going to be good at something challenging without practice. But, you don't necessarily have to trick your mind and body into a daily and/or weekly routine to achieve such a thing. 

If you look at anything - people will approach it differently almost universally unless it is something restricted by strict rules and regulations/barriers to where there isn't much flexibility.

There is a ton of flexibility in the approach to writing. There is never a big reason to fret about it, even hanging it completely up for months at a time can be beneficial if you're too bogged down with it. The end goal is getting the story completed and your happiness with what you have achieved. What you wish to accomplish and how you go about it are for you alone. Only you can truly figure out the system that works best for you. 

--- Also, I would not write much of anything without my Beta/Editor. If his cheeky butt ever left me alone in this, then I'd retire the day after. I mean, I 'could' write without him, but I'm in this writing thing as a hobby, and I want him there along for the journey. Even when I push up posting schedules every now and then and he throws a tantrum.  

Edited August 14, 2025 by Krista

[BendtedWreath]

29 minutes ago, Krista said:

Even when I push up posting schedules every now and then and he throws a tantrum.  

Oh no! 🤣

[Mikiesboy]

1 hour ago, Krista said:

here is a ton of flexibility in the approach to writing. There is never a big reason to fret about it, even hanging it completely up for months at a time can be beneficial if you're too bogged down with it. The end goal is getting the story completed and your happiness with what you have achieved.

@BendtedWreath  i couldn't agree more with Krista and what @Inkognito said earlier. Life throws some not-nice-stuff sometimes, mine was COVID, it completely did me in, with respect to writing. I couldn't write a word for several years. Instead, I started a new career knitting and crocheting to keep my mind and hands busy during lockdown, which messed with me in a negative way. 

I have sweaters and blankets piling up here now. LOL Now I craft and I write. Not at the same time.  

The point to all of this, is that you need to find what works for you. You have tons of suggestions to sift through and try.  

Now I write when I feel like it. Writing is an important outlet, it's something i've done all my life. I enjoy it. And for me, that's all that matters. 

I'll duck out of this thread now. Best of luck to you. Just do what you feel and enjoy doing! 

[Krista]

6 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

@BendtedWreath  i couldn't agree more with Krista and what @Inkognito said earlier. Life throws some not-nice-stuff sometimes, mine was COVID, it completely did me in, with respect to writing. I couldn't write a word for several years. Instead, I started a new career knitting and crocheting to keep my mind and hands busy during lockdown, which messed with me in a negative way. 

I have sweaters and blankets piling up here now. LOL Now I craft and I write. Not at the same time.  

The point to all of this, is that you need to find what works for you. You have tons of suggestions to sift through and try.  

Now I write when I feel like it. Writing is an important outlet, it's something i've done all my life. I enjoy it. And for me, that's all that matters. 

I'll duck out of this thread now. Best of luck to you. Just do what you feel and enjoy doing! 

I think it may be time for you to sell them on etsy or something similar. Crocheted stuff is a very niche market, but its a healthy one in a lot of circles. And I can't crochet or knit to save my damn life... I've had to cut my fingers free or risk losing function in them, so. 

[BendtedWreath]

47 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

I have sweaters and blankets piling up here now.

Please tell me you have pictures of some of your crafts.

[Mikiesboy]

2 hours ago, Krista said:

I think it may be time for you to sell them on etsy or something similar. Crocheted stuff is a very niche market, but its a healthy one in a lot of circles. And I can't crochet or knit to save my damn life... I've had to cut my fingers free or risk losing function in them, so. 

Save your fingers for writing!  I give stuff away to family, friends and charity.  

[Mikiesboy]

2 hours ago, BendtedWreath said:

Please tell me you have pictures of some of your crafts.

I do take them sometimes i post them in the drop in centre from time to time.  I've been making snowflakes for Christmas packages...   i'll leave this since you asked..  These have more than six sides, which i've since remedied but don't have pics of those. 

[BendtedWreath]

20 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

I do take them sometimes i post them in the drop in centre from time to time.  I've been making snowflakes for Christmas packages...   i'll leave this since you asked..  These have more than six sides, which i've since remedied but don't have pics of those. 

They're stunning! I know it wasn't the best time for you, but you really came out on the other end with a new skill. 

[Mikiesboy]

1 minute ago, BendtedWreath said:

They're stunning! I know it wasn't the best time for you, but you really came out on the other end with a new skill. 

Thanks.  It helps me with anxiety. Lots of knitters will tell you that. 

[lawfulneutralmage]

Great questions and great answers!

Don't get stressed. I get paid lots of money to produce stuff in time. I can do without that stress privately...

But can I? I self-impose stress. I must write or I get out of the story, the "mood". I need discipline.

But real life gets in the way. No stress!

One thing I do which has not been mentioned, I write dialogues when they come to me and store them in a snippets file per topic. Sometimes, I can just go to these files and use that as a base.

I still have a nice rant I want to use...just waiting for the right moment...

[BendtedWreath]

46 minutes ago, lawfulneutralmage said:

One thing I do which has not been mentioned, I write dialogues when they come to me and store them in a snippets file per topic. Sometimes, I can just go to these files and use that as a base.

I sometimes struggle to make the dialogue fit what is happening in the scene without it sounding too forced or off. Sometimes it comes off as too cheesy. But an actual conversation with a friend aloud can also come off as cheesy sometimes (depending on the friend and what's happening), so I try not to latch on too hard to dialogue.

48 minutes ago, lawfulneutralmage said:

I still have a nice rant I want to use...just waiting for the right moment...

🤣 That's amazing. 

[JarianDaProducer]

For me it really depends on the project. Short stuff I can knock out quick, but longer ones always drag because I get distracted or lose steam. I usually write in chunks whenever I get ideas instead of trying to force a full chapter, then later I stitch things together and smooth it out. And yeah, even with time I’ll sometimes just stare at the page and not get anything done, focus is definitely the hardest part.