Many published authors, especially those writing in genre fiction, keep up an incredible pace with their books, sometimes publishing one or more books a year. And it can really be a struggle to keep up with such a breakneck pace.
I’m curious about how you feel about this as both a writer and a reader.
As a reader, do you want a new book from your favorite author every year, or perhaps even more often? What about with a series? Do you expect that you’ll be able to read the next book soon?
As a writer, do you think you could keep up that pace for a decade? Would you like the steady income or would you prefer to let the creative juices marinate a while?
Ulysses says
My two favorite authors represent extremes of this situation. The one publishes a book a year as part of his series, and publishes other books as well. The other often takes years to put out a book… but when he does, it’s amazing.
In general:
If the writer is writing a series, I like my books to come out quick. I like reading them successively.
If the writer is not writing a series, then timing isn’t a big issue for me. I’ll wait eight years for the next book, and read other authors in the meantime.
As a writer, I don’t know if I could sustain a book a year for ten years. On the one hand, I struggle with completing one book. On the other, pressure to produce would force me to make writing a higher priority. It might be good.
I’d like to be as prolific as Asimov (over 500 books). And while I’m wishing, I’d also like to be taller 8).
Jana Lubina says
I prefer not to wait, but I will if it that means quality.
I tend to stay away (with exeptions) from author’s who produce books at breakneck speeds. At least one writer, previously a favourite, has lost me because her quality of writing dropped severely.
Kristin Laughtin says
As a writer, the idea of a book a year is a bit daunting. My current work did take several months less than a year, so I know I could do it. I will admit that I worry about burning out from doing it on top of a full-time job and anything else going on in my life. I wonder if it would prevent me from having anything in my life besides work and writing, and how that would stifle my creativity. (Of course, if I were able to quit the day job and support myself with my writing, I don’t think it’d be an issue at all, but that’s a rare situation.)
As a reader, I’m patient. I don’t mind waiting two years for the next book, even if it’s a series. I actually raise my eyebrows at writers who put out more than 2 books a year. I’m sure they have the talent to do so in most cases, but I can’t imagine producing something from scratch so quickly. Maybe if they had a bunch of outlines to start with already…
Anthony Tardiff says
Usually I prefer to let my favorite authors take as long as they need, since I know that will result in the best book. I’m quite happy when those great books come quickly, though. I’m reading and loving House of Many Ways right now and I’m very happy that Diana Wynne Jones turns out great books relatively frequently. On the other end of the spectrum, I can’t STAND waiting another few years for the next Attolia book (it took Megan Whalen Turner five or six years to write King of Attolia!), but I know it will be worth the wait when it finally arrives.
Joe Iriarte says
Yes and Yes. 🙂
Even with a full-time job, I could write a book a year. If I ditched the job, could I write more than one a year? I don’t know, for sure. I tend to need percolating time.
My current WIP, on which I just cracked 100,000 words this week, was begun in January. And written while also meeting the needs of my job.
Other Lisa says
It depends…and it depends!
(my answer to most of these questions)
I don’t spend a lot of time noticing how long it’s been between books of series that I read, unless, as one commenter here says, they are a cliff-hanger and I really want to know what happened. Keeping up a long running series, a book a year, at a high quality – most writers run out of steam at some point, or start repeating themselves. So of course, I’d rather wait for the better book than demand a mediocre one on schedule.
As for writing, I once wrote a pretty good first draft of a pretty long novel in about six months. That book, I could write in a year.
The last book I wrote…it was one of those where I was incorporating all kinds of new things, taking in a lot of overwhelming data from the outside world, trying to figure out how to structure it, how to write it…slow going. And hard.
Now I’m feeling like I’ve learned some stuff, I’m not struggling so much and this next one should go a lot faster and easier.
But I think – ideally if you are growing as a writer, you are generally going to have books that are easy and books that are hard, depending on what it is you’re attempting to do and where you are in your own creative process.
Anonymous says
As a reader I tend to cover such a wide variety that I’m not concerned about when or how often an author comes out with a new book. But, I seldom have any interest in reading a series. There are too many great writers that I want to explore to let myself get too hung up on just a few.
As a writer I could probably turn out a passable book every year, but I’d prefer not to. I’d much rather strive for excellence, with total disregard for timelines and deadlines, even if it take two or three years. As has been mentioned in previous comments, I realize that for those who write series, a tighter schedule is possible, perhaps even imperative. It largely depends on what genre you write and the limitations of expected or publishable word count.
