How to survive (and complete!) your first draft

Sticking with It: How to Survive and Complete Your First Draft – 5 Ways to Get Through It

So, you’ve decided to write a book. Congratulations! You’ve joined the ranks of countless dreamers who want to bring their stories to life. 

But now, reality is sinking in. The cursor is blinking at you mockingly, the blank page seems endless and your initial excitement is being replaced with self-doubt and procrastination. Welcome to the writer's journey! 

In this blog, we’ll explore five practical and effective ways to help you survive and complete your first draft.

One of the biggest obstacles to completing a first draft is the feeling of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work ahead. The trick is to break it down into manageable chunks.

Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. For instance, instead of saying, “I’ll write a book,” you could say, “I’ll write 500 words a day for the next three months.” This makes the goal feel more attainable and provides a clear path forward.

Establish a daily word count goal that suits your lifestyle. It could be as modest as 200 words or as ambitious as 2,000. The key is consistency. Even on your busiest days, write something. Progress is progress, no matter how small.

A consistent writing routine is a writer’s best friend. When you make writing a habit, it becomes easier to sit down and get words on the page.

Identify the time of day when you’re most productive. Are you a morning person or does your creativity peak in the evening? Allocate this time specifically for writing and try to stick to it as much as possible.

Set up a designated writing space. Whether it’s a home office, a corner in your bedroom or a favourite café, having a specific place where you go to write can help condition your brain to switch into writing mode.

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to be written.

Turn off your inner critic and give yourself permission to write poorly. The first draft is about getting your ideas down on paper. Editing and refining come later. Remember, you can’t edit a blank page.

Mistakes and plot holes are inevitable in a first draft. Don’t let them slow you down. Make a note of issues to fix later, but keep moving forward. Your goal is to complete the draft, not to perfect it on the first go.

Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. Staying motivated throughout the process is crucial.

Acknowledge and celebrate your progress. Finished a chapter? Reward yourself with something enjoyable. Reached your weekly word count goal? Treat yourself to a nice meal or a movie – anything achievable that will incentivise you. Small rewards can keep you motivated and reinforce positive writing habits.

Keep visual reminders of your progress. Use a calendar to mark off days when you’ve met your writing goals. Watching the days add up can be incredibly motivating and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Writing can be a lonely endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be! Finding a support system can make a world of difference.

Join writing groups or online communities where you can share your struggles, successes and progress with fellow writers. These communities can offer invaluable advice, encouragement and camaraderie.

Find an accountability partner. This could be a fellow writer, a friend or a family member who checks in on your progress regularly. Having someone to report to can keep you accountable and motivated.

Completing your first draft is a monumental achievement and it’s only the beginning of your writing journey. By setting achievable goals, creating a writing routine, embracing the mess, staying motivated and seeking support, you can navigate the challenges of writing a first draft and emerge victorious.

Remember, every great novel started as a rough first draft. Stick with it, keep writing and before you know it, you’ll have a completed manuscript ready for the next phase of your literary adventure. 

Happy writing!