Many writing teachers advise writers to draft with little thought as to how the story unfolds. You may know this as the Junk method, the Barf method of if you read Anne Lamott, the Write ahem, you-know-what First Drafts method. Notice all these methods are draft methods, meaning the writing that happens when you get your ideas down and bring the characters to life. Here are some ideas, now that we’re back from Spring Break, to make your draft time more enjoyable:
Writing Tip for Today:
Write Fast First Drafts Think of writing that first draft as equaling word count. You’ll produce more words faster if you aren’t trying to judge their efficacy while you draft.
Get in the mood. If you are writing fiction or memoir, see the characters in your head. Let them move around, don’t keep them isolated or on the phone. Better drama results from characters interacting. So as you prepare to write, put characters on stage and let them go at it.
Let it Cool. After you give the characters a workout, set them aside at least for a day. I always do a better editing job if I let my draft cool off for a time.
Edit with a Cold Eye. Don’t allow your inner child to run your editing session. That child wants to hang onto every word and adores those “darlings” we all occasionally write. If you have to draft and edit on the same day, try to take a break between. If possible write and edit different pieces.
Have Fun! Yes, writing can be work, but try to make it fun work. Don’t take yourself or your writing too seriously. They say if you sing with a smile on your face, your voice sounds better. I think it might work with writing too.