How many hours a day do you write? How long on average does it take you to write a book?
I work full time during the week, maintain my blogs and also look after my family, in particular, I assist Michael with his homework. As a result the word hours in “How many hours a day do you write?” is not even a remote possibility for me during the working week. I snatch time to write by making 30 minutes here, and on a very good day, an hour there. I write when I get the chance and I am not fussy about the where of it either.
I can write anywhere including in my car while waiting for children to finish school, on an aeroplane while travelling, during my lunch hour if my work load isn’t unduly heavy and any other conceivable place you can think of. I am also not overly concerned about the tool I use for my writing and, although I prefer to write using my laptop, I sometimes use my cell phone to write poems and little passages that come to mind or write them down on bits of paper, or, if I am particularly organised that day, in a writing book.
On Saturdays and Sundays I usually write from 6 am to 8 am and then again later in the day, if possible. I usually manage to write between 3 000 and 4 000 words on a weekend, depending on how much research is required. I aim for about an additional 500 words at least three days a week. That amounts to approximately 4 500 to 5 500 words per week.
As a result, a book takes me between five and six months to write and then another five to six months to edit and finalise for publishing. My aim is to publish one novel per year. I have also, to date, published one children’s picture book per years. These picture books comprise my Sir Chocolate picture and recipe books and are fairly short. The time saved with the writing, however, is used up through the making and photographing of the cake and fondant art illustrations.
Writing is not my source of income, it is something I currently do for pleasure so I can’t devote any more time and effort to it than the stated 5 000 words per week. My work job sometimes extends to a nine or ten hour day and also weekend work and that has to take precedence over writing, as do my children’s needs.
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roberta-writes.com 
You do extremely well considering your work and home responsibilities. I think the key is to write whenever and wherever. I am impressed with your output!
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You are very kind, Darlene. I do try to be organised and productive and that helps output.
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Reblogged this on aurorawatcherak.
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Thank you for sharing.
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Life is what happens while we’re pounding the keyboard and we need life to support our writing, so we can’t not live it in order to chase some artificially imposed goal. Good that you see it.
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Yes, of course, this is true.
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When I was working full time and raising my children I did very little art and no writing. I really admire the fact that you can manage so much–and well! (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. My boys are teenagers now. I couldn’t have done it when they were small.
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It is amazing that you have found the time to write despite your schedule. Kudos to you. However, it is very demotivating for full-time writers who make little or no money from writing. Guess the motivation needs to come from within. Can I get your children’s picture books in the library or local stores?
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It is difficult to make a living from writing, the competition is so stiff and it seems to me that most writers who do really well make their money from the movies rather than the book sales. Writing is a passion.
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so true…most of the writers have a full-time job. And if you write a book or even a short story, it is difficult to get people to read it (even for free:)
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Yes, that is true, but perseverance all so helps.
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I’ve never tried writing on my phone. Heck, I have a hard time getting a text message to make sense!
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I wrote a short story on my phone, my thumb took ages to recover.
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I don’t do anything to long on my phone. I wouldn’t write a whole story like Richard did. I stick to poems and flash fiction on my phone.
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I’m lucky to have more time than some, even so, I only write when I can see the story in my head. I still have to wait for the characters to tell it before I can put it down.
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I think a lot of writers are retired which should make it easier, in theory, to find the time to write. It seems though, that time is a problem for everyone.
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You’re doing very well considering your work and children and other responsibilities, Robbie. Being able to write anytime anywhere is the key.
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It definitely is for someone like me who works and has a family. I am very adaptable.
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I can only write at home on my computer in peace and quiet, but like you I only publish one or two books per year. I don’t rush anymore to get them out. Well done for writing in between looking after your family. I only started writing when my sons left home.
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Thanks, Stevie. I suppose it depends on when the writing bug bites you. One or two books a year is already a good amount of research and writing in my opinion.
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I would call your dedication super impressive! A full week, every week!
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Thank you, I am that sort of person. A workaholic and quite obsessive. Nothing wrong with it in my eyes.
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Of course there’s nothing wrong with it! Congrats on being awesome!
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That’s a hectic schedule!
As I don’t write books I don’t have a fixed schedule .. I write when the muse arrives 🙂
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I suppose it is hectic. I try to write whenever the opportunity arises because I need to get the story out of my head.
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lol I know what you mean “Justice Jedi” has been like that for me … she has to get out 🙂
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You sound very efficient to me Robbie, that’s a lot of words each week and a quick turnaround for a book.
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Thanks Andrea. I am glad you think so. That is the best I can do.
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