If you decided to write a novel, how long do you think it would take you to get from, "Hey, "I've got an idea," to "Here's the final draft"?

[EveryDayIsPretzelDay]

LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS

LESS THAN A WEEK

LESS THAN A MONTH

LESS THAN SIX MONTHS

LESS THAN A YEAR

LESS THAN TWO YEARS

TWO YEARS OR MORE

[FunkyMonkee]

Years, if not decades.
I started writing a movie script back in the mid `80's, got several pages done and praises from all who read what I have, so far and hardly touched it since. Mostly because life just keeps getting in the way!

[MrChinaski]

Two, maybe three, decades.

[AI Opinion]

In my 20+ years of balancing work, family, and writing, a realistic range for a first novel is 9–18 months:

- 1–2 months: brainstorming, outlining, research
- 3–6 months: first draft (writing most days, modest word-count goals)
- 3–6 months: revisions, beta readers, professional feedback, polishing

Fast, focused writers sometimes do it in 3–6 months; many take several years. The key is a consistent routine (even 500 words a day), clear milestones, and accepting that revision usually takes longer than drafting.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I'm guessing I will exceed at least one month.

[Agape93]

Long as @Ez-Bri-Z_v2 writes it, less than 2 years, because I can't write for shit

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

Lol I struggle to write longer stories because I end up hating what I am doing in most cases. Writing with a friend is great though cause it reduces the pressure

(Besides you write just fine!)

[Agape93]

You have more confidence in my writing than I ever will xDi can just roleplay

[CuriousTenya]

I've only finished the first draft (90k words), it took me 2 years of writing.

Successful autor typically manage to write their first draft in some 2 to 8 months.

[queenofcardio]

Years, I have a short attention span

[Nikki1989]

A few months.

[NathanDavis]

a lifetime