What I learned writing a first draft
“Ain’t nothin’ to it, but to do it.”
If you believe the statistics, out of 1,000 people who start writing a book, only 30 will complete it. Sounds extreme, and maybe it’s right, but despite being widely quoted, it isn’t attributed – so your guess is as good as mine if it’s true! But having now finished writing the first draft of a novel on two occasions, I can certainly attest to the fact that the first draft is half the battle.
The great news is it just has to exist. That’s it. The single best piece of writing advice you need when it comes to getting your first draft down. It just needs to be something.
Sand for shaping later, according to Shannon Hale:
“I'm writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shovelling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.”
A scantily-clad story according to Steven King:
“It is completely raw, the sort of thing I feel free to do with the door shut — it's the story undressed, standing up in nothing but its socks and undershorts.”
Or, if tough love is more your scene, as Hemmingway so eloquently put it:
“The first draft of anything is shit.”
All three statements are as true as they are obvious. But I have needed to hear them each multiple times throughout the first draft journey.
The thing is our writer brains are fragile, prone to ego and self-doubt. And yes, sometimes reading back those early words can give you a dose of the old this is the worst thing anyone has even written/I’m a shambles/I’ll never make it feels. Ask any published author and these sort of doubts simply come with the territory. But I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this is possibly where many aspiring authors falter – by believing the worst about themselves and the story they set out to tell.
The truth is, as much as writing is a creative endeavour, it’s also an act of endurance, of applying some bum glue to your behind and sitting the hell down to write. When you want to and when you don’t. When the words are flowing and when you can barely string a sentence together.
Consider elite athletes and the hours they put in to try and reach the pinnacle of their sport. You don’t do two laps of your local oval and expect to front up to the starting line at the Olympics. Why think that throwing a few words down on a page or simply wanting to be an author is enough to get you there. It’s bloody hard work. You have to want it enough make the time and show up.
Beyond this, there were a number of things I learned while writing the first draft of a novel.
Embrace the mess: Reiterating the above – the first draft needs to be approach in the spirit of discovery, so try to give yourself the freedom to write without the burden of perfection. Explore characters, experiment with plot points and blow where the creative wind takes you.
You don’t need a consistent writing routine: This is probably controversial, as it goes against the advice most writing mentors preach, but, for many of us, a regular writing routine is tough to crack. Because: Life. Work. Kids. Exercise. Sleep. All the things. Write when you can, and if that means a regular schedule then more power to you. But don’t beat yourself up if it’s five hours one week, five minutes the next. That’s not a sign of failure – failing to finish your first draft is.
Prioritise character development: I didn’t do many pre-writing exercises other than character templates and would recommend them, as I often found myself referring back to them during the writing process. Spend time delving into their backstories, motivations and quirks, and exploring their relationships (especially points of tension) with both each other and any secondary/tertiary characters in your story.
Embrace the unexpected: While I had a general outline in mind, I quickly learned that the writing process is full of surprises. Allowing myself to deviate from the plan and follow the natural progression of the story often led to more compelling plot developments. At the same time, instinct usually told me if I was going off on a tangent! (Though if you write something that ends up getting cut – don’t throw it out. You never know when it might come in handy).
Seek feedback at the right time: … but don’t pin everything on it. I definitely believe that sharing my work with beta readers and writing friends partners has been useful, but not as much as any paid mentoring or edits I have sought. Take each point of feedback at face value, think about it critically, and, if it’s genuinely in the best interest of the story, go ahead and make the change. But you’ll want to check any people pleaser tendencies at the door, as this is your story, your vision, so you need to stay true to that.
Accept that it will take time: Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. While things like word counts and milestones can be useful, try not to get too hung up on them. Just keep moving forward, and that means accepting that your enthusiasm will ebb and flow too. I had weeks where I didn’t write a word because I was sick of it, and didn’t want writing to feel like a chore.
Celebrate the little wins: Completing a first draft is a significant accomplishment, and it's important to acknowledge and celebrate the small victories along the way. Whether it's finishing a chapter, overcoming a difficult scene, or reaching a personal writing goal, taking the time to celebrate these milestones helped me stay motivated and energised.
For what it’s worth
Writing the first draft of a novel is a journey of ups and downs and roundabouts. But if you let it be what it is – a discovery process – it can be immensely enjoyable.
Get out of your own way and get it done, yeah?
