Can you really write a book in a week?

Since every literate person can write, most people think they can be writers. Interestingly enough, we all can speak quite well, but few of us would deem ourselves “speakers”. A very experienced writer told me that this prevalent belief encourages beginners to say the oddest things that make professional writers want to cringe. Well, we all had to start somewhere – so this week I’m sharing a few “controversial” topics I’ve been asked about lately by students of my writing course.

1. “I can write a book in a week.”

Anyone can mutilate a couple hundred pages with words; however, that doesn’t mean that anyone will want to read them. Yes, I know there are prolific writers who can write a book in two weeks (Voltaire supposedly wrote Candide in three days). Usually they are professionals who have mastered a style and understand the craft of writing. Have you?

Reality however is that getting past that first page, the first chapter, and eventually your first book is just something you have to ge…