How to Write a Book Quickly
The Main Gist: You don't have to be a naturally fast writer to finish books faster. With a good plan, consistent habits, and less perfectionism, you can turn your ideas into finished books sooner.
Key Takeaways:
Give yourself permission to write a messy first draft without stopping to perfect every sentence.
Create a simple outline to give you direction and save you time when you sit down to write.
Set a realistic daily word goal and make it easy to start by creating a distraction-free routine.
Backlist Builders can help authors turn their ideas into completed books faster and easier than doing it themselves.
Spend five minutes in any self-publishing Facebook group or author forum, and you'll start seeing the same advice:
"If you want to be successful, build your backlist. WRITE MORE BOOKS."
It's solid advice. The more books you publish, the more opportunities readers have to discover your work. A larger backlist also creates more ways to generate income over time.
But here's the problem: if writing one book already feels like climbing a mountain, hearing that you need to write more books can be downright discouraging.
Maybe you've been working on your manuscript for months. Maybe your first book took over a year to finish. Meanwhile, you see other authors announcing a new release every few months, and you can't help but wonder:
How are they doing it?
Are they just naturally faster writers?
Sometimes. But not always.
Most productive authors weren’t always so prolific. But over time, they've built habits and systems that help them spend more time writing and less time getting stuck.
The good news? You can do the same.
Here are some practical ways to write a book faster without turning it into a rushed, low-quality mess.
Stop Trying to Edit and Write at the Same Time
If there's one habit that slows new writers down more than anything else, it's editing while they write.
You finish a paragraph, read it back, change a few sentences, rewrite the opening, decide it still isn't good enough, and start over. An hour later, you've written a few hundred words and somehow feel exhausted.
Sound familiar?
The problem is that writing and editing require different mindsets. One is creative. The other is critical. Trying to switch back and forth every few minutes is like driving with one foot on the gas and one on the brake.
Instead, give yourself permission to write an imperfect first draft. (When I write, I tell myself that my job is to write a bad draft. If it’s too good, I’ve failed!)
Your only job is to get the words onto the page. You'll have plenty of time to improve them later.
Spend More Time Planning
If you're an author that is used to "pantsing" rather than planning, consider this:
Without a plan, every writing session begins with the same question: What should I write next?
Those small moments of uncertainty add up to hours of wasted time. You can spend half your writing session figuring out where the story or chapter should go instead of actually writing it.
A simple outline eliminates that problem. For nonfiction, list your chapters and the key points you want to cover. For fiction, sketch the major plot points and character arcs.
You don't need a 50-page outline, but give yourself enough direction that when you sit down to write, you can get started immediately.
Are you struggling to write your backlist? Let us do it for you – we'll have it ready in six months!
Make It Easier to Start
Starting is the hardest part.
And successfully getting started on writing every day isn't just about discipline. It's also about reducing friction.
If every writing session begins with deciding where to work, making coffee, checking email, organizing your desk, and finding the right playlist, you've already spent half your mental energy before typing a single sentence.
Try creating a routine instead. Here are some of the things you can try:
Write in the same place every day
Write at the same time every day
Disconnect from the internet
Only have your writing software open and no other windows
Put your phone in another room
The fewer decisions you have to make, the easier it becomes to slip into writing mode.
Protect Your Writing Time
Distractions are productivity killers.
A quick glance at your phone becomes twenty minutes on social media. One email turns into replying to five more. Suddenly, the writing session you planned all day never really happens.
When it's time to write, make writing your only job.
Turn off notifications. Close unnecessary tabs. Put your phone in another room if you have to.
Even thirty minutes of focused writing is often more productive than two hours of constantly switching between writing and everything else.
Remember Why Writing Fast Matters
Repeat after me: It is not a race to finish a book faster than another author you follow online.
It is not a competition to see who can publish the most books in one year.
That’s not the point of learning to write books more quickly.
Writing faster is a way to help you reach your author dreams sooner. It’s a way to create more opportunities.
Every finished book gives readers another way to discover you. Every new release expands your backlist. Every completed manuscript teaches you something that makes the next one easier to write.
The authors who build long-term careers don't succeed because every book is a masterpiece.
They succeed because they keep finishing books.
