First Steps for a First Draft (for emerging writers)

Prologue

Deciding to write a novel, short story, or any work of fiction is an exciting choice. However, when it comes to starting your first draft, it can be more daunting than anything. No matter where you look, there always seems to be a new writing method or another big idea about how to write a bestseller in only three months. Everyone says how you’ll be an automatic success as long as you keep writing, but then you’re sitting in front of a blank page with dozens of ideas in your head with no concept of how to write them down.

Unfortunately, there’s no one right way to start writing the first draft of your novel or story (no matter what anybody tells you). The first draft is the first time your work will be laid out in front of you, with actual words and sentences. It’s not just about ideas anymore; it’s about getting creative and discovering what your story will be like. It’s also the process during which you start to learn more about who you are as a writer. However, as exciting as this all is, starting your first draft can be challenging, so I’m here to offer some tips for writing a first draft, regardless of your writing experience.

**Important Disclaimer: All writers are different, as are each writer’s first draft processes. The following tips are based on my personal writing experiences and various insights which I found beneficial when writing my novel.

Planning Vs. Improvising

When I decided to start writing a novel back in February 2022, I had no idea where to start. It had been a long time since I wrote anything for myself or anything longer than a few pages. All I had was a general story idea and a bunch of scenes written and organized messily on my desktop. I had a vision of what I wanted to write, but when it came to actually writing it, I was completely lost.

         The structure of a first draft varies depending on the type of writer you are. Some writers prefer to plan out every chapter beforehand, briefly describing which characters will be introduced and what action will ground the scene. When you plan out the scenes, the outline can help keep you focused during the writing process, so you stay on track with the storyline and the overarching goal for each chapter. For writers who enjoy planning (like myself), taking time before writing to decide how you want your work to be organized is key. I found that outlining my chapters helped keep me on pace with the story I wanted to tell, while also giving me small milestones to achieve: I’d outline one chapter, then write one chapter.

         Yet, it wasn’t until I started writing my first draft that I realized how important flexibility is when it comes to writing. No matter how much you want to plan out every sentence, the spur-of-the-moment inspirations can change your work, often for the better. Allowing yourself to be open to sudden ideas, where you start spontaneously writing a scene you just imagined, rather than following your plan is just as important as understanding the storyline. This is especially helpful to remember when you’re at a loss for motivation: pick a chapter or scene you’re excited about and start writing. It doesn’t matter if the scene is in the middle of the work, just start writing. Other times, when you’re stuck for motivation or inspiration, it can be helpful to grab your laptop or a pencil and paper and start writing whatever comes to mind. Focus on your characters or the storyline, as far as you know it, trying to flush out ideas based on in-the-moment thoughts and inspirations. This can help to clear your mind and stop any fixations on the little details, so you can focus on putting the big ideas on paper and creating a clear path forward.

         Now, to settle the debate of the section, “Planning Vs. Improvising,” I’m (unfortunately) settling for the easy answer: it’s a tie! Regardless of whether you plan out your entire story beforehand or just go with the flow when writing, your first draft should include a mixture of both styles. One allows for clarity in the big themes, while the other allows for the inclusion of new ideas that can support the overall intention of the work. Remember, most of all, that no matter what side of the debate you choose (or the middle ground), just keep writing!

To Edit or Not to Edit

This is indeed one of the primary questions asked when it comes to writing a first draft. As I’m sure it’s disappointing to hear (once again), the answer varies. Depending on the type of writer you are, you’ll view editing differently. Some writers swear that editing should be an entirely separate process, while others prefer to edit as they go, so they can always return to a polished piece (much like the habits of the brilliant Joan Didion). In my experience, editing while writing only caused me to nitpick at my work, as I tried to fix every little detail I noticed. Although I knew it was only a first draft, which didn’t have to be polished, I tried to edit it into perfection. Once I decided, though, to separate the writing from the editing process, I was able to take a step back from my work and 1.) just write for enjoyment, and 2.) get a new perspective on my story.

         By focusing on writing as an individual process, you allow yourself to focus on creativity and inspiration, rather than instant perfection. Making spelling and grammar mistakes, ignoring plot holes, and skipping sections that you’re still figuring out helps keep your brain in writing mode, so the focus remains on creating tangible work. Remember, the whole point of a first draft is to just make your story exist! It’s okay if you write a chapter and don’t like it immediately, or you realize halfway through writing a scene that it contradicts an earlier one. As long as you keep writing, it’ll be okay. The first draft is made to be the blueprint of the novel, not the final product. While writing my first draft, I left multiple sections blank with only a short description of a scene ideas; other parts were packed with sentence mistakes and names left as “[unnamed character],” because I only understood them in my head. Yet, after I finished the first draft and switched my brain from writing to editing mode, I was able to go back to the rough sections with a new perspective. Even if it seems difficult to do so, it’s better to have written your story, instead of stewing over one part that you don’t understand yet.

         So, to answer the all-important question, “To edit or not to edit,” I will only say this: choose what works best for you and remember that the first draft is not supposed to be perfect.

