Worried about your first draft being bad? Don't!
Updated: Apr 17, 2024
By J.E.C
A common thing I've found when talking to first-time writers is that they seem to think their masterpiece will just . . . happen. Straight away. On the first go. Then they get really discouraged when this doesn't happen. Well, I'm here to tell you that one cannot write a masterpiece on their first go. That's just not how it works.
YOU NEED AN IDEA
The first thing one needs before they can even begin to start writing is an idea. If you don't have an idea, you have nothing to work with. Whether it be a random bit of inspiration, an idea you had while reading, watching TV or listening to music, or from the many thousands of writing prompts out there, there are many ways to get an idea.
RESEARCH IS IMPORTANT
Once you have your idea, you may find you need to research. Research varies between plot, length, world building, genre and characters. Some people find they have to do a lot of research while others find they only have to do a little. This also comes down to the type of research and how much you believe you need. In short, there are many factors that determine how much and what type you need.
Important Writing Tip: Only research to the point where you feel researching is getting in the way of actually writing.
It's a good idea to store your research and sources somewhere you can easily access them for fact checking and updating. If you find you need to do a quick google while writing, that's also fine, just try not to fall down the hole that is mindless scrolling. We've all been there!
ACTUALLY WRITE
This is probably the most important part of writing - the writing part. The point of a first draft is to put your idea down on paper. At this point, you're writing for yourself and trying to figure stuff out. Sometimes it'll make sense, other times it won't.
Important Writing Tip: You can't edit a blank page.
Don't be discouraged if your first draft is shit. It's supposed to be! At this point, no editing has been done, no proofreading has been done, no plot checks have been done. It's a jumbled mess that may or may not have some coherency.
GOT YOUR WORD VOMIT DOWN? WHAT NOW?
After you've written your very first draft, you start playing with it. Putting stuff in order, sorting out character personalities and world building, and editing as you go or having another editor (such as myself) look over it for you. The overall story may not reach "good" quality until draft six or seven. A lot of famous authors have over ten drafts of their most famous works!
Important Writing Tip: Remember, majority of your readers will only see the final version of your story. The only people who see earlier ones are people you let see it. E.g., I put my earlier drafts on Wattpad, but not the final version which is VERY different.
EXPERIMENT!
Everyone has their own writing style, pace and editing order. Just because it works for one person doesn't mean it will work for another. Don't be afraid to experiment with style, genre, tense, and anything else that doesn't quite feel right to you. If you don't experiment, you'll never discover what works best for you. Experimentation is important!
DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL!
Writing is not easy. You will screw up and fail at times, but don't let that discourage you. All writers get discouraged, frustrated, and cry and scream because of their works, but it's all worth it once you get to the end. To see people enjoying your work is one of the best feelings ever. Sure, there will always be critics, but there will also always be people who are more than happy to read your work. You never know who it will impact.
Important Writing Tip: No one else can write your story. You are the artist. Create!
IT MAY NEVER BE PERFECT TO YOU
The biggest thing that prevents writers from getting their work out to the world is the belief it isn't ready or isn't perfect. Here's the thing: you will never think your writing is perfect. Put it out there. Don't be afraid to enter competitions or take a chance with magazines. If you never put your work out there, the world will never see it.
It may take days. It may take weeks. It may take months. It may take years. It will take as long as it takes, but you can do it!
Thanks for this reassuring take on first drafts—so true that perfection isn't the goal at the start! I’ve shared this mindset with fellow writers struggling to get words down, reminding them that even the best authors start messy. On a related note, when I’m deep in editing mode and need a quick reference, I keep this sae to metric conversion chart handy and npt thread dimensions for physical projects—sometimes fixing a desk or shelf gives the mental reset needed to return to writing with clarity.
Thanks for this reassuring take on first drafts—so true that we often expect perfection too soon! I’ve found that keeping reference tools handy, like conversion charts for measurement, helps streamline the writing process when accuracy matters, especially in practical or technical scenes. It’s a small thing, but having reliable resources frees up mental space to focus on creativity. Appreciate your honest, down-to-earth advice!
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