Writing Your First Draft: Just Get It Out
Starting your first draft is one of the most exciting, yet intimidating, parts of the writing process. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the thought of getting everything perfect from the beginning. But here’s the truth: your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, it shouldn’t be. The key to writing your first draft is simple—just write.
Let Go of Perfection
Your goal with the first draft is to get all your ideas out on the page. Don’t worry about sentence structure, grammar, or even plot consistency just yet. The most important thing is to allow your creativity to flow without restraint. Trying to edit as you write slows you down, disrupts your thoughts, and limits the natural process of storytelling. Instead, let the words flow freely. You’ll have plenty of time to fix everything later during revisions.
Avoid the Temptation to Edit
It’s natural to want to tweak and perfect your writing as you go. You might spot a clumsy sentence or think of a better way to phrase something. Resist that urge. Editing while you’re drafting shifts your focus from generating ideas to critiquing them, and this can hinder your progress. Editing is a separate process—one that requires a different mindset than drafting. Stay focused on creating, and leave the fine-tuning for later.
Tips for Getting Started
- Set a Timer: Use a timer to give yourself permission to write without stopping. Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour, commit to writing continuously until the timer goes off.
- Write in Sprints: Break your writing sessions into smaller, manageable chunks. This helps you stay focused and reduces the feeling of overwhelm.
- Embrace Imperfection: Remind yourself that the first draft is just a starting point. It doesn’t need to be polished, and no one else needs to see it yet.
- Focus on Progress: Your goal with the first draft is to move forward. Celebrate each chapter or section you complete, no matter how rough it feels.
- Set Word Count Goals: A daily or weekly word count goal can keep you accountable. Even a small word count adds up over time.
What Comes Next?
Once you have your first draft written, the real work begins—revision and editing. But for now, focus on getting the story out. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back. After all, you can’t edit a blank page.
