How much time does it take to write a book?

Quote of the day: A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one. -Baltasar Gracian

Many authors have a strict writing schedule. I think this is a good way to channel the left brain and combined it with the workings of the right brain. The muse won't always grace your shoulder whispering sweet nothings in your ear but that doesn't give you an excuse to not write. I, myself, am finding that I am a little different even from other writers. Maybe it's because this is only the beginning of my third year writing but I still have trouble pulling myself away from the computer and doing anything else. And even as I am washing dishes and scrubbing bathrooms I am still revising my plot and better defining my characters in my head. I used to average about 5,000 words a day. Then I read Stephen King's book on writing and he mentioned that his goal is 3,000 words a day. Which I think is very impressive. He gets up in the morning and forces himself to sit at that desk. Whether it takes two hours or seven hours he squeezes out 3,000 words. After hearing that I decided that I needed more moderation. So now I try to write between 2,000 and 3,000 words a day. I'm not very strict with myself because most days I write more than that and like I said, my children, husband and house become very neglected. I then read a book (one that I shall not name for now) and the author said that he made sure that he sat down and pounded out 300 words a day. Rain or shine. I sat back. 300 words? That's it? If a person were writing an average sized book say 80,000 words and only wrote 300 words a day it would take 266 days just to get a rough draft. Then the real work begins. I average a book about every three months and can't imagine staying on a single project for an entire year. Yes, I think having a writing goal is important and yes, I think it should be tailored to you and your schedule but I also think that you should push yourself and, to me, 300 words a day...is weak.

XOXO

T
This is a video that I use to inspire myself when I need to write a romantic, heartfelt scene. And no it is not porn although I am from Vegas!
Allison and Ivan SYTYCD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4equUWc_K1k

P.S this picture of me and my husband has nothing to do with this post....I just like it.