How to Write a 

Great First Draft

Many authors say that the hardest part of writing their novel was getting started. The first draft
can be the most difficult, but you must get over that hump before you can see your voice in
print. Read on to find out how to crank out the best first draft possible and start down the path
to becoming a published author.

Avoid Distractions
Before you sit down to write your first draft, make sure your workspace is ready to go--you
want to avoid interruptions once you start writing. Have all of your research organized and
close by, along with anything else you may need.

Try to find a space with as few distractions as possible. Avoid anything that my stifle or disrupt
your creative mind. If necessary, let your family and friends know what times you will be
writing, so they know you’ll need your space. Do your best to keep stressful thoughts of (from
work or home) out of your mind. Nothing slows creativity more than a worried psyche! Let your
story take over for the period of time that you’re writing each day.
Keep the Story Alive
A would-be author often gets really excited about his or her book and writes a lot for a few
days. When life becomes busy, however, the author puts the story aside and eventually loses
interest. Stopping and starting wastes a lot of time, and makes the process more frustrating. To
avoid letting this happen to you, commit yourself to writing 1,000 words a day. It seems like a
lot, but it should only take from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on how many distractions
you encounter.
Remember, you don’t have to write all of your 1,000 words in one sitting. Writing a paragraph
here and there throughout the day will make the process seem easier than doing it all at one
time. On the other hand, if you get into a good writing flow, try to avoid any interruptions and
keep your creativity running!
Simply Write
Don’t worry about your grammar and spelling. Just spill your ideas onto paper and worry about
editing in the second phase. Don’t stop after each sentence to revise. If you do that with each
section, you will spend too much time on the first draft. Just write one sentence after the other!
When you have finished the first draft, then go back and edit.
While you are writing, don’t worry about misspelled words or poor sentence construction. Keep
your attention focused on getting your ideas down so that you have a rough piece to mold into
a polished product.
Try not to think about how your writing fits into your storyline. You never know where a
paragraph may work when the book starts to become organized, so don’t limit yourself with
logistics. All issues can be resolved in the editing process. Think of your first draft as a sort of
brainstorm. Everything you write doesn’t have to be in final draft, but the process of writing will
make those parts that are included the best they can be, while keeping your creativity sharp
and your passion burning. Remember, no one will see your first draft--let the process be fun
and keep your sense of freedom!