Gala Russ · Writing Conversations
Your book writing timeline
How long will it take
to write your book?
Use this calculator to estimate when you could finish your first draft. Start with your book length and the writing time that fits your life.
01 · Your book
Every book starts with a plan.
How long is the book you want to write? Use your own target, or start with 80,000 words as an example and adjust it later.
Your estimate will change as you change the numbers. Choose a schedule you can actually keep.
02 · Your speed
Find your writing pace.
Not sure? Start with 500 as a planning assumption. Try 250 for a slower pace or 1,000 for a faster pace, then update this once you know your own average.
Using dictation? Count words dictated and edited to a basic draft per hour, unless your app does that editing for you.
03 · Make room for your novel
Build a plan that fits your life.
25% adds one extra week for every four writing weeks. Adjust it to give yourself more breathing room.