Over time, those books become a library of assets that continue attracting readers and generating income long after they’re published.
Want to work with Backlist Builders to turn your ideas into 3 completely ready-to-publish books – in only six months?
Ready to Turn Your Ideas Into Books, Faster?
If you feel like a slow writer, don't assume that's just the way you are and it can’t be changed.
Writing quickly is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice.
Remember:
Stop editing every paragraph before moving on. Outline before you start. Set realistic writing goals, protect your writing time, and focus on building consistent habits instead of chasing perfect writing days.
Most importantly, remember that finished books change careers.
The faster you can move from idea to completed book, the sooner you'll build the backlist that so many successful authors talk about.
Don't Let Research Become Procrastination
Research is important for any writer.
It's also one of the easiest ways to avoid writing without realizing you're avoiding writing.
You start looking up one fact, which leads to another article, then a YouTube video, then a Reddit thread. Before you know it, your "writing session" has turned into two hours of internet browsing.
Instead, keep your momentum going. If you need to verify something, leave yourself a note in brackets—something like [Insert statistic here] or [Research courtroom procedure]—and keep writing.
Your future editing self will thank you.
Set A Daily Word Count Goal You Can Actually Hit
It's tempting to set ambitious goals, like writing 3,000 words every day.
The problem is that life has a habit of getting in the way, and 3,000 words a day is just not realistic for everyone.
A realistic goal (whatever that looks like for you) is far more powerful, because you'll actually stick with it. Even writing 500 words a day adds up to roughly 180,000 words in a year—that's enough for multiple books!
Stop Waiting Until You Feel Inspired
Unfortunately, you can’t just rely on occasional bursts of inspiration. Success as an author is built on showing up consistently, even on the days when writing feels like work.
Some days the words will flow effortlessly. Other days, you'll have to drag every sentence onto the page. But both days get you closer to the finish line.
Here’s a tip for when the idea of writing feels like torture (we’ve all been there): set a timer for 10 minutes and say to yourself, “I’ll get started, and I’ll see how I feel after 10 minutes.”
After the timer goes off, evaluate how you feel. If you need to give yourself a break, go ahead. But most of the time, you’ll find that after writing for ten minutes or so, it’s really not so bad to keep going. In fact, you’ll probably feel that your motivation to keep writing has shown up!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I write a book faster?
Focus on consistent progress rather than perfection. Outline your book, separate writing from editing, set a realistic word goal, and protect your writing time from distractions.
How long does it take to write a book?
There’s no universal timeline. It depends on the book's length, your writing speed, how much time you can dedicate to writing, and how prepared you are before you start. Consistent daily progress can significantly shorten the process.
Should I edit while I write?
Generally, no. Editing as you write can slow your progress and make it harder to stay in a creative mindset. Focus on getting the first draft finished, then come back to revise and polish it.
Does outlining really help you write faster?
Yes. A simple outline gives you a clear direction and eliminates the time you might otherwise spend wondering what to write next. It can also help prevent you from getting stuck halfway through the book.
How many words should I write each day?
Choose a goal you can realistically maintain. Even 500 words a day can add up to a substantial manuscript over time, so consistency is more important than setting an ambitious goal you can't sustain.
What if I don't feel inspired to write?
Don't wait for inspiration to show up before you start. Try writing for just 10 minutes, and you may find that motivation follows once you've gotten started.
How can I avoid distractions while writing?
Make your writing environment as distraction-free as possible. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, disconnect from the internet if you can, and consider putting your phone in another room.
What if I need to research something while writing?
Don't let research derail your writing session. Leave yourself a quick note such as “[Research this statistic]” and keep writing. You can verify the information during the editing stage.
Does writing quickly mean the quality is bad?
No. Writing quickly is about creating an efficient process and maintaining momentum, not skipping important steps or sacrificing quality. Editing and revision still have an important place after the first draft.
Can I get better at writing faster?
Yes. Writing efficiently is a skill that improves with practice. The more consistently you write and finish projects, the easier it becomes to move from an idea to a completed manuscript.
Why does writing faster matter for authors?
Finishing books sooner gives you more opportunities to publish, reach readers, and build your backlist. Each completed book also makes the next one easier because you gain experience with the writing and publishing process.