Richard Mabry says
As a writer, a book a year seems do-able. As a reader, I’d be willing to read a new book each quarter from some authors, one every two years from others. Depends on the quality and how much I like their work. Robert B. Parker turns out two to four per year, and I can’t wait for the next one.
Lupina says
I’ve been writing two books a year for five years, all published. In that time I’ve also written two and one third novels, so far unpublished.
I can’t imagine writing fewer than two books a year. Only one book per year would feel like luxurious sloth to me. I might like it, though.
However, there are books and there are books. I’m not writing “War and Peace.” Some books will always take longer to write, whether due to intense research, amazing literary greatness, or plain old slow writing habits. Personally, I’d go crazy waiting five years to finish something. But then, I eat a lot of caffeine-rich dark chocolate.
Robena Grant says
As a reader it doesn’t bother me to wait. I loved The Shadow of Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It’s been something like eight years and his second book is coming out in 2009.
As a writer I could easily manage a book a year but writing is my only job now. I do agree with other commenters, if you have a day job or a family, or are naturally a slow writer then one a year might be tough.
I think the ideal is to have at least two books ready when you go hunting the wild agent. You get one out, maybe rework the other, start a third and you’re ahead of the game. Hey, it’s my plan and I’m sticking to it. Grin.
Anonymous says
No way could I keep up the pace of writing a book a year. But I don’t write genre books, or series books. Even as a YA author in order to have something be original and fresh I doubt I’d be able to produce more than one a year, nor would I want to.
Im really happy waiting two years between books of a fav author.
Lupina says
Second answer: If the fiction series writer is rocking and keeping the quality up, I’m greedy enough to want one every year. But if it’s someone who really needs more time to do a good job, I’ll gladly wait for the superior book. Even worse than waiting for the next sequel is getting the sequel and being disappointed.
Linda says
As a reader some time ago, I might’ve said YES, author X, give me a book a year! But, as a writer myself, I’m starting to see quality dwindle in those who churn out words. I was SO disappointed by the latest Pat Cornwall, but that disappointment was growing over the past 3-4 books. It seems she poops out at the end… and other authors as well.
As a writer, I’m a every-two-years kind of gal. At least I hope so. It took me 2 years, 4 months, and five days to really finish novel #1, and while I hope I’m more efficient the second go-round, I’m sure the m/s will be in draft mode this time next summer.
I do a lot of pottery and sculpture. My clay friends all bemoan how in order to make a living doing what they love, they need to go into ‘production mode’ – quick wheel-thrown and mold-made mugs, plates, bowls. They pay their bills, but are left with little time or energy to create the items of beauty – the REAL art – they desire to produce.
I hope for success as a writer, but not at the price my clay artist colleagues have paid. Peace, Linda
melissalobianco says
One particular author who came onto the scene several years ago like a brushfire wrote his series of (say, for instance) legal thrillers and drenched the market with his work; he burned-out for me after three books. Still, that’s three paperback editions purhased — I haven’t heard tell of this author’s bankruptcy in the papers. As a reader, I was caught up in the heatwave the brushfire, but soon — I have to admit — I was turned off. Peculiar, though: as a writer, I’m all more power to ya’, Mr. G. May we all be that fortunate.
Based on my own current trend, I doubt I could keep a-book-a-year pace in the adult market. I imagine it takes a brand of discipline to which I just don’t have access.
Anonymous says
My question is, do you, as an agent, believe that one book a year is a difficult pace to maintain? Or are you simply quoting the recent articles on the subject? (Yeah, I’ve read them.) You wouldn’t want a client that could produce 2,3, even 4 or 5 salable books a year?
I am multi-published, and just signed on for a 3-book series, all due within 10 months. But if I believe what is in the comments section, I should just give up now, because anything I write that fast will be dreck.
I guess it’s a matter of actually breaking down the work into chunks that make sense. To write a book a year requires ONE PAGE a day, that’s all. To write three books a year takes three pages a day. So, in order to make my deadlines, I need to do 4-5 pages a day, while working full-time. For me, that’s completely doable, and my editors seem to agree.
But you guys are saying if a writer produces 2 or 3 pages in a day, they’re writing too fast, and sacrificing quality?
