Writing the First Draft

You've come up with an idea for a story, a book, an essay, or article. Perhaps a poem. You feel those writing juices simmering, but you're not quite ready to begin writing. You want to ponder on the idea, let it twirl and swirl in your mind for a bit. Perhaps you want to do a bit of research.

Then, the day comes that you're ready to write. Write it and send it to a publication with the great hope that, one day, you'll see your piece in print. 

But wait! It's not simple. The first writing of your story is only the first draft. It might be compared to a ballet dancer working out on stage all alone on a new routine.  It's merely the beginning of what one hopes will be outstanding later. 

This first writing is only the beginning. It's you transferring the ideas from your head onto paper or a screen. As Terry Patchett said, "The first draft is you telling yourself the story." A very apt description. 

Another quote for today from Shannon Hale, YA author is "I'm writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles." You have the ingredients in the first draft that lead you to a finished product.

The third quote, which is anonymous, says "First drafts don't have to be perfect. They just have to be written." Keyword here is 'first' which lets you know there is more to come before this project comes to fruition. 

Are there any rules regarding first drafts? Not really. Once again, the choice is yours. Some writers start the first draft, keep writing, and don't look at it until it's completed. Others edit as they go. It's a stop and start situatuon. 

What is universal, however, is that this draft is merely the beginning of the entire project. You'll spend time revising and editing. Some writers do multiple editing processes, while others make it a once or twice habit. Those who do a large number of edits may end up frustrated and doubting themselves. Again, do what works for you, but don't overdo it. If you cease the revisions and editing, you may never feel you finally have a finished product. It could also mean you're a bit fearful of calling it done because then you must be about the business of submitting. A little scary in itself for some writers.

Keep the word 'first' in mind when you begin a new writing project. It's the first time you put your idea into words and sentences and paragraphs. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.