Six Months, One Book: What That Journey Looks Like

People often ask us how long it takes to write one of our books. The answer? About six months, give or take. But it’s not six months of non-stop typing. It’s a journey — one that includes planning, building, testing, and reworking until it all comes together.

Here’s what that timeline really looks like for us:

Month 1: Brainstorming & Idea BuildingWe start with loose ideas. Sometimes it’s a character. Sometimes it’s a message we want to share. We talk it out, sketch ideas, build loose plots, and start thinking about how the story might begin.

Month 2–3: Outlining & Rough DraftsOnce we settle on the idea, we outline the main events and start writing rough drafts. This is the messiest phase — lots of rewrites, changes, and back-and-forth discussions. The kids chime in with twists and funny moments.

Month 4: Rewriting & EditingThis is where the magic happens. We reread the entire story and fix what doesn’t flow. We check for emotional impact, pacing, and character development. If something feels off, we go back and redo it.

Month 5: Final PolishWe do a clean-up pass for grammar, spelling, and structure. We read it aloud together to hear how it sounds. We share it with a few trusted readers to get early feedback.

Month 6: Illustrations & ProductionOnce the story is locked in, we start on illustrations or hand things off to an artist. Then we format the book for printing, test print copies, and prepare for the official launch.

It’s a process that takes patience and teamwork. But every step is part of the magic. And when we hold that final book in our hands — with our names on the cover — it’s a feeling like no other.

If you’re working on your own book, don’t be discouraged by the timeline. Take it one month at a time. You’ll be surprised what six months of dedication can produce.