3 Things I Always Do Before Starting a First Draft

These three things get me started on my WIPs, no outlining necessary

The first draft. Some love it, some hate it, some fear it.

Today I’m going to help you love it.

Now, since I’m a strict outliner, I will do a lot more than these three things, but I want to make sure I’m including the pantsers in the room.

Don’t worry, you can still be considered a pantser and do these things.

However, if you’re an outliner but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.

Are You an Editor or a Drafter?

First, though, I want you to decide whether you identify as an editor or a drafter.

An editor:

• Tends to be a pantser (one who flies by the seat of their pants, following no strict outline but what is usually just in their head)

• Fast-drafts easier

• Doesn’t care about mistakes

• Is okay with failure the first time around

• Just wants to get the words down— they can polish them later

A drafter:

• Tends to be a plotter (one who outlines almost to a fault, not letting themselves start until they know exactly what is going to happen)

• Slow-drafts, often procrastinating because they don’t feel like they can do it perfectly

• Is a perfectionist

• Wants everything to be in line from the get-go

• Writes as if it is the last time they will ever get to touch the story

If you’re not sure which one you are, that’s okay. If you’re between the two, if you’re neither, or if you don’t even know what to make of these traits, this post will still help you.

My Plot was Paper Thin Until I Added These 6 Key Characters, Pt. 1

1. Your Ideas Are Worth It!

First off, you need to remember that your ideas are worth pursuing and that imposter syndrome is just another version of fear, and fear is a liar!

Your ideas and premises are only limited by the amount of determination you have. Are you going to let your idea get great?

Here are some affirmations to help you remember that your stories are excellent!

• My story came from my head. No one else can think this kind of thing up the way that I have.

• If I want to read my story, other people will too.

• My story is interesting and new.

• My ideas are valid, and my perspective is unique.

• With every word I write, my story grows into what it is meant to be.

I hope that these brighten your day and remind you that:

Your voice, your story, and your words matter!!!

My Plot was Paper Thin Until I Added These 6 Key Characters, Pt. 2

2. I Write on Paper

Once I have my idea and I’m thoroughly excited about it, I get out a clean stack of notebook paper, clip it in my binder, and sharpen my pencils. (You may prefer notebooks. Or pens. But the aesthetic is there nonetheless.)

Then, I let my instincts take over. I write character interactions, draw maps, design letters and languages, and generally doodle all over the pages about whatever strikes my fancy.

This is when I learn about my characters, my world, and my plot.

I let my characters decide where they want to go, I figure out my main conflicts, I explore antagonists and protagonists and side characters. I see holes and try my best to fill them in.

At this time, I like to:

• Decide all names (last, first, nicknames, locations)

• Figure out the theme (what message am I putting forth?)

• Make sure I’m not trying to avoid filling in giant plot holes (very common of me)

• Make sure I have humor, relationships, and an obvious conflict

Of course, you do not have to do any of these things. Many of us can have all of it inside our heads without even realizing it’s there. My first two novels were written this way and turned out just fine!

What I Do When I Just Don't Want To Write

3. Write a General Outline from Beginning to End

Uh-oh, the O word. Outline.

This is not what an outliner would call a real outline, not by a long shot, so you pantsers don’t have to worry about this step at all. If you do it, your first draft will be a lovely experience, and if you don’t, it will still be up to par, I’m sure.

What I do next is start at the beginning and go through all the plot points all the way to the end. I call it my scene list.

I start with a numbered list of everything that happens between the beginning and the end. For example:

1. Will goes to the store and buys eggs and milk.

2. He gets in his car to go home, and the radio announcer is talking about the town cooking competition and how to enroll. He decides to compete.

3. He spends the next week practicing his cooking skills.

4. The day of the contest arrives, and Will cooks his dish.

5. The judges judge the dishes. Will is anxious because he wants to win.

6. The judges declare that Will’s dish is the best and he receives the blue ribbon.

Make sure that when you end a number, the scene has a definite end, too— this is often signified by a decision that the character makes. Will is going to go home now. He decides to compete. He decides that he’s practiced enough. He decides that the dish is ready for judging. So on.

This will help you understand where your story is going. When you get stuck with your story, all you have to do is look down at your general outline or your scene list and see what’s next.

This will also help with burnout and writer’s block while you draft!

Writers, Take Note: 4 Reasons Why Reading Is Your Secret Weapon

The Results

Using this method, I wrote my last novel in 74 days. Yes, I am a brutal outliner and did a lot more than this, but if I had just followed these three steps, I would still have gotten to the same place I am now.

Just remember:

• Your story is worth it

• Playing with your story will reveal its true potential

• Listing what happens will help avoid burnout and writer’s block

Now go, write that novel!

How I Finished My Novel in 74 Days Without Burnout