5 Ways to Get Your Draft Written

We all know the first draft is shit. (Hemingway said it, not me.) But does that make it any easier to put those stomach-churning sentences to the page? Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn’t. For those days when you can’t seem to do anything but stare at a blinking cursor, here are five ways to smash through the wall of self-doubt and convince yourself to write that first draft—in all its typo-riddled, repetitive, ambiguity-filled glory.

1. Stream of Consciousness
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Punctuation be gone! Take a cue from James Joyce and write stream of consciousness style. This type of writing is meant to mimic the chaotic flow of natural thoughts. Don’t analyze. Don’t worry about it being good, or even sensical. Just write. This is a great way to block our tendency to overanalyze every word we write and to break through “writer’s block."

2. Don’t Start at the Beginning
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We’ve been told over and over how important the beginning is, so we find ourselves stuck on the first page, wondering if the opening we’ve chosen will hook readers. Guess what? It doesn’t matter! As an editor, I can tell you that most stories start in the wrong place anyway. That’s what the editing process is for. You’re going to change your opening scene, maybe even write a whole new one. So don’t worry about it. Just get going and see what happens. And if you’re still having a hard time fighting off those doubts, start somewhere you know won’t be the first scene. There’s no rule that says you have to write your story in order.

3. Go Longhand
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Writing by hand is one of the best ways to jump start your writing. Besides setting aside distractions (like the Internet and Twitter), it helps you connect with your writing on another level. There’s nothing like the feel of your favorite pen and a nice notebook and seeing your words in your own handwriting. I actually wrote an entire post about why you should write by hand.

4. Timed Word Sprints
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For anyone who’s participated in NaNoWriMo, this one will sound familiar! Set a timer for ten minutes, and tell yourself you cannot stop writing until time’s up. If you’re typing, the keys must be making noise. If you’re writing by hand, the pen must be moving. Some even set a no backspacing rule. The goal is to crank out as many words as you possibly can. Don’t think, and don’t worry if they’re complete and utter shit. This is a fantastic technique to get you across rough transitions or through scenes you’re nervous about writing. Set aside your fears and doubts, and just write.

5. Give Yourself a Break
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You’re probably seeing a pattern emerging, here. The key to getting that draft written is accepting that it’s not going to be perfect. Allow yourself to make mistakes, and recognize that the draft is not the finished product. When you’re able to do that, you’ll find the words come much more easily.

Let's #GetItWritten!
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It's easier to forget the worry and fear when we're all supporting each other. Writing can be isolated, but it doesn't have to be lonely. We're all in this together, and we need to remind each other that it doesn't have to be perfect. Supporting each other through the journey is the best way to destroy those pesky doubts that keep us from achieving our goals.

Let's start the conversation! Tweet with #GetItWritten—encouragement, struggles, or ways you get past the doubts and get words on the page.

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