Consistency is Key

Often, when it comes to famous authors, writing consistency comes from strict schedules and habits that define who they are as a writer. Maybe they wake up at four in the morning for a cigarette and a quick writing session, or they spend all day locked in a room with their current drafts, ignoring all responsibilities for the day. However, these routines and habits are specific to those writers and aren’t universal, no matter what anybody says. At the end of the day, it’s not realistic for a university student to spend upwards of five hours every day writing their novel, especially not with their other responsibilities, interests, and commitments.

         When it comes to writing your first draft, consistency is key, but consistency looks different for everyone. For one writer, it may work with their schedule to spend a whole Saturday at their desk, writing away, while for another writer, setting aside half an hour each week is the only time they can find. Regardless of the situation, the act of writing itself is the most important piece of the puzzle, not how long you write for on any given day.

         As much as I enjoy writing, whether working on fiction pieces or non-fiction articles, I also have other commitments that cannot be overlooked. Many university students face similar dilemmas, where they want to write because they enjoy it, but finding the time is difficult. The best piece of advice I can give for this situation is to plan ahead. I know that I just wrote about how everyone is different and how not everyone is a planner, but in this case, for university students, planning is your best friend. Similar to adding a lecture into your calendar or adding your work schedule for the week, find a time that works for you to write and put it in your calendar. Treat it like any other commitment, which means that you should schedule other activities around it, so you can dedicate your time and energy to writing your first draft. It doesn’t matter if you can only plan one writing block each week, as long as you find some level of consistency that works for you. In my case, I find that Saturday evenings are the prime time for writing; after eight o’clock hits, I stop thinking about course work and go back to my short stories or fiction pieces instead. This gives me an opportunity to get back into my writing mode and ensure that I’m still finding time for my interests.

         Writing a first draft does require effort, consistency, and time management, but when you plan ahead and give yourself dedicated time to the process, you’ll quickly learn that the task, once daunting, will become more manageable.

It’s Finished! What Now?

Picture this: it’s June 2022, and I just spent almost five months tucked away at my desk trying to write my novel, when I finally typed the last words of my first draft. For a moment, I just sat there, staring at my laptop. It wasn’t until I started scrolling back to the top of the document that I realized what I had just accomplished. I just wrote a novel! Well, a rough draft of a soon-to-be entertaining novel, but nevertheless: I just wrote a novel! Although my first thought immediately after this realization was “I need to start editing,” I paused, pushed back my chair, and stepped away from my desk.

         The most important lesson I learned during the process of writing my first draft was that you need to celebrate the wins, no matter how small. It’s a common thing to hear that all first drafts are terrible, and as much as we don’t want to admit that our work is anything less than extraordinary, it’s generally true. But that’s okay! When you’re not editing and structuring a story, it makes sense that your work won’t be fully polished yet. However, rather than jumping right into the editing process or overthinking the mistakes you’re already started to notice, take a moment to celebrate your hard work and accomplishment: You finished your first draft!

         It’s exciting to have reached that place, and celebrating gives you an opportunity to take a step back from your work and get a new perspective. Especially when you’ve been working hard on your story, it’s easy to get so involved in the writing that you don’t see the successes. By pausing to celebrate and stepping away from writing for a short while, you can return to your work with a critical eye that likely needed some time to recover. After finishing my first draft, I shared the exciting news with my friends and family and looked back at all the small goals I accomplished along the way. Not only did I finish my first draft, but I also wrote 10,000 words, then 100,000 words; I reached 50 pages, then 100 pages and over. Acknowledging the milestones not only helps to track your progress, but also helps you celebrate the successes, which are often obscured by our writing brains which are constantly thinking up new ideas. When you find yourself at this exciting point in the first draft process, remember to pause, rather than immediately starting to edit your work. I know it’s tempting, but finding a new perspective on your story will only help to improve your creative and critical eye when you return for the next phase of the writing process.

Epilogue

As much as we want to think that there’s one, universal method to writing a first draft, we must accept that everyone is a different writer and there’s a multitude of different ways to start writing. Whether you prefer a strict planning structure or spur-of-the-moment inspirations or enjoy editing as you go versus accepting your plot mistakes, your first draft will accomplish something incredible. Not only is your first draft proof of the idea that you created in your head, but it becomes a tangible piece of your imagination which serves as the foundation for an astonishing work of fiction. Writing your first draft is frightening and overwhelming (there’s no two ways around it), but when you focus on what works best for you, what inspires you, and what keeps you motivated, you’ll find that writing becomes easier with each sentence crafted. As the author E.B. White wisely once said, “a writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” To sound like a broken record once more, it’s okay if your first draft isn’t perfect – just start writing!

Postscript: A Quick Guide to Your First Draft

If you take anything away from this post, please let it be this short guide outlining some of the key tips for writing your first draft:

-    There’s no one right way to write a first draft.

-    Planning helps you to stay focused on the story.

-    Spontaneous writing helps with motivation and solving writer’s block.

-    Writing and editing are separate processes; just make your idea exist first!

-    Plan ahead to schedule writing sessions that work with your other commitments.

-    Consistency in writing is key, but it can look different for everyone.

-    Celebrate your accomplishment and wins, even the small ones.

-    Pause and take a step back from your writing before jumping into the editing process.

Written by: Miriam Bitango, VP Communications