Some writers struggle with their first draft because they want it to be perfect. That is not the job of the first draft! The job of the first draft is to exist. It can be messy, ugly, or even hard to read. Once it’s on the page, the magic can begin in revision and rewriting. Nothing can happen if there’s nothing on the page!

The guidance I most often give to the authors that I work with is to JUST WRITE. I can’t work with words that don’t exist. Overthinking and perfectionism are two of the biggest book killers, because wanting to get it right often leads to not doing it at all.

If you get stuck, just keep writing! Every word that you add is progress and takes you closer to a completed first draft. If you have a goal date for completion of your first draft, break it down into achievable daily milestones. If you want to write a 50,000 word draft in two months, that’s 820 words per day. Don’t rely on finding the time to write, make the time to write. Create a habit that ensures you are writing daily and getting forward momentum each time you sit down at your computer.

Just remember, sometimes the best permission to give yourself is to allow your first draft to suck. A sucky first draft is still a completed one! Celebrate each and every milestone on your writing path, and if you need someone else in your corner, reach out to me. I’d love to support you along the way.

Until next time!

XOXO,

Sam Speed Edits