Needless to say, I disagree. YMMV, of course.
You may now lob rotten fruit and vegetables – I have to go do pages!
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
For most authors I know it’s a difficult pace to maintain. But like I said, it depends on the author.
Anonymous says
As a reader, the question is fairly easy. I want at least a book a year from my favorite authors. Much longer than 18 months from the last book, and I find that I’ve found new favorite authors and I’m not actively looking for that author’s book. I keep a list of when my favorite authors books will be out next so I don’t miss it. Most of my favorite authors write series – I read a lot of urban fantasy. A year seems like a long time to wait for the next book in the series. I will admit that part of the enthusiasm in the series is created by being able to read the next book fairly soon (if you consider 8 – 12 months soon.) Knowing when the next book is coming out helps build the anticipation.
As a writer, I don’t know that I could write more than a book a year. I think it is important to have at least the one a year in order to build a good relationship with readers.
melissalobianco says
Also, I should apend here: I’ve been into a lot of non-fiction for about the last two years. How does that change the weight of my opinion?
(Does my opinion make my butt look big?)
Susan Helene Gottfried says
As a reader, I can do a book a year. I don’t like this latest trend of cramming more in. I feel like more than one a year locks me in to reading ONLY this series or this author, or I run the risk of falling behind. Also, as a reader, I like to explore other reads than just THIS series or THAT one. (I say this as someone who reads about 100 books a year)
As a writer? I could do it, sure, especially once school starts back up. But I’ve also spoken to a number of writers who have tight deadlines and they are saying, off the record, that they are close to burning out. They are too busy writing to get out and promote their books or attend conferences and meet their fans.
And from both perspectives, I worry about quality. I think we’re already seeing some of it in certain series.
Marilynn Byerly says
It’s become standard in single title romance, particularly urban fantasy series novels, for the author to have the first three books printed in very short succession. I’ve seen several authors with three books out in three months.
The closely spaced books allow a synergy of promotion, word of mouth, the short attention spans of readers, and the addictive nature of romance readers to build phenomenal sales.
I’ve heard through various sources, both editors and authors, that this method is so successful that sf and fantasy lines as well as thrillers are starting to try the same thing.
The good news for authors is novels in short intervals are great for the career. The bad news is the schedule is a physical, emotional, and creative monster some authors don’t survive.
I know of several publishers who have told authors that if they can’t produce on a fast schedule, the publisher isn’t really interested.
Sam Hranac says
As a reader I love having something new from my favorite authors every year. Of course! Right now I’m breathing down D.M. Cornish’s neck to get the 3rd Monster-Blood Tattoo book out.
As a writer just sliding down the other side of the learning curve and nearly ready for submissions, I feel like I have a sufficient backlog of ideas to produce at the pace of one per year. And now that I understand more about the craft and business, I think I could keep up (continue to raise) the quality.
Ask me again after I’ve had 10 years as a best selling author. 😎
Bernita says
Certainly, I could write a book a year.
superwench83 says
From a reader’s perspective, especially if we’re talking series, I really want a book a year…if it’s doable for the author. As someone else said, “Some people can run a mile in 4 minutes. Some can do it in 12. Others can’t run a mile at all.” So some authors can put out a book or even more a year and still keep quality, while others can’t. And even though I’d prefer a book a year, I’ll wait for quality. I’m still waiting on George R.R. Martin’s next book, and I can handle it because I know the book will be stellar.
As writers, I think we should look at what readers want and then give it to them. They want the books to come out as soon as they possibly can while still keeping up quality. So to shoot for writing a book a year is a good thing. It might take you longer to write a quality book, but I think we should strive to get it done as quickly and with as much quality as possible.
And I do believe that the type of books an author writes plays into their ability to write fast. I wrote one of my first drafts in two months, but it’s a historical fantasy. It might take me a year or more to do and then incorporate the research. So it all depends. I certainly don’t think every author who puts out more than one book a year is sacrificing quality. One of my favorite authors usually puts out two.
Josephine Damian says
Nathan, there’s a big power house agent (I won’t name names) who reps a slew of thriller scribes.
As a thriller scribe wannabe myself, you’d think he’d be on top of my list to query (after, of course, you ;-). Will I?
