How long does it take to write a book?

As someone who is currently attempting to write their first novel, I can't stop thinking about how long this process might take.  The blank page is scary!  I asked some inspirational authors how long it took them to write their first book.  The variations between answers may surprise you...

Cally Taylor- It took me just under 4 months to write the first draft then another 6 months or so to edit it.

Lorraine Wilson- about 3 months for the first chalet girl novella, a lot longer for a full length because I had a brain injury mid book!

Lucy Dillon- Er, about five months? It is the re-writing, re-writing and editing that take the extra time!

Rowan Coleman- About nine months, delivered just before my first child!

Sara Sheridan- 14 weeks.

Kat French- Undertaking Love took about eight months I think.

Miranda Dickinson- I was writing it for fun over seven years and then when it was signed by Avon I spent another eight months editing it.

Rebecca Raisin- 2 months to write and about six months to rewrite!

Louise Douglas- The first took about six months working in the evenings.  It was the quickest!

Mandy Baggot- About a year.

Let's just say that these responses have really encouraged me and I am realising that it really is a 'how long is a piece of string?' type question!

In Her Shadow-Louise Douglas

Louise Douglas is an author I have been meaning to try for a few years now, and when the opportunity to review In Her Shadow came along I jumped at the chance.  It sounded like a gripping story quite different to my usual reads and I had heard positive reviews of the authors previous books.

In Her Shadow is a story of loyalty and tragedy.  The two main characters, Hannah and Ellen, are best friends, but very different.  Ellen is glamorous, daring and fierce, whilst Hannah is anything but.  As the girls grow older they begin to dip their toes into the world of love, lust and desire.  Things soon spiral out of control and their lives are irrevocably changed ... Twenty years later, Hannah is convinced that she has seen Ellen.  Is it her memory playing cruel tricks?  Or is it really Ellen, and if so, what does she want?

It took me a while to develop a feel for the characters, especially as both Hannah and Ellen are portrayed as having personality traits that make it hard to warm to them.  However, once the story really started I loved the relationships and interactions between the girls' and their families, and wanted to know the deep, dark secret that was referred to throughout.  Without spoiling it for anyone yet to read, I was satisfied with the story itself, although found the ending slightly abrupt-I would have liked a bit more detail about what happened next as I feel it would have rounded it off more neatly and completely.

My first foray into Louise Douglas's work has certainly made me keen to read more of her books.  In Her Shadow is an interesting idea, executed well, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had felt a stronger bond to the main characters, particularly Hannah.

In Her Shadow is out now, published by Transworld.

7/10

With thanks to Transworld for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.