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How to Push Through a First Draft

by Kellyn Roth |
April 4, 2018

How to Push Through a First Draft

I think we’ve already established that writing a first draft can be hard. There is beauty in it … but also great evil.* Okay, “great evil” may be overdoing it, but it’s definitely very difficult.

The first draft is the point at which most authors give up on their story. They just stop writing, and another set of characters, another world, another plot dies.**

So how can you keep your novels breathing in their tender first draft stage?

*This is your cue to leave because I cannot be serious today for some reason.

**I am being so dramatic today, helllllp.

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Learn to Write on Command.

Some people say writing can’t just be shut on and off like a tap.
Or … can it?

To be honest, I believe that you can teach yourself to write on cue. There is some truth to writing being art, but … sometimes you just have to make yourself write.

How?

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Conceal. Don’t Feel.

In most cases, this is terrible advice that no parent should ever give their child, especially if that child is clearly already anxious and probably in need of a good cry. And crumpets.

I’ve never had a crumpet, but it sounds like they help when you’re sad. Even the name is happy. Crumpet, crumpet, crumpet.

But … in this case …

Don’t let your emotions get in the way of writing! You may feel that your book sucks. You may feel that you are a complete failure. But you know what? Giving this novel a voice is more important than your stupid feelings.

So hide those dumb emotions under the rug and WRITE ON.

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Sequester Yourself.

Make a time alone every day when you can just sit down and write like a maniac. If this turns into a hermitage, even better.

Hermits make the best writers.

Also, sequester yourself from plot bunnies! Make sure those little monsters don’t tear yourself away from your work-in-progress. Ignore them for now.

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Remember …

Fear Will Be Your Enemy.

Don’t let yourself be bogged down by fear! YOUR BOOK IS THE BEST. YOUR WRITING IS THE BEST.

You know why? Because every author is different. With the sweat of your brow and a good dash of preparation, you’re going to do splendidly. You’re going to produce something no one else can produce.

Put an End to This Winter Writer’s Block, Muhahaha.

YOU NEED TO JUST WRITE, GIRL/BOY.

This icy cold terrain that is writer’s block/a lack of inspiration/whatever you want to call it … it’s not good!

Just finish it.

You need to commit. You need to decide that you will write … and just do it.

Resources

I hope no one thought there’d be actual tips.

TTFN!

~Kellyn Roth~

Goodreads · Facebook · Twitter

p.s.

How do you push through to complete your first drafts? I hope you have some better tips that I did. *coughs* How do you defeat writer’s block? Was this all just an excuse for share some #Frozenlove?

How to Push Through a First Draft (1)

What do you think of my thoughts?

15 Responses

  1. Oh, I love you! I love these posts. (Crumpet, crumpet, crumpet). I’ll probably chant that to remind myself to write. This is literally EXACTLY what I needed today and lately! <3

  2. I never realised till now, but crumpet really IS a happy word. ? And, okay, maybe I really should pull away from a plot bunny I had recently… I’ve been trying to plot it, and I want it to be perfect, but Camp NaNoWriMo just started and I SHOULD be trying to push through the boring scene I’m writing… but #procrastination. ?

    1. Yes, of course, it’s a very happy word! I didn’t really think of it until I started typing it, haha. 🙂
      Hmmm … perhaps you could try skipping to the next exciting scene and just summarizing the boring scene for now? Or is there a way you could make the boring scene more exciting? Add an extra layer of emotion? Something happening? Practice your description skills? I don’t know.

  3. OMG the Frozen References are making me so happy! XD
    And I am STRUGGLING with Nano so far and we are only 4 days in! I am finishing a first draft and I already outlined it before so I wouldn’t have to do any pre planning this time cuz I’m lazy, but I am still like SO unmotivated and having trouble concentrating. 🙁 But thank you! I needed this. 😛

  4. Great post girl! I so agree! I have trained myself to get in a writing mood evertime I turn on a soundtrack. It’s crazy awesome. I also did have issues with *clears throat* not writers block, cause I’m not going to say it, but I did get fearful and worried about how something was turning out that it kept me from finishing the last chapter of a book. I know, stupid. One chapter away and I can’t even finish it. Fear is a real thing though!

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