The part I like about today's poster is the ...do--do again--and again--keep doing--success. There is a message for all who write in those few words.
Success in wriitng does not come easily. It's hard work that has to be repeated multiple times until we reach a place where we feel satisfied and and are ready to submit with the hope of success.
We can all write a first draft and think it's alright. But is it? Beginning writers often feel like their first draft is the finished piece. It takes some time and learning to realize that there is a reason we call it 'first' draft. It could be the first of several. And probably should be.
That first draft is merely a way of getting your story idea into words. It's mostly likely full of passive verbs and not completely clear in places, lengthy sentences that need cutting, and more. It's a necessity but not a done deal.
The poster says 'do' which is your first draft. Then, there are three more 'do' directions. Should you write the first, second, third, and fourth draft all in one day? (I'm talking about a short piece or a chapter of a book, not a full novel.) No, you should not keep working on those drafts all in one day. You will make the same errors again and again. Your mind is set on that original draft you wrote.
Take your time. Let a day or three or four go by before you write the second draft. You're far more likely to 'see' the places that need work than if you attempted the rewrite immediately. Let another day or more slip by before you work on the next draft. Cliche or not, remember that 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'
If you want to be a good writer, a successful writer, you must learn to take your time on each piece you write. If you don't, it will be obvious to whatever editor you submit to. Dash off a story and zip it into cyberspace immediately, and it will come flying back to you in record time. I once had a rejection in twenty minutes! Not the usual amont of time, but telling.
One of my keywords is 'patience.' Writing several drafts does take patience. We're eager to get a story written once we have the idea, but we must sit back and take it a little at a time. Patience usually pays off in the end.
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