No f—ing way! Some of his writers are churning out 2 books/year! The rest, at least 1book/year. On top of that these writers are out promoting their asses off and/or blogging (they blog about the stress of their writing/promoting schedules and the lousy reviews they get). And many of these agent’s clients still have day jobs on top of that.
I don’t read series (especially by this agent’s clients) for these very reasons. Too many thin plots, too much emphasis on character backstory/filler, too many derivative “ripped from the headlines” plots.
None of my favorite authors write a book a year. I’m more that happy to wait for quality.
Me? If the only way I’d get my thriller published is to sign a book a year contract, my reply would be: No thanks. I’d rather be un-published than a hamster on a tread -mill, churning out nothing but drek for mass consumption.
Colorado Writer says
I’d be good with doing one 40k middle grade book a year (with a great editor).
Anonymous says
I like authors to produce as often as they’re able to do so and keep up the quality of their work. I certainly don’t mind waiting when I know the end result will delight.
Two years doesn’t seem unreasonable to me at all. I’m willing to wait much longer than that for some authors– although I should point out most of them write stand alone books. In a series, a wait of over 2-3 years can get frustrating.
On the other hand, it’s nice to have something to look forward to. 🙂
Anonymous says
I view all artwork the same.
Where would we be if Vivaldi, Beethoven and Amadeus were pressured by the deadlines of a record company?
Where would we be if Shakespeare had a publisher who demanded a new tragedy every six months?
Evard Munch’s Scream might have been a Smirk if he had been rushed.
You can’t rush perfection.
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
Musicians and their vaults
I think the first novel can take forever because…you’ve never written one before, and so you are in serious learning curve mode. Then the next one is easier (as far as mechanics/technical aspects go), and so on…because you know what you are doing.
But…if it takes you forever to finish your first novel…all that time, you are probably writing letters, emails, keeping a journal, reading, blogging, etc…so you should have a mass of material just waiting to be shaped into your next novel (or two, or three), by the time you get the first one published. So there is the illusion of “a novel a year,” when actually, you’ve been sitting on that material for quite some time, but didn’t have an agent yet, etc…
…kind of like musicians who have vaults full of material, they can go digging around in, to put together a new CD…everyone is like, wow! brand new music from X band…but it could be bits and pieces and riffs that have been sitting around for a decade or more…some little bit they came up with in their garage when they were 15.
Oh well…leave of absence starts in 2 weeks…if I can just make it through the next two weeks!!!!! Crapzilla roams the countryside, flattening creative urges, incinerating insights into one’s characters etc…
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
I have no favorite authors. So therefore can’t have an opinion on their productivity.
****
I just throw that out to be contrary, with Crapzilla breathing down my neck.
Adaora A. says
I would love to churn out a book a year. I think it sounds reasonable enough. Most writers have numerous book ideas which they haven’t been able to get to and I’m sure they would love it. As a reader, I would be euphoric to see my favorite authors coming out with new stuff on a yearly basis. It takes me 24 hours or less to read my favorite authors novels so once a year is incredibly generous.
Wow! 78 comments. That’s quite a dip in there.
emeraldcite says
For some authors, I’d buy two books a year if they put them out there. When I discover a new author that I love to read, I have no problem going to the store and picking up three or four of their backlist.
As a writer, I could do a book a year and would have no problem with that kind of output (with the caveat that it would have to be quality output).
A book a year makes it easy for publishers to put out the softcover of the previous title right as the hardcover comes out.
leesmiley says
As a reader, I realize there are more books out there that I want to read than there is time for me to read them, so I’m fine with an author taking as long as needed to produce a good story–within reason, of course. I’m still waiting on Harper Lee, of course, but aren’t we all.
As a writer, I try to peck out 1000 words a day, a very doable goal even for people like me with a demanding day job and family responsibilities. Even taking a day off per week, that’s over 300,000 words a year–enough for two or three decent-sized novels. I think being prolific depends more on the support structure around you–readers willing to help you edit, family willing to give you time to write, etc.–than any other factor.
I do prefer to move on to something completely different once I complete a project. The change of pace and atmosphere keeps me from getting bogged down and keeps the creativity flowing in new directions.
Suzanne says
I could write a book a year. That’s about how long it takes me anyway.
