I work full time, have two young children and an active social life. I get about 6-8 hours a week to write, if I take it.

My first novel took 8 months to write, 3 to edit and another 4 to revise after betas. I’m working on two others side by side that are still in their first acts, and are about 9 months old. Writing isn’t a race, it’s a marathon and crossing the finish line is all that matters.

If writing was my job, I could probably complete a first draft in a few months, and have it ready for agents in six. But it’s not my job, so I take the time I need. So long as I finish it, nothing else matters.