Andrea Butini
asked
Nicholas Eames:
Dear Nick, I would like to know how long did it take you to write KotW? I mean from the very first page when you had the idea, to the last word of the revision. I'm really curious because i'm trying to write (and finish) my first novel, pretty encouraged by the work of new authors like you, and sometimes i feel myself slow and tired of my regular job. Thank you for inspiring me!
Nicholas Eames
Hi Andrea!
Well, the short answer is: almost 2 years
The actual answer is: more than 10.
My 'first' novel wasn't actually Kings of the Wyld. I wrote a great big epic called The Fireborn that took me about seven year (writing whenever I felt like it) to finish. After that I realized I'd grown as a writer and needed to rewrite the first half of the book, which took another few years. Then I sent it out and it was rejected for being too big (it was about 250k, and most publishers want 100-150k, although there are plenty of exceptions).
Eventually I came up with the concept of Kings of the Wyld. I wrote the first three chapters and then put it aside for a year to split the old book in half and make the first part into a complete novel.
Finally, while sending THAT Fireborn out to agents, I wrote Kings of the Wyld. The first draft took me about 14 months. It was about 120k. When I snagged an agent she asked me to cut it to 100k. Then, when we found a publisher, they asked me to make it 150k! That process took another six months or so.
Something to consider, though, since you say you're 'tired' of your regular job, is dealing with that without regard for your writing, because unless you strike it HUGE, you'll still need another job to support your writing career, even after you've been published. I sold KotW two years ago, it's done pretty darn well by debut standards, and I still rely on my restaurant job to pay the rent. It's been eye-opening to me (and a few of my aspiring writer friends) that getting published isn't the get-rich-switch we'd once imagined it to be. So in case you're open to advice, make sure you're life/job outside of writing is as awesome as it can be, because believe me: if the best comes to pass and writing becomes an ACTUAL job, you'll need the rest of life to be as awesome as possible, since writing under deadlines can be wildly stressful!
I hope this helped a little bit! It was long-winded, I know. Feel free to ask if you've got any other questions, and thank you again for the kind words about my book! I really do appreciate them!
Well, the short answer is: almost 2 years
The actual answer is: more than 10.
My 'first' novel wasn't actually Kings of the Wyld. I wrote a great big epic called The Fireborn that took me about seven year (writing whenever I felt like it) to finish. After that I realized I'd grown as a writer and needed to rewrite the first half of the book, which took another few years. Then I sent it out and it was rejected for being too big (it was about 250k, and most publishers want 100-150k, although there are plenty of exceptions).
Eventually I came up with the concept of Kings of the Wyld. I wrote the first three chapters and then put it aside for a year to split the old book in half and make the first part into a complete novel.
Finally, while sending THAT Fireborn out to agents, I wrote Kings of the Wyld. The first draft took me about 14 months. It was about 120k. When I snagged an agent she asked me to cut it to 100k. Then, when we found a publisher, they asked me to make it 150k! That process took another six months or so.
Something to consider, though, since you say you're 'tired' of your regular job, is dealing with that without regard for your writing, because unless you strike it HUGE, you'll still need another job to support your writing career, even after you've been published. I sold KotW two years ago, it's done pretty darn well by debut standards, and I still rely on my restaurant job to pay the rent. It's been eye-opening to me (and a few of my aspiring writer friends) that getting published isn't the get-rich-switch we'd once imagined it to be. So in case you're open to advice, make sure you're life/job outside of writing is as awesome as it can be, because believe me: if the best comes to pass and writing becomes an ACTUAL job, you'll need the rest of life to be as awesome as possible, since writing under deadlines can be wildly stressful!
I hope this helped a little bit! It was long-winded, I know. Feel free to ask if you've got any other questions, and thank you again for the kind words about my book! I really do appreciate them!
More Answered Questions
Brayden
asked
Nicholas Eames:
Hello again Mr. Eames! I have two questions for you: 1. What can we expect in the third book(characters, bad guys, you name it.) 2. who was the easiest and the most fun character to write in Kings of the Wild and Bloody Rose? (I actually just got Bloody Rose and I am currently reading it)
Chelsea Moreen
asked
Nicholas Eames:
Heya! Any updates on the third book? We've all been eagerly awaiting it :)
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