As a reader, I would prefer a book a year from my favorites, and at the very longest, every other year. More and it would be rather frustrating–or I might end up releasing that author into the jumbled up part of my mind where I remember them occasionally but don’t look for them particularly. Course, it all depends on the author.
Heather Wardell says
I am fortunate enough (thank you, husband!) to be writing full-time even though I’m unpubbed. I write for two hours, longhand, in the morning (why longhand? just feels right) and then type in and polish in the afternoon.
This morning didn’t flow as much as usual. I got 2200 words. At that pace, absolutely I can do a book a year, two most likely.
I’m lucky that the words come quickly (and yes, occasionally they don’t, but a lot of days I hit 3000 words, so that balances out) and my first drafts are usually done in two months. I then spend at least two or three months to revise.
In fact, I DID do two books last year, as I wrote one and then completely rewrote it (think Harry Potter with Ron as the hero – that level of change) and had both polished in twelve months.
I don’t write series books, though, at least I haven’t thus far. I much prefer new characters/settings/situations every time… keeps me entertained. 🙂
Heather
AstonWest says
12-18 months between books would be a fairly good clip. I think it could be done both as a reader and author (if I didn’t have to work at a day job and worry about things like paying bills, etc.).
Vieva says
I tend to write about one novel every nine months or so – and I’m a full time writer and stay at home mom. (two full time jobs!)
If my son was at school, I’d probably write even faster – and I don’t think quality would suffer.
Anonymous says
As a thriller writer closing in on a first deal, a book a year sounds right for me, maybe more if I didn’t have the day job. Or, maybe I’d just put the extra time into promotion and still only do 1 a year. But definitely at least 1 book a year. If you can do it, why not?
Some guys, like the Silence of the Lambs author, who only releases 1 every 7 years, are on a higher level of quality, so to speak. But I’d be more than happy to bang out one seat-of-your-pants thrill ride that ends up in airport bookstores once a year, without any real literary aspirations.
Anonymous says
Actually, I’m curious about you, Nathan. How long can you keep up with your (almost) blog-a-day pace?
It’s an impressive achievement considering how busy you must already be.
Anonymous says
I suppose many people can “just churn out” a book a year. But I’d rather read something not just churned out.
It took Joyce seven years to write “Ulysses.”
Lehcarjt says
But if I believe what is in the comments section, I should just give up now, because anything I write that fast will be dreck.
I am one of the people who tends to not like authors that write multiple books a year. I’m wondering if part of this is my personal expectations of books. I love language and metaphors and zingers. I love depth and poetry of word. I love a story with meat – the more meat, the better – and at least an elephant-sized heart.
All of that takes a huge amount of time to create. It isn’t just writing so many pages a day, it is rewriting and rewriting and rewriting the same passage until it rings on the page. And then doing so with the paragraph, the page, the chapter.
That is what I want from stories.
However, not every reader wants the same thing. If you are selling your books then someone must believe that it is not dreck and that six months or four months or whatever, is more than enough time to produce the type of story they want.
My complaint is when an author tries to write a book that would usually take them 18 months and squish it down to 6 months. Suddenly the quality is gone and the story diminished. That is what I am talking about. The book is not what it could have been, and I am disappointed for spending my money.
Joe Iriarte says
Anon@3:03, I agree with you . . . if I didn’t have a day job I’d be more inclined to put the extra time into promotion. I seem to have no difficulty making time to write, but when I hear about all that authors are doing these days in the name of promotion, that’s when I wonder how anybody can find the time–particularly the many authors who still must work day jobs.
-o-
anon@3:22, I don’t know if you’re doing your case a world of good by citing Ulysses. 😉
-o-
I’ve been coming to the conclusion that nobody can really tell others how they should do it . . . everyone seems to have a different thing that works for them. But I can certainly tell you what I feel capable of, speaking only of myself.
2readornot says
I write about 3-4 books a year. I work on more than one at once, and I’ll revise one while starting another and tweaking another, etc. I think I could certainly put out 2 a year once I’m published.
As a reader, I’d LOVE to see my favorite authors put out more than one book a year. I’ll wait, of course, because I love their writing, but it would be wonderful if I could get their books more often! But then, I’m a fast reader (and writer).
Shell I says
I have to weigh in on this. I think so much of it depends on the story. When I first had my book idea I started writing, then I thought “What good is one book” got scared about the whole process and shelved it for about 6 months. Then I let it all perculate and the ideas flow.
