For many writers, writing a first draft comes easily. They've already spent weeks or even months turning their idea over in their head and when it's time to write, the words flow relatively easily. For other writers, however, writing a first draft can be a frightening and dreaded experience. They reality of seeing their poem, story, or novel idea come to life can even stop them in their writing tracks. There are a few things a writer can do to take the pressure off and make writing the first draft a less stressful process.
Relax
Before sitting down to write, it's best to take a deep breath and remind oneself that a first draft is just that--a first draft. First drafts are meant to be raw and unpolished and will most likely look nothing like the final finished product. A first draft is neither good or bad; it's simply the writer's first attempt at making sense of their ideas. Having a clear head and a calm attitude will make writing the first draft a smoother process.
Don't Worry About the Rules
Too many writers let themselves get bogged down in worrying about punctuation, grammar, or spelling. They worry about sentence structure or using the correct point of view or how a particular phrase sounds. They focus on everything except the story, which is why they're writing in the first place. A rough draft is the one time a writer shouldn't feel the need to be perfect. By focusing on how to write rather than the writing itself, the piece will only suffer.
Let the Ideas Flow
When writing a first draft, every idea counts. Even if something doesn't make sense at first, it may click later on. If it doesn't, it can always be removed when it's time to revise the piece. The way to approach a first draft is to simply turn the internal editor off and let the writing flow. With a first draft, the writing should lead the writer, rather than the other way around.
Give It Some Time
When the first draft is finished, a good writer should resist the urge to try to revise it right away. The story is still too fresh in their minds to view it objectively. After writing the first draft, the best thing to do is put it away for a little while and forget about it. After some time has passed, then it's time to put on the editor's hat and reread it. Taking a breather from a piece often makes it easier to see what works and what doesn't when it's time to revise.
Don't Dwell on Mistakes
Writing, and writing a first draft in particular, is a process of trial-and-error. Attempting to produce perfection the first time out will only set a writer up for disappointment later on. By keeping in mind that mistakes should and will be made, it relieves some of the pressure most writers feel when tackling a new project. Writing a first draft should be a freeing experience that allows a writer to simply write, without worrying about the details.
Rebecca Lake - R.L. Lake is a freelance writer and virtual assistant living in the southeast. In addition to writing for Suite101, she writes content for ...
