A common bit of advice I’ve been given as a writer is simply to write. We’re told not to spend time making every word perfect in the beginning, because the purpose of writing a first draft is simply to get it done. But that is often easier said than done for many of us.
First Draft Defined
The process of writing a novel can be daunting, and it’s easy to get caught up in the desire for perfection from the very beginning. However, it’s essential to remember that the first draft is just that – a first draft. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to exist.
My first drafts are usually very rough approximations of the work I’ll have in the end. For a few of my novels, I’ve winced while writing the first draft. This is because while the words were flowing, the work didn’t strike me as very good. Guess what? It isn’t much good at that point, because the first draft is only the beginning.
Making it Happen
There are several reasons creating a first draft can be tough. Some authors have difficulty finding the time to write, while others are so focused on the end result, they can’t get started. Writing is placing one foot in front of the other, not a series of huge leaps. But those who are most successful in creating their first drafts often do the following:
Set clear goals: Before writing, writers should have a clear understanding of their work’s genre, main plot, and key characters. Knowing where their story is headed makes the writing process easier.
Successful writers also establish a writing routine, by setting dedicated time aside each for writing each day or week. The more consistent the writing routine, the better. In addition, writers should also set realistic writing targets. By breaking down a writing project into manageable daily or weekly word counts, writers have something concrete to shoot for. For example, some writers aim to write 500-1,000 words per day, and make it a habit. National Novel Writing Month—NaNoWriMo—provides a similar structure. This makes the task of writing a novel more achievable.
This next suggestion is controversial, but I prefer to outline my novels before I start them. Outlining gives me a solid structure so I can pick up the outline, review the previous day’s writing, then dive right in. Other people prefer to write with far less structure or planning, allowing themselves to be more spontaneous. To each his own, but I believe it’s easier to complete a first draft with some starting structure.
Resist, Resist, Resist
Many authors have told me that they get slowed down by constantly editing to make their first drafts perfect. I’d say there ain’t no such thing, so don’t even try. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it’s almost guaranteed to be messy and filled with errors. Writers, therefore, need to silence their inner editor. There is a time to focus on grammar, punctuation and POV (point of view), but it isn’t while writing the first draft.
I find that minimizing distractions while writing helps as well. I don’t write on my laptop because of the many internet-related distractions on it. Instead, I use an old school device known as an Alphasmart Neo2. Buying one of these “ancient” devices has helped me become more productive. Plus, it’s much less expensive that newer distraction-free devices on the market. You can find them used through Amazon or eBay. You can also turn off your phone or use writing apps that block distracting websites to help you stay focused.
What To Do With a Completed First Draft
The first thing I do with a first draft is . . . nothing. I put it aside for at least six weeks to rest and gain a new perspective. Sometimes, I do this by writing something else; other times I read someone else’s work. I’ve found that returning to the first draft after a month or two improves and streamlines my editing process. As I said, the rough nature of a first draft is entirely normal. So don’t fret if what you read needs more work. As Jeffery Deaver—a fellow crime writer—told me once: “all writing is rewriting.”
Editing and revision are where a novel truly takes shape and becomes a polished work of art. It’s a process that can take many rounds of revision, feedback from others, and hard work, but it’s how a rough draft evolves into a finished, publishable manuscript.
Don’t be afraid of your first draft, or the fact that it’s rough. You can’t edit a blank page, and with your first draft in hand, you won’t have one!