Now I am sitting on 3 different stories, all loosly plotted just waiting to be filled out. Each night a different thread of one of these stories hits me so I write on that story for as long as the idea runs. It is all about inspiration and time for me. I can get inspired and write 2000 – 3000 words in one day (around full time work and 2-yo daughter). By the time I submit any of these stories for publishing I would hope the other two are still simmering somewhere near finished. I would then concentrate on getting those finished, so three books within very short space of each other.
I think this might be my way of writing. When the mood is right for the story it all just flows. I also agree that the first novel you write is the hardest, they would get easier from there. Surely?
Anonymous says
Yes, if I could write full time, a book a year is my goal. Since I have other characters in other stories, screaming to get out, I think it would drive me batty not to write.
Gwen Hayes says
As a reader, one book a year is fine, unless it’s a series, then I want two. I shy away from reading book one until I know book two and three are already out there waiting for me.
As a writer, I try to discipline myself to write 1000 words a day, and play catch up on the weekends if I have too. Even if I wrote a 200,000 word book that is 200 days.
1000 words a day is less than two hours of writing a day. It’s not always easy to get it in around the day job and my busy family, but the discipline is worth the effort because I know that it will be easier to sell myself out there if I can show that I’m not a one book wonder. If I were an agent or an editor, that would be something I looked at in a potential client.
Kiki says
If a writer is not very prolific, I tend to forget about them, unfortunately.
Any wait longer than a year means either I’ll forget to check when the next book comes out or I’ll just stumble upon it whenever (if I’m lucky), or on the other hand, I’ll have such high expectations that the book had better be worth the wait.
I think this is obviously somewhat more important in a series, or at the start of an author’s career.
I adore prolific writers as it means I can get more in their voicesooner.
As a writer (of reasonably short genre fiction), I tend to have drive for about 2-3 books a year in me at this stage, and I can’t see myself slowing down any time soon. if I had free time, I’d just write for something else for fun.
So for me, it’ read a lot, write a lot, read a lot more.
Anonymous says
This spring I finished four books for four different editors – two for educational publishers, two for children’s trade publishers. It was too much. AT one point, I was deep in revisions for two publishers, finishing up another project, and worrying about the fourth. Never again. Now I’m taking some time off to clean my floors and pay attention to my wayward teens… And, no, I don’t expect my favorite authors to churn them out, either…
Eva Gale says
All of my perceptions have changed since I became a writer. It’s like playing classical music. You may not like it, but by the time you can play the instrument and learn the pieces you have an appreciation for it.
As a reader I would love to have my favorite writers pump them out like Peeps at Easter, but I understand the process and I know to make a great story-at the least the great stories I read-they need at least a year. There are exceptions, but they are the exception.
Some days 1k words flows-some times it tkes 12 hours. I have a respect for the process, and I want other writers to have the freedom they need to write the best stories possible.
Nikki Duncan says
I much prefer to have multiple books from an author each year, but understand why it doesn’t always happen.
That said, as an unpubbed, I wrote four books last year andinbetween the revisions on a couple of those this year I have plans to do at least 2 more before the end of the year. For me, because I’d like a steady income from writing, it’s a matter of teaching myself now how to do multiple books without losing any of the creativity. That way, when I do get published I’ll be better equipped to keep up with publisher demands, and hopefully will be able to build a name and readership for myself a little quicker.
Two of the four books from last year are part of a series and the plot that overarchs three books is so complex that I find it harder and harder to keep it all straight if I take too much time between the books. I’ve also found it increasingly difficult to maintain the subtle nuances of the character relationships, as the series as reoccurring character appearances, if I take too much time away from them.
I firmly believe in time off between projects, to keep from burning out, but too much is problematic too. It’s a balance that each person, writer and reader, has to find for themselves. For me, the more steady the pace the better the quality.
Cheryl says
As a reader, I’m happy to wait longer than a year between books from my favorite authors, if the books are quality books. Often books that are rushed don’t have the same quality or depth or writing that grabs you and keeps you in a book–and that’s what I want in a book. It’s no fun buying a book from a favorite author and then being disappointed in the writing.
As a writer, I prefer to write at my own pace–to write and edit the best book I can–but I don’t like to take too long. Maybe a year and a half. Maybe less. I want my writing to mean something.