Blink and You Missed It: Books Written in Record Time

Evan Swensen
September 4, 2024

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to write a book? Some might imagine the process is long and arduous, with writers laboring for years to craft their stories. However, some surprising tales of famous works are written in astonishingly short periods. Grab a drink and enjoy some fun trivia about books penned in record time.

Voltaire’s Candide—Written in Three Days!

Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire is best known for his wit and criticism of the status quo, particularly evident in his satirical novella, Candide. What might surprise many is the speed at which he wrote this classic. Reportedly, Voltaire managed to produce Candide in just three days. This remarkable feat has left readers and writers marveling at his quick penmanship and sharp intellect. The novella’s rapid creation didn’t come at the expense of quality, as it remains a significant piece of literature that critiques optimism and explores the world’s harsh realities with humor and irony.

A Crime Novel in a Month: Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Moving on to the Queen of Mystery herself, Agatha Christie’s debut novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, introduced the world to the eccentric detective Hercule Poirot. Christie wrote this novel while recovering from an illness, using her time in bed to weave a tale of murder, deception, and deduction. Incredibly, Christie completed the manuscript in just a month. The book was a quick write and became a quick favorite among readers, solidifying Christie’s place in the annals of mystery fiction.

A Swift 10-Day Write: William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying

Next up, William Faulkner, a giant of American literature, wrote his novel As I Lay Dying in a mere ten days. Faulkner claimed to have written it between his midnight-to-4 a.m. shifts at a power plant. This novel is known for its innovative narrative style, with multiple perspectives telling the story of the Bundren family’s journey to bury their matriarch. Faulkner’s ability to produce such a complex and profound novel in such a short span is nothing short of literary magic.

An 8-Hour Wonder: Stephen King’s The Running Man

For those who think writing a novel in a month or even 10 days is fast, consider Stephen King’s The Running Man, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. King wrote this dystopian novel in just 72 hours. Fueled by coffee and cigarettes, King typed non-stop to produce a narrative about a terrifying future where reality TV takes on a deadly twist. The Running Man showcases King’s ability to craft compelling, fast-paced stories under tight constraints, a testament to his prolific career.

An Overnight Success: Jack Kerouac’s On the Road

Jack Kerouac’s On the Road is famously associated with the Beat Generation and the spirit of freedom and rebellion of the 1950s. Kerouac wrote the novel on a continuous scroll of paper in just three weeks, capturing the energy and spontaneity of his cross-country adventures. While the writing process for On the Road was quick, Kerouac’s preparation took years of travel and journaling. The resulting book reads like a fever dream, pulling readers on a wild ride across America.

These stories of quick penning are not just fun trivia; they also demonstrate the power of inspiration, and the incredible feats writers can achieve when lightning strikes. While most of us may not be able to churn out a classic novel in three days or even three weeks, these examples show that the time it takes to write a book does not necessarily dictate its impact or quality.

From Voltaire’s rapid satire to King’s caffeine-fueled dystopia, these fast-written books have stood the test of time and continue to captivate readers. So, the next time you sit down to write, remember these speed-writing legends, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel inspired to set a timer and see what you can create in a day—or three.

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